Chapter 194: Margrave Cardiff

(Note: This time is from the perspective of Letty’s mother, Margravine Cardiff.)

At the recent victory ceremony, it was announced that the Cardiff family would be promoted from an Earl family to a Margrave family.

The Cardiff family is a distinguished noble family in the western part of the Albion Kingdom, and successive heads have accumulated military achievements, but I never imagined that our house would become a Margrave family.

Our house has developed thanks to my husband being a close friend of Margrave Fairchild and our connection with William-san.

While the entire kingdom suffered from poor harvests due to drought, our house avoided poor harvests by introducing the drought-resistant wheat developed by William-san.

And we were able to obtain equipment enchanted by William-san faster than other families. Obtaining Mithril equipment discovered during a joint exploration of the Sea of Trees with the Fairchild Margrave family was also significant.

However, the deciding factor for this promotion was my daughter’s performance. At the victory ceremony, His Majesty praised her performance in the Woodpole defensive battle, and Letty puffed out her chest with pride.

That child, who yearned to be a hero since she was little, was blessed with the Swordsmanship Skill just as she wished, and she devoted herself to swordsmanship training. However, that path was by no means smooth sailing.

Among the retainers, there were some who said things like, “She is not suited for swordsmanship because she is a woman,” or “Since she is beautiful, she should focus on fashion and make an effort to marry into a good family.”

Since her younger brother is scheduled to inherit the family headship, my daughter will not inherit the Cardiff family. And depending on the policy of the family she marries into, it was possible that she would lose the opportunity to wield a sword on the front lines.

What tormented Letty further was the presence of a genius who appeared nearby. Edward-san, the eldest son of the Fairchild family, is truly a person loved by the sword.

Tall with a long reach, and mastering excellent Body Enhancement Magic, even as a boy, he defeated adult knights one after another in training.

Letty also became able to use Body Enhancement Magic quickly, but she is inferior in physique, and her sword skills do not match Edward-san’s.

Furthermore, after her childhood friend William-san began to make spectacular achievements with his Production Skill, my daughter’s spirits gradually waned.

One day after sword practice, when I called out to my daughter, who was hunched over at home, she couldn’t hold back and spilled her words. “Mother, why do I have no talent?”

No matter how hard she trains, she can’t even reach Edward-san’s feet. William-san is amazing for making huge achievements even though he was blessed with the Production Skill, which is considered a handicap in this country where swords and magic are emphasized.

Compared to that, how mediocre her existence is. Listening to the rare complaint from my daughter, who is usually cheerful and positive, I reflected as a mother.

Why didn’t I realize that my daughter was suffering because of the brilliantly talented brothers nearby? If only I had realized sooner and encouraged her.

I encouraged my daughter by saying that not everyone possesses talent that shines, but that one should strive to improve upon one’s past self, but I wonder how effective it was.

I also heard that it became painful for her to meet William-san, with whom she had always been close, and she became unable to show her face in Northernford. I felt vexed that I could only worry and watch over her, wondering if my daughter’s heart was okay.

Fortunately, among our house’s knights, there was one who became a prominent swordsman through honest and simple training despite not excelling in talent, and by talking to that knight, my daughter was able to become positive.

Eventually, my daughter awakened to the powerful special skill, Magic Sword. I believe that was surely a reward from God to my daughter, who continued to swing her sword honestly and single-mindedly.

Therefore, the fact that she performed well in the Woodpole defensive battle and her sword was recognized by the Royal Family was deeply moving.

It may be unbecoming of a noble wife to say this, but honestly speaking, I was happier that my daughter’s efforts were rewarded than I was about our house being promoted to a Margrave family.

And my daughter is engaged to William-san, who is a rare Production Mage and the Savior recognized by the World Tree. Wielding a sword next to William-san, who can be said to be the most important person for humanity, and protecting him from monsters is likely a life that fulfills the deepest desires of that child who loves the sword.

Thinking that there was a possibility she could have married into a noble family that did not approve of her fighting on the front lines, it is a joyous thing. She also seems to get along very well with her other fiancé, Her Highness Princess Flora.

Now, I cannot just be happy about my daughter’s happiness. Having been promoted to a Margrave family and increased our territory, our house must enhance its domestic affairs, increase the number of knights, and equip a knight order befitting a Margrave.

As the wife of the head of a Margrave family, I also have many duties to fulfill. I must do my best as well so that I can be a mother my daughter can be proud of.