Chapter 137 - The Pet Cat and a Grudge
Amidst the ongoing lively conversation, an attendant hurried in from the entrance and whispered something into Grato’s ear.
Grato’s expression turned slightly grim, but he simply replied with a curt, “Let him in.”
“Pardon the interruption. I’ve come to see Captain Grato.”
The man who entered appeared to be around Grato’s age, with graying blond hair.
He was dressed in a formal dark gray three-piece suit, typical of a civil official, but his collar was adorned with a golden two-feather decorative pin.
He must have been a high-ranking noble, as Fort and the unit members immediately stood and bowed. Dahlia also took a few steps back and, along with Lucia, offered a deeper bow.
“You must be the head of the Rossetti Company. Perfect timing. This is the returned budget proposal for the expedition stoves.”
“Returned?”
Grato asked sharply, his expression darkening. All eyes in the room turned to the man.
Dahlia’s first thought was that the issue might be the price relative to the budget.
The expedition stoves were by no means cheap.
“There have been various concerns raised. First, the necessity is unclear. We’ve managed without them until now, after all.”
“That should be left to the unit’s discretion. The budget falls within the expedition improvement funds, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, but the cost is higher than that of standard compact magic stoves.”
“Modifications like shape adjustments and weight reduction are necessary for expedition use. I deemed the price reasonable.”
As expected, it was about the budget.
Dahlia couldn’t help but reflect on how budget issues were always a thorny matter, both in her past life and now.
“There are also some other concerns that have been raised.”
“Concerns?”
“To put it bluntly, there are questions about the Rossetti Company’s credibility.”
“Is there an issue with the guarantors?”
“No, that’s not the problem. However, the company was only established this year, yet it’s already dealing with the royal castle and handling multiple items in sudden transactions. This seems a bit unnatural. Her father, a baron, has already passed away, and there’s no blood relative acting as a guardian. There are also concerns about that. Well, it’s rare for a company head to be a woman, so ‘rumors’ tend to spread easily.”
After glancing briefly at Dahlia, the man’s gaze shifted to Volf and then to Grato.
His amber eyes felt unnervingly cold.
“Just rumors, right? I don’t care about them.”
“Even if you don’t, Captain Grato, there could be negative repercussions. Simply being summoned to your office and having slightly stained clothes afterward is enough to fuel ‘rumors.’”
“...Gild, you...”
Grato’s voice was hoarse with anger.
But the man named Gild showed no change in expression.
“My apologies for the late introduction, Head of the Rossetti Company. I am Gildofan Diels, head of the finance department. The maid who disrespected you has been removed from the royal castle. Will four gold coins suffice for the cost of your skirt?”
Dahlia was confused.
She could hear the words being spoken, but she didn’t want to understand them.
The maid from the other day had deliberately stained her clothes. It was likely this man who had ordered it.
His goal seemed to be to harass Grato. The malice dripping from his words, while involving her, made her feel as though she was barely even in his line of sight.
“...Thank you for the introduction. I am Dahlia Rossetti of the Rossetti Company. The cost of the skirt is unnecessary. I’m wearing that very skirt right now.”
The skirt she wore today was the one the maid had stained, which she had since re-dyed.
The deep green fabric showed no trace of any stain.
“I see... Chairwoman Rossetti, since you’re here, could you provide the finance department with a detailed explanation of the expedition stoves and a revised budget proposal? If necessary, we can arrange a meeting at the royal castle for you to explain.”
He was likely betting on her not taking up the offer. His eyes gleamed with mockery.
Swallowing the rising anger and anxiety, Dahlia responded.
“...I would appreciate the opportunity to explain.”
“Dahlia-san!”
Ivano whispered her name urgently.
She had answered before consulting him, but she knew that mere documents would likely be dismissed. If there was even a slight chance, she wanted to explain directly.
“Very well. Then, three days from now, in the afternoon. Oh, and if you find it too much to handle, you can decline through Captain Grato. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Gild flashed her a perfectly polished smile, and she instinctively tensed.
As he passed by, he leaned in closer than necessary, and a low whisper reached her ear.
“How far can you go, I wonder? ‘Pet cat.’”
“...!”
Dahlia had just officially declared this man her enemy.
The term “pet cat” might sound endearing, but in this context, it clearly meant “someone’s mistress.” Even if she wasn’t well-versed in noble etiquette, she understood that much.
She had no title, no significant achievements.
Her appearance and manners were hardly fit for the royal castle.
But did he really think the Monster Subjugation Force would falter over a woman and compromise their duties?
Did he have any idea what he was saying about people who risked their lives fighting monsters for the sake of the nation?
In her past life, from university research presentations to company training sessions, she had never been good at presentations, but she had always given her all. Three days from now, she will give it her absolute best.
Biting her lip hard, she forced a smile and watched Gild’s back as he left.
Once the door closed behind him, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Then, as she tried to turn around, she found herself frozen.
Something cold and terrifying seemed to be flowing around her.
Her body stiffened completely, and she couldn’t speak or turn her head. It felt as though the oxygen had suddenly thinned, making it hard to breathe.
“What did he just call Dahlia...?!”
“To insult Lady Dahlia, who’s given us this cooling relief in heavy armor, with such rudeness...”
“I wanna shove my old shoe insoles into his boots... Hope he gets foot fungal infection.”
“...He seems like the type who’d get ambushed in the dark...”
“Hey, stop it! You idiots, don’t release your ‘intimidation’ here!”
A middle-aged knight barked at the unit members.
Apparently, the nearby squad members, including Volf, had overheard everything loud and clear.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Dahlia felt genuinely touched that they were angry on her behalf.
When she finally managed to turn around, she saw Volf covering his eyes with one hand, as if trying to hold back his own intimidation.
Ivano and Lucia were pale.
Only Fort remained calm, looking at her with concern. Truly impressive.
“Everyone, my apologies. The members who just released ‘intimidation’ and muttered ‘strange things’ will run five laps around the training field in full armor later. Without the auratello, of course.”
“...Yes, Sir.”
The replies came with a tone of remorse, and the knight turned back to Grato.
“Captain Grato, Marquis Diels’ remarks were incredibly disrespectful to the head of the Rossetti Company. You should lodge a protest.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s unnecessary.”
Before Grato could speak, Dahlia cut in firmly.
“We have been greatly indebted to the Rossetti Company. We can lodge a protest on your behalf..”
“Thank you. But I’d like to request a retraction myself. I may not get an apology, but I’d like to handle this as a company matter.”
She bowed to the middle-aged knight, silently pleading.
If someone else protested on her behalf, she might get an apology.
But then, Dahlia would be seen as under that person’s protection.
If Grato protested, it could fuel the rumors further.
As someone without a title, she couldn’t demand an apology, but she could request a retraction of the statement. Whether it would be granted was uncertain, but at least it would prevent further misunderstandings.
Moreover, she had just heard him being called “Marquis Diels.”
If he was a marquis, he held the same rank as Grato. Any conflict with the finance department would only harm the Monster Subjugation Force in the long run.
“...Rossetti, I’m sorry. That was aimed at me. I’ll handle the rumors. But please, don’t hold a grudge against him.”
“Captain Grato!”
Volf raised his voice, but Grato continued with a self-deprecating smile.
“I’m the one who killed that man’s brother.”
The sudden declaration left everyone in the room speechless.
“Long ago, during an expedition, one of our unit members fell from his horse and died. The doctor said he had anemia and malnutrition. Back then, the food was even worse than it is now, and he barely ate. I failed to notice.”
“That’s not your fault, Captain Grato...”
“I was leading that expedition. His brother entrusted him to me, and I agreed without thinking much about it. It’s all my responsibility.”
His voice was hoarse, like an old man’s, and it hurt to listen to.
The Monster Subjugation Force didn’t just fight monsters on expeditions—they also battled hunger and the resulting health issues.
Dahlia remembered Volf, covered in blood, from the first day they met. She couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness.
“The unit will negotiate with the finance department again. If that doesn’t work, we’ll use the approved budget to purchase what we can, and I’ll cover the rest personally.”
“Thank you. But I’d like to be the one to explain.”
“Don’t push yourself. That man is exactly as he seems. He might only make things more unpleasant for you.”
“It’s fine. This is a valuable ‘training ground’ for the company.”
Magical tool development was always about hitting walls, overcoming them, breaking through, or finding another path.
Watching Ivano, she understood that business was about weaving a complex web of interests. Navigating through it, avoiding obstacles, and constantly seeking new connections seemed incredibly difficult.
There was no such thing as easy development or easy business.
Even if it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, she had spoken as both a developer and the company head. She wanted to see it through as much as possible.
“‘Training ground,’ huh... What a shame. If only you were a man, I’d consider adopting you... No, wait...”
Grato muttered something under his breath, but Dahlia couldn’t quite catch it.
Just as she was about to ask, the middle-aged knight cleared his throat lightly.
“Um, would it be difficult to convey the importance of expedition meals to Marquis Diels?”
“...It’s possible to tell him, but getting him to understand would be tough.”
The pained tone in his voice made Dahlia bow her head.
“I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn without thinking.”
“No, I appreciate the sentiment.”
After that, the conversation included Fort, and as if nothing had happened, the discussion returned to the topic of the auratello.
But the lively atmosphere from earlier was gone, and everyone spoke less.
The discussion about the auratello concluded with the unit continuing to test it and compiling their feedback.
・・・・・・・
“Dahlia, uhm... Don’t let this get you down.”
In the carriage at the royal castle’s stables, Volf, who had accompanied her, spoke up.
Ivano had excused himself, saying he had business with Fort, and had stepped out of the carriage for a moment.
“Your creations have truly helped the unit. Everyone’s grateful.”
“Thank you. Hearing that from you makes me want to work even harder.”
She was a little exhausted from everything that had happened.
However, from this point on, she and Ivano must coordinate and thoroughly prepare the presentation.
As the Rossetti Company, she wanted to convey the benefits of the expedition stove as effectively as possible to facilitate its adoption by the unit.
“...You don’t have to push yourself so hard.”
“Huh?”
“You’re already doing more than enough. The unit will handle things from here. Don’t worry too much.”
“Was I making such a serious face?”
“Yeah. I was worried you’d get wrinkles here from frowning so much.”
Volf pointed to his own forehead and smiled.
Seeing his smile, the tension in her shoulders finally eased.
“I’ll be careful. I don’t want wrinkles yet.”
“‘Yet,’ huh? Sounds like you’re planning to get them someday.”
“Of course. When I’m older, wrinkles might give me the aura of a ‘powerful magical toolmaker,’ don’t you think?”
“...A powerful magical toolmaker...”
Volf’s shoulders shook slightly as he tried to hold back his laughter.
He probably thought she didn’t notice, but his amusement was obvious.
She wasn’t sure what was so funny.
But this small exchange felt like it had been a long time coming.
She hadn’t had much chance to talk to Volf lately, having been busy at the Magic Clothing Workshop.
She wanted to talk to him about magical tools and monsters, to hear about his expeditions and training.
Summoning a bit of courage, Dahlia made the next move.
“Volf, after the presentation, let’s have a drink together.”
“Yeah, let’s do that. I’ll find some good alcohol—sorry, I slipped into this habit since I do this with Dorino and the others...”
Volf raised one hand mid-sentence, then hurriedly tried to lower it. He had likely intended to clap palms together.
That unconscious gesture of close friendship was, for some reason, heartwarming.
She lightly tapped his lowered palm with her fingertip and smiled.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Comments
Post a Comment