Side Story – A Day in Edith’s Life

It has already been a month since Father and the others departed for the Kingdom of Asura, and I was happily stuffing myself with rice that had returned to our table after such a long time.

In my previous life, the only thing I could eat was watery porridge cooked to mush. That’s why no matter how many times I get to enjoy freshly steamed, fluffy rice, the joy never fades.

Especially this dish called "Nanahoshi Fry"—a kind of tempura—that goes perfectly with rice. It’s a shockingly reckless recipe: soaking meat in a sauce used in place of soy, then frying it in oil. Father once called it "the taste of sin."

And he was right. Whenever Nanahoshi Fry and rice appeared together on the table, both Father and I would eat twice our usual amount, nearly wiping out the rice reserves. Truly, Father’s expression hit the mark.

"…Edith, you really do love rice, don’t you?"

"Of course, Aisha-san. Rice is the very source of life!"

"There it is, talking just like my brother again…"

Aisha-san looked straight at my face as she said that.

"…What is it?"

"Well, I was just thinking… even without living together, you still end up similar, huh—ouch!?"

"Aisha! At least think about how you phrase things!"

As usual, Lilia-san smacked Aisha-san on the head to correct her misleading way of speaking, and Grandmother gently patted Lady Lucy’s head as she watched from the side. (Mother Roxy had already left for the school.)

Even a maid mother and daughter, and even an outcast like me, were welcome to sit at the same table and laugh together. The Greyrat family bond was truly harmonious, and contrary to my initial worries, life had been nothing but peaceful.

If only Father and the others returned home safely, it would be perfect… But their opponents were the Water God, a living deity, and Lord Auber the Tengu. To make matters worse, Father had to depart without his armor in order to remain discreet. He would surely face a tough battle.

"Woof!"

"…! Thank you for the meal. Aisha-san, Leo is calling for me, so I’ll take him for a walk."

"Okay! Then stop by Zanoba-san’s place on your way back. You don’t need to help with dinner today!"

"Understood, the usual errand then."

"Aisha, stop speaking as if you’re ordering Lady Edith around…"

I was certified in the Intermediate rank of the Sword God Style, and even if my stamina ran out, Leo could easily carry me on his back. So I was also in charge of his walks while Father was away.

As always, I pulled my hat low to hide my green hair, fastened the short sword sent from Ghislaine to my hip, and threw on a cloak over my outfit before leaving. Mother Eris always frowned, saying the outfit looked too restrictive to move in, but since I could also handle both Water God Style and North God Style at a basic level, I actually found the layered clothing easier to fight in.

Besides, I was, at least outwardly, a woman now. Even as an illegitimate child, as the eldest daughter of the Greyrat family, I could not allow myself the disgrace of exposing my stomach or legs in some vulgar outfit.

Walking Leo was routine by now, and I had even started to enjoy observing the city as I went.

With the Ranoa Magic University at its heart, the marketplace was bustling with life. Thanks to the trade routes expanded by someone known as "Silent Sevenstar," shops carrying specialty goods and clothing from various nations had appeared here and there.

I had come here many times for shopping, so there were plenty of familiar faces. But since I was Father’s daughter, any children who tried to approach me eventually turned into bullies shouting "Let’s hunt demons!"—until I beat them all back without mercy. Now, not a single one dared to come near me.

Just beyond the market stood the Adventurers’ Guild, overflowing with mercenaries and ruffians eager for monster hunts. (Though that was hardly a thing to praise, as it simply proved the highways weren’t maintained and no beast wards had been set up.)

A little farther down were taverns and cheap inns, and if you strayed off the main road, you would find the craftsmen’s quarter where various artisans lived—or the dreadful slave market where kidnappers and loan sharks sold people like goods.

In terms of liveliness, it was impressive, but to put it bluntly, the city was lawless and chaotic. As I had been warned many times, even here in town, wandering down a side street could easily get you attacked by thugs or kidnappers. The savagery of these untamed people sent yet another chill down my spine.

Shaking it off, I continued the walk, dragging Leo back with all my strength to stop him from leaping into the nearby river. After circling the town once and hearing his satisfied bark, I headed toward the Magic University.

I knocked on the door of Lord Zanoba’s laboratory, and after a while, Ginger-san welcomed me inside.

Lord Zanoba was Father’s friend, the third prince of a small kingdom, and a disciple who revered Father as a master in doll-making. Born with monstrous strength, he was a prodigy with knowledge in many arts, even helping with the crafting of Father’s armor.

Inside the laboratory were his attendant, Ginger-san, and the doll-maker Julie-san.

"Oh, Lady Edith! You’ve come at last!"

"It’s been a while, Lord Zanoba. Ginger-san, Julie-san, you both seem well."

"Here for more adjustments to the prosthetic arm today?"

"Yes! Thank you again for your time!"

Since shortly before Father departed, I had been assisting with testing Zanoba’s prosthetic limbs here. The prototype arm—an inspiration for Father’s armor—was powered by channeling mana. As someone close to Father in swordsmanship and capable of controlling battle aura, my job was to test the prosthetics, compare their feel against aura from a swordsman’s perspective, and point out flaws.

If this research advanced, it would lead to lighter, smaller versions of Father’s armor, with far greater mana efficiency—making it possible to carry the armor anywhere.

"Lord Zanoba, when I channel mana into the right arm, the grip of the little finger feels off. Fixing it leaves me wide open. Also, the prosthetic leg’s heel twist is too weak; bones would break when switching stances."

Though blessed with raw strength, Lord Zanoba could not train his body due to his condition. He always expressed joy that my visits and feedback allowed his research to progress.

Unlike Mother Sylphy, who had inherited Father’s magic, Lord Zanoba and Julie-san were disciples in doll-making. Both Zanoba, Father’s dearest friend, and Julie-san, whom Father himself named and raised like an adopted son, were family who must never be lost.

While I dreamed of one day officially working under Father alongside them, the sun set, and Mother Roxy came to fetch me after her day’s work.

"Prince Zanoba, we should be going. Thank you for watching over Edith."

"No, no, it is I who should be grateful, Lady Roxy. I may well call for Lady Edith again in the future. I humbly ask for your continued support."

I mounted Leo, while Mother Roxy rode Jirou, and we set off home together under the night sky.

"Edith, I think it’s time for me to take a break and focus on my pregnancy. From tomorrow, I’ll be with you, so if there’s anything you’d like, just say so."

"Truly, Mother Roxy!? Then, could you teach me Demon God Tongue—ah—"

Hearing she would be resting, I couldn’t stop my selfish request from slipping out. I remembered too late that I should be considerate of her condition, and tried to take it back, but she only chuckled warmly and agreed with delight.

Small in stature but great in heart, Mother Roxy’s kindness made me feel like I could ask her for anything. I immediately regretted my selfishness.

"Still, Demon God Tongue, you say… It reminds me of when I made textbooks for Rudeus. Very well, Edith. Leave it to me."

Seeing Mother Roxy puff out her chest so proudly, I finally understood why Father loved and revered her to the point of eeriness.