After uncovering the treasurer's corruption, another three days passed, bringing me to the one-week mark since arriving at the Belverk Ducal House.
"Oh, little Young Master."
"Such a small and cute Young Master. Where are you off to?"
"Good morning."
The biggest change from that corruption scandal was, first and foremost, the maids greeting me with bright smiles and kind words every time I walked the corridors.
I didn't understand why at first, but according to Schwarz, rumors had spread among the servants that I had bravely lied to Mother to cover for a mere 'maid's' mistake.
At the time, I had just felt uneasy about escalating things and said it without thinking, but apparently, that one sentence could have unleashed a bloodbath among the maids.
"Hehe. Young Master, you've got something on your head."
"Ah, something on your face too. Let me wipe it off."
"Oh dear, there's a mark on your chin as well..."
That much I could understand, but lately, the maids kept insisting something was on me and touching me all over.
At first, I thought it was real and washed diligently (barely convincing Schwarz not to bathe me herself), but their touches never stopped.
"Schwarz is so careless."
"Young Master, if she does anything weird, tell us right away?"
"Yes, we have plenty of replacements for a personal maid?"
"Eugh..."
The maids wouldn't just want to touch me for no reason. Was this some kind of hazing? Or a hidden agenda? Even the servants in Belverk were strange.
"Um, everyone. I have to go now."
"Ah, sorry about that."
"See you later!"
Anyway, since I had somewhere to be, I politely excused myself, and the maids surrounding me waved goodbye cheerfully.
"...Wow, he really uses polite speech with the maids."
"Why the fuss? The Second Lady does too."
"No, she's different."
Overhearing their whispers behind me, it didn't seem like they meant any harm, but would I ever get used to this?
- Knock knock...
Glancing back several times to make sure no maids were following, I hurried along and soon stopped before the grandest door in the mansion, knocking.
"Ah, hello, Mother."
"...You're here."
"Kairen came to pay his respects!"
This was the second change in my daily routine from that day's incident.
Thanks to the gift I'd requested being accepted, I now spent a precious hour each day with Mother.
"Come, sit here."
As I entered beaming innocently, Mother, seated at the family head's desk reading documents, shifted sideways and patted her lap.
"...Yes!"
Of course, she was just being considerate, wanting her young child to sit comfortably.
But for me, it wasn't entirely pleasant.
"There we go."
"Eek."
Because with my current child-sized body, sitting on Duke Astridje's lap placed her heavy bosom right atop my head.
Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing. Not a sentiment for a child under ten, but with my past-life memories synced up, I couldn't help it.
"What's wrong? Uncomfortable anywhere?"
"...No!"
Still, I couldn't easily give up Mother's lap.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Sit on Duke Astridje's lap. (2/1) Be embraced in Duke Astridje's arms. (2/1) Exceeding the goal increases Act 1 clear rewards.
It wasn't ulterior motives on my part; the system message had appeared.
I had no idea what the Act 1 clear reward was, but since the system had declared it would help me, it should give me something useful, right?
So this was absolutely not indulgence. It was just a necessary discourtesy for my survival.
"Eep."
However, I couldn't help blushing when Mother, reading her documents, unconsciously toyed with my cheek.
"Kairen, have you learned the basics of Belverk knowledge from Schwarz?"
As I pondered what aegyo to pull off today amid her gradually familiar touches, Mother suddenly asked me a question.
"Ah, yes!"
"Good. Shall I quiz you then?"
Mother smirked at my confident reply and began the quiz.
"What merit did Belverk's founder achieve?"
"In the Empire's founding era, he aided the first Emperor in unifying the continent and defeating the Demon King with decisive contributions!"
From what Schwarz taught, the Belverk Ducal House was a war-hero family alongside the Imperial Family since the founding era.
Analyses suggested that without Belverk's founder, the monster and human worlds might not have separated, and chaos would persist.
"What is the foundational proverb of Belverk?"
"The end with the sword, the beginning with will. Right?"
"Do you know its meaning?"
Mother, looking impressed at my answer, followed up.
"It values force and resolve, but actions must have meaning."
"Hoo."
"That's my understanding."
Incidentally, while Schwarz taught the proverb, she hadn't explained the meaning.
Probably, interpretations separated heir candidates' qualities.
"Perfect."
"Hehe."
"As expected of my son. So clever."
Thankfully, my take pleased her. After petting my head fondly for a while, she added with a sudden realization.
"...But this is just basic heir qualities."
"Ah, yes."
"Don't get arrogant. In Belverk, arrogance is the gravest sin."
She gazed down at me with slightly cold eyes.
"Yees..."
But as I pouted sadly and looked up, she flinched, stared contemplatively, then spoke.
"...Well, for your age, it is clever."
"Heehee."
Was this the world of romance fantasy parenting stories?
Playing aegyo as a full-grown man made my skin crawl, but I had to admit it was cheat-level effective here.
"Have you learned about Belverk's Crimson Eyes?"
"Ah, that..."
As I chuckled inwardly, Mother's question pierced my ears, paling my face.
"I've learned the basics, but..."
"I'll explain again, just in case."
Before I could respond, Mother's lecture began abruptly.
"Those who inherit Belverk blood can awaken the 'Crimson Eyes.' You can guess what they do."
"...Yes."
"Right after awakening, physical abilities surge, and senses double. That's the basic power."
She touched one of my eyes with her fingertip, continuing.
"But if that were all, it wouldn't differ from mages' enhancements. Belverk's position has reasons."
True. I'd grasped that from Schwarz's easy lessons.
"Do you know why?"
"Yes, those who awaken Crimson Eyes gain unique 'Unique Abilities.'"
"Correct again."
But that was exactly why my face paled.
"Mother."
"Hm?"
"Actually..."
Because my Crimson Eyes had one issue:
"I haven't manifested my Unique Ability yet."
I still hadn't awakened my personal Unique Ability.
"That's normal."
"Pardon?"
"It's been less than a week since you awakened your Crimson Eyes. Of course you haven't found it yet."
Seeing my deflated expression, she dismissed my worry casually.
"No need to rush. Your personal maid will help, and so will I."
"Th-thank you."
What? Not having a Unique Ability yet was normal. I'd been fretting it was missing—such a relief.
'...Still, I'd like to find it quickly.'
But my worries weren't gone. It meant I was vulnerable to attacks now.
Even head maid Schwarz couldn't beat Belverk's three monsters.
So, I needed to awaken my Unique Ability ASAP to stand a chance.
In other words, this was the most dangerous time.
"Alright, here's a demonstration—it might help."
Reading my anxious face, Mother raised one hand, her eyes turning crimson.
"For example, my Unique Ability is this."
"Eek?"
The next instant, I floated off her lap into the air.
"Telekinesis. Moving objects without touch. This power placed me here."
I'd vaguely heard rumors, but seeing it was amazing.
Now it just levitated me, but years ago on the eastern front, one gesture dyed the battlefield in blood, or so I'd heard.
And thinking back, on the day escaping Opstein, when Lady Dorsia tumbled down the stairs, Mother had gestured too.
"Unique Abilities grow with training. Mine allows fine control, like tripping someone unnoticed."
As expected, she proved it verbally while I bobbed in the air.
"For example, like this."
Not content, she wiggled her five fingers gently.
"M-Mother."
Soon, unknown touches caressed my body.
"It t-tickles."
"Ah, sorry."
My body shivered oddly; I urgently spoke up, and wide-eyed Mother released the ability.
"I haven't properly touched a person before..."
She looked flustered briefly, then resumed her usual impassive expression.
"...Anyway, your sisters each have Unique Abilities like me."
Ignoring my strangely heated body, a question arose.
A week ago in the carriage, Mother said my three sisters didn't truly carry Belverk blood.
Yet how did they awaken Crimson Eyes, exclusive to Belverk blood?
"For instance, Lilien's is... Hm?"
But before she could resolve my curiosity, our talk ended abruptly.
- Creeeak...
Mother's eyes flashed crimson; she extended her hand sideways, and the office doorknob turned on its own.
"..."
But the opened corridor was empty.
"Best end this conversation here."
Her narrowed eyes confirmed someone had been eavesdropping.
"By the way, Kairen, did you have breakfast?"
"Huh? Not yet..."
"Growing boys can't skip breakfast. Let me brew some warm milk."
And I had a hunch who it was.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Subjugate Lilien Nox Belverk (0/1)
Right on cue, Act 1's main quest reappeared before my eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Phew."
About an hour later.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Subjugate Lilien Nox Belverk (0/1)
Finally escaping Mother's office—where she kept stuffing food into my mouth—the Act 1 main quest still hovered before me.
'Time to get started.'
And I was ready to tackle my untouched third sister.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Scenario input complete. Generating related tags...
Of course, my plan was fully formed in my mind.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Misunderstanding #Despair #Regret #Reflection]
It was a bit of a gamble at this point, though.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Success Chance: 50%
Still, for me, it was a gamble with nothing to lose.