"Oh, something that interesting happened? I wish I could have joined in!"
That evening.
The Rosemary marquisate's mansion. In the sitting room.
When she heard about the day's events, Viola said wistfully.
The sitting room was filled with members of the marquisate household. Rest was among them, sitting on the sofa flanked by the sisters on either side, as usual.
After completing his monster subjugation in the County of Valery, Rest had been challenged to a footrace by the young magicians.
Having sprinted across the ground and soared through the sky at top speed, Rest arrived at the Rosemary marquisate's mansion with a lead of over three hours ahead of the rest.
Disgraced by that outcome, the young magicians—starting with Nick, who had issued the challenge—received quite a scolding.
Naturally.
They had picked a quarrel with and challenged a man whom the daughters of the Marquis of Rosemary had taken a liking to and the lord and his wife had approved of, only to suffer a crushing defeat.
"The young magicians have gotten far too soft! This calls for me to personally put them through their paces!"
The one who fumed like this was none other than the co-owner of the mansion who was also present in the sitting room—Irish Rosemary.
As the mother of Viola and Primula, her personality was that of a brawny, headlong warrior. Being the mother of such a beautiful pair of sisters, she was indeed a glamorous and stunning woman, but she was the type who settled things with her fists.
She could not forgive the inadequacy of the young members from the marquisate's side.
"A-Ah... please go easy on them. They didn't mean any harm."
Later on, the young magicians who had arrived late—starting with Nick—came and bowed their heads to Rest in apology.
"I'm sorry for speaking so presumptuously!"
"I had forgotten my manners, young master!"
Having been soundly defeated in the footrace with an overwhelming time difference, Nick and the others were forced to acknowledge something whether they liked it or not.
That Rest was a man worthy of being the Rosemary marquisate's son-in-law. That he was a man worthy of claiming Viola and Primula—the beautiful sisters—as his own.
Even the way they addressed him had changed from "you" to "young master," and he had earned the trust of the young magicians serving the marquisate.
"That said, this is a separate matter! Under a fierce commander there are no weak soldiers... The Marquisate of Rosemary has no need for weak mages!"
Irish stood with her arms folded, looking displeased, and showed no sign of changing her mind.
It was unfortunate for Nick and the rest, but their undergoing grueling training was already a done deal.
"So... Father, has the problem in the County of Valery been resolved?"
"Yes, no issues there."
When Primula asked her father, Albert, who was sitting in a rocking chair, nodded.
"The Locust Imps that appeared in the County of Valery have been mostly subjugated. It won't be total eradication, but there should be no problems for the rest of the year."
No matter how many mages you mobilize, you can never completely eliminate monsters.
The Locust Imps would eventually increase in number again and ravage the fields once more.
"The County of Valery holds a vast grain-producing region, but because it distances itself from the center, its military strength is limited. In that respect, our interests align with theirs, as we employ many magicians. We should continue maintaining a good relationship going forward."
Among the nobility, there are those active in the royal court—the central nobles—and those who remain confined to their own domains—the provincial nobles.
The Rosemary marquisate falls into the former category. Though they do hold territories, the head of house, Albert, holds the position of Chief Court Mage, and enjoys the king's favor.
The County of Valery falls into the latter. They rarely venture to the royal capital except when invited to festivals, and focus on managing their territories.
Provincial nobles may lack political influence, but because they have few occasions to spend money at court, they are actually quite wealthy.
However, they have fewer opportunities to hire capable talent in the capital, so their military strength is lacking.
"If you are to become the head of a noble house, you must maintain relations not only with your vassal nobles but with other nobles as well. Rest, you should keep that in mind."
"Yes, I understand."
Rest nodded.
Until now he had lived as a commoner, but eventually he would need to acquire those diplomatic skills as well.
(Perhaps I should seriously consider joining the student council enforcement after all...)
Having a connection with the Second Prince, Andrew, would be a plus in marrying into the marquisate.
The student council had not only Andrew but also Celestine, the duke's young lady. That would give him a connection to House Crocus.
"If Rest joins the student council, I could join too. Celestine has been inviting me."
"Me too. Celestine asked if I would serve as her secretary..."
Viola and Primula said this.
Rest knew that the two of them had been interacting with Celestine even when he wasn't around... but it seemed they had also been invited to join the student council.
"Really? You should have told me sooner!"
"If we said we were joining, Rest would have joined whether he wanted to or not, right?"
"I was thinking I'd wait for Rest to decide before giving my answer..."
"Oh... I see."
So they had been respecting Rest's wishes.
He felt like he was about to tear up, as always, at their thoughtfulness.
"More importantly... you'll be staying in the territory until tomorrow, right? Let's go shopping in town!"
"Viola, didn't you already go shopping today?"
"What's wrong with going two days in a row? Shopping alone is completely different from shopping together!"
"Oh, I'd like to go too. Rest would be fine with that too, right?"
Following Viola, Primula looked up at him with pleading eyes to invite him along.
Being asked like this by the two of them, there was no way he could refuse.
"Of course."
Rest nodded and agreed to go shopping with the two of them.