Mushoku Tensei (WN) Volume 9

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Let's talk about a certain young girl.

The young girl was born as the only daughter of a poor hunter and lived in a remote region of the Asura Kingdom.

Her father was a half-blood elf.

Her mother was a human with just a bit of beast race blood mixed in and was once a slave to an Asura n.o.ble.

Both of them were kind and raised the young girl, pouring their love onto her.

From a glance, you would see nothing but a happy child.

However, her hair was emerald green.

Her hair was putting her life out of order.

Emerald green hair.

According to one pa.s.sage, the closer a Demon race's hair is to green the more violent it is said to be.

Once upon a time, a race that shook all other races with fear — the Superd Race — had green hair as well.

And then, there's a theory that the one who led the Superd race — the Demon G.o.d Laplace — had green hair as well.

The young girl wasn't a Demon Race.

However, a head full of emerald green hair made people afraid.

A detested color.

Even though that's the case, a young girl is still a young girl.

The past is the past.

The abundant Asura is far from the Magic Continent, there are few with radical ideas of rejecting the Demon Race.

The young girl's hair and both of her parents were completely unrelated to the Demon Race. The green hair was due to a mutation.

First they were surprised and looked at it with eyes of wonder, and then they gradually accepted it.

But, the ones that accepted it were limited to just the adults.

After the young girl began to walk around outside alone, she was attacked.

She was ostracized and had mud b.a.l.l.s thrown at her while being called an evil Demon Race because of her emerald green hair.

The young girl always pa.s.sed her time in constant fear and occasionally cried.

She didn't understand why children of her age would always try to hurt her.

Her mother looked upon her with pity. She cut her daughter's hair short and st.i.tched pants that made running away easier.

Her father talked with the parents of the other children, pet.i.tioning for them to not target his daughter.

However, it couldn't resolve the fundamental problem.

Every time the young girl journeyed outside, she was targeted.

To the children, it was just a game.

Beating up the lone child with a different colored hair.

Gathering their strength together to defeat the demon. It was that sort of game.

However, that wasn't the case for the young girl.

The children came after her holding evil intent, throwing mud b.a.l.l.s and occasionally stones.

If she were to run, they would pursue and catch up to her.

If she tried to resist, she would be hit, kicked, and subjected to painful things.

The adults warned them.

For a period of time the attacks stopped, but soon after they began again in places where the adults couldn't see.

The young girl felt hopeless in the world.

She thought that other than her parents, she had no other friends.

She couldn't change the color of her hair.

She couldn't do anything.

She had no choice but to live with her head hung low, trying not to stand out.

Then a single young boy saved this young girl.

He was the same age as the young girl.

After seeing the girl being hit with mud b.a.l.l.s, he came running at full speed, boldly challenged opponents that were double his own size and dispersed them.

That wasn't all. He called out to the young girl with a kind voice.

Warm water came out from his hands and cleansed the young girl.

He came to her a.s.sistance of all things.

To the young girl, this was an event on the level of a miracle.

There was an upheaval in the young girl's daily life.

The young boy protected the young girl from evil intent.

And then the bullying stopped.

The young boy granted power to the young girl.

He taught her the miracle known as magic.

The young boy was the same age as the young girl yet he knew everything.

He taught her everything she wanted to know.

Letters, magic, natural phenomenon, math...

To the young girl, the young boy was an existence almost like G.o.d.

The young girl would always act together with the young boy.

She quickly came to love him.

Even at her young age, she thought of marriage. She knew of such words as bride, and secretly made the determination that "In the future I'm going to be his bride and marry him."

After that, a variety of things happened, and it become a bit awkward.

However, she still loved him.

She thought she would forever be protected by him.

And then, they separated.

They were forced to separate.

The young boy was beaten by his own father and sold to far away n.o.bles. [1][2]

The young girl thought: if I don't save him; if I don't bring him back...

However, she was stopped by her father.

What her father specifically said at that time, the young girl couldn't remember clearly.

Supposedly the young boy had left on a journey for the sake of becoming stronger.

It's no good if you don't give it your best in order to not lose to him as well.

Something along those lines was said.

The only thing that remained in her ears were just the final words.

"Does Sylphy want to keep on being only protected by him forever?"

She remembers just that line.

She also remembers thinking that it wasn't the case.

She remembers thinking that just being protected was no good.

If a time like today comes again, she can't just afford to watch in silence.

"I understand. I'll get strong enough in order to save Rudi!"

That day the young girl changed.

The young girl started actively training herself.

She did the same things that the young boy did everyday on her own.

Building up her physical strength by running and training her body by swinging a stick.

Everyday she used magic and sharpened the sensation.

Even without the young boy, the young girl knew what she should do.

Parallel to that she thought about the destination of the young boy.

Within the young girl's knowledge and range of activity, she didn't know the young boy's destination.

She couldn't even predict it.

During times like these, what would the young boy do?

What would he say?

If you don't know it's fine if you ask, is what the young boy said.

The young girl followed that and decided to ask.

She went to ask a person who would know the location of the young boy.

The young girl proceeded to the cleric's office of the village.

It was the place where the mother of the young boy was working.

There, she asked the mother about his location.

Naturally, the mother made a mischievous smile and deceived the young girl.

The young girl started helping out at the doctor's office.

It wasn't an action that she thought deeply about.

Just, if she got along better with her then she might be told his location. It is what she thought somewhere in her heart.

The fact that her father said, "That sort of thing happened, but it's not good if you don't get along with his family." was another one of the reasons as well.

The mother of the young boy would never spill the location of the young boy.

The young girl thought about various means to hear it, but each time she was deceived with a small laugh and a grin, "If you want to meet Rudi, you'll need to give it your best some more."

She was getting nowhere.

And then the young girl thought.

Of course, the young girl didn't understand the words getting nowhere.

In any case, she thought that if she continued like this there was no meaning to it.

Which is why, she decided to get close to the maid at the young boy's house.

The young boy also had a father, but she was bad with him.

Since she saw the scene where the young boy was beaten.

He was an opponent she didn't know about, and it wasn't that she hated him, but she hesitated to talk to him because she thought she might be beaten as well.

The maid was devoted.

She was devoted towards the young boy.

"I'm sure in the future Rudeus-sama will be invited into a position similar to that of the Royal Family. If you are to become the wife of Rudeus-sama, you have no choice but to learn etiquette so that you are able to act normally in society."

After being told that, half forcefully, she started getting instructed on manners and etiquette.

Even though that was the case, after being told that it was for the young boy's sake, the young girl wouldn't say no to it.

The way to walk in the royal court, the method to fit in a dress, manner of speaking, the methods to greet, and etc..

She really had doubts about whether this kind of thing was necessary.

However, the young girl was honest and had good memory.

However, in regards to the vital location of the young boy, the maid would never let it out of her mouth.

Just like this, it continued until her 10th birthday.

The only one that congratulated her on her 10th birthday was her mother.

Recently the monsters in the forest had been active, so her father had to remain on lookout.

Since her father is a hunter and was familiar with the forest, he had to hunt when it came down to it.

"Do you really have to go that far on her 10th birthday?"

Is how her mother asked the father.

However, the young girl thought it couldn't be helped and gave up.

At any rate, it was the same at the time of her 5th birthday as well.

The birthday present she received from her mother was a white one piece dress.

For the sake of this day, her father saved up some money and bought some cloth. Then her mother would st.i.tch it for her.

Immediately after putting it on her mother said, "It suits you. You look beautiful." and praised her.

The young girl said, "eh~", while laughing bashfully, thinking that she wanted to show it to the young boy as well.

And then simultaneously, she started to worry about what the young boy was doing.

She wondered if he wasn't inconvenienced in an unknown place.

And she wondered if he was congratulated on his 10th birthday.

She thought [I want to send him something as well.]

However, she couldn't think of anything that he would want.

After asking her mother, "If it's something like that then anything works." was said.

The next day when her father returned, she asked and received the suggestion, "Then, it would be good if you sent him a good luck charm that is handed down in our family."

She was told that if a pendant was carved from wood and was kept on their body then good things will happen.

Her father always kept one somewhere on his body as well.

It seems like it was something given to her father when he became independent from his grandmother, a female elf. [3]

After hearing that the young girl felt that it was a good choice.

Everyday the young girl gave it her best to carve the wood.

It was her first attempt at wood carving. The young girl was by no means skillful.

However, she gave it her best effort, carving everyday.

And then she finally completed it.

It was clumsy, but it had somehow taken shape.

And then a problem rose to the surface.

It's fine that she made it, but she had no method of handing it over to him.

After worrying over it, the young boy's maid made a suggestion.

"If that's the case, I'll mix it in with the goods being sent."

She decided for that would be done.

The young girl told the maid countless times, "It's a precious item so absolutely make sure it's sent, okay."

The maid acknowledged that, since it was a precious item it would absolutely be delivered.

And she agreed to it.

A short while after that.

The teleport happened.

The young girl was teleported into the sky.

"Eh!!?"

She was at a frightening height.

For a moment she thought it was a dream.

The sensation of gradually falling.

The sensation of suffocating from the wind pressure.

Piercing through the clouds.

And then terror.

Her entire body was telling her that it wasn't a dream.

"Hiii~"

The young girl heard a scream coming from deep within her throat.

The scream confirmed the fact that this situation was real.

She didn't know why.

However, she was falling from the sky.

If I don't do something.

If I don't do something.

I'll die.

Die.

Without a doubt die.

No matter how young the young girl was, she clearly understood the fact that she would die if she fell from such a height.

She used all of her magic power.

She knew that the ground was gradually getting closer.

The young girl raised the wind.

Aimed directly below herself in order to fall onto it.

She thought that her velocity would fall a bit.

However, she accelerated back to her previous velocity.

Wind was no good.

What should I do in this situation?

What did the young boy say?

Remember, remember.

Didn't the young boy say anything?

What to do at a time when you're falling from a high place.

Soften the impact.

Something soft.

That's right. Engulf yourself in something soft.

But exactly how soft?

What should I create?

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know!

While half in frenzy, the young girl did everything she could think of.

Creating water, creating wind, creating earth, creating fire.

In any case, to slow down her fall and avoid cras.h.i.+ng into the ground.

She did everything she could.

However, she fell.

She crashed.

Miraculously the young girl survived.

She didn't know how.

She wasn't unharmed.

Her entire body was damaged, covered in bruises, smeared with dirt, and both legs were fractured.

It was a miserable state, but the young girl survived.

She didn't know what was good.

However, her velocity dropped.

She survived the fall from a high alt.i.tude and her injuries were only to the degree of a fracture.

However, the suffering continued.

"ugo..aaa!"

In the place she fell, there was a monster right before her eyes.

It was a wild boar with four arms, walking on two legs.

The young girl knew about this monster.

She was told by her father that if she were to ever encounter it, absolutely never get close to it, do not make a sound, and wait for it to pa.s.s by.

If you get noticed by it, then use magic to escape as fast as you can.

She was told to do that against this opponent.

The name was said to be Terminate Boar.

The young girl had many things she didn't know, but she knew that the Terminate Boar was a monster that rarely ever appears.

Occasionally it comes out from the forest and attacks people with the E rank monster, a.s.sault Dog, accompanying it.

They are some of the most dangerous monsters in Asura; domestically.

Unusual for Asura Kingdom, it is a monster worthy of C rank.

The danger of it rises up from C rank to B rank if it is accompanied by a.s.sault Dogs.

Even individually it is at least a strong D rank.

That is the Terminate Boar.

"Kyaaaa???!"

Half in a frenzy, the young girl let out a scream and started firing magic at the Terminate Boar.

Intermediate Magic, [Icicle Breaker].

She wasn't holding back at all.

She was attacking it with her greatest spell from the start and to her utmost limits.

It was a single hit.

The Terminate Boar was frozen, shattered, and scattered.

"Ha..ha..agu!!"

In an attempt to stand up in one breath, she realized that both of her legs were broken.

The young girl used healing magic and immediately healed them.

While a.s.sisting in healing people, she discovered that healing magic was one of her strong points.

However, it wasn't as if she was used to the pain.

She used the magic with a half tear-stained face.

"...Ha..ha."

Standing up.

An intense headache started up.

Her consciousness was getting dim and she felt faint.

If the young girl's mental state had been normal she would have realized that it was because she was out of magic power.

Suppressing the descent and attacking the monster with magic.

All of it was done without restraint, using her greatest spells.

That is why, the young girl's magic power was exhausted.

"Ar...are we saved??? Yo...you, where did you come from? What is your name?"

She heard a voice from behind her.

With her head in pain and her vision growing hazy.

While suppressing those feelings, the young girl turned around.

There was a girl.

She had golden hair and a beautiful face that almost gave off the impression of it being transparent.

The girl was wearing a pure white one piece with detailed embroidery. It was likely made of materials 1,000 times more expensive than what the young girl had received for her birthday.

On her side there was a boy whose arm was injured and leaning against a wall. Next to the boy was a man covered in a bloodied robe and on the verge of death.

"Sylphiette.."

The young girl said that and fainted.

---

This is how Sylphy encountered Asura Kingdom's Second Princess Ariel Anemoi Asura.

『The Kingdom of Asura's Imperial City's Royal Palace - Silver Palace.

In the Garden of Plants where the blossoming white flowers were collected.

Also known as, the White Lilies Garden.

It was there that the monster suddenly appeared.

It was there, before the eyes of the second princess Ariel, who was taking a stroll in the white Lilies Garden.

The monster, Terminate Boar, instantly killed the guard of the princess, Guardian Magician Derrick Redbat.

The monster oriented its evil tusk towards the princess.

The monster was defeated by the hands of the Guardian Knight Luke, and the princess was able to escape her predicament.

Admirably, Luke protected the princess' life with his own body.』

A monster appearing in the Royal Palace was an unprecedented incident.

Such a thing happening was talked about by the n.o.bles in the Royal Palace.

The existence of Sylphy was concealed with help from the n.o.bles of the Second Princess Faction.

Lord Liston alone of the Second Princess Faction declared the following:

[Someone had to have secretly smuggled in a Terminate Boar into the Royal Palace and released it at the best timing- when the princess would be walking in the garden.

This must be a plot belonging to the Second Princess's Opposition Faction.

The only person that could feasibly do this, Lord August, is in charge of the Royal Palace's defense.

It is known that Lord August is the leader of the First Prince Faction.

So without a doubt, this plot must be an act on behalf of the First Prince Faction.]

Due to the rash actions of Lord Liston, this caused the second princess faction to be cornered, and began its tentative collapse.

Sylphy was cordially nursed to health.

She, who came flying down from the heavens, was the one who saved the princess.

It is a matter of course to well receive the hero who saved the princess in a pinch.

Contrary to some opinions, there were voices that regarded her as dangerous as well.

Suddenly appearing and killing the Terminate Boar with a single blow.

Also able to use chantless magic, for which the only known user was the master of the Magic Academy.

It's suspicious.

So all the n.o.bles who knew of her concealed her existence and decided to keep the questioning in-house.

Among those questions asked were:

[Wouldn't it have been better to have disposed of her while she was unconscious?]

When this opinion came out, the second princess Ariel Anemoi Asura stated clearly:

[Does it matter what her true ident.i.ty is? She is the benefactor who saved my life. I will not forgive any rudeness in this matter.]

Then, to these words, Guardian Knight Luke also agreed:

[I also feel this way. Suppose for a moment that this girl was sent to harm the princess, then she certainly wouldn't have had a reason to stop the monster's attack.]

It's clear that if Sylphy didn't appear at that time, the Princess and Luke would both be dead.

If Sylphy was a man, Luke might have changed his opinion on the matter.

Although breast size was nothing more than a hobby of his, the reason was because she was a beautiful girl with a pretty face, and that improved her impression on that of Luke, a ladies' man. [4]

[If the Princess says so.]

[Luke even made a good point.]

[We shouldn't go that route.]

The result of the discussion, they would do an interrogation, but even in the case that she is concluded to be an enemy she would be overlooked.

And so the debate came to a conclusion. [5]

The moment Sylphy woke up, she thought she was in a dream.

The bed was too luxurious.

The clothes worn by the people were too luxurious.

The room was too luxurious.

'I don't know the reason why I'm in such an amazingly luxurious place.'

[Yo, good morning.]

One of them spoke.

The one with the dressings of a Knight, who seemed just a little bit older.

Then Sylphy opened her mouth.

For just a moment, he resembled Rudeus.

[My name is Luke. Luke Notus Greyrat. And yours is?]

His soft smiling face made one feel relieved.

Every n.o.ble girl had surrendered themselves to his childish smile.

While there were some who could resist, they found they could not speak.

He was possessed by such pride.

[...!]

Sylphy, in order to protect her foolish self, curled her body up into the fetal position.

Even though he looks like Rudeus, she disliked other children of the same age.

Still to this day, there were children in Buina village who glanced at her with hostility.

[Oh, what's this? What's the matter?]

Seeing the excessively frightened Sylphy, the boy became agitated.

It seems that it was the first time he had experienced being rejected.

Watching this play out, the surrounding n.o.bles laughed.

[Ha ha ha! It seems she's not the type to fall for a lady-killer like you!]

[We left care of this to you because you are said to be the most skillful in handling young ladies....]

[You are still too young for something like this, give it up already!]

The surrounding adults said such things towards Luke, trying to make him quit.

However, Luke obstinately stood his ground.

[Please wait. From here, it starts from here!]

He was possessed of only a single word in regards to a woman.

It was his 'pride'.

[I am sorry, have I given you a reason to be afraid?
Still, if you will allow me to, I would like to express my grat.i.tude.
You of the beautiful white-washed hair, I am truly thankful that you have saved my life.]

Sylphy wondered what in the world he meant by white-washed hair?

Who is this boy?

While confused, she saw the side of the bed.

There was a dresser placed there.

It is said in this world that a [mirror] is extremely expensive, however...

[...]

At first glance, Sylphy did not realize that she was seeing herself.

With the girl sitting up alone, on the bed, there was something strange.

Their eyes meet.

When she moves her hand, the girl's hand moves too.

She immediately came to realize that it was the same thing as what was being reflected in the surface of the water.

Sylphy was surprised.

[...Eh?]

The hair of Sylphy had become pure-white.

[W, white?]

While Sylphy was confused, Luke continued to talk kindly.

Luke bowed his head, and praised the white hair of Sylphy in flowery words that she didn't quite understand.

[Yes. Your hair is like the first snow that falls in the late autumn.]

Those words which would set one's teeth on edge do not reach the heart of Sylphy.

Sylphy was earnestly confused.

Her hair should have been green.

Though there was no mirror then, she had seen the hair left on her comb before.

Nevertheless she wondered why it had whitened.

While it was a happy thing for sure, she didn't understand the meaning behind it.

[W, why... is it?]

How did it become this way?

Where am I, anyway?

Why am I even here?

And for that matter, how did I even get here?

Sylphy truly could not comprehend, so she only sounded pitiable when she finally spoke.

Afterwards, the questioning started.

The n.o.bles conducted the questions.

Luke, who was no longer necessary to keep her company, with a shocked face stepped aside.

[Where did you come from?]

[Whose underling are you?]

[Whom did you learn magic from?]

Sylphy did not understand the situation.

Why? Why am I here? Why am I surrounded by all these people with scary faces?

However, since she was asked, she replied honestly.

I, who hail from Fedoa Region, am the only daughter of a hunter in Buina Village, and learned magic from my friend, Rudi.

And before I knew it, I was in the air.

Somehow, I came down near the place that monster was at, and then I used the magic I knew to defeat it.

I have no idea how or why any of this happened.

So I answered honestly.

The n.o.bles who heard, looked at her doubtfully.

A village with a child magician.

Suddenly realizing they are in the air.

Suddenly realizing there is a monster.

It was not a believable story.

Still this matter, a wandering magician who tries to carry favor with the princess, did a performance of defeating the Terminate Boar to show their power.

It was easy to understand why they had complaints.

There wasn't one reason to believe in anything Sylphy said.

The n.o.bles of the Second Princess Faction talked about this and that for a while.

[Come to think about it, there is a story like that....]

Amongst themselves, one n.o.ble recounted the rumor he had heard.

[There was a n.o.ble of Boreas who employed a tutor. They could use the chantless magic as well. He was a young genius who was able to use saint cla.s.s magic at an early age. Is not, perhaps, this person that so-called genius?]

It is Rudeus.

To the Imperial City, only faint rumors of Rudeus had yet been transmitted.

It is because of the pressure on information Sauros exerted.

However, when Sauros was a bit moved by the sake[6], he was boasting about a boy who was like a son to him.

A story of a genius boy, who defeated the minions of the senior minister. [7]

A genius boy, whose superiority the Sword King Ghyslaine acknowledged.

A genius boy, who managed the Boreas' violent daughter.

A genius boy, with a tasteless hobby. [8]

It was nothing more than an unlikely rumor.

Therefore, the n.o.bles treated it as only idle talk.

However, Sylphy was able to actually use the chantless magic.

Where it was able to fit in, the truth of the rumor began to take form.

[Ah, but sadly, that is the story of a boy!]

[The main point would be that wouldn't it be strange for them to be in the Imperial Capital?]

The n.o.bles puzzled over this.

They questioned Sylphy again.

Asking leading questions.

[Perhaps your real name is that of the one called 'Rudeus,' isn't that right?]

[D, different! It's different, Rudeus that is, Rudi... umm, is the person who taught me magic.]

Sylphy, down to the tiny details, told them about how the boy called Rudeus Greyrat was the one who taught her magic.

How Rudi is very wise and how Rudi taught her various things.

That story had very much astonished the n.o.bles.

If the story is really true then, that genius boy does exist, and before leaving the village, he had arranged to leave an apprentice.

It is not an ordinary apprentice.

It is an user of chantless magic.

Surely this is an ominous circ.u.mstance.

Well, if any of the stories are true.

With the information manipulation by Sauros, the case and circ.u.mstances of whether the person was a boy or girl can be changed.

However, the fact that this girl is a user of chantless magic is a reality.

Users of chantless magic are a rarity.

If Sylphiette said that she was not that genius boy in question, then the probability that she is his disciple remains high.

The real name of that genius is Rudeus Greyrat.

When the full name was spoken, a [Hm?] was uttered and many n.o.bles were puzzled.

What is Greyrat? Why is it the name of the Upper n.o.bility who protect all the sides of the Asura Kingdom.

The name of Greyrat is not unusual to any degree in this country.

It is known as a family with a fondness for women.

To hear that a lower n.o.ble's daughter or maid has conceived a child in order to become a mistress is not an uncommon thing to hear.

And, thus, it is allowed for those mistresses to call themselves Greyrat.

They decided that the names of the four protected sides they would be called by would be:

Notus Boreas Euros Zephyrus

There are many people who introduce themselves in Asura Kingdom as Greyrat.

However, though an ordinary name, the talk becomes different when it's about a genius.

For n.o.bles who wish to be established, they need to have blood relations with one of the four main branches of Greyrat, no doubt he had been working towards that end.

That he started out with the Boreas, by being hired through Philip, Sauros' so-called illegitimate child, was also guessed at.

At least, something like a betrothal to Boreas' shrew-like daughter could make it so he could claim the name.

Luke says that none of his family, brothers or anyone has a boy with that name.

[It will be necessary to examine it more in detail.]

n.o.bles very much loved thinking of things to do with power struggles.

If Rudeus chose someone other than Notus, plans would be crafted to sabotage him.

However if he chose Notus, there were a chance he could be enlisted as an ally.

And so, their talks deviated from the original purpose of validating the ident.i.ty of Sylphy.

To them, the possibility of a power struggle was of far more importance than anything trivial, like the true nature of Sylphy after all.

One week later.

News about the disappearance of Fedoa Region had made it to the Imperial City.

It was a prompt report.

On the day of the Metastasis Event, there was a knight who was just barely outside the range of effect by chance.

They reported on the situation at the nearest town.

A second knight succeeded the first, continuing on a horse without rest for a day, and relayed the information to the next big city.

From there, alternative means such as a carrier pigeon were employed to spread the word to the Imperial City.

The king received word of this, and appointed the Asura Magic Division to investigate.

It had been one week until news had come to the Imperial City.

Meanwhile reports had come out of people and monsters suddenly appearing all over the place.

Even with all the reports, the cause was dealt with as an incomprehensible and mysterious event.

However by way of this report, it was made clear that it was a large-scale metastasis event.

Information on the calamity had spread to the Imperial Capital in the twinkling of an eye.

Naturally such information reached the ear of Sylphy.

Mother and Father, she had no idea where her family was.

Everyone was missing.

[What....this....?]

After hearing of such a story, this common girl was completely stunned.

She did not comprehend what had happened enough to react sufficiently.

Or probably even how to react at all.

What happened?

The n.o.bles also wavered on how to deal with Sylphy.

When the answers emerged as to how Sylphy and the monster had abruptly showed up, it was attributed to the large-scale metastasis.

Any doubt that she was a spy had faded away.

And going by her claims, the possibility that she was the child of a lowly hunter became high.

Hunter.

No matter how much the princess herself was helped, it remains that a hunter is a person at the lowest point of commoner status.

And those of the inner palace will not let a fact like that pa.s.s by them.

However even if you were to go home, there was no house left to go home to.

[Well, well, we're in a troubling situation it seems.]

[The Royal Palace doesn't handle social differences very well at all, and it seems there is no home to send you back to, either.]

[Is there someone who can receive custody of you, I wonder?]

If this person was an user of chantless magic, then they would be helpful in one way or another.

Mentioning it further, an Elf with white hair is a curiosity, and if they were to reach adulthood they would undoubtedly be useful for carrying out various duties...

And with a lewd smile, the n.o.bles check with each other that they've arrived at the same mutual thought.

Then suddenly among those thoughts, the second princess dropped a bombsh.e.l.l with her speech.

[Since the house of Sylphiette has gone and vanished,
Then it's fine that she lives together with myself in this castle.
Shall we become good friends?]

The second princess was exceedingly pleased with Sylphy.

Of course, the fact that Sylphy had saved her wasn't the only reason.

When it comes to being the princess, it's only natural that she helps others.

Sylphy's incomplete knowledge on etiquette was an issue.

Though it seemed to be normal, her words were considered to be a little impolite, and her behavior also was thought to be a little impolite.

If the conversational partner was a n.o.ble, then she would be walking a thin line on tolerable speech.

If the conversational partner was a royal, then there wasn't a line there that would have been tolerable to walk.

The second princess accepted it as ["Informal speech"] and ["Friendly"].

[Um, Ojou-sama. Isn't there a too big difference between our status?]

[So? If it will hurry our friends.h.i.+p along... then, how about my guard. Won't you please serve me as a guard then?
Presently, my guard consists solely of Luke, my Guardian Knight. The seat of the Guardian Magician has recently become vacant.]

[Eh? But, I, don't have anything like a strong power...]

[Saying you aren't powerful... kusukusu, how modest you are!]

Of course, the n.o.bles opposed such a thing.

Even with the effectiveness with the event.

Even with the ability to use chantless magic.

Even with the saving of the princess.

Sylphy in the end is still a commoner's child.

And in addition to that, now there is no longer a way to clear up her familial origin.

Though the claim is that of a hunter's child, there is no evidence of it.

On the contrary, having lived in a farm village, somehow high etiquette was known.

To put it bluntly, her true character cannot be known at this time.

These words were only for the sake of appearance.

This useful child was too valuable to be the princess' new toy, or so it was thought.

Ariel however flat out rejected their opinions.

[Sylphy is the benefactor who saved my life.
And is now a friend!
Who gives a d.a.m.n about the fact she is a commoner!?
I will not forgive rude behavior!]

At these words, Luke made a bitter face.

Part of his duties as a Guardian Knight, included getting rid of bad insects who would get close to the princess.

As for whether or not Sylphy was an useful insect or a harmful insect he did not yet know, and yet it was still the job of Luke to protect the princess even from insects whose true nature was not yet known.

He also expressed grat.i.tude to Sylphy.

His life had been saved.

The actuality of the thanks was in the appreciation of the fact that only one person had died.

To be granted revenge against the colleague Guardian Magician Derrick, those feelings were a plus.

From the start, Luke had long thought the Guardian Magician Derrick to be a disgusting guy.

Though a little bit of time had changed those thoughts.

While Derrick was a magician, he had sacrificed his body to stop the a.s.sault of the Terminate Boar.

That was a man of proud character.

If not for him, and the appearance of Sylphy, the princess would have only had death to look forward to.

And also if Sylphy had not appeared, Luke would also have died.

Anyhow because bringing weapons into the garden was forbidden, Luke was swordless.

If there had been a sword, then at least if Luke was not able to win, he still would have been able to let the princess escape...

Because of such circ.u.mstances, Luke had a favorable regard towards Sylphy.

Be that as it may, by all rights, the splendid position of the Princess' Guardian Magician has been filled for generations by upper n.o.bility.

To allow an unsophisticated girl to suddenly be ushered into that role is a difficult thing to accept.

It is completely possible for the children of the upper n.o.bility like himself to completely despise this one.

[Whatever the decision is, I will obey it.]

Therefore, Luke said that even if he didn't approve of it, he would not oppose the decision, and closes his eyes in a noncommittal manner.

This matter caused a bit of a fl.u.s.ter among the n.o.bles.

Setting aside their own desires.

Even if the princess is pleased with Sylphy,

Sylphy might not hold the same feelings towards the princess.

The hunter's daughter, a victim swallowed up by the metastasis.

Even with that fact, from there on there would be friction with the princess.

For example, the others of the first prince faction were likely to take advantage of her.

When considered, by no means would Sylphy be permitted to be near the side of the princess.

The reason being, that all Asura n.o.bles are malicious.

Supposing, if Sylphy was just a 'Village Daughter' having no power at all.

And in addition to that somehow it was allowed.

However, the existence of Sylphy had exceeded the category of 'Village Daughter.'

Having intermediate cla.s.s chantless magic, even if there were some crude bits of commoner, she also understood the importance of etiquette.

Her existence was a mystery indeed.

[I wonder, where in the world did you learn etiquette at?]

[Umm, In my village, I had been accepting instruction from a kind person called 'Lilia-san.']

'Lilia.'

The moment that name appeared, Ariel's impression improved further.

[Lilia! I remember her. When I was a child, oneself was presented with a person which defended myself, she was a Maid of the Imperial Guard!]

And then the impressions of the n.o.bles worsened further.

The imperial guard maid of the inner palace, the story of her becoming unable to work due to injuries, and the story of her dismissal had been heard before.

Mostly it was slips of the tongue that talked about 'secretly dealing' with someone who knew secrets from the Inner Palace.

Lilia had escaped to the Fedoa Region.

[Umm, Lilia-san, ah, she served Rudi's father, whose name is Paul.]

[Paul, you said?]

The new name appeared.

Paul Notus Greyrat

If one speaks of Paul, it is known he is a man famous for being a bad boy of the Notus family.

There were rumors that he held a grudge against the former head of the family as well.

A maid of the inner palace, taken in by the absconded son of upper n.o.bility, instilling etiquette in the user of chantless magic.

This was too good to just be left to chance.

To the n.o.bles, who are absorbed in schemes, it was no longer possible to think of this as fiction.

Investigating further was pointless, since Fedoa Region had already disappeared.

It was difficult to ascertain the truth of the matter.

[Now what should we do...?]

[Hmph.]

The n.o.bles worried.

Ariel rarely says selfish things.

And it was true that the seat of the Guardian Magician was open.

Although Sylphy was originally a commoner, she had certifiable skill as a Magician, and knows etiquette even though it is imperfect.

The ability is not bad.

And because it is not bad, there must be vigilance.

One of the Greyrats belongs to the second princess faction.

The one who is called "Luke" and is symbolically the Guardian Knight.

For Ariel, the Notus, are an ally.

However Paul Greyrat is a man who threw away his t.i.tle after some discord with his parents.

If they are an enemy of the Notus, then consequently there is the possibility that they are an enemy of Ariel as well.

Was Sylphy not aware of that when she gave the name of Paul?

What was the meaning of that?

If she wanted to receive the trust of Ariel, she should not have given out the name of Paul.

That's something she should have understood.

Then, because she gave that name out, does it imply that they are not an enemy?

However if that's the case in doing so, then who in the world is the mastermind that is pulling the strings of this girl?

At least, there is no mistaking that they are indeed an enemy of Notus.

However the people who want to be hostile to the large n.o.ble family of Greyrat are few indeed.

Saying and doing, it seems all the Greyrat are identical in that.

And so they hit upon something.

Of the similar Greyrat, there was one person unfriendly with Philemon who was the current family head.

It was Sauros Boreas Greyrat.

Sauros was always backbiting and criticizing that Paul should have become the family head, and not Philemon.

However he was not the type of person who would involve such a young girl in politics.

If that's the case then there is another one.

Philip Boreas Greyrat.

If it is him then, he would crush the second princess whom Notus supports, someone like him could definitely wind his hand around the strings of this young girl.

Sauros and Philip, and even Rudeus, they are all missing when the Fedoa territory disappeared.

Supposing, that they were the ones to cause the Metastasis Event, under this guise, it was possible to have something moving in the shadows even now.

Their first approach might just be a girl named Sylphiette.

If it's the case that Sauros isn't taking part, then the ringleader is Philip, for the sake of entrapping James who is to be the next family head, there is the possibility he may be acting to that end.

For the Boreas to usurp the seat of the next family head, it revolves around the supportive position of the second princess, and instead they try to become the support instead or something like that.

If that's the case, then the Sylphy who has been sent, can be considered an ally.

In either case.

The person pulling the strings is either Sauros, or Philip.

So the n.o.bles concluded.

The groundless suspicion was complete.

Then a certain n.o.ble had a shocking idea.

[I know, how about shaking things up by making it look like she's the genius boy Rudeus himself?]

If Sauros moves, it is likely that Rudeus would be with them.

If the rumors are true, then the ability Rudeus is said to have is tremendous.

It's highly likely that Sauros and company are keeping Rudeus on hand as a trump card.

Hiding as much of his existence now, for the sake of adorning his future sensational debut.

When they appear, Rudeus, as a person with a legitimate blood relations.h.i.+p to Notus, comes out in the absence of those who were too afraid to act.

As a powerful piece who then takes part in backing the first prince whom Boreas supports.

Sylphy is a.s.sumed to be the person whom they sent.

If we reveal her as Rudeus, it may be possible to hinder their plans.

If we do some shaking, it may be possible to have them expose themselves.

To this, other n.o.bles expressed concern.

[Wouldn't we be exposed immediately?]

[It may be better to conceal this one's social position by disguising her as a man. Be ready to evade any questions about him as much as possible.]

[But what if she's actually a spy they sent to probe us?]

[Like h.e.l.l they will send someone that stands out as a chantless magician as a spy!]

[On the contrary, they might a.s.sume we would value her.]

[Either way, it will be easy to leak false information and draw them in.]

One by one the anxiety was crushed,

The n.o.bles began to think that even a worthless plan like this was a good idea.

[Indeed, if she is a spy then the fake information leaked will cause unrest in the enemy camp. And if they are unrelated, then we have gained a strong Guardian Magician without having done any work. And should they instead try and curry favor with us, we'll go along with it.]

[But that's not all. She also resembles the princess in height. So we can tailor her to be a body double. If I remember correctly, we have such a Magic Item.]

[Oh, a manly form should be made to leave on a regular basis, since there are suspicious people usually nearby, it will not be thought that it takes the shape of the Guardian Magician.]

[As expected, the Lord is a clever one!]

And then.

The Second Princess' Guardian Magician [Fitts] was formed.

The Chantless Magic-using, Mysterious Genius Boy.

Because his face has been hidden with sungla.s.ses, no one could perceive his true ident.i.ty.

And the name is strongly a.s.sociated to the 'Fitt'oa territory.[9]

There was also a part that alluded to the genius boy who had been serving the Boreas family as well.

However, there is n.o.body who would understand the true nature and breeding of this one.

He should seldom speak, and when he must it should only be for a short while,

And any distinctions on it's actual gender should be difficult to identify.

Such a boy was born.

Sylphy had no say in this matter.

With the guarantee of one person on the promised arrangement of being able to search for information on the metastasis event, Sylphy was granted no right to veto, and also given no choice.

Although she had nowhere to go either, she was coerced into becoming [Fitts].

p.a.w.n of the political power struggle.

Thus, at any rate.

Sylphy became the guard [Fitts] to Ariel.

---Supplemental---

Sylphy's hair had become white due to the effect of the metastasis transition itself, as well as exhausting all the magical power she had, and being in a state of absolute terror before and after the fall.[10]

Sylphy's life suddenly changed.

She went from living life as an ordinary village girl, to living life as a Royal Guard.

The first order of business was a complete overhaul of her wardrobe.

Received from the Guardian Magician who died, were a cloak, boots and gloves.

[Gale Boots] which allowed the wearer to run several times faster than normal.

[Cloak of Perpetual Warmth] that regulated the body temperature, preventing sudden illness.

[Overwhelming Gloves] halving all impact damage received near the palm.

All of these articles were [Magic Items].

A special undergarment was newly ordered for Sylphy.

[Bustier of the Steel-threaded Silkworm].

It is made with fibers that resist most blades, however it cannot withstand an attack by someone using skills of the Sword G.o.d style, rather it's more for preventing wounds from the level of a thrown dagger.

In addition, a Magic Tool that changes color and orients in the direction of a certain person when an impending crisis to them approaches.

[Sungla.s.ses of the Rescuer].

While allowing the face to remain hidden, it allows perception of the crisis state of the princess instantaneously.

This is a full set of the rarest of equipments.

If an adventurer saw it, they might become stricken with jealousy and try to take it for themselves.

There was also the opinion of giving Sylphy a certain wand, but Sylphy refused it.

The wand she was using presently, was the beginner's wand she had received from Rudeus.

It was her sole property.

And so she desperately did not want to part with it.

It was after all the wand that felled the Terminate Boar in one shot.

No one was going to force the issue.

Even her eating habits had changed drastically.

In Buina village, the staple food was something akin to a crusty brown bread and vegetable soup.

And the main dish would be the rabbit or bird her father had fetched.

These were the kinds of meals that Sylphy knew.

But even though Sylphy was from a poor family in Buina Village, because it was part of the bountiful Asura Kingdom, there were no cases of hunger or starvation to worry about.

But now the meals had changed to that of the grand feasts of the Imperial Court of Asura Kingdom!

A thick, rich and hearty soup served with tender white bread.

Meat and fish covered in abundant spices and slow-cooked for a long time.

Salad made with fresh raw vegetables, and then followed up with a dessert.

It was all far too luxurious for Sylphy.

Although even if it was such a luxurious dish, her job as a guard made it required for her to eat until the very end, she had to retire after seeing exactly how much those of the upper level n.o.bility could eat.

The similar yet lower ranking guard, was Luke.

However, the difference in the quality of meals here compared to those of Buina village was like the difference between Heaven and Earth.

For Sylphy, living everyday in the palace was like living in a dream.

Her only dissatisfaction was the lack of freedom and personal time.

Still, she kept strengthening her body, and managed to find the time to keep practicing magic.

Of course, she was concerned with what happened to Rudeus and Buina Village.

Although information was being collected, the feudal lord James Boreas Greyrat had fled in an effort to save his own neck, so the search hardly advanced at all.

The Minister Darius, however, made a move by helping a person named Alphonse, who at one point was a butler of Sauros', to establish a refugee camp. The outlook there, however, was grim.

Sylphy insisted that she would go to take a look, even travelling by her own feet if necessary, but that was rejected.

She was told she just had to wait, while properly doing her job as a guard.

Sylphy continued to perform the guard work, as she was told.

At first, it was a string of continual failures.

Especially when making public appearances.

No matter how much etiquette she absorbed, not everything was perfectly understood.

She failed her table manners, she failed in greeting others in the hallways, and she failed in the various ceremonies she was required to attend.

Her failures became the targets of scorn and antagonism towards the second princess.

[Even if they are said to be the genius boy, apparently that genius doesn't extend into using manners properly.]

Even if it wasn't the full truth, the malice could be heard.

Sylphy recalled the time she had been bullied.

It almost made her legs lock up in fear.

However, she didn't cower away.

Because despite everything being said, none of the scorn was directed at Sylphy herself.

No, it was being directed towards Rudeus.

For Sylphy, that wasn't something she could possibly endure.

If it was Rudeus, if Rudeus was in this situation, he would probably endure it though.

If Rudeus could do it, it was imperative that she was also able to do it if she ever wanted to stand equal to him.

And while thinking that, a pa.s.sionate feeling gushed out from inside Sylphy's chest.

Afterwards, she took care to ensure that similar mistakes never occurred again, and had moved about with meticulous care.

For the things she had not already learned, immediately after learning it, she practiced it over and over.

The first thing was changing the way she referred to herself as, to 'Boku'[11], then she did her best imitation of Rudeus, and came to behave in the ways of a man.

Luke had reacted to such an action favorably though.

He is a ladies' man, as admitted pridefully by himself and others.

Sylphy had observed how good he was at making women fall for him, "a.n.a.lyze their preferences" being his motto.

Because she had observed him properly, she had found that he did have some good parts to him.

Particularly, it's his special ability.

And it is entirely limited to conversing with women.

Luke had seen the desperation that plagued Sylphy.

Watching the earnestness of effort, something that was rarely, if ever, seen in n.o.ble women.

To keep her sights on nothing but one point, and to eagerly overtake the point that she continually aimed for.

For Luke, watching Sylphy make such an effort day after day, naturally had come around to supporting her.

Secretly supplementing the parts he knew that she was lacking, and stealthily teaching her the parts that she did not know at all, he had become a shadow of support for her.

A shadow only.

Because around here, there was a reason he was popular.

And Sylphy had noticed it.

However, Sylphy did not fall in love with Luke.

In her heart there was no crevice filled with anything other than thoughts of Rudeus.

And Luke also seemed to have no interest in the 'chopping board' characteristics particular to the Long Ear Tribe (Elves).

Instead, a strange friends.h.i.+p began to bud between these two people.

Luke himself had few friends.

He was born into the house of Notus, and was quickly entered into the Second Princess Faction. Being close in age, and partly being forced into it, he was appointed as her Guardian Knight, and had spent every day training for the duties that accompanied it.

There was n.o.body who he could call his equal, just a person to look up at or down upon.

This was even the case with former Guardian Magician Derrick. When after considering the age difference and experiences, it was not easy at all to say they were even close to being equal.

Only Sylphy was an understanding existence that could finally be called equal to Luke.

Perhaps to him, she could have been the only one worthy enough to be called his friend.

While getting along well with Luke behind the scenes, Sylphy and Ariel also continued to deepen their bonds of friends.h.i.+p.

However, the opening act never ends smoothly.

At that time in her life, Ariel was an extreme s.a.d.i.s.t.

She was a girl who felt a particular excitement tormenting others.

The likely cause of this was something that lingered behind after all the times she had nearly been a.s.sa.s.sinated.

At first, Ariel did small things, like ordering the maid of one of her guards to perform cleaning duties while stark naked, while others included Ariel herself severely beating an errand boy with a horse crop.

Perhaps you could call it a "love of bullying the weak".

Of course while her proclivities were concealed as much as possible, they were already established as a well known fact in the imperial court.

At first, Ariel only targeted those who were weak, but gradually over time she lost interest in weak people, and instead came to be attracted to those she considered to be [Strong People].

By accomplis.h.i.+ng the task of making a [Strong Person] prostrate and submit to her authority and position.

It came to be that doing such things stimulated the princess.

Luke was no good as a target.

He never tried to show Ariel any of his strong parts.

Omitting of course, the origin of Luke's feelings towards Ariel.

Also, there was Sylphy's predecessor, the Guardian Magician Derrick.

That one never showed strength towards their Master, Ariel.

Nothing but obedience was shown.

Mental Strength and a Rebellious Spirit, men who didn't try and show these things were not at all of Ariel's 'taste.'

Most likely they were able to accomplish their job as Ariel's guard because none of them had anything that matched her 'taste.'

And then what about Sylphy?

She felled the Terminate Boar with one shot using chantless magic, and while in a strange place, surrounded with strange company, she remained determined to do her best to learn strange manners?

'Tasty.'

Even if she was skilled in magic,

Even if she was of a younger age,

Even if she had white hair,

Even if she had long ears,

Even if she was diligent,

And even if it seemed like there was a man she desired.

All of it was to Ariel's 'taste'.

At first, Ariel endured the nagging 'desire.'

It was because Sylphy saved her.

Ariel owed Sylphy her life.

She still remembered the fear the Terminate Boar instilled when it appeared before her.

If Derrick hadn't pushed her away, Ariel's head most likely would have exploded and her brains splattered everywhere.

If Luke hadn't protected her, Ariel's stomach and chest would likely have been torn apart.

Neither Luke nor Herself would be alive if not for Sylphy.

The Terminate Boar is different from a Goblin.

It doesn't lay it eyes on a woman and consider violating her.

It only rips the body apart as it feeds on it.

Ariel's life had been saved, and as a respectful member of the Imperial Royal Family of Asura, repaying such a favor was surely necessary.

However, such thoughts, began to gradually fade away.

The Sylphy who eats delicious meals everyday.

The Sylphy who lives and works hard every day.

Towards that Sylphy, Ariel speaks words of grat.i.tude to the first time before preparing to eat such a 'tasty' meal.

Such a wicked happiness could be seen in the eyes of the princess.

Of course, Sylphy being Sylphy, naturally she worried over her parents and Rudeus.

But, at the same time, she knew Sylphy also recognized that she was now under the [Patronage of Ariel].

So a bit of that att.i.tude had emerged in her daily life.

Seeing such an att.i.tude, Ariel considered what to do.

(It's a good thing, right?)

(I don't nee