The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!

Luring the enemy out with a decoy might typically take a week, ten days, or sometimes even months.  

But we don’t have that much time, and neither do they.  

They must want to make contact while I'm still on North Island.  

We want to prevent them from regrouping with the remnants that were aligned with the Nicodemus Sect of Bejaia. Even if it's a request from the Fairy King, we can't keep doing this for another country for days on end.

The Fairy King does not interfere with humans.  

So, we can’t ask him to find out where they are and tell us. He won't intervene no matter what they plan against humanity. But I’m the exception.  

So, even though I could just stand in the middle of a field yelling, "Alright! Come at me!!", everyone around me desperately begged me not to, and if I did, they'd probably see it as a trap and wouldn't come. If they did, they’d be fools.  

If the Third Prince and Fourth Prince still think they have a chance to become king, they must be fools, too.

Today is the Crown Prince's wedding day.  

The ceremony is being held on East Island, but North Island is also decked out with decorations and celebrations.  

Apparently, there's no such thing as a pre-wedding festival in this country, so the festivities happen on the day itself and the day after.  

Flowers adorn the railings of wide balconies, and ropes stretch between the balconies, with decorations that glitter and sparkle in the wind as they catch the sunlight. They probably light up with magic lanterns at night—kind of like Christmas tree decorations, I think.  

The streets are filled with lively music, and people dressed in traditional costumes and aloha shirts are eating, drinking, singing, and dancing. There are far more people on the streets than usual.  

Today is the perfect opportunity for both us and them.

"Listen, you must stay within my reach at all times."  

"Yes."  

"If Dia looks like she's going to get lost or be kidnapped, tell me right away."  

'Leave it to me.'  

'Got it.'  

How should I feel about the fact that they trust the spirit beasts more than they trust me?  

Today, to make it look like it’s just Camille and me moving around, the guards have blended into the crowd and are following us from a short distance.  

Normally, it would be impossible for either of us to blend in with the people of Luftanen, but today the streets are filled with harbor workers, merchants, and tourists, so it's no problem.  

Gemma, despite her best efforts, still gives off an air of being an elegant and wealthy young lady.  

Brad, on the other hand, looks surprisingly perfect in his aloha shirt.  

I picture a guy like that in a pachinko parlor from my previous life.

"Wouldn't it be better if it were just me and the young lady walking together?"  

Brad seems opposed to the idea of leaving us alone, probably because my father told him to watch out for Camille, too.

"The Third Prince has a grudge against Camille. Camille is bait, too."  

"I can't leave this to someone unfamiliar with the terrain."

But if my family or the Crown Prince found out that I was alone as the decoy without anyone from Luftanen by my side, there would be trouble.  

Moreover, Camille has decided not to leave my side, refusing to budge, and knowing the terrain well is crucial, so Brad reluctantly backed down.

"We'll hold hands to make sure you don't get lost."  

"Stop talking about getting lost. I'm not a little kid... Eek!"

No sooner had Camille and I started moving than I was almost swept away by the crowd. The spirit beasts, who were in their spirit form, started spinning around in the air, trying to clear the surrounding people away, which almost caused chaos.

"…Dia."  

"Alright, I'll hold your hand."  

"Good."

But still, holding hands is a big step, isn’t it?  

You don’t get many opportunities to hold hands with someone who isn't family.

"Your hands are small."  

"I'm a girl!"  

"I know."

I try not to look at our joined hands and start walking, pulling Camille along.  

But again, I almost get carried away by the crowd, and this time, instead of just holding hands, Camille grabs my arm.  

I feel like a criminal being escorted away.

Ever since the king fell ill, there’s been a struggle for power among the princes, and even assassinations. That led to civil war, so for the past few years, the news from Luftanen has been nothing but bleak, right? But finally, the Fairy King appeared, and there was hope that Luftanen would become peaceful and prosperous. Now, the Crown Prince is getting married, so of course, people want to celebrate. I understand, but it's dangerous, so watch where you’re going.  

I’m not that short. You can see the glowing spirits, right?  

Move out of the way. Don’t drag me into this.

"There’s a cute girl, so some people are trying to bump into you in the confusion to get your attention."  

"If they bump into me, it’ll just annoy me. It won’t be flirting."  

"Flirting?"  

"Um, it's when someone tries to get close to you to catch your interest."  

"Ah, so that's called flirting."

After wandering through the crowd for an hour, still being dragged along by Camille, it was finally decided that the main street was too crowded, so we decided to move to a quieter area.  

Over here, the atmosphere of the shops seemed calmer and a bit more upscale.  

I was still wearing the same commoner girl’s outfit as yesterday, while Camille wore traditional attire today.

"Can I enter these shops dressed like this?"  

"You look like a foreign lady sneaking out for a walk. You can enter any shop."  

"Is that so…?"

Wait, the person across the street…

"What’s wrong?"  

"Eh? Oh, um, over there…"

When Camille asked and I looked up at him, then turned my gaze back, the person I had seen was already gone.

"They’re not there."  

"Did you see someone?"  

"Someone was watching me from over there earlier, and now I saw the same person watching me again."  

"What?! What did they look like?"  

"They didn't look like a Luftanen person. Their face looked more Bejaian or Starkian, but with black hair. Their eyes were gray."  

"Maybe they're from Pendelus."

That wouldn't be strange.  

When Pendelus turned into a republic due to desertification, many people scattered and settled in various countries, leading to more mixed-race individuals. There were some even in Berisario.  

If they lived in another country long enough to change their views on spirits, the mark on the back of their hand would fade, allowing former Pendelus people to have spirits. As long as they’re not Nicodemus followers and just living peacefully in a new country, there’s no issue.

"A stalker?"  

"What?"  

"They were staring at me intensely, even from a distance. They had a well-defined face but gave off a cold vibe."  

"Like Chris?"  

"No, not like Chris. More of a cold, snake-like stare."  

"Then it's not like Chris."  

"Exactly. It felt like their eyes were like a snake’s."  

"That's different, then."  

"Right?"

But we’re looking for a Luftanen person, so this guy shouldn’t be related… right?

"How about we go over there? Maybe check out a less crowded back alley?"  

"If we head down an alley in this situation, won't it look like I'm dragging Dia away?"  

"Officer, it’s this man."  

"Officer…? You say a lot of things I don’t understand."  

"Ah, sorry. I thought they’d already figured it out, so I got careless."  

"It’s fine if you’re a little relaxed, but don’t let your guard down."

I’m probably chattier than usual because I’m scared.  

That’s probably why I noticed the man who was watching us.  

If I get separated from Camille, I have no idea where I am or if I’ll be able to get back.  

Everyone around us has black hair and looks like a Luftanen native, making me the odd one out.  

There are people who turn around after passing by or even come back just to take another look.  

Those people are either surprised by the size of my spirit or get dragged away by their companions telling them to stop.

I hear foreign music and catch the scent of foreign aromas on the wind.  

There’s a loud cheer behind me, and startled, I grab Camille’s arm, too.

"It’s okay. Let’s turn here."

I’m fine.  

You’re the one who’s in danger.

They won’t kill me because I’m useful to them.  

But Camille is a hindrance.  

I can’t help but worry that someone passing by might have a weapon and attack Camille.

Wait. My spirit is a magic spirit, so while I can’t strengthen his body like my brother Alan, I should be able to create a barrier.  

It doesn’t need to be thick. Actually, it’s better if it’s thin so people won’t notice it.  

Like a stocking—thin but resistant to blades.  

What do you think, Gaia? Think you can do it?

"Did you… do

 this?"

Oh, it worked.  

Now I feel a bit safer.

"Was it that scary?"  

"This way, you won’t get stabbed, right?"  

"…For me?"

Camille seemed surprised, his eyes widening, but he soon smiled.

"You were worried about me. Thank you."

Ugh. The smile of a handsome guy up close has some serious impact.