So, apparently, I’m from the bloodline of D, and my parents were the Hokage and a Shinigami.
What this means is… an absolutely impossible union with someone of noble birth. It’s said that it’s only allowed because of my “rare blood.”
“Give me a break…”
I made a face of despair.
Even this blood comes with its own set of troubles!
But, if I’m the greatest and most powerful Magician, then it’s no good if only the software (knowledge) is top-notch; the hardware (body) has to be top-of-the-line too, right? So, I guess it makes sense?
A pure-blooded Changeling, possessing ‘Fairy Eyes,’ and furthermore, having ‘ears’ that can hear the language of the fairies, and ‘lips’ that can speak it.
As far as one can imagine, the absolute highest Magical Power individual that can exist on Earth. A ridiculous amount of Magical Power, about a hundred times more than even a High Elf, a race generally known for their superior Magical Power. That’s my body, my blood.
But… wait, I see.
So, I had value?
I always thought that Changelings were more like monsters! Bad omens! I’ve been told that many times, actually…
“You are indeed, from the perspective of the common folk, an ‘aberration’ to be rejected, but from the perspective of those of us in the higher echelons, you are a ‘high-quality item’… or perhaps a ‘rare specimen.'”
I see.
Being rejected doesn’t necessarily mean “being hated,” huh?
To the commoners, just being “different” is enough to be rejected, or rather, just not being someone they know. That’s how it is in a village society.
I’m “superior,” but I’m not “hated,” I’m being rejected because I’m “different.” …That makes sense.
The witches in the Middle Ages were hated and lived on the outskirts of the village, but their abilities were recognized, and they were relied upon in times of need. It’s like that.
“Therefore, you were given the daughter of Count Missgancia, and if necessary, you could become a member of the Missgancia Mortimer House as a successor… in other words, as part of the family. Besides, your children will undoubtedly have magical aptitude, won’t they? So, we appreciate that you intend to keep mistresses and get them pregnant. It’s like a valuable pawn is increasing on its own…”
I see…
Even if they only have about half of my Magical Power, there’s no doubt they’d have considerable potential.
That’s why they want me to have more.
“It’s truly… rare, you know? Most Mages are intellectual and not promiscuous at all; in fact, they’re mostly unmarried and adopt a disciple they picked up from somewhere as their successor.”
Ah…?
Yeah, that’s right.
Marlene seems to be mourning his late wife for hundreds of years, and Gaspard’s disciple isn’t his biological child either.
Roxanne… apparently had children, but she abandoned them to an orphanage.
Mages are detached intellectuals, so they don’t build normal families… or so it seems.
“But you, you intend to keep several mistresses and raise the children you have with them, right? Even though you’re the greatest Mage, your actions are like those of a noble or a wealthy merchant, so from our perspective, it’s as if you’re saying, ‘Please make use of me’…”
Well… that’s… true…
Unlike ordinary Mages, I’m reasonable…
I see, that’s it. That’s what it is.
They think I’m someone they can use the “negotiation command” on.
Sorry for bringing up politics so suddenly, but for example?
In the past, Japan invested in China and then said, “We invested, so listen to us!” or so it seems.
Then, China, thinking, “Since we borrowed money, we can’t go against the investor’s words!” listened to some extent.
Then, when China became big, they tried to invest in foreign countries and use that as leverage to make them listen, just like Japan did to them in the past…
But when they lent money to Africa, no matter how much they lent, they wouldn’t listen at all… or so the story goes.
In other words, whether the “negotiation command” works or not is extremely important.
You could rephrase it as, “Can they understand logic?”
I think, “If I’ve made a mistake or I owe someone, I have to concede to them,” but it seems like the general people in this world will demand everything and give nothing back if you show even the slightest opening…
It seems that the average Japanese person is treated as “someone who understands reason” by the nobles.
“Of course, I won’t say anything unreasonable, you know? But being able to mobilize the greatest Mage, even more so than Marlene, when the time comes, gives a different sense of security.”
“Mobilize…?”
“Oh, don’t say it! I understand, of course! …I’m not trying to force you to obey orders, am I? I’m just saying we’ll negotiate and have you work for us.”
“Well… I hate negotiating in the first place. I’m doing Count Missgancia’s secret business (surgery for important people) to block out those kinds of troubles.”
“Yes, I understand that. But you understand the current situation, don’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“That there’s still room for this country to develop, let alone Missgancia.”
Ah…
“Well, yes.”
“If the country develops, we’ll gain the strength to withstand the Empire’s invasion, won’t we? If we have money, the people will become prosperous, and the number of cute girls dressing up will increase, won’t it? If public order is stable, your mistresses and children will be happy, won’t they?”
Yes, yes, I understand what you’re saying.
“But that’s only if a noble like Count Missgancia, who has understanding and money, seriously verifies my ideas and produces some results for the first time. Can you do that?”
“…The fact that I can’t confidently say ‘of course I can’ here is probably why I’m a noble. Count Missgancia probably said it with conviction, didn’t he?”
“That’s why I’m serving him… that person…”
“I understand. …It’s like this now, but someday, I’ll show you that I can become like Count Missgancia. We’ll continue this conversation then.”
“Yes. Then, about the souvenir…”
“What are you talking about? We haven’t even made small talk yet, have we? Hehe, shall we talk a little…?”
“Ugh…”
How troublesome.
But after all, she’s someone I can reason with, huh…?
“Speaking of which, earlier, that Holy Knight Elf named Collette from your place came to the slums and had a serious battle with a retired legendary Holy Knight, what was that about?”
“Ah… well… Collette was the successor to the Holy Knight Oswald, but she was dismissed because she couldn’t perform as well as Oswald, so isn’t that it?”
“Ah, I’d resent that. A respected senior who was better at the job than you suddenly disappears from the workplace one day, and you’re forced to do all their work and then get fired because you couldn’t do it? That’s rough…”
“She was an Elf herself… There’s politics in the church too, and when it comes to a female Elf who is a junior discovered by the legendary Holy Knight Oswald, well, you know?”
“Politics are something you shouldn’t get involved in, after all.”
“Yes, really. People who can’t do it shouldn’t do it, you know, this kind of thing.”
“And then… after that, she went to your place?”
“No, well… I can’t say much because it’s about her reputation…”
“Um…?”
“After her dismissal, because she couldn’t protect the city, the angry refugees…”
“Ah, yes, that’s enough.”
…Ahhhh!!! This world sucks!!!