According to their spy, Norbert regularly taught arithmetic while juggling his work at the Accounting Department.
“So even the royal family is directly involved… They’re quite serious about educating the peasants, it seems.” Donato frowned as if he could not grasp their reasoning.
The smile faded from Lars’s lips. “That’s one way of thinking about it. His motives for getting involved might be different from those of the crown prince.”
The Romany guides had mentioned that the Holy Maiden and crown prince sponsored the private school. However, the kingdom was bound to suffer a financial burden were the project to expand.
Then there was the king’s bastard son, who took the lowest seat at the dinner party. Did he get involved in the church’s private school out of his own volition, or was someone else behind it?
“The Royal Accounting Department…that’s where that guide is from,” Luciano said.
“Kondo, yes. I find him very interesting.”
“You had a lot of praise for his paperwork.”
Indeed, upon closer inspection, the documents (which had turned into a bigger stack than the day before) covered a wide breadth while being easy to digest. It would have taken a lot of time and effort for a single person to compile, which lent credence to the idea that the Accounting Department as a whole had prepared them beforehand.
“That’s part of it, but I also got the impression yesterday that he’s the one in charge of the tour group.”
The listless-looking man was the quickest to respond whenever the Egorovan side diverted from the itinerary.
“No way. Isn’t he just doing all the running around because he’s a grunt?”
“Even still, he’s got a sharp intuition and he’s quick at his job. I’d find a worker like him rather handy to have around.” Although he came for the movement spells, Lars smiled at the unexpected discovery.
Knowing very well that the prince always got his hands on what he wanted, Georgi and Donato exchanged glances. They felt sorry for the poor accountant.
But then Luciano said, as if only just struck by the thought, “Oh, you mustn’t, Elder… Your Highness. He has a partner in this country.”
“Oh, really?”
The man had not given off any such impression today or the day before.
Luciano nodded firmly. “Yes, he had a purple gem in his silver flower accessory at the dinner party.”
“A flower… The mias flower signifies ‘eternity’ in Romany, if I recall. I suppose that means he is married or betrothed, then?”
“Yes, and he had spinels on his arm cuffs.”
“Well, well… He must have quite the zealous partner indeed.”
“Spinels are quite rare jewels, aren’t they? They’ve got to be wealthy.”
As the four Egorovans recalled the visage of the man who had been with them until just a short while ago, they got the impression that some things didn’t add up. But they were satisfied with the idea, at least, that Kondo’s partner was a hopeless romantic, had plenty of money to spare, and had purple in their appearance.
“I suppose it would be difficult to poach him if he has a partner,” Lars mused.
“If you’re that insistent upon it, why don’t you poach his partner along with him?”
“No, someone with that kind of money has to be an influential noble. I doubt they’d be willing to part ways with their country.”
But still, Lars wondered just who the man’s partner was.
“Welcome. I hope you have not been waiting long.” Siegvold greeted them at the capital’s church, which wasn’t terribly far from the palace.
Siegvold was the straitlaced and slightly overzealous priest who had assisted Seiichirou back when he was auditing the church. He liked to refer to Seiichirou as a “disciple of Abran.” Although he was the eldest son of the influential Marquess Erwell, he was sent to the church when he was young because of his poor magic control, which spurred his blind faith in the Abran religion. Apparently, when he discovered that praying to a magic stone calmed him down (by absorbing his magic), he and his family decided that he would devote his life to serving God.
“It’s nice to see you again, Priest Siegvold. Apologies for the sudden imposition.”
“No, Disciple—erm, Mr. Seiichirou—I’m always happy to oblige your requests.”
When Seiichirou turned to introduce Siegvold to the Egorovans, the four members of the delegation were staring at the two of them with wide eyes. He found that puzzling.
“Your Highness, um…this is Priest Siegvold, a priest who serves the Romany capital’s church,” said Seiichirou aloud. Mentally, he was asking himself what on earth had them so shocked.
Lars was the first to gather his wits.
“I apologize for the sudden visit,” he said as he smiled and offered a hand. “I am Lars Eric, from Egorova.”
“I am Siegvold, a priest. Please make yourselves at home.”
They shook hands amicably. The sight of the two attractive men of differing heights made for an appealing picture. Yua might have squealed if she’d been around. Although she’d calmed down considerably as of late, she still had a habit of gushing over beautiful people. It was one of the reasons why she wasn’t quite ready to be in public.
“You’ve come to observe the private school in the relief house, yes?” said Siegvold. “The children have been taught the basics of etiquette, but please do inform me if anyone inconveniences you.”
“Oh no, we’re the inconveniences here. I would never take offense.”
Seiichirou was relieved to hear Lars say this. Although the children were studying etiquette, almost all of them came from peasant backgrounds. The relief house children were better, but still too young to know how to conduct themselves in front of foreign royalty. Seiichirou felt like giving Siegvold a thumbs-up for securing Lars’s word.
He couldn’t actually do that, of course, so he settled for whispering his gratitude when Zoltan ushered Lars’s group ahead. “Thank you, Mr. Siegvold.”
“No need to thank me. It’s my responsibility to look after the children. More importantly, how are you doing, Mr. Seiichirou? It must be quite a handful for you to guide foreign visitors around when you’re already so busy.”