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IBP 51
“Love? Is that what you wrote?”
“.......”
Caligo’s earlobes turned red as he saw Amius laughing.
“......It’s not like that! She’s—it’s not like that.”
[Then.......]
“......I can’t see exactly what’s written, but it’s not that either! We’re just, just friends.”
However, he did have a desire to become stronger so that he could protect her.
“What are you doing, Caligo?”
At the voice calling from a distance, Caligo and Amius hurriedly turned around.
“Brother!”
Caligo asked the Grand Duke, who was entering through the main gate of the annex.
“Where have you been?”
“I had something to check. I’ve been a bit busy lately.”
Just as he said, he seemed preoccupied with inspecting the ducal residence these days.
‘Is it because of that murder case?’
Though Caligo didn't know the exact reason, the Grand Duke was constantly carrying a tracking magic tool and contacting Duke Ardos.
“I heard a new annex was being built for Coco, who was formally adopted, so I went to take a look.”
“.......”
“The people of the ducal house... they're complete fools for her, aren't they?”
“Ah.......”
“Duke Ardos, Ruth Ardos, and even Duke Berlan, who isn't even blood-related, have joined in with an onslaught of gifts.”
There were more than a few opponents Caligo had to beat if he wanted to become a special existence to Coco.
Seeing Caligo look crestfallen, Grand Duke Rivera asked back.
“Your annex is sparkling too, so why? Are you jealous? Should I build you something even more amazing when we return to the North?”
Grand Duke Rivera’s reaction was quite nonchalant.
However, for some reason, Caligo felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
Noticing his expression, Grand Duke Rivera mentioned in passing.
“Hmm, I see you've been practicing shadow arts diligently lately. If you want to get stronger, should I introduce you to some buff-type priests?”
“......Huh?”
“Lucrezia Ardos. The priests brought in by the mistress of the house are buff-type.”
Buff-type ability users.
They were beings who could further develop the abilities of others.
Grand Duke Rivera’s eyes narrowed.
“Lucrezia Ardos has been winning the favor of the family members by keeping buff-type priests around her.”
“Ah.......”
“Perhaps that's why there's more praise for the Duchess of Ardos than for the blessed child.”
“.......”
“Moreover, the priests are said to be high-rank buff-types. Everyone is frantic, wanting to strengthen their own abilities.”
Caligo frowned and spoke.
“......Brother.”
“Yes?”
“I’m Coco’s friend. No matter how much I want to get stronger, I have no intention of getting help from priests like that without any loyalty!”
At those words, Grand Duke Rivera laughed brightly.
It was a gaze as if he were looking at a little kid who had just started their first love without even realizing it.
“So, I’m going to train. Brother, is there a space here where I can train?”
“How long are you going to do it?”
“Every day! 24 hours a day!”
Looking at Caligo’s burning eyes, Grand Duke Rivera burst into a loud laugh once more.
To think that a boy who had lost the will to live could change so instantly.
As expected, Coco was indeed a special child worthy of such attention.
* * *
Duke Ardos was busily moving various things, saying, ‘I’ve prepared some rewards to commemorate my daughter.’
And the scale of it was enormous.
“Hu, huh. What is this.......”
Marble was laid across every floor of the annex, and young fragrant olives were planted in the garden.
Over a hundred dresses, made by taking direct measurements, were packed into the annex wardrobe.
The number of maids, which was already not small, was increased by dozens more.
And right after my annex was snapped together using a construction magic tool!
Duke Ardos, Ruth, and Chloe visited.
“Ahem. It’s nothing much, but how is it?”
Duke Ardos checked every corner of my annex and soon wore a proud expression.
“You must have more things you want by now.”
“Father, why on earth are you doing this....... This is excessive.”
Ruth looked around with an expression as if she were seeing a ghost. Sister Chloe whispered softly.
“I suspect he’s doing this just to hear a certain title.”
“Ahem! Be quiet! Coco, is there anything else you want? Just say the word, anything at all.”
He lifted his chin as if flaunting his wealth.
‘At this level, normal children wouldn't want anything else.’
However, I am a scheming puppy. I had something I wanted.
“Coco, it’s me, Emperor of Mouse. About that person, Lucrezia. It seems she brought in a lot of priests.”
“Uh-huh?”
“The priests seem to be subtly spreading bad things about you. They say Lucrezia lost face because of you, and now it’s difficult for the temple to provide buffs.......”
Lucrezia, who brought in many priests who were buff-type ability users.
Lucrezia, who wins people's favor.
And the evil Lucrezia who bullies me and will bully my sister even more in the distant future!
‘I have to get stronger and give her a piece of my mind.’
To do that, I need a buff-type ability user too!
Revealing my tiny, grain-of-rice-like front teeth, I spoke.
“Yes! There is something I want!”
“What is it?”
“I... I want to study!”
“What study? Ah, do you want to study social etiquette? How admirable, you little scruffy thing. You want study as a reward? Won't your head hurt?”
“If I study, my head will probably hurt a lot.......”
“Don't corrupt her, Ruth. Anyway, Coco, you are now my daughter, ahem, so you should do some studying.”
“Hmm....... But Father, are there any decent tutors these days?”
“.......”
Sister, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up.
“Countess Bordeaux is the greatest godmother of the social circle.”
“No. Marchioness Camilla is more.......”
But among the names brushing past my ears, there was no one who left a strong impression.
I rolled my eyes and said.
“Um, but rather than social studies.”
“Huh?”
“I want to manifest my ability more. I want to become stronger than I am now!”
For some reason, the atmosphere became silent.
“......Why?”
“Why! Did someone dare to mistreat you?”
“It’s just that it’s only half-manifested.......”
“Should I just kill everyone who bullied our little scruffy thing.......”
“Forget it. Why bother with words. I’ll go get the truth serum.”
......In order, it was Duke Ardos, Ruth, and Sister Chloe.
I broke into a cold sweat trying to soothe them.
“Hut, ah, that’s not it!”
I waved my hands, insisting that no one had done anything, but all that returned was Duke Ardos’s fury.
* * *
Thanks to the effort I spent soothing my family, I was able to bring up my next point.
“Um, I heard while taking a walk! I heard that buff-type ability users can help manifest abilities.......”
Buff-type ability users can draw complex magic circles for others based on their own mana. Those magic circles also helped in manifesting abilities.
‘I’m in a situation where I need someone who can help me raise the level of my light ability.’
Only then can I save my sister, unlike in the future.
However, at the mention of the "buff-type," their gazes became heavy.
“You’re talking about those priests, right?”
“Because Lady Lucrezia hates me, the priest uncles said they won't give me buffs?”
“Ummm.......”
Did I speak too bluntly?
Just as the gazes floating in the air grew heavy.
I spoke bravely.
“It’s okay! Um, last night I memorized the names of the direct bloodline members of the family with the maid sister. Among our family members, there was also a buff-type ability user! And I heard they are super, super amazing.”
It was a lie.
Actually, I saw it in the future.
The strongest among the buff-type ability users was Belief Ardos, the uncle of Ruth and Chloe.
‘But I heard he has completely left the family now.’
They said he lives in a hut and doesn't meet anyone.
If such a person were brought back to the family, Lucrezia’s influence would diminish.
‘Eating sweet potatoes, eating potatoes!’
I was praising myself for being so clever when—
“......You mean that fellow, Belief?”
“Yes!”
“His ability is indeed <Education> of the buff-type, but.......”
His ability was the buff-type <Education>.
He possessed a vast amount of knowledge in his head.
Therefore, not only could he draw out potential, but he could also grant a portion of that knowledge to a disciple he desired.
It wasn't a simple educational ability.
Even if he didn't teach through direct conversation, it was a special ability that could transfer knowledge directly from mind to mind.
As rumors spread that he could upgrade an ability tenfold, ability users from all over the empire desired to serve him as their master.
If it were him, he might be able to tell me how to develop the light ability......!
“Yes, I want to learn from Lord Belief!”
At my words, Duke Ardos stroked his chin as if troubled.
“But to become Belief’s disciple, there is a great hurdle to overcome.”
“Uncle has a hatred for humans. That’s why he doesn't speak to anyone at all.”
“Hup.”
I’m a puppy, so wouldn't it be okay?
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