Chapter 107: Girls Talk

“I’m exhausted…”

Returning to the table where Luca and the others were waiting, I slumped onto the table with a batan.

“Lady Sakuraile, that posture is a bit…”

Perhaps unable to overlook it, my guard Bianca interjects. I know, unbefitting for a Duke’s daughter, right? I know, but just forgive me a little… This gazebo is slightly elevated from the surroundings, and shrubs are planted around it, so unless someone approaches trying to peek or peeps from a tree with opera glasses, it shouldn’t be easily visible… As long as the members here keep quiet, it’s OK. Luca and Tifa‘s attendants are here too, but they must be trusted people, so probably fine… I think.

“You seem quite tired.” “La-Lady Sakuraile, are you okay?”

Gently pretending to stroke my back, Estelle cast recovery magic on me. Uwaa… healing… In double meanings…

“No really… if it was just this time it would be fine, but thinking I have to do similar things again in half a year makes me feel faint…” “Fumu. Is that so, I can meet Sakuraile and everyone again in half a year. Thinking like that, I started looking forward to next time.” “Nn. Can meet again in half a year.”

No well, I’m happy to meet you two too but. If it’s like this every time, it’s tough. Might get used to it after doing it a few times but… Next time I meet Lady Donatella, I feel it’s better to ignore her sarcasms and move on. Mentally and in various other ways too. Not just Lady Donatella, there were several other people I felt I didn’t get along with. Conversing with such people with just a smile on the surface is super stressful. Troublesome… Noble society is troublesome…

“Come to think of it, when I talked about Sakuraile to Mother, she seemed to like you very much. Said she wants to meet you someday.” “Ah, mine too. Father and Brother want to meet.” “Ehh…”

Probably curious due to rumors involving [Holy Sword] and want to meet. Tifa‘s side aside, Luca‘s side is… Will definitely encounter the brother who is a capture target in ‘2’… Either way I’ll meet them at the ‘Academy’ probably… compared to unexpected meetings, maybe that’s better… Once entering the game main story, can predict capture targets’ movements to some extent, but that’s ten years later… Furthermore, Sakuraile herself enrolled from Elementary Department, so ten years old… will be enrolling in the Academy in four years. Well, if I say ‘don’t want to go’, Father and others would probably allow it, but as a Duke’s daughter that’s… Estelle was a poor Baron’s daughter in the game so enrolled midway from High Department, but this time seems she can enroll from Elementary Department. How that influences capture targets and villainess, haven’t a clue…

“You two are enrolling in the ‘Academy’ from Elementary Department too, right?” “Tentatively, that is the plan.” “Me too. Probably so.”

The ‘Academy’ is divided into Elementary, Middle, and High Departments, attending three years each. By the way, not compulsory education, so no problem if not enrolling. However, human relationships at the academy influence relationships between nobles across territories and countries later, so as a noble, it’s certainly better to go. Depending on family situation, there are quite a few attending from Middle or High Department. Especially commoner students almost always start from High Department. Costs money after all. Children of super rich families seemingly attend from Elementary sometimes though. Even commoners, graduating from this ‘Academy’, get treated as ‘Quasi-Noble’ in their own country. Not noble, just treated slightly closer to noble than normal commoner, but same rank as knight, so possible to work in Royal Palace or Castle. Royalty like Tifa and Luca almost always attend from Elementary. Better to become acquaintances with other countries’ royalty, and convenient for finding marriage partners too.

“By the way, do you two have fiancés…?”

Shouldn’t have in the game, but possibility exists that’s no longer reliable, so asked just in case.

“None. There are no spirited men in my country. Mother also says find one at the ‘Academy’.” “I don’t have one either. Or rather, Father and Brother say ‘too early’.”

Tifa‘s side aside, how about Luca‘s side… Even in game, Luca‘s brother was somewhat of a siscon…

“Didn’t talk about Elliott come from our Kingdom?” “Well, seems there was such talk, but Mother seemingly replied it’s premature. Though revised opinion a bit with this incident.” “My place seems to have refused completely. Said no intention of sending me out of country.”

Luca‘s side broken off, Tifa‘s side still exploring, maybe. If Tifa becomes Elliott‘s wife, seems likely she’ll completely wear the pants. But feel that might suit Elliott better.

“Does Lady Eltiria have such a partner?” “Hahi?”

Eltiria-chan, who wasn’t participating in our conversation and just munching on cake intently, looks up at Tifa‘s call. It’s a tea party, participate a little…

“Elves don’t really make partners like fiancés. It’s like marrying if you find someone you like after coming of age.” “I see. Free romance after becoming adult, is it.”

Tifa nods—fumu, but that child is ninety years old, you know? Probably still about hundred years until coming of age, so don’t think she’ll marry while we are alive…

“How about Sakuraile? Anyone have a partner?” “Seems there were several such inquiries, but Father apparently refused all. Said still too early.”

Answering Luca‘s question. Rather than refusing, seems the reply was close to a threat saying never speak of it again though. For now, no one else to inherit the Ducal House besides me. If marrying, would take a husband into the family. Don’t want to engage with weird partners. Or rather, memories of previous life interfere, can’t get excited about children of same age at all… Even in previous life preferred older men, so unless at least over thirty, can’t see as target. And in this world, single nobles over thirty are often problematic characters, so very difficult… Decent nobles are married by thirty after all. Decent ones are widowed nobles or such, but taking as husband means crushing their house… Could keep title in trust, but feels like takeover and somewhat dislike it.

“Well, rather than finding a fiancé, I’ll study territory management. Want to develop le Philharmonie territory more.” “Hoho, good spirit. I might receive territory in future too, so studying various things.”

Tifa agreed with my determination. Tifa is a princess, but if she doesn’t marry into another country, might receive royal demesne and title in Minuet and establish a Ducal House. Same pattern as my Father. After that, while chatting about trivial things, confirmed information of other countries and our country seen from outside. As expected, rumors of [Princess of the Holy Sword] seem to be roaring in foreign countries too. Talks like Gospel Kingdom planning to welcome as ‘Saint’ are flying about too.

“That one is gone since Kohaku-san refused.” “Gospel Kingdom has no choice but to back down if told by a Divine Beast. However, even if giving up on welcoming to country, won’t you be recognized as [Saint]?” “Yeah, never heard of anyone commanding a Divine Beast.” “Not exactly commanding though…”

If commanding, wouldn’t let him eat cake baku baku like this. Kohaku-san eating too much since earlier! Just returned to normal, gonna become round again! In the first place, Divine Beasts in this world are messengers of God, not something serving humans. Those are called Summoned Beasts or Guard Beasts. Rumor says Gospel Kingdom has a Divine Beast too, but seems no one from other countries has seen it. Gospel Kingdom receives words directly from God, so not strange if a Divine Beast, messenger of God, is there. Well, I received words from God too though… Thinking so, undoubtedly I am a [Saint]… Why did it become like this…

“If accepted as [Saint] by Gospel Kingdom, even royalty of other countries cannot interact lightly. I think it is good Sakuraile didn’t become a [Saint].” “Me too. Besides, if becoming [Saint], there are training and pilgrimages, right? Can’t play.”

Exactly that. Becoming [Saint] seemingly requires training to hear Gods’ voices, going around temples in various places for purification and worship. That ‘Wheel of Revelation’ granting ‘Gifts’. The lottery rattle thing. That one too, apparently [Saint]-san imbues God’s power… Divine Aura (Shinki) into it. [Saint] charging God Power. Divine Aura is power held by [Saint] receiving Gods’ protection, seemingly power even above magic power. …Huh?

<<…Hey, Kohaku-san. Could it be, do I have Divine Aura too?>>

I asked Kohaku-san munching cake at my feet via telepathy about what concerned me a little. Kohaku-san made an exasperated face for a moment, then started devouring cake again.

<<What stupid thing…>>

Ah, right. No way. I’m not officially certified as [Saint] by Gospel Kingdom.

<<Of course you have.>> <<Ha?>>

I have!? Then totally [Saint] just like that!?

<<Little master receives protection from Linzeveil-sama, Sakuracleria-sama, Leanbelte-sama, you know? That power is Gods’ power. Decidedly due to Divine Aura.>>

Eh, that [In-store BGM] and [Business Extension] used Divine Aura…!? I was using it unconsciously!? This is quite bad maybe… Might be exposed, so won’t use protection power in front of Gospel Kingdom related people…