Chapter 39
39
Nina smiled.
“You’re the Archsage.”
“Archsage is… You can just call me Randel.”
“Then I will. Please, feel free to call me Nina as well.”
Nina said that and stared at Randel.
Archsage Randel.
He is called a genius and has a great interest in botany, but his magical skills are also second to none.
Blonde hair like a mixture of sunlight and gold, and bright blue eyes like the Antarctic Sea.
Of course, right now, it's all sealed behind horn-rimmed glasses.
The funny thing is, Randel's appearance was very beautiful, and Randel found it very annoying.
So he wore enchanted glasses.
That's right.
A setting where he looks ordinary with glasses on, and becomes an absolute beauty when he takes them off.
Randel is the male protagonist with that kind of setting.
In addition, it seems that the glasses also seal his personality. When he wears glasses, he looks affable, but when he takes off his glasses and radiates his beauty, his personality also shows a different side.
Because of that, the female protagonist, Fiona, thinks that Randel with glasses and Randel without glasses are different people.
‘So, if I take off those glasses, he’s an absolute beauty, right?’
Nina's hands were itching with the urge to snatch the glasses, but she decided to resist.
She didn't need Randel without glasses and personality.
She only needed Randel, who would work hard and contribute to the Duke's household.
Nina glanced at the simple luggage he had brought and said.
“It’s too early in the morning, so I don’t think the kitchen is even lit yet. I’ll tell them to prepare breakfast quickly, so please go to your room first.”
“I’m fine with skipping the meal. Rather, I would like to discuss the specimen you sent me further.”
Nina nodded at Randel's words.
“Yes, then unpack your luggage in your room and move right away.”
“Thank you.”
Randel smiled.
After guiding him to his room, Nina told Jin to go back and rest.
Jin whispered lowly.
“What are you talking about? He’s the Archsage. Can I leave you two alone?”
A Sage is someone who uses magic, an unheard-of, unknown power.
Even more so for an Archsage.
That meant he knew the principles of the world and was deeply knowledgeable, but for Jin, it only meant that the threat had increased.
“I don’t think he’s particularly dangerous.”
As long as he doesn't interfere with the research.
“And if he has magic, I have Spirits, you know.”
Nina whispered back. Jin was about to say one more word, so Nina tilted her head, thinking, ‘Why is this person being so overprotective?’
Then the door opened with great fanfare.
“Alright! Let’s go!”
He was truly full of enthusiasm.
“Wow!”
Nina exclaimed without realizing it.
A blue robe embroidered with gold thread, and decorations on the long hood.
“It’s a symbol of a Sage.”
When Nina smiled, Randel smiled brightly.
“I must wear this outfit when working outside.”
“I see. Then let’s go.”
Jin quietly followed at the very back of the group, so Nina decided to just leave him be.
There was no point in telling him to rest if he didn't want to.
Nina first led him to the field. Fruits that increase the power of fire were bearing fruit. Next to it, the medicinal herbs that Kirill was growing were planted in neat sections.
She also checked the transplanted Oil tree. With sparkling eyes, he asked questions diligently, and Nina answered as sincerely as she could.
However, when they moved on to the greenhouse herbs, Kirill was needed after all.
‘Is it okay to wake Kirill up this early?’
Nina was pondering for a moment, but Randel was already looking at the herbs with fascination on his own.
“This is amazing! It’s similar to Silverleaf and has a strong fragrance too. But it’s not Silverleaf! Are there many of these in the Violet Forest? I’ve always had a negative image of it because it’s polluted, but I never expected to see something like this!”
“What’s different?”
Nina tilted her head and squatted next to him, and Randel began to explain excitedly.
“Usually, Silverleaf has dense white hairs on the back like this, but look. This Silverleaf is truly silver, isn’t it? It’s sparkling! Moreover, the leaves are a bit thicker, and this fragrance is different!”
Nina leaned in to see the leaf that he had slightly turned over, and the moment he turned his body abruptly, they bumped into each other.
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
In that instant, his personality, no, his glasses fell to the floor.
‘Why did it fall off so easily?’
“Ugh- Ah, son of a b- Ugh?!”
The moment he swept his hair up and spat out a curse, Nina quickly put his personality back on him.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay? My forehead is hard.”
Nina asked ramblingly, and Randel stared blankly at her with widened eyes.
‘Wow.’
Nina was purely impressed.
The ultra-vivid blue eyes were sparkling.
How could they be so innocent?
Even behind the glasses, they were eyes so pretty that you couldn't help but know they were beautiful.
The Antarctic Sea where the midday sun shatters.
Without realizing it, Nina smiled and got up from her seat, asking again.
“Are you okay? Can you get up?”
When she held out her hand, Randel took her hand and rubbed his forehead.
“I’m fine. I’m the one who should be sorry for getting so excited. This kind of thing happens often when I see research materials.”
His cheeks were flushed as if he was embarrassed. Nina comforted him lightly.
“Researchers should have that much passion.”
“Lady Nina is kind.”
Randel smiled gently.
Jin was about to open his mouth with a slightly annoyed expression from behind, but Kirill spoke a beat earlier.
“What’s all the commotion in my greenhouse from this morning!”
“Kirill?”
“Kirill, you woke up this early?”
When Nina asked in surprise as she turned around, Kirill shook the stick he was holding in his hand.
“I thought a thief had broken into the greenhouse.”
Jin said, “What is there to steal in this greenhouse?” and got hit by Kirill's stick.
“So, looking at your attire, aren’t you the idiot from Bluestone Island?”
Kirill stood crookedly, resting his stick on the ground.
Randel lightly bent his right hand and bowed, as if a theater actor was greeting.
“I am Randel, the Archsage of Bluestone Island, senior.”
Kirill snorted.
“Do you still only have hard-headed guys as hard as blue stones over there?”
Randel still said with a smiling face.
“Wouldn’t they have become even harder?”
Nina looked at Kirill in embarrassment, then at Randel, then back at Kirill.
“Kirill is also from Bluestone Island?”
Kirill frowned at Nina's question, and Randel just smiled, but neither of them answered her words.
‘Well, that’s the answer.’
Nina stood at attention and said.
“Lord Randel has come to help research medicinal herbs out of goodwill. Apothecary Kirill, will you cooperate? I ask as the acting Duke.”
Kirill smiled bitterly and said.
“Don’t ask me, kid.”
Nina laughed lightly at those words. Her pigtails swayed gently.
“Then shall we ask, Kirill?”
“Sure. Why would I refuse when a researcher who can be used is coming? Shall we talk? How much has the level of the Archsage of Bluestone Island risen?”
“I will gladly listen.”
Nina was about to step back, saying, “Then we’ll leave you to it,” but Randel quickly blocked her path.
“Lady Nina.”
“Yes.”
“I was rude earlier.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“……”
“?”
Why isn’t he saying anything, Nina wondered, and Randel cleared his throat and asked.
“Are you perhaps interested in medicinal herbs?”
“I am.”
Well, they are plants that will make money for our territory, so how could I not be interested?
I have to feed our Young Master white bread.
Randel's expression brightened.
“Then, if you have time later, could we talk about medicinal herbs?”
“Of course.”
I need to know the product well. Of course, of course.
When Nina readily agreed, Randel said, “Thank you,” and stepped aside, and Nina left the greenhouse.
Jin said sullenly.
“I’ll leave later.”
It meant that it was dangerous to leave the Archsage, whose identity was unclear, and Kirill alone, Nina nodded, but Kirill waved his hand.
“Everyone get out. Annoying.”
“Kirill.”
Jin frowned and was about to say something, but when Kirill narrowed his eyes and said, “Tsk,” he grumbled, “Ugh, I don’t know,” scratched his head, and left the greenhouse.
