Chapter 2 : Duke’s Household

1

Coming from a letter received by Tella, all of a sudden Father was invited to an event by the royal family. And when Dolores overheard it from her.

"A gathering event with lots of food? Can we come as well??"

had been cooped up in the mansion for the longest time and only on rare occasions was she able to follow one of the maids on the shopping trip to the town next to the estate.

So the idea of finally going on a trip far away to see more of the world with the promise of food is too enticing to her. So with that motivation and confidence to succeed, she pleaded with her innocent charm against the one person who it's weak to most.

"Hmm, I don't think I can sweetie…"

But betraying her effort, for some reason her father objected quite sternly about it. Unsure of why exactly, she made one last ditch effort.

"But me and Big Brother have never been anywhere outside of town, Pretty please?"

As she begged with a childlike selfishness. She pressed on to get her way along with laying out what exactly was at stake from this exchange.

"Hmmmmmh, alright let me ask your mother first."

The father indubitably folded against his 6-year-old daughter. And with that, Dolores felt excited at the clear possibility that her next few days or so would be 

"What was Dad running off with a slump for?"

"Ah, big brother."

Norton also seemed to have just gotten back from his school in town. Now she's not sure if she should listen in on her mother's thoughts on the matter too or just begin preparing.

"Pack up your things to leave for a few days, so get Miss Enti to help you with it."

"Huh? Wha? why? hey lil sis where are you running off to?"

As with that, the preparations shoved to him and the maid, she skips off to her parent's side. After actually skipping for her life the other day, Dolores realizes just how different it feels to do so than running before. Truly as if gliding through the air with the mass she has, she remembers though that this habit will disappear once it loses its efficiency, that is once she gets taller, but that's a good thing she takes to heart.

Arriving near her mother's office, she crouched down as she put her ear up to the door. Listening in she could hear clearly just behind the door.

"Should we let them though?"

"I mean, Dolores does have a point, and it's been 9 years ever since Norton was born."

"While that is true we can't hide them forever."

Hearing that spins the gears within Dolores's head. Even though she could always recall that she should know and be capable of interacting, and creating social networks even from a young age with other nobles. She never actually got around to ever even leaving the house to get the chance to do so, throughout her life the estate also had never gotten any visitors. 

On that end, for its fame, the Duke of Lon Obstein was a prominent noble house. And being the ruling house for the territory, it seems that none of the townfolks know about them either which is very odd. Remembering that she decided that she might need to look further into it.

"Haster, what about Dolores."

(!??)

Hearing her name uttered by her mother, she focused in again on the conversation now that it was about her.

"As much as it is the case, now that we've finally begun to see just what our daughter is capable of, how do you think the kingdom would react, to someone as blessed as she is at the age of 6."

"Honestly, it's scary to think about, even at this point, she's already capable of being one of the kingdom's top knights, or perhaps a Rector when she's qualified for it."

As the parents continually laid out the problems with it, just finding out there's a daughter of Haster Lon Obsstein itself already creates a point of interest for many in the kingdom. Things Dolores couldn't even begin to worry about considering it's her life that's on the line. And then topped off with her blessing, for as much as she takes pride and confidence in it. She's concerned that she might actually be sent to war just for it, and her parents share the same concerns.

( Oh am I really that well evaluated, but yeah I see why Father is having a hard time with it… ) Feeling a bit conflicted on this once again, Dolores could only swallow it down before they continued.

"There'd be no end to how much attention the kingdom will want to pay to her, and there's also the fact with Norton."

( Big brother? )

"With the way it's going, I doubt that he's going to be the heir of the house anytime soon, For that matter they'd only be interested in the position that he's our eldest son."

"We've kept his birth unknown for the longest time already, to shield them from his position, but realizing that we're already at this point, I'm afraid he's still not good enough and only be exploited by the kingdom, unlike Dolores."

( wow they're quite worried about him it seems, not that I don't understand… ) 

Dolores had already come across many instances of it, but it was pretty obvious that her brother wasn't exactly the sharpest tool In the shed, even Enti had already spoken on many occasions about how much of a hard time she had tutoring him. So imagining him to be thrown in the position he's in she doubts it'll end well.

"This will be a big public party, right? I'm sure we'll come across at some other time with a more private event for us to be able to reveal them."

( Waith hold on, damn it! )

 As Dolores rebutted internally from that conflict, with the way the conversation is going, it doesn't seem like she's going to be able to leave the mansion anytime soon, and it just so happens to be a big event too, there must have been a lot of foods and things to sightsee on the way too.

"Who's there behind the door!"

"!!!"

Surprised at that, Dolores jumped, she reflectively punched the door just before. So before it could escalate any bigger, and considering just how her mother might react. 

"I'm sorry…"

Dolores slowly opened the door before presenting her tiny stature. After which her parents quickly calmed down from seeing it was just their daughter looking down in a sorry.

"Dearest Father and Mother… p- please don't worry about big brother too much!"

But then Dolores began an outburst of her own thoughts on the matter.

"You may be worried about the burden he'd have to bear, but he still has time, and, and…"

Listening in on the few opinions the parent had heard from their daughter, they attentively and deeply take in her stuttering words she's taking the time to find.

"Isn't it better to have him learn what he has to do from as early as possible!"

Putting it into thoughts, the couple began to reconsider due to their daughter's wishes again, until after a moment.

"Well how about that Malis, it seems our daughter is more capable than we expected after all."

With the father himself affirming it, the mother seems to have given up as the family decision has been made.

"Truly, with that, we really can't shelter them forever can't we, Haster?"

"It'll be fine sweetie, that just means we'll have to pay attention to them more closely."

"Alright, you can bring them, but with certain conditions."

As a happy smile seems to sweep across the daughter's face, the couple seems to have relaxed their decision with it again, that is before.

"Dolores, it's not good to eavesdrop on your family you know."

"ye- yes Mother, I'm sorry."

But a parental scolding will always going to arrive no matter how you try to avoid it.

2

"What are you reading?"

"The teacher gave me a lot of work… And Enti told me I needed this pile of book I needed to solve it, so she said I could read them while on the trip."

"Ah, I forgot, I should've bought a lot of books from the library to read on the way, figuring that the trip could take a week or so right."

In anguish over the missing preparation for the journey. Dolores couldn't believe she had been one-upped by her older brother for once, so to verify whether or not it was a real mistake or not she opened the sliding window at the front of the carriage.

"Enti, how long will the trip be!?"

"Well from the south frontier, it'd be around a week and a half almost."

"Ahh, I knew it!!"

Sitting down next to her brother, the soft cushion caught the small weight she had. Looking over to Norton who seems to be having a hard time with something in his notebook, Dolores picked up at the top of the bookpile he bought.

"The campaign of the Lon Obstein…"

It's the book where she first found out just what her father's family turned out to be. Reminded of a loose end in her mind.

"Father, after all this time, why exactly were we hiding from the kingdom? Considering that the house of Lon Obstein is so important."

Dolores began asking the important questions to her father sitting next to Enty in the driver's seat. It was a question she asked before as well from the discussion with her mother, but considering it involves the family she asked away at it in order to put out any fire in the bud before it could burn any bigger.

"Hmh, I guess I should start telling you all.."

"Alright, oh- wha!"

Furthering on with that, Haster jumped off the driver seat and he recklessly grabbed the roof of the carriage before throwing himself through the window right into a sitting position next to Dolores. Surprising her that she would've fallen from her seat if she weren't holding onto the window frames.

"Norton here's a new assignment for you, Listen closely now! Where should I begin now…"

And propping himself down, he began to recite his tales. 

"To summarize, not that many people know about the survival of the Lon Obstein house."

3

As the tale goes, the house of Lon Obstein is one of the four great dukedoms of the Seques Kingdom, compared to the rest of the dozens of dukedoms. The four have the unofficial title of being an archduke. Most of which have tie-ins with the royal family directly. These houses themselves have been limbs of the kingdoms along with being their biggest assets.

And on the few wars that the kingdom has participated in, one of the houses that has the biggest responsibility of commanding the ranks has always been the Lon Obstein family. Not only are they known to possess commanding prowess like magic, but also known to be active generals of the field as one of the strongest in the kingdom.

The most exceptional of it recently has been Haster Lon Obstein, who has been known to be one of the family's strongest in history. who speedran through the military ranks at a very young age. 

Hearsay that he protected his men from a dragon by holding up its maw with his spear alone. Ridiculed his higher officer for his incompetence, and led the skirmish to resolution at his command. And went toe to toe with the strongest of the eastern kingdom strongest. Countless feats in his arsenal.

Now when the story of his campaign goes, in an attempt to conquer death itself. He led his army across the land until they got into a conflict with the nation of demons. Most of the armies were defeated by their flaws, be it their lack of grace, or their hunger, they met their end at the maw of death at their last descent into madness.

It was until at last that the general himself, end up face to face against the maw of death itself. There are many iterations of what the end is told as, be it him dying at the maw of death in vain after all his effort, to taking death with him and defeating the greatest plague to the race. Either way, all of the tales have one clear consensus, which is that the Esque kingdom strongest befell at his last campaign. And this is also the fall of the Lon Obstein house.

The truth of the matter is that he is here alive and kicking, in front of his two kids for matter, even hooking himself with another very important individual in the kingdom to get those kids. So that can't be the case.

After his survival unknown to another person, he only ever told his best friend about it at first, before exchanging letters about his survival to the king along with the very few people of importance within the kingdom. 

Thus a decision is made by the kingdom, to keep his survival hidden from everyone else, so that he could be kept as a trump card unknown to the other kingdoms. The event they're going to be participating in towards the kingdom is to reveal the status of Haster Lon Obstein to the kingdom's elite.

This goes back to the decision before with her mother on the matter. Now that they're gonna also take their chances to reveal the entire status of the household, potentially getting into conflict with any relation with the kingdom's nobles might have. Their mother had only added the condition that at a bare minimum keep hidden the power Dolores has along with Norton.

"Now because of that, Kids your mother and I want you guys to stay conserved and don't tell too much about the household and your powers alright? Norton?" 

"Huh yeah, don't tell them about our house situation right?"

"Yeah, that's enough."

"And don't go around unattended, don't yapper your mouth meaninglessly, either way, don't be such a stupid Norton okay, Norton."

After the last line of nagging by his own younger sister, Norton just waved it away. And something again began running through her head after having her house story retold to her.

"Hold on a moment father, why is it that your supposed death means the fall of the Lon Obstein house?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's just that, don't you have any siblings who are supposed to take over the house in case anything happens to your campaign, Father?"

That has been the main question she has about the tale, you'd expect for such an important royal family, that they'd easily have a replacement for him before he commits to such a campaign.

"Well yes, but actually no."

"?"

She's a bit confused by that line that sounds like it came from a meme. But he explains it further in detail.

"Here's another secret about the family that I want you kids to understand, especially you Norton."

"??"

This time unlike before, taken in surprise at him being the main subject of what his father is saying. Norton looked over in concern.

"As if In sacrifice to the great line of family that the Lon Obstein house produces, for some unknown reason, the duke's house has only ever been capable of producing a single male heir."

and that is where he explains the state concerning Norton's birth. Concerning the glyph of the Lon Obstein, it is a hereditary blessing that grants unparalleled strength. In a way, it's similar to the blessing of the Ashen war god.

And its been passed down through the family's generation, and it's passed down to the firstborn heir of the owner.

By giving the child, the Lon Obstein last name they could pass down the blessing, and yet for some reason throughout history, the house of Lon Obstein has always only been capable of producing a single son for its firstborn each generation.

There were attempts to find a loophole around it, like breaking tradition by naming the daughter the heir to take on the family name, giving it to more than one heir. But no matter what, each one for their own reason as if with fate, it always ends up with only a single son with the Lon Obstein last name and thus inheriting the blessings.

Looking at it again, it's honestly a surprise that it survived to their generation in the first place, As it simply put, the Lon Obstein is truly a double-edged sword, or perhaps a glass sword for the kingdom. An overly powerful asset that will be forever lost from one death, and so it makes sense why it's such a serious loss for the kingdom when it's lost in the campaign.

And so with that, thinking about it over again. The one who is supposed to inherit that amazing blessing right now is.

"Big brother."

"This stupid son of mine."

"This dumbass brother of mine…"

"This foolish boy."

"This aimless guy."

His description kept getting worse with each iteration. Faced with all this, the boy in question seemed to have absentmindedly minded off into the distance before getting back into focus.

"Who is this guy, he sounds pathetic."

"It's you, dear brother, don't you remember your last name!?"

Despite appearance, he's supposed to be the one to possess that power. But so far it almost as it's as if Dolores inherited the blessing instead of him. And this is the second reason to hide his lack of power at the moment as well.

"Son, I'm being serious here, whether or not I can already feel half of the blessing being taken away, I inherited it at the age of 5 so it's only a matter of time for it to bloom for you too."

Making sure that his son understands it as he bought it of utmost importance to his son, Haster pats his son with the roughness of a father and son. So with all that being laid out in front of her.

"Huh, so is that why my full name is Dolores Venefica?"

She brought up the reasons for her own last name, the fact that it feels like being a leftover to the blessing is a bit of an unsatisfaction for her though. But it all makes sense why the last name isn't completely taken over by the father of the house, especially that of nobility, and that she gets to have a different last name.

"Yes, that's why it's also part of your mother's wishes to inherit her last name, Malis Venefica, if you ask her personally I'm sure you could find a much deeper history than this."

"Hoo, mayhaps, oh wait nevermind."

When reminded again of what exactly was connected to that wicked witch, Dolores began to double-take that line of thought. Knowing her mother, it may as well be a curse for all It could be.

4

"Hooh so this is the capital"

As they finally arrived at the capital, it was a completely different sight than the siblings had been so accustomed to. The territory that they've been in has been a new and developing frontier, it's practically the countryside. And so as compared to that, the capital is a completely different wonderland.

The capital of Garamet is a view completely different from the thick forestry they were raised. A nice array of several colored rooftops and tall structures architecturally designed to also be a visual treat. The stone brick pavements and cobblestones on any path you walk on, along with the intricately planned infrastructure surrounding the large river in the middle reach out into the vibrant lake next to the city.

At the center of it all, the biggest landmark is a giant castle situated on a higher ground that easily signifies that they're living in a different world than the ones below it. The whole city is encompassed by the huge fortified wall from all sides except for the opening of the port at the sea.

"Hooh is that the royal castle we'll be going to."

"Yeah, that is, if you guys want to go sightseeing don't ever stray away from me or Enti now."

"I know that much, father."

Just thinking about it, just gets Dolores excited about exploring the city like she wants to check out every nook and cranny of what it has in store, or the things she could find f in the store. With her position as a noble, she's sure that her parents will let her indulge in whatever fun things she's interested in.

"But before that."

"Before that?"

Her father stopped that line of thinking.

"You asked me before right."

"I asked?"

"Kids, Do you want to see your aunts?"

As he bought it up, that's when Dolores connected the dots.

"Aunts.."

"Yes, my younger sisters, they're one of the few who I first notify about my survival."

"Yeah, I can see how that's the case, family and relatives come first after all."

"We have relatives?"

Hearing that aimless response, it's a sign for the father and daughter that Norton is somehow keeping up with the conversation. So with that, they continued with the matter.

"Yes, they've always been meaning to meet you guys too, I'm sure that even your grandparents would want to as well."

"Grandparents too?"

"Yeah we'll pass it first soon, but the original Lon Obstein mansion is in this city, but well I guess it's Illia's family's now."

As that name popped up, Dolores asked further just to make sure.

"Illia family?"

"yeah, it's my mother's and sister's house name, after my obituary, I bet they've decided to let my mother's family take over."

In her heart, Dolores began to wonder just how cute of a last name that is, especially coming from a family where her father is from. 

"Oh we'll be here soon, kids don't forget to mind your manners now."

5

"Pretty.."

That one word is the only way Dolores could describe it. When they finally arrived at the Illia's family estate. It's an ornate mansion, but what makes it truly exceptional is the garden. Landowners tend to make use of any land they can, but nobles being the very top flaunt their excessive land as their status.

But this estate is truly exceptional, solely in the way they make use of the land, it's a lush garden used to grow countless crops and flowers, along with a beautiful water channel throughout the whole land. It all flows along through the lands until it connects to the mansion at the center.

After passing through h the gates that opened by itself, the carriage stopped. And looking out of the window Dolores could see an individual.

"??"

Or perhaps thing, greeting them. Dolores thought it was a fully armored knight, until at another closer look, she could tell that he was covered in armor on all sides without any gaps in its defense.

But the truly strange look above it all is the butler as a cosmetic layer on top of it all. The stark contrast of the two elements just makes the entire image ugly without fitting into either of its themes.

"We've been waiting for you hidden general."

The voice speaking beneath it reverberates so much through the visor that nobody can tell whether it's a man or a woman beneath it. 

"Father, who is that?"

"Eiwass, he's the servant of the Illias family"

As they slowly got down and began unpacking our luggage in the carriage, well Enti was doing most of it by herself.

"Welcome sir how has your travel been, and huh?"

Eiwass looks over in surprise at the siblings.

"Who are these midgets?"

"Who're you calling a midget huh? tin can?"

"You are a midget"

Hearing that assumption Dolores is missing something from him, her father probably didn't explain to him who they are but this man is certainly still weird.

"I'm only 6, I'll get taller eventually"

"What just who are you, I thought that for someone at the side of the hidden general must be some sort of thousand-year-old magical spirit little girl, with that vibrant silver hair and-"

As that's the last straw that confuses the camel's brain. Dolores exploded at the Eiwass shenanigans.

"What kind of shit have you been experiencing mister tin can!?"

"Dolores! Watch your tongue! seriously who did you catch that from? It's not from one of the maids isn't it?"

After recovering themselves, Norton is helping Enti to take out the luggage, well try to Enti is letting him carry the smaller baggage that he can barely hold. Then they still explain again.

"Now listen here Eiwass."

"Yes general."

"This kid here, is my daughter, Dolores Venefica."

"Huh I see, wait what… No way, since when"

"She's 6 year old."

"So she's not an ancient spirit who just happens to look like a legal loli?"

"You want me to beat you up or not?"

"No, no it's just that, hmm yeah it makes sense now."

After having that explained, the helmet then looked over at Norton. Dolores got a bad feeling about what's to come next.

"If little Dolores is supposed to be your heir, then is this servant boy one of the maids-"

"No No No, that's my big brother!"

"Eh, so was there an affair with Miss Enti!?"

"What is wrong with this tin can!??"

"Ah, general, sorry, truly sorry, It's just that as compared to Miss Dolores, Mister Norton is…"

"Hah, yeah I know, he's always off-minded in his own world inside his head, but he is my son, he's the future of this house, Norton Lon Obstein."

"The future Lon Obstein…"

As he took in that fact in, as they witness the sight of Norton looking off into one of the vibrant flowers in the garden bushes. Illuminated by the few rays of light piercing through the thick foliage of the garden, the boy promptly plucked a flower and tossed the white rose into his mouth.

"If I'm being honest sir… I don't see it."

As Dolores fell backward at that line of thought. But as much as it is, she honestly can't refute that fact, she of all people could be the one to know that for sure.

"If I'm beinghonest Eiwass… so can't I…"

6

"Hmm, what is this, it's good."

We were situated in the guest room, Dolores and Norton were eating away at the piles of Turkish delight on the elegant table. Their father already went ahead to talk to the adults, so they were just left to their own devices as they continued eating away at whatever was on the table.

Only when the door creaked though, did they both unanimously put back whatever they were going to eat, and sat down politely within an instant. Done with sheer speed and elegance as if both had already practiced it many times beforehand.

And as the individual entered the room, just as the kids politely seated who didn't even do a single bad thing had awaited.

"Dolores~

"Hwa!?"

An elderly woman lined with silver and blonde hair and an ornate frilly dress. She's a woman who has a bit of a wrinkle of age on her already, but she still possesses a charm that even Dolores could tell, the frilly dress and the long gold locks that haven't whitened.

Dolores could only best describe her as an old Alice from Wonderland, she couldn't even begin to imagine what she must've been like when she was still a young lady. Now the main issue is the fact that the moment she barges in, the woman hugs Dolores in a tight lock.

"Hwawawawa, let me go!!"

It happened so fast that Dolores couldn't even reach it. As much as she struggles. She's still incapable of freeing herself from the grapple. She is completely bewildered by how this grandma could hold down the one blessed by the ashen war god.

"Wha-Wha what is with this grandma!!"

"Yes, this is Grandma, we've been waiting to see you for so loong, dearie!"

"Mother, you're already doting on Dolores it seems."

Only when Haster enters the room afterward does the constant struggling at Dolores's increasingly choking hold loosen. And Dolores instantly understood there, if Haster called the grandma hid mother, that must mean to Dolores that she really is.

"Grandmama! So you're really are grandmama."

"Yes, Norton, Dolores, please mind your manners, but this is your grandma, Candly Lillia."

"Candy Lillia, grandma has such an adorable name, how come."

"Candy, it sounds sweet…"

After sitting down across from each other, well Norton and Haster are, Dolores is being helplessly held on her grandma's lap.

"But sonny dearie, now that we've come this far, I can finally say this."

"Huh, what is it, mother?"

"It's just that."

At that moment the grip around Dolores loosened and she could breathe again, but only for a moment, because the hold returned with power tenfold.

"You went out there on a suicidal campaign!"

Even In her oxygen-deficient state, Dolores could still understand what was going to happen soon.

( Ah he's getting scolded. )

"You didn't even show yourself until a year later, but most of all most of all.."

"Grandma, your hold is getting stron-"

"Most of all, after telling me you had a loving wife and kids, you didn't show your little Norton and Dolores for 9 years to the rest of the family."

"Grandma, merci! merci!"

It seems that at last, Dolores is freed at the persuasion of her older brother. So as she sat there gasping for air in the seat next to her grandma.

"Well, now that that is out of the way, Haster dearie, are you sure about this?"

"Ye- yeah, mother, we've already discussed this with their mothers as well."

"Oh, you reminded me again, when will you show me my daughter-in-law? I've yet to make sure if she's suited or not for you."

"Mother really, it's been 9-"

"It's exactly because it's been so long! You stupid son of mine!"

At that constant exchange, Dolores couldn't imagine her stoic and unwavering father. To be chewed up so badly without any resistance against his mother, but he does have a point that Dolores could agree with. It's not a good idea for her mother to meet up with the rest of the family, at least not yet.

"Mother, she's nice."

"Is that so little Norton? Tell me more."

"Yeah, she's smart and good at magic."

Hearing that, Dolores is taken aback, now that Norton has begun yappering. She's afraid that one wrong sentence will cause a mess for her grandma, so with that, she attempts to notify her father with a gesture.

(Father, please stop my brother)

Noticing the signal, he quickly understood the assignment.

"Oh, Mother also-"

His words were cut short before Haster grabbed him by the mouth and began running away outside.

( Father, what the fuck are you doing!??? )

Dolores could only internally scream inside at the father's stupid escapade. He ran towards the door with his son in a football carry before slamming headfirst at the sudden opening of the door.

"Oh"

From it, another group enters, and three adults enter the room after. Each one is a beautiful adult with clear golden blonde hair that seems to shine in from the few rays of light that are piercing into the guest room.

"Oh there you are dear brother, seriously what are you doing."

"Mother, so these are…"

"Ah, how adorable. so you're little Dolores, Right?"

"Dolores, these are my younger sisters and also your aunts, Lily, Rise, and Artis"

Just at a glance, Dolores could understand, as if a faint connection she could feel. Despite having never met them, with a similar image to Candy Lillia, that they must be her aunt. And with most of everyone in the household present.

7

"If that seems to be everyone… I wonder about grandpa…"

That is the exception currently here, and he is one of the main relatives that Dolores wants to know about. Being her grandpa from her father's side, it must mean that he is also another member of the Lon Obstein house who would otherwise still be here. 

"Father huh, he's currently busy with the event at hand, but he does have a lot to say to Father though."

"Guh.. I already heard enough from Mother already."

"Well, it's not like we can't understand it brother dearest."

As it clicked in Dolores. After seeing just how his father got chewed out by his mother like that, Dolores could only imagine what it'd be like from her grandpa. In fact, she might actually want to see it.

"I'm sure he'd love to see his grandson though."

Other than a family meeting at the moment, there's also a reason why the adults are brought together like this. Mainly is the concern about the banquet that they're going to be participating in soon. In about a due day time around tomorrow, is when they're going to be revealing the return of the Lon Obstein household back into among the kingdom's elites.

Along with the concern regarding Norton and Dolores's own capability, she's not sure about it for sure, but coming from what Grandma Candy had said. Considering how it seems her father hasn't introduced his wife to his family yet, it might also be the case with Dolores's own mother, and it might still have to be a family secret at the moment.

"But you truly are a messy father, Haster. You don't ever get to visit us much, and now one of the few times you do along with your kids is when you want to announce yourself to the kingdom."

"Yeah, if I could be so forward brother, you can take your time, the one you are being owed by is the kingdom after all, not the other way around."

Hearing their thoughts on the matter, Dolores begins to think that they do have a point and that it seems that at this point the kingdom is the one most indebted to the Lon Obstein house. In fact, Dolores guesses that the sole reason why he's continuing to uphold his duty is solely by his loyalty to the kingdom alone. But it's also true that Dolores had felt like their household had been hidden for a tad bit too long.

"It's for the kids too you see, it'll be convenient to bring them along as well to the disclosure of the Lon Obstein house status. Also, it seems like the kids have begun to decide on seeing more than the town they're in."

"I see then, very well son, so long as it means we get to see your family a lot often, we would also prefer that…"

Dolores could feel the familial bond in this household is more than just being a noble household. Before going here and meeting with them, honestly, she's afraid that it isn't the case. Considering with how noble houses work, unlike her father and mother, most of them don't seem to have an honest and meaningful relationship with how common a political marriage can be for their status.

But just from first meeting them, she could tell that her father has a happy household just like many others.

8

It was the bright noon, reminiscent that the day was still young. Still, within that guest room, Dolores was being quite doted on by her aunts. 

"Is this your first time in the capital Dolores?"

"Yeah, it's very bright, unlike at home."

Her father left the room to find his father, so she concluded that there were a few things they wanted to talk about. On the other hand, her brother quickly left to quote on quote "go on an adventure and explore" this new environment he's in. At that, Dolores is quite surprised that he's always been able to make a game and found in anything they do.

"You like the strawberry cake, here have this one as well. Grandma always have a lot of occasions like this."

"Mmmgh…."

Dolores has been treated to a lot of sweets the family has been serving, and her grandma specifically insisted relentlessly. Dolores feel it might be a pain if she keeps it up so she dialed down her craving a little just for it, but they're quite a delectable. It's pastries and sweets that Dolores couldn't have tried in the boons even if she begged Tem to try and make them for her. 

But, there's still an important missing aspect in the day that Dolores is still thinking of at the back of her mind. After seeing the beautiful scenery and the atmosphere of the markets and festivals currently going on within the city, being that it's her first time here she wants to look around and have fun. 

Considering that the event for what she temporarily named the Lon Obstein Curtain at tomorrow. It has to be now! Is what she has concluded. So she brought up the proposition to the adults.

"Aunt Lily, We saw there was a festival out there, what was it about?"

"Oh that, it's the festival for the day of the missing spear."

"What's with that overly epic name for a festival??"

"Well now, come and listen, you'll find that it's a lot more personal than you think."

Hearing that overly badass name, Dolores couldn't as but be confused. So her aunt Lily continued.

"Lasting 3 days, It's a festival to thank the service of the Lon Obstein, it's a festival for your father's campaign."

"…"

She couldn't have been more stunned just from hearing that. It's a festival about the last 3 days of the campaign led by Haster Lon Obstein, the last of the house, family. Because the Lon Obstein curtain will be held so close to the festival tomorrow, it's not a coincidence.

It seems that the kingdom is planning on bringing back the Lon Obstein family in the days when it's remembered the most. Dolores has the feeling that her father's efforts and duty he's had to the kingdom aren't fully unrewarded it seems, that is something she's glad and can be proud of about her father.

"I want to go and look at the city too!"

"Alright then, we can go, you should see your cousin Pia too, she's just about the same age as you. I'm sure that she'll also want to go with you."

"I have a cousin?"

Dolores began feeling curious about it. She can already feel that she'd want to be friends with her. After all, she's never had a friend of the same age as herself, so she's excited about that. The maids in the house were all relatively young for working at the estate, the youngest being Tem, who always plays with Norton, she's the closest thing she has to an elder sister in that sense.

The door opened again with a loud noise as it slammed against the wall. And a small blonde figure could be seen entering the room.

She's an adorable little girl who seems to be just about the same age as Dolores. So Dolores could guess who she is. If It weren't for the fact that the adorable little girl is with tears and an ugly childish sobbing.

"Mama!"

As the little girl leaped into the arms of Aunt Lily. What the hell happened, is the only thing Dolores could think about it.

"Yosh yosh, What's wrong Pia?"

"The- The rude boy, he punched me!."

( That stupid brother of mine!!! ) with that thought in mind, Dolores sprinted out of the door with the wind. Just from hearing that single sentence, she got a good idea of what happened. So as she searched through the estate in a rush of her skipping run, she found Norton quite quickly as she found him sitting by the garden. 

"What did you do brother…"

"Hm?"

"Pia, you met our cousin, didn't you? The little girl."

"Oh… She was being rude all of a sudden… so I punched her…"

He answered in a simple, straightforward curt, and blunt way. He says it nonchalantly as if it's the normal thing to do and he's not in the wrong in the slightest. So Dolores could only put her hand to her face in exasperation at that answer.

"Mou, what were you doing brother!?"

9

It's after that pain debacle that Dolores is now in tow on a trip around the city. She's being led by her father and Aunt Lily. In the meanwhile her cousin little Pia is sulking holding onto her mother's hand much in contrast to Norton who is aimlessly walking ahead without any guilt.

Dolores began having a hard time figuring out how now since she wanted to make attempts to make friends with her cousin. But due to her brother, it's a little awkward to try now.

( Little Pia is so adorable too, damn you brother!! )

Apparently, as through the kid's explanation, Pia encountered the strange organism named Norton eating a flower at the inhouse garden. Even though there are normal edible vegetables and fruits next to them, so the girl of the household attempts to correct the creature and his crude and curt nature. 

But it seems to have gotten too heated up to the point that the girl tries to kick out the pest for his rude behavior towards a daughter of a duke, ironic despite actually being cousins. So as she pompously declared that, the boy punches her, in the face, at left cheek to be exact, and yes at full force. For some reason, he's capable of very clearly describing how the girl's flesh felt against his knuckles.

So at a tantrum, the girl ran to tell on her parents. Which lead to where they are now. For the siblings though, this is still an exciting activity nonetheless, for the idea to find exploring the festival at their pace at a location they haven't experienced before is quite something.

"Ah, something smells nice."

"Ah the street food, I suppose we haven't had lunch yet."

After getting what seemed to be a sausage covered in crumbs and sauce along with slices of beef in gravy, we were hard-pressed to find a bench and decided to sit next on bricks used to wall up a tree. And as we've had our time under the shade.

"Here, so stop your crying."

While hiding under the shades, Norton decides to hand the snacks to little Pia. While still with a mad expression, it seemed that her craving had given out, and take it with a snap. So taking that opportunity Dolores hopped to sit beside her.

"So you're Pia right?"

"Hmh"

She answers while still sulking as continues on munching at the corndog. Seeing that she'd be a bit more open now, Dolores pried her thoughts open.

"I'm sorry for my brother, he's a bit… odd…"

"So I heard."

She continues pouting throughout the entire time, and the first few things that come to mind to Dolores are why that is. It seems that it's mostly because in the end Norton wasn't punished in the slightest.

"I know it's a hassle, but with my brother, you kind of have to be the older person and accept what random things he does."

"Isn't he your elder brother?"

"Tha- that may be the case, but I'm different."

"If you leave him be like that, he'll turn it into a habit you know."

Dolores herself couldn't excuse anything after her cousin's perfect retort. And as they finished their snacks they got back to seeing more of the festival.

"Wha- what is this toy."

"That mask looks cool!"

Either way, they're being spoiled quite a bit. But as Dolores could find something catching her gaze after just a glance, she stopped and quickly pondered on it.

"Father, isn't that."

On the side of the market seems to be a sort of blacksmith store. Ever since going out of the mansion, Dolores had always wanted to visit one. But more so than that.

"Father, I want an arm of violence."

"Now hold on now daughter of mine, let me thi- okay let's get you one."

The sheer ease of Dolores getting her way felt like a comedy routine. And her father folded without any resistance at all concerning getting her daughter a possibly dangerous object. And as they entered the store, it was honestly everything Dolores had imagined.

The lineup of equipment ranging from the smallest daggers to the largest of lance, from the thinnest of tunics to the fully covered plates it seems like they've had everything lined up. The entire storefront is made to be rustic for the commoner and the possible adventurer or knights that visit the store.

It's the kind of store that perfectly fits with the world Dolores lives in. And with her practicing with her father for a couple weeks now at this point, she had begun to have the impulse to get herself a weapon of her own. 

"Oh, this one is..."

Fixating herself on a short ornate blade with a different metal reflecting a slight red hue along an exceptional edge, she could tell at her own amateur appraisal that it was unlike the rest of the steel blades displayed in the store. Catching her glance at it, a young girl? walks towards Dolores's side.

"You've been eyeing that for a while, I see you have a good eye on things." 

Not sure what to say back, Dolores could only nod. The girl whom Dolores assumes to be the storeowner since she's the only one here other than her family. Although she'd expect it to be a large-built middle-aged man to run the store.

"If you can appraise this out of the store, I'm sure you could buy your father a better one more suited for him. A blade like this is more suited for you instead."

Well, of course, nobody would think that the father is the one treating her 6-year-old daughter with a weapon of war. But the girl does have a point though, With her current height, she doubted whether or not she could get a weapon any heavier than a shortsword.

As much as she'd loved to entertain the idea of having her 6-year-old body lift around a giant hunk of metal several times her weight. A clanking noise of metal stopped that line of thought as Dolores and the storeowner looked in the direction of the store.

Haster and Norton went ahead on the other side of the store together after his father called Norton over to help with something. After several sounds of clanking again, the storeowner ran over in an attempt to calm down whatever happening.

"Ah, mister that's, let me help you with that."

After the sheer wave of embarrassment, Dolores feels that felt like forever has passed by. She could see her father entering the room lifting something that clanks with every movement.

"Hey Dolores, Check this out!"

He enters the storefront with the same level of difficulty as moving a sofa. He pulled in holding the other end of what looked to be a slab of steel, as he took a step back with the coordination of the other two people in the other room. She found the object to be a big plate of steel and as he slowly entered the room, the object's length extended more than a meter long, then another meter, and another meter, until it stopped at a curved point that was being held up by Norton.

It's honestly a disgrace to be able to call it a sword, it's a meter-wide, six-meter-long slab of steel with the thickness of a three-language dictionary. It's like whoever made it did so at an attempt at a joke. But what surprises Dolores above all is.

"What's up with this, this looks so well made."

"Mister, I seriously doubt you can wield this."

She couldn't exactly pinpoint, either due to the way the edge is structured, the perfect balancing for its size, or the blue hue the steel of the blade reflects along its ornately designed blade. Although she is unsure how she could faintly feel that it's magical. Despite its questionable origin, Dolores could tell that this was still a weapon for its purpose.

"How about this one Dolores?"

"Are you kidding me, if this is a joke it's funny I'll tell you that much."

"Nah, you'll grow into it, and above other things, it'll be very hilarious."

At this point, Dolores couldn't figure out how her father thought worked. If she had to guess, this is the one thing the father and son had in common.

"This is for your daughter? How could you-"

As the storeowner stopped and threw a fixated gaze at Dolores, she suddenly changed her mind.

"Oh yeah, that'd be perfect for her."

"Eh?..."

"Alright it's decided, Dolores we're getting this for you, no complaint?"

As they brought the negotiation to the register, Dolores could only stand in befuddlement at what just happened. After bargaining the price down from 5000 gold to 2500, mainly over the fact that Dolores pointed out there is hardly anyone else who would be able to wield it, the storeowner folded. Now 2500 gold is still not pocket money in the slightest, the best thing Dolores could compare it with is that with 5000 it's enough to buy an entire medium-sized business. 

In fact, even Dolores questions just how much does her household possesses for them to just toss around that much amount of money like it's pocket change as a gift for the daughter. Either way, Pia was even more bewildered by the slab of steel that had to be carried out with a cart.

10

That evening, situated in one of the bedrooms meant for the guests, Dolores is with Norton at a heated lecture.

"Now listen here now, tomorrow will be a veeery big event."

"Alright."

"So can you, be polite and don't cause trouble, brother, dearest!"

Being answered with only a nod, Dolores couldn't help but feel like he hadn't gotten it.

Either way, that is what ran back within Dolores's mind as they prepared themselves now that they're within the royal castle. By the next noon, she had the pleasure of touring around the royal castle. The castle itself is already magnificent, a perfectly fortified centerpiece of the kingdom, with a river running through it and falling off into a waterfall that leads to the river and lake below.

So the moment Dolores enters the inside of the castle walls, grand could be the only word suitable for it. With a beautifully clear and well-managed courtyard, much opposed to the thick foliage of the Illia house estate. So as the Lon Obstein family gathers together for the Lon Obstein curtain, it'll be a day the kingdom will remember in the days ahead. At least Dolores thinks so. 

Just by taking a few explorations around the castle, Dolores could tell that a lot of the servants were preparing for the event in the evening. So they had they practically had the entire day to look around.

Accompanied by her father and brother, her father had to wear the toy mask Norton bought at the festival as if to keep himself hidden in the meantime. Makes sense considering the amount of people who would recognize him in the royal castle, Dolores just didn't think the toy her brother bought on impulse could prove to be useful.

The exploration itself is also to monitor her brother in the case that something like the previous day were to happen. but Dolores still couldn't help but keep watch of her brother. 

"Uh sir, and you two.."

"?"

Their exploration was interrupted as they were called out by a servant. He seemed to be an old man for a butler working for the royal palace. Well, it is strange to see an unknown family wandering about one of the most guarded locations in the kingdom, especially with Haster wearing a strange wooden festival mask, but they've already discussed what to do beforehand.

"If I may be so blunt, but who are you folks?"

"We're members of the secret dukes."

Even if they were asked about what they were doing in the royal castle, they already decided they could say they were member of the secret dukes. 

"The secret dukes- Hold on. You are-"

"Wait until the evening, Bastion."

With Haster speaking for the family and so, without trying to give away any more information they went ahead on their walks. But looking back Dolores could see the butler having a stern expression.

"That boy looks so alike…"

"Oy! Norton!!"

It took only that second, the moment Dolores looked away from him, to find her elder brother missing again. Dolores is always confused as to how exactly he continues being a pain in the arse for the family.

"Father we need to find him!"

So pulling her father by the hand, she runs ahead to find that older brother of hers. It didn't take long for them to finally find him in the courtyard talking to another boy his age.

"Oh shoot, that's the royal prince."

"!!"

Hearing her father's words on that, Dolores could only pray upon the world that she'd make it in time. As she began to run skipping ahead, she could almost feel like the wind was carrying her as she caught up in speed running ahead of her father.

""

"What's with this insolent child, seriously kids like you are-"

"Huh, but we look just about the same age-"

With a heavy gale passing by, Dolores grabbed her brother in a flash as she passed by the prince. 

"I'm sorry for his action!!"

Just like a passing wind, the girl and boy disappeared in an instant. So the prince could only gather his thoughts from the disarray of events that have happened.

"What just happened? Who is that girl?"

He seemed to forget about the insolent child already with another thing piqued his interest.

11

It was already that evening. After already observing several different carriages enter the royal palace, it seems like the event is just about to begin. Dolores is swiftly being dolled up by Enti, as Dolores is getting dressed up in a wonderful garment she didn't even know she possessed in her wardrobe.

"Argh, this is a bit hard to move in."

"Please bear with it, and don't forget all the etiquette I've been teaching you."

"Yeah yeah…"

It's like magic just how swiftly Enti does her job, that is the few things Dolores could find fascinating about her. From helping her get up to cleaning out entire sections, of the mansion, it's like she's able to effortlessly do so.

"Hey Enti, is there something you can't do?"

"Quite a lot."

"Like what?"

"What you see me being good at, are the only thing you have only seen me, I don't show what I'm helpless at, that's why I give it away to the other maids."

"Are you for real, it's a bit hard to understand If you're telling the truth or just being humble."

"Either way, your father should be waiting for you already, so we should get going."

With that, she goes ahead to the Lon Obstein Curtain at last. So being by the side of her father, who even now is still wearing the mask with the design of a frogmouth helmet.

The moment the doors to the party opened up, it was something that Dolores had only seen in picture books before. With an array of beautiful cuisine ornately served on a long pure white cloth table. With a pianist and a violin being played by a volunteering guest, bringing a symphonic atmosphere to the scene.

With a room full of an exquisite and fancy design, with people of high status dressed accordingly each one possessing proper etiquette and important conversation in the social gathering.

Taking it all in, she focused her sight on the one thing she'd been excited about ever since her travel here. As she elegantly strides her way to the table where the countless snacks and dishes meant to accompany the event are being served.

"You sure rushed there quickly didn't you."

Although she was unaware, a lot of sight gathered over to Dolores. Probably because of her sheer young age along with her father who is wearing the mask, or the fact that they're unknown to the crowd. 

"Ah, sister Dolores."

Well, most of the crowd, as the daughter of the Illia family runs over to her side. But Dolores herself didn't take any notice of it as she stuffed her mouth with the variety of sweets being served. 

Seeing the little girl just enjoying the only things kids their age would get from the event. The few adults who were watching them could only just smile at the heartwarming scene.

Crash*

"Eh…"

But alas, it was quickly cut short. The sound of someone crashing onto the table and a plate shattering on the ground brought the entire party to a halt, as the musicians abruptly stopped their playing.

"Aghk, cough* cough*"

"Norton!"

Dolores was taken surprised by the turn of events that she choked on her food and had to be helped by her cousin. The moment she looked over to the source of where the sound came from, her expression dropped.

"Norton of the secret duke!! Your riddance and disrespectful abuse against the prince has gone far enough up your own ass!! In the name of the Argclad Marquis family! I challenge you to a duel!!"

(How did we get into this situation…) 

Dolores could only cry inside from this turn of events.

12

"Norton, what did you do!"

"He was being rude, so I punched him…"

"That's what you said against me last time!"

This time it's Pia who had to run over to check on him, but it's already too late. Being that Dolores didn't want to be too involved in the trouble, she looked at the scene from a distance. And she could see the prince they'd met before holding onto the side of the table as he held his left cheek in pain.

Other than that she could only tell the two cousins bickering in the midst of it all.

"No, it's not, this time it's the left cheek"

"That's not the problem here!! And yes my right cheek still hurts!"

Either way, if it's anything like last time, Dolores already has a good idea of how it happened. She bet that he tried to eat a fork or something. 

"Are you listening young man!"

"Now Hold on a bit, Sica."

"But your Highness, the insolent boy!"

Either way, the main problem is what the other guy said. Looking over at it, it seems to be a young boy who is accompanying the prince who is mad at the act of violence at the prince in his place.

"Well now, now, Norton is horrible with people, so if Pia can make him apologize we can move on, in the name of Illia's household!"

The first to take the opportunity to deescalate the situation seems to be the first victim. It honestly surprised Dolores at how well and mature she handled it. Even though again they are of the same age.

"Now that's where the issue is, what a thing you declared Sica…"

"Hmph, I know what I'm getting into your Highness, that young man was clearly out of line."

"Well know, so how will you handle it then Norton of the secret duke?"

"?"

He responded by innocently tilting his head. After having punched the prince square in the left cheek, Does he think doing it is cute? Dolores could only wonder to comprehend what her older brother thinks in that empty skull of his.

"Muu, You see cousin Norton, if somebody challenges you, especially between nobles, you must either take it to protect your honor or refuse."

"What's honor?"

Hearing that, it's honestly entertaining to watch the crowd and especially the two boys' reaction to that answer. As if they've realized in complete astonishment at what exactly they're dealing with and can't comprehend just how can someone not understand something so simple.

"It's the feeling of being better than the other person."

But the timid cousin who is already a previous victim of this exact event had grown such thick skin within the span of a day and explained away. So the boy took a second to think.

"Alright, I accept!"

But it really did only took a single second, as if he didn't need to think it through at all. The two boys against him could only seem to be confused by this odd course of action, unlike the few who actually thought about this scene seriously, the crowd who doesn't seem to take it seriously is entertained as if looking into a childish tomfoolery.

The trouble was pushed into the courtyard, as it seemed like most of the adults took it as a game the kids were playing at. As Dolores was looking down from the balcony. With the four being down on the open courtyard next to the fountain, as if in an arena. 

"As much as I want to personally beat you myself, it'll be uncouth for us to get into a childish fight and calling it a duel."

Oy isn't it too late to say that at this point, Dolores could only wonder how those boys' mind thinks.

"So to uphold the respect of our own status, we shall allow a representative to fight in our stead."

"what's reprezentatif?"

The Marquis's son, Sica Argclad explains away what the conditions will be. As it seemingly fell into dumb ears, so he sighed away and called in as if as a demonstration.

"I appoint my older brother, Sief Argclad. as a knight to fight for me."

Responding to the calling, a figure could be seen leaping up from the balcony. As he elegantly landed on the courtyard. He's an older version of Sica himself with the silver locks except for the addition of an animal ear above his head, looking at about the age of 17 with a military uniform along with a blade sheathed at his sheath.

After hearing that the Argclad family is responsible for guarding the royal family, Dolores could tell that the older brother is certainly powerful, as otherwise he wouldn't be on duty by the age of 17. Either way, looking at the situation, Dolores doesn't want to get into any part of it. She bet that her older brother would call upon their father instead, and that would probably be the perfect reveal of the event.

"Oh okay, Then I appoint my little sister, Dolores in attack position!"

"THE F- WHAT ARE YOU SAYING YOU STUPID BROTHER!!!??"

Dolores could only shout at the top of her lungs, which reverberated as a loud screech only a child could make. But with his declaration, the situation has turned for the worse. Her bet of Norton being fully capable of making a rational and thought-out decision had failed, and she began thinking how she is fully to blame for hoping for such.

"The little girl?"

"Isn't she too young…"

The crowd was drowned with utter confusion except for the few along with the prince who could only just laugh at the situation. But with the way it's going, Dolores will have nowhere to go but to work her hardest to beat the Marquis's son or just surrender and apologize for her brother.

"Instead, Brother instead why couldn't you have picked father instead!"

"He sent a sibling so me too, and sis's strong anyway!"

Ah, this isn't helping, it seems the Marquis had given him the wrong idea, no they didn't do much wrong, it's Norton who was confused about how it work. So Dolores had to move to the only reliable adult they could bet on.

"Dad, can't you do anything to help fight?"

"Yeah, I'm sure Uncle would be able to finish it without breaking a sweat against the Marquis's son, right?"

Nice support Pia, Dolores is proud to also have a reliable cousin.

"Indeed, I could so easily, therefore my daughter is more than enough to put the marquis in their place."

"Not you too stupid father!!"

"What are you saying, uncle!??"

(Ah, no good, it seems like he's as stupid as brother when it comes to times like this.., ah, I could already imagine what mom will think about this…)

At that moment Dolores realizes just how bad she is at betting. As the entire crowd gathers their attention, Sief Argclad is looking dead into Dolores. The best she can hope for now is that he'll be able to understand and not go all out against a 6-year-old, unlike her father.

"Mou!! Alright!!"

Dolores leaped from the balcony as well, following the feat of the Marquis's son. The crowd was shocked in concern for the 6-year-old, but if the saying goes. Kids are bouncy, Dolores also landed on her feet without so much as a scratch next to Norton.

Yet as she stood against her opponent, she could feel the gaze of the marquis's son getting stronger. 

(Oy, oy, he's not being serious is he?)

"To think that I'll have to fight against an unknown little girl, guess you won't ever know what the day will give you, is it just me or am I being ridiculed? To see that foolish boy sending you out with his utmost confidence."

"No- I didn't mean to- . and I'm telling you, he's just an idiot."

"Either way, I'm not going to go easy, I'm here to defend his highness respect after all, so be prepared if you ever lose."

(Seriously, are all boys like this!??) Dolores could only ponder on that matter. Despite the worrying looks and comments from the crown on the balcony, the participant himself doesn't seem to be backing down.

As the participants were given space, Sief unsheathed his blade signaling the start of the fight. Dolores had to decide quickly, as the single moment after it began.

The knight Sief charges ahead in a full sprint as he quickly closes the distance between him and the 6-year-old of unknown status. Shouts overheard from the balcony resounded in worry regarding the antics. the crowd made way for an individual as they looked in shock. 

"What the!?"

They witness as the little girl crouched down with her head below her arms in terror. This is what Dolores had decided on, by giving up completely, nobody needs to get hurt and her older brother would just have to take responsibility for his own actions.

And realizing her unwillingness to fight. Though unknown to the crowd, Sief changed his blade to its blunt side in an attempt to end the farce. The crowd continued to express their worry as a man accompanied by Bastion looked down in worry.

"What is this!? stop at on-"

But his words were a tad too late, as Sief threw his swing. He's made sure that it will only be a harmless tap to not cause way too much trouble, and as it connects.

Clank*

Reverberated a loud sound of metals crashing against each other, it was loud enough to put everyone present silent. 

"!??

Dolores looked up as to what it was, and she herself was confused. The sight of Sief's blade having been deflected, yet Dolores herself didn't do anything. She was ready to surrender, yet a large object seemed to cover most of her view.

13

Dolores didn't even do anything. She's confused as to how, but her giant sword appeared out of seemingly nowhere as it blocked Sief's strike. The knight himself didn't even himself be surprised for long before he threw his next attack and the one after.

But against the right swing, and stab. The slab of steel moves on its own to shield the little girl from any of the blows. Seeing that he wouldn't get anywhere, Sief leaped back in an attempt to make sense of what had just happened.

"What, why?"

The moment Dolores stood up, trying to get her bearings straight. The giant blade moves on its own yet again as it placed its handle in front of Dolores's hand. Confused, she took hold of the thing, and the weight of the heavy blade rested on her tiny hand.

 It looked as if it weighed four times the little girl's own bodyweight, yet even Sief is surprised how Dolores could hold it as if it weighed the same as a teddy bear.

"I knew it, there must be more at play here isn't there secret duke!"

"Ho hold on!"

The knight runs ahead to close the distance back in an instant. Dolores reflectively held her greatsword forward in a frontal guard, due to its sheer length and size she should be able to capitalize on the range difference of the two weapons.

So as she stabs it forward, with their height it'll hit him right in the gut. But the man kept running ahead as he leaped onto the blade and he put the weight of his soles over its broadside.

"!!"

Whack*

Seif Argclad puts Dolores in the most disadvantageous position with her weapon held down and his free rein to walk over to her. So it caught him as a complete surprise, when Dolores in response swung high the slab of steel beneath him, flinging him several dozen meters high.

He now has verified that there really is a giant's strength from the little girl and that the sword itself doesn't have a decreased weight. Dolores looked at the dark sky as she tried to make up just how high her opponent went. The only thing she could make up was the strange sound of whirling in the air.

Fearing what she couldn't see, Dolores held up the pummel above her head as she hid her tiny body behind the large sheet of steel. Several crashing could then be heard from the other side of the steel umbrella.

Clank*

Right as he was falling, Sief had attempted to take a slice of Dolores's grip on the blade. But to his own unluck, Dolores had already moved her grip when his strike connected to the hilt instead. And the direction Dolores moved it is in a surprising attack as she drove the pommel of her sword into Sief's gut.

"Ghragh!!"

It was an unnerving strike, Sief had his breath pushed out of his lungs. Before an unnerving sound displayed itself in a show of just how much force was behind the strike. And he was pushed a good distance away, the onlooker can wonder if his ribs are still intact or not.

But he quickly got up looking ahead at Dolores charging in with skipping steps and a giant sheet of metal scratching against the ground so hard it's creating sparks. 

"Sprites!"

Soon after he shouted that dust and leaf piles could be seen gathering around Sief until it all gathered around the blade of his sword. The next moment he swings twice, and cracks could be seen to form rapidly towards Dolores. Who guarded herself by facing the side of her blade in anticipation of whatever sorcery is in action.

Clank* Clank*

She could feel it clashing against the blade as she pushed through the attack, and at that moment she reached in front of Sief. She bashed forward with the sides of the blade still in front of her. 

"Guha!"

With the strike meant to stun him, Dolores acted ahead as she slid the sharp edge in a downward diagonal slash. With the sound of its force smashing into the stone path beneath in a scary reverb, Dolores looked ahead to where her opponent went.

"!!"

Shacking off the concussion in an instant, Sief in a marvel of reflex and acrobatics, slid below the swing. With a full opening after Dolores herself had thrown the swing, he reached in with his fist.

"!!"

But her retaliation is all too sudden, with the tiny soles she has, a brutal kick is on Its way. Sief is pushed to having crossed his arms to guard his face and step back up and away again. Swiftly and acrobatically, Dolores hopped up and threw a dropkick which Sief dodged by taking a step back and evading the short reach of her height.

Just before he could exploit that miss, Dolores continued her momentum as she spun her body up, holding onto the handle of the blade as an axle and landing down whilst unearthing the giant blade off the ground.

It didn't take Sief a second, he already run forward to close the few distance he has. As he himself knows for sure, it'll be difficult if Dolores can utilize the range of her weapon, since she still hasn't he will make use of that fact before she realizes it.

Dolores ducks down even lower than she already is while standing, she slid the blade across the ground to slit her opponent by the leg. The knight responded effectively as well with an acrobatic leap readying his blade to pierce once he got closer.

But the upward swing in pursuit of him made him rely on the back of his blade to deflect as he is then pushed even higher into the air.

"Spri- !!!"

Before he could even conjure up whatever attacks he did beforehand as well, a gust of wind gathered on the ground as Dolores leaped up high until she was within range for her own attack against the airborne Sief. The downward swing flung Sief into the ground causing a puff of dust, he had protected himself with the back of the blade again as he minimized whatever damage he would've otherwise taken so Dolores was sure he hadn't collapsed just yet.

At that point, even Dolores is confused about how his sword hasn't snapped in two against her own heavier weapon after she already struck it twice at full force. And her opponent is still not letting up, it's like he has the strength and vitality of a hundred men, and the reflex of an animal.

"I wouldn't want to destroy too much of the royal palace-"

Dolores had an inkling of putting up a guard as a chill wind touched her skin, and she could feel goosebumps.

"-than necessary so I'd hope we could finish this as soon as possible."

He rushes ahead right after his words, the wind seems to carry him as he closes the distance within a flash. The following slashes could only possibly be blocked by Dolores preemptively guarding ahead of time, but he then continues with a second and another indefinitely in a rush of swings made at the same flashing pace as before.

If it weren't for the fact that her blade is so wide, Dolores wouldn't have kept up against the array of slashes. Noticing that the knight is moving to the side in an attempt to walk around her guard. Dolores swung in a wide power swing around her, yet as if anticipating it. Her opponent leaped over her swing in a backflip before twisting his body to land a hit now that Dolores had missed the overreaching swing she had committed to.

Clap*

"!!!?"

A clap of her tiny hand caught the blade in its path as Dolores had to let go of the weapon on its momentum to free her hand. Sending the slab of metal flying across the field, and crashing into the fountain.

In a struggle to repossess his weapon. Sief had to pull his all only for it to be held completely still by the little girl in front of him. After the sound of something heavy moving towards him, he forsakes his weapon to dash back. Avoiding the giant blade that on its own, impales the ground where he was just before.

So him without his weapon, along with the little girl who still hadn't taken a direct hit.

"Never thought I'd get pushed this far in this truly fascinating fight, so before one of us wins, I want to bet on my name, chief of the royal guard, Sief Argclad."

"Eh- to! Dolores! Dolores Venefica! Proud Daughter of a forgotten duke!"

Being asked that, and answering in a rush back. Dolores realizes just how much the blood and adrenalin had caught to her head, as she now is being carried by the flow of the atmosphere around her.

While unarmed, Sief readied a stance as if he were holding a sword. Feeling the wind brush past Dolores's cheek, she could feel that the stance was not to be disregarded even when it seemed like he was unarmed. So she stanced herself as well as she grabbed her weapon after sheathing on her hip her opponent's sword.

As a blast of wind resounded. Sief runs ahead and strikes and randomly swings his hands preemptively, yet the ground is upturned and dust billows outwards as to show something is happening, something destructive.

"Eis! eis! eis! Radiant ice!"

His advance was delayed, where he now had to take a step back from his rapid movement. As the air crackles before the invisible destruction is impeded by the formation of a giant hunk of glowing ice. Placed in the path where he was moving, yet he didn't break his step as he already continued his walk around the freshly formed structure.

Facing his knuckles on the ice wall, the ice is rapidly being chipped away on its side as he makes the roundabout way to reach his target.

Crash*

He rolls under in a dodge, as where his head was now has a giant blade embedded in it. Huge cracks form as the blade continues to bash itself into the ice. Whereas Sief is parrying it with his invisible blade, but with the blade being by itself. The first thing he wonders is just where exactly is his opponent now that she's missing behind the ice.

The next instant of realization hits him as he looks up, as for the first time in her life the little girl looking down on someone. With the blade already halfway being chopped down from the ground, She hopped back as she kicked the giant hunk of ice in his direction. The sheer power Dolores's little body carried along with the kick, managed to move it with the same power as a four-wheeled vehicle.

Landing down on her two feet, she witnessed the block of ice shatter as the man emerged through the ice rubble and cold air. Like before there was no hesitation before he launched himself like a beast against Dolores, with only a few scratches on himself it didn't impede him in the slightest.

Having the blade returned to her hand again, Dolores spun in an early power swing against the air. Only midway did she let go flinging her sword into a giant cleaving razor. Running ahead straight through it, Sief reached down on all four as it glided across above him. Completely avoiding the spinning metal fan that crashes into the wall behind.

And not able to raise his head just yet, Dolores leaped forward wielding her opponent's own blade against him in a downward slam of her swing. Which misses as the rabid man rolled to his side in the nick of time and got back on all four.

As if truly becoming one with the wind, the man began to launch an all-out assault from all angles. Continually moving around the edge of Dolores's vision, he ran circles around her.

And now in this predicament, it seems to be at Dolores's disadvantage. Seemingly surrounded by Sief who had gone fully reliant on close combat, and was capable of swiftly surrounding Dolores by himself. With well-placed jabs and slashes of the wind that razes the ground to which Dolores could only held back with a parry or guarding with her arm.

Amidst it all, something clicks within Dolores. As with the next single swing of her blade, a series of sharp gales surrounds her prompting Sief to back off with his hand in a guard. To which several lacerations can now be visibly seen.

"To think you could use it like that."

"?"

The man closes the distance again with his torso nearly reaching the floor. And just like the exchange before, Dolores leapt up for an overhead strike. So the man responded in kind to his prediction as he twisted his body up and bumped his fist in a shout.

"Reactive Maw!!"

He readied his left hand forward and the right fist near his side. It's a stance to throw off the next blow against him with his frontal palm before making a truly powerful blow with his other hands. So he had prepared against what was coming if it was going to be the same as before.

He didn't expect what came next though, as his vision completely obstructed.

"!!??"

At that moment, he didn't notice the sheer crescent shape of Dolores's leap. As right when he stood up, she caught him under the hem of her dress. And so she put a leg lock around his head.

Grrtchk*

And with a twist, an unnerving crack could be heard.

12

It began again with a 100 as a shockwave boomed in the courtyard. As No soon had she thought he collapsed.

"Wha WHAT!?"

enveloped in a faint green glow, He simply got back up and fixed his neck back in place. quickly after his sword follows.

Clank*

The two clashed, blade and fist as Dolores fully hid herself behind the giant sheet of metal. She overpowers with a power swing of her giant weapon, and Sief is propelled slamming onto the ground.

Breaking his fall, he caught the floor with his hands before disappearing into the wind. In a spin turns into a raging gale strong enough to slash into the pillars afar. He closes the distance between the two by flying on his own two feet. 

Gliding across past the giant blade pointed in a long guard pointed at him. Only for a bludgeoning kick flung him back, as Dolores managed to perfectly time her kick in a riposte back through the wild swing, it seemed all too natural.

Flung at high speed, raging winds billowed off his back as it wrecked the side of the garden, softening his velocity and sparing him of the impact.

Blue sparks lit over the destroyed pavement as Dolores skips through the garden with her blade. With a raise of his hand, strong winds form through the garden destroying anything in its path. It slams into Dolores faster than she can react, flinging her high up into the air and covering her body in duff and scratches.

"Dolores!!"

At the worrying shout of her brother, she gripped the giant blade in her hand. It radiates a blue hue akin to the sparks before as she traced two large arcs in the air. Running along the ground to close in the distance Sief looks up at the sky now shining a bright light blue. After a third arc is made, the blue lines of light condense into a clear stroke before firing down onto the ground.

A bright blue explosion engulfs the entire garden. And just as the onlookers think is over.

"Thank you sprites! I really appreciate it!"

The billowing smoke instantly clears up as a huge storm. Standing in the center of it all is Sief with his arms in a guard before opening up, clothes in tatters and his arms covered in burn marks. As floating green dots akin to fireflies gather around him, he looks ahead at the girl that lands with billowing winds across the garden.

"We can't really treat you as a little girl can't we!!"

"!!"

Dolores pulls up her blade again in guard, and the next instant a strong and condensed wing forcefully hits the blade sheltering her. Yet she could feel that is only a small taste of what's going to come next. 

Peering over her opponent, she finds her opponent already high above the oncoming rain. As dark clouds began to form all of a sudden, a slight drizzle of raindrops hit her skin as thunders began to illuminate the sky. Fearing of the storm coming, Dolores felt the object at her hip calling to her.

"Big brother! You should stop now!!"

"Captain Sief!!"

Drowned away by the lightning and storm. The voices of the crowd full of worry are carried away to deaf ears, whilst the few exception just silently observes.

Pulling up the saber she disarmed from her opponent, her other sword glows a blue light again as it levitates by itself. As small tornadoes began to form in the sky, gathering rubbles and ceiling tiles with ease, the man floating amidst it all just readies his fist.

With a crackle, giant chunks of ice form beneath Dolores's foot. As she uses it as a platform, to jump off. She began to feel it was much easier to conjure up now for some reason, as she jumped from rooftops with the help of the ice forming immediately from thin air.

Before she could even get to reach him, a strong swirl of winds in the form of tornadoes intercepted her as it broke everything in its path. The rubbles and shards carried by the tremendous wind speed are enough to pulverize any normal human. 

So as it destroys the next platform she's about to jump onto, Dolores could only flail in the air helplessly. 

Clank*

But a giant sheet of metal caught Dolores as she used that to leap again reaching close to her goal. Moving alongside her it seems to attentively watch over Dolores without her even understanding why. 

The destruction caused by the tornado before tore off chunks of stones of the castle which Dolores used as more platforming. She jumps from mere floating debris as if the winds carry all of her weight around. Until she makes a singular ridiculous leap to cover the rest of the distance to Sief.

A second tornado directed its way right into her, and without anything to jump off. The wind strong enough to blender a human being slams into Dolores. 

Yet it dissipates right as it is about to engulf her, she merely swung the weapon in her hands. The seemingly powerful wind quickly disappears as its shrapnel flies off in a random direction away from Dolores.

Quickly following suit another tornado slammed into Dolores to impede her advance into the sky. Only for it to dissipate again. and again, yet again. It is all cut by a single stroke of the blade in Dolores's grip. Finally, at a distance high in the storm, she could see face to face against Sief.

He holds his right fist behind him as several white lights gather around. The thundering clouds themselves seem to form around that singular fist, and the entirety of his right arm is engulfed in lightning and raging winds. Against Dolores holding only a single saber against the clouds itself as the blade began to glow a white shine.

And as the two clash. Dolores merely holds the blade in front of her.

"Oh wind spirits let me show you a mischievous storm! Bruma!!"

With his fingers locked in a chop, he swipes the air as an arc of lightning begins expanding through the sky. And as it hit Dolores, it caught on the blade she held in front of her. As the burning sparks of the lightning channels and trickle down the metal saber, it immediately disperse away before it could reach Dolores's soft hand. Revealing the blade's unblemished white glow, she made a singular power swing.

"Evening Clear Sky!"

The next instant, there are no clouds above, as a huge circle of clear skies illuminated only by the moon and stars are left.

13

The scuffle ended with Sief Argclad out cold next to the destroyed fountain. As the water sprays all about the garden. Only after Dolores relaxed herself and cooled her head down did she notice all the watch of the onlookers. Shock, amazement, and intrigue on what had just happened.

So as she looked around for any signs of help through the trouble. Hidden inside the castle interior, She found the prince and Sief's younger brother looking in shock, Norton giving a thumbs up of satisfaction with Pai making a cross sign with her hand in anguish.

(Oh no, I forgot about this.)

As she looked at her father, he also gestured the same stupid thumbs up. The first thing to break the silence is the constant query from the crowd.

"That was Sief captain of the royal guard"

"Just who is this little girl."

"The daughter of the Illia family called the secret duke uncle, does that mean she's with the Bors dukedom?"

"I've never heard of the Venefica family."

"Not the garden."

A man of a higher stature along with a butler by his side speaks up on the scene.

"Everyone, explain yourself here, in the name of the king!"

Only after that declaration did the order come about on the party, they all looked down on the wrecked garden. The young prince is the one who follows it up as he questions.

"Just who are you, members of the secret duke."

Taking that now clear silence, and figuring to throw it all now that it's come to this point. Dolores decided to take up and declare herself, as she jabbed the ground in front of her. 

"I am Dolores Vanefica, Proud daughter of the Lon Obstein house."

Hearing the declaration from the little girl, the entire scene are taken aback unsure of how to take it.

"Daughter of what house!!?"

"Does that mean that the secret duke is Brigand Lon Obsten?"

"Maybe she's secretly the illegitimate daughter?"

"But her skills are something else, just how old is she actually?"

(Oh Brigand is Grandpa's name.) 

Taking that into account, the entire crowd deliberates on what is real. The gruff voice of an old man clears up all of the misunderstanding though.

"I'm over here."

"Oh, dukedom Brigand! Does that mean, who is the secret duke with you?"

The masked man jumps down onto the garden from the balcony. All focus is now on the mystery man in question, along with his supposed family. So the old man Brigand continued on.

"About time we declare it, everyone listen up!!"

"??"

"It's been a good long decade when we anguish at this very day about my son's loss. The entire kingdom shook as it had lost its strongest fang at the maw of death."

With a clack, the secret duke takes off the mask as he presents himself.

"So rejoice kingdom of Equest, for my son is too stubborn to stay in the afterlife and has crawled back up to revive the name of the Lon Obstein house!!"

Witnessing what is behind the mask, the crowd gasped in another level of shock, as if they were witnessing a ghost.

14

The banquet continued with a grander atmosphere. As everyone began to gather around on the guest of honors. From the royal families to the marquess present, they all have nothing but questions regarding the Duke of Lon Obstein.

"Just what exactly happened after all this time general?"

"You returned with a family to boot!?"

"How come that we haven't heard about this after so long!?"

"Does that mean that the boy is…"

Seemingly surrounded by it all, is not only Haster Lon Obstein. But Dolores as well, looking over Pia currently talking with Norton. Possibly in anger over what happened, but the apparent thing is that she had created a barrier that the crowd couldn't interrogate him about.

"Mou! Cousin Norton so what exactly happened to for you to cause such a ruckus to begin with!?"

"He talked to me. Asking about Dolores makes me mad."

"That doesn't mean you could just punch whoever annoys you!!"

Noticing how peaceful it is in comparison to being by her father's side. She escapes the crowd by running to their side. But she was quickly interrupted as the young prince walked over to block her path.

"My my, if it isn't the Duke's daughter."

"Yo- your Highness?"

Having to face him again, after what Norton did, Along beating the knight fighting in his name. Dolores couldn't but be awkward facing him.

"To think you've beaten Sief so badly, just what kind of training did the Duke of Lon Obstein teach you?"

"No- nothing much of the sort, and I'm sorry for what my foolish brother has caused you."

"It's my loss, but to find that you are the daughter of the famed Lon Obstein it's to be expected. If you wouldn't mind would you be interested in a tea pa- Buhaack!"

His words were cut short as a kick tripped his legs over, causing him to fall onto the floor.

"Oh your highness, be careful!"

The boy who caused it walks over to the two of them while holding a custard cake in his hand.

"Brother! Just when will you stop with your childish acts?"

"I don't understand. Anyway, try the cake, the pudding tastes good"

"Your Highness!"

It's the Marquis's son again as he runs towards the young prince's side.

"Hey, Norton, you may be the son of the general but I'm not going to let you be with these childish acts against the prince!"

"You sound angry, here try out this weird red bug."

"You mean the lob- stop shoving it in my face! the shell hurts!"

At the sight of the boys bonding together. Little Pia walks to Dolores's side.

"Let's let the idiots be sister Dolores and let's just occupy ourselves with the sweets of the party."

"Hmm, eh, yeah, that's why I got here after all.."

After that night, in the kingdom, it's celebrated as the day when there is the loss and revival of the Lon Obstein house.

Between the lines_

"Lieutenant Bane sir, we've reached here, should we go search for him?"

"Not yet, we need to find a trace for him first… so it's best that we do the first objective in our priority.."

一六

"So, this is the place? I asked around but they said there's no nobility around that governs the area no less that duke…"

"For sure, no doubts about it."

"Now, if you brought me all the way out here just to blueball me at the possibility that the ghost is indeed dead, you wouldn't know how salty I am by the time I get back."

"well your job is to confirm it anyway is it not?"

"Now you're not making sense, that contradicts with what you last said… either way, it'll sure be interesting if it's true… ghost…"

"…"

"Now now, what a beautiful afternoon, Salamander, get ready to burn the entire forest in case you need to, so two laps around the town should be enough."