Chapter 730 — The Merchant

Only after Kode confirmed it once more did Film assure himself that his ears had not failed him. Then he lowered his head and glanced at the certification document addressed to the "Patent Registry" of the Civil Administration Hall—and there he saw his own name.

To the Patent Registry of the Civil Administration:

This is to certify that Mr. Filham of Baren Town, on the Holy Spirit Plain, is the creator and holder of the "shadow-play" technique... Mr. Filham shall be fully entitled to the proceeds, the right of use, and the right of disposal of said technique (idea), and to all honors pertaining thereto.

Corde Baldwin, Caroll Commercial Association

Corde let out a long breath, and a strange sense of ease settled over him.

"Sir..." Filham looked at the documents in his hands. Even though he knew nothing of the new laws concerning techniques, even though he did not understand the rules by which the "Cecil Order" operated, he understood now the meaning behind those two documents and the thoughtfulness behind Corde's gesture. There was hesitation in the voice of this young man from Baren. "How should I ever repay you?"

Corde looked at Filham, and in those pale eyes he saw sincerity and a trace of unease.

"I have only one request," the great merchant said slowly. "One day, when your shadow-play has grown, when these 'theaters in crystal' of yours are everywhere, I want you to reserve half a minute at the start of every one of your works for me—until the day Corde Household Conveniences closes its doors."

"Half a minute?"

"Yes. To display my goods. That is my price."

"Of course, sir. That will be no problem at all," Filham said swiftly.

Corde nodded slightly.

Perhaps the standard answer for a knight would be that no repayment was needed.

But he was a merchant.

An excellent merchant.

The young man from Baren rose to his feet, the two letters held close to his chest, and took up his case. With a steady and relaxed smile, he took his leave.

Corde watched the young man walk toward the door, and just as the other was about to cross the threshold, he suddenly stood up. "Mr. Filham."

Filham stopped in confusion and turned his head. "Yes, sir?"

"Welcome to the South," Corde said with a smile, his voice raised. "There is gold everywhere here."

Filham was stunned for a moment, and then, once he had recovered, he returned the smile. "Yes, Mr. Corde. Thank you."

The office fell quiet.

Corde left his desk and slowly walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Snow was still falling thick and fast, and the north wind swept it into drifts like gauze curtains; the factory buildings and the roads were gradually turning silver-white.

The sky was darkening. Along the road leading to the city center, the magic-crystal streetlamps were coming alight one after another, and the passersby in winter clothes and the dark shapes of carriages were growing sparse. Only at the end of the road and near the plaza did the magic-net terminals remain as they always were, casting their light and displaying their images.

"Good luck, young man."

...

Leaving Corde Household Conveniences, Filham returned to the avenue in a buoyant mood, anticipation for the future burning in his chest, as though it had made even this cold, snowy day lovely.

He saw a figure standing not far off, snowflakes swirling and eddying around the figure like sprites.

"Hey! Fendir!" Filham hurried forward and greeted the other. "I thought you had already gone..."

Fendir, with his short silver-white hair, laughed and looked at the beaming Filham. "I had nothing to do, so I thought I would wait here for your good news. And from your expression, it must indeed be good news?"

"Yes," Filham said, drawing his gaze back from the dancing snowflakes around Fendir. He had known aboard the ship that the other was a spellcaster, but Fendir's character was unlike any spellcaster he had met. Now that his initial nervousness had faded, what remained toward Fendir's ice-and-snow magic was only admiration and envy. "It is good news. Only, Mr. Corde did not buy my 'idea.'"

"Oh?"

"He gave me two letters. One is addressed to the Civil Administration, and he says it will prove that the shadow-play belongs to me. The other I am to carry to the capital, and he says it will grant me an audience with Princess Rebecca and Her Highness Princess Heddy..."

"Ah," Fendir said softly, and he turned his head to glance at the doorway of Corde Household Conveniences. "This Mr. Corde... he really is an upright man."

"What did you say?"

"No, nothing," Fendir said with a laugh and a shake of his head. "Then it seems we shall be traveling together for quite a while longer. I am bound for the capital as well."

Filham looked rather pleased. "Truly? By the way, I never asked—what exactly did you come to the South to do?"

"I came to study," Fendir said with a smile, spreading his hands. "My aunt thought I ought to learn something I could not learn at home. She is always prodding me with other people's children."

"Ah... that really is a disaster."

"Tell me about it."