Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Chapter 50
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"Hohohot!"
"Is it that fun?"
"Did you forget about Niesista Territory!?"
"No, but you're enjoying it so much."
I was climbing the mountain with Ella.
Of course, I wasn't the type who particularly liked exercise or sports, but the mountain behind the villa wasn't some towering peak.
It was really just a gentle hill, perfect for a stroll.
That's why I could wander around it with Ella like this.
"Hehehe... After seeing nothing but plains all the time, it's been ages since I've walked around a mountain like this!"
"You're right. Niesista really has zero mountains around it."
"That's what I'm saying! Sure, more flat land is better for a territory than mountains, but something like this once in a while is nice!"
We were just slowly walking along the mountain trail, but Ella was loving it.
Seeing her this happy made me enjoy it too.
"Yeah. The sunlight isn't too harsh, so it's nice and cool."
"Hehe!"
It wasn't as cool as if it weren't summer.
It was just a bit cooler than the southern regions I was used to, and the sunlight was blocked.
Ah, maybe it's also because of the trees around us.
"This really is a great villa. And such a nice mountain right behind it!"
Ella kept looking around at the mountain trees as she walked, clearly delighted.
Is it really that great?
It was cool, and honestly, just strolling through nature without doing anything was pretty fun.
"But why hasn't anyone else come out of the villa?"
"Um... well... that's just how they all are?"
"...Pardon?"
"Karen sis, you know... she's always been quiet and introverted, right?"
"Yeah! That's why she spends time alone at the academy too!"
"...Right."
I'd known about Karen's personality for a long time now.
Of course, if I asked her to come along, she would probably join me... but that felt like too much pressure.
So it ended up just being Ella and me.
Lize too... it had been a while since she'd had a vacation.
I figured I'd let her truly relax and do nothing for once.
And Ashley...
"Well, isn't it nice wandering around just the two of us? I'm having fun with Ella too."
"Hmph... when did I say I didn't like it?"
"You didn't."
Anyway, I was just spending time strolling with Ella.
There wasn't much to do anyway, and nothing specific to do on the mountain with her.
"By the way, have you heard about that?"
"About what?"
"That there's someone amazing among next year's academy entrants!"
"Someone amazing?"
"It's just rumors for now... but the talk is huge. You haven't heard!?"
"Uh..."
It was sudden, but intriguing.
Who could it be?
Someone from the imperial family?
But as far as I knew, all the imperial family members had either graduated or were already attending.
No one else came to mind.
"Who is it? Not imperial family, right?"
"Hehehe..."
"Tell me quick, Ella. Please?"
If Ella was this excited... it had to be someone impressive.
Though not imperial family.
"You really think it's not the imperial family?"
"Pardon?"
I couldn't make sense of Ella's question.
"...Everyone except the youngest prince has already graduated, haven't they?"
"Hehehe... you really don't know yet. You're better than before, but you still can't get info from other families!"
"...Hm."
Hard to argue.
I'd improved, but it was still similar.
I got a lot of information, but noble society intel... was still tough.
Of course, I got most things through the Information Guild.
"So what is it? Some hidden imperial family member from a weird novel?"
...Even so, that's too much.
This isn't some novel.
Illegitimate children or whatever would be too sudden.
"...Right?"
"Hehehe..."
"......"
Ella's meaningful laugh.
Watching her, I grew more worried.
It doesn't make sense.
Even so, an imperial bastard...
"Just kidding!"
"...Huh?"
"The imperial family isn't some shady organization; it's super strict. Think about it logically?"
"......"
...Hm.
I never expected Ella to prank like that.
I was honestly startled.
"So who is it? From what you're saying, even if not imperial, there's definitely a famous person among next year's entrants."
"Right. That was just a joke."
But who could it really be?
If Ella was reacting like this... probably not just a count family level.
"You know the Moon God Church and Sun God Church?"
"Uh... of course? They're famous."
The Moon God Church and Sun God Church were hugely famous religions in the Solchemia Empire.
I wasn't particularly interested, but they were real, and had tons of believers.
"Rumors say their saintesses are entering the academy next year."
"...Saintesses?"
"Yes, they're around our age now. I heard the young nobles buzzing that it's highly likely."
"Hmm..."
Well, it didn't really matter.
They had nothing to do with me, flat out.
Still... two saintesses, not just one? That's kinda wild.
Feels super fantasy-like.
"Ah."
It is fantasy, duh.
*
"How was the walk?"
"It was nice. This place really was a good choice."
It really was.
Regardless of anything else, the villa and the mountain behind it were solid decisions.
Just an hour or so with Ella?
We sat on rocks partway, but still enjoyable.
"Lize rested well?"
"Thanks to you, Young Lady."
"Good. What are the others doing?"
"Lady Ashley is sleeping, Madam is resting in her room. And Lady Rosaki is reading a book."
"I see..."
Well, we weren't that close anyway.
I expected as much.
"Hmm... more than that, Lize."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"That outfit looks pretty on you."
"......"
They probably wouldn't do anything together without me.
And since yesterday, Lize wasn't in maid mode; she was just regular Lize.
Lize in a pure white dress, different from usual, was truly beautiful.
If I could take photos, I'd want to snap some.
"You should wear stuff like this more often."
She'd look even better dressed cute and pretty like this daily.
It was a shame she always wore the maid uniform.
Of course, non-maid Lize was stunning too, but these occasional casual looks were great.
"Hmm... bored. Shall we go see Karen sis?"
"Lady Rosaki is on the first-floor terrace."
"Oh? Let's go together."
"Yes, Young Lady."
We left my room and headed to the first floor with Lize.
I'd already spent a lot of morning time with Rozalin somehow, and Ella was resting after the mountain, so Karen it was.
Not for any special reason... just felt bad leaving Karen alone.
We'd chatted until bedtime last night, but after so long apart, it felt like too little time.
"Karen sis, what are you doing?"
"Ah... just sitting and resting."
"Mind if I sit next to you?"
"Of course...! Sit down...!"
"Lize? Sit next to me. You're not a maid right now, right?"
"...Understood."
I sat, but Lize tried standing behind my chair like always.
Had to say something.
"Ah, you went to the mountain okay...? Just you and Ella."
"Yes, came back fine. Definitely less hot than the southern areas I'm used to. The mountain was really clean too."
"I see..."
"Wanna go together tomorrow, sis?"
"Me...?"
"Yeah. I thought we'd all stroll the mountain, but we talked too late last night..."
Everyone slept in.
Even without that, all together might be tough.
...Ashley kept sleeping.
"Tomorrow, not just Ella—I'll bring Lize too, and go with you."
"...If Camellia wants..."
"Then we're going together?"
"Yes, together."
Hearing that made tomorrow exciting already.
Rozalin, tired from the carriage, could rest fully today.
Excluding Ashley, we could all go to the back mountain.
...If Ashley came, it'd be fun for sure.
Of course, if she refused due to sleep, I'd understand.
She'd installed AC magic in every room, including mine.
"Ah, sis. Heard? Next year, Moon God Church and Sun God Church saintesses are entering the academy."
"Ah... that rumor?"
...What.
She knew?
"You knew?"
"Uh... I'm an academy student...?"
"...Thought you wouldn't."
No one told me.
I wasn't big on who-was-entering info, and Rosaki family intel wasn't that type.
No sense of betrayal or anything.
Just a bit surprised.
"...Saintesses."
Still, intriguing enough.
Though it'd never involve me.