Book 2: Chapter 27
Book 2: Chapter 27
The young lady was in a good mood after attending the tea party hosted by House Ebene. She even answered my questions smoothly in the carriage.
「My lady, today’s tea party seems to have been a lot of fun.」
「That’s right. I learned that Ethan-sama’s thoughts depend on his knowledge and productivity of halfling medicines, and Mira-sama’s domain is still primarily focused on military affairs. In this country, there are 6 Duke houses who have influence on politics, and, although one rank below duke, there are 4 Marquess houses who hold top positions, 4 Border Earl houses which possess their own military force, and 20 Earl houses, including mine. If we include Viscounts and Baron houses, the total number will reach 3 digits. Even though I knew these figures beforehand, I had no real experiences with them. So, I’m glad I was able to talk to everyone.」
「You were on the balcony with Lord Louis from House Rozier, right?」
During the tea party, Louis and the young lady went out to the balcony alone. At that time, Louis seemed to be enthusiastically speaking about something, and the young lady seemed to listen enthusiastically.
「Yeap, yeap, that is indeed correct.」
「Oh, is that also one of the things you enjoyed?」
「Louis-sama also sympathized with my thoughts!」
「…Say what now?」
I think I just heard something disturbing.
「I told Louis-sama about my ideals. Realizing a society where everyone can be equal. This can only be done by nobles who hold authority. I’ve talked to him before about how nobles monopolize the skill orbs that are produced from First Altar, which is bestowed by God.」
「…My lady, please don’t speak to anyone else about that.」
「Of course. Even if you are a noble, you must strictly refrain from criticizing His Majesty’s reign. “His Majesty’s rule illuminates the whole country”, after all.」
The young lady knows… she knows, right? Is it going to be alright?
「Reiji, don’t worry so much.」
The young lady’s face turned sullen. Even when she looks like that, she is so beautiful.
「I am telling you all this because I trust you! Louis-sama also swore on his sword that he wouldn’t tell anyone, so I told him everything.」
「I see…」
For a swordsman to swear on his sword, especially for Louis’ House Rozier, which is particular about swordsmanship, he must be quite resolved. Well, from my point of view, he looks like nothing more than a “boy in love”.
「And Reiji, as I asked you earlier, how do you unite the Holy Kingdom which holds so many different races?… It’s a very simple answer.」
「His Majesty the Holy King and the nobles.」
「…Correct answer. It’s boring if you get it correct right away.」
The young lady sulked again.
This country accepts diversity. So there is no racial wall.
However, we need a system to unite them – and that is a powerful upper and lower society, ruled by nobles. And by a strong symbol – the Holy King.
I think that the nobles society that the young lady considers to be “unfair” exists as a necessary system. Although, it is a problem when foolish nobles monopolize rare skill orbs. The young lady, Lord Ethan, and although I had my doubts at first – Louis, Lady Mira, and Lady Charlotte all seem to be studying hard.
It is often said that with privilege, comes duty. (TL Note: With great power, comes great responsibility.)
The person who has the highest duty is the Holy King, the one and only who sits at the summit, the one who holds tremendous power. The position has become a phantasmally strong existence that makes people think, “If His Majesty orders it, it can’t be helped.” That is why they are fixated on a symbol like the “Holy Blue”.
「Because Louis-sama is from House Rozier, which has jurisdiction over the Altar Management Bureau, he wants to distribute skill orbs fairly among the people.」
「Oh, House Rozier is the head of the Altar Management Bureau?」
「Yes, I heard that the head of the family is.」
So, does that mean Louis’ father is the Earl’s boss?
If Louis proposed marriage to the young lady, the Earl wouldn’t be able to refuse, no?… Hmm, or maybe, he only works there due to necessity, and there isn’t an actual hierarchy?
(No, but he is from one of the 6 Great Duke houses…)
I suddenly realised something.
「By the way, does Lord Louis have any siblings?」
「He said that he had a lot of younger brothers and sisters.」
Oh damn, he is the heir…
I wonder if everything is going to be okay. Well, that’s not something I should be worried about. That is the Earl’s job.
「…Reiji, you see, I will get a skill orb in three days.」the young lady said, somewhat fidgeting, hesitantly.
「That’s right. Congratulations.」
Although I didn’t understand why she was being hesitant, I congratulated her for the time being.
I’m sure every noble family would be having this talk around this time. Something like – “Hey, daddy, what kind of skill orb will you give me?” “Hahaha, you know I have to keep it a secret, right?” “No, tell me…” “Haha, nope”. Or maybe they would be more mature since they’re already 12 years old?
And, even the Earl, although he doesn’t show it on the surface, the young lady means a lot to him, so I’m sure he prepared a skill orb with ridiculous amounts of money.
「I think my father will give me something that is very rare and suitable for use by ‘nobles’.」
「Yes. Earl Sillys is sure to prepare something wonderful.」
「That is why, I…」
「Yes?」
「I… will give it to you, Reiji.」
「……Eh?」
Give it to me? The skill orb!?
「I will award you a skill orb that you deserve! Rejoice!」
「——」
Ah~, that’s what it is. The young Lady wants to give me a “present”.
That’s why she was fidgeting hesitantly.
Unfortunately, I’m 16 years old + another 4 years I’ve been in this world, so I’m about 20 years old mentally. But the young lady’s thoughts made me happy.
「Thank you. I’m happy, my lady.」
「…Are you really happy?」
「Of course!」
The young lady, whose ears were now red, peeked an examining glance at me, so I answered with a smile.
「I see. You can look forward to it then.」
The young lady took her eyes off me again and turned away. Her face was filled with happiness.