Isekai de Mofumofu Nadenade Suru Tame ni Ganbattemasu. Chapter 23

Ch. 23 I hate studying!!

hello, well judging by all the comments western style wins. Thank you for all your comments.

Reader warning: This chapter contains discriminatory expressions, corporal punishment, etc.
Revised on the 12/14
                                  
                           I hate studying!!
 
 
After I turned four years old, I frequently visited the animal enclosure to train Nox. I spent my time helping with Nox’s training, and playing with Bey, the wild bear.   
 
Even though my days were calm and gentle, my peaceful life all came to an end when I was told by our butler Merges that he would start teaching me how to be cultured and refined.
 
We started off with proper greetings and table manners.
 
I was able to get through those somehow.
 
But political economies and history didn’t go so well. It’s all gobbledygook. My social studies grades were not very good back when I was a student either.
 
And after that, I was even taught a bit of geography too!
 
 
The imperial capital in the center of the Gachet Kingdom. It has territories in all directions, north, south, east, and west. The prime minister and three cabinet ministers manage the territories. Each of the territories are named after the family name of the minister who manages it, in Papa’s case, his area is called Osuphe Territory. It is also just called the northern territory. 
 
In each territory there are areas that are directly governed and controlled by the minister and others that are lent out. Areas that are lent out are given to nobles to govern simply because the territory is just too big to be managed by one person. Isn’t that a feudal system? Those nobles are called ‘Daishu’, the areas that are controlled by them are named after the Daishu’s family name and then ‘Dai’ is added to the end.   
 
So a territory is like a prefecture, and a ‘Dai’ is like a city or county. 
 
 
I didn’t really understand the political system, but my impressions are swirling about in my brain.
 
If there is something that the representatives cannot handle, then it is handed over to the territory minister, if they cannot deal with it, then it is handed over to the king. If the king cannot come to a quick decision, then an assembly is held.
 
 
There is also a tax system, but, what is a little strange is how taxes are paid with occupations.
 
If you have a certain amount of skill, then you can pay taxes by offering your services to the country.
 
Is this what people mean when they say art brings bread?
 
I too must find some kind of skill that will let me get that bread.
 
 
After a rapid onslaught of information I didn’t understand from Merges, and being put on the spot a lot, if seemed that the basics were finally over.
 
Now it looks like a tutor will come and teach me…
 
Huh, it’s still not over? Eventually I’m going to go to school after I turn 10 years old, so there’s no need to rush now is there?
 
 
 
”Miss Nema, starting today, Lady Annly Dessa will serve as your tutor.” 
 
 
I was introduced to a well-rounded woman in her late thirties.
 
Her hair was bright green and done up neatly in an up-hair style, and she had amber colored eyes. She wore little makeup, and so she carried the air of someone who was very beautiful!
 
 
”I look forward to teaching you, Miss Nefertima.”
 
 
Woah! Her greeting bow is perfect!
 
If videos were a thing in this world then she would be in one to teach others how to do it.
 
 
“The pleasure is all mine, I look forward to being taught!”
 
 
Merges prepared some tea and then left the room, it was then that the air surrounding Merges changed.
 
 
”For starters, young lady, we will have to correct the way you talk.”
 
 
Hmm? Did I say something wrong? But didn’t I just say that I looked forward to learning?
 
 
“From what Sir Merges has told me, you do things such as address your parents as mom and dad…”
(Translator’s note: She means that Nema uses mom and dad instead of more honorific titles such as mother, and father.)
 
 
Ahh, that’s what she meant!
 
I nodded, she wasn’t wrong after all.
 
 
“You are to speak up when giving a reply.”
 
 
She then suddenly grabbed my arm. Even though I was wearing clothes her nails dug into my skin. It hurts so much!
 
 
”Oww!”
 
 
I glared at Annly, just what does she think she is doing.
 
And once more, she squeezed my arm.
 
 
“No matter what happens, noble ladies do not let it show on their faces.”
 
 
Damn. Does she plan on training me to be a Spartan? I’m no longer going to address you as Lady anymore! From now on you’re my enemy!!
 
 
Following that, she slapped my back if my walking posture was bad, grabbed and pinched me if I talked back, and hit me on the head with a folding fan if I couldn’t do what she said… What on earth does she have stuffed into the fan!? It really hurts, it will probably leave a bruise!
 
Good grief, she has no mercy when it comes to children. If this is how they educate people in this world then there’s no way I’m going to school!
 
 
I think big bro and big sis also had her as a tutor, but they have nothing but high praise for her so I don’t think they’re being punished.
 
Well, if they were they would tell papa, and he would make sure that she never saw the light of day again.
 
Even if it is just me, what kind of fool does she take me for… ahh, is she just picking a fight with me? I can take her on. I don’t want to run when the going gets tough. The sales smile and false persona that I cultivated at my job will serve quite well as weapons!
 
 
Perhaps because my life so far has been stress free, I didn’t have much of an appetite the next day and left behind some breakfast.
 
Is it stress? Is my body more honest than my brain?
 
My family became very worried after seeing me like this. Up to now I always ate everything on my plate, it looked like they were going to take me to a doctor to see what was wrong with my stomach.
 
I can’t understand why they would worry about my stomach first and foremost! Do I usually eat that greedily? What if I just had a cold or some other disease?
 
Well, I tried running away to begin with.
 
I say run away, but it was just playing tag inside the house. I mean, I already know where they came from, but it would be bad if anyone saw me covered in bruises.
 
 
 
”I’ve got you now Nema!”
 
 
My body suddenly stopped moving after I thought I heard big bro’s voice.
 
It felt like my body was being wrapped by an invisible rope or something.
 
This is magic! That’s against the rules!!
 
 
”No magic!!”
 
 
”If you have any complaints I’ll listen to them all later. But first, don’t you think you should consider what your excuse to mother will be?”
 
 
Uhew.. Are we going straight to mama…?
 
What should I do…?
 
The magic disappeared after big bro picked me up and held me, I wonder if he would get mad if I tried to run again, he looks pretty scary right now…
 
 
”Nema, why do you dislike the doctor? Can you say the reason?”
 
 
I was facing mama in her lecture mode while in her room.
 
Tsk, papa is so much easier to handle.
 
 
“…Because she hurts me.”
 
 
“Do you think lies will work on me? Was Nema always that naïve?”
 
 
Uehuh.. I know full well that lying won’t work, and I won’t deny being naïve either!
 
But, I have the feeling that if I say that then I’ll lose… Ah, am I the only one who thinks that this is a competition?
 
 
“Those bruises were made when you were playing right? But, the truth is that Annly Dessa actually made them, isn’t that right?”
 
 
…How did she know!
 
Has mama been using magic this whole time to spy on me? That’s a breach of privacy.
 
 
“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
 
 
“Because it’s my rule to never run away from a fight.”
 
 
That’s just who I am!
 
If I run away from a fight wouldn’t that make me a city slicker!
 
Yeah, I’m no city slicker. I was raised in the country.
 
Ah, hmm, actually I don’t think I want this common-man feeling. 
 
 
“Are you saying we shouldn’t intervene?”
 
 
That’s right!
 
A true fight is a contest that has to be between one person and another!
 
 
“Will dad put an end to it?”
 
 
“Yes. He definitely will.”
 
 
I don’t want word of this getting to papa or big sis. Those two will explode with fury if they found out. Maybe this should be called peculiar to people with strong fire affinity attributes, but when they get really angry, magic starts to leak out of them and it then turns into fire.
 
 
“Do you have a plan to win against Annly, Nema? For starters, you’re not going to win with manners against the woman who is called ‘The model Lady’.”
 
What is that title? A model Lady doesn’t perform physical punishment on children!
 
I absolutely cannot lose to her!
 
Mama smiled at me with glee as my fighting spirit burned with flames.
 
Mama’s lecture mode seems to have turned off, I wonder if she’s thought of something…
 
 
“If you are going to have a contest with Annly, then you will need to be on even footing with her. Nema, take everything that you can from her. Then, begin to understand her well. Unless you do that then you will not be able to contend with her.”
 
 
Hmm, there is definitely some reason to what mama has to say.
 
So by saying that, do you mean that after properly mastering the etiquette of a young noble woman I should then pick a fight with her?
 
 
“So I have to be recognized as a proper Lady by Annly then?”
 
 
“Hmhm. Do you think you can do it Nema?”
 
 
Hmm. You think I can’t!
 
When I start something I see it through to the end!
 
That’s fine though. I’ll go along with Mama’s plan.
 
 
“In that case, I’ll help too.”
 
 
Up till now big bro has just been standing there quietly watching our conversation, but what is this all of a sudden!
 
While being gently held by him, I heard the incantation for a magic spell.
 
 
“Lecoeur Coleshour.”
 
 
A healing spell called ‘The healing hand of the goddess.’
 
The feeling of a warm hand ran along the places that I said were painful. As I was caressed by the invisible hands the pain quickly disappeared. The bruises have probably vanished too.
 
 
“I can immediately heal your bruises, and that means that I can also be your dance partner.”
 
 
Big bro is the only person in our house who can use healing spells.
 
But anyway, by dance does he mean ballroom dancing?
 
Sounds like fun! I love moving my body!!
 
 
“Nini, please help me! But…”
 
 
“I know. I won’t interfere with you and Annly. I just want to help you become a wonderful Lady.”
 
 
Hauwwh. Big bro knows how to treat me the best.
 
I’m being rolled around on the palm of mama’s hand, and being right properly manipulated by big bro… Hmm, I guess it can’t be helped, right now all I can do is get serious about becoming a Lady!
 
 
“Leave Del and Cana to me.”
 
 
 If mama says so, then word of this will most definitely not reach papa or big sis.
 
Mama is the strongest in our house after all. …Actually, she just might be the strongest in the country.
 
 
Alright! I’ll do my best to become this country’s best Lady!!
 
Huh? That doesn’t sound right, oh well.
 
 
 
It’s been six months since I said that… I’ve grown tired of my own foolishness.
 
My appetite has returned, and I don’t get covered in bruises as often anymore. I’m fine no matter what happens because I have big bro to help me.
 
I’m almost five years old, but I have obtained skills that would make you think otherwise!
 
My greetings and table manners are perfect. I can also serve tea, treat guests, and I have taught myself about current events too.
 
 I also have good tastes and the body of a child, so if I wanted to I could probably enter a dance competition back in my own world. That’s the level that I’m at right now. I want to keep dancing because moving my body was so much fun.
 
 
Mum praises me, and big sis is also pretty surprised.
 
It seems that people usually don’t come this far in such a short space of time. But it’s not a bad idea to learn the etiquette of a noble before I start going to school.
 
But now that means I can spend the rest of my time playing with soft and fluffy animals before I become old enough to go to school!
 
All of my hard work was worth it in the end!
 
 
Now then, this is where I begin my counter attack, hehehe.
 
 
 
I perfectly perform my friendly act in front of Annly. Does she wonder if my attitude is a present to thank her for her teaching?
 
 
“Annly. If Ique has such a bad drought problem, then why don’t the Creationists do something?”
 
 
Ique is a small country to the south-west of the Gachet Kingdom.
 
During summer, they were unable to grow any crops due to the drought, and their food reserves won’t last them up till the next harvest. For that reason, they have asked for help from neighboring countries and the Creationists.
 
Beginning with our country, many countries pledged aid, including the bordering country of Miruma, the mother country of our queen, Linus Empire. However, the Creationists have declared that the drought of Ique is divine punishment.
 
They say that any country who has brought the wrath of God upon themselves requires no aid, several countries, ones where the Creationists have a strong political hold, have cut off their aid.
 
 
“That is because Ique has incurred the wrath of God. If those in the church who are disciples of God help Ique then they will be going against the will of God.”
 
 
“Then, why do they know that the drought is divine punishment?”
 
 
“Because the sorceresses received a message from God.”
 
 
Saints! Sorceresses! Now if only a hero would be summoned then this would make for the perfect fantasy!
 
 
“But, people were created by the God of Creation? Isn’t it strange to let people die in order to punish them?”
 
 
“Ique is an uncivilized country that supports the beastmen, it isn’t strange for anything to happen to them.”
 
 
No no no. You people are the problem, the idiots who have the nerve to think that they are God’s chosen.
 
Have any of you done anything amazing to be chosen by God? I didn’t think so.
 
It’s so embarrassing to think that our race has such an inflated ego that we think our race is chosen by God!
 
 
“Have you met anyone from Ique or the beastmen, Annly?”
 
 
“Heavens no! To think of even approaching them is terrifying.”
 
 
As expected. Thank you for the answer that I was hoping you would say!
 
 
“I didn’t think that you were such a vile person Annly!”
 
 
I tried to look as surprised as I possibly could, and waited for Annly’s reaction.
 
Annly looked like she was trying to understand what was just said to her, but then her face went bright red and she exploded with anger once she understood.
 
 
“I’m vile am I!?”
 
 
The fan came flying at me.
 
I took the blow full force. This isn’t a punishment that she believes is necessary for my education. This is simply violence because she is angry that someone insulted her.
 
What is necessary is, the incredible pain! Hey, you aimed that directly at my face!
 
She hit my cheek!! Will it swell up? It probably will. I let my guard down because she’s never hit a part of me that was exposed before.
 
 
“I’m not wrong am I? I don’t want to become a cowardly person who looks down upon people I have never met. Or, is that the proper way a Lady of a noble should act?”
 
 
“…Well…”
 
 
“As a daughter of Duke Osuphe, I must become a wonderful Lady who will not bring shame to her father.”
 
 
I don’t actually believe that at all. Our family name isn’t one to crumble over the half-finished education of their youngest daughter.
 
 
“In the first place, a Lady should not speak of such inelegant topics like politics.”
 
 
I can’t believe I’ve made it this far.
 
For the past six months, I have observed Annly in order to find out her likes and dislikes, and from her words and actions I have made guesses about her thoughts, I ask questions to get necessary information, and I make her expose what she is thinking by making her angry.
 
I have also simulated how this conversation could go countless times, thought about what I should say, and made my preparations. But to think that it would go this smoothly. Annly has a surprisingly honest personality.
 
 
“Then let me ask you, just what kinds of topics are elegant? Certainly, when I talk with other noble daughters they like to talk about yummy sweet stores and dresses. But, do gentlemen have an interest in such topics? Or would you have me just stand next to them and say nothing like a puppet?”
 
 
“Of course not. When it comes to difficult topics you are to simply nod.”
 
 
“Yes. But then you are being rude to your partner. Conversations are about deepening mutual understandings are they not?”
 
 
Sometimes it is better to just nod your head, depending on the situation. But I think it's more fun to have a conversation with someone who knows what you are talking about, and can even say what they think, such as “Oh yes, that is quite nice” instead of someone who just says “I see.”
 
Talking with someone is an essential part of understanding them.
 
 
“How do the other daughters entertain gentlemen then?”
 
 
Entertain gentlemen… it sounds kind of indecent. Well, I did mean to include that kind of nuance…
 
 
As expected, Annly wasn’t able to answer this question.
 
That’s because you can’t let a child hear the answer.
 
But, it’s more common than you think. Indecent and scandalous gossip that is.
 
My maids are quite versed in such topics.
 
 
Annly trembled slightly as she clenched her fist like she was trying to contain something. Is she trying to contain her rage, or perhaps her resentment?
 
She left the room without saying a word, as if to try and escape my gaze.
 
 
Yay! I won!!
 
An incredible feeling of accomplishment ran through my body, one that made me want to unintentionally strike a pose.
 
That’s one point to me. Now then, my plans hereafter will change based on how Annly reacts to all of this…
 
Well I can think about that later. Right now I’m tired.
 
I celebrated too much, now exhaustion has come to replace my feeling of accomplishment.
 
Haah. For now, let me see Nox so that she can comfort me.
 
 
“Come here Nox”
 
 
I call Nox, who was basking in the sun on her perch that I placed in my room.
 
Without flapping her wings, Nox glided over to me and landed on my legs. She then fiddled around on my lap looking for an easy place to sit, she found one, bent her knees and sat down.
 
I call this her relaxing position.
 
Maybe it felt nice when I started petting her back because Nox began to fall asleep.
 
Ahh, I’m kind of sad that she’s replaced all of her baby feathers though.
 
But, she will get her winter feathers soon enough, and when that happens I think her chest will get fluffy again.
 
Speaking of winter feathers, Nightowls’ winter feathers are the best type of feathers! They have the best feeling and are the most comfortable among bird feathers!
 
I was constantly touching them last winter, and because of that the Nightowls gave me their feathers that they plucked off when they were grooming themselves. The sight of them handing over feathers in their mouths to me was so cute I could have fainted, it’s such a shame that I don’t have a camera here.
 
 
Ah! Oh no, I forgot to cool down and chill my cheek!!

Chapter end