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

//The Land of Spirits//

The Kingdom of Luftanen is an island nation reminiscent of Japan. There are four islands named after the four cardinal directions in the Luftanen language, and together they are roughly the size of Papua New Guinea. The capital is on the largest island, East Island. North Island, which faces the continent, prospers through trade with the empire. South Island is known for its cacao, while West Island thrives on trade with countries across the strait.

The capable king, who has maintained a peaceful reign, has been in poor health for many years, with the crown prince handling most of the kingdom's affairs. The crown prince is twenty-four and still unmarried. Negotiations for a marriage alliance with a princess from the Starke Kingdom were underway, but they fell through following the assassination of the second prince. Since then, the kingdom has been embroiled in a fierce succession struggle, leaving no time for marriage.

In the past, each of the four islands was its own kingdom, and despite being of the same ethnicity, they fought for territory like in Japan’s Warring States period. The king of East Island unified them three hundred years ago. A hundred years later, a reincarnated person appeared on East Island. Born into the royal family, this person befriended the Spirit King, became king, and solidified the power of the royal family, earning Luftanen the reputation of the "Land of Spirits."

So, the reincarnated person became the king.

A nationwide campaign promoting Aloha? 

Spreading Aloha as royalty, it must be either a true Hawaiian or a Japanese person.

After the reincarnated person passed away, the relationship between humans and the Spirit King weakened. Nowadays, the empire is more deserving of being called the Land of Spirits. The influence of East Island’s royal family has waned; the previous king was assassinated young, and the current king ascended to the throne at twenty-two, about the same age as the current crown prince. The decision of which island’s daughter to marry caused much strife, and in the end, the king married women from all the islands.

Four wives, five princes—no wonder there’s conflict. The first and second princes are children of the second queen from East Island. The main queen from West Island only bore daughters, making the third prince the youngest son. The succession rules state that the children of any wife, not just the main queen, inherit the throne in order of age. The fourth prince is from South Island, and the fifth prince from North Island.

Camille is visiting the empire because his mother is from a marquis family on North Island. However, due to the islands' history as separate kingdoms, there are many nobles, and even though Camille is a duke, he currently has no territory. His maternal family has vast lands, but they have their own heirs. The fierce succession struggle means giving him land could be dangerous, as he might not survive despite renouncing his claim to the throne. Thus, he had to rely on the Corquette Company.

Looking back, Camille’s tears when we met in the park might have been due to the second prince’s assassination. It happened around the same time.

North Island is wealthy. It has the closest ties to spirits and many spirit beast holders, resulting in numerous safe trading ships. Due to their wealth, they have little interest in the throne. Camille, as the youngest son, had a good relationship with the crown prince and second prince and was cherished by them.

South Island is similar, with many specialties like cacao and nuts, so they weren’t very interested in the throne either, but the fourth prince, Yambo, claimed he was the most qualified to be king and started scheming.

But the most troublesome is West Island. Despite being the main queen, her son became the third prince, and they are suspected of assassinating the second prince.

Why are they so desperate for the crown?

Do they think becoming king will make them happy?

Wouldn't they just become the target of assassination attempts themselves?

It doesn't matter to me. As long as I get cacao, I'm happy. Making chocolate might be challenging, but cocoa should be doable. It would be a hit if I bring it to the academy.

Cocoa makes me think of milk.

Milk reminds me of Bart.

Bart is the eldest son of Count Regan and Irene’s older brother.

He loves cows, researches cows, and lives for cows.

He studies how changing the feed affects the taste of the milk and ways to pasteurize without losing flavor. He uses magic for these studies and has three-attribute spirit beasts.

We can buy milk from him without any issues.

To secure that delicious milk, I might even consider co-developing milk chocolate.

Alright. I’ll leave political matters to the adults and focus on making chocolate!

...But despite my escape into happy thoughts, the next day, a messenger from Viscount Branton arrived.

The viscount wants to attend the Corquette Company meeting the day after tomorrow and discuss something directly with me, a ten-year-old.

Oh no, this sounds like a troublesome matter.

“If West Island backs Bejaia, the royal family might seek the empire's support.”

“No, it’s more likely they want the Spirit King’s backing if they’re consulting Diadora.”

Duke Powell looked exasperated, while the crown prince found it amusing.

Why send a messenger to me? If they had sent it to Father, he could have rejected it based on Berisario’s judgment without bringing it to the imperial palace.

But since it was addressed to me, and Camille mentioned consulting about the Spirit King last time, we couldn’t refuse outright.

So, I consulted Father, which led to the crown prince getting involved. Now we’re discussing it in a room at the imperial palace with the crown prince, the three border families supporting him, Duke Powell, and the captain of the imperial guards, a handsome duke.

Duke Rampling, who was a close friend of Gene and felt guilty for not being able to save him, has been working tirelessly for the country since then. He seems to have lost some weight.

“What does Diadora want to do?”

“I think we should refuse.”

“Pfft.”

Marquess of Norland burst out laughing.

Everyone here knows my personality because of the Bantock incident four years ago and has been supporting the crown prince for those years, so they’re quite informal.

“It might be a good chance to create a debt.”

“There’s no benefit in creating a debt. I don’t like that it’s addressed to Diadora.”

Marquess of Corquette suggested meeting and hearing him out, but Father was too angry to listen.

“What does Chris think?”

“Why am I even here?”

“Because August entrusted his job of supporting me to you and went back to his territory.”

Is it really okay for a fifteen-year-old, who just became an adult, to be one of the crown prince’s supporters?

At the next New Year’s celebration, will my brother stand on the terrace with the crown prince?

...Maybe I can blend into the crowd below.

The handsome duke will be there for protection, right? That would be the best.

“Diadora, are you listening?”

“Oh, yes. What is it?”

“Hey.”

I had started daydreaming again.

My mind is filled with chocolate and the excitement of my first academy life.

I don’t want to send our soldiers to war for another country, and I don’t intend to get involved myself.

“Duke Powell will be present when you meet the viscount.”

“Yes.”

“Paolo, assign some guards from the imperial guard.”

“Even if I’m present?”

“Yes. If the viscount shows any disrespect, capture him immediately. If he resists, you may kill him.”

What? What are you saying?

“Your Highness, is that necessary?”

“Yes. If a mere viscount thinks he can meet so easily, other countries won’t remain silent.”

“I’ll be with a former royal.”

“Would you meet any royal?”

“I would meet a royal with all-attribute spirit beasts who wants to discuss the Spirit King.”

“...”

The crown prince, my family, and everyone here are worried about me. 

I’ve become a special presence in this country because I have the Spirit King’s backing.

But that doesn’t mean I’m overconfident. I want to avoid troublesome matters as much as possible.

“If the imperial guard is to act, I request that it be under my command.”

“No. You prioritize preventing any major incidents. Besides, do you have the resolve to command someone to take a life?”

“...Considering the consequences of my actions, many have been executed.”

“But that was indirect. You didn’t command the execution.”

Why must we talk about killing just for a meeting?

Isn’t this an overreaction?

“Then the imperial guard need not attend.”

“You still don’t understand your own value.”

“I do understand.”

“Then the command of the imperial guard will be left to Paolo.”

“It’s unnecessary...”

“Diadora.”

Father and Chris stopped me. It's generally not allowed to express dissatisfaction with the crown prince’s decisions, and I understand that my position allows it, so I must be careful.

But the crown prince thinks I’ll be easily manipulated by Viscount Branton.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be by your side.”

“Yeah, Diadora, let’s calm down.”

“Isn’t it the crown prince who needs to calm down?”

“What?”

Duke Powell restrained the crown prince, while my family restrained me, and I left the matter to Father and exited the room.

During the Bantock incident, they agreed to put me at the forefront.

They must have considered that if something went wrong, they could blame it on me instead of the crown prince, reasoning that a child with the Spirit King’s backing acted on her own.

But why does the crown prince get to decide now?

Why is the imperial guard eager to capture the viscount?

“Andrew wants to protect you, Diadora.”

At times like these, the men treat me like a delicate girl.

...My family always does.

I appreciate their protection, but...

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Author Notes:

  I feel like I’m moving away from romance again, but that’s not the case.

  We’re definitely heading towards the romance route.

  Thank you for your feedback, ratings, and typo reports.

  Your responses keep me motivated.

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