V7Ch1: My name is Nazono Senen! part 1

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Translator: Soafp

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I let out a quiet breath in the dim interrogation room.

In front of me, two Elf guards glared at me with stern eyes.

“Nazono Senen, why don't you just tell us already? Since you've got an outside surname, you must have left the country. Where are you from? Judging by your hair and eyes, is it the Moon Forest?”

How many times had they asked me that now?

The Elf guards repeated the same question tirelessly.

“When I left this country, I abandoned my homeland. My name is Nazono Senen. That is all I am now.”

At present, I had infiltrated the Elf nation.

Well, technically it was illegal entry, but close enough.

I had decided that, while I was at it, I might as well disguise myself as an Elf. So, I was playing the part of a young Elf man—Nazono Senen—someone who seemed ordinary at first glance, but carried an air of mystery.

“Then why have you returned? You said you abandoned your homeland.”

“I've wandered the world for years and began to feel nostalgic. I thought it might be time to pay respects at the grave.”

“Convenient timing, with the succession war about to start.”

“Pure coincidence. I only found out about the king's death after entering Kisanaga.”

“So it's just coincidence that you met Lalanoa Hinoizumino, a participant in the succession war, and ended up killing six men who were causing trouble for her?”

“It was self-defense. I didn't know she was a participant in the succession war. I only helped a fellow Elf who was about to be abducted.”

“A bit too perfect for a coincidence.”

Of course, it wasn't coincidence.

Lalanoa Hinoizumino—the girl I had saved—was the result of my careful planning over the past few days.

I had spent days staking out Kisanaga, looking for an interesting event to intervene in. Rain or shine, I eavesdropped for information, stayed up all night tracking, and intervened in countless false leads—until finally, I hit the jackpot.

Finally, I might be able to crash the succession war.

But how should I get through this situation?

I could force my way out, but drawing attention now would be a bad idea. I had a special plan in mind for this event.

“You're suspicious, yes, but there's no concrete proof that you're guilty.”

The guard sighed and relaxed slightly.

“Then… could you at least let me go?”

“That won't do. It's the first succession war in a hundred years, and there are plenty of rumors going around. For safety, we'll keep you restrained until the war ends. Once it's over, you can return home, visit a grave, or whatever you like.”

Maybe I should just smash everything and force my way out…

Just then:

“Excuse me.”

The door opened, and the Elf girl, Lalanoa Hinoizumino, entered the interrogation room.

“Well, well, Lalanoa Hinoizumino. What brings you to this dim little room?”

The guard spoke condescendingly.

“I heard that the one who saved me is being unjustly detained.”

“‘Unjustly' is a harsh word. This man killed six people.”

“They were trying to abduct an Elf in Kisanaga.”

“That's something we'll investigate carefully. In any case, this man is under our custody. No matter what you say, we won't release him.”

“I see… Even if he is my knight?”

The moment Lalanoa said that, the guards' expressions changed.

“Your knight…!?”

“Knights of succession war participants are granted privileges until the war concludes. One of them is inviolability of the body. Without my permission, he cannot be detained.”

“I've never heard of you having a knight before.”

“It was only decided just now. I haven't even submitted the paperwork yet. But if both of us agree, it should be recognized.”

“Hey, Nazono Senen. Is that true?”

Their gaze turned to me.

“You are my knight, yes?”

Despite her confident words, Lalanoa seemed nervous.

“Think carefully. Do you realize how people would look at you if you became this girl's knight…”

The guard meant no malice. He was genuinely concerned for me.

“I….”

I lowered my gaze, pretending to hesitate while hiding a smile.

Everything was going according to plan.

An opportunity this interesting—I couldn't pass it up.

“…I am Lalanoa Hinoizumino's knight.”

The moment I said it, tears welled in Lalanoa's eyes.

“I finally have a knight… Please take care of me.”

I took her hand and stood.

“Yes, I will.”

---

Accompanied by the freed Nazono Senen, Lalanoa Hinoizumino entered a café.

It was a high-end café operated by the Mitsugoshi Company.

For Lalanoa, who was always short on money, it was a tough choice—but for now, she was excited.

She casually checked her purse, wondering if she had enough, and stepped into the calm, refined interior.

“Welcome.”

“Two adults, please, the best window-side seats.”

She tried her best to make a show. After all, she had finally acquired her long-awaited knight.

And not just any knight—this was the man who had broken the sword of Ryu, a first-class magic swordsman.

She couldn't risk having this moment “never happened.”

“Is this your first time visiting our café?” the staff asked.

“Uh… well, I've been to one of your affiliated stores before,” she replied.

A lie.

Every affiliated Mitsugoshi café was high-end, far beyond what Lalanoa could normally afford.

The staff glanced over her carefully, then responded with a polite smile.

“…Thank you. We recommend seats near the center, where you can see the magisphere and terrarium. Would that be alright?”

“Oh, yes, of course. In that case, the center seats, please.”

“I'll show you to your seats.”

I messed up… but it should be fine. I managed to bluff my way through.

Lalanoa glanced at Nazono's profile.

It seemed this was also his first visit to a Mitsugoshi Café, and he looked around curiously.

The seating was spacious, and in the center stood a large terrarium.

Above it floated a large spherical magical device, the magisphere.

“Tch… one of these again,” Nazono muttered under his breath.

“Eh? Did you say something?”

“Ah, no, it's nothing. I've been away from the country for a while, so I didn't know a café like this had appeared.”

“I see. This is a high-end café run by the Mitsugoshi Company. The interior was designed by a renowned architect, and you can enjoy the latest magisphere technology crafted with Elf expertise.”

“Right this way to your seats.”

The seats they were shown were indeed perfect for viewing the magisphere.

Three-dimensional images moved inside it. Currently, the performance of the rising musician Shiron seemed to be playing. Beautiful music filled the air.

“Isn't it amazing?”

“Yes, it is.”

Nazono seemed to like it as well, squinting slightly as he watched the magisphere. It had been worth splurging to enter Mitsugoshi Café.

For now, the chance of contract cancellation seemed low.

“What should we order…?”

Lalanoa opened the menu and widened her eyes.

No prices were listed.

“I'll have a blend, with a gâteau chocolat set,” Nazono said without looking at the menu.

Blend? Gâteau chocolat? Set?

For Lalanoa, these were unfamiliar words. She hadn't even drunk coffee before.

“Uh… I'll have the same, please,” she said.

She had no idea about the price.

It'll be fine, she told herself, trembling slightly. She took a sip of water from the glass and calmed her mind.

Yes, this water is delicious. This is enough for me, she thought.

“Nazono Senen, may I call you Nazono?”

“That's fine. Lalanoa Hinoizumino, may I call you Lalanoa? Or would you prefer Princess?”

“Please, no princess. Lalanoa is fine. I heard you left the country and wandered the world. May I ask why you did that?”

When Lalanoa asked, Nazono smiled faintly, exhaled softly, and squinted as if looking off into a distant place.

“A lot happened. Things I can't even put into words, so many things…”

He seemed to be recalling a past he could never return to.

“What exactly…?”

“I lost too much… and I wasn't strong enough to endure it… so I abandoned my homeland.”

The words, tinged with both regret and sorrow, made Lalanoa involuntarily swallow.

“That… must have been hard,” she managed to say, offering only a mundane comfort.

Lalanoa Hinoizumino, trying to think of something clever to say, went through her mind at full speed—but her life experience was far too limited to fully comprehend Nazono Senen's painful past.

“But time flows quickly. Many have departed, and even the anger, the sorrow, and the impulses that once burned so fiercely within me have faded… That's why I came back. To the people I love, the people I once hated, and to this land where my heart rests…”

Nazono spoke with a faint smile, but Lalanoa noticed the shining droplets at the corner of his eyes.

—His heart is crying.

Understanding this, tears naturally welled up in Lalanoa's eyes as well.

“…That's enough. I understand your circumstances now… sniff…”

To be honest, she didn't really understand, but she couldn't push any further and risk hurting Nazono's heart.

He carried something immense, and knowing that much was enough.

“I'm sorry… I ended up talking about something so uninteresting.”

“No, no… you've gone through such hardship,” Lalanoa said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“It's fine… after all, I'm just a wandering elf who returned for a grave visit. Now, can I ask some questions? I've been away from the country for a long time, and I'm not really sure what my current situation is.”

“Ah, of course! Don't worry, I'll explain. So, Nazono, you're now in the position of my knight. You know what a knight is, right?”

“Of course. But my memory of it is rather old, so I may have some misunderstandings. Could you explain it to me again?”

“A knight is a warrior who supports a master with a claim to the throne. Their role is to support the master fully to help them win the royal succession battle. And knights have various privileges and duties.”

“Being released from confinement is one of those privileges, then. And the duties?”

“To support and protect your master, and to participate in the royal succession battle, fighting for them.”

“So, I am participating in the royal succession battle for my master, Lalanoa. If I don't, I'd end up back in prison…”

“Yes… that would be the case,” Lalanoa said, glancing at Nazono with some worry.

He still wore that faint smile, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

“I don't want to stand out too much… but perhaps no one here remembers me. Do I even have the right to stand in the spotlight… ugh, my old wounds hurt.”

Nazono muttered softly, clutching his chest in pain.

“Nazono? Are you alright!?”

“Spring always reminds me of farewells with comrades… Even now, my heart is still amidst the fierce yet fleeting flames of that battle…”

“Nazono…!”

“…I'm alright. I need to face forward eventually. Otherwise, my fallen comrades will laugh at me… I'll just participate in this royal succession battle.”

Nazono spoke, as if trying to cover something.

Surely, something had happened in his past.

Though he appeared to be in his mid-twenties, judging an elf's age by appearance was difficult. Typically, elves grow like humans until around twenty, then age extremely slowly. Some elves over two hundred years old still look like they are in their twenties.

From his words and demeanor, it was certain he had lived at least a hundred years.

“Thank you… I finally have a knight of my own,” Lalanoa said softly.

“Ha, don't expect too much. I'm just a normal elf, as you can see,” Nazono replied with a smile.

At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary young elf, but his presence was different.

It had been apparent in the earlier battle—the skill and composure of a seasoned warrior, and the ability to overwhelm Ryu, a highly skilled elf. Clearly, he was no ordinary person.

What kind of past had he walked through? Who exactly was he?

Lalanoa's questions only grew.

“You seemed quite skilled in combat.”

“I've traveled for a long time. I've often faced bandits and dangerous situations.”

At that moment, the staff brought their order.

“Thank you for waiting. Here is your set of blended coffee and gâteau chocolat.”

The items were placed neatly on the table.

The rich aroma of high-quality coffee tickled Lalanoa's nose.

“It smells wonderful… oh, it's delicious,” Lalanoa said, smiling as she sipped the coffee.

“Hm, not bad at all,” Nazono said, looking satisfied.

“I've never had gâteau chocolat before. It's so dark… hmm, this is delicious too!”

“…The craftsmanship is remarkable.”

“The flavor is so rich and deep… I'm surprised it's this delicious. As expected of Mitsugoshi Company… Oh, right, we were in the middle of a conversation. What were we talking about again?”

Lalanoa, who had been completely absorbed in the gâteau chocolat, hurriedly set down her fork.

“Can we focus on the royal succession battle for now? I've forgotten most of the details”

“Of course. The royal succession battle is a contest to determine the new king of the Elf Kingdom. According to the latest predictions, nearly every noble family with royal blood—over a hundred participants—will take part. The one who survives this battle will be recognized as the next king.”

“Over a hundred participants this time…”

“Do you know about the previous royal succession battle, Nazono?”

“I've only heard bits and pieces. I don't know the details.”

“That was quite a long time ago. This time, the royal succession battle is drawing unprecedented attention. Even the elders of Hinoizumino say the outcome of this battle will decide the future of the elves.”

“Really? Why is that?”

“You know that King Anorion of the elves passed away, right?”

“I just found out recently. That's unfortunate.”

“He was my father,” Lalanoa said, holding back tears.

“My father lived over two hundred years, but he was perfectly healthy and devoted himself to reforms in this kingdom. He opened Kisunaga and increased exchanges with humans and beastmen. But last month, he suddenly fell ill.”

“Was it an illness?”

Lalanoa shook her head.

“No matter which famous doctor examined him, no one could determine the cause. He weakened at an astonishing speed and then passed away. His death split the kingdom.”

“I heard it almost led to civil war.”

“Yes. The reformists accused the pure-blood faction of poisoning him, while the king's brother claimed there was a royal will, and nobles and military factions all got involved. It was a huge commotion. Just before civil war could begin, it was decided to hold the royal succession battle, and the factions laid down their arms.”

“That was fortunate.”

“The royal succession battle carries that much authority. And they didn't lay down their arms just like that—rumor has it some sort of behind-the-scenes deal was involved.”

“So this royal succession battle might not be entirely fair?”

“We don't know what kind of deals took place, but it's certainly possible. After all, having over a hundred participants is unprecedented. Anything could happen.”

“I see. So, what exactly happens in the royal succession battle?”

“It's a survival contest held on the World Tree—”

The moment Lalanoa said this, the volume of the magic globe increased, and it began to shine brightly.

[Ladies and gentlemen, the royal succession battle, held once in a century, is about to begin! Most of the participants are ready, so today I'll introduce the highlights and the key contenders! I, Salaman of the Red Cave, a legendary magic swordsman who made it to the final three a century ago, will be your host!!]

The globe displayed a flamboyant elf speaking smoothly.

Salaman of the Red Cave is one of the top magic swordsmen among elves and is a famous host for duels between magic swordsmen.

“This is perfect. It's easier to understand the battle from the magic globe than from my explanation”

“The technology is incredible”

“The magic globe itself has existed for a long time, but connecting them with magic so that the same images can be seen across the country is Mitsugoshi Company's achievement. They even plan to enter candidates in the competition themselves. I wonder what kind of people they are.”

“Wow, that's impressive. I want to know more.”

“First, let's give a brief explanation of the royal succession battle. It's a battle royale held on the World Tree!”

“A battle royale…?” Nazono muttered, startled.

“Is something wrong?”

“N-no, nothing,” he said, eyes fixed on the globe.

“Only the candidates for the throne and their knights may participate. No one else is allowed! First, there's a preliminary round to narrow the candidates to thirty, and one week later, the main event will determine the winner. The last candidate standing becomes the next king!”

“I see, I see.”

Nazono said, leaning forward seriously. Perhaps he was beginning to feel the responsibility of being a knight. Lalanoa felt a small thrill of happiness.

“Participants are disqualified if they are incapacitated or leave the battle zone for too long! The battle zone shrinks over time, so be careful! Weapons and armor cannot be brought in; you can only use what you find inside the arena!”

The magic globe displayed the full World Tree and a shrinking circle indicating the battle area.

“I see… it's like a battle royale game.” Nazono murmured.

“A battle royale game?”

“Nothing, forget I said that”

“Participants also face other restrictions in the battle zone. For example, their magic. To prevent any advantage from raw magic power, the upper limit is capped,” the globe explained.

“…That's my area of expertise.”

Nazono's eyes gleamed sharply.

Indeed, he had fought using minimal magic in the previous battle. Considering that, these rules might actually favor him.

“As you probably know, Nazono, the elf royal family has mastered magic control to a level where limitations like this barely matter. You must not let your guard down”

“Oh, right”

[In the World Tree, where magic is limited, you can acquire all kinds of magical tools! Mastering these tools, which come with abilities useful for the succession battle, is the key to victory! By defeating powerful enemies, solving puzzles, and meeting certain conditions, you can even obtain stronger magical tools!]

The magic globe then began to introduce the magical tools.

“In situations where magic is restricted, knowing how to use magical tools becomes crucial. Even if you're not confident in physical strength, solving the mysteries of the World Tree and acquiring powerful magical tools can allow you to survive.”

“So victory doesn't depend on brute force alone”

“Exactly. Knowledge, strategy, skill with magical tools, and political acumen are all important. Physical strength helps, of course, but the royal succession battle isn't that simple. That's the nature of this competition.”

“I see…” Nazono listened with a serious expression.

On the magic globe, Salaman was opening a treasure chest with exaggerated flair, holding up the contents for all to see.

[Whoa! That's the S-rank magical tool, the ‘Staff of the Sage'! Anyone who wields this can almost see the magic reactions in a one-kilometer radius just by raising it and channeling magic—an extraordinary item! You'll know exactly where your enemies are! Use it to ambush rivals, avoid strong foes, or seize opportunities—the versatility is incredible! It even has a hidden effect… but we'll save that for the main event.]

The flashy elf went on to showcase several magical tools. Lalanoa saw many she had never encountered before. Presumably, these were gathered from workshops across the kingdom specifically for this royal succession battle. If the tools performed well, the workshops would gain renown—a mutually beneficial arrangement.

[Now, let's move to the segment you've all been waiting for: the introduction of the candidates! An incredibly impressive lineup is here, and everyone will be thrilled! By my judgment, let me introduce the noteworthy candidates. First up—!]

As the flamboyant elf raised his voice, the footage switched, accompanied by grand music, to a candidate introduction video.

A strikingly handsome elf appeared, with a face that looked mid-thirties in human terms, exuding a masculine, dashing aura.

“You don't mean to tell me you don't know him, right? This is Otoutorion, the younger brother of the late King Anorion and the man entrusted with the king's will!”

In the video, Otoutorion drew his sword, displaying its form with smooth, fluid movements.

[The will is still under scrutiny—cough—but Otoutorion's skill is undeniable! Rumor has it that, had he been born fifty years earlier, he would have become king! Can he survive the royal succession battle and prove himself worthy? And supporting him as his knight is—]

The magic globe continued to introduce the candidates.

Lalanoa and Nazono watched silently for a while. Nazono's eyebrows twitched slightly when the fifth candidate was introduced.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, I think I recognize that elf”

The globe was introducing a reformist candidate.

[—Can he live up to the expectations of the reformists and carry on King Anorion's legacy? And supporting him is… none other than the returning Sword Saint Beatrix! When I heard her name, even I was shocked!]

A beautiful elf with long golden hair appeared, stuffing a high-end, elf-exclusive burger from Magronald into her mouth.

“No… it can't be Sword Saint Beatrix!? She's really back!” Lalanoa exclaimed.

Sword Saint Beatrix is the half-sister of the late King Anorion, renowned among all elves. She had gone missing while searching for her lost niece, and no one expected her to return at this moment.

“Such a familiar face…”

“Have you met her before, Nazono?”

“Well, I don't know if she remembers, but we exchanged a brief greeting once.”

“A greeting? She's not someone you can casually greet…”

Beatrix, a prodigious sword genius, had been treated with special attention since childhood. Even Lalanoa, a royal, had only met her a few times. That Nazono had exchanged greetings with her suggested he might have interacted with her as a magic swordsman. Given his abilities, it wasn't impossible—but still a bit unlikely… Lalanoa's imagination ran wild.

“It was really just a brief greeting. Nothing significant.”

“I see… If Beatrix participates, it will affect all strategies. No one would want to face her head-on.”

Though Lalanoa intended to win the royal succession battle, she had no confidence in defeating Beatrix directly. Even with limited magic, only the aid of high-performance magical tools or opportunistic tactics might give a chance. Sword Saint Beatrix's skill was that overwhelming.

“So, it seems the reformists are the favorites for now?”

“Either the reformists or the conservatives, yes. But the king's brother faction cannot be underestimated either. They have powerful backing.”

“Powerful backing?”

“Many influential nobles have allied with Otoutorion.”

“But only the candidate and their knight can participate, right? Even with backing…”

“The nobles will also enter their own candidates. They will bring their strongest knights to support Otoutorion in the succession battle.”

“So they form teams… and that's allowed?”

“As long as it's within the rules, yes. Political power is a form of strength. In fact, it may become the most important factor. That's how the royal succession battle works.”

“I see… so it's not just a simple one-on-one battle.”

“Of course. Reformists and conservatives do the same. They cooperate within their factions. Currently, for the individual category, the reformists are leading; for overall strength, the conservatives; for collective power, the king's brother faction… but there's still a dark horse waiting at the end.”

“Heh, a dark horse, huh.”

“The magic globe is just about to introduce them.”

Lalanoa said, prompting Nazono to turn his eyes to the globe.

Before long, the other customers in the shop were also paying attention to it.

[Now, let's move on to the final candidate. This is the one everyone's been waiting for! That wildly popular merchant guild among the wealthy is throwing its full support behind a candidate in the royal succession battle! Yes, the ever-talked-about Mitsugoshi Company is backing this contender! And who could it be? None other than a candidate from the ancient bloodline that has survived all this time… Sakura Tokiseiryuno]

On the magic globe appeared a young elf girl with beautiful, translucent pink hair that flowed like a clear stream.

A murmur of astonishment spread through the shop.

“Sakura Tokiseiryuno… could it really be…?”

“No, that can't be… the Tokiseiryuno family was supposed to have disappeared from the public stage.”

“Yet Mitsugoshi Company is backing her, so her identity must be verified,” someone whispered.

Not only the customers, but even the staff were speaking quietly among themselves.

“Sakura Tokiseiryuno… she's participating too?”

Lalanoa herself let out a surprised gasp.

“…Do you know her?”

“A little,” Lalanoa replied, saying no more.

“The candidate backed by the Mitsugoshi Company… what's the story with the Tokiseiryuno family?”

“The Tokiseiryuno family withdrew from the public stage several years ago, splitting from the current royal family”.

“Another royal line…?”

“Even the reason they stepped back from the public eye isn't clear. Why have they returned now…?”

The magic globe switched scenes to introduce Sakura's knight.

[Next up, the knight chosen by the Distant Clear Stream family!!]

A young man with a stern, sharp face appeared on the globe, his striking golden hair and blue eyes leaving an impression.

“His name is Alfred Kagenoniwano (Shadowed Garden lol)! Anyone know who the Kagenoniwano is? I don't, but if Mitsugoshi Company supports him, he must have some skill!!”

“Alfred Kagenoniwano… I've never heard of him. Who is he?” Lalanoa tilted her head in confusion.

[Alfred seems skilled with a sword, but he has no achievements in sword tournaments and no experience as a knight! Are you sure about this, Alfred!? And Mitsugoshi, is that really okay!?]

Lalanoa exhaled, releasing the tension in her shoulders.

“Phew… it seems I was too on edge just because this is a Mitsugoshi candidate. If he's an unknown with no achievements as a knight, he can probably be taken off the mark,” she said, pulling out her well-used notebook and scribbling something.

“That notebook?”

“Ah, I'm glad you asked! This is my secret notebook, where I've written down ‘The Absolute Best Plan for Me to Win the Royal Succession Battle'! Since the battle was announced, I've researched everything I could and created the ultimate strategies for every possible scenario!”

She puffed out her chest proudly.

“That's impressive. But I still think Alfred deserves some caution”

“Hmph, are you suggesting my analysis is wrong?”

“Alfred's skeletal structure… that's a woman”

“He's a woman? What are you suddenly saying?” Lalanoa asked, taken aback.

“He's disguising himself as a man, but my eyes can't be fooled. And that way he moves… his weight shifts… hmm.”

“Really? From what I see, there's no way he's anything but male”

Alfred appeared completely male in every aspect—voice, muscles, even skeletal structure. It was impossible to believe he was a woman.

“Believe it or not is up to you. But you should stay cautious.”

“Yes… that makes sense.” Lalanoa muttered, jotting down “Alfred – pending” in her notes. She wasn't saying she believed he was a woman, only that she didn't see a reason why Nazono would lie.

“I see… so that's what's going on.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing. It's just… this royal succession battle is going to be chaotic,” he said, his eyes sharp and piercing, as if looking far into the distance.

“Nazono—”

Before Lalanoa could ask more, the volume of the magic globe suddenly rose.

[──Whoa! We've got an urgent news flash! Did some idiot set the forest on fire again? No, this is different… no way… seriously! This is a genuine emergency alert!]

The host, Salaman, continued with a beaming grin.

[It seems that Lalanoa of mixed blood has found a knight!! Hahaha, what kind of fool is this!? I can hardly believe it! Lalanoa also holds the 84th rank in the royal succession, so she qualifies to participate. She'll probably appear in the battle! The conservative faction must be furious—this is going to get interesting!!]

The magic globe displayed Lalanoa's image and profile.

“Ugh…!”

Lalanoa's face turned bright red as she looked down.

[As you know, Lalanoa is of mixed blood, the daughter of Ainoa Hinoizumino, a concubine of the late King Anorion. Normally, she would have a higher claim to the throne, but Ainoa had spent years living in the human lands before returning, which caused a huge scandal. Everyone argued fiercely over whether Ainoa should even be allowed into the royal family—what a nostalgic mess! In the end, the late King Anorion overruled the opposition and married Ainoa, but their child—Lalanoa—was born with black hair!! A black-haired elf in the royal family? Unprecedented! Whose human blood had mixed in, I wonder? Oops, I slipped… Anyway, Lalanoa Hinoizumino, shrouded in all sorts of suspicions, has been clinging to the fringes of the royal family ever since. And now, she's crashing into the royal succession battle? Just how thick-skinned is she!?]

“No… I am the daughter of the late King Anorion and Ainoa Hinoizumino… I am not of mixed blood!”

Lalanoa whispered through tears.

Her coffee had gone completely cold.

Several of the surrounding customers kept glancing at her out of the corners of their eyes.

“…Shall we leave the shop?”

When Nazono said this, Lalanoa, still crying, stuffed a forkful of gâteau au chocolat into her mouth.

Her money wasn't enough to cover the bill, so Nazono ended up paying.