Dark green smooth dress accentuated Asha’s slender body. Although she had experienced a rather rough journey, her upper arms were white and her skin texture was also delicate.?
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Her hair was done in an upswept style, showing off her nape. With a slight make-up applied on her face, she looked like a devilish beauty.?
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It was nothing like the saying “anyone can look good with the right clothes”. Since Asha was already a terrific beauty, wearing make-up made her shine even more.?
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「-E-Eh, errr… Everyone, thank you for attending the party today.」?
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It wasn’t just me who was fascinated by Asha, but everyone at the venue as well. Some men had dropped the forks they were holding, and were glared at by their women.?
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The mayor somehow managed to recover and proceeded with the greetings for the Umibozu subjugation party. When Asha’s gaze met mine, she smiled – my heart started beating even faster. I was able to regain my composure thanks to Polina-san, who had a shit-eating grin on her face behind Asha.?
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When the mayor announced that he himself was at the scene of subduing Umibozu, cheers erupted among the gathered people.?
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Then he touched on the contributions of Silver Balance, then on the bravery of the knights, and finally on Asha’s magic, and then the announcement ended.?
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It was a bit embarrassing because there were too many eyes on us.?
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「Well then, everyone, please have a good time this evening.」?
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After the mayor’s greeting, a band of about 8 musicians played some lively music.?
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There was almost no enjoyment of music in this world. It was just to the extent of bards singing at bars, so it felt like a fresh experience.?
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「Come on, Reiji-kun. Go.」?
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Well, I couldn’t afford to listen to the music. As Mimino-san pushed my back, I started walking towards Asha. She too walked towards me quietly.?
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「Reiji-san, I feel very weird. I have worn these dresses many times before, but today I feel so embarrassed.」?
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「I think it looks great.」?
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Even I was surprised to hear a straight compliment slipping out of my mouth, but Asha’s cheeks turned bright red – or maybe it was just the sunset – and her naturally red lips curved into a smile.?
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「Fufu. Reiji-san’s compliment makes me very happy. I don’t think a compliment from anyone else can make me feel this way.」?
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「I-Is that so…?」?
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Being told that, the naive boy with little love experience as I am, almost had my heart leap out of my body.?
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「How is your sister?」?
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「Kook-san and the others are watching over her currently. Thank you, Asha, for caring about Lark’s wellbeing.」?
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「Fufufu. Reiji-san, you address your sister like an outsider.」?
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「Well, we’re actually unrelated.」?
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「…Huh?」?
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「There were no other children in the place where we met, so Lark insisted that I was her younger brother.」?
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「W-Wait a minute. So your older sister, no, Lark is actually a stranger?」?
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「Yes, we’re completely unrelated. We don’t even bear the slightest resemblance.」?
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「If so, that means… that Lark-sama’s feelings towards Reiji-san is–」?
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When Asha was about to say something,?
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「——Reiji-dono, Your Highness Anastasia, you two are the leads of the party today. Please come join us.」?
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The mayor and his brother approached us. Lark destroyed the dock and even stole a magic ship, so I couldn’t refuse their request.?
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「Yes, of course. Asha, are you good?」I asked.?
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「Y-Yes, I am fine.」?
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Asha looked a little lonely, but her ability to act befitting the occasion was truly royal. We would be able to talk as much as we want later.?
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「Reiji-dono, you were flying in the sky, right!? How did you do that?」?
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「By applying【Fire Magic】and【Wind Magic】—」?
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I shared with them the method to fly since it was not really a secret, but it seems that they couldn’t understand the concept right away. They seem to think that exploding【Fire Magic】near your body would simply burn you.?
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「Man, I’m wondering what kind of skill you possess. You can control two types of magic up to the master level, and even have a surplus of mana.」?
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A merchant-like man with a sharp eye said. I thought he might be a merchant because he was fat and had a gait that seemed to have no experience in martial arts.【World Ruler】gave me the same information.?
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The mayor didn’t say anything about it. He should have seen me use【Dark Magic】, which means I will have to use up at least 6 skill holders just for magic, and the composition of skills is a big secret for some people, so he hid it on purpose for me.?
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But well… “How interesting” was written all over his face.?
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「It’s nothing all that special.」I answered, with a bitter smile.?
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「Haha, all the masters say that. I am Yago, a trader who is active mainly in the Keith Gran Federation. I was stuck here with my ships due to the appearance of Umibozu. I am greatly indebted to you, Reiji-dono. Pleased to make your acquaintance.」?
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「Ah, yes.」?
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I shook his outstretched hand – it was a soft hand that had never held a weapon before. Though there were calluses on his fingertips due to writing.?
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(…Hmm?)?
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A very faint power — a change that I wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t have【World Ruler】, was in the hand which I grasped.?
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Although he immediately pulled away his hand, I saw the shock in Yago-san’s eyes.?
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(Haa… I see.)?
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This person saw my skill.?
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In the past, I was asked to shake hands in the same way and my skills were seen at that time. I met with Secretary Specular at Earl Sillys’ residence.?
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The Earl said:?
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——The skill【Orb-See ★★】allows you to confirm the skill of the person you see. Though, at his level we can’t see the number of stars of the skill.?
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At that time, I had removed【World Ruler】.?
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But right now it was in my body.?
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「Did you see something, Yago-san?」?
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I asked with a smile.