If there was someone more foolish, one could sell to them and turn a profit.
But not infrequently, the original buyer was the biggest fool.
Lawrence expected Holo to be rolling her eyes at the tale, but when he glanced at her, she was regarding Col with an expression of deep sympathy – an expression he’d never seen before.
It was not really very funny.
“But for some reason, the teacher didn’t write the annotations, and… the book turned really cheap,” Col finished with an embarrassed smile, and with the story turning out exactly as Lawrence guessed, he understood.
Col had stumbled into a trap and even borrowed money to buy books.
Obviously he could no longer pay his tuition, to say nothing of eating or repaying the debt – so he had beat a hasty retreat.
He might have wound up in a northern town like this because the connections between students were stronger than any clumsy merchant’s. There were so many shiftless scholars in this area that it was easy to keep track of who was in which town.
Most of the schools and scholars were in the south, but in a big enough city, there were people who would try to gain learning for free from the street-corner preachers. When Lawrence and Holo had been in Ruvinheigen, groups of young men looking roughly like Col would gather to listen.
But once Lawrence and Holo arrived in this region, such groups disappeared.
It was cold, after all, and passing the winter was difficult.
“So then I, er, I started traveling about, looking for charity, and I wound up around here. I heard in the winter a lot of people come through here, so there would be a lot of work.”
“Ah, the winter campaigns, eh?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
But as Col fled from the debt collectors and actually headed north, the winter campaigns had been canceled and there was no work at all. To survive through the winter at this rate would take what little money he had on hand.
That was when the mysterious swindler had appeared.
Though Col had tried to study Church law, it seemed God’s treatment of him had only ever been cold.
Or perhaps this was a test from God.
“And so after all these twists and turns, you came to our boat,” said Holo.
“Y-yes, it seems so.”
“’Tis quite an amazing encounter. Wouldn’t you say?” Turning to Lawrence, Holo smiled.
Col’s grime-smeared cheeks reddened.
“Though it can’t be said to have been a fortunate trip, it’s come together in the end. The world is indeed full of malice, but there are some pitfalls one can avoid so long as one knows of them – ignorance is a sin, after all. But you needn’t worry anymore,” said Holo proudly. Had her hood been pulled back, her ears would surely have been twitching.
Had the maternal-seeming calm she had possessed a moment ago gone elsewhere?
No, wait, thought Lawrence.
He realized that Holo was like this because despite having said such brave things as she extended a helping hand to Col, she did not intend to shoulder that responsibility herself.
“Ignorance is… a sin?”
“Quite. But you needn’t worry. After all, my companion’s weathered all manner of adversity to become a full-fledged marshman… mmph…!”
As he glared at Holo through narrowed eyes, Lawrence put his hand over Holo’s big mouth.
After she stopped mumbling, he could tell she was trying to bite him, so he pulled his hand away.
“Perhaps you’d like to teach him with all the knowledge and experience you’ve acquired?” said Lawrence.
“Hmm? You surely do say the strangest things, sir. Despite my being but a girl of tender years, are you saying that your knowledge and experience would be inferior to my own?”
“Urgh–”
Owing to the necessity of hiding her true nature, Lawrence could say nothing at all to refute Holo, but Holo could speak as she wished.
Col was dumbstruck as he looked at the two of them.
Holo’s red-tinged eyes seemed to be smiling, but she made no move to back down.
While she had blithely extended the boy her sympathy, it was Lawrence who would be in a bad position if he was forced to play mentor – as though he knew what troubles could be avoided if one was given enough knowledge from another. What Col truly needed to learn was not where the pitfalls were, but rather how to search for them in the first place.
It was not something easily taught in a day.
Holo know that all too well.
And yet she was hounding Lawrence to do it anyway.
“Why was it that you took such good care of me, eh?” Holo grabbed his earlobe and whispered the words into his ear. “Was it because I was so lovely? Are you such a shallow male?”
“That–”
That hadn’t been the only reason, but it had certainly been part of it.
If he refused to lend wisdom and aid to Col now, he would have no grounds on which to refute the accusation.
Holo’s gaze pierced him.
“Fine – fine! Now get off,” said Lawrence. It would be no joke at all if she stretched his earlobe out longer on that side.
Holo finally released him. “Quite. That’s my companion all right,” she said with a pleased smile, flicking his ear.
Lawrence wanted to get her back, but there was no telling how much rage he would incur if he was to do so. “So does the boy in question actually want to learn?”
He turned his gaze to the dumbfounded Col.
The puppy-like Col could surely tell who was master of whom, just as a real dog could.
Though he gaped for a moment at the sudden question put to him, he was in the end a smart lad.
Col straightened his posture and took a breath. “I-I would be honored to accept your instruction.”
Holo nodded, satisfied.
Of course, she wasn’t the one doing the teaching.
Lawrence scratched his head and sighed.
While he did enjoy teaching, he wasn’t comfortable with all its attendant formalities.
But he couldn’t let that stop him.
After all, it hadn’t only been Holo’s fetching form that had led him to pick her up and bring her along with him.
“I guess it can’t be helped, then. Now you’re really on board with us.”
Just as Lawrence said so, the boat rocked lightly.
Col reddened, and Holo gave an exaggerated sigh.
Just as Lawrence was regretting having said such, Holo spoke.
“You needn’t worry. That is what I love about you.”
Chapter Three
In instructing the apparently easily deceived Col, Lawrence knew that if he tried to show examples of every possible swindle or scam, there would be no end to it.
What he needed to teach was a frame of mind that would help Col avoid being tricked.
After that, once Col knew one or two ways of making money, he would probably be able to save some up so long as he didn’t succumb to greed.
Of course, overcoming greed was one of the most difficult things for humans to do.
“When someone tells you of a fine opportunity, you need to think about how they will profit from it. Or don’t just consider the circumstances that will bring you gain – consider how you stand to lose, as well. Most scams can be avoided by simply doing that much.”
“But don’t things sometimes go well and sometimes not?”
“Of course. But when you’re being swindled, the profit is generally too good. When the balance between the profit and loss is strange, it’s better to get out. So if the gain is great or the loss is too large, don’t do it.”
“Even if the gain… is great?” Just as would be expected from someone who wanted to learn badly enough to pay for it, Col was dedicated and clever.
Though Lawrence had been reluctant to take him on, the boy was quick enough on the uptake that teaching him was enjoyable.
“You don�
��t seem like you quite believe it,” said Lawrence.
“Er, well… not really.”
“In life, it’s better to assume that bad things will happen to you rather than good things. You can’t look at someone else’s success and assume that it will happen to you. There are a lot of people in the world, so it makes sense that one or two of them are going to be fortunate. But there’s only one of you. Assuming that good fortune will come to you is no different than pointing a finger at a random person and predicting the same for them. But do you think that prediction would come true?”
As he repeated to another person the words his own master had spoken to him, Lawrence felt their weight.
If only he had been able to put them into practice a bit more faithfully, his own travels with Holo might have gone somewhat more smoothly.
“So keeping all that in mind, if we return to the documents you were tricked into buying…”
Holo lazily watched their exchange.
At first it seemed as though she was about to make fun of Lawrence’s slightly pompous lecturing, but eventually she seemed to simply be enjoying the conversation.
The boat headed easily downriver, and though it was chilly, there was no wind.
The mood was strangely stable, unlike when Lawrence had traveled alone, but also unlike his travels with just Holo. Whatever it was fit the situation perfectly; it was a queer and ancient sensation.
As Lawrence taught, he wondered what the feeling was.
Holo wasn’t beside him sniggering maliciously, but when he turned around, there she was behind him, a soft smile on her face.
They were on a river in the middle of winter, so what was this warmth?
Lawrence didn’t know. He didn’t know, but it made his body feel light.
Conversation with Col became smooth, and as Col began to understand Lawrence’s thinking, Lawrence started to understand Col’s questions.
Good fortune might not often come his way, but fortunate encounters seemed to be quite common.
It was that kind of moment.
“Ha-ha. Am I interrupting anything?” came Ragusa’s voice suddenly, and Lawrence felt as though he’d been woken from a dream.
Col seemed similarly jolted, and as he regained his composure, his expression made him look as though he wasn’t quite sure of what he was doing.
“Er, not at all… Is something the matter?”
“Only that the next checkpoint will be the last for the day. I thought you might have something you need to buy, that’s all.”
“Ah, I see.” Lawrence exchanged a look with Holo. She checked the contents of the bag that held their food provisions – even sharing bread with Col, they would have plenty.
“’Twill last,” she said.
“Apparently it will last,” said Lawrence to Ragusa.
“Aye, and ’tis well if so. Still–” Ragusa stretched, then leaned on the pile of cargo, a broad smile on his face. “Seems a lie has become truth. He’s playing the apprentice quite well!”
Ragusa was obviously referring to Col, who looked down in embarrassment.
Unlike a certain someone whose chest puffed out at the slightest praise.
“I’ve hired boys many times before, but they rarely stay even a year. And when it comes to working without being yelled at or whipped, why – this lad’s a miracle!” Ragusa smiled.
“Doubtless,” Lawrence agreed.
Wandering scholars were despised – they were shiftless, yes, but they also did no work and accomplished nothing to gain any sort of trust.
Though he had been cornered into it, Col worked hard to earn his way and took Lawrence’s teachings to heart – more than enough to earn trust.
Blinking his eyes rapidly at the unexpected praise, Col appeared not to understand that.
Holo smiled, happiest of all.
“So I’ve some odd jobs to take care of at the next checkpoint.”
“Ah, yes – please let me help.”
“Ha-ha-ha! Careful, you’ll be scolded by your teacher!”
“Eh?” said Col, confused, at which Lawrence smiled helplessly and spoke.
“He doesn’t want to be either a merchant or a boatman, this lad. Isn’t that right?”
Col looked up with his pale blue eyes, returning Lawrence’s gaze, then Ragusa’s; then he stopped.
It was clear he was thinking with all his might.
“… Yes. Er, I-I want to study Church law.”
“Well now, isn’t that a shame.”
“So you see how it is,” said Lawrence.
“I reckon I’ll give up, then, if nobody else is going to get him all to themselves. Suppose it’s always the gods that profit in the end, eh?” Ragusa sighed good-naturedly, then moved astern and picked up his pole.
Reliable people were always in demand, no matter the industry.
“Um…?”
Lawrence chuckled. “He’s just saying that if you keep studying like this, you’ll wind up a scholar eventually.”
“Ah…” Col nodded uncertainly, and as the boat drew near to the dock, Col hurried over to Ragusa when the man called for him.
Lawrence was left to ruminate over Ragusa’s words.
It did seem to be the gods who profited in the end.
“You seem regretful,” said Holo.
“Huh?” Lawrence said, then nodded. “Oh yes, I suppose I did feel a bit disappointed.”
“Still, you’ll have other chances.”
Lawrence looked back at Holo, a little surprised at her words. “So you find just helping me become a merchant of note unsatisfying?”
“You’re not full-fledged until you have an apprentice.”
So it was about the apprentice, then?
It was true that Lawrence had told Holo that he felt as though his adventures might be over once he opened a shop.
Holo had told him to get an apprentice.
“It’s a bit early for that, though.”
“Is it?”
“It is. Maybe ten years from now. Or fifteen even.”
A few years earlier, Lawrence would never have been able to think ten years hence, but he was reaching the age where he would now be looking that far ahead.
In the past, he might well have thought he could be anything, but now those choices were no longer open to him.
“Ten years from now, you say – mm, by then even you may be a bit more manly.”
“… What are you talking about?”
“Oh, shall I explain?” Judging by her smile, Holo was hiding something big.
Deciding it was better to let sleeping gods lie, Lawrence gave up his counterattack.
“Heh. Smart of you.”
“Your praise flatters me, milady.”
Holo smacked Lawrence’s shoulder, her cheeks deliberately puffed out.
Lawrence smiled in reply, then reached out for the sheaf of papers he had bought from Col.
Despite the interruption, the issue of the copper coins was enough to arouse his merchant’s curiosity.
Though Lawrence wasn’t particularly thinking of profit – much less trying to expose the Jean Company’s smuggling – the notion that he would be able to solve the riddle simply through careful analysis of this sheaf of paper was exciting.
“You surely are a stingy male.”
“What?”
“Look at the way your eyes light up at that paper. Is it so much more fun than keeping my company?”
Lawrence didn’t know if he should laugh or not.
He knew for a certainty, though, that if he pointed out that Holo was being jealous of a stack of papers, he’d be hit.
“It’s only a difference of three chests. Why is that so interesting?” Holo asked.
“Why…? I suppose because it’s fun to think about. But this time if I’m mistaken, we won’t get dragged into some kind of uprising. You needn’t worry on that count.”
Lawrence flipped through the pages as he talked and soon came upon a sheet on which the Jean Compan
y’s name was written and then another.
Perhaps this was what he was looking for.
“…”
He got the feeling Holo had said something and looked up.
Holo had plopped down and was grabbing onto the blanket.
Beneath her robe, her tail swished discontentedly.
Her expression was one of frustration.
“You’re very skilled at bargaining sometimes, you know,” she said.
Occasionally even Holo was easy to understand.
Was he being presumptuous, Lawrence wondered, in imagining that what Holo was thinking was, It’s all well and good for you to attend to Col, but when he’s gone, your attention should be only on me?
“Well then, would you like to help?”
“… I suppose I would not mind.”
Lawrence was reminded of long ago, when Holo couldn’t bring herself to simply ask for an apple.
Her face had been displeased then, even as her ears had flicked up happily.
“This word, here. Jean Company. Find anything that mentions it. You can read the letters, right?”
“Aye. Anything that mentions it, anything at all?”
“Yes.”
Col’s bundle of papers was actually quite sizable.
Many of them were badly wrinkled, perhaps having been handled roughly or stuffed into a bag in the process of their theft.
And as proof they had passed through many hands, many were badly smudged and worn out with finger marks.
There were probably a hundred sheets in total; Lawrence handed a section to Holo, and they began to search for the Jean Company.
Lawrence could tell at a glance what sort of document each sheet was, and once he knew the document type, he knew more or less where on the page to look for company names.
By contrast, Holo had to scan each page from top to bottom or she risked missing the name – and the writing was often messy.
It was obvious to Lawrence that she frequently gave him nervous glances.
No doubt she found it frustrating being less capable than him at something.
Lawrence pretended not to notice and slowed his pace.
“Still, you,” began Holo.
“Hmm?”
Even having slowed his pace, Lawrence was faster, so it was far-fetched to think that Holo suspected him of self-sabotage after only a moment.
In fact, rather than continuing to work as she spoke, Holo set the papers down and stared someplace far in the distance.
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