NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30
(A royal family?!)
I shouted internally at the words that escaped Rey’s mouth.
*Kainriese*—only a few people in this country bear that name, and it’s not just any name. Those who carry it are born into the family at the pinnacle of this nation, the most noble bloodline. Unless they are reincarnators or otherworlders, this family is also known as the one most abundant in magic in this entire country.
In Asphial, unless they are reincarnators or otherworlders, it’s commonly believed that magical aptitude follows the order of royalty > nobility > knights > commoners.
Of course, there are commoners like Camille who possess magic and can wield it, but tracing back their ancestry, they usually have some noble blood. It’s generally accepted that magical talent is hereditary.
In this world, those with power often choose their spouses based primarily on the amount of magic they possess. Certainly, their looks, behavior, and intelligence are important, but in extreme cases, having immense magical power and the ability to bear children is sufficient.
Over time, the nobles who refined their bloodlines through selective marriage amassed a power that could never be overturned by even the most talented commoners. That’s likely why Camille, who’s still in a daze beside me, feels so overwhelmed.
In the Kingdom of Kainriese, there are over a hundred noble families, and more than five hundred knightly houses associated with them.
The majority of these are lower-ranking nobles, such as barons and viscounts, and there is a significant difference in magical ability even among the nobility, depending on their rank.
“Chris’s father comes from the Castiano family. He has as much magical power as the head of the Castiano house, which led to him being elevated to royalty and marrying into the royal family.”
So, as far as her position is concerned, Chris is a princess, but of a branch family of the royal line.
“But you know, Chris is rare even in the long history of the royal family. She’s an *Awakener* who surpasses even the past kings in terms of magical power.”
“An *Awakener*…?”
“You commoners also have people like that, right? People with vast magical power regardless of their bloodline… like you, for example.”
At that remark, the weight of the gazes on me grew noticeably heavier.
The reason? It wasn’t just Chris who was glaring at me now; Rey was also watching me with a wary expression.
“The Zain religion calls Awakeners ‘chosen ones’ by the creator god, but I wonder… Awakeners tend to have a very unique mindset. That’s why I wanted to meet with you and Chris.”
*(Sure, it makes sense that my mindset is different, but that’s because I’m originally from Earth…)*
So Rey hadn’t brought Chris along by chance, but by necessity. It turns out that all Awakeners are invariably eccentric or peculiar.
It’s not surprising, considering the information I’ve gathered. While the reincarnators and otherworlders who have come to this world are also originally from Earth, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all Japanese.
If the Awakeners Rey mentioned were actually reincarnators or otherworlders, it would mean that Chris Ireisa Kainriese, who’s here in this room, was originally from Earth as well.
*(An *Awakener*, huh? Could it be that Chris is also a reincarnator like me?)*
If Chris had heard from Rey beforehand about Awakeners, then she might have known I was originally from Earth. That would explain why she was glaring at me from the moment we first met.
*(…So, what are you going to do, Princess?)*
It was becoming increasingly clear from the conversation that the reason I’d been summoned here was to discuss this Awakener topic. However, it wasn’t something I could just talk about openly, as it involved not only myself but also the princess sitting in the same room.
Moreover, I’m just a commoner, while she’s a noble. In this situation, staying silent isn’t really an option, so I met the eyes of Princess Chris, who seemed like she might be a fellow Earthling.
“…Rey, just because someone is an Awakener doesn’t make them special. Look, you’re making him uncomfortable by accusing him without cause.”
“…”
Perhaps she understood my silent plea for help, as Princess Chris let out a small sigh and began to gently admonish Rey.
“But—”
“And what does it matter to you, anyway? There aren’t that many Awakeners, and at best, their power is on the level of a viscount.”
Despite Rey’s reluctance to back down, Princess Chris firmly cut him off.
Her words carried the weight of authority, forbidding further probing.
Watching this scene unfold, I couldn’t help but feel that Princess Chris, with her dignified demeanor, was indeed a fitting figure to stand at the pinnacle of this nation.
—
After the atmosphere in the room shifted thanks to Princess Chris’s authoritative stance, the conversation moved forward smoothly.
As I had initially expected, the discussion turned to wanting to regularly procure sweets like the ones I brought today for events like the upcoming street festival. In return, Rey Castiano would offer support to me and my group, though the final decision on this matter would rest with our leader, Saioji.
What surprised me was Rey’s composure. Being suppressed by someone of higher status when asking about what he was most curious about must have been a blow to his pride as a noble.
Moreover, since he’s just a child around twelve or thirteen, it wouldn’t have been surprising if some of that emotion showed on his face. But he didn’t let anything slip and smoothly changed the subject.
And so, having successfully navigated the biggest crisis, I managed to wrap things up neatly, and the meeting concluded.
*(…It might not be a good idea to meet with Rey alone in the future.)*
As Rey left the room, his entourage followed suit.
On the other hand, Camille, who had been of no use, mumbled something about needing to get some fresh air and stumbled out of the room.
“…Excuse me, could we talk for a moment?”
“Of course. I was hoping to speak with you as well, Your Highness.”
And so, it was just me and Princess Chris left in the room. Since she didn’t seem to have any guards with her, unlike Rey, I decided to get straight to the point.
“…Before that, could you do me a favor? Could you, um, mess up your bangs a bit?”
“?… Sure, I don’t mind.”
Meeting another person from the same homeland besides Saioji for the first time, I was feeling a bit nervous, but before I could say anything, Princess Chris spoke up.
Her voice was somewhat trembling, and she asked for the oddest thing—she wanted me to mess up my bangs.
Since there was no reason to refuse, I ruffled my bangs with my right hand.
And then…
“Ugh! Aah! It’s the white knight of Oneste! So coooooool!”
Princess Chris, who had maintained her poised appearance, suddenly froze, and then let out a completely uncharacteristic, embarrassingly loud scream that echoed throughout the reception room, where it was just the two of us.