Author: Himezaki Shiu	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: PunishedLyly	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The more I speak with her, the more enigmatic she becomes.
I’m even starting to think that she might not be noble-born at all.

However, it’s still possible that she’s answering in ways that will deliberately confuse me, and a growing sense of frustration bubbles within me.
If this is how things will continue, I have no choice but to be more direct. At least this way, I might receive less convoluted answers than I do now—or so I hope.

「There is no one else here with courtesy and etiquette refined enough to meet even the First Academy’s standards, after all.
Even when you have talent, there are few opportunities to display it fully.」
「I see. It seems there’s no point hiding it then. In other words, I was chosen as your partner because I’m not a noble of this country, yet I am relatively capable when it comes to dancing.」
「Yes, on a surface level.」

Miss Ailneige adorably tilted her head, but you can’t deceive me.
If all of this was truly unfeigned and natural, I might feel some guilt, but that shouldn’t be the case.
Convinced, I asked her directly about her origins, and she answered that she was from a family with no name.
Her gaze was unwavering, with no signs of dishonesty.

Even when I pointed out her exam results, she brushed it off as if it was nothing.
I feel like I’m just running in circles.
Perhaps it’s time to try a different approach.

「Then, Lady Ailneige, are you familiar with the black-haired girl wearing a dragon mask?」
「Who might that be?」
「No, if you don’t know, please forget I mentioned it.」

Even if she is not the masked girl, it’s plausible that they share some sort of connection. Her response was suspicious.
It would not be strange for someone connected to an A-rank hunter to be well-educated.
That would also imply having connections and financial means to associate with one.

In that case, perhaps it would be best to strike from this angle.
Actually, that reminds me—Miss Ailneige possesses the means to obstruct appraisal, much like the masked girl.
That alone should immediately exclude the possibility of her being an ordinary commoner; it appears that I was led astray.
Whatever Miss Ailneige’s true identity may be, I must determine if she poses any threat to Ausente. This must remain the priority of my inquiries.

Steeling my resolve, I met Miss Ailneige’s gaze.

「Miss Ailneige, are you aware of the appraisal Job line?」

This question should be critical on her end.
What’s most important is to pay attention to her reaction.
From that, I can further probe her identity. If I could determine who Miss Ailneige truly was, it might even lead me to uncover more about the masked girl.

Even if no such connection existed, it would provide an opportunity to delve into her background.

「Yes, I am aware of the appraisal Jobs. But Princess Leshimiiya, I simply wish to have a peaceful life at the academy.」

Her tone shifted to a serious one.
It felt as if she was warning me not to delve any deeper.
I was left speechless, overwhelmed by her change in attitude. And before I could respond, she continued.

「It’s best not to unwittingly provoke docile dragons.」

I understand what she wants to convey.
I was correct in suspecting that there was something unusual about her. While she seems unwilling to openly clarify anything, she has practically given me the answer, hasn’t she?
There are not many individuals who could describe themselves as analogous to a dragon when facing the royalty of a major power.

To begin with, the individual who came to mind has no family name either.
The ruler of Central, Mistress Fiiyanamia, bears no family name—not because one hasn’t been granted to her, but because she simply has no need for one. That is who Mistress Fiiyanamia is.
Naturally, her adopted daughter should have no family name either. While I cannot proclaim it with certainty yet, the likelihood of her being the adopted daughter is far too high to ignore.

And the deliberate use of the word “provoke” clearly implies she wishes to be left alone.

I was completely fooled by Miss Ailneige’s facade.
No, I am sure I am not the only one who has been deceived by her.

I cannot press her further, nor do I intend to. However, there is still one concern I must address.
Ausente has enjoyed peace for so long that some of its people have grown arrogant.
I cannot guarantee that the ignorant won’t meddle in her affairs. If that happens, it could escalate into an international incident.

This must be avoided at all costs.

「I am not very educated about dragons, but do they attack without any prior warning?」
「Under normal circumstances, I believe they would at least give a word of caution.」

Hearing that, I felt somewhat relieved.
No one aware of Miss Ailneige’s background would dare provoke her… Or so I want to believe. But almost immediately, I thought of someone who might.
Fortunately, Brother Vilibart is unlikely to take an interest in Miss Ailneige.
Wait—Miss Ailneige previously reacted as if she knew the masked girl.
Could the masked girl be her bodyguard or the like? To dare approach an individual of her caliber…

For now, I’ll forget about my foolish brother and plaster a smile on my face.
Simultaneously, I signal to the academy staff that my business here is done.

「Thank you very much, Miss Ailneige. I pray from the bottom of my heart that your stay in Ausente shall be a peaceful one.」
「Likewise, I hope you don’t overexert yourself, princess.」

You believe you have the right to say that? Or so I would love to retort, but from Miss Ailneige’s perspective, my presence must seem like a source of potential trouble.
No, perhaps my burden would have been even greater if I had fully exposed her true identity.
In that sense, maybe her words were actually spoken with sincerity.

◇◇◇

As with yesterday, I requested an audience with my father, and it was granted soon after.
I informed him about Miss Ailneige and pleaded that we avoid interfering with her as much as possible. However, my father responded with a troubled smile.

「Is there a problem, Father?」
「No… Actually, I was conflicted about whether I should tell you this or not, but I believe it’s best that you know.」

Seeing my father’s serious expression, I felt tension fill the air.
The matter regarding Miss Ailneige is already fraught with complications, but it seems something far graver is about to be revealed.
Swallowing my breath, I waited for my father’s words.

「I’ve just received a report from the seer.」
「The seer…」
「In the near future, Ausente will face a crisis that could bring about its destruction.」

Hearing those words from my apologetic-looking father, I immediately understood my role.

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And that ends our Princess Leshy interlude mini-arc! Yay! But no yay for Princess Leshy, it seems; her headaches are there to stay!

With the seer’s words, it looks like the princess is going to have to keep a close eye on our girls. The worst part is that she just had a long exchange that boils down to “I know you won’t attack unprovoked, so we’ll ignore you now, thank you” and now she basically *can’t* ignore them now, lol. Still, this means we now have a new reoccurring side character, yay!

Now then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please feel free to comment. Stay healthy, stay safe, and have a nice day~!