Violant of the Silver Chapter 2 Part1

h.e.l.lo everyone! This is chapter 2, part 1!

I’ve added countdowns for every novel’s next chapter on the side bar. They’re not 100% accurate, but they should be a close enough representation on how far I’ve gotten.

I’ve decided on Walmcardo for that “evil” country btw.

If you enjoyed this release, please leave a like or a comment below! If you are feeling slightly more generous, please leave a rating/review for this novel on NU!

Thank you very much.

Chapter 2: The Reasons For Not Appearing Outside

Part 1

The next morning.

Although he stays within the mansion, Vio does not fancy meeting with Legion anymore, and informs Jill not to involve himself with the knight. Sitting down on a chair in the parlor, he flips through pages of doc.u.ments.

These encompa.s.s the sales reports on businesses that make use of Leca’s flowers.

“Are the inks that popular? …How unexpected.”

Vio had thought that the candy, which rejuvenated magical essence, would be sought-after among those who battle using spirit magic as an occupation. Contrary to belief, the inks are selling like hot cakes.

Magical power, that is to say, is similar to water. The amount that each individual possesses is different.

Like one’s heart, the vessel that acc.u.mulates magical power is not visible. However, it is connected to the organ apparently.

Because the great spirit has said so, it seems that the belief has been accepted as common sense.

The size of the vessel depends on the person. Apart from relying on spirit stones that contain magical power, the only other way to use spirit magic is by utilizing the magical essence collected in one’s vessel. Each time a person calls upon it, the contents decrease, but the vessel will refill itself over time. When the reserves are completely depleted, it takes a while before they are replenished. Overdoing it will burden the heart. At worst is death. Those who have weak const.i.tutions must restrain themselves from excessive spirit magic usage.

Since it takes time for magical essence to acc.u.mulate, Vio was under the impression that candies made from Leca’s flowers, which can recover a small dose of magical power gradually if licked, are products in high demand. Because the ingredients are easy to procure, the candies are cheap enough that children can buy them with their pocket money.

(Perhaps if it takes time to recover magical essence, then it would be more efficient to purchase the pricier spirit stones. Anxious about recovery, people will opt for those instead¹.)

As he is a.n.a.lyzing the doc.u.ments, a knock sounds on the door. At Vio’s acknowledgment,  Jill guides in a man in his early thirties.

He appears honest, ashen strands tied up together at the back of his hair. When he meets eyes with Vio, he lowers his head in a fl.u.s.ter.

“Rock (ローク). Please sit over there.”

“Yes. Excuse me, Violant-sama. I came to submit a status report regarding Amade village.”

“You have been a great help.”

Rock lowers himself onto the ottoman facing opposite of Vio. Jill stands obliquely behind his master.

At the sight of Rock’s green eyes darting left and right and wandering around, unable to keep composure, Vio speaks.

“As usual, you are not well-acquainted to this. Do you feel nervous coming back to report every week?”

“Y-yes. Those like myself find this place too splendid and end up feeling restless. I apologize for the discourtesy.”

Perhaps thinking he is being scolded, the large man hangs his shoulders, looking despondent and dejected.

Rock is an inspector that Vio employed for the tax bureau.

He has hired two others to watch over Rock, so that the bureau and the inspector cannot conspire without Vio’s knowledge.

Managing the same place for too long gives room for dishonesty. Therefore, the location of the bureau Rock is a.s.signed to changes randomly.

Currently, Rock is responsible for the one in Amade village.

“I am not angry. May I have your report?”

“Yes.”

He presents the report made of three sheets of parchment. After receiving them, Vio looks through them quickly.

“Do pests(害獣) frequent Leca’s flowerbeds? What happened to the fencing?”

“Yes, when I had examined them, I noticed that a hole had been dug at the bottom of the fences somehow. The vermin must have invaded by this method. So, for the first course of action we plugged the area around the hole with stone.”

“I see. Of course, this will force them to give up invading. Incidentally, when was pesticide paint last applied to the fence?”

“If I’m not mistaken, I think half a year ago. Ah—that’s right. Perhaps the coating has become less effective after the snow piled up.”

“Jill, how is the stock of paint?”

Vio asks Jill, pondering over the paint’s smell that the pests dislike. The butler responds, not missing a beat.

“There are three cans.”

“Then, Rock will deliver them to Amade village. Only plug in the stones at the areas where the paint is worn thin. Other than that, there should be no problems.”

“Understood.”

Vio continues to inquire as the inspector nods.

“Is it fine to grow flowers? What has changed for everyone in the village?”

“Yes, the villagers were affected by the pests. Luckily, since a small amount of flowerbeds were impacted, the situation should be fine. It seems that the day before yesterday, everyone cleaned the warehouses where the flowers had been grown in the winter. They transported them inside, brought out the flowerpots, and tilled the soil. (中に運びこんでいた鉢を外に出して、土を作り直しているところですよ) Everyone was overcome with joy to work with the flowers. Also, the dog from the village head’s residence gave birth to seven puppies.”

Rock looks happy as he reports this. It appears like his previous tension has dissipated.

Leca’s flowers, which Vio has lay eyes on, are young herbs (若菜) that are edible and to a certain degree, weeds. (レカの花は、ヴィオが目をつけるまでは、若菜が食べられる程度の雑草だった)

Aside for the winter, the flowers bloom all year round in this region. They resemble dandelions from Earth, except the petals are stained red. Although the flowers start off white during their blossom, as they absorb the magical essence within the air, they grow increasingly crimson. To use one, just pick it up.

Vio took notice of this flower when, during a festival, the people in Leca town had crushed them into pulp, painting patterns on their faces with the red sap.

Back on Earth, he remembered doing something similar with j.a.panese Morning Glory. By chance, he drew a magic circle using the sap of Leca’s flowers. Even though he did not compose a spell, the magic circle still illuminated. As a result, he came to the conclusion that the flowers contained a great deal of magical essence.

Vio attempted to ask the village elders if they knew of this fact. However, he was astonished to discover that besides as food, no other use for the flowers existed.

As a weed, the plant was easy to cultivate and matured quickly.

Vio had a s.p.a.cious storehouse constructed, making it possible to grow Leca’s flowers in the winter. It was only during this season that the hearths needed to be attended to. Yet due to the long winters, firewood was a precious source of income. No one was willing to share. (冬だけは暖炉にくべる薪が必要だが、冬が長いこの地方では貴重な収入源なので、誰もケチらない)

In the summer, an agreement was made where each household would send small amounts of firewood to a joint-management storehouse. Despite that, the firewood would be taxed lightly.

When Vio had arrived in this place approximately two years ago, both Leca town and Amade village were impoverished. Desiring money to purchase tea, he somehow became wealthy through trial and error. The meals (食事情) at the start of that year were pretty terrible. He feels embarra.s.sed whenever he recalls those days.

“Oh? The village head’s dog gave birth? Well then, apart from delivering the paint, bring some chicken meat as a congratulatory gift. Raise the pups well, so that they can guard the flowerbeds.”

“Understood.”

Roku appears joyful, his eyes brightening.

This is because whenever meat is conferred to the village head, it is given out to everyone in the village automatically.

In Amade village, there seems to be a custom where the people share such things.

This means Rock will also be entrusted with sharing if he is present, for the meat is considered emergency rations. (炊き出し)

“By the way Rock, you were in charge of trade previously. Do you have any insight on why inks are selling more than the regenerative candies?”

“That’s because they are practical. Leca’s inks already contain magical essence. As such, even people with low magical power reserves can use magic if they can compose magic circles using the ink. For people like us, such items are more valuable than luxury products (嗜好品).

He continues. “Inks that are blended with the powder of spirit stones are much cheaper than opulent goods. The light magic is particularly convenient. Since it lasts a significant amount of time, it costs less than the price of oil.”

“Huh, I see.”

Though unforeseen, if an item is beneficial then that is all that matters.

“I have troubled you with reporting. Please enjoy some tea in the next room. After that, return to Amade village. Jill.”

“Yes. This way please, Rock-dono.”

“Thank you, Violant-sama. May you receive the green spirit Yuglena-sama’s divine protection.²”

Rock bows with words of prayer, heading toward the door with Jill.

Yuglena is the great spirit that protects the Kingdom of Istia. In this world, those who gain a great spirit’s blessing become sovereigns. Naturally, the countries exist wherever the great spirits are.

Roku, who is on his way out, pauses mid-step and looks back all of a sudden.

“Oh, that’s right. A new knight has arrived. He is both a hard worker and excellent. No wonder he is Violant-sama’s knight.”

After saying such compliments, the inspector departs.

“Hard worker? What on earth is he talking about?”

Vio knits his eyebrows. He has a bad premonition about this.

Ending notes: Oh boy, can anyone guess what Vio’s “bad premonition” is about? Missing Legi already ):

Also, Roku or Rock? ローク. Yuglena? (ユグレナ)

Anxious about recovery, people will opt for those instead¹: Pretty sure I messed this line up. (あちらは触ふれて念じれば回復するから)

May you receive the green spirit Yuglena-sama’s divine protection²: Close enough, maybe? (緑の精霊ユグレナ様のご加護がありますように)