Vol 2: Chapter 11

The Earls residence is located in a high-end residential area, surrounded by incredibly long fences. Some say it is the centre of the holy city, but thats not entirely accurate.

At the center of the holy city, is the Holy Palace housing the First Altar, and also where the Holy King resides.

Only a few people can enter the Holy Palace. Earl Sillys said he could only enter a few times a year (yet it is still quite a lot among the nobles).

Starting from the center of the city, 8 ring-like walls divide the city named 1st Wall to 8th Wall. The 8th Wall is the outermost castle wall which prevents invasion of foreign enemies, but since many people gather in the holy city, many houses are built outside the 8th Wall.

The 1st Wall encircles the Holy Palace. Parliamentary Hall, various central government offices, and the State Church are located outside the 1st Wall. This area is where the Earl usually attends, which is called the First Holy District. The Holy Palace is located at the centre of the city, and since it is the first from there, it is called the First Holy District.

(Its like Kasumigaseki in Japan.) [1. TL Note:Kasumigaseki is a district of Tokyo where most Japans government ministry offices are located.]

The Holy City Central Church is located outside the 2nd Wall, and this is said to be the largest and most religious site in the Holy City. The State Church is dedicated solely to nobles, as such it doesnt seem to be that big. Well, in a country where skill orbs pop out of an altar, I suppose it makes sense to pray to God. The altar, where everyone wants to pray for a skill orb, is controlled strictly and not allowed access to.

Today, we are going to the banquet hall between 2nd Wall and 3rd Wall, near the Holy City Central Church in the Second Holy District. Since the Earls residence is in the same area, we dont have to cross the walls. On a side note, the dormitory and the parade ground of the Holy Kings Knights Order are in the Third Holy District, and generally, only the wealthy can afford to live there. The district beyond that is called Block 4. You can guess the nobles sense of superiority from the name change.

It was also in Block 4 that I helped Earl Sillys. The Earl should have been home at that time, but why was he in Block 4? Well, he is in a line of work which incurs many peoples enmity, so I dont think I even want to know the reason

Reiji, whats the matter? You seem to be gloomy.

No, thats not true

What were you thinking?

I had various thoughts, but the real reason was that I didnt want to look directly at the young ladys eyes. So, I was looking outside. I and the young lady sat across from each other in a space that is reasonably large but much smaller than a room. Even if the magic in the eyes doesnt activate unless you gather mana, just looking at it gets my heart pumping. I am not really a lolicon and yet, how strange.

Oh, I got it.

Your guess is wrong.

I havent said it yet!

Im sure you were going to say, reminiscing the past, correct?

Bullseye.

Thats cheating!

If there is a cheat that can read other peoples minds, Id like to have it too.

Well, I guess the Earls Magic Eye is close to that.

I continued to have a silly conversation with the young lady, because I knew her heart was restless like the mansion, which was also hung with a restless air. And because of her father, who rarely gives compliments. Even if people say that today is special, humans cant understand until they actually experience it.

If she feels calm by talking to me, thats fine.

(I dont know how long I would stay with her either.)

Earl Sillys is looking for the information I conditioned in the contract magic. Im not sure whose information I will get first, whether Lark or Lulusha, but as soon as I do, I will have to leave the young lady.

Have you gone through the list of todays attendees, Reiji?

Oh, right. There was that too.

I looked at the plant-based paper with a smooth feel. 22 people in all. The young ladys name was written sixth from the top.

(The ones above her are)

I checked the ones above the young lady to see if there were troublesome ones.

Holy Prince Kluvshrat

Duke House: Louis Rozier

Duke House: Ethan Ebene

Marquis House: Charlotte Phrase

Border Earl House: Mira Mule

Black star seems to be a boy and white star is a girl.

I see.

What do you see?

By looking at the name alone, I realized there is nothing much interesting.

As I said honestly, the young lady waited for a moment, and then laughed out loud.

My lady?

Ahahahahahaha! M-Mou, Reiji. Haha You cant say that out loud even if thats what youre thinking!

I see but was it really that funny?

Of course! Because they are the children of the nobles at the center of this great country, and the first on the list is the Holy Prince

Why did you stop?

?

No, its nothing.

The young lady waved off her hand and looked out the window.

I didnt really understand what caused the young lady to change her mind.

Hey, Reiji. Do you know?

What about?

I was complimented by my father today.

Yes, I know.

I am so happy!

The young ladys smile I saw was neither seductive nor the mysterious glow of her Magic Eyes it was a pure and innocent bright smile.

For some mysterious reason, my heart skipped a beat.

Yes, I know it well. I am happy for you, my lady.

Yup!

The carriage carrying the young lady and I headed for the banquet hall at a slow speed.

*Eva Sillys*

My escort is strange. Absolutely strange.

First of all, he is young. This guy is young but has pretty good muscles, knight captain Maxim usually praises knights over 20 years old as such. And even the youngest was 18 years old.

Nonetheless, my escort is 14 years old.

Moreover, he was only 13 years old when he took on the role.

Moreover, he won the knight captain in a match.

My escort is strange. Absolutely strange.

He has knowledge that I do not know. Of course, I know he is two years older, so I realise he would have more experience than me, but despite being an individual who has not received a nobles education, he shocked the tutor by being well-versed about social, economic, and political issues.

He lied about his age?

I dont think so. His age matches his appearance.

My escort is strange. Absolutely strange.

He doesnt seem excited at all to attend a banquet where high-ranking nobles of the Holy Kingdom gather. I look foolish for feeling so nervous. He says things that annoy me with a perfectly calm face.

And even though the Holy Prince himself is attending! The son of His Majesty the Holy King himself! He doesnt feel honored at all! I have never seen His Majesty the Holy King. And I have also never seen the Holy Prince Kluvshrat-sama, who is the third child. I have only ever had the honor to witness the first Holy Prince and the first Holy Princess once.

The people of this country would have been moved to tears by such honor!

And yet! What is up with my escort!

He was way more nervous when I asked him to take me out into the city!

But you know.

I suddenly realized at that time.

What I am aiming for is a society in which people wouldnt have to humble themselves in the presence of nobles, just like Reiji. A society where everyone could live fairly and as equals.

But I was unknowingly bound by the common sense of noble society.

Reiji noticed and pointed it out with his attitude.

Then, I, as his lord, must also respond appropriately to Reiji.

My lady, we seem to have arrived. I will get off first and escort you.

Yes, please.

Reiji gets off the carriage so weightlessly, that it makes me wonder if he even has weight. Look, he doesnt make a sound when his shoe touches the ground. Its strange.

The evening sky is getting darker, and the stars are twinkling. Since its a new moon today, the darkness of the night is deeper than usual.

The outside of the carriage is the banquet hall a place where a whole mansion is turned into the venue.

Candles are placed everywhere at the spot where carriages stop. The candles are warmer than a magic lamp, but it gives off a bright light.

Many carriages have already arrived, and the guard knights get down from their horses and wait for me to step out.

This is the first step.

My first step as a noble towards realizing a fair and equal society.

Here, my lady.

The very strange and very dependable escort, Reiji, holds out his hand to me.

I take that hand.

Not knowing that tonight would change everything.