Chapter 27 - Bonfires Aren't Always for Warmth
At dinner, Octavian bowed to us.
“I can’t thank you enough for accepting my invitation this evening.”
In such a case, I’ll be the one to speak on their behalf.
“No, it’s a personal invitation from the head of the illustrious Mantonon family. It would be rude not to accept.”
From that point on, we exchanged the social graces of nobility.
It may seem hollow, but if you can’t do that, you can’t survive in this aristocratic society.
It’s a necessary expense.
I had made fun of this in my previous life, but I realized that it had a proper meaning.
A criterion to determine if we have the same common sense.
If you can’t have this conversation, even if you are the son of an aristocrat, people will think you don’t have any common sense.
At worst, you will not be taken seriously.
There used to be a story that if you couldn’t speak with an upper-class accent in England, it was hard to get credibility as a teacher or lawyer.
But I heard that was not the case when I was leaving.
◆◇◆◇◆
After this exchange, the head of the family would finally talk to the other people.
It’s also polite to do so in the order of social rank.
“I heard that Professor Fabio was from the Visconti family. I believe it was the family of the Archbishop of Benento.”
He has a doctorate, so that’s what he’s officially called.
“Yes, I studied apostolic studies for the purpose of spreading the learning of the Church.”
“I see. So you’ve devoted your life to learning.”
“Yes. Although I am not a talented person, I thought it would be in God’s will.”
Knowing what I know, I am tempted to say that he is full of lies.
But the conversation here is basically a ritual.
It is not necessary to have a conversation based on facts.
The other two wouldn’t be used to it, so they’re basically air.
As I was relaxing in my room after the heart-warming meal, the butler arrived.
He said that the head of the family had invited me.
The dinner was a public affair.
From here on, we would talk privately, in other words, honestly.
So, let’s see what you’ve got, shall we?
◆◇◆◇◆
I was ushered into the room.
The head of the family was waiting for me, dressed not in ceremonial clothes, but in his luxurious private clothes.
I was encouraged to sit, so I sat facing him.
He offered me a glass of wine.
In my previous life, I liked alcohol, but not wine.
I loved cognac and brandy, but not in this world.
It was sad, but this was reality.
He took a sip and smiled.
“I’m sorry for my lack of knowledge. I’ve never been able to guess the brand name of a wine.”
Octavian’s expression became deliberately surprised.
“Well, well, well. Come to think of it, Sir Alfred is still only sixteen years old.”
It seems to have taken root after several generations of apostles decided to use “Sir” as a title.
It seems that he was a fan of another page in the history of the galaxy.
“Yes. I’m a young man, after all, and my pilgrimage has given me valuable experience.”
Octavian sighed.
“That’s good. But I don’t think you are sixteen. I wish my foolish son could have been a tenth as thoughtful as you, Sir.”
Now, let’s get down to business.
“How old is your son, sir?”
“Eighteen. He’s old enough to be on his own. Though his behavior does not suggest it.”
Octavian sighed a little theatrically after he said that.
I have to go along with the theatrics.
“I guess it depends on the person. I know that there is a saying that one can be a great talent. I don’t think we should jump to any conclusions yet.”
Octavian shook his head and sighed.
“No, what he did isn’t good. I think we spoiled him too much.”
Octavian shook his head and sighed.
When I remained silent, Octavian bowed lightly.
“What happened today was an indiscretion on my part. It’s not acceptable to point a sword at someone and threaten them, but please forgive him.”
It’s not good to complicate things here.
“I understand that today was a simple dispute …… between two children.”
Octavian smiled and nodded.
“Even if it was a dispute between children, we must try not to make a big mistake. Not all of us are as generous as Sir Alfred, after all.”
It was an unimportant question, but I had to ask it out of politeness.
“What would you do to your son?”
“It would be a burden to leave him in charge of the family if he were so easily moved by emotion and so narrow-minded. Fortunately, my family has many branch families. I’ll let my son train his body and soul in the Order of the Apostles.”
I put on a serious face.
To be honest, it doesn’t matter to me what happens to that idiot young master.
As long as he doesn’t try to mess with me out of spite.
“I hope he becomes a good Apostle Knight.”
The smile on Octavian’s face disappeared.
“By the way, Sir Alfred. Do we need to add oil to the bonfire?”
Now, come on.
That’s not a bonfire, it’s a rabid dog in heat.
To Octavian, it was like an abandoned bonfire.
However, I’m sure he’s referring to the last part where he made a violent outburst.
“If a fire was left unattended …… and there was a danger of sparks flying around, it was okay to put it out. If there is a supervisor, it is okay to give it some momentum to warn people of the danger. You may not like it, but you’ll notice it. The rest is left to the supervisor. I know that the use of such dangerous fires is not only for keeping warm.”
I can smell that you are not managing the fire properly.
However, for the sake of Octavian’s face, I suggested that he leave the matter to himself.
I’ll tell you that I could have gotten him into a duel if I wanted to, and I could have gotten him hurt. (I was bluffing, though.)
If I let him lose his temper, he wouldn’t be able to make excuses and he wouldn’t be able to get away with it.
He wouldn’t even want to hold me responsible and owe the Della Scala family.
That’s all I was aiming for.
If it turned out to be a mere quarrel, I would be able to take the blame and end it.
In fact, there are many stories of trouble between children of nobles.
There is a custom in this world that both sides are defeated in a fight.
Perhaps the apostles brought it about.
It does not exist in medieval Europe.
It must have been a rule set by the shogunate in the Muromachi period.
If you have a problem and you don’t like it, take it out on them.
It was taught as common sense in aristocratic society.
Octavian gave a small sigh.
“We had poured water on the bonfire beforehand to prevent it from burning, but for some reason, it seemed to have burned much more.”
I guess he was trying to tell me not to cause any unnecessary trouble since he knew I would be coming.
“I’m afraid the water is only around the perimeter.”
Octavian was probably disappointed inwardly that his pursuit of me had ended in vain.
He didn’t show it on his face, though.
“You must be more careful when you pour water on them.”
“If Lord Octavian says so, I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
Octavian laughed lightly.
“I’m so jealous of Lord Ferdinand. In any case, I will remind the members of the family …… to remember Sir Alfred’s kindness.”
“Very well, I’m sure this matter will never come up on anyone’s lips.”
Octavian smiled at my unhurried reply.
He knew that I had no particular intention of doing anything with this story.
“Even though it won’t go over the edge of my mouth, I’ll have to take care of what I can’t see.”
I nodded.
“It’s not easy being the head of a family.”
The conversation ended successfully.
The whole thing about how things got complicated because I provoked him is now a thing of the past because of his outburst.
The End.
Chapter 27 - Bonfires Aren't Always for Warmth
At dinner, Octavian bowed to us.
“I can’t thank you enough for accepting my invitation this evening.”
In such a case, I’ll be the one to speak on their behalf.
“No, it’s a personal invitation from the head of the illustrious Mantonon family. It would be rude not to accept.”
From that point on, we exchanged the social graces of nobility.
It may seem hollow, but if you can’t do that, you can’t survive in this aristocratic society.
It’s a necessary expense.
I had made fun of this in my previous life, but I realized that it had a proper meaning.
A criterion to determine if we have the same common sense.
If you can’t have this conversation, even if you are the son of an aristocrat, people will think you don’t have any common sense.
At worst, you will not be taken seriously.
There used to be a story that if you couldn’t speak with an upper-class accent in England, it was hard to get credibility as a teacher or lawyer.
But I heard that was not the case when I was leaving.
◆◇◆◇◆
After this exchange, the head of the family would finally talk to the other people.
It’s also polite to do so in the order of social rank.
“I heard that Professor Fabio was from the Visconti family. I believe it was the family of the Archbishop of Benento.”
He has a doctorate, so that’s what he’s officially called.
“Yes, I studied apostolic studies for the purpose of spreading the learning of the Church.”
“I see. So you’ve devoted your life to learning.”
“Yes. Although I am not a talented person, I thought it would be in God’s will.”
Knowing what I know, I am tempted to say that he is full of lies.
But the conversation here is basically a ritual.
It is not necessary to have a conversation based on facts.
The other two wouldn’t be used to it, so they’re basically air.
As I was relaxing in my room after the heart-warming meal, the butler arrived.
He said that the head of the family had invited me.
The dinner was a public affair.
From here on, we would talk privately, in other words, honestly.
So, let’s see what you’ve got, shall we?
◆◇◆◇◆
I was ushered into the room.
The head of the family was waiting for me, dressed not in ceremonial clothes, but in his luxurious private clothes.
I was encouraged to sit, so I sat facing him.
He offered me a glass of wine.
In my previous life, I liked alcohol, but not wine.
I loved cognac and brandy, but not in this world.
It was sad, but this was reality.
He took a sip and smiled.
“I’m sorry for my lack of knowledge. I’ve never been able to guess the brand name of a wine.”
Octavian’s expression became deliberately surprised.
“Well, well, well. Come to think of it, Sir Alfred is still only sixteen years old.”
It seems to have taken root after several generations of apostles decided to use “Sir” as a title.
It seems that he was a fan of another page in the history of the galaxy.
“Yes. I’m a young man, after all, and my pilgrimage has given me valuable experience.”
Octavian sighed.
“That’s good. But I don’t think you are sixteen. I wish my foolish son could have been a tenth as thoughtful as you, Sir.”
Now, let’s get down to business.
“How old is your son, sir?”
“Eighteen. He’s old enough to be on his own. Though his behavior does not suggest it.”
Octavian sighed a little theatrically after he said that.
I have to go along with the theatrics.
“I guess it depends on the person. I know that there is a saying that one can be a great talent. I don’t think we should jump to any conclusions yet.”
Octavian shook his head and sighed.
“No, what he did isn’t good. I think we spoiled him too much.”
Octavian shook his head and sighed.
When I remained silent, Octavian bowed lightly.
“What happened today was an indiscretion on my part. It’s not acceptable to point a sword at someone and threaten them, but please forgive him.”
It’s not good to complicate things here.
“I understand that today was a simple dispute …… between two children.”
Octavian smiled and nodded.
“Even if it was a dispute between children, we must try not to make a big mistake. Not all of us are as generous as Sir Alfred, after all.”
It was an unimportant question, but I had to ask it out of politeness.
“What would you do to your son?”
“It would be a burden to leave him in charge of the family if he were so easily moved by emotion and so narrow-minded. Fortunately, my family has many branch families. I’ll let my son train his body and soul in the Order of the Apostles.”
I put on a serious face.
To be honest, it doesn’t matter to me what happens to that idiot young master.
As long as he doesn’t try to mess with me out of spite.
“I hope he becomes a good Apostle Knight.”
The smile on Octavian’s face disappeared.
“By the way, Sir Alfred. Do we need to add oil to the bonfire?”
Now, come on.
That’s not a bonfire, it’s a rabid dog in heat.
To Octavian, it was like an abandoned bonfire.
However, I’m sure he’s referring to the last part where he made a violent outburst.
“If a fire was left unattended …… and there was a danger of sparks flying around, it was okay to put it out. If there is a supervisor, it is okay to give it some momentum to warn people of the danger. You may not like it, but you’ll notice it. The rest is left to the supervisor. I know that the use of such dangerous fires is not only for keeping warm.”
I can smell that you are not managing the fire properly.
However, for the sake of Octavian’s face, I suggested that he leave the matter to himself.
I’ll tell you that I could have gotten him into a duel if I wanted to, and I could have gotten him hurt. (I was bluffing, though.)
If I let him lose his temper, he wouldn’t be able to make excuses and he wouldn’t be able to get away with it.
He wouldn’t even want to hold me responsible and owe the Della Scala family.
That’s all I was aiming for.
If it turned out to be a mere quarrel, I would be able to take the blame and end it.
In fact, there are many stories of trouble between children of nobles.
There is a custom in this world that both sides are defeated in a fight.
Perhaps the apostles brought it about.
It does not exist in medieval Europe.
It must have been a rule set by the shogunate in the Muromachi period.
If you have a problem and you don’t like it, take it out on them.
It was taught as common sense in aristocratic society.
Octavian gave a small sigh.
“We had poured water on the bonfire beforehand to prevent it from burning, but for some reason, it seemed to have burned much more.”
I guess he was trying to tell me not to cause any unnecessary trouble since he knew I would be coming.
“I’m afraid the water is only around the perimeter.”
Octavian was probably disappointed inwardly that his pursuit of me had ended in vain.
He didn’t show it on his face, though.
“You must be more careful when you pour water on them.”
“If Lord Octavian says so, I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
Octavian laughed lightly.
“I’m so jealous of Lord Ferdinand. In any case, I will remind the members of the family …… to remember Sir Alfred’s kindness.”
“Very well, I’m sure this matter will never come up on anyone’s lips.”
Octavian smiled at my unhurried reply.
He knew that I had no particular intention of doing anything with this story.
“Even though it won’t go over the edge of my mouth, I’ll have to take care of what I can’t see.”
I nodded.
“It’s not easy being the head of a family.”
The conversation ended successfully.
The whole thing about how things got complicated because I provoked him is now a thing of the past because of his outburst.
The End.
