“I believe Volf has already seen this?”
“Sir Volf and our chairwoman collaborated on the design, and it was supposedly conjured up for his back-embroidery.”
“I’ve often heard that term during my chivalric studies...”
The slight tilt of Guido’s head summoned his attendant with oxide-brown hair. “Back-embroidery is an old tradition dating back to the founding of this kingdom. When a knight would depart for battle, women who were close with him would wish for his safety by stitching a simple embroidery design on the back of his shirt. It is said the practice carries meanings such as ‘I wish to protect your back’ and ‘I will protect the home in your absence.’”
“Ah. No wonder that my schoolmates in chivalric studies admired the custom so.”
“I have learned something new as well. I thought it was simply to wish Sir Volf safety on his expeditions.” Ivano was a little surprised by the lore behind it, but not as surprised as he’d been when Dahlia had handed him the design.
“This emblem—is it perhaps a sign that my brother is considering whether to retire as a Beast Hunter?”
“I think not. Surely he would speak to you about it before making that decision, Lord Guido.”
“Well, I’m not so sure about that. Sometimes things happen on a whim.”
“Unlikely,” said Jonas softly but audibly—he was standing beside Guido, and a coffee table’s distance wasn’t enough to dampen his voice. It seemed they didn’t really mind Ivano hearing, though; there wasn’t an anti-eavesdropping tool active.
Ivano continued, “Forgive me for suddenly shifting topics, but I brought with me a letter from our chairwoman. I believe it bears a request from Sir Volf.”
“Oh, then allow me to read it at once.”
That Guido sounded very pleased as he received the letter made Ivano feel a little sorry for him—the contents of the letter were going to disappoint him. And, as expected, Guido’s face stiffened into a mask soon after he began reading. When he finished, he handed the letter to Jonas, who proceeded to silently digest the words.
Surprisingly, Guido’s dejection was noticeable. “The material on which Madam Rossetti completed her back-embroidery is groundbreaking, and Volf wishes to use it to line his armor, so it seems...”
“Yellow slime this time? How curious.” The rust-eyed man showed no expression, yet Ivano understood his feelings all too well. When Dahlia had first explained it, Ivano could only don a hollow smile. First blue slime with the waterproof cloth, then green with the insoles and zephyricloth, and now yellow. If slimes could speak, they would surely have cursed Dahlia as an enemy to their kind.
“A question, if I may, Ivano—is magical toolmaking in the civilian sector a profession that requires experimenting and enchanting with every single thing available?”
“I believe that is not so much something with all magical toolmakers but rather this magical toolmaker. In part, it is due to our chairwoman’s creative mind and due to this being, erm, a hobby of sorts for her.”
How could Ivano explain this? He thought of Carlo—once, when they had gone to the tavern, Carlo had put an ice crystal to a metal tankard hoping to chill his drink, only to completely freeze it solid, and he had bellowed in laughter. It wasn’t necessarily that they had to try enchanting with every material they got their hands on, but Ivano recognized the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He thought of Oswald next. Ivano had never witnessed him in action, but he knew he was incredibly thorough with his calculations before properly crafting something in his workshop. There were no comparisons to be made.
Jonas managed to wrap it up very nicely. “Master Dahlia is very passionate in her magical toolmaking research.”
Guido pointed his blues at him, then slumped and sighed. “I suppose I expected too much when I saw the company emblem...”
For once, Ivano completely agreed with him. “Likewise, sir. I asked our chairwoman about it as well.”
“Oh? And what did you say?”
“Pardon the impoliteness toward Sir Volf, but I asked, ‘Oh, won’t you make Sir Volf exclusively yours already, Ms. Dahlia?’”
“And Madam Rossetti?”
“‘Once he retires from the Order of Beast Hunters, I would love for him to work for us.’ She, of course, had on her usual innocent smile.” Both when she had handed Ivano the dog-and-flower design and when he had asked her that question, Dahlia hadn’t the slightest blush on her face—in essence, she was not even cognizant of the possibility of becoming anything more than just friends with Volf. Ivano badly wanted to pour Volf a tall one the next time they had a chance to drink together.
“It appears that sort of thing is still a long way away...”
“They have only known each other for half a year, after all.”
“Half a year? Huh, I suppose you’re right. I mustn’t be too hasty, then.”
Again, likewise. Dahlia and Volf gave off the false impression that they had been together for a long time. Ivano himself hadn’t been with the Rossetti Company for even a half year yet; he was still a fledgling vice-chairman. But there was so much time to grow.