Book 2: Epilogue 2
Book 2: Epilogue 2
* Charlotte Phrase *
House Marquess Phrase is inconspicuous.
In the noble society, a marquess house is certainly high-ranking, but House Phrase was not very noticeable.
At the ball, she wasn’t invited to dance, and even if she attended the tea party, she wasn’t able to bring up a subject. And later, she will receive a letter saying “It was House Phrase who wasn’t actively participating. It is truly unfortunate.”
Therefore, the daughter of House Phrase, Charlotte, decided from an early age that–
「I won’t give up! I will blossom in the noble society!」
She also studied how to laugh.
「Ohohoho!」
However, perhaps due to the maid, who was teaching her, having too old of a sense–
「My lady, touch the back of your hand on your chin and then “Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho”!」
「Oh ho ho ho ho!」
「Once again!」
「Oh ho ho ho ho!」
「Wonderful! Next is makeup!」
She leaned in the wrong direction. She put on make-up and even curled her strawberry blonde hair into ringlets.
The only thing she did was standing out badly. And even when noble children gathered–
「Ara? Why are you wearing such unfashionable clothes?」
(Real intention: If you come and stay with me, I will dress you up in fine-quality clothes!)
She drove away everyone with her overbearing manner of speaking.
The only person who remained was,
「We only have this kind of thing. Merchants don’t travel to the border.」
Mira, of House Border Earl Mule.
Since Mira was raised in a remote region, she was vulnerable to sparkly things. Even the child Charlotte, who had a very mismatched make-up, looked sparkling to Mira.
「O-Oh, that’s a shame to hear… -Ah, no, I mean, Oh ho ho ho! Then I’ll send House Phrase’s merchant to the Border Earl territory!」
「Eh, really!?」
「Of course. That is simple!」
Charlotte was laughing loudly, but the merchant who heard this story at a later date turned pale. The territory of Border Earl Mule was that far away. However,
「Hmm, you disagree? Do you mean to make my daughter a liar?」
Glared at by Marquess Phrase, who cherishes his daughter dearly and is the apple of his eye, the merchant tearfully departed for the Border Earl’s territory.
This brought new product distribution to the Border Earl’s territory, leading to an era of great development due to the subsequent influx of adventurers and the capture of dungeons– that is a story which took place many years later.
Charlotte’s “adult debut” at the Sprout and New Moon Banquet, was a “massive failure” for her.
「—I didn’t stand out!」
Terrifying masked men attacked, then the poison was discovered, and she was escorted out of the venue for her protection.
「I could hardly talk to Kluvshrat-sama!」
Charlotte cried. She cried so much that her makeup came off.
However, there was still a chance. After that, a tea party was held – although Prince Kluvshrat did not attend. Nevertheless, it was good to have a connection with Duke Houses. After all, the 6 Great Dukes have tremendous power in the Holy Kingdom – though that makes the House Marquess under them inconspicuous – being together with them makes you stand out too, doesn’t it?
「Nunuu…」
However, there was a problem – Eva, the daughter of Earl Sillys, who is clearly more prominent than herself.
「…How can I stand out more from that woman…」
「What’s wrong, Miss Charlotte?」
「Minya!?」Charlotte let out a strange voice.
It was Mira, one of her very, very few friends.
「Oh, don’t surprise me!」
「Sorry sorry.」
She sighed, looking at the grinning Mira. Mira was becoming more and more carefree in their interactions. Moreover, she fell in love with Miss Eva at first sight – Charlotte wants to believe that it isn’t a deep affection, but she loses confidence watching Mira’s behaviour around Eva – making Charlotte even think if she was an enemy.
「Hey, why don’t you pull yourself together a little. Your father has already returned to the border territory, right? You don’t stand out even if you stay here alone!」
「Oh, you already know that my papa returned? Thank you for worrying about me! But I’m strong even alone!」
「That’s not what I am saying! I’m saying that there isn’t a more conspicuous border territory symbol here than yourself!」
「Ahaha. I’ll pass on to papa that you praised him.」
「That wasn’t a praise.」
Charlotte was frustrated that she couldn’t get through to Mira.
「…It seems that the shock of the awarding ceremony is no more.」
Charlotte didn’t hear the words that Mira uttered under her breath.
The incident that occurred at the skill orb awarding ceremony shocked the children who participated. Since the awarding ceremony was no longer held this year, the children received the skill orbs from their own respective Houses.
By the way, Mira received【Close Quarters Combat ★★★★】and Charlotte received【Beautiful Hair ★★★】. You can clearly understand their parents’ tastes.【Beautiful Hair】is an extremely rare skill orb which was ordered from another country – you can see the over-doting parent in Marquess Phrase. Thanks to that, Charlotte’s strawberry blonde ringlet curls were giving off an aura of extra shine today.
「Hmm, what is that?」
The two were now in the lobby of the conference building in the “1st Holy District”. The matter regarding what happened at the skill orb awarding ceremony and, according to rumours, there seems to be some problems among the 6 Great Dukes, so matters pertaining to those will be announced today. Normally the children wouldn’t be here, but Charlotte and the other children are closely related to the case of the awarding ceremony, thus they were summoned.
Charlotte noticed Eva, the daughter of House Sillys, who was in the shadow of a pillar at the end of the corridor of the conference building, probably with the head of the family, Victor.
「Ah, it’s Eva-sama. Let’s go talk to her.」
「Be quiet. Let’s go secretly.」
「Eh… you want to eavesdrop?」
「Hey, watch how you say it. We just happen to walk without making any sounds, and happen to overhear things.」
「That’s exactly what’s called eavesdrop…」
Fortunately, Charlotte and Mira’s escorts were riled up in their own conversation. The escorts were getting along aggravatingly good. Charlotte’s escort was only employed for his handsome face, but since he is a good talker, the other escorts were laughing “bwahaha!” to his stories.
As they proceeded toward Eva, they started to overhear the conversation.
「Father. Then, the description relating to the “Child of Disaster” for hundreds of years… has been “black hair and black eyes”, right?」
「Yes. Some countries have even perished in the past…」
「I understand. Thank you very much.」
「I will continue to investigate. Is that okay?」
「Yes, of course. —Ara?」
Eva noticed Charlotte and Mira, and smiled softly.
「!!」
It was a smile that made even Charlotte’s heart skip a beat. And, needless to say, Mira went into a daze and her vocabulary level dropped to a one-year-old child saying “Kawa, Kawa, Kawaii… Kawa…”.
(Wha-Wha-Wha-What the hell~~~~~?! Looking so mature suddenly~~~~! D-Did she find a lover…!? Otherwise, it would be impossible to grow this mature all of a sudden!!)
Eva said goodbye to her father, and walked towards them, but Earl Sillys left with a reluctant look. It is also Charlotte’s jealousy point that Eva is already working(apparently) and has a handsome father.
「Good morning, Eva-sama.」
「Good morning, Charlotte-sama, Mira-sama.」
「Kawa……」
「By the way, Eva-sama…」
Mira being like this is the usual case, so the two just moved on smoothly.
「The aura around you has changed a lot, hasn’t it?」
「Hmm?…Is that so?」
「Is it possible that you found yourself a lover!?」
Charlotte decided to dive straight in and try to get Eva to make a flustered face at least once—but contrary her expectation, Eva kept her cool and just made a slightly troubled smile.
「…I wish I could say that, but I am still not worthy enough to stand by that person’s side.」
It was almost the same as admitting that there is a person whom she has feelings for, but the fact that Eva said she, of all people, was “not worthy”, shocked Charlotte.
Right then, a bell rang.
『—Everyone, the announcement from His Majesty the Holy King will soon begin. We ask that everyone please enter inside.』
A number of priests appeared and guided the nobles inside while ringing a bell.
「Ara, seems like it’s time to go. Shall we?」
「Ah, y-yes… oh, Eva-sama.」
Charlotte noticed for the first time. Eva’s escort was a muscular ossan – Captain Maxim.
「Your escort has changed it seems.」
Hearing that, Eva then responded with a very pleasant smile.
「Yes– for now.」
On this day, the explanation announced by the Holy King caused a tremor not only to the nobles but also to the entire Holy Kingdom.
Obligation of the Holy Royal Family—Their history of being human sacrifice was revealed.
Next, the current Holy King will step down from his position, and call himself Duke Grenjido hereafter. The next Holy King will be succeeded by the 1st Holy Princess, and the Holy Princes will retain the right to succeed the throne and continue with the title of “Holy Prince” until the 1st Holy Princess bears a child of her own.
Finally, it was decided to de-establish House Duke Riviere, one of the 6 Great Dukes. However, their territory was so wide that it was put under the direct control of the Holy Royal Family temporarily, but eventually distributed to nobles who did not have a territory. The reason why Duke Riviere called for “the abolition of Duke Houses” was explained, but no noble accepted it properly. The people of House Riviere became ordinary citizens. Since House Riviere revived the maritime industry, they were allowed to keep their business. However, since the marriage of House Riviere’s daughter to the 3rd Holy Prince, who is now 10 years old, has been abandoned, many nobles have begun promoting themselves to the Holy Royal Family, seeing this as a chance.
The first person was Charlotte Phrase herself, but it is uncertain whether this love(?) will come true.
■ Reiji(at the end of Vol2)
Black hair and Black eyes｜14 years old｜Human race｜Male
【World Ruler ★★★★★★★★★★】
Learned skills:
《Physical characteristics: Red Skill Orbs》
-[Physical Strength Enhancement ★] [Back Muscle Enhancement ★] [Abdominal Muscle Enhancement ★] [Leg Strength Enhancement ★] [Grip Strength Enhancement ★] [Flexibility Enhancement★] [Power Burst Enhancement ★] [Stamina Enhancement ★] -[Immunity Enhancement ★★] -[Body Enhancement ★★★]
《Technical characteristics: Green Skill Orbs》
-[Dexterity ★] -[Sword Technique ★★] [Spear Technique ★★] [Axe Technique ★★] [Archery Technique ★★] [Short-swords Technique ★★] [Close Quarters Combat ★★] [Kicking Technique ★★] [Shield Technique ★★] [Large Shield Technique ★★] [Sprinting Technique ★★] [Jumping Technique ★★] [Hardening Technique ★★] [Great Sword technique ★★] [Punching Technique ★★] [Brawling Technique ★★] -[High-Angle Firing Technique ★★★] [Dancing Sword Technique ★★★] -[Dragon Spear Technique ★★★★]
《Sensory characteristics: Yellow Skill Orbs》
-[Eyesight Enhancement ★] [Hearing Enhancement ★] [Smell Enhancement ★]
-[Night Vision ★★]
《Magic characteristics: Blue Skill Orbs》
-[Magic Enhancement ★] [Magic Aptitude Enhancement ★] -[Water Magic ★★] [Wind Magic ★★] [Earth Magic ★★] [Flower Magic ★★] [Lightning Magic ★★] [Dark Magic ★★] [Light Magic ★★] [Mana Quantity Increase ★★]
-[Fire Magic ★★★★] [Mana Control ★★★★]
《Mysterious characteristics: White Skill Orbs》
-[Prayer Technique ★]
-[Healing Magic ★★] [Support Magic ★★]
《Intelligent characteristics: Purple Skill Orbs》
* Most of these are lower versions of【World Ruler】such as [Perfect Memory], so none have been learned.
《Orb Strengthening: Black Skill Orbs (extremely rare)》
-[Orb Detachment ★★★★]
《Unique characteristics: Rainbow-Colored Skill Orbs》
-[Convenience ★]