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

------------------------

Author Notes: 

   Why did I end up writing such a serious story?

   The agony of creation is terrible. I want to write a comedy part.

------------------------

The scene at the tea party was terrible.

It wasn't a suspense drama; this was an act of terrorism.

No matter the reason, such murder cannot be tolerated.

Even though I don't understand the whole picture, just seeing the scene of so many people dead was too shocking to bear.

Still, the reason I could stand firm was that Suou stood behind me, his hand on my shoulder. I felt protected. I could push my worries aside. That’s why I could calmly call out to Patty and notice Alan-niisama moving to an inconspicuous spot.

And it’s also a matter of pride.

After acting all high and mighty in the audience room, I refuse to act like a weak little girl now. If everyone thinks I'm a monster, then I'll act like one to the end, remaining composed through this situation. Then, once I'm home, I can collapse in bed.

“Elldi!!”

As soon as she teleported in, the Empress rushed to her son, but the Prince quickly avoided her touch and stepped back.

“Huh?”

“Your Majesty, I am unharmed, so please fulfill your duty.”

Honestly, I was surprised. Was this the same child who made that blunder in front of the girls a few days ago?

In the past few days, his world must have collapsed, forcing him to grow up.

The Empress, seeing not only the Crown Prince but also the Second Prince distancing themselves from her, was momentarily speechless. Realizing the situation around her, she returned to the General’s side.

She truly was nothing more than a pampered princess.

She wanted to be with the man she loved and took the easy way to the throne. Even this mass murder is a consequence of that decision.

Surprisingly, the young, decorative-looking visual kei duke turned out to be quite competent. He commanded the guards, coordinated with the frontier lords, and protected those who survived.

The guards protecting the royal family were all aristocrats' children. They were used to border conflicts, but not internal political assassinations. Many were probably from the Bantock faction. Seeing their family members killed or witnessing murder for the first time rendered some useless. Those were thrown out while those who could help were ordered to cooperate with our elite troops.

The ministers who teleported with us were witnesses. They needed to see what happened with their own eyes. It wouldn’t do for them to think we orchestrated this.

The Crown Prince, Chris-niisama, and other noblemen were discussing the future. The audience room's talk wasn't finished yet.

“Have you identified the culprit?”

‘To make it easy, I captured all the backstage personnel,’ Jade suddenly appeared in the air.

The sudden appearance of a beautiful woman in the air froze the soldiers. The room instantly fell silent. Those used to her tried to kneel but were stopped by Jade.

“Jade-sama, it’s an honor to see you,”

The Corquette margrave and his aides, soldiers included, all stopped to greet her. The Corquette family is athletic and loves Jade.

‘I've made sure no one can leave and immobilized them. They still have the poison, so you can arrest them.’

I felt a large hand on my head and looked up to see Ruri standing beside me.

‘Honestly. You didn't have to come here yourself. I’ll send everyone necessary, so let’s move to another room.’

Seeing Ruri, one of the most frequently encountered spirit kings, made me almost cry. I swallowed the urge to be weak, nodded, and started walking.

“Let's leave this to the guards. Chris-niisama.”

“Huh?”

When I approached, Suou and Ruri automatically followed. Right now, I had a special package deal. Jade, who had taken a liking to Chris-niisama after the previous visit, was already next to him, linking arms.

‘The backstage personnel are all captured, it seems.’

“Ah, I heard they found people with poison. Thanks to the spirit kings, huh.”

None of the culprits had escaped, and their movements were off, causing confusion.

“We’ll only get in the guards’ way if we stay. Shall we move to a nearby room with the culprits?”

“Wait a moment.”

Chris-niisama stumbled when he tried to leave, as Jade didn’t budge. After explaining, she let go, revealing her strength.

‘Alan-kun, what are you doing here?’

Amber, who was missing, now had Alan-niisama in tow.

‘We’re moving.’

“Understood.”

‘Let’s go. What if something happens to Dia-chan?’

“I... I’m coming.”

Weak. Alan-niisama, you're too weak.

“Didn’t you drink the tea?”

“Our invitation had the time written one hour later.”

“Huh?”

“And our seats were isolated and had a weaker poison.”

Did they think it was dangerous to confront me but still poisoned my friends and their families? Maybe they doubted my connection with the spirit kings, having never seen us together.

Either way, the culprits are unforgivable.

Even if they were heinous, having lived in Japan, I couldn't accept murder.

They might be executed if caught, but a trial and punishment differ from outright killing.

The room prepared was adjacent to the hall where the incident happened.

This circular table room was as grand as the hall. Those from the audience room, tea party attendees, suspected servants, and the men who attacked the Second Prince were all moved here.

In an instant.

The spirit kings are incredible.

Honestly, I wanted my friends in a safe place, but no place was safer than this room with the spirit kings and guardians.

Told to sit by the spirit kings, the three frontier lords and their sons sat together, the two dukes, the Crown Prince, and the Second Prince together, and the Empress and General alone. Ministers, friends, and their guardians also took seats. When we were ready to continue, everyone turned to me.

I had been directing things earlier since I wouldn't face charges of disrespect. But now that it had come this far, it was better to leave it to the adults.

But with Suou and Ruri standing beside me like guards, and Jade and Amber seated at my table, I felt responsible.

“Shall I continue?”

Scanning the room, no one objected. Of course not.

Only the captives looked bewildered.

“The servant protecting the prince, was he his aide?”

“No, that was the Rampling Duke’s man,”

Father said, making me stare at the visual kei duke.

I was glad he joined us, leaving his lieutenant to manage the scene. The commotion from the next room reached us.

“I received reports of suspicious activities, so I had covertly placed guards.”

This guy is impressive. Nineteen years old, a duke, head of the royal guard, and smart. Why is he single? Where are his fiancées? What are the women in this world doing?

“Paolo, thank you. My brother is safe thanks to you.”

“Not at all. Without Elton and Alan’s spirit beasts, I don’t know what would’ve happened,”

So refreshing.

I bet he’s the most popular among young women in higher education courses.

“Who are these captives?”

“They were introduced by Dalimore. Half of the prince’s aides are Bantock’s men, and the maids and aides are split between Bantock and Dalimore.”

“Those who attacked the prince and those who poisoned the others, were they also Dalimore’s men?”

They hesitated briefly but nodded.

“Dalimore was our benefactor.”

“Me too. As the third son of a baron, without skills, my only choice was the knight’s order or falling to a commoner’s status. He employed me, trained me, then got me a well-paying job in the castle.”

A smart move. Gain loyalty through employment.

For them, being the Second Prince’s aide is prestigious. A win-win relationship.

“Why poison so many?”

“Is this necessary? I want to continue our earlier discussion.”

Jean-sama, leaning against the wall with the visual kei duke, seemed irritated.

“This relates to that. Answer, please.”

Too tired to smile, I answered matter-of-factly, returning my gaze.

“Bantock’s faction killed many of our comrades. It’s revenge.”

“I see. Were you told not to invite the frontier lords?”

“Yes. It was a good opportunity. We were told not to touch Berisario or your associates.”

“By whom?”

“...”

Suddenly, they fell silent.

“But you did. You poisoned Alan-niisama, my friends, and their families. Different poisons, though.”

“I don't know! I used only one type!”

What? So there are other culprits?

They’ll probably be executed anyway. There’s no point lying.

“Are all your accomplices here? Where are the other servants?”

The nearby guard looked unsure.

Of course. You’re a guard, not an investigator.

Who should I ask?

“The non-Dalimore faction is in another room.”

The visual kei duke, reliable as always!

“Have their possessions and identities checked quickly.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

One guard ran out while another took his place.

My impression of the visual kei duke kept rising.

“You set up Dalimore! You blamed him and executed him!”

“They set him up? Who said that?”

They stopped talking, but one man glanced at Jean-sama.

Not only me, but many noticed. Jean-sama squinted and turned away.

“The only ones at the meeting, besides those executed, were the Empress, General, Jean-sama, three frontier lords, my siblings, and me. The aides and guards were sworn

 to secrecy. They could say whatever they wanted.”

“Whatever they wanted? Was it a lie?!”

“We were told the frontier lords were in league with the Empress!”

“We’re rather enemies to the Empress.”

“...What does that mean?”

They looked up at us in disbelief.

To them, surrounded by spirit kings, I was no longer human. Seeing me as a child untainted by past enmities helped them believe.

“I found it odd. Dalimore, the chancellor, was competent but supposedly harassing the Empress. During the meeting, Jean-sama suddenly supported him. While he didn’t care about spirits, he seemed desperate, pushed into a corner by having his allies assassinated. What do you think?”

“Seems accurate. Dalimore met Jean-sama often, wanting him as emperor. But Jean-sama acted friendly with the Empress, opposing Dalimore.”

Father took over questioning Jean-sama, who remained silent, looking uninterested.

“At the time, Dalimore didn’t know Jean-sama had a spirit beast, right?”

“Indeed.”

Listening to Norland and Corquette, one man stood up.

“You deceived us! You suggested using poison! Said the prince was Bantock’s pawn!”

“...”

“You said you’d reward the Dalimore faction with court jobs!”

“Quiet. I said poison was effective, not when or on whom to use it.”

“...Jean.”

Jean-sama faced the visual kei duke, then us, before sighing and running a hand through his hair.

“What’s the commotion? This is a faction feud. I advised, so what? That’s noble society. I’ve been poisoned many times.”

“You tricked us! Die!”

The man lunged but was restrained by two guards.

“I didn’t deceive you. Dalimore was competent but inflexible, controlled by his father, used by Bantock and the Empress, and discarded. He and the General are similar.”

------------------------

Author Notes:

   I'll respond to the feedback after the first chapter is finished.

   I'm very much enjoying reading it, but I'm slow, so I might accidentally spoil things.

   Thank you always for your comments, evaluations, and typo reports.

------------------------