Chapter 7

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Standing at the classroom door, Zeo took a deep breath and firmly held the letter containing the secret given to him by his mother.

In the wind where cherry petals danced, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

No matter how many times he tried to teach Charlotte a lesson with physical violence, it was far from healing the wounds in her heart. Even if the influence of the skill disappeared due to Lily's death, the pain she had experienced and the past she had lived would not change.

At such a time, wouldn't Charlotte need someone to support her as she moves forward? The only one who could be that support right now is me. And that is something that cannot be achieved with a monster's body that cannot even speak.

(For now, I need to save up about 15,000 SP.)

Assuming that each monster can provide around 20 SP, I would need to defeat about 750 of them. Adding the cost of purchasing the necessary skills, I would need to defeat even more.

(But there's no need to rush. Well, it would be better to hurry, but the most important thing is to protect the young lady first. It wouldn't do to skimp on the skill costs and let the young lady get hurt.)

Even if I evolve and adapt to human society, it would be meaningless if Charlotte gets hurt. However, to save SP, I need to carefully consider and purchase only the necessary skills.

(Well... I'd like to start earning SP and leveling up right away.)

The curtains danced in the wind, and the sunlit forest, which was a shaded area during the day, was visible from the window. Normally, Charlotte would be on her way to the academy, but now she was sitting at her desk, writing something on a piece of paper.

To avoid disturbing her, Zeo flew over and peeked. It seemed she was creating a document to submit to the academy administration, referencing the requests of the students.

Today was a day off from school. While most students were enjoying themselves, Charlotte was busy working at home.

"Kaa..."

Zeo let out a mournful cry. He wanted to help Charlotte, who was busy alone, but the skill "Language Understanding" only translates words and text; it cannot write in a different language. Moreover, Zeo, despite having five fingers, could not handle a pen well due to his different skeletal structure.

(By the way, isn't this the student council's job? What about the fiancé, who is the president, and the younger brother who handles the clerical work?)

Incidentally, those two were visiting Lily, claiming to be there to comfort her after the cockroach incident yesterday. According to the maids' conversation, they were having a great time being surrounded by handsome and powerful men.

(You damn prince...! Even though you are the student council president and the young lady's fiancé, you don't help with the work and are just flirting with a bitch...!?)

Normally, if your fiancé is working, you should go and help. This is even more true if you are also involved in the same student council work.

...By the way, this is a side note that Zeo did not know, but the student council at the academy is a place for practicing future administrative tasks. It is part of the prince's education, but Richard, who has not yet completed his other prince's education, is neglecting it to increase Lily's favorability. The same goes for his followers, including Alex and Edward.

...Lord Richard is a truly wonderful person. However, recently, I have only been angering him because of my shortcomings. ...I, I am so useless. As a future queen, I am in such a state.

Even as a monster, Zeo, who was the only one listening, never said anything bad about her. On the contrary, she even belittled herself, saying that she was not good enough.

Today, she was saying that if she could lighten the burden of Richard and the others, who were under pressure for the future, she would do the next day's work without a break.

What are Richard and the others doing, having such a capable fiancée? If they are trampling on Charlotte's feelings while knowing them, I cannot forgive them. I will execute a "zama" without question.

(For now, should I use "Fire Breath" to make his hair frizzy? Or maybe I should throw mud balls at him persistently?)

Since Charlotte is in the room today, I can't go out for a long time to avoid worrying her. So, while wandering around the room, Zeo thought about how to execute the "zama" that would come in the near future and noticed a book on a small bookshelf that caught his attention.

("The Legend of Zeoneal and the Two Deities"...? I think this is the origin of my name.)

"Are you interested in this book?"

As Zeo pulled the book from the shelf and stared at the cover, Charlotte, who had just finished her work, squatted next to him. When he nodded, indicating that he was indeed bored, Charlotte picked up the book and placed Zeo on her lap.

"Then I'll read it to you. Even if you are Zeo, you can't read, right?"

(No, I can read, but...)

It would be better not to tell her that. Because she smells good and feels soft in a good way.

"By the way, to tell this story, a little background knowledge is needed..."

In a cool and clear voice, as if reading a story, Charlotte began to narrate the religious conflict currently happening in this world and a typical hero's tale based on it.

There are two major religions in the world, the Holy Male Deity Religion and the Holy Female Deity Religion, which have been in conflict since ancient times.

The Holy Male Deity Religion worships the one and only omnipotent deity, bestowing blessings and good news on all who have faith.

The Holy Female Deity Religion also worships the one and only deity but teaches to believe in one's inner conscience rather than an external deity.

"The Legend of Zeoneal and the Two Deities" is a fictional heroic tale written from the perspective of the Holy Female Deity Religion.

The story is simple. There are two deities in the world, a male deity and a female deity. The female deity has been oppressed and deprived of most of her power by the male deity since the beginning of the world. To comfort the female deity, ten humans became her friends and brought smiles to her face. However, the male deity, displeased by this, cursed the ten friends to suffer tragic lives for eternity.

Thinking of the ten friends, who were promised a tragic life in their next and subsequent lives, the female deity cried every day, enough to fill the sea.

After many years of lamenting, the female deity noticed a kind and brave young man. This is the protagonist, Zeoneal. The female deity, who had descended to the mortal world without the male deity's knowledge, discarded her pride as a transcendent being and, with her head on the ground, begged Zeoneal to transfer all her remaining power to him.

...I don't care what happens to me. I beg you, please give them one last chance to save them.

Hearing the female deity's lament, Zeoneal went through many adventures, defeated the ten servants, and eventually defeated the male deity to save the female deity and the ten friends.

It's a common, almost cliché fairy tale on Earth, but it has a satisfying and undeniably happy ending. Personally, Zeo quite likes this story.

"I've always loved the protagonist of this story. Not only his kindness and bravery, but what makes him particularly attractive is that he never gives up, even against enemies far beyond human capabilities... I understand that he is a fictional character, but looking at this protagonist makes me feel like I can still try harder. ...Well, I haven't been able to emulate his courage yet."

Charlotte, who had received strict education to become a queen from a young age, had received courage many times from this story. Zeo, who had learned another thing about Charlotte, suddenly realized something.

(By the way, I've never seen the young lady's status before, with all that's been happening.)

Once curiosity starts, it's hard to stop. Zeo activated the "Status View" skill on Charlotte.

Name: Charlotte Hibel

Race: Human

Lv: 10

HP: 21/21

MP: 798/798

Attack: 13

Defense: 9

Magic: 648

Agility: 11

Skills:

"Atheistic Royal Authority: Lv--", "Healing Magic: Lv9", "Curse Removal Magic: Lv8"

"Enhanced Recovery: Lv6", "Poison Resistance: Lv5", "Curse Resistance: Lv6"

"Magic Resistance: Lv8", "Mental Resistance: Lv5"

Titles:

"Daughter of a Duke", "Thick Faith", "Follower of the Goddess", "Future Queen"

"Listener of Conscience", "Mirror of a Lady", "Compassionate Heart", "Holy Maiden"

"Healer's Guide", "Devoted Servant"

(Indeed... a wonderful status that is the complete opposite of Lily's! So typical of the young lady!)

A typical support and healing status. Her MP and magic are much higher than Lily's, and her titles are all praise with explanations.

Her physical stats are also above average compared to ordinary women. If she joined a rescue team, she would surely excel.

(But what's concerning is this "Atheistic Royal Authority".)

Atheism, in broad terms, means not believing in the existence of a deity. It's hard to imagine this skill from Charlotte, who never skips her daily prayers to the goddess and has titles like "Thick Faith" and "Follower of the Goddess".

(Could this be related to the "Crown's Divine Authority" of the bitch?)

The skill description also states, "One half of the first power. It is now a dormant power," which is exactly the same as the other skill. The connection between these two skills is unknown at this stage, but Zeo temporarily pushed this new mystery to the back of his mind as a knock came from the door.

"Zeo, hide."

Zeo activated the "Invisibility" skill to hide. Since he had shown Charlotte the "Invisibility" skill once before, she opened the door without any surprise.

"Oh, big brother?"

The man standing there was most likely, or rather, almost certainly, Charlotte's brother, Rufus. His hair and eye color, as well as his facial features, somewhat resembled Charlotte's.

"...What brings you here today? You haven't approached me in a year."

"Hmph. I didn't want to visit the room of such a wicked and foolish sister."

(Then leave, you idiot.)

Zeo's veins bulged at Rufus's words. To insult his sister right away shattered the image of a gentlemanly noble.

(You call her a foolish sister, but what about you? If you can look down on her so much, you must have a decent status, right?)

Name: Rufus Hibel

Race: Human

Lv: 14

HP: 59/59

MP: 58/58

Attack: 31

Defense: 30

Magic: 59

Agility: 33

Skills:

"Wind Magic: Lv4", "Poison Resistance: Lv2"

Titles:

"Heir of a Duke", "Bundle of Inferiority Complexes", "One Who Envies His Sister"

(A scumbag.)

Zeo made a single judgment. Not only were his stats mediocre, but his titles also revealed his meanness.

[Title "Bundle of Inferiority Complexes": A title obtained by comparing one's abilities and qualities with those of one's sister. Inferior in every aspect.]

[Title "One Who Envies His Sister": A title obtained by envying one's sister's abilities. Holding an immature attitude towards a younger sibling.]

It seems that Rufus views Charlotte as a bundle of complexes. From what he had heard, he was supposed to be a kind and doting brother, but his attitude now did not show that at all.

He must have been taken advantage of by Lily's complexes. However, Zeo did not sympathize. Even with low magic, a strong will could overcome such skills. To harbor distrust towards Charlotte without discerning the truth was unacceptable.

(Well, I'm not a siscon or a brocon, so I can't say much about Rufus.)

As Zeo thought this, Rufus's gaze fell on the documents on the desk. Suddenly, his face twisted in disgust.

"Is that the student council's paperwork?"

"Yes. I was trying to process some of tomorrow's work..."

"Hah! Again, you're trying to show off as a model student. You should realize that you've been abandoned by Father, Mother, and the Prince."

Charlotte, insulted by Rufus, was left speechless. To tell her so clearly that she had been abandoned by her parents and fiancé was quite the "big brother." Zeo, trying to hold back a growl, glared at Rufus.

(What the hell is this guy doing here, cutting into the young lady's time to show off as a model student?)

"Whatever. More importantly, I heard you inherited a music box from Grandmother."

Charlotte did not answer, looking down at the desk. Zeo followed her gaze and saw a small box with a large emerald and fine decorations.

Zeo had heard about the origin of this item. It was a keepsake given to Charlotte by her late grandmother on her deathbed, a custom-made item that played a song from the late Duke Hibel, who had died a few years before the grandmother.

Charlotte, who had been a doting granddaughter in her childhood, cherished the music box as her only keepsake and had managed to keep it even when she was relegated to a corner of the mansion.

"That box is decorated with rare, high-purity emeralds, and the maker was a deceased master. Such a high-end item is not suitable for a lowly person like you. Hand it over to me quietly."

"Eh...!?"

(What the hell is he saying!? Is he delirious or something!?)

Zeo and Charlotte were both stunned by Rufus's unbelievable statement.

"Why...? That music box is a precious item that Grandmother entrusted to me on her deathbed... Why do I have to hand it over to you...?"

"If Grandmother had known your true nature, she wouldn't have given you such a precious music box... But that doesn't matter. I'm going to give it to Lily, who is truly worthy of being the daughter of the Hibel family. If you have any conscience left, you should hand it over as an apology for all the harassment you've inflicted on Lily