Chapter 9

Old Valdez, who had been stomping on the troublemakers from above, found that the weight of the dwarves was quite heavy despite their small stature. However, since he had raised his hand against my mother, he should be prepared to accept such treatment.

"Thank you, old man."

"No, no, it's fine. I've become quite hard of hearing, so I was slow to notice the commotion."

As Valdez said this, he glanced at me on Remilia's back. I met his gaze for a moment but quickly looked away.

"Hmm, you have good eyes. I only noticed because of this child's presence."

Being charming to the same sex doesn't lead to anything serious; it just makes them more friendly. In the game, there were occasional cases where female characters tried to seduce male players, but the idea that no girl dislikes yaoi is pretty close to the truth, I think. Of course, it's a culture far removed from me.

"I'd like to make and gift some children's tools while I'm still alive."

"No, no, that's not necessary... I can't thank you enough for helping us today."

"I just thought it would be nice. Boy, when you grow up, come visit this old Valdez's workshop. If you remember, that is... ho ho ho."

Old Valdez, or rather, Grandpa Valdez, left with a cheerful laugh. I wanted to thank him for helping my mother, but I couldn't say it, and when I tried to wave, it felt awkward. But it was okay since he smiled. I'm glad the charm skill worked...

The charm skill had been used on more than ten people in town, so the "Do you want to give an order?" dialog has been popping up repeatedly. If I do nothing and don't increase their affection, the charm will wear off in 24 hours.

The men who were causing trouble were being escorted away by the guards. In such a situation, the one who started it is considered at fault... It seems that the man who bumped into Remilia did it on purpose. The log shows that a man named Anton used "Body Slam"... I didn't realize it at first, but he intended to start trouble from the beginning.

Remilia's HP is slightly reduced... What did they do? But my anger was no longer necessary because Filianess and Grandpa Valdez had thoroughly defeated Anton and his gang.

"Ah, um... Lady Filianess, thank you so much. I got carried away and raised my hand..."

"Knights of the principality cannot overlook those who try to take advantage of women in numbers, especially when they are carrying such a young infant..."

◆ Log ◆

- "Charisma" activated! Filianess is paying attention to you.

Charisma activated, and Filianess moved behind Remilia, trying to look at my face.

"Hmm, you won't look at me..."

"Uh, um..."

I wanted to say it's because you suddenly got close, but I can't meet the eyes of someone I'm meeting for the first time. If I smiled charmingly, it might increase her affection.

◆ Log ◆

- "Charm" activated! Filianess resisted the charm due to the "Holy Circlet."

The headband Filianess wears is a magic item that completely resists charm. However, thanks to "Charisma," I can see her stats.

I'm not just thinking about leveling up skills. As a gamer, the stats of a strong character are important information... I'll take a look.

The number of skills she has is as expected, similar to Sarasan... but this...

◆ Stats ◆

Name: Filianess Schreise

Human, Female, 14 years old, Level 30

Job: Saint Knight

HP: 340/340

MP: 120/144

Skills:

- Rapier Mastery 40

- Armor Mastery 20

- Spirit Magic 30

- [Holy] Sword Techniques 50

- Magic Proficiency 10

- Graceful Body 25

- Maternal Instinct 35

- Dignity 12

Action Skills:

- Piercing (Rapier Mastery 20)

- Twin Thrust (Rapier Mastery 40)

- Prayer of Blessing ([Holy] Sword Techniques 10)

- Magic Sword ([Holy] Sword Techniques 20)

- Double Magic Sword ([Holy] Sword Techniques 50)

- Spirit Magic Level 3 (Spirit Magic 30)

- Nursing (Maternal Instinct 20)

- Lullaby (Maternal Instinct 30)

Passive Skills:

- Rapier Equipment (Rapier Mastery 10)

- Dual Wield (Rapier Mastery 30)

- Controlled Force ([Holy] Sword Techniques 30)

- Charisma ([Holy] Sword Techniques 40)

- Armor Equipment (Armor Mastery 10)

- Manners (Dignity 10)

- Child Raising (Maternal Instinct 10)

- Slightly weak against Orcs

- Weak against Slimes

Remaining Skill Points: 0

(...14 years old...!?)

In the game, Filianess's official illustration was of a woman in her twenties. She was also called "Fil-sis," and my perception was not wrong. She was often written on bulletin boards as a character who frequently received "BBA marry me" messages.

In the game, she was over level 60, but her level is only 30 here, possibly due to her younger age. Still, her stats are almost perfectly allocated, and I can understand the combat power she just showed... but...

"Perhaps, women with swords are scary to babies..."

The girl standing in front of me, undoubtedly 14 years old, was more of a "girl knight" than a "woman knight."

However, at 14, she is stronger than Father Ricardo... What kind of intense training did she undergo to achieve such strength? I want to learn from her.

"Lady Filianess, it seems you knew I was the daughter of a noble in the principality..."

"I am a protector of the principality. I know the names of all those who are part of the royal lineage. Lady Remilia Haurvitz... It has been two years since you married my knight, Ricardo, hasn't it?"

Filianess knelt before my mother and bowed. At that moment, I realized something and felt as if I had been struck by lightning.

"Zigrid" is my player name, and it didn't appear in the game. My parents didn't exist either... yet, in this world, they are already present.

I formed several hypotheses, but I can't verify them until I meet the goddess who reincarnated me. For now, it seems the goddess prepared everything to welcome me. My parents have their own origins, lives, and relationships.

A god can freely create human existence in the world they created.

But right now, I think it's more arrogant to think that way.

"Yes. This is Hiroto... the child my husband Ricardo and I were blessed with."

I wanted to thank the goddess for allowing me to be born as Ricardo and Remilia's child.

Remilia smiled, gently rocking me on her back. My mother in this world is smiling.

I wanted to protect that smile. I don't think I can make up for my unproductive past life, but... I want to protect Ricardo, the townspeople, Sarasan, and Lione, everyone.

That's the least I can do to repay the goddess for giving me a bonus and bringing me to this world.

"...Why won't you look at me? Do I have a scary face?"

"...Exactly."

"Oh dear... It seems Hiroto is hungry. Lady Filianess, I will definitely thank you another day. For now..."

"To be honest, I came here on business. Also, there might be more of those troublemakers around. If you don't mind, I would like to accompany you to your home..."

Filianess... I called her without honorifics, recalling my gaming days, but I should start using honorifics. It seems she came to this town for a crucial reason. She rarely moved from the capital, so I can't imagine what events will unfold.

I thought I wouldn't be involved in quests as a baby for a long time... but maybe. I was secretly excited about Filianess's visit.

"What, you're staring at me... Is there something on my face?"

"Oh... It's rare for Hiroto to look at someone without being shy. Lady Filianess, it seems our child is fond of you."

"Hmm, hmm... Is it because I helped you? There's no need to feel indebted..."

Of course, I was grateful for her help, but I was observant even in such a situation.

(Filianess has the Maternal Instinct skill... and it's 35. At 14...!)

To see her equipment, I need to join her party, but I can guess what she's wearing from her appearance.

In the game, she avoided wearing full plate armor, which would reduce agility and attack speed, despite its high defense and many additional effects.

Instead, she wears "waist armor" and "shoulder armor" over "cloth armor." So, the metal parts only protect her shoulders and waist, and the rest is cloth.

(...This is a real milk bag... At 14, with Maternal Instinct 35... 7% bonus to her bust...!)

I can only marvel. At 14, she is clearly larger than Remilia. That doesn't mean Remilia is small; Filianess is just well-endowed.

The charm skill won't activate for a while, and it will be ineffective as long as she wears the circlet. I shouldn't aim too high, but the Saint Knight's job-specific skill "[Holy] Sword Techniques" is so tempting.

If I could lower her resistance to charm... Would such an opportunity ever come?

"Please don't spoil this child, Lady Filianess. He has a mysterious way of attracting girls."

"Hmm... But I'm not the type to be liked by children, and Hiroto has been looking away. If I spoil him and he doesn't appreciate it, I won't do it."

A slightly pouting Filianess. I can't milk a top-tier NPC, of course... I have to give up on that. Since only women over 18 had Maternal Instinct 20 or higher, I feel a bit of moral conflict with her at 14.

To remove her equipment, I need to give her something better. Even if I use the "Exchange" skill, I don't have an item of equal value to the Holy Circlet. I can exchange money and items, but I can't activate "Pick Gold" without walking myself, so my current wealth is zero. Besides, a magic item like the circlet is worth more than a hundred gold coins.

(Dead end... Hmm. At least, it would be good to know what her business is... I need to restore my mother's HP somehow, even if it means using time recovery.)

--- I had forgotten, at this point.

In this world, unlike in the game, everyone has a chance to remove their equipment at some point.

Tomorrow's update may be only one chapter.

The time will be evening to night.