64　Middle Finger, Index Finger, Thumb

 

　Afternoon.

　Leaving the house in Yukari’s care, Windfield and I went to grab Seventh Teiō and then headed towards the Royal Magic Academy. The purpose was to pay a visit to Maine, the second Prince.

 

“Hey, why didn’t we make an appointment? “

 

　I was quite curious about the reason for that as we were on our way, so I asked. It surprised me that we went to visit him without an appointment. I mean, we’re going to visit a Prince. That’s why I don’t know the reason for this.

 

“Zipang is superior to the Castall Kingdom. We’re trying to give that impression.”

“Ah……”

 

　I heard the word Zipang after a long time!　Thinking about it, I did have such setting.

 

　To know the details that even the concerned party has forgotten, this girl is amazing. I can’t believe it’s only been a day since she was summoned. I already heard from Silvia yesterday, but she surely is great at finding information. You can’t do this unless you always absorb the necessary information at the highest efficiency. She’s like a walking ‘RTA’.

 

“I’m grateful for your praise, but what is that? Are we there already? “

“Yeah. We’ve arrived.”

 

　I’m already used to being around this esper.

 

　Without dismounting Seventh Teiō, we crossed the school’s gate.

 

“Kyaaaa! “, “Second-sama! ? “, “No way! “, “Why is he here! ? “

 

　Screams were heard from here and there…… or rather, high-pitched voices. With the schoolgirls this excited, it wouldn’t really come as a surprise if one of them would come trying to get on my horse.

 

“You thereーー? “

 

　Since there was no other way, I went around the schoolyard, “Maine, you there? “, repeatedly calling out to him like that.

 

　Almost immediately after, some students who noticed I came looking for Maine rushed towards the school building.

 

　……A few minutes later, Maine came rushing to this place wearing a surprised expression.

 

“Second-san! ?　What are you doing! ? “

“Well, there’s no place to leave my horse.”

“That’s what I’m saying, please don’t ride in here! “

 

　Even though it’s been a while since we last saw each other, this back and forth feels nice. It makes me happy.

 

“Hey, is there some place where we can calmly speak?　And also, I’d like to do something about the horse(s).”

“A calm place? The horse(s)?　Wait, that’s too sudden!　Please behave and quietly stay here for a moment! “

“Come on, hurry.”

“Seriously!　And I was thinking of finally meeting you after a long time!　Ahhh! “

 

　Maine returned to the school building muttering with dismay in his voice while holding his head. A few seconds later, a maid under the second Prince came from the direction in which Maine left and guided us to the stables.

 

“We’re currently arranging a salon. It will only take a moment.”

 

　And then she left us after politely bowing along with those words. She’s quite composed, unlike my maids. Is this the difference between them and a first-class one?

 

　By the way, I didn’t understand the meaning of the salon, so I asked Windfield. It seems it’s something like a common room. As expected of the encyclopedia spirit.

 

 

“Second-san!　Don’t be unreasonable!　Coming here without an appointment and running around the schoolyard on top of a horse! “

 

　After a while, as soon as Maine arrived at the salon, he started scolding me.

 

　I properly apologized with a “Sorry, sorry”, while sticking out my right hand in the form of a fist.

 

“Ahh………… Seriously.”

 

　Some seconds later, Maine also stuck out his first, bumping it with mine. His faint “Ehehe” along that happy look on his face made him look quite girlish, as always. However, he’s a prince.

 

“Huh? Who would this person be?　And also, I can’t see Silvia-san or Eko-san……”

 

　With a brightened mood, Maine looked at Windfield and spoke.

 

“This here is my tactician. Windfield.”

“A pleasure meeting you.”

“Y-Yes. Nice to meet you, eh? Tactician? “

 

　The second Prince reacted to the word Tactician. I’m sure he’s more familiar with that field than me, a former seriously addicted online game junky.

 

“Could you, clear out the room, please?”

 

　As Windfield said that, Maine looked at the maid who was waiting in the room. The maid then shook her head saying “I can’t comply”.

 

　Yeah, this is troublesome. If Windfield thought we needed to clear the room, then we really need it. I can’t let this maid listen to our talk.

 

　……Ahh, that’s right.

 

“Should I use Brainwash? “

 

　I just remember I’ve wanted to try out the Brainwashing Magic I just learned, so I asked in a quiet voice. However, Windfield immediately said “No”. She then went on to tell me her reasoning.

 

“There might be a limited number of times Brainwashing Magic can be used. My guess is that it’s only four times.”

“…………For real? “

 

　A limited number of uses?　Moreover, only four?　Why such a half-ass number?

 

“With my master and Phillip, the president of the Maurice Company, that’s two. To herself, in order to not tell the truth if tortured, that’s another one. And she should’ve used it somewhere else once more, that’s when she was targeted by the Prime Minister and the Duchess’ house was ruined. In total, that’s four times.”

 

　The Icene house was crushed under charges of treason. However, that was just the cover story. The real reason was the scheming by the Prime Minister, who noticed the existence of Brainwashing Magic, and feared it. I knew that too.

 

　In my previous life, in Mobius, the Prime Minister Val Morrow obtained 《Brainwashing Magic》 and brainwashed Castall’s King, Barwell. He then tried to turn the country into a subordinate of the Marubell Empire, but as a result of the Players’ successful actions, the King’s brainwashing was solved and the Prime Minister was overthrown. That’s how the story went. The contents were quite MMORPG-like.

 

　However, in this world the King hasn’t been brainwashed yet. Most likely, I think 《Brainwashing Magic》 hasn’t fallen into the hands of the Prime Minister. It can be said that this is attributed to the careful actions of Duchess Lucia. She was careful enough to use two of the brainwashing limited uses to emphasize finding a successor; to find extraordinary and worthy people to inherit the magic, and a good enough person who could accept a rebellious slave who will solve their brainwashing.

 

“Is there a possibility you’re being too cautious……? “

 

　The duchess used it four times in a situation where nothing was certain. She left the information of “you can use it four times” to her successor. However, I’ve been wondering all this time. What if it was “At least four times” instead of “Only four times”?　What if there’s no limit to the number of uses?

 

“In that case, then, we’re lucky. But, for now it better to think it’s only four times, to be sure. This means, we need to be careful with it.”

 

　It sounds plausible, and isn’t far-fetched either. Unlike the game, in this world we can’t start over. It’s useless to worry about how many times it can be used. When I sighed in frustration at not being able to say anything, she followed up saying “I can understand how you feel”. She is a good spirit.

 

“Well then. It can’t be helped, I should start talking, just like this.”

 

　Is that okay? Maine and I just felt confused. The maid was also showing a somewhat puzzled face.

 

“Uhmm, right, first off let’s begin, with Second-san’s wishes. Second-san wants, you, second Prince Maine to take over the throne.”

“O-okay.”

“To that end, the First Prince, the First Queen, and the Prime Minister, are in the way. Therefore, we will drive them to a corner.”

“Huh! ? “

 

　Maine raised his voice in surprise at the sudden bombshell announcement. The maid had her eyes rounded in shock.

 

“But you know, we can’t just kill that bothersome trio, right? “

“Yeah. Most likely, the people, won’t agree. And I think the First Prince, together with the operatives from the Empire, will create a disturbance.”

“Hey, wait, wait, wait!　Just what are you talking about! ?　Eh, what do you mean! ? “

 

　Seemingly unable to catch up, Maine asked us for an explanation. At that point, the maid was covering her ears with both hands. She understands that this is something she shouldn’t be hearing, but she still doesn’t seem to want to go out of the room.

 

“We’re talking about you. How we can get Maine to become the new King.”

“Me! ?　The King! ?　Not my brother? “

“Yeah. You don’t want that either, do you?　If he becomes King, this country is probably done for.”

“……W-Well, I certainly wouldn’t want that. However, me becoming a King is kind of……”

“You’re as hesitant as ever. You want to do it or not? Speak clearly.”

“That is, if I have to do it, I’ll do it. But, what about my brother?”

“No buts. Do you want to be King? “

“…………Y-Yes.”

“Well said. There’s no going back on your words, Prince.”

“Yes.”

“Are you serious? “

“Don’t worry, I’m being serious. It’s just…… I’m not very confident.”

“I see, you’ll be alright. It’s just a matter of becoming confident.”

“Ahahaha, I see you’re the same as usual.”

 

　Alright, I got his promise. Next is the crucial method.

 

　After glancing at Windfield, she smiled and opened her mouth to speak.

 

“I will use, three moves. I’ll explain starting with the first one.”

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     ???
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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