Chapter 8

While still an infant, I steadily increased my acquired skills.

Whenever I had the opportunity to meet new townspeople, I would ask to see their skills. Though it might seem a bit embarrassing, once I started leveling up skills, I couldn't help but do it thoroughly... It's a habit of mine, both good and bad, carried over from my previous life.

Activating my Charisma, if my Enchantment skill succeeded, I would sometimes take from them. I never imagined my infancy would be so busy.

But I thought it would only be during infancy. Without the charm skill, Enchantment hardly ever succeeds. Without the infant bonus, I would have to rely almost entirely on luck. It would be different if it were a succubus or incubus, specialized in Enchantment.

Just as I was thinking I hadn't seen any monsters... I suddenly remembered.

Mizel in the western part of the Duchy of Jungen is said to have a dragon living nearby, not far away.

It was said that a dragon slaying quest would appear quite early, but in my previous playthrough, it was never implemented.

...But in this world, there is no such thing as "unimplemented." If the dragon is not just a legend, it must actually exist.

If a dragon were to appear in Mizel... I don't think it would happen without a quest.

"Hiroto, you've been so quiet... I always appreciate your calmness, but you can be more lively if you want."

In the afternoon, while lying quietly in the cradle, I realized I had something that could make my mother happy. After all the "ah" and "uh" sounds, I had finally learned to speak a little.

But it was embarrassing... Speaking means having a conversation. Even with my mother, it was nerve-wracking to speak for the first time.

"You don't understand words yet, do you? There, there."

Remilia picked me up and patted my back. Thinking it was now or never, I mustered my courage.

"...ma, ma"

"Kyaa... W-What did you just say!? Hiroto, say it again?"

"...pui"

"Please! It's a lifelong request from your mother, say it again? Here, I'll give you some milk!"

After being breastfed, I felt that this taste would soon be over. It was a sad thought, but it couldn't be helped. Growth is something to be celebrated.

And I stubbornly refused to say "ma, ma" a second time. It was embarrassing, even with my mother, but I was just being my usual stubborn self... I hope I can say it again someday.

◇◆◇

My suspicion that my father was a former knight was confirmed in an unexpected way.

It happened when Remilia carried me on her back and we went shopping at the market for the first time.

"Kyaa...!"

In the crowd, Remilia was bumped by a man. I had deliberately turned off my passive skills to avoid causing trouble in the crowd, but it backfired.

"Where were you looking, huh!?"

"Hey, isn't this the daughter of a noble from the capital? She lives with Ricardo."

"Ah, Ricardo. The coward who was exiled from the capital."

They knew about Ricardo... but their words were filled with malice. "Coward" and "exiled"...

While I was thinking this, Remilia took action.

Slap!

"Ugh... Y-You!"

"You have no right to insult my husband! Apologize!"

Remilia slapped the man's cheek and said firmly. The people in the market, fearing the three armed men, either watched from a distance or hurried past.

"You started it... You can't complain about what happens next!"

"Stop it... Let go! I won't forgive you if you touch this child!"

—Thank you, Remilia. But I will protect you no matter what.

If I used my skills here, everyone might realize how different I am. Then, whether I could continue living here... I never imagined such trouble in such a peaceful life, but this is the world of Eternal Magic. Outside the town, there are thugs and bandits, and even in town, robberies can happen depending on the situation.

I liked that harshness, but this was a different matter.

(Activate all passive skills... please...!)

With the Enchantment skill active, if there was a strong person among those affected, I could get their help. Or if "Same-Sex Enchantment" worked on one of the three men...

"That's enough, you ruffians!"

A sudden, stern voice. The speaker was a female knight in silver armor with long, golden hair. She wore a forehead protector and had a graceful yet brave appearance.

She walked confidently to the men and drew her sword, causing a stir among the onlookers.

"Who do you think she is? Do you think someone living in the Duchy of Jungen can be touched by your dirty hands? Have some shame!"

"Damn... You're from the Duchy Knights...!"

"Shit, it's the Thunder Goddess Filianes...!"

Hearing Filianes' name, I was somewhat moved. Of course, I was also quickly checking the log to see who was affected by my Enchantment.

The three enemies were too hostile to be enchanted, but I had enchanted a few townspeople. However, I didn't need to give them immediate orders.

Thanks to Filianes Schreise, the strongest female knight in the Duchy of Jungen, I had time to make a calm judgment.

"Lady Filianes, why are you here...!?"

"We'll talk later... Haaa! Lightning Paralysis Thrust!"

The Thunder Goddess Filianes. One of the top five strongest female knights among NPC knights. She is a master of the "Double Magic Sword" skill, combining lightning magic and sword techniques.

"Ugh...!"

"So fast... Too fast..."

I couldn't follow what happened with my infant eyes, but the log detailed Filianes' sword techniques.

◆Log◆

- Filianes used "Double Magic Sword"!

- Filianes enchanted her weapon with "Lightning"!

- Filianes enchanted her weapon with "Paralysis"!

- Filianes used "Piercing"! "Lightning Paralysis Thrust"!

- 1268 damage to Anton! Overkill!

- "Restraint" activated! Anton fainted.

- 1134 damage to Ganof! Overkill!

- "Restraint" activated! Ganof fainted.

- Filianes' weapon enchantment was removed.

(Whoa...)

Filianes' combat power was overwhelming. Even with the Double Magic Sword, to deal four-digit damage with the basic "Piercing" skill, which can be obtained at "Fencing Mastery" level 20, was incredible.

Overkill occurs when you deal more than twice the enemy's HP. Of course, the enemy dies, but the proud knight Filianes has the "Restraint" skill, which leaves the enemy with 1 HP. This is a setting from the original, and there are events where the enemy takes advantage of the restraint.

"You... What happens to this woman... Ugh!"

The last man tried to restrain Remilia and threaten her with a knife from behind—but I had already taken action. The man was knocked out from behind before he could move.

Let's look back at the log to see what happened.

◆Log◆

- You activated the "Enchantment" skill.

- "Enchantment" activated! Anton resisted.

- "Enchantment" activated! Ganof resisted.

- "Enchantment" activated! Dozar resisted.

*Omitted*

- "Enchantment" activated! Baldes failed to resist and was enchanted.

Among the dozens of people within the "Enchantment" range, my "Same-Sex Enchantment" succeeded on Baldes, an elderly dwarf blacksmith living in Mizel. After confirming his high stats, I immediately ordered him to help.

◆Log◆

- Baldes used "Iron Fist"!

- 244 damage to Dozar! Dozar fainted.

"Damn... I'll remember this... Ugh!"

"Phew. Such rough business is tough on an old man."

Baldes, at 230 years old, near the end of a dwarf's lifespan, had lost some skill points due to aging but still had a high "Blessed Body" skill at 55. His "Fighting" action skill "Iron Fist" had the power to knock out a thug with a three-digit damage.

The next update will be after 20:00.