Published at 7th of December 2019 12:16 am

Chapter 61: Pawn/Piece

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“Can I have a moment,　Second-san?”

“What?　Sure.”

　After sleeping until noon, I ate a slightly late lunch and drank some tea Yukari brewed after the meal. It was then that Windfield approached me.

　I looked around the living room, but nobody said anything. These girls, looking so assertive this morning seem to have changed their mood.

“…………”

　Perhaps, this gray-haired spirit with an undercut hairstyle quietly walking in front of me, has made the necessary arrangements for this. Thinking along those lines, I guess it’s as expected from the best strategist in the spirit world.

　In other words, it looks like I’ll spend my afternoon with her. No, I guess ‘him’?　Is there a specific gender when referring to Windfield?　I’m not sure, I’ll have to ask later. Fortunately, thanks to Windfield, today’s schedule has become simpler.

“Here.”

　Walking for a while, we arrived at our destination. The place where Windfield stopped was a balcony overlooking Lake Vanilla. This is the highlight of this mansion by the lakeside. As one would expect, this is a great scenery indeed. It also feels pleasant to have the cool autumn breeze against my body after having eaten a meal.

“What did you want to talk about? “

　After hearing those words from my mouth, Windfield’s head tilted a bit before answering with “Let’s just talk about anything”.

“Let’s see, the Duchess Lucia Icene?　Did you receive anything from her?　For example…… That’s right, a list of the enemies in the Castall Kingdom? Or how to learn Brainwashing Magic? Or anything like that?”

“――! ! “

How spot on.

　Did I tell Windfield about the letter from the Duchess?　No, I never did. Neither did I say anything about my relationship with the Duchess. Did Windfield hear it from Yukari?　That’s probably the case, but how did Windfield make such a perfect conjecture?

　……Did this spirit arrive at such a top-secret matter in just a few hours of reasoning from a completely blank slate state?

“I didn’t read your mind, you know?”

　My heart jumped one more time. It was at the very moment I was considering that to be a possibility.

“I’ve been speaking with my Master, Silvia-san and the servants, so that was only my guess. Was it a hit?”

　Windfield smiled while holding a teacup and said “How was it? ” while tilting their head at the same time. I’m not sure whether it’s a man or a woman, but that gesture felt cute.

“……A hit. But, only about 99% correct. The letter from the Duchess also included a list of people that could be trusted.”

“Ahh, I see. Ahhー……”

　Windfield showed a slightly depressed expression. I would have wanted to give this spirit a perfect score. Still, it’s amazing that Windfield learned about the “learning Brainwashing Magic” thing in just half a day, so this spirit honestly even deserves 120 points out of 100.

“And so, the real subject is? “

“Ahh, right. Let’s ascertain your priorities first.”

“My priorities? “

“Indeed. You want the second Prince to win…… right? “

“Right…… Ah?　It’d be bad if the Castall Kingdom becomes a subordinate of the Marubell Empire, right?”

“It might, it might not. “

“Hmm? “

　I feel like we’re somehow not in sync about this issue.

“If things keep going the same way they are, the Castall Kingdom will eventually be under the rule of the Marubell Empire, right? “

“Yeah.”

“Wouldn’t that be bad? “

“I don’t think it would be that bad. That is if they don’t defy them.”

“…I see.”

　So, if there’s no fuss, blood won’t flow, huh?

“But the royal family will be killed, right? “

“The Empire won’t kill the second Prince, but if things keep going as they are, it’ll be the first Prince who’ll do it. It would be a competition behind the scenes to see who would rule after they become a subordinate country.”

“Ahh, so that would happen?”

　The Empire is trying to use its operatives to bloodlessly bring down the country. This seems more serious than I thought. And those are from within the first Prince’s faction, right……?

“Still, I had the image that the Empire was a more militant nation. It’s surprisingly political, huh?”

“Most likely the Empire would be completely ruthless only against a country that defies them, I think?　That might be why it has that image. Although I can’t really say anything for sure since I lack information.”

　I wasn’t expecting any particular response to that question, so I was taken aback by the answer I received. What a terrifyingly smart guy. Even though Windfield’s a slow speaker, this guy properly reads deeper into the conversation.

“Alright, I understand. So, which one do you prefer? To save the Kingdom and help the second Prince? Or help the second Prince and become a subordinate country of the Empire? “

“Yeah, that’s it. I’d prefer if the Castall Kingdom remains.”

“Uhmm, why is that? “

“That way the Title Matches can be held like always.”

“Ohh. I see, so that’s why.”

　The Title Matches take place here in Vinceton, the capital of the Castall Kingdom. If the Castall Kingdom became a subordinate of the Marubell Empire, the location of the Title battles might change or even the rules may change. And if it comes to the worst scenario, Title battles might disappear altogether.

　In order to achieve my goal of being the best in the world, I want to compete in as many Title battles as possible in order to acquire a lot of Titles. Therefore, I would be quite troubled if the Title battles are gone.

“Okay, then let’s move in that direction.”

　While moving the fingers in the air, Windfield said, “Let’s change plans then”.

　Huh?　So, the original strategy was to work with the intention of becoming a subordinate country of the Empire?　Wait, does that mean it’d be difficult to help Maine while keeping the Castall Kingdom afloat……?

“Ahh, don’t worry. If it’s you, Second-san, even if it becomes a bit more difficult, it will work out in the end.”

　Again with guessing my thoughts. If a spirit with such an abnormal brain says so, I suppose it’d be alright.

“What do you mean by ‘if it’s me’? “

“Hmm…… To tell you the truth……. I’m, really, excited.”

“……What? “

　Excited?　Why speak of that all the sudden?

“You see, I’m really weak compared to other spirits. I inherited half the power of water and half the power of earth from my parents, or in other words, I can only produce half the power.”

　Certainly, I heard about this from Angolmois. Water and earth powers are reduced by half.

“It’s really rare, for someone like me to be born. Half-breed, is what we’re called. And even among the half-breeds, I was especially bad, so I was picked up by the Great King.”

“So? “

“The Great King, he has a terrible personality, right?　He did that exactly because of that, as a snide remark.”

“Whoa……”

　Is his terrible personality a common perception over there? Or rather, he’s the same even in the spirit world? I’m sure he has never had any friends. Moreover, to simply say “This weak spirit will be my representative! “, to the other spirits because of that.　Whoa……Whoaaaa.

“Let’s get back to the story. You see, I’m weak, I’m the representative of the Great King, and I’m a strategist…… I always thought that even if I was summoned, I wouldn’t be able to answer the call. But, today, I was summoned.”

“I see. So that’s where the excitement is from.”

“Yeah. But that’s not the only reason. Second-san, you’re the other reason.”

“I am? “

“Yeah…… fufufu.”

“What’s wrong? “

“Fufufufufu! “

　Windfield hid the smile by covering it with a hand. And then, as if looking at something interesting, began to giggle.

“This is the first time for me, to get such a strong ‘piece’.”

　A chill ran down my spine.

　It was just a casual word, but the power behind it was tremendous.

　――Piece. Windfield thought of me as a ‘piece’. So, in other words. The political strife that will develop in the near future will be simply a “game” for Windfield, like playing chess.

　What’s with that? What an outrageous guy. Can I really leave it to this guy……? Many people might think like this.

　But.

　I had the opposite impression. I can trust Windfield――

　Because I, above everyone else, think of this world as a “game”. No, not only me.

　……I get it. Windfield could feel that same atmosphere coming from me. You are the same as me, right?　You think this is only a game, right?　He saw those traces. That’s why Windfield dared say I was just a piece in front of me. Am I wrong?

“Hahahaha! “

　The question floating in my mind was affirmed by Windfield’s face.

　So, I accidentally laughed. This guy and I are similar. That’s what makes this so joyful and interesting. Right now, mine and Windfield’s feelings overlapped.

“Fufufufu! “

“Haha, hahaha! “

　And thus, we couldn’t help but laugh out like that.

——

　Well then.

　After laughing for a while, we returned to our previous issue. Speaking of which, we were in the middle of a talk.

“So, about the priorities? “

“Yeah. First, Brainwashing Magic. Secondly, the second Prince.”

“Wait a moment. Let me share with you how to learn Brainwashing Magic.”

“Right.”

　Taking the letter from the Duchess out of my inventory, I briefly explained the contents.

“Let’s see…… the learning condition is to receive 300 attacks from a slave with the Assassination skill.”

“Oh, then, it can be learned today. Shall we visit the second Prince tomorrow afternoon?”

“Wait, wait. By today you mean right now?　Or rather, isn’t it weird? Is it not a contradiction to be attacked by a slave?”

　Slaves can’t take aggressive actions against their masters. However, if I was to ‘break them out’ like with Yukari, then they would no longer be a slave, so it wouldn’t fulfill that condition.

　There was only one way I could think of. Someone other than me gets ownership of a slave with the 【Assassination】 skill and makes them attack me. However, like with Yukari, almost any slave with the 【Assassination】 skill would have special circumstances so they won’t be able to attack. Then, the other option would be to make a slave learn the 【Assassination】 skill, but one of the conditions to learn it is to “PK”. In other words, killing a human is necessary. That’s the main reason why I had put off acquiring Brainwashing Magic before using the excuse of it being “troublesome”.

　What about that?　Can I really learn it today?　Are you kidding me!?　That’s Windfield for you.

“You see, there’s a child among my Master’s subordinates who can use the Assassination skill, named Yve.”

“Whoa, don’t tell anyone!　Got it! “

　Leaving aside why Windfield already knows the skills of Yukari’s subordinates, I got to learn a simple way of learning Brainwashing Magic.

“So, Yukari will use Knight Thread Manipulation to attack Yve, who in turn will attack me? “

“Yes, that’s correct.”

　Alright. Among the 【Thread Manipulation】skills, 《Knight Thread Manipulation》 is a skill that can control a human being almost like a puppet doll for a certain period of time. Using this skill to make Yukari take control over Yve, she would most likely be treated as a part of Yukari’s equipment and will be able to attack me regardless of the slave contract. I think I should already have that answer, but seriously, what a loophole.

　Still, Windfield was incredible to have come up with a method the moment I revealed the requirements of learning that skill, right?　……This guy’s crazy, right?

“Well, let’s go learn it.”

　We left the balcony and headed towards the servant’s mansion.

　Yukari told me “Please wait here at the lakeside mansion! “, however, I refused while saying “Since I’m the master, I should go see how the servants are doing once in a while”, and walked off to where the servants were. That’s right, the number of servants seems to have increased substantially. And because I’m their master, I think I should show my face occasionally.

　And thus, together with Windfield, we walked along the road, looking around at the scenery which had completely become one of autumn. I wonder if Yukari didn’t want me to have to walk this distance, even though it’s on the premises of my own house, but as I walked in this beautiful autumn scenery with fallen leaves I thought to myself “I’m glad I bought it”.”

“Do spirits have a gender? “

　While leisurely walking, I happened to become curious about something so I asked.

“We do. Or rather, we are free to decide on whichever. By the way, I’m a woman.”

　Seriously? They are free to decide? In other words, Angolmois hasn’t decided yet, right?

“You know, just recently, I decided on a woman.”

“Hee. Why so? “

“Fufufu, it’s a secret.”

　Windfield smiled suggestively while placing her index finger in front of her lips.

　To be honest, that startled me a little.

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