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Death’s Daughter Chapter 159

Author: “FoodLovingPanda”

CHAPTER 159: NEWS TRAVEL FAST

***VITOU’S POV***

“Hey Nakamura, this report is it the truth?”

“Yes, Your Highness, down to the last word.”

I was going over the report of the missions the heroes have received as well as calculating the best way to improve their power based on their assessments, but there was one part that left me dumbfounded when I read it.

“You say that Naoko-chan took out the entirety of the Ogre Village all by herself? Even showed unparalleled might with Curse Magic? Could it be that even you can’t completely understand how it works?”

“It is all as I wrote it down; the black mist she released corrodes and rots the flesh leaving only bones behind. And since I was not able to counter it with Light magic and purification it means that I didn’t figure out everything what she did to inflict that curse. You told us to test her limit the best we can and I believe that she showed us that. Izumi-kun lost his hand for good because of it. We tried to help him regrow his hand with several healers, but it was impossible. That is another aspect of this nameless curse as it does not allow recovery. Maybe over time it will be possible, or even using heavenly elixirs or something, but for now we are all helpless.”

I do not believe this, how can she shatter all prejudice about magic that we had. The same goes for military tactics and so much more. How come other Heroes aren’t as brilliant as her? Why can’t they come up with some revolutionary ideas on the same level as hers?

“Say, you two, how does she do all of that and also is able to create so many new ways of magic? As far as I know, all of you lived in the same world that had the same laws and same principles and yet when it comes to this place for every single step that you take she takes three more?”

I looked at both Nakamura and Ishikawa but they avoided my gaze. The heroes were supposed to be the ones with the greatest talent and shine the brightest, and yet there is this girl, who was literally abandoned by every single god, shining more brightly than any other person right now.

“I am sorry Your Highness, but I do not know the answer to that question.”

“Neither do I, but there is one person that will be able to tell you that, I just don’t know if he will be willing to speak if you don’t ask the right questions. It’s Nakanishi Hiiro, he is the one that had known Maeda-sama from before.”

If I remember correctly, he was in the same party as Nakamura in the beginning. It is possible he might know something more about Naoko-chan that he didn’t tell my father. But there is one problem about that.

“Why do you assume that, Ishikawa? Last I heard, he didn’t know about her fighting ability and her battle maniac state of mind. What makes you say he will know the rest?”

“Because, when we were all looking at her with fear and disgust over how she dealt with Ogres, he was the only one pitying her. I tried on several occasions to learn more, but he always evaded the topic.”

That doesn’t seem much of a reason to suspect something, but it is still better than nothing. I sent Nakamura to bring Nakanishi over. While standing before me, he wouldn’t be able to evade the topic.

“Good evening Your Highness. What can I help you with?”

“Nakanishi, come and take a seat. I actually have something to ask you about Naoko-chan. You see I was rather impressed with how she thought of using wyverns to fight alongside men as well as some other stuff and I wanted to learn where did she come up with stuff like that?”

I didn’t want this to feel like an interrogation. People are more willing to talk when they are relaxed. That is why I decided to open with a light-hearted chit-chat.

“I don’t know, I think he must have read it in a book, or saw it in some show or game. She did like fantasy genre. I guess that is also why she is such a strong magician since her imagery is solid thanks to all those things.”

“Books you say, and what about other skills?”

Good he was talking, now to start prying in deeper. I will make sure he spills everything that he knows about Naoko-chan.

“I think Ishikawa-kun knows more about that than me. He said she learned everything from games, honestly it is something that I had no idea about until I saw her fight at the tournament. But the reason why she never revealed it to me must be because of her past. She always liked to keep things to herself.”

“Her past; what do you mean by that? Did something happen to her to make her so closed off to everyone? Is it related to the scar on her face? I never dared to ask since it seems like it would be a sensitive topic especially since she always hides it with her hair.”

Great, we are going somewhere. I am pretty sure she didn’t get that scar after she arrived at this place as it looked way too old. Also Blinky told me that she had that scar the day he met her in the forest. So it must mean she got it before, back in her original world and the only person that knew her personally there is Hiiro-kun, so he must know something about it.

“It does, when we were just starting middle school an incident occurred that shook the country. Ishikawa, Nakamura, you will probably remember this; there was a brutal murder of a mother and daughter and a younger child was the only one left alive. According to that child’s testimony the seven men that entered their house, who all turned out to be wanted international criminals, were killed by the trio in self-defense. That child was Nao-chan.”

Wow, that turned dark quickly. Nakamura and Ishikawa both had their eyes wide in shock as they nodded confirming they knew about this incident. It must have really been a huge news to them since both of them who had no connection to her or Nakanishi to know about it even after all these years.

“So she must have gotten this scar from that incident. So why did she become so cold afterwards, it is a shocking event, but it doesn’t seem a good enough reason to completely become closed off from everyone.”

“It may not be the case for Your Highness, since you have grown up witnessing battles ever since you were a child, but you must know our world is different. She was completely innocent and a victim in that case, but the people around her were cruel to her. She became sensitive to others’ thoughts and looks and started hiding from others anytime she could. And because she became less social, she turned her attention to books, games, films and more.”

“Wait a second, then why did you look at her with pity at the Ogre village, Daisuke and I thought she did something to earn your pity, but couldn’t figure out what and you always evaded the topic.”

“It’s because you were all looking at her the same way everyone else used to look at her in the past. I remember seeing her sad every time she received such looks and devastated every time she was called a murderer or other names. I didn’t want to see her like that ever again. And since I don’t like talking about it, I didn’t bother explaining. But now that you know you should still keep it to yourself that you are aware of it. At least here she is not branded as an evil person for just wanting to survive.”

As if she would be bothered by what others think of her. I don’t know about before, but the Naoko of the now is someone that is not afraid to tell off anyone and is willing to fight for her rights. I can tell by how she is treating me. I have no clue when she will rank up to A-rank, but I would not be surprised if she never achieves that. I knew what she was doing in Orzak and it seems like she really is keen on avoiding the marriage.

I let all three heroes go and went back to my work. Getting to know a bit more about her made me feel like I would be able to sway her one day and accept marrying me willingly. I have no idea why she is so adamant about not marrying, it’s not like it is the end of the world if she marries me. And no matter how I think of it, I am one hell of a catch. Where else would she be able to find a man of better lineage and greater talent that is not her family members both real and adopted. And I know my looks are also on the better side. So why does she not accept me?

It was almost midnight when one of the messengers stationed in the capital literally burst into my room not bothering to be announced or even knock on the door. It meant that whatever news he is bringing must be important otherwise he would not act like this. He was holding a letter sealed with the seal of House Tenryuu. For the Archduke to send a notice like this is really odd as he would usually come in person to say it while acting all rude and disrespectful to the royal family.

I opened it and read its contents. Good, no, great news was being reported inside. I was already tired of waiting and even losing hope of this happening anytime soon. I guess he really did as he said and made sure she will honor the deal. You sure made me wait long enough, but now the time has come. Naoko-chan, you will soon stand by my side.

I let the day end with such perfect news. Tomorrow, I will make an official statement and have father confirm it and notify all the nobles. There will be a bright future ahead of us now.