The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 62: Confirmation of the Current Situation and the Request

Episode 62: Confirmation of the Current Situation and the Request

When I left the interview room, the air in the hallway became slightly lighter. But that feeling did not last long.

Because Sierra stood in front of the reception desk. And she was looking at me with a more formal expression than usual.

“Thank you for your hard work, Alphonse-san. ……Congratulations on your promotion.”

“Thank you.”

“And also, since you have ranked up, you will need to undergo record updating and appraisal. Do you have time for it?”

So, it was an obligation. No reason to refuse. I nodded. I then placed my hand on the crystal.

Deep inside the crystal, a pale blue light spread. The light pulsed with intensity. And before long, faint glowing letters appeared.

[Skills]:

・Persistence: Lv.1

・Etiquette: Lv.1

・Academics: Lv.3

・Dance: Lv.2

・Household Management: Lv.2

・Linguistics: Lv.2

・Swordsmanship: Lv.2

・Magic: Lv.1

・Poison Resistance: Lv.7

・Physical Resistance: Lv.7

・Frost Resistance: Lv.2

・Pain Tolerance: Lv.5

・Accuracy Boost: Lv.3

・Evasion Boost: Lv.4

・Constant Activity: Lv.5

・Indomitable: Lv.5

・Night Vision: Lv.1

・Magic Power Vision: Lv.1

・Resonant Oath: Lv.1

That was how it was displayed.

(I see…… As I thought, it really is nice to have the results of training made visible like this.)

The skills I trained had gone up in level. Seeing that objectively filled me with joy. But at the same time, I felt doubt.

(“Dense Fog” and “ Inscript”. Those two skills are not displayed…… What does this mean?)

If I think in game-like terms, normally the “Resonant Oath” skill could not be inherited from a monster that would count as a boss.

Yet somehow, in this world, I was able to inherit it. Just like that, I had also obtained those two skills.

But in the original system, that should have been impossible behavior…… a bug, so to speak. And if so, it might not display correctly on the skill list. That would make some sense.

But this is not a game. This is one world that includes game elements. Thinking that way, I still cannot quite accept it.

Perhaps those “Dense Fog” and “Inscript” skills are somehow contained within “Resonant Oath: Lv.1.”

“……!”

As I thought that, the receptionist’s eyes widened. She half-opened her mouth as if to say something. But she then closed it.

The sound of her swallowing words stuck oddly in my ears.

And then, as if having made up her mind, she opened her mouth――

“Alphonse-san…… to be honest, this appraisal result is not normal. Rather than strong, it is… ‘abnormal.’”

“That’s true. But being abnormal itself, I don’t really mind.”

“…That way of thinking also feels not normal, though.”

The receptionist gave a sighing smile. But her eyes were not smiling. She did not take her gaze away from the appraisal result.

“Not normal also means dangerous. For example, this……”

She got that far. She then suddenly averted her eyes.

“…No, I apologize.”

Perhaps deciding that any more would be prying, she stopped there. That helped me as well. Since I didn’t want her probing further. So I left it at that.

“Ahem. Once again, here are the requests.”

Then, without me even needing to ask, she showed me the requests.

Maybe this too was a sign that our relationship had changed.

In any case, I thanked her and looked through the several requests.

(As expected, there are strange requests included.)

Compared to when I was E rank, there were far more unusual requests. Subjugation requests still existed. But they were clearly harder than before.

Besides those, there were also escort requests, which E rank had too…… but now things like escorting a “Baron’s house,” or accompanying an investigation for a “Marquis’ house.”

Just looking at them, they seemed like troublesome affairs.

But, perhaps as compensation, the rewards were exceedingly high. Some were nearly worth a gold coin.

(……“Speechcraft,” huh.)

As Irina said, noble-related requests aren’t things that can be solved by strength alone.

Which leads me to think of the skill “Speechcraft.” In the game, it was for bargaining with shops――a skill that improved the success rate of price negotiations.

Once its level hit double digits, success became almost guaranteed. And sometimes you could even buy things for less than half the original price.

A very wallet-friendly skill, but――based on this world and the knowledge I had, its effects were broader here.

If dealing with nobles, a “Speechcraft” skill that allowed smooth negotiations would be valuable. But at the same time, there was a risk of dulling my own will and judgment.

I had already experienced how “Indomitable” wasn’t just “mitigate debuffs,” but affected other areas significantly. Considering that, I was cautious about acquiring something carelessly.

(To begin with, among nobles, “Speechcraft” is a delicate matter.)

Yes, within noble society, this skill was tricky.

Most skills in this world were said to be obtained through effort and experience. And having them itself was a kind of power.

Swordsmanship, magic, production skills――all the same. High level was seen as proof of long training.

But skills that could interfere with another’s will――”Speechcraft”, “Charm”, “Emotion Manipulation”――were different. Especially in high-level negotiations or politics. Those were considered “weapons.”

If used in the wrong place, it could damage trust. Or at worst, it could be seen as an insult.

“Speechcraft” was not simply about speaking more eloquently. It adjusted your delivery through the skill itself. It created favorable impressions on others.

I remembered being strictly warned about that in noble education.

And to resist someone else’s “Speechcraft”, another skill would be needed.

Of course, “Speechcraft” could also be respected as proof of ability. But only as an “unsheathed sword.” If you blatantly used it in public, the other side would treat it as “trying to take away their will.”

That was why many nobles hid their “Speechcraft” skill.

Negotiation was supposed to be won with one’s own wisdom and judgment――that belief was ingrained in noble society.

(If it becomes necessary, I can always take it later. For now, I’ll try doing things my way.)

I shifted my focus back to the requests. As I let my eyes slide over them, one request caught my attention.

“Monster Sweeping Along the Highway”――on a section of the highway connecting the capital and the southern region, the frequency of monster appearances had increased.

The client seemed to be a merchant guild from the south. The base reward was 8 silver coins.

It was a C rank request. And I already had information about the southern region in mind. For earning funds, this was not bad.

I told the receptionist I would take that request. Then, her expression clouded slightly.

“Um, this request…… Apparently, in that section, monster distribution has been unnaturally skewed. So far, damages to merchants have been minor, but……”

“Skewed, you say.”

If monster distribution was skewed, then some cause had to exist there.

Well, no matter the request, I would remain alert. But especially so this time.

“I understand, thank you for the information. I’ll take it.”

“Understood. ……Please be careful.”

I answered briefly. I then completed the acceptance procedures for the request, and left the guild.

Outside, the bustle of the town sounded just a little more distant than usual.

Original Author’s Comment:

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★ Thank you as always for the stars and support!!

And also, to those who sent me gifts today, thank you so much……!!

I’m so happy my vocabulary went missing!! (?)

A new stage of the story begins here――

I would be delighted if you enjoy it together with me!!!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)