The Genius Perfumer of the Fallen Cult - Chapter 56

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Genius Perfumer of the Fallen Religious Order Episode 56

Chapter 4: Bergamot of Castellanza

While the Yulberon Inquisitors finished off all the remaining Belklens in Sangbertal Territory, Luciano was detained by the Marseria Priest.

Luciano was somewhat flustered at first, not knowing what business the Marseria Priest had left with him, but soon his eyes lit up as he poured out words in a stream.

“Yes, yes. First of all, inventory management is key. How much to keep on hand, how much to deliver to trading partners… And you need trust. Extremely good quality is important of course, but whether goods of consistent quality arrive in promised quantities on promised dates—that’s what business is.”

The Marseria Priest even took notes while listening intently to his words. Luciano wore a somewhat bewildered and embarrassed expression while carefully explaining everything.

“And even if demand suddenly increases, you must be cautious about expanding production scale. After one season passes, you’re left with either empty workbenches or piled-up inventory—I’ve seen many places collapse ending up as one of those two.”

Luciano trembled as he said that when perfectly fine places go under from unnecessary greed, it’s the steady trading partners who end up like dogs chasing chickens.

“Hmm, yes. Production scale expansion… cautiously…”

“Hmm, you said you’re starting perfume production?”

“Yes! I should be helpful too. Varin wouldn’t want us just sitting around praying either.”

Since just praying led to the religious order’s complete ruin, surely that wouldn’t be the case?

Luciano didn’t voice this rude thought. And somehow he felt this naive priest might actually do well.

“For that, you’ll need various supplies, right? If you place orders, I’ll personally manage and send them to you.”

“Thank you so much, brother. We survived winter thanks to Brother Luciano, and now you’re helping us again like this…”

“Haha, thanks? I’m saying I’ll provide everything for payment.”

Luciano muttered sheepishly. He had never made pure donations without recommendation letters. This time too, he had poured out various things only because he saw Prim’s outstanding talent.

“I’m truly grateful that you taught me these things. It was difficult to dare ask for such learning.”

“If this place does well, it’s good for me too. You’ll continue trading with me in the future, won’t you?”

Actually, his willingness to help with various things began after seeing Prim grab Bianna and teach her fragrance extraction methods.

He realized from that child’s attitude. If they’re trustworthy partners, teaching them something first and getting it back later might actually be more profitable!

And priests were usually trustworthy partners. Her madness of still believing in a god who had completely failed and whom no one sought also added to her credit score.

“I will pray that starlight’s blessing graces Brother Luciano’s path ahead.”

“Thank you so much. By the way, you must have a lot to prepare for departing to Castellanza now? It won’t be ordinary work. It must be difficult.”

For the journey to Castellanza, Prim, Rozien, and even Bianna decided to go together.

Prim thought it would be good for Bianna to see many perfumes and flowers in a larger city.

Bianna jumped around in confusion, checking several times whether it was really okay for her to accompany them. Then she swore before the god.

— I swear to Varin! I’ll definitely repay these travel expenses too!

It happened before Prim could even stop her. Feeling that excited heart, Prim also smiled softly.

“The children will help a lot, so I’m not worried. Though I am concerned…”

Perhaps Bianna’s formal decision to follow Varin had quite an influence, as seventeen-year-old Eroldo, the oldest among the orphans, decided after much deliberation to walk the path of Varin’s priesthood.

The Marseria Priest was overjoyed and immediately appointed Eroldo as a deacon. This was possible because she was Varin’s deacon, priest, archbishop, and cardinal all at once. While Marseria was away, Deacon Eroldo would act in her place.

Meanwhile, Marseria was teaching Eroldo various things while organizing the villa in the Silver Aspen Forest—the temporary orphanage—and the old temple.

In the midst of this, she had to learn various methods of controlling and managing production from Luciano while also packing for the journey.

Though the responsibility of caring for three children alone on this trip might be burdensome, her expression alone was bright.

“Actually, until now… somehow until now it felt like sinking into a swamp. Even if I barely managed to feed and clothe the children today, tomorrow was hopeless and I didn’t know what to do.”

This was actually a story difficult for Luciano, who was born and raised as the youngest of a wealthy merchant family, to relate to.

For him, there were hardships, adversities, difficulties, and problems to solve, but never hopelessness.

However, not understanding doesn’t mean not knowing. Luciano quietly listened to her words.

“I thought there was nothing I could do. Somehow sell what we had to get food for the children, and live by stretching the support funds from Luminoxia Aila… But now I finally know that’s not the case, don’t I? Thinking there’s something I can do gives me strength.”

Marseria’s smiling face sparkled brightly. Luciano stared blankly at that face.

Wouldn’t she too have had will, thoughts, and effort…?

Would she have lived barely managing orphans without spreading the god’s word because she was lazy and lacking?

The future of Priest Marseria, this temple, and this orphanage was too far away, and she was overwhelmed just worrying about bread money to feed the orphans each day.

“Ah, I said something unnecessary. I must be excited about going on a trip.”

“No, not at all. That… I too will pray that Varin’s starlight fills the priest’s path ahead. Ahaha, since we’ll go to Castellanza together, well, yes. It’s a bit early to offer such prayers already though.”

Luciano hurriedly waved his hands then smiled sheepishly. The Marseria Priest smiled brightly, saying she was happy to travel together.

* * *

Sebardo’s mouth fell open like someone who had picked up an unexpected gold nugget.

“Really?”

Rozien nodded and added.

“If it’s not too late.”

“Not too late at all! You can’t take this back!”

Sebardo let out a shriek and jumped up. The red-haired boy smiled with an embarrassed expression.

“Please take care of me from now on, Sir Knight.”

“You should call me master now. You’re my disciple.”

“I mentioned before, but I follow Varin—are you really okay with that?”

“Ah, I told you it’s fine, didn’t I? Besides, you’re not becoming Varin’s Holy Knight.”

“You never know about a person’s future. How can we know what I’ll become now?”

Sebardo chuckled watching Rozien speak like an adult who had lived through everything.

Though this boy was much younger than himself, considering the hardships he had endured, he was no different from an adult as he had suffered more.

“And even if you become Varin’s Holy Knight, so what. It’s not like I’m teaching you anything great. Do you think I know some secret techniques passed down among Yulberon’s knights?”

“What?! You don’t?”

“Such things don’t even exist!”

At his urgent shout, Rozien burst into laughter, and only then did Sebardo realize Rozien had been joking.

Sebardo glared at the cheeky boy then threw a spare sword he carried to him. The boy caught it nimbly.

“Let’s start with tricks and simple techniques. Now, hold that and come at me.”

Sebardo loosened up by twisting his shoulders left and right, then beckoned with his hands. Rozien frowned.

“Last time you told me to do that too, then just beat me up enthusiastically.”

“Be, beat up? Who! That was just practice!”

“Beating up a kid who couldn’t even resist properly like that?”

“Couldn’t resist properly? After charging at me with fire in your eyes? Who made me unable to control my strength just now! Hey!”

Sebardo shouted indignantly. Rozien’s eyes widened. Only after seeing that expression did Sebardo think ‘oh no.’

‘Ah, I didn’t plan to make him triumphant from the start…’

Until now, he had been saying the boy overflowed with talent to coax and bring along someone who kept backing away saying he wouldn’t become a knight, but he hadn’t planned to continue such talk after starting training.

For a knight, the price of arrogance is life. As he wondered how to rephrase this, Rozien just smiled.

“You don’t need to say that—I already decided to become your disciple!”

Sebardo was completely deflated.

Rozien seemed to think he was just saying nice things casually.

That there was no way he had been genuinely praised.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————