Chapter 61

This is a story about the Dimitrius siblings and Pankotsu.

Alber is quietly trying various challenges. Whether or not the results will follow is another matter.

"Brother, you have no backbone! That's why you always get outsmarted by that evil-eyed glasses-wearing, siscon bastard!"

With a resounding slap, Gibril struck Mikaeris's cheek. During his work, Mikaeris, who was suddenly slapped by his sister, naturally became stern-faced. Though he was more calm and composed than irritable, he was still not in a good mood. Gibril, standing with her modest chest puffed out, showed no remorse for slapping her brother.

"…To start with, that's what you say as soon as we meet. There's nothing I can do about it."

"Nothing you can do?! What do you mean?!"

Gibril shouted in a staccato rhythm, her sharp heels striking the floor with a sound that seemed to gouge the wood. It was not the behavior of a lady but rather a child's tantrum.

"Our family is a baronial house. Whether we have the von title or not, we are still just barons. The Dimitrius family has only recently gained a name. Do you really think I can meet Alber, who is under the protection of the royal family, so easily?"

"Well, if you are aware of that, it's fine. If you had pretended not to know what I was talking about, I would have judged that you have no intention of pursuing my sister."

"You still talk a lot. But there's nothing I can do about it."

"If you won't go, then I will. Yes, I will!"

At her brother's pitiful words, Gibril raised her eyebrows. Gibril had always been deeply devoted to Albertina. She admired and loved the beautiful duchess's daughter who doted on her. However, this time, she couldn't let it go. The matter involved the royal family and the four great ducal houses. If they acted rashly, they would be crushed. Mikaeris didn't want to bring the matter to Albertina, and if possible, he wanted to go with Kishtria and the others. As a baron and a knight candidate, he couldn't refuse a request from the king or Duke Fortuna, who was also the commander of the royal knights. It sounded good to say he was trusted, but he was bound by obligations and could only act in a prescribed manner. He was angry with himself for being so constrained, and Gibril, who seemed to see through him, sometimes acted on her emotions and did unexpected things.

"O-oi, wait, Gibril. Are you serious?"

"I'm serious! Goodbye, you cowardly brother!"

Before he could react, she flipped her skirt and ran off. Why is she so active, that sister of mine? She used to be more reserved and quiet. Now, she wields a rapier and can easily defeat any ordinary man. She can even instantly kill a young noble who has only dabbled in swordsmanship. Mikaeris tried to stop her. He didn't want his cute sister to do anything dangerous or get calluses on her delicate hands. However, Gibril ignored his words and, through some unknown means, found a master and improved rapidly. Although women's arms are naturally weaker in physical strength, if they master body enhancement through magic, it becomes a trivial matter. Mikaeris sometimes lost track of where his sister was heading. Of course, as a lady, she was impeccable. A young lady who walked gracefully through the social scene with a delicate and lustrous smile, wearing the latest dresses and jewels. Her fiery red eyes and hair earned her the nickname "the Rose Lady." She was elegant and graceful, and occasionally punched the face of someone she didn't like.

If it weren't for that last bad habit, she would have been a perfect sister. Beautiful but with a sharp edge. Still, she had no shortage of suitors because she was a rising baronial lady and a socialite. She also had a close connection to the prestigious Latizche ducal house. Duke Latizche, who had a single daughter, Albertina, doted on Gibril, perhaps because Albertina loved her like a real sister. Kishtria, who also doted on her, was cold, perhaps because he saw through her intentions.

Mikaeris looked at the door Gibril had left open. Indeed, as she said, he was always one step behind. He was afraid of being disliked and feared that if he took a step forward, he would lose control. He used that as an excuse.

What if Albertina became the crown princess?

Their paths would undoubtedly diverge and never cross. They would end as childhood friends, just a boy and a girl. She would marry a suitable partner and become a member of the royal family, or even the queen, at the top of the country. Mikaeris, as the head of the baronial house, would have to marry and produce an heir, a marriage without affection or love. He had not made a proper engagement until this age, which he should have done to build a bond.

He knew he was stubborn and inflexible. His first love, a shockingly vivid and clear memory, still lingered in his heart. He couldn't bring himself to give it up and look for a reasonable woman. Over time, his infatuation had only grown more severe. He sighed deeply and locked the documents in the drawer.

(…Albertina, I want to see you.)

Her palace was said to be surrounded by a barrier. The barrier was a manifestation of her magical outburst, a reflection of her fear and rejection. No maids or knights could enter, and only a few people close to Albertina were allowed. When Duke Fortuna forcibly brought her to the palace, she was in a state of panic and couldn't even maintain the barrier. It was likely triggered by something, a fear that reached its peak. If the barrier had activated earlier, it would have been pointless. Albertina was not a knight or a mercenary but a sheltered young lady. It was unreasonable to expect her to handle everything perfectly.

The mithril sword hanging on the shelf. He removed the amulet attached to it, replaced it with a belt, and left the room.

---

I, actually, am a bit troubled.

What am I troubled about?

Well… actually, the barrier I have set up is out of my control.

I can sense that the magic power is indeed mine, but I can't adjust the intensity or change the range at all.

Is it a good thing to set up such a large barrier in a corner of the castle? I wonder if I even have that much magic power.

I hope it can last until Father returns, but if I think about it, I want to minimize the range and increase the intensity to maintain both efficiency and quality.

Fortunately, Kishtria and Julius have come. They can enter, and apparently, Anna can too.

This is the first time I've set up such a large barrier. It has already been a few days, and it doesn't seem to disappear even at night. It's like a 24-hour convenience store. I wish the labor standards law would come. A fragile duchess's daughter is working full-time in terms of magic power.

I wish I could have used my barrier power earlier.

Typical Pankotsu. I'm just a second-rate actress, a fake Albert.

If I hadn't been dumped in this place by that muscle bear, maybe things would have been different…

I can't believe that bear is my grandfather. There's not a trace of his presence in my parents, who are a bundle of beautiful genes. I don't want to acknowledge it, but it's said to be from my mother's side. Lady Chris was a delicate and ethereal noblewoman. The only thing we have in common is black hair. There's nothing similar to that bear.

"Doesn't Chappie think so too?"

"Peegii?"

"I hate him! That man! My family is Father, Lady Latiz, and Kishtria, and that's enough!"

"Giiii!"

"That's right!"

When I argued, Chappie agreed with me.

What is the Fortuna ducal house? I'm from the prestigious Latizche ducal house! Hmph!

So, if Father is here…

"It's okay… I guess."

Really?

I'm not following the game's scenario.

I get along well with my step-brother Kishtria and have a good relationship with Mikaeris, whom I shouldn't be involved with.

The heroine who triggers the downfall, Renaria, has failed spectacularly. In some routes, she became the crown prince's wife and a famous Cinderella girl of the kingdom, but now she is a major criminal pursued by the state. She can't even marry a commoner, let alone a noble. Her life is in danger.

I hardly interact with Lucas, who should have been my fiancé, and the only time I did was when I was falsely accused and unjustly condemned. I haven't even had a proper conversation with other players.

That incident was a mess when Father went into a rage and started a purge.

To me, Father is super sweet. To others, he's like a frozen death sauce.

I've become a father-obsessed girl, sticking to Father, ignoring the handsome men in the real-life otome game around me. In the game, Albertina was a beautiful and evil young lady, a queen of evil.

In reality, I'm a recognized Pankotsu girl. I've kept Albertina's stunning beauty, but I'm extremely naive and shy, a hermit. I'm even marked as needing care.

It seems to be getting worse every year…

Because everyone is super nice. Oh, they're so nice… I can't help but be spoiled.

The result of this laziness is this Pankotsu. A perfect mascot lady, a lady with only good blood and appearance as her strengths! A socialite? What's that? A hardcore hermit.

So, do you think I have any allies in the castle?

The answer is no!

I don't have!

Any friends!

At all!

...The sad reality hits me now.

I have no one to rely on, and I don't even know who to rely on.

The only blood relatives outside the Latizche family are the Fortuna ducal house. I definitely don't want to rely on them. What kind of return will they demand…?

That Kaiser-bearded old man and the bearded muscle festival old man are the worst in my book. They're super scary. They're like plagues.

I hear they don't get along with Father, and they are people to watch out for.

I want to gather information without relying on them.

So, I thought about it.

A barrier is a highly advanced and specialized magic. It involves spatial awareness and material composition through magic. I often use it for defense and as a stepping stool, but it's a powerful magic!

...Well, in my case, I use it in a soft and vague way.

I'm apparently a sensory type. The opposite is a theoretical type.

Sensory types are said to be genius-like, using magic in a very specific way. They use magic based on a vague feeling. It's described as flexible and adaptable, but once they hit a slump, they can suddenly lose their ability to use magic or go on a wild rampage.

It's like using imagination as the skeleton and filling it with magic.

Father and Mikaeris are this type.

I think Julius is a theoretical type. He uses magic strictly according to the rules, with excellent stability but less flexibility. It's like following a recipe for baking, carefully measuring and adhering to the temperature.

The Latizche family is said to have many sensory-type magic users. However, I've never met Father's parents or siblings. He never talks about his family outside of Lady Chris.

Kishtria seems to be able to use both types effectively.

The magic he showed me before was beautiful. The water balls danced and turned into shimmering fish and birds. Earthly figures appeared and lifted me with one hand, allowing me to overlook the school from the roof.

It was beautiful. If I ask, will he do it again?

Can I see it again…

I scolded myself for getting lost in thought and circulated my magic power to use magic.

First, I need to master the barrier I've set up.

If I can use it freely in an emergency, I can avoid a lot of danger.

Hmm…? Isn't the range too wide? Isn't it wider than I thought? I've never set up a barrier over such a wide area before. No way. I wish I had discovered this talent earlier.

Why? It's my magic power, my barrier, but I can't control it properly.

I extended my magic power to explore the barrier. Suddenly, a flood of information rushed into my head. Various scenes poured in like a flood. They came in at a dizzying speed. No, no, no! I can't handle it! My consciousness is getting fuzzy! I'm going to faint!

...

...

...

...

Ugh, my head hurts so much. Like a hangover? Is this magic power intoxication? Information intoxication?

This is bad. I thought I was pretty good at magic, but my confidence is gone.

I need to practice. Fortunately, I have time. I hope. I need to master this barrier quickly.

As I groaned on the sofa, my consciousness faded.

Mikaeris can manage if Gibril marries, but he's a serious guy and feels he needs to do his part, despite the thick wall of the ducal house.

Gibril is actively looking for a husband, having anticipated this situation.

If Albertina becomes her sister-in-law, she doesn't mind the age difference or if he's a divorcee.

However, she is avoiding any man who might accidentally be killed by Grail.

She even considers the possibility that her brother might remain single for life due to his lingering first love.