While inside the carriage, I contemplated my situation. "Status," I muttered, and a blue screen appeared, showing my stats in a game-like manner.
---
Name:Josephine von Konrow
Stats:
- STR: EX(++)
- VIT: EX(++)
- MANA: EX(++)
- HOLY: ∞
Gender: Female
Traits:
- [God's Beloved]
- [Pinnacle of Humanity]
- [Magic Overlord]
- [???]
---
"What the hell is this? Why are my stats like that?" I mused.
'It must be because I ate the Philosopher's Stone'
I remember in the writings in the recipe that it granted strength and mana, but I didn't think it was supposed to be consumed!
What's more, it seems like my body couldn't handle it, which explains why I almost died after consuming it accidentally.
Another screen popped up with a message:
[Xipe smiles at you.]
One of the things I had gained, aside from the status window, was these weird boxes containing messages from what seemed to be gods.
[Hecatia wants to introduce herself.]
[Xipe tells you it hasn't even introduced itself yet.]
Why are they fighting? Is this what gods think of mortals? How did I even survive that ordeal?
[Surtr explains that it's because of their power.]
[Surtr tells you that the Philosopher's Stone you sacrificed was imbued with their authority, allowing you to overcome the rampaging magic inside of you.]
[Xipe butts in and tells you that you essentially became their "avatar."]
Huh? But why me? Couldn't you have picked someone else?
[Hecatia tells you that it's because you're special.]
In what way exactly?
[Loki tells you that they're not lying.]
[The other gods are visibly annoyed at Loki.]
Ok fine, I remember my past life, but in the end, how does that change anything?
[Arte tells you that it's because you're a being that changes the flow of this world.]
A being that changes the flow?
[Tyr tells you that they can't tell you much because of circumstances.]
Well, it's fine. I'm not going to question it. You saved me after all. I don't need a reason why you did it.
[Xipe perks up like a proud parent, and the other gods also nod in agreement.]
As they did that, I tried various things in the status window, but it seemed to be the limit of what I could do at the moment.
[Xipe tells you that whatever you may do, the gods will pay no heed to it.]
'This seems to be more of a pain in the neck than I thought.'
I grabbed a hand mirror from my pocket and looked at myself. White hair and golden eyes. This was the result of me eating the Philosopher's Stone.
If it weren't for the fact that I always carry an Appearance Changing Kit because of Josephine's old schemes, I would have been caught.
I just wish that no one would notice.
I used it once more, and my appearance changed back to my usual black hair and red eyes.
After dozing for a few hours, we finally arrived at the Konrow Duchy by nighttime. I paid the coachman to keep his mouth shut and made him sign a magic contract to ensure his silence. As I approached the entrance of the mansion, I saw Jane looking a little nervous.
When I approached her, she bowed her head. "Good evening, Lady Josephine."
I was about to retort, but I realized something was strange. The spare mansion, which was normally dark in the evening except for my room, was now brightly illuminated.
'It seems that there are unwanted guests.'
"…I won't see them."
Jane still smiled at me nervously, not uttering a single word.
"Fine, how tenacious," I said as I opened the door myself.
'They dare treat my Jane harshly?!' Unforgivable! Whoever it is, I'm going to teach them a lesson.
As I strode towards the living room, I could see the face of the idiot who had barged into my home.
"Who the fuck are you?" I said in a loud voice.
A man with blonde hair glanced in my direction. It was Peter Edencrown.
"Why, why, if it isn't Mr. Nobody?" I sneered.
"Can the Lady not address me like that?" he said in an irritated tone.
"Whose fault do you think it is, huh?"
"Look, I know I was wrong. That's why..." he muttered in a low voice. "I apologize."
"Huh?! I can't hear you!"
"I said I apologize, Lady Josephine!" he shouted.
'Tsk.' At least he's an earnest guy.
I sat in the chair opposite to him. "It isn't the only reason you're here, right?" I asked.
"Well..." He couldn't say anything more.
"Why has the crown prince suddenly come into my home aside from apologizing?" In truth, I had some idea, but I wanted to hear it from his mouth.
"I want the Lady to teach me swordsmanship," he finally said.
Told ya so.
In their tradition, to be officially called the crown prince of the empire, they have to win against the current monarch to be truly declared the heir of the throne. It just so happens that the current king of this country is a monster when it comes to battle. If Peter is nicknamed "Blondy Prince," then Joseph Cromwell is nicknamed "Reaper of the Battlefield" due to his strength and ruthlessness.
"You cannot win against the current emperor," I said while leaning back in my chair comfortably and crossing my legs.
"I know, that is why I must defeat him," Peter replied.
"What an idiot," I thought.
"Even so, I want to prove that I am worthy," he continued.
"Because you lack support?" I saw him clench his fists at my words. The other princes knew their father was somewhat demented and driven by god-like strength. That's why they stood no chance of winning against him. The other princes established their factions, hoping they would succeed to the throne after their father died of natural causes.
And that's why Peter's position was the lowest out of all of them—because he doesn't have any support.
"I want to be strong for Adele," he said.
I chuckled at his motivation. In the end, he does defeat his father, albeit only after weakening him by defeating the Shadow Dragon and getting buffed by Adele. I just thought of a good revenge against the two of them.
"Fine, I'll teach you. On one condition."
"What condition?"
"For the duration of the training, you cannot approach Adele."
"What?!"
Peter stood up as if he were protesting. "That is my condition. If you don't like it, then get the hell out of here."
Peter bit his lip at my words.
'Besides, no one would support him because of his reputation.'
This is the only option he has. In fact, even coming here and begging me was a respectable move on his part. But I don't like him, so I'm going to shoo him away using this method. If he really loves Adele, he won't pick—
"I accept," he said.
"Huh?" My face contorted at his response.
'What is this guy even thinking?'
"As I have said, I am willing to do whatever it takes," Peter affirmed.
"What is this guy playing at?" I wondered aloud.
"I want to prove that I can protect Adele with my own strength. I'm sure she will understand it."
This fucking blockhead.
[Eros laughs at your futile attempt; love can surpass everything.]
Ah! This is so frustrating! I opened a box in the drawer and grabbed a self-geass scroll. I immediately wrote the contents of the contract and handed it to him.
"If you're serious, then sign this self-geass scroll. You know what it entails, right? If you break anything in the contract, you will die."
He grabbed the parchment and, although hesitant, signed it.
"Crazy bastard."
The geass scroll burned in the air, signifying that the contract was sealed. I clicked my tongue.
"…come back here tomorrow morning."
It seemed that he was also shaken by the decision he had made.
Now that I think of it, why did I even accept this bastard inside my house? It must be because of Josephine's unconscious will. Yep, that is definitely it.
This body instinctively tells me so. In fact, the moment I saw him in the garden, I could feel her reaction to him. Josephine must have been a real sucker for ikemen types, huh?
'That doesn't really apply to me, though.'
Handsome men can die for all I care, since I had bad experiences with them. A shudder ran through my shoulders. It reminds me of my past life more vividly.
After a while, he stood up and silently exited the door. I hoped he wouldn't come back. Yep!
-
He came back. Tsk. Persistent bastard.
[Tyr tells you that he has the heart of a warrior.]
So what? He literally sent me to jail in the original!
It was morning, so it was cold, and Jane was still sleeping. I saw Peter without his usual clothes of imperial origin. He wore a simple t-shirt and pants that suited a commoner.
"It suits you."
"You—"
Before he could even talk, I cut him off by tossing him a wooden sword.
"No talking, only fighting."
I knew this was a mistake from the start.
'I have to make you strong quickly.'