The Reincarnated Count's Daughter Is the Strongest as She Is Loved by the Spirits, Though She Is Only Wishing for Regular Romance!
Chapter 52
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Author Notes:
This is the end of the story about their first meeting.
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After that, until my safety could be confirmed, I worked at the Colein Trading Company as the grandson of Viscount Branton.
Luftanen is originally a country formed by the unification of four island nations, so despite its large land area, there are too many nobles. Therefore, it is common for many nobles to earn money through means other than managing their territories. In fact, it is more typical.
Even though I am nominally a duke without any territory, it doesn’t hurt to learn about business.
The viscount was an ambitious and calculating old man who would say things that Salomon would call treason without batting an eye, but his son Simon and his wife and grandchildren were very kind people.
And then, after six months, I was suddenly told to take refuge in the empire for a while.
With both the Rintonen Marquis and the Mantester Marquis, as well as Earl Harle, saying so, I couldn’t refuse.
“It seems that the third and fourth princes have temporarily joined forces. There are also rumors that the second prince has been assassinated.”
“……What?”
That kind brother? Why?
Weren't the guards protecting him?
“Camille-sama.”
Keith, worried, grabbed my arm to support me, but I didn’t really understand.
Why did I survive, and not my brother?
“Even if it was on the outskirts, your residence was within the palace grounds. Since soldiers could be sent there, the third prince must have significantly expanded his influence within the palace.”
“What about the crown prince?”
“He is currently ruling from the center of the palace on behalf of the king. The number of guards is different. If anything happened to him, a civil war would break out.”
“Then why wasn’t my brother protected?”
“Even if the princes get along well, that doesn’t mean their factions do. There were both crown prince and second prince factions within the palace. They are worried about you. Please hide in the empire for a while.”
With Earl Harle, who has direct contact with the crown prince, saying so, I couldn’t refuse.
I had no power to go against their decisions.
Even if I forced my way back to the palace, I would only be a hindrance.
“Let's prepare a place to hide in the empire while we can. This time the viscount won’t be accompanying us, but don't trust the trading company’s people too much.”
In the past six months, Salomon had completely moved into the mansion given to me rather than staying at the marquis house.
This time, Salomon and Keith were staying behind, and I was going to the empire with a man named Koning from the Colein Trading Company.
He was an accounting clerk at the trading company. He was chosen for his loyalty to the viscount and his proficiency in the imperial language.
Recently, the empire has had good harvests, so the amount of imports from Luftanen has decreased.
For the viscount, trade with the empire might be a more important issue than the situation at the palace.
The port in the empire was even more bustling than I had imagined.
Wanting to maintain the image of the spirit country, the crew members on ships heading to the empire often had spirits, but the people walking around the city had even more spirits. There were even spirit beasts.
Here, even if I walked around with my spirits visible, people would only occasionally turn around to look. It seems common for nobles close to the Berisario border to have multiple spirits.
“So this is the empire.”
The variety of hair and eye colors of the people passing by was surprising, with few having black hair.
While being watched by the trading company’s people, Bob, Edgar, Rune, and I moved separately to work on establishing a base, as Salomon had mentioned.
Since my magic bag was filled with precious metals and gold coins, we had plenty of financial leeway, which the viscount’s people didn’t know. They seemed to think it was safe to let us do as we pleased to some extent.
“Oh no. I forgot the documents I needed for the next shop. Can I go back to get them?”
“Sure. I’ll wait in that park.”
“Understood. Please feel free to buy something from the stalls and eat while you wait.”
While walking towards the park entrance, I saw Rune running towards me from across the street.
“Thank goodness. I was looking for you.”
Blending into the crowd of people shopping at the stalls, he walked shoulder to shoulder with me.
I thought I heard cheers in the distance.
“Is the base set up?”
“Yes. We hired some people for the shop.”
“Is there enough money?”
“Yes, we’re fine. Um…”
“What?”
“It seems the second prince’s assassination is confirmed. His funeral has been held.”
“I see…”
I thanked Rune for the information and headed deeper into the park.
I wanted to go somewhere where no one else was.
I can’t even attend the funeral.
He was the first person to hold me.
He always told me to raise my spirit beast to survive whenever we met.
You can't die.
I wonder if the crown prince is properly protected in that palace now.
If only I were older.
If only I were stronger.
Would anything have changed?
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
“Huh?”
It was rare for the spirits not to alert me when someone approached, so I was surprised to turn around and see a girl standing there.
I’ve always been surrounded by adults, so this was my first time talking to a girl close to my age up close. Her hair was shiny, her eyelashes were long, and her eyes were like purple jewels.
She was really cute, but...what is this girl? Is she really human?
“Are you hurt somewhere?”
She tilted her head and asked.
I was so focused on her face that I didn’t notice the strong magic power spirit above her until now.
I’ve never seen a spirit with such strong magic power. Stronger than my brothers’ spirits. It’s definitely a fully-grown spirit beast.
As she approached, I almost stepped back but planted my feet to avoid running.
Sometimes, being too cute can be scary.
Suddenly, I felt tears running down my face, and I quickly rubbed my eyes.
I was crying?
“Don’t rub your eyes. Use this to wipe them.”
“Thank you.”
‘Who are you?’
The girl got too close, and the spirits, despite being told to stay calm, couldn’t help but intervene.
‘This land is under the protection of our spirit king. Do not disrespect the child blessed by him.’
‘My master is also blessed. Do not approach lightly.’
Spirit king? Blessing?
As expected, this girl is not normal.
“I was just worried because you seemed unwell. I’m sorry if I disturbed you. If you start fighting here, it will trouble the spirit kings, so calm down.”
‘But they—’
“Ifrie, it’s fine. Thank you. Everyone, don’t get angry.”
Her gaze and way of speaking to the spirit beasts were kind.
Since she worried about a stranger like me, she must be a good person.
‘They can’t become spirit beasts. We cannot anger the spirit king of this country.’
“Ifrie, don’t provoke them.”
“Everyone, be quiet.”
Are spirit beasts generally aggressive?
Her spirit beasts and mine were moving around noisily, saying what they wanted, and it was getting chaotic.
She seemed surprised too, so this situation might be unusual.
What should I say?
I’ve often been told that my eyes and speech are harsh.
“Sorry. My spirit beasts were being rude.”
“Boku?”
“Yes?”
“Geeeee! You’re a boy?!”
She suddenly pointed and screamed.
Gee.
Such a cute girl says gee.
“My lady? What’s wrong?!”
A woman came running over from a distance.
As expected, she’s an ojou-sama. Even though she said gee.
“Gemma! This child is a boy!”
Ah, I missed it when she said gee.
Even in the empire, I’m mistaken for a girl.
Well, whatever.
“……Yes, I thought so.”
“Huh?”
“I thought he was a boy.”
“…I am a boy.”
Do I really look so much like a girl to surprise people?
No girl would have muscles like this...though you can’t see them under clothes.
“I thought you were a girl because you’re so cute.”
Being called cute by such a cute girl, how does it feel to be mistaken for a girl as a boy…
‘This one is strange.’
‘Why did the spirit king bless this one?’
“Who are you calling this one?”
Stop it. She’s dangerous if you make her angry.
Her spirit beasts are stronger than yours.
“Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m really okay, so please don’t bow. I was more rude.”
“Indeed. Our lady was rude.”
“Um, why were you here alone… Are you lost?”
Is it okay for this girl to be so close to a stranger?
Doesn’t she have a guard?
While we were talking, Koning came back.
The man with him was the girl’s guard and an acquaintance of Koning.
“I’m Ernst Koning from the Colein Trading Company.”
“I am Diadora Abel von Berisario.”
“Berisario? The marquis?!”
Unable to contain myself, I backed away.
Is she the girl blessed by the spirit king?
This magic power, the strength of her spirit beast. She’s definitely not normal.
“This is the marquis’ daughter.”
After the greetings, Koning put his arm around my shoulder.
…It feels unpleasant.
I don’t like being touched by someone I don’t trust.
Why
only today?
“Get away from me.”
Once the Berisario marquis’ daughter started walking away with her guard, far enough not to hear, I muttered in a low voice and glared sideways.
Koning backed off, looking surprised.
“Aren’t we going to the next store?”
“Um…what were you talking about with the young lady?”
“Nothing. Just the spirits arguing.”
“Arguing? If you can get her on your side, you could even become the crown prince.”
I stopped and turned back.
“Is that the viscount’s plan?”
“...No.”
“Remember, I’ve renounced my right to the throne. If you do anything to the crown prince, I’ll ruin the northern island.”
Getting her on my side?
What’s in it for her?
If she wanted to, she could destroy Luftanen by herself.
“Um…”
“Are we going or not?”
“Yes.”
I had been so obedient in front of the northern island’s nobles, they didn’t know I was like this.
Salomon seemed to sense it and found it amusing, but he’s an odd one.
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Author Notes:
I'll destroy the seriousness! - Diadora
Thank you for always reading. Your typo reports are very helpful.
If you found this even a little interesting, I would be happy if you could rate it below.
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