Chapter 63: Birthday
In the dining hall of the Baumgarten manor in the Royal Capital, a modest birthday party was about to begin.
“Ria, happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you very much. Happy birthday to you too, Onii-sama!”
“Thanks, Ria.”
“Congratulations, Danna-sama, Cornelia-ojousama.”
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations.”
Everyone’s celebratory voices echoed as Cornelia and I turned thirteen.
Thirteen, huh? It’s been thirteen years since I was born into this world. Did it feel long, or short? Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve spent these years experiencing things so intensely, in a way I never could have in my original world.
But the real challenge in this world is just beginning. I need to prepare thoroughly so I don’t slip up.
“Ria, it’s a bit sudden, but here’s your birthday present.”
I handed Cornelia the Holy Sword, which I had placed on the floor and tried my best to make look cute by wrapping a ribbon around it.
“Thank you very much, Onii-sama! It’s amazing… It’s like I could be drawn into it… What a magnificent sword. I’ll train my swordsmanship so I won’t be outdone by this sword!”
“Just don’t overdo it.”
I did wonder if giving a sword as a birthday present to a girl was a good idea, but I’m glad she’s happy with it.
“So nice, so nice.”
“Lily? Today is Danna-sama’s and Cornelia-ojousama’s birthday, so…”
Lily envied Cornelia, and Yuria gently chided her.
“It’s not exactly a birthday present, but I actually have a gift for you too, Lily.”
“Really?”
Lily’s expressionless eyebrows twitched just a little, and her eyes sparkled. She seems to be quite expectant.
“Yeah, this is it.”
I took out a staff, which I had also wrapped with a ribbon to make it look presentable. It was a staff adorned with seven jewels that had been sitting in storage as a cursed item. It’s the perfect masterpiece for Lily, who can use magic of all attributes.
“Ooh…”
“Come on, Lily, you have to say thank you.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
I guess she probably likes it? Lily was hugging the staff, looking a little excited.
“Lily, you can use magic of all attributes, but it’s probably best to limit yourself to one or two attributes when you’re in front of people. If it becomes known that you can use all attributes, you might even be kidnapped. For your own protection, it’s better to keep it a secret.”
“Mm…”
Lily nodded with a serious expression. I hope she understood.
Our family is just a minor barony, after all. There are so many powerful people above us, it’s a pain to even count them. Even if I’ve made Lily my sister, it’s unlikely they’d back off.
That’s why we must conceal Lily’s power.
It’s all to protect Lily.
“It’s good you got a present, Lily. Onii-sama, I also have a present for you. Would you please accept it?”
“Of course.”
“Lily has one too.”
“Thanks to you too, Lily.”
I received a charm as a good luck token from Cornelia, and a small folding knife from Lily. I’m sure they both scrimped on their allowances to buy presents for me.
“Compared to your present, Onii-sama, ours looks rather shabby…”
“Mm…”
“I don’t mind at all. Thank you both.”
Just the thought alone makes me happy.
“Well then, shall we eat? It’s quite a feast today. Let’s eat while it’s hot.”
The Royal Capital has a rich food culture too. There were many dishes I’d never seen in the Baumgarten Territory.
Everything looks delicious.
“Let’s eat.”
“”Let’s eat.””
◇
“Haaah… I’m stuffed…”
I rubbed my heavier-than-usual stomach. My consciousness felt light and floaty from the alcohol, and I threw my heated body onto the bed.
“Haaah…”
The coolness of the sheets felt good. But soon, the sheets absorbed my body heat, and the pleasant sensation vanished. I wriggled my arms and legs, seeking a cool spot on the sheets.
“Hehehe…”
I took out the folding knife I had put in my pocket. It was the one Lily gave me. It’s sturdily made, without any decoration—a purely practical knife. It looks tough and easy to use.
Attached to the folding knife was a charm that glowed red in the moonlight. This one was from Cornelia. It’s like a good luck charm.
I received unexpectedly nice presents from them both. They’re not big or cumbersome, so I’ll keep them with me always.
“Ah, right, Lily wanted to go to the forest. What should I do about that…”
Lily, having received the staff, naturally wanted to use it. She started saying she wanted to defeat monsters in the forest near the Royal Capital.
Lily’s Gift is powerful. I’m all for her training her Gift, but I can’t let her go to the forest alone.
“On weekdays, Ria and I both have the academy… Should I have Bach escort her? If Bach is with her, she should be able to explore the forests near the Royal Capital safely. I’ll have to tell Bach later…”
My eyelids gradually grew heavy. When I closed my eyes, a gentle warmth spread deep behind them.
Strength drained from my body, and I let go of my consciousness.