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

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Author Notes:  

How is everyone doing during these days of self-restraint?  

I decided to avoid becoming inactive and ended up with muscle pain in my butt from doing exercises while watching videos.  

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When the first term of classes ended and I returned to the castle, I found myself with a fair amount of free time this year.  

Last year was an exception. Usually, debutante balls are held at night, and only my parents and Chris-oniisama attend. Even though Berisario also hosts balls, they have nothing to do with me since I'm not yet an adult.

As usual, I was busy working for the Fairy Company.  

I was involved in developing new sweets, teaching them how to make omelets, and most importantly, conducting experiments to install a cartridge-style magical energy storage tank in spirit vehicles.  

The magical device for storing energy was created over a year by a team of magical device technicians led by Roy Calder, a former teacher at the academy.  

Though Calder-sensei asked me to call him Roy since he is no longer a teacher, I still haven't gotten used to it.

Currently, several rest stops are built along the main roads within the territory, where drivers can rest or switch. This system allows for the fastest transport of goods by having drivers switch before running out of magical energy.  

If multiple cartridges are prepared at these stops, the drivers won't have to worry about running out of energy while driving the spirit vehicles.  

Since we can't afford to run out of cartridges, we will need magical devices to efficiently gather and store magical energy in cartridges, one for each major town.  

If we could convert magical energy into money, I believe many people would come to sell it like a part-time job.

“If we attach it here, we can avoid narrowing the cargo space.”  

“Shall we try running it like this?”

Next to the Fairy Company's building, we constructed an experimental facility and even built a warehouse for parking various types of spirit vehicles, so the area dedicated to the company keeps expanding.  

The magical devices for the cartridges are installed on the first floor of the experimental facility. They’re still highly confidential, so we can't bring them outside yet.  

The ceiling is as high as three floors to allow maintenance work on the roof of the spirit vehicles, giving the room the appearance of a gymnasium when looking up.  

Shelves containing various tools and magic stones of all sizes line the walls.  

Oh, we also have one of those boards with small wheels that let you lie down and look under the vehicles.  

I wanted to try it, but everyone stopped me, saying, "Please don't."

Today, all the experimental collaborators are present.  

Roy, of course, along with the magical device technicians who helped with the creation, the craftsmen who built the frames of the spirit vehicles, and even the drivers who actually transport goods with the spirit vehicles.  

If this experiment succeeds, we'll be able to transport goods much faster and farther than before—it's a crucial test.

“Let me do it.”

Roy, having attached the cartridge filled with magical energy to the spirit vehicle, allowed me to gleefully hop onto the driver's seat.

“Ifree, use the magical energy from the cartridge to move the spirit vehicle.”  

‘No.’  

“Huh?”  

‘I don’t want that low-quality magical energy. Everyone, this vehicle won’t move unless it’s Dia’s magic.’  

“No way!!”

But you said it would be fine to use someone else's magical energy just for using magic, even if it’s not for growth!

‘That’s true for other people’s spirit beasts.’  

‘Dia’s magical energy is exceptionally strong, so other people’s energy is no substitute.’

While Jin groomed himself on Ifree's back, Riva and Gaia nodded in agreement.  

So, it means my spirit beasts only accept my magical energy.  

The cartridge experiment is utterly useless!

“It seems that the quality of external magical energy that can be used changes depending on the amount and strength of the master's magic. Fascinating!”

It seems I’m the only one finding this troublesome. Roy's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“If the driver is a commoner and has only one elemental spirit, would any magical energy work?”  

‘If it’s too strong compared to their own, it won’t work.’  

“Then we must measure the magical energy's strength and store it in several stages.”  

‘You should have asked your own spirit beast about this.’

Ifree spoke arrogantly, making Roy and the technicians smile wryly.  

They probably never thought about creating a product through discussions with spirit beasts.

“I heard that most drivers are third or fourth sons of nobles.”  

“Yes. You need a certain amount of magical energy to operate a spirit vehicle, so there aren’t many commoners who can do it.”

Even if born into a noble family, third or fourth sons rarely get good jobs.  

If a noble parent has wealth or influence, they can manage anything. They have broad networks.  

For other nobles, perhaps up to the second son, they might find some job that allows them to continue as a noble.  

But if the family is wealthy but has up to a third wife and around ten children, they can’t support all of them. In this world, the parent’s duty ends once the children graduate from the academy.

If someone is strong with the sword or has strong magic, it's no problem. They can become a soldier or a mage.  

If they achieve merit in those roles, they might even be granted a title.  

For those who can’t become soldiers or mages, it's a big problem for themselves and their lords.  

If a territory lacks jobs even for the children of nobles, rumors will spread that the territory's management isn't going well, and educated young laborers will leave the territory.  

If the nobles are too extravagant, they’ll incur the wrath of the commoners, but if they live too miserably, people will feel uneasy.

For them, being a spirit vehicle driver was a desirable job.  

Being an employee of the Fairy Company meant stable pay, and unlike regular carriage drivers, spirit vehicle drivers were seen as having a cool job, reserved for people with magical power.  

Maybe it was because we provided them with uniforms?  

Little boys seem to find the sight of spirit vehicles gliding along the highway with a spirit beast beside them utterly captivating.

“Then commoners' magical energy might not be sufficient.”

Does that mean I can't participate in the experiment? That’s so boring.  

Right, what about storing magical energy? How does that work?

“Young lady, no one can use your magic. What are you planning to do with the stored magical energy?”

Rex, who was standing beside me, stopped me.  

I’m useless.

“Well, I want to do something.”  

“I’m afraid there’s not much you can do. Oh, Gemma’s here. Perhaps she needs to talk to you?”

Please don’t look so openly relieved.  

I know I’m just a nuisance.  

I walked over to Gemma, who was peeking in through the entrance with a sullen face, and of course, Rex followed right behind me.  

A lady is never left alone except in her own room.

“What is it?”  

“We have a guest.”

What’s this about?  

Gemma’s smile is creepy. She’s grinning.

“Did I have any scheduled visitors?”  

“They just showed up out of the blue. So presumptuous.”

As Gemma left just enough space to slip through the door, Alan-oniisama opened it wide, revealing the person standing behind him.

“Camille?”

Please don’t just appear suddenly like that. My heart skipped a beat.

“You know it doesn’t look good if you keep coming when our parents and older brother aren’t around.”  

“I can’t help it. My schedule is packed right now.”  

“Then don’t come. If you’re short on time, a quick chat here will suffice.”  

“That’s fine.”  

“I’m not leaving you two alone.”  

“I know, I just came to give this.”

I stepped outside the building, listening to the exchange between Alan-oniisama and Camille.  

Alan-oniisama, Luther, Gemma, and Rex were with me, while Keith and Bob were with Camille.  

Privacy? What's that? Sounds tasty.

“Hey, long time no see.”

Seeing him after a while, he looked as handsome as ever.  

He isn’t quite the type of beauty like Chris-oniisama, but his features are finely sculpted.  

The fact that this handsome guy has feelings for me still doesn’t seem quite real.

“Doesn’t Luftanen have New Year’s events too? Are you sure you should be here at this time of year?”  

“No, I shouldn’t. That’s why I need to leave as soon as I hand this over. This year, my brother’s coronation is coming up, so it will get even busier. I probably won’t be able to make it for your birthday, so I wanted to give this to you in advance.”

Camille handed over a box that looked like a slightly narrower glasses case.  

True to his style, there wasn’t even a ribbon or wrapping.  

When I took it, it was light, with a small latch carved in delicate detail holding the lid closed.  

This box must have taken a lot of effort to make.

“Well, I’m off then.”

Just as I was about to open the lid, Camille hastily called out.

“I’ll come next time when I have a bit more time.”  

“Wait a minute. Since you came all this way, take this with you.”

My spatial magic has been evolving by the day.  

I modified a bracelet shaped like a wristwatch so it could store items within the gemstone.  

When I think about the item I want to take out,

 it appears in the air.  

Doesn’t it sound like a game inventory? I’d always wanted to do this.  

But there are drawbacks; the item won’t float in the air after it’s taken out. If you don’t grab it quickly or use magic to hold it up, it will fall, and if you don’t have strong magical power, you can't put things in or take them out.

“What is this?”

Seeing items appear out of thin air without a bag or pouch, the three from Luftanen widened their eyes. Then they looked puzzled at what I was holding out with both hands.

“A freezer.”  

“Huh?! This is?”

In this world, magical devices called freezers are more like cold storage compartments.  

They were originally designed to keep food frozen for preservation, so that was fine.  

But that setup wouldn’t work for a gelato stand, so I decided to make it smaller.  

But shrinking it was challenging, apparently. Well, of course.

Only nobles can afford to drink beverages with ice in them.  

If a noble wants gelato or a cold drink, they just command, and someone immediately brings it.  

No one thought of making a portable freezer.  

But it’s handy, isn’t it?  

When the Fairy Company made portable freezers so people could eat gelato even in a carriage, they became a huge hit. The freezers became even more famous than the gelato.  

They are already widely used among the Empire’s nobles, and production has started in other territories and the Ministry of Magic, but they haven’t yet spread to other countries.

“It contains a new flavor of gelato. Thin chocolate inside vanilla. It’s crispy and delicious, so please share some with Tatiana-sama.”  

“Can I really take this entire box?”  

“If you don’t, it will melt.”  

“I see… Thank you.”

He looks so happy that I feel a bit guilty.  

I hadn’t prepared anything, thinking he wouldn’t come today, and just handed over the gelato I had taken from my room to eat later.

“I really need to go now.”  

“Yes, see you.”

Teleporting away, no one here was surprised, as they were all used to it.  

Roy and the technicians were peeking from behind the door, but they weren’t surprised either.  

Camille left just like that.

“What did you get?!”

Gemma is a huge fan of Erda’s books, and their personalities are quite similar. She looked delighted, almost as if she were the one who got a present.

“Hmm, it’s a barrette.”

Inside the box was a hair ornament with three cherry blossom-like flowers in gold, silver, and pink gold arranged in a row.  

Only the middle flower was slightly larger, with a purple gemstone.

“Wow.”  

“What is it, Alan-oniisama?”  

“That flower doesn’t exist in the Empire; it’s a flower from Luftanen.”

I see.  

So, anyone can tell Camille gave it to me.

“This gemstone… isn’t it a color-changing stone? Look, when you pour magic into it, the color changes.”

When Gemma infused it with magic, the gemstone turned a pale green before returning to purple.

“If it were a bit darker, it would be Berisario’s color, but this is…”  

“Probably.”  

“Probably?”  

“It’s the color of the Eisdale ducal house.”

As soon as Rex answered, Gemma let out a strange sound.

“How do you know that?”  

“I did some research before going to Luftanen. Basic information.”

I see.  

I’m lucky to have such a capable butler.

“That’s pretty blatant possessiveness.”  

“Gemma, you seem happy.”  

“Yes, very much.”

What do I do with this now?  

After hearing that, I can’t wear it.

“Dia, you’re just as bad. I never thought you’d give him a freezer.”

Looks like I’ve done something again. Alan-oniisama gave me a half-lidded stare.

“I know small freezers are rare.”  

“No one would recognize that as a freezer.”

True... Since it was custom-made for me, it should be luxurious and highly functional.  

Freezers generally get cold on the outside, too.  

Usually, they're placed in an insulating material to retain the cold.  

Mine is encased in a box with geometric engravings representing water, fire, earth, and wind on each side.  

I have another one just like it, and I could get a new one if I asked, but no one else could get a freezer with that design.

“And isn’t your name engraved on it?”  

“Oh.”  

“Full-on possessiveness.”

Eek! I forgot.  

I gave away a gift with my name on it!

“But Alan-oniisama, how did you notice that?”  

“Anyone would notice.”  

“Did the gift you gave Patty also have your name or the Berisario crest on it?”  

“…This is about Dia right now.”

So it does!!