Chapter 41: Fake Family

I freeze on the spot after an unexpected encounter in the bath.

The steam makes it hard to see clearly, but there’s no doubt—a woman is standing there. Even her voice confirms it.

If someone were to see me in a situation like this, there’s a high chance my social credibility would plummet. Worse than that, though, is the near certainty that Hikari would give me a long lecture. She’d definitely say it’s dangerous not to check if someone is already in the bath beforehand—and since she’d be completely right, I wouldn’t even be able to argue back.

"Lord Toma, there is something I wish to discuss with you."

That voice, addressing me again while I’m busy trying to escape reality, forces me to confront the situation I’d rather avoid.

Standing before me is undoubtedly Ciel-san, a towel wrapped around her body to keep herself covered. The cheerful, innocent demeanor she usually shows around Shion is nowhere to be seen. Instead, her expression is like a blank mask—devoid of warmth or emotion.

Unlike Shion’s model-like figure, her body is small and fragile, as if it might break at a touch. Sitting formally on the bath floor, she looks so different that—if not for her hair color—you’d never believe she and Shion were related. Her skin isn’t just pale—it’s almost sickly white, evoking concern before admiration. Perhaps that’s what stirs such a strong protective instinct toward her.

But more striking than anything are the marks carved into that pale skin—evidence of cruelty. The swollen welts speak of the suffering she has endured. It makes me wonder if such things are truly allowed in the Yaranli Kingdom, and reminds me just how peaceful my own country is. I can now understand why Shion is always so worried about her.

Is it because she has elven blood? There’s something undeniably mystical about her. And when she maintains that expressionless face like this, that impression only grows stronger. Normally hidden behind her cheerful smile, that aura now seems capable of drawing in anyone who sees her.

"I have been lying to all of you. And I have been hiding an even more painful truth from that child."

That child must be Shion. Just as Shion worried about Ciel-san, it seems Ciel-san has also been looking out for her.

But what kind of lie could it be? The truth turns out to be far beyond what I expected.

"I am not Shion’s mother. That child has merely been made to believe so through suggestion."

There was no choice but to hear her out in detail.

There wasn’t… but still—

"Before that, can I wash up first?"

"………………………………"

Please don’t look at me like that. Don’t give me that doubtful stare, like “Can I really trust this person with anything?” If I get into the bath like this, it’s unhygienic—and if I just stand here, I’ll catch a cold.

"...Very well. Then sit down—I’ll wash you quickly."

"Eh? No, I can wash myself—"

"Please. Sit. Down."

"Yes, ma’am."

That pressure is intense—on par with Hikari when she’s absolutely furious. In other words, it’s extremely effective against me, and there’s no way I can resist her.

As instructed, I sit on the bath stool she indicates. I firmly refuse to let her wash the front of my body, and she reluctantly accepts that. Standing behind me, she begins washing my hair as she continues her explanation.

"I am not originally from the Yaranli Kingdom. I come from the Basarnika Theocracy."

"The Basarnika Theocracy… you mean the one ruled by the so-called 'Mad King'?"

"Yes, that’s correct. That country’s primary industry is human trafficking."

That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Human trafficking—so they sell people as slaves? In Swordria, slavery has been banned for many years. The very idea fills me with dread, and at the same time, I can’t understand how such a country is still allowed to exist.

"Swordria is peaceful—gentle—a country where kind people treat others with kindness. But precisely because it is so prosperous, it fails to see the horrors of the outside world. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing… not originally."

"But that won’t hold forever. A time will come when we have to look outward, right?"

"Yes. And that time will come sooner than you think, Lord Toma."

She must be referring to how quickly the recent "King’s Battles" have been proposed again. If someone from the Basarnika Theocracy ended up in the Yaranli Kingdom, then that country must also condone human trafficking.

The fact that none of this information has reached us likely means the connection exists behind the scenes. And the fact that we don’t even know about it means we haven’t been able to uncover anything at all.

To begin with, everything I know about the Basarnika Theocracy comes from hearsay—that it’s a dangerous place. I’d heard it was nearly impossible to infiltrate, and the higher-ups had decided it wasn’t worth the risk. I never imagined human trafficking was involved.

"The Basarnika Theocracy is governed by a single religion. Its doctrine is simple: obey the strong. The weak exist to be ruled."

"And that’s why the strongest rules as the 'Mad King.'"

Since she’s behind me, I can’t see her expression, but from her voice, I can tell she isn’t smiling.

She quietly rinses the foam from my hair and continues.

"That’s correct. That king’s strength is unmatched, but to put it mildly, he is not intelligent. He allows those around him to act as they please while he focuses solely on indulging his own desires. Among those desires is the subjugation of the strong—in other words, deadly battles against other nations’ 'Kings,' and the victories that follow."

"That definitely sounds like something we can’t ignore, right?"

"Indeed."

Being targeted by someone like that is terrifying. It really is. But… if they lay a hand on my home or my family, then I’ll have no choice but to fight with everything I have.

Even this information alone is invaluable—worth granting whatever she wishes. But this is still just the beginning, and I don’t yet grasp the full situation.

"You’ll catch a chill. Let’s get into the bath."

"Yeah… Could you continue?"

"Of course. I would appreciate it if you listened."

We both sink into the cloudy bathwater. With towels wrapped around us and the water drawn from the hot spring murky, neither of our bodies is visible.

But I don’t have the luxury of caring about that.

"In the Basarnika Theocracy, those without the potential to become strong are turned into slaves. They are either sold as playthings or forced into dangerous labor like mining. Their fates vary, but the least terrible outcome is being secretly sold to another country. I, too, was purchased by the Yaranli Kingdom as a slave."

For someone who has only known peace, that’s a shocking story. It feels like something from another world. But with the person who lived it standing right in front of me, I can’t deny it. Her words carry a weight that makes them impossible to doubt.

"I was bought about five years ago. The only reason was that I possess a rare form of magic. At the time… no, at that time, the 'Spear King' absolutely needed that magic."

"Your magic…?"

"A rare attribute—'Shingen.'"

A rare attribute? I’ve never even heard of it. Magic isn’t my specialty, but perhaps that won’t be an excuse for much longer.

Noticing my expression in the mirror, she continues while rinsing my body.

"Normally, each person has a single magical attribute. In your case, Lord Toma, that would be 'Dark.' Dark is already rare, and very few can use it effectively in combat. But rare attributes are even more uncommon—so rare they’re considered mutations. And even among those who possess them, only a handful can truly wield them."

I’ve heard that the basic attributes are fire, wind, water, earth, and lightning. On top of those, light and dark are considered rare—Alicia and I fall into that category.

As she said, very few can use them effectively in battle. Even Clarisse-chan considers them rare. But rare attributes go even further beyond that.

"Shion’s 'Medicine' is also a rare attribute. I believe you’ve already experienced its effects."

"Yeah… my senses were gradually being taken away. But that’s not its intended use, right?"

"Correct. Medicine becomes poison when taken in excess. She uses that principle in combat—turning it into a toxin. It is said that those who possess rare attributes are gathered in the nation ruled by the 'Demon King.'"

Another king enters the picture. Even with the system of "King’s Battles," are they still trying to strengthen their defenses? Or is there another reason?

The world I hadn’t seen before is revealing itself, and with it comes an ever-growing sense of unease. Cold sweat runs down my back.

But there’s still something crucial I haven’t asked. I can’t lose focus until I understand why she was bought by the Yaranli Kingdom.

"Five years ago—that was when Shion’s real mother died."

"Died…?"

"Yes. Like me now, she lived as Shion’s attendant. But years of strain took their toll, and she fell ill. Despite Shion’s care, she passed away."

"That’s… too cruel, isn’t it? From what I’ve seen, Shion truly loved her mother—"

"Yes. Her greatest motivation in becoming the leading candidate for the next Spear King was to give her mother a better life. But that foundation collapsed. She no longer had a reason to grow stronger."

It’s a cruel truth. I hadn’t completely ruled it out after hearing that Ciel-san wasn’t her real mother. But even so… could anyone bring themselves to tell that truth to someone who has worked so hard?

"The 'Spear King' was troubled. By then, he had already decided that Shion would be the next Spear King. But without a reason to grow stronger, it was only a matter of time before she broke down. So he needed me—needed my 'Shingen.'"

I already understand what he intended. Anyone could, given the current situation. But I still can’t believe someone would actually go through with something like that.

How can a human be so cruel?

"My magic makes others believe the words I speak while imbued with magic. That is all. But its effectiveness is absolute. I currently devote almost all of my power to Shion, so I can hardly use it on anyone else."

"With that power… you made Shion believe you were her deceased mother?"

"Exactly. And as you can see, it was a success."

It’s exactly what I expected—and yet, it’s a truth I didn’t want to hear. Manipulating someone’s emotions like that fills me with anger, and I clench my fists. My nails dig into my palms, but I don’t even notice the pain.

"Shion began to grow stronger again. Under orders, I gradually altered her perception of her mother. The story that I have elven blood—that too comes from the real Ciel, her true mother. I am merely a human slave."

"Really? But you’re so beautiful it almost feels otherworldly—"

"Lord Toma, please refrain from jokes. This is not the time."

I didn’t mean it as a joke… but she’s right. I misread the atmosphere. I apologize sincerely.

"...I altered her perception of her mother. The real Ciel had orange hair and slightly pointed ears from her elven heritage. I overwrote those memories with my magic. However, I couldn’t alter her strongest impressions—her manner of speaking and personality. So I imitate them to avoid suspicion."

So that’s why her usual personality is so different from her true self. What I’ve been seeing all along was an act—to deceive Shion.

But that raises a question. Why go this far?

I’ve heard that the current "Spear King" is quite old. He’s been gathering and training candidates in his struggle to choose a successor.

From what Shion has said, even so, there’s no one truly worthy of becoming the next "Spear King." Most candidates instead become part of his royal guard, living in a special district.

There are many of them. Even if Shion has greater potential, there are still plenty who are stronger than her. If she weren’t available, wouldn’t it make sense to choose someone else?

But that question is immediately overturned by Ciel-san’s next words.

"The 'Spear King' has lived for over five hundred years."

It’s an almost unbelievable claim. And yet, I find myself on the verge of accepting it as truth.

This must be the effect of her magic.

And instinct tells me—this is where the true darkness of the Yaranli Kingdom begins.