Volume 2, Act 12: First Battle Invitation  Part 01


    Four years had already passed since Cordelia received the greenhouse andboratory from her father, Elvis.


    At first, various nts were grown in the spacious greenhouse. Simrly, theboratory was neatly lined with a lot of equipment; so much so that she struggled to fit more in.


    Cordelia Enna Pameradia, the spring of her 12th year.


    She returned to the mansion after a long time carrying a lot of luggage in the refreshing weather. Of course, she wasnt alone. She was with Elvis and the servants who were carrying their luggage. Cordelia had apanied Elvis on his inspection to the south until then.


    After the inspection at the fief, Cordelia would often apany Elvis on his inspections. As with this time, they didnt just inspect towns in the fief, but also towns out of the fief, as well.


    During the inspections, Cordelia had the opportunity to practice the basic trading skills that shed learnt from Elvis prior to leaving, and she traded for various things.


    She had made quite a good profit from the mushroom and fruits which could be collected from the fief, and she had also made a big profit from cameo1) rted products, such as engraved stones and shells.


    When Cordelia had first seen cameo in this world, it hadnt been recognised as a typical essory yet, and were only sold in small qualities as traditional crafts from across the sea in stalls of port towns.


    However, it was very beautiful and Cordelia thought that it might sell well if she brought it back to the fief, just as it was.


    There were a lot of simple flowers and birds on cameo designs, but then she suddenly remembered that there were cameos with youngdies face profiles.


    So, she asked the merchants, who sold the cameos at their stall, if they could, as craftsmen, carve the profile of youngdies onto the cameos via wholesale traders.


    Her request was epted and the result They sold at a tremendous rate. The cameos were sold out as soon as they arrived.


    Of course, that was also because the cameos were beautiful and rare, and it came in many forms, such as brooches and nes. However, that wasnt the only reason; another reason why it sold so quickly was because of her request to engrave youngdies face profiles onto them.


    That design created a fad amongst thedies, I want something that resembles my face. Cordelia never imaged that such a fad would be created from carvings that werent especially modelled after anyone, and had lit thedies desire to purchase it.


    The fad, which spread vigorously in Ertiga, also reached the Royal Capital. Now, cameos were recognised as an essory and were in demand, even in the Royal Capital.


    The price of the cameo depended onbour time and colour of the materials, somoners could also purchase some designs as luxury items, while nobles could boast about the cost of the cameos.


    It could also be said that the cameos were poprised by a broad variety of buyers, and became fashionable.


    However, merchants, who follow fads, also appeared.


    But, in the first ce, it was difficult to receive arge amount of hand-carved items, and, in addition, Cordelia had contracted the skilled craftsman first, so the cameos that went through the Pameradia House were recognised as the ones with the most value.


    And, even when the fad started dying down, the new essory called cameo had been established.


    Moreover, the merchants who had originally sold the cameo were also thankful, after the fad died down. The merchants, who up until then, had only sold flower and bird cameos, became more marketable thanks to that recognition.


    She didnt just purchase things from others, she also tried exporting the jewellery boxes, made from the wood which was a special product of the Pameradia fief.


    The ssy jewellery boxes, which had deep bottoms and a slightly reddish tint, were highly sought after across the ocean and she was able to build a good rtionship with the traders there. Sometimes, the exported jewellery boxes would be decorated with cameos and then exported again.


    And, Cordelia decided to put the money shed umted from the profits towards repaying her loan for the establishment of the school in Caina Vige. She had saved enough money to repay the loan shed received from Elvis four years prior.


    You paid it off extremely fast.


    That was the first thing Elvis told Cordelia when she reported to him that she could pay back the loan. She bowed deeply in thanks at the usual t-toned Elvis.


    It is thanks to Otou-samas continued guidance. I dont know when I would have been able to return this money if I had to do it myself.


    I certainly gave you advice, but you would have made a loss if you didnt understand what I taught you.


    Elvis had said that in a in tone, but Cordelia understood that he was giving her apliment. She heard him imply, You did a great job. Therefore, naturally, the corners of her mouth loosened.


    I would also like to make small contributions to support them in the future. I know Its just Caina Vige, but I would like to watch over the ce that I influenced.


    Im not nning to object to your personal backing. Its my job To equally give support to the public.


    Elvis said that and received the money from Cordelia.


    She was relieved.


    ???????


    Now, the pictures that were drawn with charcoal by the students, who were good at drawing, were hung up at the school in Caina Vige. Ayesha-sensei, Feudal Lord, and thenCordelia-sama.


    In addition, next to those drawings was a drawing of a baker with a long exnation written, The Baker who makes delicious bread with the wheat from Caina Vige.


    Out of those four drawings, Cordelia felt that hers was the only one that wasnt being praised based on her ability. Of course, it wasnt like she wantedpliments, but she felt guilty for having her picture up there with the others.


    Therefore, with that, there was no need for her to feel embarrassed anymore, even if the pictures were lined up like that. And, apart from that, she was happy because she felt like Elvis had praised her a little.


    Cordelia also heard that the school was a running well.


    She didnt go to the fief a lot, though she visited Caina Vige every time she did go. But, the number of times she has visited Caina Vige could only be counted on one hand.


    However, other than the regr reports she received, she also received letters from the 2nd teacher who took over from Aisha, the daughter of the acting lord of Pameradia fief, Zeke Gargotta. She also received letters from the students.


    Also The fact that they had no choice but to ept that education was important was made known to the vigers when the school opened.


    Aisha had visited her at the Pameradia mansion, without any prior notice, to bring her information about the three months after the school had opened.


    When Cordelia first saw Aisha, she thought that Aisha was visiting her since she was going to her fianc Warrens ce anyways.


    That was why she had been surprised to see her; she was delighted to be reunited with her and had hoped that they could talk over tea But, she couldnt rx at all because of what Aisha had to talk about. It was rather cute and surprising that Aisha had visited her.


    She talked about the day the vige chief visited the school.


    The vige chief, who could read a little, showed a wheat contract to the children and asked them questions.


    If youre really studying, then read this.


    The vige chief probably wanted to know if there was any point for the children to suddenly start going to school, and if the children were really absorbing the information they were taught.


    The contract was written with formal words and the children couldnt understand everything. However, even if they connected the parts which they understood together and read it, they would say, Theres something weird about this contract, and tilt their heads in confusion.


    The children were all stuck on the same part.


    When B purchases wheat exceeding the fixed amount from A, B will be entitled to purchase the excess amount at 30% of the estimated value


    The children didnt understand who A and B referred to.


    They really felt something wasnt right because Standard values appear in the problems Aisha-sensei makes, but this sentence didnt have them. Some children were particrly clever and they questioned whether the price changed considerably depending on the amount of wheat purchased.


    The answer was one the children gave while feeling like it was simple.


    If you ask Aisha-sensei then youll know the correct answer!


    The vige chief was reluctant at first when hed heard the childrens proposal.


    Aisha wasnt someone from Caina Vige. The vige chief knew what kind of person Aisha was, but he still felt opposed to giving vige information to an outsider. However, the children insisted that the contract wasnt good so, in the end, he showed Aisha the contract.


    Then, it was discovered that the wheat was bought at an unreasonably cheap price.


    Aisha read the contract and appealed to how unfair it was to the vige chief. Small amounts of wheat were purchased at a reasonable price, but otherwise it was sold cheaper than wheat in other fiefs, shed said.


    Aisha told her that the main reason why nobody noticed that it was being sold at such a ridiculous price was probably because it was being purchased at incrediblyrge amounts and that the other party knew that the contractor wouldnt notice that fact.


    The vige chief knew that he had caused his vige a big loss, was upset for a while, and couldnt speak. However, he approved of the school when his brain started moving again.


    Education is certainly necessary, hed said.


    And, the adults of the vige agreed with the vige chiefs words.


    Cordelia muttered while drinking her already cold cup of tea in the middle of the report.


    As expected of Aisha-samas students, to be able to detect a fact that the vige chief couldnt in just three months.


    No, its really a coincidence. If the vige chief hadnt tried to test the children, then the contract would have never made it to me.


    But the children didnt let that chance get away. Its the result of your teaching, Aisha-sama.


    Aishas desire to teach the childrensaved the vige. Desire bes power, she was the person who embodied this. Cordelia felt a lot of respect for her when she thought that.


    If youre going to say that, then it should be as expected of Cordelia-sama, right?


    Huh?


    Because, I would only be dreaming about teaching if it wasnt for Cordelia-samas help. Therefore, I really think that Cordelia-sama is the one who saved the vige.


    Cordelia tried to deny it. If she were to admit it, then she thought it would be Elvis achievement.


    But, she stopped when she saw the look in Aishas eyes. Aisha wasnt just ttering her. She really thought that way, just like Cordelia did.


    Then Should we toast?


    Its nice to toast with tea, isnt it?


    They knew it wasnt good manners to do so, but it felt perfect since they were both praising each other.


    Trantor: Blushy


    Editor: SenjiQ