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 Empire, the grand celebration of the New Year on January 1st is held only in the capital. In each territory, the lords who participated in the New Year and coming-of-age ceremonies in the capital return on the second day, and the real celebration begins in their own traditional ways.

However, the New Year’s Eve festivities are grand everywhere. Like in any port town, when the year changes in Berisario, all the ships in the harbor blow their whistles simultaneously. The sound is loud enough to be heard even in the castle, so if you were near the harbor, the noise would be enough to wake any sleeping child.

The park near the harbor is illuminated with many lights, and the food stalls line up and operate until late at night. People buy food and drinks, and gather around the tables set near the stalls, resembling an outdoor food court from my previous life. Berisario enjoys a mild climate year-round, so there are many outdoor dining places and stalls. People party until dawn on New Year's Day, rest leisurely during the day, spend time with their families, and start partying again on the second day.

This year, the festivities will also celebrate the coming of age of the Marquess's heir. In the port town in front of the castle, free sake will be served, and food stalls will sell cheap food. Music will be played all day, and a market will open with imported goods and items gathered from all over the Empire. Commemorative goods and coins celebrating Chris-oniisama's coming of age will also be sold, attracting people from all over Berisario.

As usual, I fell asleep after hearing the ship whistles. The only difference this year is that my parents, who usually stay in the capital, and my grandparents, whom I almost forgot existed, are at the castle.

I can't even remember the last time my grandparents visited Berisario. It must have been more than five years ago. Apparently, they visited the townhouse in the capital, so my parents and Chris-oniisama saw them about a year ago. But I completely forgot about their existence, and when I greeted them, they cried. That wasn’t my fault, was it?

Oh, and Kamiru has been staying in the royal palace for the past four days. With formal diplomats from Luftanen arriving, he's staying in the capital with them. When I asked him why he didn’t return to his country to greet the crown prince, he said he didn't want to interrupt the newly engaged prince and his fiancée, who were getting along quite well. As a fiancée, I think she would be happier if he at least greeted her.

On New Year's Day, I was woken up early and got ready with the help of the maids while nibbling on a light breakfast. Since I was attending the coming-of-age ceremony in the capital, my mother and the maids were extremely meticulous in their preparations. They took care of my nails and did a final check on my dress the day before to make sure I would look every bit like the Fairy Princess.

Today, the adults were the stars. Debutantes wore primarily white dresses, so to avoid standing out, my dress was made in a modest shade of dark red. The color was indeed modest, but a ten-year-old wearing dark red is rare, and the gold and silver embroidery was too spectacular. Mother, you overdid it. This isn’t modest at all.

After we were transferred to the royal palace via the teleportation circle, we parted ways with my grandparents and boarded a spirit carriage. Before the ceremony, we would greet the Spirit Kings to report the coming of age and offer New Year's greetings. Until now, I would just visit the spring to greet Ruri, chat with the visiting Spirit Kings, and return. But with me there, the four Spirit Kings would be gathered. The fact that the crown prince's coming of age would be blessed by four Spirit Kings was significant.

Both Noorando and Corquette had handed over their titles to their sons and would now assist the crown prince in his duties. After all, if the Marquesses stayed away from their territories, it could hinder border defenses and military leadership. The birth of young Marquesses means that the regions will celebrate starting on the second. Nobles will be busy making appearances at various celebrations and giving gifts.

Me? A ten-year-old doesn’t need to attend such celebrations. If I went to all of them, the school’s second term would start before I knew it.

The capital is cold with snow flurries. And we’re heading to Aaron’s Falls. It's bound to be freezing near the waterfall. So, inside the spirit carriage, I put on a fluffy coat over my dress, and donned a scarf, ear muffs, and a hat made from the fur of a rabbit-like magical beast.

"Dia, you look adorable!"

"Wow, this feels so soft."

Stop it. Don’t pet me all at once. I’m not a child-sized plush toy.

As we got out of the spirit carriage at Aaron’s Falls, everyone’s faces lit up when they saw me. I am, after all, the designated cuteness ambassador, Diadora. But really, in this world, only a small part of the land is inhabited by humans. The rest is uncharted territory filled with monsters. There's no synthetic leather, so everyone uses monster hides for cloaks and gear. So, the rich wear extravagant cloaks like high-end hosts. We're all equally fluffy, except for the ear muffs and hat.

The crown prince is particularly impressive. His black leather mantle, trimmed with fluffy fur, is fastened with a gold-embroidered shoulder clasp set with a large jewel. The ornamental cord extending from the clasp connects to a pendant bearing the royal crest, in a deep royal blue reserved for the royal family.

It’s flashy and looks heavy. The second prince's mantle is similar, and most of the men wear mantles rather than cloaks. Considering mobility, it makes sense. Moving in a fluffy cloak would indeed be cumbersome.

At Aaron’s Falls were the two princes, three marquesses, Duke Powell, and Paolo. Duke Powell is now a central figure in the government, garnering the support of central nobles, ensuring the smooth operation of the palace, and maintaining good relations with the marquesses. Paolo, as the head of the Royal Guard, is responsible for the security of the princes. Despite the presence of the Powell and Rampling Dukes, the absence of Goodfellow was notable. Having Derrick there was a relief.

Our entire family was present because my father is a Marquess, my mother came as the guardian of the ten-year-old Fairy Princess, and my brothers, favorites of Kohaku and Hisui, were summoned to avoid questions about their absence.

"Stop her if Dia tries to do anything," the crown prince had said. What did he think I’d do?

We stopped the spirit carriage at the front plaza and walked to the falls. Surrounded by small spirits, we trudged through the snow, and my toes grew colder with each step. The temperature here seemed lower than in town, with visible breaths and reddening noses.

At Aaron’s Falls, a part of the area was surprisingly snow-free, as if sheltered by an invisible roof. The lake was frozen except for the falling water, which remained unfrozen, creating a warm, dry circle. When I tested my breath, it didn’t turn white.

‘Welcome.’

‘Humans seem cold, so we made it more comfortable for conversation.’

The Spirit Kings appeared without being summoned, in their usual attire despite the snow, making me feel cold just looking at them.

"We have come to offer New Year's greetings and report the successful coming of age," the crown prince said.

Except for the Berisario siblings and the two princes, everyone else knelt as usual, leaving the children standing.

‘Already an adult. Humans grow up so fast,’ Kohaku began. Central is his domain.

‘Central has more spirits and spirit beasts, and peace continues. Thanks to the crown prince and the Empire’s nobles overcoming many challenges and choosing coexistence with us. Crown Prince Andoryuu, we are grateful you are our next emperor. We will continue to support you.’

"Thank you."

While other Spirit Kings conversed with the crown prince, Ruri silently moved aside and beckoned me over. I approached, leaving my family behind, feeling the soft hat being petted.

"What's wrong?"

The other Spirit Kings kept glancing our way as Ruri enjoyed the feel of my hat.

‘Today, other countries' Spirit Kings have come to celebrate the crown prince’s coming of age.’

"Why?"

‘The Empire is the only place where humans and spirits coexist so well. They want to see how it's done here. But mainly, they want to meet you.’

"You won’t say anything unnecessary, right?"

‘I’ve explained your situation. But if you don’t want to meet them, you can refuse.’

Can I really refuse? They came all this way.

‘What do you want to do?’

"I don't mind, but I think we should ask the crown prince’s opinion."

‘You’re not refusing?’

Even Suou joined us.

‘Kohaku, explain to everyone.’

At Ruri’s behest, Kohaku explained the presence of other countries' Spirit Kings. From Stark Kingdom and Duchamp Kingdom, who haven't even met their own humans yet, to the Spirit King of the newly established nomadic nation of Tabuk.

The Spirit King of Tabuk used to be the Spirit King of Pendelus, right? Why did they all gather? A Spirit King Summit?

With the crown prince’s approval, Kohaku called out, and Spirit Kings appeared in various ways: some instantly, others gradually, some from the frozen lake, and one dramatically from flames.

At night, it would look like a ghost gathering. All had human-like perfect features, more

 perfect than the beautiful models I saw online in my past life, almost unreal.

Over time, as I interacted with them and saw their expressions change, my perception of them would likely shift. Ruri and the others were expressive from the start. Well, they were.

The only common trait among the Spirit Kings is their hair color matching their attribute. Skin and eye colors vary, and their clothes reflect their country's characteristics.

This world seems designed for spirits and humans to coexist. Without abundant nature, spirits can't be born, so humans can't recklessly destroy nature. Destroying it risks the Spirit Kings' wrath, which could obliterate a nation.

This world, created to balance an overpopulated previous life, likely aims to keep human numbers in check. In my past life, birth rates in developed countries declined, possibly due to people being reincarnated elsewhere.

In this world, coexistence is essential. Without humans, spirit beasts and Spirit Kings can't exist. In untouched nature, only weak spirits invisible to humans live. Although spirits can survive in this world's mana-filled air, they don’t grow.

As villages grow into cities, human-released mana helps spirits develop, making the area more livable. This process eventually births a Spirit King. They aren’t born but created by the gods.

When I asked how Ruri and Moana could be siblings, Berisario and North Island of Luftanen became small countries around the same time. They were the leaders of their regions before joining the Empire. Gods created them simultaneously, making them feel like siblings. They lack the reproductive abilities humans have.

So, Ruri has been here since before Berisario joined the Empire. That’s why he’s so pleased about a reincarnated person being born here. No wonder he’s so lenient with me. He's like a neighborhood uncle… or brother.

Ruri looks around thirty. I’ll eventually catch up to and surpass his appearance. What if he still treats me like a child then?

Well, that’s for later. Right now, we have six foreign Spirit Kings in front of us. The Empire's Spirit Kings stand between us and them. Seven Spirit Kings gathered—will the surrounding mana be okay? Will it make everyone’s mana stronger? I have a great idea. If the royal family’s mana increases, wouldn't that be lucky? The lake beneath the Spirit Kings might be charged with mana. How about making the princes do a polar bear plunge?

…They’d die. They’d freeze and get frostbite. The crown prince would be furious. Best keep quiet.

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

Author Notes:

  Thank you for reading.

  Your reports of typos are much appreciated.

  If you find this interesting, I’d be grateful if you could rate it below.

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