Viol 35
Borden’s Visit
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WHEN I woke up the next day, it was already almost midday.
On workdays, I lack sleep, so I tend to sleep in on my days off to around midday. The mansion staff seem to have gotten used to my habits. It’s kind of them to let me sleep in.
I got up and rang the bell, and Albert brought me a cup of morning coffee.
“Lord Borden is visiting today, is he not? I have laid out some clothes for you, my lord… But what would you like to have for refreshments?”
“Something light, please. Thank you, Albert.”
“The bath is filled, incidentally, my lord.”
“Hmm. I think I’ll have a quick wash, then.”
“Then I will prepare the refreshments in the meantime.”
“Thanks, Albert.”
After the arrangements had been hashed out, Albert had some surprising news. Apparently, Seren had an unexpected guest of her own. A young lady friend of Seren’s. Since Borden, the prime minister himself, was due to arrive later, Seren’s guest was being entertained in the dining room.
It occurred to me that I ought to go and greet Seren’s guest as well, but I was still half-asleep… It would be rude to show my face like this.
I quickly took a bath and changed into the clothes Albert laid out for me. I used wind magic to dry my hair and was having breakfast—or rather, lunch—in my room when Albert came to inform me that Borden had arrived.
Surprisingly, he was early. So I wouldn’t have time to greet Seren’s visitor after all. That was a shame.
Borden had already been shown to the parlor, so I headed straight there. To the public, Borden is the Prime Minister—a venerable man. But to me, he’s just my good friend of many years. I didn’t find him in the least bit intimidating. And I didn’t want to waste a good brunch, so I took it with me on a tray to the parlor.
“Borden! Thanks for taking the time to visit me at home.”
“…You don’t change, do you? Not even now that you’re married to Lady Seren.”
“Why would I?”
For some reason, Borden was smirking wryly at me. I had no idea why. I blinked at him, confused, but he sat down in front of me and reclined in a relaxed way.
“Ah, never mind. Anyway, the reason I’m here today… Well, here it is.” Borden slapped a box of considerable size down onto the table between us. “My mother sent me a few things she wanted to give you.”
“Your… mother?”
“Yes. You visited our demesne on your honeymoon, didn’t you?”
Borden’s mother… That set the old cogwheels turning. Yes, on our honeymoon, Seren and I were well taken care of at the estate where Borden’s mother lives. You could tell she was Borden’s mother because she had an affable way with people and a permanent smile on her beautiful face. But compared to Borden, she was a bit more perky and gregarious.
“Well, you wrote us that kind letter of introduction,” I said. “And Seren was keen to check out the magical tomes in your library. We stayed a full two days.”
“Yes, I heard.”
“Truly, some very interesting tomes in that collection. We were very well catered to, as well.”
“Well, any friend of mine and all that. Anyway, I heard you two made yourself useful to my mother in return.”
I blinked, a little taken aback. “We didn’t do much… Seren and I were able to read many fascinating books in the library, and we even received a few as gifts. So we did a few chores to express our appreciation.”
“Maybe it didn’t seem like much to you. But to an ordinary person… Well. My people were amazed at how quickly you cleared out the forest.”
“Well, I’m glad if we could be of service.”
“Anyway, those are gifts from home. A rare assortment of sweet treats procured through our connections.”
“Really?! Can I open it?”
“Of course. Good, you seem pleased.”
I opened the box, and my eyes fell upon an assortment of brightly colored fruits.
The brightness of the colors hit me first. But on closer inspection, I realized I was looking at a roll cake cut into slices, all topped with thick cream and studded with fruits, jelly, and candied decorations.
A roll cake is a familiar dessert item, but the way a variety of colors and textures decorated this one made it seem special indeed.
“Amazing…!”
“You like it, then?”
“You can say that again! I can’t wait to eat this. Please give my kindest regards to your mother…” I was still distracted by the dessert when I heard a knock at the door. Those must be the refreshments and the liquor I’d bought for Borden. “Ah…”
Oh, right. I forgot because of the amazing dessert, but I’d asked Borden to come around in the first place because I had something specific to discuss with him.
“Oh… Now, this is some quality liquor,” he said.
“I heard it was your favorite, so I procured a bottle. I admit, I wasn’t expecting you until later, but… would you care for a midday drink?”
“Why not? Every now and then won’t hurt. Thank you. These snacks look tasty, too.”
Borden smiled warmly. Whenever we’re together, I feel like I’m back at school, somehow. The only trouble is that I tend to forget myself and get a bit TOO relaxed.
“The chef in our employ is a very skilled fellow. Please, dig in.”
“Oh, thanks. Incidentally, Viol, what exactly brought you to my office yesterday?”
Oh, phew, Borden tactfully steered us to the subject himself. A good fellow.
“Well, the thing is… I have something to discuss regarding the Kichul Forest.”
“The Kichul Forest, you say? Is there some problem?”
“I’m not sure how to explain… The Third Mage Guild has been paying close attention to it for some time now, in fact. More and more powerful magical beasts appear there every year. And even plants have started turning into beasts. We’ve been conducting a top-secret investigation into why this might be.”
“What…?!”
“No real harm has been done yet. It’s all just speculation at this point. I was planning to report our findings and consult with the king the minute we found out something we could be certain about.”
“Working in secret… You… Well, never mind. So, then, you found something?”
“Yes. A cluster of concentrated magical power with a vast magic stone at the center of it. We believe its powerful magical energy is influencing the surrounding area, turning animals and plants into magical beasts.”
I took out the recording orb I’d prepared and played back the images in front of Borden. I was glad I’d thought to make a record. It would make explaining things to people much easier.
“This is… But… What’s this white thing? Bones? Why so much bone, all concentrated in one place?” Borden asked.
“Those are the bones of magical beasts. I suspect the hollow of this giant tree became a graveyard of sorts for them. But it’s not the bones I want you to look at. Look underneath, at the magic stone layer.”
“So that glowing thing is a magic stone? It’s huge.”
“And it’s of fine quality, too. I’ve never even heard of a magic stone this vast or pure before.”
“This is incredible…” Even Borden, always so calm, looked stunned. He had his eyes glued to the bizarre sight.