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

Interlude: Camille's Perspective

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Author Notes:

This is the second post for today.

Finally moving past the serious part.

I'll quickly write about the business negotiation behind the scenes and then return to the academy arc.

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Three years have passed since I started living in the royal palace. Every day was a whirlwind of studying as a royal, helping my brother with his work, spreading knowledge on how to raise spirit beasts, and working to expand the chocolate market. These three years flew by in no time.

Transporting crops from the South Island to the North Island via the East Island took too long. Establishing a direct route between the South and North Islands, and selling crops that couldn't be grown in the Empire or Bejaia, made the teleportation magic a significant advantage.

The engagement between my brother and the Marquess's daughter from the South Island progressed smoothly, and it was announced that their wedding ceremony would take place next year. The people of the South Island are simple and the easiest to deal with. The people of the East Island have a strong sense of pride, being the special island where the royal palace is located and the center of the country. The North Island, influenced by its interactions with the Empire and Starke, is a melting pot of various ideas among its nobles. This makes it both interesting and challenging... or so my brother says.

In my opinion, the people of Luftanen are fundamentally kind and cheerful, or in less flattering terms, easygoing. Despite the royal family's power waning over the last hundred years since the spirit kings stopped appearing, the fact that there hasn't been a civil war is thanks to this nature.

Even when the king foolishly decided to take four wives because there were four islands, only the West Island actively participated in the succession struggle. The First Queen and Third Prince have done most of the scheming.

Even if they wanted to start a civil war, it seemed like no one would join. Our navy isn't particularly strong anymore, with the decrease in spirits. When the Empire faced a succession issue and other countries attacked, we didn't wage war against Berisario because no one thought we could win. Instead, they figured they could profit by selling crops to the Empire at war.

I don't dislike this national character, but if we're attacked, we're finished. We need to increase the number of spirits. That's why, taking inspiration from the Empire, we're trying to reach out to the spirit kings again to proudly call ourselves the land of spirits. Hearing that only the West Island is spreading the Nicodemus Sect left everyone speechless.

"Do they want to destroy themselves?"

"It seems they plan to cooperate with the Bejaia army to make the Third Prince king."

What are the nobles of the West Island thinking? Even a child like me can see that the West Island would be taken over by Bejaia. The Empire wouldn't be able to ignore it either. The Nicodemus Sect's ideology would be unacceptable to the Empire, which is working closely with the spirit kings. There's a risk the North Island could become the frontline to protect the Empire's mainland.

"They probably intend to invade the East Island."

"By then, the spirits of the West Island will be exterminated. We were just about to request Moana's help in communicating with the spirit king."

"What are they thinking?"

"Prince Camille, you are close to the Fairy Princess, right?"

Huh?

"Ah yes, Viscount Branton mentioned that Prince Camille is friends with the Fairy Princess."

That old man!! Always causing trouble!!

I owe him for taking me to the Empire and introducing me to the Fairy Princess, but he's been boasting about it and claiming he raised me. What is that old man thinking?

"Could you ask the Fairy Princess to speak to the Emperor?"

"Do we know the relationship between the Empire's spirit kings and Luftanen's? If they know each other, perhaps..."

"First, we should consult Moana. We need to understand her stance."

"Agreed. Camille and I will discuss this with Moana. Please prepare but remain calm."

The representatives from the three islands agreed and the meeting ended. Is Viscount Branton aiming for an earldom? He knows I've only met the Fairy Princess once.

After the meeting, my brother and I headed to a private area. There's a large terrace room we often use to meet Moana. Because the other spirit kings are reclusive, Moana is often bored. She thinks visiting us in that room means we want to play. Even though playing just means interacting with our spirit beasts and chatting a bit before leaving, if we aren't there, she rings the bell vigorously to call us. Since she's the spirit king who blessed us, I don't mind being her conversation partner.

"The bell is ringing."

She's beautiful and a spirit king, couldn't she be a bit more graceful?

'You're late! It's a big deal!'

"Sorry, sorry. What's up?"

Only a few people can enter this room, so my brother's aide prepares the tea. I have Salomon and Bob with me.

Bob was officially assigned as my guard, and Salomon and Yohem are my eager aides. Salomon is close to having spirit beasts of all elements, so I'm worried he might use teleportation magic for crime. Farce returned to Count Harle but came back again. Is my presence really that interesting?

'The Nicodemus Sect built a church on the West Island and started killing spirits.'

"Can they kill only spirits?"

'They're using Pendelus' magic tools, but it's mostly humans too. They're even killing children.'

"...Camille, can you visit the Empire to maintain good relations?"

"I don't mind, but isn't it dangerous here?"

"Danger is everywhere. You might be in more danger traveling in small numbers."

I've been training with various people to protect myself, especially when I have private talks with my brother. It's made people say my gaze has become more intimidating.

'Don't worry. If a war starts, you can teleport to Ruri's Lake.'

"Ruri?"

'The Empire's Water Spirit King. He's my brother.'

"Wait, what?!"

"Moana, this is the first I've heard of it."

'Oh? Didn't I mention it? Ruri's Lake is in Berisario's castle.'

"That's trespassing!"

"Calm down, Camille. She's still a spirit king."

I know she's trying to protect me, but an unauthorized visit to the Fairy Princess's castle could cause a conflict. It'd be a disaster if the Prince of Luftanen trespassed into the Fairy Princess's castle.

"Moana, we don't have good intel on the West Island. Is it really that bad?"

'The Nicodemus Sect plans to kill all spirits on the West Island. The island will become barren, but don't worry. You can teleport. I'll take you there first.'

"Wait! Let me confirm with the Marquis or the Fairy Princess first."

"…I"

"I will confirm it!"

Switching between languages is so tiring.

'Really? I'll wait at the lake, so come quickly.'

"Wait, Moana. Can you tell us more about the West Island?"

While my brother persisted in questioning Moana, I took immediate action. If I didn't hurry, Moana might drag me to the lake and trespass on her own.

"Salomon, we're going to the North Island first. We have the chocolate ready, right?"

"Yes. Isn't this exciting? Now it's trespassing."

"We're not trespassing!"

I excused myself and waved to my brother and Moana. Are all spirit kings like this? What chaos would there be with all elements?

"If the Empire's spirit king is like this, it would be a disaster."

Please, no.

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In the spirit car heading to the Marquis of Berisario's castle, I must have looked extremely displeased. After teleporting to the North Island, explaining the situation to key nobles, and planning to meet the Fairy Princess under the pretext of selling chocolate, Viscount Branton eagerly joined the conversation. It made sense since the Coraline Trading Company is his, and he should participate in the negotiations, but he didn't need to accompany us to the Empire. And why is Conning handling the negotiations?

"I can't back down. Why do you only get close to the Earl of Harle and the Marquis of Mantester?"

"Do you want to be treated like a marquis or earl?"

"I'm not saying that, but if you're using my trading company, my people will accompany you."

Keith, Yohem, and Bob accompanied me to the Empire. I left Salomon behind to avoid arguments with the Viscount. Farce is gathering information on the West Island.

"Can I handle the negotiations?"

I glanced at the man beside me before looking out the window.

"Fine. But I want to ensure I can speak with the Fairy Princess."

"Understood."

Really? He doesn't seem trustworthy. I heard someone else usually handles Fairy Trading Company negotiations. Why is he here this time?

We're riding a Fairy Trading Company spirit car. Since spirits float and move it, the key is making a light body. We have some in our country, but theirs are still the best. The first person to think of using spirits to float a carriage was brilliant.

"We've arrived."

It felt like we climbed a long hill. As I followed Conning out of the spirit car, I saw an even larger building higher up. That's the main castle.

"This way."

We're visiting the annex built for Fairy Trading Company. It's much larger than my North Island residence. I looked up, feeling someone's gaze, and saw a girl on the second-floor balcony.

Seeing Diadora for the first time in four years, she was even more beautiful. Her golden hair, half-tied, shimmered like silver in the wind. Though the light obscured her eyes, I remembered her large, purple irises.

"Camille-sama."

Prompted by Conning, I bowed. Does she remember me?

More importantly, I've never had a proper conversation with a girl my age. How should I talk to her? Mind my gaze and language. Leave the business to Conning.

This doesn't look promising.

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Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading as always.

  Your typo reports are very helpful.

  If you enjoyed this even a little, please rate it below.

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