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

In the palace, there were few nobles who had ever met the Spirit King. Only the royal family, their guards and aides, and a select few powerful nobles had the privilege. Even Duke Powell was meeting the Spirit King for the first time.

Despite her peculiar entrance, Kohaku, with her thin dress that highlighted her figure and a light green shawl, looked like a celestial maiden. Suou, just by standing there, exuded an overwhelming presence and intimidation that far surpassed that of the general or the emperor.

I have yet to meet a human who can remain unbowed in their presence.

My siblings and I can't kneel either because we were told, "Don't kneel, we're friends." But honestly, we wanted to. We've gotten used to it now, but at first, we felt quite uncomfortable and would discuss it among the three of us.

"What were we talking about again?"

"The emperor being incompetent," Suou replied.

"Ah, right," I said.

Suou-sama, you're ruthless. Please stop looking at me with that amused grin. He’s clearly enjoying this.

"I have a lot to say, but I'll listen first. The matter of the Spirit Forest has been settled. We don't intend to bring it up again. Speak freely," Kohaku said, standing before the emperor, arms crossed, looking down on the kneeling emperor with disdain. Her voice carried such frustration that the emperor couldn’t even lift his head. His hands seemed to tremble slightly, making a faint clinking sound as his bracelets hit the floor.

"Now we understand why Duke Powell received no response from the emperor when he opposed the development of the Spirit Forest and proposed taking in refugees himself," I said in a tone of disbelief.

Still kneeling, Duke Powell nodded with a tired look.

"I never imagined he was so reliant on others," he said.

"Indeed, I recall thinking it strange that no decisions were being made. The emperor could have simply ordered it. Even after my wife and daughter were granted an audience following the birth of the prince, I was still kept at a distance by Bantock’s influence."

If even Duke Goodfellow couldn't meet with the emperor, it's understandable that some would give up trying. They are relatives, after all.

"At first, Count Dalimore proposed several alternative sites. However, none were decided upon by the emperor. In hindsight, it's clear that Marquis Bantock had no intention of accommodating refugees in his own territory, so no decision could be made. Instead, everything was dumped on Count Dalimore. With no interest in spirits, and his own family, the Toreel Marquisate, viewing the forest as an obstacle, he gave in."

Now, seeing Duke Powell and Duke Goodfellow talking was a rare sight. After the previous emperor’s death, it was only until recently that such a scene could be seen. Bantock’s faction was adept at sowing discord among factions and spreading rumors favorable to themselves.

"Nobody can leave," a voice from behind interrupted the conversation. Two clerks had tried to leave through a side door, only to be stopped by Baron Myler’s booming voice. The clerks trembled in fear.

Baron Myler, who had also attended Ethel-sama's dinner party, was a bear of a man. His first encounter with any infant would undoubtedly end in tears. He had a face that screamed villainy and possessed the strength to be respected even by the roughest sailors. Yet, he was a doting father and husband, kind even to his daughter’s friends.

"This room is sealed with a barrier. You cannot exit," he said.

"C... coup... rebellion," stammered one clerk.

"How odd. No one has resorted to force," Baron Myler said with a smile, which was still terrifying due to his menacing face.

"It seems there is some misunderstanding. I have no intention of forcing the emperor to abdicate, nor do I intend to name anyone to become emperor. Isn’t that something beyond the scope of a child like me?" I said, swinging my legs while sitting on Ifree's back, smiling at the emperor. He looked at me as if I were some monstrous creature.

It seems I’ve shifted from being a mysterious creature to a monster.

"If we allow the Marquis of Bantock’s faction to continue as they please, the central government will collapse. They have been pushing work onto others, engaging in corruption, collusion, and bribery. The evidence hidden by Count Dalimore has been secured by the chancellor."

"What... are you?" the emperor asked.

"Yes?"

"What are you?" he repeated, his face twisted as he looked up at me while kneeling. In contrast, I looked down at him calmly.

I wonder if I look like the final boss instead of Kohaku from a third-person perspective.

"May I, Your Majesty?" Chris-nii-sama, who had been standing behind the crown prince, spoke.

"Think of Alan and Dia as having nearly the same knowledge as me. While our areas of expertise differ, consider them possessing the intelligence that renders advanced education unnecessary," Chris-nii-sama said.

“Isn’t that terrifying? That’s why I said to leave the Berisario family alone. Over these past two years, I’ve concluded that the best course is to let them be,” the crown prince said.

The crown prince then sat cross-legged on the floor. It seems he has reached enlightenment regarding the Berisario family. He has decided to let us be since we have no interest in power. It’s beneficial for us too, since the crown prince and Chris-nii-sama are friends, ensuring a strong connection.

"The same as Chris? All of the siblings?" the emperor said, his voice filled with disbelief.

It seems the entire Berisario family has now been classified as monsters. Chris-nii-sama’s reputation as a prodigy was so widespread that comparisons were inevitable. It's unfortunate for him.

Even the crown prince, who was known for his intellect, couldn't match our creativity, such as the concept of spirit cars.

"I'm not sure the crown prince is much different," I said.

"No, I couldn't have come up with the spirit car idea," he replied.

"Oh, that's because Dia’s perspective and creativity are abnormal," Chris-nii-sama added.

The crown prince and Chris-nii-sama continued chatting amicably, while I noticed the surrounding ministers looking at me as if I were some otherworldly creature.

'Did humans think that we Spirit Kings would support an ordinary child?' Suou commented.

'I have no intention of interfering with human politics, but is this country okay?' Kohaku added.

"I apologize," said one of the ministers, bowing his head.

"I didn't expect it to be this bad," another minister admitted.

The Spirit Kings were exasperated, and the ministers were bowing their heads in embarrassment. The emperor and the general hung their heads in defeat, showing no desire to speak.

"I was prepared to be resented by both the emperor and the general. I’m grateful for having lived my life so far without doubting my parents’ love. As a son, I didn’t want to do this. But we are royals. We have responsibilities to everyone in this country. I can’t leave the central government in its current state as the crown prince," Andrew-sama said.

His hands, resting on his crossed legs, occasionally glowed faintly with yellow light. Probably unconsciously infusing his magic, causing the spirits to react.

"After the discussions with Kohaku-sama, the central region will yield harvests like before from next year. However, the impact of the recent poor harvests is significant. What are your plans for the central region, Your Majesty? Outside the central region, the past two years have seen record harvests. Likely, the same will occur next year. There's no longer a shortage of crops. Even if the central region suddenly yields a surplus, the provinces, which have already completed their stockpiling, won’t purchase them."

The crown prince's face was filled with sadness, probably wondering why his parents couldn’t understand.

"Therefore, I must dismantle the Marquis of Bantock’s faction. Your Majesty, you must abdicate..."

"Wait a moment," Jean-sama interrupted.

With a sigh, Jean-sama turned to the emperor, shaking his head slightly.

"I’ve been deceived. I thought you two were managing the country better. After all, you went so far as to confine me to get the emperor’s throne," he said.

"Jean?" the emperor said, eyes wide with surprise.

"You always said that the chancellor, oh, the Earl of Dalimore was to blame."

"I never said such a thing," the emperor replied.

"But you never mentioned the Marquis of Bantock either. We hadn’t spoken for years until we met two years ago."

"..."

"The chair of the emperor, which you seized even by confining me, was supposed to be well-governed," Jean-sama said, his voice chilly.

It's getting quite complicated. If there were an affair or a spy involved, this would turn into a soap opera.

"If the rightful heir is determined, shouldn’t it be me?" Jean-sama said, his voice sending a chill through the room.

I’m genuinely shocked. Does this man want to be the emperor?

"This... can’t be," said the Marquess of Corquette, sounding equally stunned.

What did Jean-sama say to the Earl of Dalimore in the forest at the academy? I wondered.

Chris-nii-sama reminded us that only the emperor, general, Jean-sama, and we, along with two marquesses, were present during that conversation. So, the central figures might not know what was discussed. They don't know how Jean-sama was cold to the Earl of Dalimore or how he seemed close to the emperor.

"It was because of the danger," the emperor said.

"Jean... why?" asked the general.

Ignoring the general, Jean-sama stood up slowly.

"I’ve had my life taken away by

 my sister, confined and forgotten. Is it wrong to want to take back my life?" he asked.

"Can you handle being the emperor?" Andrew-sama said, facing Jean-sama.

"I know some of the assassins sent after me were your men," Jean-sama accused.

"That's a baseless accusation," Andrew-sama replied.

"Let’s not hold back. I know some of the assassins targeting me were also from the general," Jean-sama said, turning his gaze slightly to the general before refocusing on Andrew-sama. Unlike the crown prince’s furrowed brows, Jean-sama smiled calmly.

'Wait,' Kohaku suddenly said.

‘What’s the matter?’ I asked.

‘The tea party has turned troublesome,’ Kohaku replied.

‘Troublesome?’ I repeated.

‘It seems the drinks and sweets were poisoned,’ she said.

What?! Alan-nii-sama and everyone are there!

"Take me there right now!" I shouted.

'Calm down. I’ll take everyone at once,' Kohaku reassured me.

I was deeply grateful to have Kohaku and Suou with me at this moment.