The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!
Chapter 32
The next day, we set out from the castle just before noon.
Since the place where Hisui resides is on the highest peak of the mountain range north of the castle, it's impossible to reach it on our own.
So how do we get there? It seems we'll be using a transfer circle.
The ruined building that the locals thought was just a ruin turned out to be a structure built for the transfer circle. Upon learning this, the Marquess of Corquette hastily ordered its restoration. Although there were talks of repairing it, it was decided to preserve its historical appearance and build a wall around it to protect it, ensuring its purpose would never be forgotten.
The ruins are less than an hour away by carriage. Although there are fewer people moving through the pasture than at yesterday's party, some will join us just for the meal near the transfer circle before heading to Hisui. If we were suddenly transferred to the mountain top, we’d likely suffer from altitude sickness. Eating right before the transfer could make some people sick. However, Hisui's residence is well-prepared for our arrival with a barrier that makes the environment comfortable.
The Spirit Kings are all kind and generally love humans. They only do not forgive humans who treat spirits cruelly.
Alcohol is prohibited for today's lunch.
Due to the incident with the Chandler marquis's daughters yesterday, and the overly enthusiastic advances towards my brother and me, the Corquette Marquess's family apologized repeatedly. It wasn’t just us; many drunken nobles tried to push their children onto the sons and daughters of high-ranking nobles, including the Carlyle Marquess family. The already sparse hair on the Marquess of Corquette’s head became even thinner in just one day.
Vince-sama complained of a stomach ache since morning, and Cindy-sama decided to stay home today.
In contrast, the Carlyle Marquess arrived in a refreshingly pleasant mood,
"Thank you for being so friendly with my son," he greeted cheerfully.
"Douglas-sama seems very popular. He was surrounded by many young ladies," I responded with a smile. It wasn't a lie.
Our family rode to the transfer circle in a spirit vehicle, just the four of us. It was a rare moment with no attendants or stewards, just family. Naturally, the conversation turned to yesterday's incident with Bridget-sama.
"After that, Vince-sama and his wife, Janet-sama, took the four girls to the royal capital and officially lodged a complaint with the Marquis Chandler and his wife," Father said.
"Lady Cathy is a second wife. Bridget-sama and two other children, a nine-year-old boy and another child, are hers, while there are four older children from the previous wife. Her husband is eleven years her senior and has spoiled the younger children," Mother explained.
"Given what happened, they owe us a big favor, and they might face difficulties within their faction," Father speculated.
"With the recent blow to the Earl of Dalimore's family related to the Spirit Forest incident, and the rumors that Duke Powell, despite his involvement, shifted the blame solely onto them, this might seem minor in comparison," Chris-nii-sama added.
As we were about to meet Hisui, it was a bit disheartening to be discussing such matters. An eleven-year-old girl’s attempt to get closer to her crush had caused a significant disturbance.
Considering what her mother did during her school days, it seems like a pattern of behavior.
"You shouldn't worry about it," Mother said, noticing my distant gaze.
Talking about the Fairy Company back at our castle would be much more enjoyable. Social relationships outside are so tiresome.
"Exactly. Besides, I can't marry a red-haired girl anyway," Chris-nii-sama stated.
"Really?"
"There are no red-haired children in any of the border marquises’ families."
"The locals take pride in their own ethnicity, especially now that the Spirit King resides here. There’s strong opposition to introducing central blood into the border marquises' families."
I see. I can understand that sentiment.
"If Alan joins the Royal Knights, he’ll live in the capital, right? Maybe he’ll marry a central girl," Chris-nii-sama suggested.
"I'd prefer all three of you to marry someone you love... We should start looking for suitable partners early to give them plenty of options," Mother said to Father.
Potential partners also have the right to refuse, you know. I get the feeling my parents think no one would dare reject us.
"How was the party yesterday? Did you make any friends?" Mother asked.
"I didn't make any female friends. As for boys, I met Douglas-sama, Deril-sama, Henry-sama, and..." I began.
"Father, shouldn’t we assign older attendants to Diadora?" Chris-nii-sama interjected.
"Indeed. Someone who can fend off the boys would be ideal," Father agreed.
"What are you talking about? You’re the one who invited Douglas to stay close to Diadora," Mother pointed out.
I had believed the information from Wiki-kun that the Emperor and my parents had romantic relationships and married during their school days. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t like modern-day Japan’s romantic relationships.
They first narrow down potential partners based on matching social status, age, faction, and ethnicity, and only then consider personality, looks, and compatibility. It's like modern marriage hunting. Conditions come first.
That’s fine with me. I intend to fulfill my responsibilities as a noble daughter. While I won’t become a queen, I am willing to marry someone approved by my family. I’m actively looking to get married, this time for real.
But since I have the mentality of a woman in her thirties, I can’t look at a six-year-old boy and consider him a potential boyfriend.
I do think Father is wonderful. If the Norland Marquess were twenty years younger, I might have admired him.
If they were at least fifteen, I might be able to develop romantic feelings like a thirty-something woman admiring a young idol.
But asking to be left alone for almost ten years is unrealistic.
"Diadora?"
"Yes?"
"Did you hear us discussing Mia-san?"
"Mia-san? The eldest daughter of Count Edkins, right?"
"Do you think she would be suitable?" Mother asked.
"For Chris-nii-sama?"
"No!"
"If she marries him, her social position will be awkward."
"Besides, the Count and his three elder sons..."
Count Edkins is our neighbor to the east, but his territory is very small, with just one town and one village surrounded by tea fields.
Mia-san, the eldest daughter, took over the household duties after her mother passed away, managing the estate and her three brothers. However, since the eldest son got married, she has been looking for work outside the territory.
She’s twelve, a year older than Chris-nii-sama, and used to scold her seven-year-older brother. You’d imagine a strict person, but she’s a cute girl with silver hair.
"She might be willing to work as a live-in attendant. She’s been too busy to find any spirits and currently only has a wind spirit. Help her out," Mother said.
"Busy? Doesn’t she have maids and butlers?"
"Yes, but with five siblings and a small territory, it’s been tough. She even helped with farm work."
"They rely too much on Mia-san. Now that the second and third sons have left, the Count should manage just fine."
"The Count will probably ask Mia to contribute her wages to the household," Chris-nii-sama remarked, making my parents sigh.
Sounds like a lot of issues.
When I heard "ruins," I imagined something like Greek ruins, but these were more like Middle Eastern ruins.
The gray stone walls were moss-covered, and most of the roof and one wall had collapsed, scattering debris around. The building had an octagonal transfer circle room, an entrance hall, a waiting room, and what looked like a kitchen area. Outside, there were paved areas and remains of gazebos. We would be having lunch there.
In the past, people probably waited their turn for the transfer here, had tea, and searched for spirits. Even now, in this lush green place, many spirits must be waiting to meet humans.
Thanks to the absence of alcohol and the strict warnings from the Marquess of Corquette, I could enjoy a peaceful meal without being surrounded by many people. Since my parents were close by, I had my attendants return to the territory early.
Being six and seven years old, they must have been quite tired.
We didn’t know what awaited us at the transfer circle's destination, so we manifested our spirit beasts in small forms and had our family go first. The transfer circle only activates when the Spirit King calls us.
We entered the transfer circle room and were looking around, wondering what to do next when we were suddenly transferred.
The casual manner of this... laid-back style is very Corquette-like or Hisui-like. I’m not sure, but anyway, we arrived in a building made of transparent materials for walls and ceilings.
It's huge. Big enough to play soccer inside.
The first thing I saw upon arriving was the green pastureland far below. Just seeing this view made the trip worthwhile.
"A waterfall?!" I exclaimed.
But turning around, I realized it wasn’t just the view that was impressive.
Water flowed from the clouds, falling through an opening in the ceiling into an indoor garden as a waterfall. The garden was vast, with a waterfall large enough for a jet coaster to plunge into at an amusement park, making a roaring sound and creating rainbows in the spray.
Inside, there was a meadow, a waterfall, a river, gravel paths, and scattered gazebos. Despite the snowy mountain scenery outside the glass walls, this place felt like another world.
Seeing other Spirit Kings' residences, Ruri's place seems modest. You can visit him at the lake in the castle. Although his actual residence is
underwater, and when we visit, we get transferred there, so it’s hard to grasp its grandeur.
『Yay! You finally came!!』
Hearing a voice from somewhere, I looked around to see Hisui descending from the sky with a male and female attendant.
"Hisui-sama."
『Oh, no need for that.』
When my parents knelt, Hisui quickly gestured for them to stand, waving his hand horizontally.
With his rich green hair in a ponytail tied with a decorative ribbon and wearing the light green jacket I had named Hisui, he still had an enviable style and long legs.
『Hmm, Alan-kun isn’t here today?』
Is Alan-nii-sama a hit with older women? He seems to be quite liked.
"Sorry, it’s just me today."
『Oh no, don’t pout. I wanted to see Chris-kun too.』
Hisui hugged Chris-nii-sama from the side, pressing his chest against Chris-nii-sama’s cheek. His expression, unsure of how to react, was priceless. I wish we had cameras in this world.
"I wish Alan-nii-sama could see Chris-nii-sama’s face right now."
"…Diadora?"
Dark. His smile is pitch-black.
"I didn’t see anything."
"Right."
Don’t threaten your sister.
Chris-nii-sama used the transfer circle to call the Marquess of Corquette. Afterward, the Marquess’s butler would transfer everyone in turn, so we moved to one of the gazebos to stay out of the way.
『We’ll discuss future relations later over there.』
Hisui pointed to the cloud where the waterfall originated. His residence is there.
『I heard Suou said not to let any Pendelus people in?』
"Yes. Arrangements have already been made."
『Suou’s way of speaking is rough, but taking early action is the right move. Following Luftanen, the Spirit Kings here in Azelia are also actively engaging with humans, leading to positive changes. Berisario plays a significant role in this, but other countries’ Spirit Kings are also beginning to think just observing humans isn’t enough.』
"Does that mean something will happen across the strait?"
『Yes, things will be challenging for a while. Oh, don’t get me wrong. Many people there are rethinking their relationship with spirits.』
"So, the Nicodemus Church is being cornered."
『Indeed. And a new country is forming north of Duchamp Kingdom.』
"A new country?!"
『The Spirit Kings who left Pendelus have joined forces with the nomads there to create a new nation. We Azelia Spirit Kings are cooperating with them.』
Pendulus, where the Spirit Kings left, is turning into a desert. Despite reforestation efforts to prevent desertification, the Nicodemus Church is trying to spread its influence and involve other countries.
This is a religion heading for destruction. Without the Spirit Kings, they’ll turn into a desert.
Still, their belief that humans are the most superior and chosen by God is something I can't understand and find scary.
Knowing that the Spirit Kings who left Pendelus are forming a new country with the nomads, I wonder what they’ll do. I hope they won’t resent the spirits and do something strange.
『If only every country could get along with spirits and other nations.』
As someone who reincarnated from a peaceful Japan, I completely agree.
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Author Notes:
Thank you for your continued comments, ratings, and typo reports.
Your reactions give me the energy to write.
Next time, Teacher Amber will make an appearance.
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