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My father lamented and apologized that, despite his best efforts to create a peaceful world, tragedy would always find a way to appear. There would always be something bad happening, with people suffering or dying somewhere in the world.
No matter how perfect a society could be built, nothing was truly flawless. Cracks would always appear in the end.
"It's fine! You work really hard, Dad, so don't worry," I muttered softly. "I understand that even in this peaceful country, there's always a dark side hidden beneath the surface. It's impossible to make a perfect society because people aren't perfect."
"Hah, that's right," my father nodded with a gentle smile. "Not even I, your mother, anybody here, or even my great grandfather are perfect beings. We are all imperfect in our own unique ways."
"But I believe that some of these flaws are what make us special," said my mother warmly.
"That is true enough," my father agreed with a nod.
As they began cleaning the tables together, we moved toward the throne room for a moment. My father sat down on his imposing seat and then decided to give me something important.
"For now, to make sure your new little identity isn't suspected, here," he said. His hand, covered in shimmering scales, forged a brilliant white flame from his powers. The flame slowly solidified into a beautiful silver medal. "This is a special ID for your second identity. What will be your new name?"
"Just Elizabeth, right? I bet there are many Elizabeths anyway," I shrugged casually.
"Hahah, well, are you saying we gave you a generic name?" my mother laughed lightly. "But… she's not wrong. There must be thousands of them…"
"Then Elizabeth again," my father nodded and shrugged. "Second name?"
"Raven!" I said excitedly. "It goes perfectly with my black hair."
"Fine," he replied with a playful sneer as he finished crafting the medal. "Catch."
He threw the silver medal toward me, and I caught it neatly in my hand. I looked at it closely, feeling a warm connection form between us. Suddenly, the medal disappeared, melting gently into my skin. "Woah?!"
"That means the bond is complete. Those are identity plaques," he explained. "Without one, you would be suspected as an unregistered citizen. It's not like you would go to prison, but they would make you go through a lot of paperwork. As for Gigantia… I think her original identity is fine."
"A-Are you implying I am not famous?" Gigantia cried out in surprise. "I-I am the maid of the princess!"
"Fufu, come on now, Gigantia," Catrise giggled softly behind us. "We live to serve, not to take credit or anything of the sort for those we serve. Remember that, dear. I taught you these things."
"A-Ah, yes…" Gigantia nodded obediently.
My grandmother, who had been silently listening to the entire conversation, nodded with a warm and nostalgic smile. "It sounds so exciting! Elizabeth, you made me remember when I was just a child myself. So long ago, when I traveled across the land of Yggdrasil with my father and the rest of my family. We explored various continents, defeated lots of bad guys, and helped tons of people along the way! Eventually, Daddy became a hero—no, we all became great heroes, haha. One day, let's go to Yggdrasil together."
"Sure!" I nodded enthusiastically. "My parents said I could once I reach a certain level, right?" I wondered aloud. "So I'll get to that level soon enough."
"Good," said my grandma, nodding with pride. "Good luck and do your best, sweetheart."
"Right, maybe tonight we can show you the VPI," said my grandpa. "Of course, if you aren't sleepy by then. At night the place is a lot more lively. Most of the staff working are all night howls."
"Really? Okay!" I nodded eagerly. "That way you can inspect Mongrel and Dryad too."
"Yes," my grandpa suddenly smiled in a creepy way, readjusting his glasses as they shone so brightly they turned completely white from the reflection. "Heh… that's… one of the reasons… we MUST inspect them…"
Mongrel and Dryad, who had been silently floating behind me while listening to everything, began to shiver and quickly hid behind my back.
"Eeek! Elizabeth, your grandpa's a weirdo!" Mongrel screamed in fear. "I-Is he going to bisect us?!"
"I-I am just an innocent little seed!" Dryad complained desperately. "Whoever that big bad nightmare was from before, that's not me. I am… her daughter, yeah!"
"Dryad, I am not going to fall for that," I sighed. "Anyway, Gigantia, let's go prepare!"
"Sure!" Gigantia said brightly, walking right by my side.
As I ran inside my room, I opened the large closet and started searching for more modest-looking clothes. I threw out dozens of elegant dresses, fancy boots, heels, and everything else that looked too extravagant.
"Hmm, what would make me look like a normal girl?" I wondered, rubbing my chin thoughtfully.
"How about this white blouse with some black shorts?" suggested Gigantia. "It's hot outside today."
"Hmmm, but they're too fancy…" I muttered. "Though maybe not that much? Instead of frilly blouses, perhaps a simple shirt would do better…"
"A-A shirt?! But you're a princess. A mere shirt…" Gigantia panicked.
As we continued discussing the options, footsteps echoed from outside the room, and three figures stepped inside.
"Hello, we came to help~" My mother said cheerfully. She wasn't with Alistair; she had likely left him with Dad. "I wanted to see what my sweet girl was going to put on!"
"I also came to help!" Grandma walked in but accidentally struck her forehead on the top of the door frame. "Ouch! These walls are really tough…"
"Lady Benladra, please be careful!" Head Maid Catrise said as she stepped in gracefully.
With her cascading red hair, pale blue skin, freckles across her face, glasses, and tall, strong, muscular yet voluptuous body, she looked incredibly beautiful.
I could hardly take my eyes off her whenever she was around. My father had somehow kept this woman by his side since he was a kid. He must possess some truly amazing resistance.
Most people would expect that someone like my dad would have a big harem of beauties, with several concubines and perhaps my mother as the main wife. Lady Catrise would fit right in with that kind of life.
But no, he was not like that. I guess he isn't very sexual at all. He might practically be completely asexual to anything except Mom.
She was his one and only, and he felt no attraction to anyone else. That was impressive, especially since I had heard that my great grandfather, the Divine Dragon King, had fifteen, twenty, or maybe thirteen wives. I didn't remember the exact number. He had made many kids and given Elizabeth lots of "aunties," but I had never really thought deeply about it until now.
I guess that translated into him having a massive harem. Well, I'm glad I didn't do the same for my dad. It kind of makes his love for Mom feel a lot nobler since he never took any concubines or other women.
And if he's not a horndog like that old man, that's for the better. I would rather not have a dozen lost siblings I had never met suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
"I think this one's pretty good. She looks so cute!" my grandma said happily.
"Hmm, but would that fit for a girl who isn't from nobility?" my mother wondered.
"I believe this one would fit her well," said Catrise. "Gigantia, what are you wearing yourself? You can't wear maid outfits, you know?"
"Ah! R-Right…" Gigantia nodded. "I guess I'll change into my normal clothes, so don't worry."
Huh, I had never seen her in her "normal clothes." I wondered if they were tribal like her clan or more modern like human clothing.
The clothing in this world was really diverse and crazy. Different cultures merged and clashed constantly. Sometimes you would see a guy wearing a simple white shirt and jeans, and right next to him, someone dressed in half-medieval attire.
It was all a mixed bag, but over time these styles had blended into a truly unique type of fashion. It felt like high fantasy combined with slightly modern elements.
It might sound confusing at first, but it all clicked once you saw it in person.
"Something sporty wouldn't be so bad. We don't want people to think she's a young lady of nobility, right?" asked my mother.
"Yeah!" I agreed enthusiastically. "I want some sneakers. These ones…!"
"Pretty ones, and good for mobility," said Gigantia. "Though I hope they don't break once you start moving around."
"They're reinforced with the best materials and resonate with her mana too," said my mom. "They should hold up well."
"As for clothes…" my grandmother added. "I suppose these black jean shorts for the heat. And I guess…"
"Some stockings would be nice," I said. "I like these white ones…"
"Sure," my mother nodded. "As for your upper body…"
"I'll wear this shirt," I said, holding up a simple black shirt with a cute mascot character in the center. It resembled an adorable pink rabbit. "And I'll wear this cool leather jacket. It's made with wyvern hide, right?"
"Oh yeah," said my mother. "I did gift you that the other year… Hm! Alright, go put these things on and let's see what it looks like."
I ran to my bathroom, changed quickly, and stepped back out. I wore black jean shorts, white stockings, black and white sneakers decorated with little hearts and the same rabbit character—known as "Usagi-chan" and quite popular among kids in this world—along with the white shirt featuring the pink mascot, the puffy black leather jacket, and a cute baseball cap that was black and white. The cap proudly displayed the words "Frostbane City" with a big "FC" on the back. "How is it?"
When I looked back at them, my mom, grandma, Gigantia, and Catrise were left completely speechless. Their eyes and mouths hung wide open in surprise.
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