Chapter 1: Chapter 190

It was Cardinal Cartelaya Gilette, the head of the state council.

"Her Eminence has just returned from an exhausting battle, so let us not discuss this matter in front of her."

"Thank you for your kind understanding, Cardinal Cartelaya," I quickly agreed, which started a wave of dry coughs here and there.

Cardinal Vegalius and Cardinal Dekal also solemnly glanced over the crowd in order to calm the members of their respective ministries.

Since I was already engaged with Cardinal Cartelaya, I decided to continue the conversation. "I have a question, your holiness."

"Do ask, Your Eminence."

The first question I asked was a generic one, fit to be heard by the audience around us.

"I would like to know how the royal family is doing. Is Princess Celesteed all right? I am a bit concerned about how I had to toss her at the end because we were in quite a desperate situation."

"She had a fractured shoulder, but has been healed since, Your Eminence."

"I should have been more gentle, but I'm glad she's doing well." My second question was far more personal, though I asked it shamelessly. "And how is Bianca Gilette, her personal attendant, doing?"

"As for Bianca..." Cardinal Cartelaya explained, her eyes glistening with emotion, "Princess Celesteed advised that there's nothing to worry about. She's in recovery."

"I am ever so glad to hear that."

There were many other things I wished to talk about, but this wasn't the right time or place. That's when Cardinal Cartelaya brought up a more suitable topic.

"There is something else the royal family wished to convey to you."

"What is it?"

"They'd like to express their sincere gratitude regarding the subjugation and rescue mission."

"They want me to visit the royal palace," I guessed.

"That's correct," Cartelaya confirmed.

Dekal let out a dry cough to get my attention and added, "As always, we will make sure your finances are covered. Things have been rather chaotic at the Vinchester palace, so it would be excellent if you could personally go assess the situation."

There was a fierce succession battle going on within the royal family of Vinchester right now, which meant an intense psychological power play was awaiting me.

"Assess the situation," they said, but they were actually asking me to put Prince Rigarez in his place.

Yes, I suppose I should go. The Vinchester Kingdom mentioned within the original story was a nonstop catastrophe, truly one disaster after another. And what was the perk of being a transmigrator? That I could actually do something about that catastrophe.

"Understood. I will check my schedule and update you."

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality grabs their head at the thought of another element of the original story being destroyed.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World encourages you by telling you to do whatever you want.⟭

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls' eyes gleam with excitement.⟭

A Prayer of Blessing for a Peaceful Household

A heat wave passed, and the summer had finally ended before the Silver Citadel Knight Division accompanied Ailette to the Vinchester Kingdom.

Vinchester... Tesilid thought back on the many years he had lived to recall the memories he stored away about the kingdom, dusting what was once old and faded to recover its original shape. Unfortunately, none of the memories that came to him were pleasant.

It was a given that he was never welcomed anywhere, but the Vinchester Kingdom gave him a particularly difficult time. Hardale, the first prince, and Rigarez, the third prince, always acted as if they couldn't stand Tesilid Argente's existence. After inevitably starting off on the wrong foot, they would harass him with a bombardment of horribly evil schemes, and even on the occasions that he established a favorable relationship with them, that relationship would somehow always end in betrayal.

Tesilid went as far as to avoid these two princes at all costs, but they never failed to recognize him and were always determined to destroy him once they had. Their hostility and malice permeated throughout all timelines, though always for a different reason.

Sometimes, they didn't even have a reason to despise him. It didn't matter what he did or how hard he tried, at least one of them always ended up threatening his life in every single Loop. It was a mystery Tesilid could never understand. That was why he decided to give up at one point—he found life was a lot easier when he treated the two princes like natural disasters.

I bet things will be the same again this time. Whether it was a sly assassination attempt or a ridiculous false accusation, nothing was going to surprise him anymore because he had dealt with every sinister plot the mind could imagine. There was no fear, anxiety, or any particular emotion, really, just hope that this awful experience would end as soon as possible.

Considering the utter boredom of his lives painted Tesilid's ocean-colored eyes a dark hue. Out of habit, he sent a prayer up to the empty void, knowing that no one was there to listen and answer. Then his mundane thoughts were interrupted.

"I suggest a paternity test!"

Ailette's refreshing exclamation that echoed in the grand ballroom reawakened his mind.

What is going on? Life returned to Tesilid's dead eyes as he faced a new situation he had never experienced before.

✠

We had yet to divide the loot we had collected from Anaxia's subjugation. All five of us were pleased with each of our gains, as the Silver Citadel knight division was exempt from paying a tithe (one-third of one's earnings) to the religious order, but Hestio benefited the most. Most of the skill books that we collected were supporter-based, so I arranged for Hestio to have all of those.

"A-Are you sure I can take them all? What about you, Ailette?"

"I learned all of them already."

"Man, that's what I call a saintess!"

I made him promise that he would do his best to learn them all, which Hestio wholeheartedly agreed to by nodding his head excitedly. It was quite entertaining, seeing him stripped of his usually prickly attitude.

Reminded that I had more to give him besides the skill books, I said, "I almost forgot, Hestio. Take this too."

⟬«Item» [The Mirror of Reflection]

A barrier item that reflects attacks. Limited to Tier 5 or lower magic, requires charging time.⟭

I gave this to him because it wasn't suitable for close-contact combat, and Hestio was the only person who was vulnerable to attacks of Tier 5 or lower.

"Use it well, Hestio."

"Will do!"

"Don't you think that's extreme favoritism toward the supporter-type?"

"I'd say I'm being socially considerate, Ephael."

Meanwhile, Tesilid had gained his own advantages.

⟬«Skill» [Usurper's Prestige (Passive)]

A tanker skill. Increases boss aggro (threat rate.)⟭

Upon hearing the appraisal result, Hestio and Ash both turned toward Tesilid and commented.

"That's exactly what you needed, Tesilid."

"Congratulations, Brother Tesilid."

Only then did Tesilid's indifferent attitude change, his eyes finally sparkling like the ocean on a sunny day.

"I wasn't expecting much because I already learned most skills."

"What? What did you say?"

"Nothing."

He had struggled during the recent battle because Anaxia continued to attack me, so the fact that he would no longer lose his aggro seemed to make him extremely happy. I was gazing upon his delighted smile after he absorbed the skill when my necklace vibrated.

«Ha. You can't let him beat you, Ailette.»

That's my Agnes. I was thinking the exact same thing.

Noticing Tesilid looking back at me with confusion, I showed him my clenched fists and remarked, "I'm going to do my best." He blinked at me blankly, so I clarified, "To keep the boss's attention."

I'm going to take your aggro, all right.

"Please don't overdo it, Allie. Not for something like this," he replied with awkward concern. He was so desperate that it almost sounded like he was begging me.

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls asks you to grant his wish since he's the most handsome man in the world.⟭

Excuse me? I felt I had to because it was the aggro of a handsome man, but my lips were already giving him a standard answer.

"All right."

"Thank you."

That's when Ash carefully reached for a particular skill book and suggested, "I think this one belongs to me, ahem."

"Huh? A newbie shouldn't be so demanding."

"Apologies, Brother Hestio."

I took a look at the skill Ash was eyeing and noticed that it was a passive skill that enhanced the proficiency of paired weapons.

"Indeed, I crossed the line as a mercenary. How dare I ask for more."

"Take it, Ash," I said.

"Really?"

"Yes."

The shadow that had crept over Ash's face instantly lifted as he gave me a look of appreciation. "Thank you, Big Sis. It's very considerate of you to give this to me when you could keep it for yourself."

«At least he knows,» said Agnes. «I like him because he's sharp.»

Although I was adept at using weapons ambidextrously and occasionally used double swords thanks to my excellent drill instructor, it made more sense to me for Ash to take the skill.

"It's fine. It won't be as efficient if I learn it."

"Big Sis..."

"Ailette..."

Ash and Hestio, who both walked away with useful skills, were touched by my selfless attitude, but Ephael didn't fall for it.

"I think she's after something better."

«Tsk, he's too clever.»

The only loot remaining was a skill book, which instantly impressed everyone upon reviewing it.

"Wow!"

"Nice!"

⟬«Skill» [Blooming Sword (Passive)]

A passive skill for aura masters. Improves spatial perception and aura utilization, increasing the number of available aura blades during battle.⟭

My passion, aura blade manipulation! A skill that increases the number of blades! From the moment I saw it, I thought, Oh my, I have to have this! As the value of this skill book could not be explained in words, all of the aura users including myself began eyeing each other with anticipation.

Ash was the first to raise a white flag.

"I'll bow out since I already received the double sword skill."

"Our rookie has good sense," Ephael said, patting Ash on the back in encouragement.

"Ahem!" I cleared my throat to grab everyone's attention. "Respected members of my knight division, please lend me your ears. As the division commander of Silver Citadel and the divine emissary, I'd like to suggest the most reasonable solution."

"Come on, you're abusing your power!"

"Quiet down and listen to me for a second, Ephael."

"Fine. What's the solution?"

"The first person to become an aura master gets to keep it!"

I exclaimed with glistening eyes.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World thinks it's a wise decision.⟭

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality shakes their head because it's obvious what you're trying to do.⟭

⟬The Critic for Balance asks if this was your way of saying that you will take the skill.⟭