Chapter 29

Returning to the mansion with Ionia, the five of us made our way back.

We sat at the dining table, and Jill, Maureen, and I prepared tea for everyone.

"I didn't expect you to come back so soon. Hasn't it only been two months?"

"I was painting the mountains in the north, but living in the mountains for too long was tiring. I'm currently staying at an inn in town. Living in harmony with nature is a joy, but blending in with people is also a joy."

"You're always so damn complicated. Did the mountain life pay off?"

It seemed that Galdar was already acquainted with Ionia.

Matthew and Maureen were meeting him for the first time.

"Galdar, you know him?"

Galdar nodded in response to Matthew's question.

"He came to Shelland even in winter, looking for subjects for his paintings and visiting various places."

"I was well taken care of. Thank you. I should also thank you again, Lord Jill."

"You're welcome."

Jill replied somewhat casually.

While thanking Ionia, he was also exasperated by Ionia's casualness.

"Since there are first-time visitors, let me introduce them. This is Matthew, the merchant I'm staying with. And this is Maureen, the maid of this mansion."

"Pleased to meet you, I'm the painter Ionia. Nice to meet you."

Maureen bowed slightly, and Matthew shook hands with a smile.

"I'm Matthew. I never thought I'd meet a famous painter like you."

"Oh, you know me? That's very kind of you."

"I have a friend who is an art dealer. There's no one in the art world who doesn't know your name."

"I'm still a novice myself, but my patron is famous. But do you often visit the capital, Lord Matthew?"

"Yes, I often go to the capital and the port. I'm still a novice and don't have a store yet."

"Running a store isn't the only way to live. At least I feel more affection for merchants who walk on their own feet rather than those who only meet clients behind a counter. Without people who have the sense to find better things, people like me can't survive."

Ionia casually praised Matthew. Usually, the assertive Matthew was unusually pushed back and nodded in agreement. Moreover, Ionia smoothly responded to even specialized business talk. Even listening from the side, he had a magnetic charm.

Jill recalled that the journey from the capital to Shelland was strangely filled with lively conversation.

Jill thought Ionia must be a kind of people person.

"But why did you come here?"

Jill asked Ionia.

"Rather, I want to ask why you are here, Lord Jill?"

"This is my destination."

"I see. I was painting in the mountains for a while, but I missed human company, so I came to Shelland. But there, I heard a strange rumor."

"A strange rumor?"

"I heard that a unique hat was becoming popular. Not made of wool or leather, but just a straw hat. I was surprised when I saw the real thing. I had never seen such an elegant straw hat before."

"Seeing the real thing means..."

Currently, only Lady Emily, the granddaughter of the lord, was wearing the straw hat Jill made.

"A few days ago, Lord Scott bought one of my paintings. Lady Emily was also present, and I saw her hat."

"Ah... So you are a great painter. But did you come all this way just to confirm that?"

"Among other things, I heard that unique designs of dresses and saddles were gradually appearing. It seemed very interesting. As a painter, I couldn't ignore it. When I heard the story, I suspected this place. It seems I was right."

"Well... It seems the rumor was true. I made that hat."

"To be honest, I'm relieved."

"Relieved?"

"I was worried that you might have thrown yourself into some place."

Jill's face turned red with embarrassment.

He realized he had been seen through.

"Was that why you invited me to become a painter?"

"Some people paint to rise in the world using their talents. But on the other hand, it's also a path for those who want to leave the secular world. I thought you, Lord Jill, had the aptitude to live in a place away from the secular world. Of course, I also thought you had artistic talent."

"Thank you."

While saying this, Jill didn't look grateful.

He thought it would be easier to be grateful if Ionia had been more straightforward.

"Really, it was a mistake. I should have been more forceful in inviting you to become a painter. If you can make such a hat, you would have become a great painter."

"It's not a big deal. I just read about something like that in a book once."

In fact, the idea to make that hat came from a book.

Jill was well aware that it wasn't his own invention.

"Even so, to actually try to make it requires a shift in thinking. You need to remove the mental shackles that say 'it's not okay to make something like this.' The same goes for painting. A novel painting isn't just about originality or uniqueness. Often, it's about using existing techniques in a way no one has thought of before."

"Is that so?"

When put that way, Jill couldn't think of a response.

He thought it was clearly an overestimation, but Galdar had said similar things and praised Jill. It was difficult for Jill to outright deny it.

"If you don't mind, may I see your work?"

◆

"Hmm...!"

Moving to the cloak room, Ionia let out a sigh of admiration.

This wasn't everything. Matthew and I had locked away things we thought were "too early to show the world." But it seemed to be enough to captivate Ionia.

"Beautiful colors. The fabric's color is excellent. Oh, there are various things besides clothes... Is this leatherwork by Lord Galdar?"

"Some I made and had you brand, and some the young lady made from scratch."

"Amazing... This is done with magic, right? Did you engrave the iron with magic... or perhaps scorch it directly with magical fire?"

"Why do you think that?"

When Ionia asked Jill, he looked surprised.

"Lord Jill, you must have started a fire. The way you used magic then wasn't particularly mysterious."

"Oh!"

Jill had once shown Ionia his magic.

Starting a fire, creating water, and cooking.

Anyone who observed closely could grasp the characteristics of Jill's magic.

"Moreover, it would be difficult to make such detailed branding irons with engraving. Even if you could, they would wear out quickly."

"You know a lot."

"I studied sculpture and engraving. I can tell. But... this is enough to make it worth discussing."

"Discuss?"

Jill thought Ionia had brought some trouble.

But since it was a connection, he decided to hear him out.

Just as he thought that, Matthew interrupted.

"I don't approve of strange requests. If it's something dangerous, I'll step in."

"Step in?"

"Lord Jill is on good terms with the leader of the Silver Scales Knights and his wife... the lord's granddaughter."

Half of it was a lie.

Jill himself had no connection to the town's knights. The connections were through Matthew and Galdar. However, the knights were saved by the horse armor Galdar provided, so it was true that "Jill had done them a favor." It was a subtle bluff mixed with truth.

"Haha, don't misunderstand. I'm not asking for anything dangerous. I just want you to make some clothes. That's all."

In response, Ionia shrugged and smiled wryly.

"I understand your suspicion. Painters can't exist without patrons, and many are skilled at ingratiating themselves with the powerful. Sadly, there are even painters who are better at flattery than painting."

"You are the opposite. I had heard of your name, but seeing your work convinced me. Your paintings are wonderful."

"That's very kind of you."

"You're also well-remembered in the capital. Even the royal family is fond of your paintings. I finally remembered... Yes, Princess Erinna, the niece and direct disciple of Queen Bazalde."

At Matthew's words, everyone fell silent.

Everyone except Jill looked at Ionia with suspicion.

Erinna, the niece of Bazalde.

She was the person who had taken the place of Jill as the first in line to the throne.

Matthew and the others had been wary of such a situation.

People trying to use Jill.

Or people who were hostile to Jill or those close to them.

Even if Ionia's ultimate goal was unclear, there was enough reason to be suspicious.

An artist favored by Erinna.

It would be strange to think he wasn't suspicious.

A tense atmosphere filled the room.

Maureen was ready to pounce if Ionia made any suspicious moves.

Galdar was prepared to stop Jill from being kidnapped.

Matthew signaled Jill to use a monster to protect himself.

But the one who broke the tense atmosphere was Jill himself.

"Erinna...? Uh, uh... If she's my mother's niece... It's Lady Erinna! Ah, I remember! Is she doing well now?"

Jill scratched his head without much seriousness and clapped his hands when the name and face matched.

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