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Kana's POV
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Duke Boule. The current King's youngest brother.

During the previous generation's fight for succession, he wasn't very interested in the throne, which led to him conceding his right to it.

I heard that this made him a commoner for a while after the current King came into power, since he left the Palace soon after the coronation.

I'm not sure how true that rumour is, but something happened between the Duke and the King for the King to have appointed the Duke title to him.

Of course, even the title didn't make him attend the societal parties and balls that were held.

He's seen as a very isolated man, and a ruined noble, since he hasn't taken in a wife during the time he's had his title.

Apparently he hasn't even entertained that thought, nor the thought of adopting a child to be the heir.

It could be trauma, especially since the previous generation's fight for succession was excessively brutal.

The entire thing led to around 10 deaths.

The mother of the second Prince died due to illness, which was later found to be poison given by one of the maids.

The current King's mother, who died by the hands of the second Prince.

The previous King, who died from shock after hearing that two of his concubines had died.

Even more nobles died later on in an attempt from the second Prince to blame the current King, but was caught, found guilty and sentenced to hanging.

It's honestly not a surprise if the Duke does have trauma from that, but of course, it's the Royal Family, so I don't know how close they were in terms of familial relations.

But all this doesn't matter to me right now. I just need to keep an eye on him and figure out if he's related to the assassins.

Well, I would be if he wasn't so isolated. I haven't been able to see him once in the time I've been watching the house. Every single window is covered with curtains, not allowing anything to peek through.

Even the gates around the mansion seem aged, with moss and plants growing around them, giving the entire area a haunted house impression.

From the way it looks, it doesn't seem like anyone has entered or left in weeks, maybe even months.

That can't be possible, though. How would the people living inside get their food?

Unless they use a different method...

But why? Why would they use another method if they could do the traditional way.

Normally, merchants who have received an order enter from the front gate and are led to an estate's warehouse on the far edge of the land.

However, the front gate here is covered in roots that have grown and climbed from the ground.

They might have another way of getting food? Maybe a farm on the estate?

That doesn't seem likely though. Not many nobles take kindly to having commoner types of land on their land.

Well, no matter what it is, I'll find out eventually.

"Sylph, can you hear me?" (Kana)

I whisper extremely quietly, so quietly that it'd be hard to hear even if you were next to me.

A moment after the words leave my lips, a small vine doorway, no larger than my palm, appears just in front of me.

Jumping out from it was a green creature, an earth spirit, Sylph.

"Ah! Master! Master! You finally called me!" (Sylph)

It spoke in a high-pitched voice, quite fitting for its appearance of a young girl, though still smaller than my hand.

"Yeah, I did. Listen, can you take a look at those plants over there?" (Kana)

"Me? Why me, Master? Can't you do it with your race magic?" (Sylph)

Race magic.

Magic that is exclusive to races, and are impossible to replicate.

Every single race has their own magic, not a single one doesn't.

The Dwarves have [Metal Manipulation], which allows them to freely manipulate metals and minerals.

The Elves have [Nature Manipulation], which allows them to speak to and manipulate anything that sprouts from the earth, like plants.

The Beastman have [Beast Form], which allows them to transform into a larger version of the animal they are of mixed blood of.

The Demons have [Blood Manipulation], which allows them to manipulate blood to their bidding.

And the Humans have, objectively, the best of them all. [Bloodline]. While not powerful on its own, it spreads and evolves, leading to different human families gaining magic exclusive to them, similar to the race magic.

They refer to this as bloodline magic, and few families have it, and many feel envy over that.

I think I've heard of an entire family that was wiped out due to the envy they got from their magic, so it shows how powerful it can be.

Of course, of them all, nothing can top the Royal Family's.

They have {Absolute Magic Affinity}. It allows them to have a great affinity towards every type of mana, be it holy, water, fire or others.

Though, this doesn't apply to healing magic, for a reason we still do not understand.

"... Go and do it, Sylph." (Kana)

"Yes, Master!" (Sylph)

She doesn't hesitate as I order her, and she flies over quickly before lightly touching the plant that grows.

She stays for a few minutes before flying back.

"They're dead, Master!" (Sylph)

"Dead?" (Kana)

"Hmmm... Well, it's more like they weren't alive to begin with..." (Sylph)

"What do you mean?" (Kana)

"Hmm... Well... It's hard to explain..." (Slyph)

"... Fine, I'll have a look..." (Kana)

Slowly, I raise from my crouching position in the tree I was stood in, and make my way over to the gate.

Placing my hand on the roots, I feel a warmth spreading across my body.

"... " (???)

"Can you hear me?" (Kana)

"--es." (???)

In response to my question, a quiet reply finds itself in my mind.

It was the response from the plants, which grew on the gate.

"You can?" (Kana)

"--es." (Plant)

"I see. Can you tell me what you are doing?" (Kana)

"--oing as ordere--, stop gate from --pening." (Plant)

"... Are you... Alive?" (Kana)

"..." (Plant)

"..." (Kana)

"No. We are --ot aliv--" (Plant)

"If not alive, then what?" (Kana)

"... --rapped. Trappe-- here. Canno-- be called aliv-- if not free." (Plant)

"Not free? What do you mean?" (Kana)

"..." (Plant)

"..." (Kana)

"..." (Plant)

"Are you still with me?" (Kana)

With no response to my question, my connection to the plant is forcibly cut off, as if a wall had landed and severed the wire that connected us.

A plant who had its freedom taken...

What does that mean?

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Author Notes
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I had 5 chapters stocked up maybe a week or two ago, I was happy for being on top of my story. Then time passed and now I'm stuck with 1 chapter ready and am now writing this chapter.

I don't know how this happens, it just does.

But anyway, I really hope these last few chapters haven't been just constant information, like with the nobles and the race magic, but it does seem like it.

For now, I don't have more plans of introducing new major information, like new magic, but there will be new names coming around, so I'm sorry.

But anyway, thank you for reading, please continue to do so!