Chapter 13

I asked why my transfer to the lower world was decided earlier than scheduled.

After hearing it, I dismissed the maid from the room to gather my thoughts and sighed alone.

The moment I sighed, tears began to overflow from my eyes.

"...If only I had realized it sooner..."

The voice was swallowed by the room's silence.

If only I had come to like him more purely—perhaps Crest would be laughing beside me right now?

If only I had been more honest... perhaps I wouldn't have to face the fact that I might never see him again?

Imagining all these "what ifs," I could no longer hold back my tears.

I sobbed and desperately wiped my eyes with a towel from the room, but the tears wouldn't stop.

More tears fell, and I couldn't control them.

And so, I poured out my feelings as much as I could.

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A week has passed since Crest was transferred to the lower world.

I was heading to the royal castle with my family due to a summons.

This summons wasn't just for us; it was for all three ducal families.

Moreover, it was requested that as many members as possible attend.

There are three ducal families in the country. These ducal families and the royal family are at the center of the country's politics.

Gathering all members of these families meant that something significant was happening.

Upon arriving at the royal castle, I immediately moved to the grand hall.

While waiting for the king to enter, Crest's brother approached me.

He is not much older than me, I think he is just a year older than Crest?

"Lady Elise, it's been a while. You look as beautiful as ever today."

"...Yes, I suppose so."

I could tell his gaze was directed at my chest, arms, and neck.

Despite understanding his unsettling gaze, I acted as the usual 'beautiful and elegant Elise.'

"I believe the last time we met was just before that incompetent one was sent to the lower world, right?"

"Was it...?"

"Yes! Remember when you came to see the incompetent one's face? We talked then, didn't we?"

Crest's brother spoke with enthusiasm.

...That might have happened. I didn't remember because I wasn't interested in the Haberst family except for Crest.

"How about it? Now that the incompetent one is gone, how about me as your fiancé?"

Smiling, Crest's brother asked, and I returned a smile.

"Right now, I can't think of anyone else. I'm sorry."

"Ha, could it be that you are grieving over that incompetent one? As expected, Lady Elise is beautiful and kind."

Click.

Under normal circumstances, I would have been irritated by such words but wouldn't have said anything.

However, I smiled and replied.

"Yes, I am very sad."

"That's too bad. Then, let me comfort your sadness. After all, I am far more capable than that incompetent one—"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone better than Crest. You are not a suitable replacement for him."

"..."

I gently turned away from Crest's brother's surprised face, bowed, and left.

Then, I moved to a spot near my father, who was standing a bit away.

I hid behind my father to avoid being bothered by anyone.

While doing so, my thoughts were on Crest.

Regret always follows, doesn't it?

If I could say something to my past self... I would want her to be more honest.

If... such an opportunity were to arise—.

I was thinking about this when the grand hall suddenly fell silent.

The king had entered, and everyone nearby knelt at once.

I knelt as the king approached.

The king walked to the prepared chair and sat down. I followed his movements with my eyes.

Eventually, the king raised a hand.

"Everyone, rise."

At the king's words, we all stood up.

Then, the king spoke loudly.

"The reason I called you here today is simple. It's about the sudden appearance of the monsters the other day."

"If that's the case, my Mishishirian family handled it. Was there any issue with our response?"

This was said by the Mishishirian family, one of the three ducal families.

There are three ducal families in total:

Crest's family, the Haberst family.

My family, the Rifeild family.

And the Mishishirian family, which has a child with the skill 'Hero's Strike.'

These are the top families in the country.

In particular, the Mishishirian family, which venerates the child with 'Hero's Strike' as a 'Hero,' has the king's greatest trust.

The king shook his head at the Mishishirian family head's words.

"No, there was no issue with that. However, the Pope received a divine revelation afterward. The text was delivered to us recently."

The captain of the knights then walked over with a folded paper.

After bowing, the captain unfolded the paper and began to read.

After a few greetings from the Pope, he got to the main point.

"Now, the reason I wrote this letter is that I received a dream from God. It foretold that a large number of monsters will soon overflow."

"A large number of monsters!?"

The Haberst family head exclaimed in surprise.

My father frowned.

The Mishishirian family seemed calm, probably because the 'Hero' had suppressed the previous monster incident.

The captain of the knights resumed reading once the room quieted down.

"However, God also said that He will grant power gradually. The individuals with these skills are listed below."

The captain then took out another sheet of paper.

"First, the skill 'Hero's Strike.'"

The moment this skill was mentioned, the Mishishirian family head proudly puffed out his chest.

The captain then read the next skill.

"Next, 'Blessing of the Holy Maiden.'"

My father, standing next to me, let out a relieved sigh.

...I have the skill 'Blessing of the Holy Maiden.'

The Haberst family head's face clearly turned pale, perhaps because two of the ducal families had skills.

Naturally, they were the weakest among us.

"And the last one is... 'Gacha.'"

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