Chapter 21

Arisella was completely shocked that these two were high-ranking clerics.

This fact was simply too unbelievable for her, no matter how she looked at it.

What was a high-ranking cleric?

They were the most powerful servants of the Gods, who received the title of Archbishop in the Great Temple as soon as they reached that level of power. They were also considered important figures, second only to the Pope and the Saints, possessing great religious influence.

Each of them was also capable of using powerful divine spells with which it would even be possible to summon entities subordinate to their God for a short period of time to the mortal plane.

While the price would be too high for the cleric's soul, it was still an incredible ability with which you can borrow the true power of a divine being to fight the forces of evil.

And her two aunts are supposed to have such power?

“That’s right, we’re Fourth-Rank Clerics. Up until now, we’ve kept it hidden from everyone for fear of the Grand Temple trying to interfere in our affairs, but now that our girl is risking so much for us, naturally we can’t keep hiding like cowards for fear of attracting attention, right?”

"That's right! With us as your companions, we'll see who dares to try to touch a single strand of your hair! I'll purge the violators with the power of {Divine Judgment}," Alica declared grandly as she waved her fists.

“And if they still dare to approach you even with the presence of a powerful martial artist and two archbishop-level women, my poisons will show them what a true nightmare is,” Lucelle declared in a chilling voice.

“Poisons…?” Arisella’s little face almost gave the illusion of being surrounded by question marks at those words.

"Yeah, well... It turns out I'm much more talented at making different kinds of poisons than I am at creating medicines. My poison-making skills are good enough to kill a Tower-Class Magical Beast simply by creating a poisonous mist, so I definitely won't be a burden."

Seeing her smile as if what she'd just said was no big deal, Arisella felt deeply disconcerted. The woman who had always given her the image of a kind and beautiful doctor now boasted of being able to kill powerful monsters with tubes filled with poison and deadly gases.

It was just ridiculous.

Magical beasts, demonic beasts, and even dragons are ranked similarly to chess pieces. Starting with the lowest rung: Joker, then Knight, Bishop, Rook, Queen, and finally King.

It was a simple and easy to understand classification.

As the fourth above all monsters, a Tower-class beast was capable of annihilating several cities if it appeared before being killed by several knights.

They were by no means weak beings, and yet here Lucelle declared that her poisons were capable of killing these walking disasters not with powerful magic, but with pure alchemical poison.

“What could be the reason why I have come to know such a thing now…”

“You never asked me if I could make anything other than medicinal potions, did you? I also had no particular interest in bragging to everyone that I could casually kill them with my poisons if they offended me.”

“That makes sense… What about John? Don’t tell me he was also hiding a special power or ability beyond being a Rank 3 Hunter!?”

She felt it would be a pleasant surprise for her despite her recent troubles. Arisella unconsciously raised her fists in excitement as she waited expectantly for his response.

However, Lucelle sounded quite mocking as she replied negatively with a smile on her face "No... my dear older brother is still a handsome Hunter from an isolated village who prides himself on being third rank and nothing more…."

"Eh..."

Arisella, Alica, and Selena held back the urge to say, "Woah... that's pathetic." Saying that would be too rude to that poor human being with a heart and feelings.

John, who was hunting with Klaus in the Argos Forest, suddenly sneezed, causing the deer they were about to kill to flee in fear. Ignoring his companion's righteous anger, John pondered in confused silence. "Is someone talking about me?"

The poor guy had no idea that his ex-lover had unconsciously mocked him in his heart, and it would be better if it stayed that way.

“Leaving that aside… I must tell you that two days ago I was promoted to Third Rank Alchemist.”

"Huh? You did what?"

"And with my current alchemical skills, it is possible to incapacitate individuals up to the Fifth Rank since their supernatural powers are based entirely on magical energies and their bodies are still human. With me here, the nobles will have to think twice if they want to mess with me. I'll take the deadly poisons I throw at them," Lucelle declared proudly with a cold smile.

".."

Arisella already knew there was nothing normal about her despite being just an Extra, but this was simply incredible. It was no joke to say that she now had the strongest entourage in the north accompanying her to protect her while she tried to save everyone from the crown prince's madness.

Ershas, a Fourth Rank Grandmaster feared as the 'Iron Fist'.

Lucelle, the 'Alchemist of Death' (?).

And two archbishops, Alica and Selena, who possess sacred powers so terrifying that they would strike fear into countless demons and evil spirits...

If it weren't for the fact that they're not going to subdue a powerful evil, it could be considered the most incredible group of heroes she could have dreamed of assembling in her previous life.

If Arisella had to use a Chinese expression to describe them, they would be hidden dragons and crouching tigers, lying in plain sight but concealing overwhelming power from the eyes of others.

Wait... With a backing like that, aren't I the most powerful woman in the North? Arisella's eyes widened at the realization.

Ershas was the leader of one of the most influential Caravans in the North and a powerful martial artist with an infamous reputation among his enemies, Alica and Serena were two women who could wield great authority in the only religious organization in the entire empire if they so desired, and whether it was for her skill in making medicinal or even lethally poisonous potions, Lucelle was an alchemist who could reach the top of the Alchemy Tower thanks to her enormous talents.

Not even the daughters of marquises had such power behind them, especially since most of them would be used in political marriages. Honestly, even royal marquises would lose against her.

Furthermore, Arisella herself was currently a prophetess who could become a Demi-Noble with the title of Marchioness as soon as her Soul Grade and predictive abilities were revealed, so if you combine that with such powerful figures treating her like family and willing to help her in any way they can...

".."

This was simply ridiculous and unrealistic. Was it even something that a simple extra character should have?

Everyone here was practically a combined force that could trample most nobles in influence and power without any fear. With that, there was almost no worry that they would try to kidnap her unless it was the work of the most powerful nobles in the Empire.

If it weren't for the fact that the Duke and his phobia were still a problem, Arisella would have believed that success in her goals was guaranteed.

And how on earth would it be possible for the Taylan People to be defeated even with all that power hidden among their population?

Arisella, naturally, would have to ask herself that question. After all, it was unheard of for everyone to lose to the mercenaries if there was even one alchemist capable of annihilating hundreds of them with clouds of lethal poison.

In the novel, mercenaries disguised as bandits suddenly appeared within the city through magic, so of course they were caught off guard.

But in this world, unless they killed these powerful professionals in advance, even their Fifth-Rank leader would have suffered a great loss. Otherwise, the scenario of the Taylan village falling into ruins was meaningless.

Unless... someone had given them that information? Arisella's face turned serious as a theory formed in her head. It seemed like there was a toad in her own house, and Arisella had a good idea who it might be.

Only that person would be interested in gathering information from key figures in the village with their skills to use for their own benefit, and only that person could provide that knowledge to those mercenaries for the sake of survival.

However… for now it was just a minor problem that Arisella would have to solve later.

♦♦♦♦

Arisella's personal magical carriage was truly luxurious not only on the outside, but also on the inside.

Inside was the aforementioned living room, an elegant kitchen, three bedrooms, a beautiful dining room, and a sort of control room that gives you a strange science fiction feeling.

The sofas were made of the rarest and most expensive leather, the furniture gleamed with the finest wood from the southern forests, and the kitchen utensils were made of pure silver. Magical lights also illuminated the interior.

The entire interior was extremely luxurious.

Although its size was only comparable to that of a moderately wealthy family's home in the Middle Ages, it was still spacious enough to be called a luxury mobile home. In fact, the mere use of a magic carriage of this size is a luxury very few nobles can afford, given the number of spirit cores required to operate it for just a few days.

Even more so because it was not a carriage that necessarily had to be driven by a human.

It could be said that the carriage was an autonomous magical artifact, functioning similarly to one of those typical Golems, only with more complex 'programming' that made it similar to the AI of Earth.

It was something Arisella herself didn't quite understand as she never went into it in depth when she wrote about it in the novel, but the most advanced Golems of this world had an artificial spiritual core within them that was constructed from extremely complicated formulas that allow the Golems to learn from their experiences similar to a living being.

For example, this magic carriage; not only could it learn what terrain it should drive over or avoid, but it could also assess the threat level to determine whether it should escape without permission or notify its owners to decide its next course of action.

Honestly, Arisella had no idea how the Silver Lion Caravan could afford to buy such carriages. She wouldn't hesitate if told that these would be restricted to high nobility or even for military use.

It was a technology far more advanced than an Earthling could expect from a world where knights and nobles ran rampant, strutting before the common masses in their elegant robes and shining armor.

Anyway, Arisella and the others were sitting in a dining room, leisurely eating some snacks. The magic carriage had enchantments that prevented the interior from being affected by vibrations, so it felt as if it were stationary, although that wasn't the case.

After getting over the shock of her family and friends having high levels of power and lethal abilities that she didn't know about, Arisella was able to quietly strike up a conversation with all of them as they comfortably chatted about how pretty the carriage was and how very convenient it was.

The scenery outside had its own beauty compared to the Argos Forest and the cuteness of the Tundra Prowlers made them want to hug and kiss them on their big-eared turtle heads.

Finally, the conversation turned to a topic that greatly interested the three girls.

“Arisella, how do you plan to meet with the Duke? Aside from the fact that he's currently in the Cardinal Fortress according to rumors, even entering any of the Duchy's palaces would be very difficult without important information.”

Arisella replied casually as she cut a piece of roasted Doran chicken with her cutlery. "Well, it's simple. I plan to reveal my current soul rank so I can be accepted as the Duke's prophetess without opposition."

“”“…”””

Lucelle, Alica and Selena looked at her in disbelief.

"What? My existence will be revealed to the nobles if I go to the capital, right? Even without being a powerful prophetess, they will try to kidnap me, so it doesn't matter much if she reveals my current powers. On the other hand, with two Archbishops, a Martial Grandmaster, and a mortal Alchemist, let's see who dares to touch this precious body of mine," Arisella said arrogantly.

“…So… You were complaining about our presence when you yourself were already planning to stir up trouble with that revelation?” (Selena)

“…You could look at it that way…” although I still think it would have been worse if they were just pretty faces.

"But can't you really tell us what the calamity is and why only the Duke should know? Besides, should I remind you that it's hard not to doubt your true intentions with that man if you keep refusing to say why it's a bad idea for women like us to accompany you?" (Lucelle)

“I can’t do this… It’s someone else’s secret and I already feel guilty knowing it.” Arisella looked away.

I couldn't just go and tell everyone, "The Duke cries like a baby when he's in front of a beautiful woman!" Could I?

"Okay... So, are you sure everything will be resolved by simply warning the Duke about the threat?" (Lucelle)

"Of course"

Arisella was sure of that.

All sovereigns of the Empire had a powerful ability called [Sovereign Authority] that they could use to give orders almost as absolute as those of a god to their subordinates.

Although that ability is heavily limited by the law of the nobles his ancestors created and the spiritual power they possess, it would still be enough to force a mere crown prince to abandon all his plans (Yes, the prince is considered a subordinate of the emperor, his father).

Astrian just had to convince the Emperor to use that power on his own son to force him to stop doing his foolishness.

And Arisella was even more certain that the Emperor would agree, since his dream is to have the Dukes under the control of the imperial family and destroying them was not in his plans at all.

It was a win-win situation: Arisella continues her peaceful life in Taylan, the Duke saves his family and subjects from annihilation, and the Emperor can continue foolishly dreaming of a happy future where he is the most powerful man in the Empire.

How could it not work?

“Somehow, he still thinks you’re planning to seduce the Duke like a green tea bitch…” Alica blurted out with a suspicious expression.

“Why are you still doing this!? Didn’t you say you were afraid the Duke might rape me!?”

"Yes, but…"

This meathead is simply...

Arisella had a headache again.

♦♦♦♦

The Great Palace of Aswort was quite bustling since morning.

Numerous officials could be seen moving haphazardly between floors and stairwells. Some were attending emergency meetings, others were relaying messages between ministries or carrying out orders from their superiors. And the servants were also busily moving about, doing who knows what on the orders of higher-ranking servants.

Today everyone is very excited for some reason….

That was what young Luciana von Aswrott, the 7-year-old First Princess of the Ducal Family 『Aswort』, thought as she curiously glanced at the chaotic hallways from her study room with her purple eyes, wondering what was going on.

Her teacher, the most accomplished scholar in the north, Saunkra von Jikunsda, was summoned to the presence of the duke's advisor some time ago on some business. Luciana, who could only stay to study the Book of Imperial Morals by his order, quickly grew bored and curious about the bustling officials and servants.

Soon, she saw a familiar figure among those passing by like worker ants: her other teacher, the mage in her family's service, Ragnan von Shinea, the Archmage of Fire. Unlike the old and stuffy Saunkra, Ragnan is much younger and more forgiving in his teachings to the very young princess of the North.

"Lady Ragnan!"

Luciana tried to call her with her most elegant cry (if there ever was one).

“Oh… Isn’t that our little princess? I bet you’re very lively today.”

Ragnan responded with his usual smile plastered on his face as he looked at the girl with beautiful black hair.

“What’s going on, Lady Ragnan? Father’s entire palace seems to be in turmoil. Has something untoward happened, or a disastrous crisis? Oh, perhaps Father is returning?”

Luciana quickly begins her question session to satisfy her childish curiosity.

“Hmm... Well, it’s no secret, but…would you be so kind as to invite me to your parlor? Let’s begin our conversation inside, Princess. Conversing while standing in the hallway is considered a big no-no for a daughter of the sovereign like yourself, you know?”

Ragnan replied casually as he moved his body back and forth, evading disastrous collisions with the officers, as if he was dancing a sad solo waltz.

"Okay. Come in…"

Luciana gave Ragnan permission to enter her study room.

The Princess of Aswort was draped in an adorable pastel-colored dress made from the finest materials a ruling family could provide for its children, which she gathered as gracefully as she could to sit down. The Archmage could only smile at the tenderness of this adorable child, though it was best not to express it out loud.

There was no one in this palace who didn't know that the little princess only wanted to hear those words from her mother, not anyone else. Although no one knows who that is, if not her mother, because she seems so sure she remembers her.

However…given what I am today, would it be possible for me to meet her soon?

The two sat opposite each other, and at Luciana's urging, Ragnan began to explain calmly.

“Vera, Princess, your father sent several orders to the regent to prepare the Grand Palace for the arrival of a very special prophetess to the great palace.”

“A very special prophetess?” Luciana blinked.

“Yes. That's why everyone is so agitated, with the Chief Steward giving orders left and right and the officials in a frenzy trying to carry out all of your father's truly problematic arrangements.”

“Exhausting preparations for the arrival of a special prophetess…. It can’t be another lover, can it?”

Luciana, at least 7 years old, asked such a thing cautiously while Ragnan smiled bitterly.

The two of them were among the few who knew that Yulia, the illegitimate daughter of a count brought in by the Duke, was merely a figurehead to make the nobles feel more comfortable and relaxed around Astrian. She didn't know many details about what he was planning, but her father had assured the small but intelligent Luciana that he had no feelings for the woman and only loved her mother.

Still, it was really annoying, especially since this woman who didn't know her place was making pretty eyes at her father and seemed to think she'd soon become the first Duchess of the North or something.

Despite being made clear about her role, it seemed that deep down she aspired to more. And it wasn't just Luciana who thought this way; everyone else in the palace distrusted Yulia, and even her foolish older brother didn't seem to think much of her, despite not remembering their mother.

Damn bitch!

A thought quite inappropriate for a little girl popped into her head as if it were the most normal thing. Certainly, no normal noble children would be exposed to such nonsense, unless their parents wouldn't bother saying such things in front of them.

And Astrian didn't do that.

"I don't believe she's a new 'mistress,' Princess. Otherwise, His Majesty the Duke would have sent a message making that clear, just as he did with Lady Yulia."

“Hmm, a woman who dreams of more than she can truly have is unworthy of being called miss. There are far more appropriate titles for someone like that.”

You know, like prostitutes, she thought to herself, but chose not to say anything as outrageous as that. A 7-year-old can't possibly say "prostitute" with contempt, right?

Ragnan grimaced at that. The little princess might not have said it, but his own mind couldn't help but fill in the blanks of what she seemed to want to say, even though he knew how absurd it was.

“Anyway, do you know her name, teacher?” Luciana asked with a slight sigh, having a rather strange expression for a single-digit girl.

“I think her name is Arisella Bluen.”

“I see…Huh?” Luciana raised her head in disbelief and looked at her with wide eyes. “What did you say?”

Ragnan wasn't sure what the problem was, but she repeated herself.

“Her name, I heard, is Arisella Bluen. The Duke has ordered that the grand palace be well-prepared to receive her…” Ragnan stopped. After all, he could see that Luciana wasn’t listening to him anymore.

…Since I was trembling with excitement.

"…Princess?"

“Mom….Mom is coming here!?”

"Mother!!?"

Although the thought crossed his mind, Ragnan never fully considered that this could be the case. Was this Arisella Bluen really the mother of the princes?

For her part, Luciana was completely stunned and filled with joy at the same time.

She never expected to see her mother again after that crazy bastard kidnapped them and who knows what else he did to keep them all away from her. Even when that man died, possibly killed by her father, there was no sign of him bringing her back. And with the arrival of a false lover, Luciana wondered what was going through her father's mind and if she would ever see her mother again.

And now, after all this... She's finally coming to the Duchy!?

And with a great reception indicating that her father had not really forgotten her….

Yes! After all this time, I'll finally be reunited with my one true mother in two worlds! The four of us can be together as a family again!

Luciana, another transmigrator, was holding Victorious in her mind as her teacher looked at her in disbelief at her sudden jump of excitement.