She replied in a panic to the husky voice. “My apologies!”
“The springs in the door are a little strong; could I ask you to hold the door for me?”
“My pleasure.” Dahlia did as requested until the elderly man entered.
He struck the doorsill with a metallic clank. He must’ve had a steel toe in his boot and a brace for his right knee—he was at an advanced age, so maybe it was to support a bum knee. After he had found his seat inside, she dipped her head, signaling that she meant to take her leave.
Then he spoke again. “You do not seem like a knight. Are you here as an attendant?”
“Not as an attendant, but I was graciously invited to join today as the Rossetti Trading Company’s—” Dahlia now realized she had completely forgotten to introduce herself to the aristocrat; she panicked and turned to him.
“Ah, no need for formalities. The Rossetti Trading Company, is it? The name is Bernigi—a former Beast Hunter and now just an old man escaping to his coach to recover from all the drinking today.” The man with the hoary head did not introduce himself with his surname; Dahlia took it as an indication that he was traveling incognito and did not inquire further. “It must be hard for a businessman like you to join these knights on their field training.”
“Not at all. It has been a great learning experience. I had never seen a living armored crab until today.”
“You certainly wouldn’t see a living one in the city—I would sure hope not, at least. Did you try the crab raw today?”
“Oh, yes, it was wonderful.” Even with a sunbeam shining through the open window, the air inside the cabin was cold, and it gave the elderly man a few mild coughs; Dahlia saw a folded lap blanket lying on the seat near her, and she handed it to Bernigi. “Do you carry a hand warmer?”
“I think my attendant has stowed it away somewhere, but this blanket will be plenty, thank you. Back in my day, when I went out on expeditions, my pillow would sometimes frost over.”
“It was that cold?” When the elderly man had been young, the waterproof cloth had yet to be invented, but he should’ve at least had a sleeping bag or something.
“Mm. The mountains to the north get very cold, you see. Night watch was done in three shifts, and whoever wasn’t on duty would sleep in their armor. Even with some bedding to lay on the ground, we’d freeze, as our armor was mostly metal back in the day, and when we rolled over, the frost on the ground would crinkle.”
“My, the conditions truly were dreadful. Everyone must have caught colds?”
“We all did in the beginning, but once you start training, your body gets used to the hardship.” Bernigi coughed again in the chilly cabin.
Dahlia took out a spare portable warm air circulator she had in her jacket pocket. “Here, I think this may help. Try putting it under your lap blanket.”
After a quick explanation, he placed the magical tool on his knees and then covered it up. “This is perfectly warm. I never knew there was something like this. Life sure is easier these days.”
“Erm, this has only just been invented for the Beast Hunters, actually.” Dahlia couldn’t bring herself to tell him that pretty much every single knight out there was equipped with one. She answered his question about whether the ventilator was for sale and told him how much it sold for. She then agreed to let him have someone from the family send payment to the Rossetti Trading Company at a later time.
Bernigi enjoyed the warmth for a while before lightly rapping his right knee twice and grimacing. “More and more magical tools appear every day. On the one hand, they are very helpful...”
“But on the other hand?” She was surprised at his hesitance and ended up staring him dead in the eyes.
His almond eyes, the color of black tea, silently apologized. “I know you are with the Rossetti Trading Company and I mean no offense, but this old man cannot help but feel uncomfortable that the Order of Beast Hunters employs so many magical tools.”
“Is the object of your concern perhaps the order’s budget?”
“No, I have heard they have extra money to spend now. Rather, I...” Bernigi sighed. “I feel that they are spoiled. They are too lax. They are unaware. I almost want to ask them what they would or could do if a wyvern appeared right now.”
“You worry for the knights, then.”
“I suppose I do. Every single man out there is a nephew or a grandson to me.” He coughed again, then he looked out the window—his gaze was undoubtedly full of love for his kin.
“Um, I hope you can forgive me for being so bold as to say this, but although the proliferation of magical tools has indeed made the Beast Hunters’ lives a little more comfortable, I doubt they are negligent—it isn’t as though these magical tools make the monsters any weaker.”
Bernigi gave her a puzzled look. “I would understand if you were saying that because it is good business for you, but I have heard that your company barely turns a profit on the camp stoves for the Order.”
“We are fortunate to be in the black. Besides, these Beast Hunters protect our kingdom. I truly believe that our company ought to do whatever little we can to make their grueling expeditions easier.”
“And what if the comfort they are now afforded leads to carelessness? When I was their age, the sort of behavior they are currently demonstrating would have been no laughing matter. Whether it was day or night, we were always vigilant during our expeditions. No matter if our comrades fell in combat, no matter how terrible the fight, we powered through it all with grit and determination. I want those knights to live...” Bernigi’s final sentence was nothing but a whisper—not to Dahlia, but to whatever gods he was addressing his prayers.
And she understood him well. But expeditions didn’t have to be about grit and determination; neglecting to improve the situation would be inefficient. “I understand what you are saying. But, um—say, do you use magical lanterns or hot water dispensers at home?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Is that not the same, sir? I feel that magical tools help improve the knights’ efficiency and thereby ensure they survive. That is, erm, that is to say that when we make their journeys more comfortable, they have more energy to do battle against monsters. Furthermore, I would venture to presume that you wish for your own children and grandchildren to grow up in a better environment than you have, so, um, is it really so bad to support the Beast Hunters and wish that they become stronger every day?” She was rambling from the heart, and she knew her question was hardly coherent.
Bernigi sat in silence. It was only then that Dahlia remembered he was a nobleman, and one whom she had only met today at that. Getting worked up about what he had said about the knights using magical tools was one thing, but being irritable and disrespectful toward him was another.
As she turned pale and made the decision to apologize, Bernigi spoke first. “Hm. I suppose I am still clinging to the past. It would be hypocritical of me to enjoy my modern conveniences, like the hot water dispenser and the cooling fan, while forbidding my son or grandson to do so. To say others must suffer because I have is terribly selfish.” The elderly man directed his words unto himself. Dahlia was left speechless. The corners of his eyes curved upward as he looked at her. “I thank you for this lesson in humility.”
“N-No! I have done nothing to deserve your thanks!” She flapped both hands in a fluster at his declaration.
“The Rossetti Trading Company teaches their employees well. I should like to meet the chairwoman they call the Red-Haired Witch someday.”
“Oh, um—”
Though she tried to introduce herself, the elderly man wasn’t finished. “You haven’t heard of that name? I hear they also call her the Red Cat. The fact that Chairwoman Rossetti will be made a baroness next year for her continued inventions of novel and helpful magical tools—it’s something very unusual, you know? People at the castle and the nobility give her such amusing nicknames—some are less amusing, however...”