"Congratulations, Mr. Lucanus.
　Oh, congratulations. Nia.

　The morning after Hercule gave her his coat.
　The next morning after Hercule gave her his coat, Nia and Loukanos congratulated each other for celebrating the advent.

　I'm sure ...... the Lucarios are here today, right?

　Lucarios.
　The current head of this family, one of the Seventy-Seven Holy Families, is Loukanos Lucarios.
　However, Lucanos has no seeds and cannot have children.
　His adopted son, Nia, is a Nightmare, not even an Elf.

　Therefore, Lucanos' younger brother will be the next head of the Lucarios family.
　However, his property will be divided to Nia.
　The seventy-seven of the Holy Seventy-seven Families means seventy-seven bloodlines. ...... In reality, there are not only seventy-seven families.
　In fact, there are not only seventy-seven families, but there are many branches, and the system is designed to keep them alive.

　Oh, yes. But there's still time for that. Why don't you go for a walk in the city?　Didn't His Majesty give you a coat?　...... Today's Advent is much more exciting than the previous ones. It would be a shame not to go out at all.

　This is because the wedding of Carolina and Lunalee took place two and three days before Advent.
　Many merchants, minstrels, and other entertainers had gathered to see the big wedding and to take advantage of the crowd.

　We've come to the great city of Nova Lemuria.
　It was only natural that some people would want to stay until the Descent Festival.

　Therefore, this year's Descent Festival was more exciting than ever.

　I'm surprised. I thought Lukanos didn't like that kind of noise. ......

　Lukanos is a priest.
　From a clergyman's point of view, Advent is a time to spend quietly and modestly with family.

　At least, it is not a festival to make a fuss.
　But ......

　I don't like it. But even His Majesty hides his identity and goes out in the streets. You can't blame her for that.

　Well, in other words, I give up.
　I'm not sure what to do.

　I understand. ...... I'm going to have a little fun. I'll be home by noon.　
　"Yeah, you go ahead.

　After receiving permission from Loukanos, Nia put on her going-out clothes.
　She put on the prettiest clothes she could find and the coat that Hercule had given her.
　Next, she puts on gloves and a scarf - a gift from Loukanos.

　And don't forget to wear a sword on your waist - a birthday gift from Carolina.
　And a pretty necklace, a gift from Lunalie, to wear around your neck.

　All he had to do was put on his hat. ......

　As soon as she was about to put on the hat, Hercule's words passed through her mind.

　You are a nobleman of House Lucarios. Have confidence in yourself.

　Wearing a hat - a thing to hide your horns - is contrary to ...... those words.
　Nia hesitated for a moment and then stopped wearing the hat.

　The tail, which is usually wrapped around her waist and tightly hidden, is also ......
　She let it hang down without wrapping it around her waist.

　Now the tail will peek out from the skirt.
　You can see it clearly from behind .......

　...... Okay, let's go.

　Nia finished her preparations and walked to the door.

　"Nia, you're dressed ...... like that.

　Lucanos was surprised by the unusual change in Nia, but said nothing.
　Just one word.

　"Be careful, Nia.
　"Yes, sir. I'm off to .......

　Nia pondered for a few moments, then blushed and said, ......

　"I'm off, Father.

　Then she ran out of the house.

　Lucanos, who was left behind, muttered.

　"...... This is the first time she's called me father, isn't it?




　

　
　Nia is a Nightmare.
　Many of the nobles living in Nova Lemuria know this.

　In the event that you are a member of the aristocracy, you naturally have to socialize with other people, and you will meet aristocrats and ...... girls around your age.

　And what was a little surprising to Nia was ......
　The aristocrats and high-ranking clergymen did not outright avoid Nia, did not abuse her, and were surprisingly sympathetic and friendly ...... to her.

　But well, ......
　This is not surprising when you think about it.

　The Lemurian Empire is a multi-ethnic nation.
　There are Elves, Dwarves, Humans, and Warbeasts.

　The Long-eared (Elves) are the dominant race, and although they are puritanical ......
　The Lemurian Empire's most feared race is the Elves.

　What the Lemurian Empire fears the most is the collapse of the Empire due to racial conflicts.

　For this reason, the ruling nobles are trained to refrain from making careless comments or actions regarding race, and those who do not refrain are politically condemned.

　The aristocrats of the Lemurian Empire are only aristocrats because of the existence of the Lemurian Empire.


　I don't know if nobles will be able to be nobles in the world after the fall of the Lemurian Empire.
　This can be seen in the territory of the former West Lemuria Empire.

　With the collapse of the former West Lemuria Empire, the aristocrats of the Lemuria Empire came to fear 'the world after the Lemuria Empire' more than anything else.


　And to begin with, ......
　The prejudice against the Nightmare race is based on the superstitions and folklore of the polytheistic world before the establishment of Messianism.

　Nobles and high-ranking clerics who have received a proper Messianic education are skeptical of the ferocity and cruelty of the Nightmare race, a product of the polytheistic world.
　Even if they are prejudiced at first, if they get to know Nia to some extent, they will see that she is a ...... normal girl and sympathize with her situation.

　On the other hand, if your income is below a certain level, you will suddenly feel more strongly toward Nia.

　In the Lemurian Empire, unlike in Japan, not every social class has a certain level of compulsory education.
　If you are middle class or lower, your ability to read and write will be questionable.
　Naturally, they received only an inadequate education in Messianism.

　Because they live in a very narrow community of neighbors, friends, parents, grandparents, masters, and apprentices, they are prone to prejudice, and their feelings of discrimination are likely to grow.

　In addition, since they do not have a sense of duty such as "We must not let the Lemurian Empire fall," they do not hesitate to act and speak out.

　As a result, religious and racial discrimination will intensify.

　Unlike aristocrats and high-ranking clergy, they do not have any theories such as "I don't like them because they are ____.
　The main reason for discrimination and persecution is "I don't like it because everyone says so.

　King Cerda, for example, is a racist and a supremacist of the warbeast race. 　
　However, he has his own theories and goals, such as "building a stable nation through the absolute superiority of the warbeast race.
　In a strange way, his persecution is a 'rational' persecution.

　Fundamentally, it is the same political thing as Hercule's reliance on the capital power of the six star moneylenders to stop discriminating and persecuting them, and it is the result of his own rational judgment.

　But for the uneducated lower classes, there is no such thing.

　Rather than achieving some goal by persecuting them, persecution itself is the goal for them.

　Because there is no purpose, there is no limit to their persecution, discrimination, violence, and rhetoric, and it will continue to escalate forever.



　...... downtown from here on out.

　Nia put her hand on her heart, which was beating nervously, and forced it down.
　Nia hadn't gone out alone in the downtown area since Hercule had picked her up.

　She has a deep-seated fear of violence and verbal abuse.
　But ......
　I don't want to be afraid forever.

　But she doesn't want to be frightened forever.

　So ......

　She took a step forward.





　She forced herself to raise her face and walk straight ahead.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

　The physical ability of the Nightmare race is high.
　I'm sure you've heard the scorn in my ears,.......
　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

　But then ......
　No one abused Nia head-on.
　No one violently attacked him.
　Not even a pebble flew at him.

　Why?
　It's simple.

　Because the current Nia is a nobleman.

　She's wearing expensive clothes and has a sword at her hip.
　If you look at that, you'll notice what kind of status Nia has unless you're ...... very dull.

　And ......
　You can find the Lucarios family crest sewn on the breast pocket of the coat.

　Even if you can't tell which family's crest it is, even an idiot can tell that it's a noble family crest.

　No fool can abuse a nobleman.
　No idiot can be violent against a nobleman.
　No one has the courage to throw a pebble at a nobleman.

　No one would give way to Nia.

　Nia pauses to try.
　Then she looks around.

　Everyone is trying to avoid eye contact with Nia.

　(...... In the old days, if I did this, I would have been punched right in the face.

　Fear slipped out of Nia's mind as if it had been possessed.

　I don't know what I was afraid of about these people.

　They're just people like this.

　It is because they are dirty, helpless, orphaned Nightmares that we hit, abuse, and throw stones at them.
　But if they find out that the other party is of a higher status than they are, they will ......
　You can't do anything, you're just scared.

　Nia knows someone who is far more terrifying than these people.
　The Emperor of Lemuria, Hercule, his wife Karolina, and his aide Lunalie.
　Galphis Galleanos, and Christophe Auguste.
　Lucanos Lucarius, Nia's adoptive father.
　Millennium Peter, the medium, her grandson, and her best friend, Cecilia Peter.

　And then there was King Cerda, who had abused me head-on.

　They have the power to strike down anyone in this room with impunity.
　As for Hercule, they could kill him for no reason at all.

　Compared to that, the people who have discriminated against him are so petty.
　They can't kill a dirty little girl.
　And they are scared of one little girl who dresses a little better.

　So ......
　If you think about it, you're the daughter of Lucanos Lucarius.

　Daughter of the Patriarch of Nova Lemuria.

　And ...... in the eyes of the Emperor of Lemuria.
　She is friends with his wife and his vassals, the generals.

　What could I possibly have to fear from such a thing (・・・・・)?
　No, there is nothing to be afraid of.



　If someone curses at you, cuss back at them. 　
　You poor, uneducated commoner!　and.

　If someone is violent to you, hit him back.
　Thoroughly, to the extent that they will never think of doing violence to you again.

　If someone throws a stone at you, make him pay for his dirty clothes.
　Let him pick up his property, which he does not have much of.
　If he falls into slavery, buy him up and ...... use him up thoroughly.

　I can do that!



　I walked along in such an open-minded mood. ......
　Suddenly, I stopped.

　There was a store selling baked goods.

　Sweets are basically a luxury item, but ......
　But that doesn't mean that the common people can't eat them.

　Since Hercule had started to grow sugar, sweet sweets were becoming popular among the common people in Nova Lemuria.
　Also, the price of the coffee that goes with them has become affordable for the common people.

　Of course, Nia also eats sweets on a daily basis, and is often treated to tea by Hercule.
　The reason Nia stopped is not because of the baked goods store.

　I believe this store is .......

　A long time ago, when Nia was a tramp.
　The sweet smell had lured her to this store once.

　At that time, there was nothing to eat but garbage, and she was really hungry for this kind of food.

　The owner of this store poured cold water on Nia and kicked her away. 　
　Many times, many times.
　At that time, autumn was over and the beginning of winter had arrived. ......

　I was freezing to death in my soaking wet clothes, suffering from the pain of the bruises from the kicking.

　I was so miserable, so painful, and I wondered why I was the only one going through this. ......
　I couldn't stop crying.


　Suddenly, a prankish thought came to Nia's mind.








　Nia walked towards the store and opened the ...... door.

　It clanked and clanked.

　Welcome, one person .......

　The shopkeeper was about to say this, when his face tightened.
　The owner smiled cheerfully at him.

　I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that ...... does not accept Nightmares.

　In spite of her expression, Nia provoked the shopkeeper.

　Hearing those words, ......
　The shopkeeper noticed.

　The shopkeeper realized that this girl was a child of the Nightmare tribe that he had kicked to the curb and sprayed with water.

　The shopkeeper took a closer look at Nia.

　Nia's expensive clothes.
　The sword at her waist.
　And ...... some sort of noble family crest sewn on her chest.

　"Oh, fine. I'll leave if you don't want me to. Just, well, ......

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

　I'm just going to tell you that there was a store that was rude enough to refuse a nobleman entry.

　The shopkeeper turned pale.
　I don't know what happened to this kid. But one thing I do know is this: ......

　The only thing I know is that the person I violated in the past has become a nobleman and came to my store.
　That's all I know.

　In the Lemurian Empire, nobles and commoners are considered equal under the law.
　And the barriers between nobles and commoners are low.
　But there is still a solid difference in status.

　It's not good to make enemies with the nobility!

　No, no, no. ...... We would never be so rude as to refuse a nobleman's visit. Please, let me show you to your seat.
　That's great!

　Nia smiled.
　Seeing her smile, the shopkeeper hoped that maybe the kid didn't remember him. He was hopeful.

　If you think about it, there are many people who are violent towards the Nightmare race.
　I'm one of them.
　It's only natural to forget!

　The owner of the store was relieved, but Nia said ......

　I'm not sure if it's my imagination or not, but I feel like I've met you before.
　"It's not your imagination, is it?
　Hmmm, is it?

　The owner, his heart racing, led Nia to the back of the store.

　"This is the best seat in the house.
　"Well, what a surprise. This is the best seat in the house." "Wow, I'm surprised. It's so shabby, I thought you were being harassed into the worst seat in the house. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, okay?

　The shopkeeper was annoyed, but managed to hold back.
　There was nothing wrong with being sarcastic.

　Nia sat down in the seat he showed her.

　The chair is too hard. ......
　I'm sorry about the ....... I'll be more careful.


　"Really?　I'm sure a forgetful person like you (・・・・・・) would forget as soon as I left the store.

　The shopkeeper's heart skipped a beat.
　The owner's heart skipped a beat. Nia said to the owner with a cold expression, a complete change from the smile she had been wearing.

　"The one who steps on your foot forgets, but the one who is stepped on remembers. Do you know that?　Did you think I'd forget ......?
How could I forget? Have you ever been kicked over and over again by someone who is far superior in size to you?　Have you ever spent a night outside in the winter in soaking wet clothes?　No, you haven't. It's nice, isn't it, when the person who stepped on your foot is quickly forgotten? I'll never forget it.

　Nia said all she had to say and then ......
　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

　Coffee and a simple snack.
　"Yes, sir!　Yes, sir!

　A few moments later, the coffee and pastries arrived.
　The coffee and pastries arrived a few moments later, probably because Nia's order took precedence over the others.
　It was surprisingly fast.

　Nia clucked inwardly.
　If they were late, she was going to say something sarcastic.

　Nia sipped the coffee that was offered to her.
　Then she said.

　"Disgusting. How can you serve such bad coffee?
　"...... There is a price to pay, my lord. ...... We don't use the expensive beans that you usually drink.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　While Nia was inwardly pleased with this, she folded her eyes with an annoyed expression.

　No, it's a problem before the beans. It's because the roasting method is wrong that it tastes so bad. No matter how cheap the beans are, they can be made into coffee if you do it right. But this is not even coffee. It's just muddy water.

　Nia said, ......
　The coffee was poured on the shopkeeper.

　The shopkeeper's clothes turned black.

　This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money.

　You filthy little Nightmare!　I'm not sure what to do.

　He then raised his fist and swung it down into Near's face. ......
　It was not done.

　Nia grabbed the shopkeeper's fist.
　Then she twisted it around and around.

　The next thing he knew, Near had his hand twisted up in the air, and he couldn't move.

　"Hey, what were you going to do to me with your hand?　Tell me, please. I'm not sure what you're talking about.　Come on, say it. You're not talking about me, are you?

　"I'm sorry, too. ......

　The shopkeeper grunted in pain and apologized to Nia.
　Nia sniffed and let go of his hand.

　The shopkeeper rubs his hands, sweating profusely.

　Nia kicked him in the stomach. ......
　Nia kicks him in the stomach.

　"Gee whiz ......

　The shopkeeper fainted from the pain and crouched down.
　I'm not sure if you've seen this before.

　"You kicked me like this, too. And you stomped on his head. What happened next?　As I recall, you kicked me in the ...... face over and over again. Even when my nose was bleeding, you wouldn't stop.
　"Yup, forgive me .......
　It's funny ...... did you stop when I screamed at you to stop, forgive me, and never come near me again ......?　If I remember correctly, you kicked me in the stomach again after that, over and over again. No matter how many times I threw up, you didn't stop. And then he dumped cold water on me one last time. Am I wrong?　Or have you forgotten?

　Nia grabs the owner's hair with her right hand and lifts him up forcefully.
　Then she grabbed his face with her left hand.

　"Come on, say something. Did you forget?
　"Oh, yes, I remember!　I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

　Nia sniffs and pulls her hand away.
　And kicked him in the face.

　"Geez. ......



　The shopkeeper let out a small scream.
　Nia used her handkerchief to wrap the baked goods the shopkeeper had brought and put them in her pocket before ......

　"You're lucky I'm nice. I'm probably the only kind Nightmare who'll let you get away with muddy water, a kick to the stomach, a kick to the face, and some sarcasm. In truth, I wanted to kick you over and over again until you cried out in public like you did to me, splash you with cold water, and let you spend the winter nights soaking wet outside. I'll be nice and let you off with that. Oh, yeah. You can take this as payment for your treatment.

　Nia said, dropping three silver coins on the ground.
　Then she turned on her heel and walked away.






　I'm so relieved!　I've never felt so good in my life!

　I've never felt better!
　Then she pulled out a baked good wrapped in a handkerchief from her pocket.

　The coffee was not good. The coffee was not good though.

　By the way, Nia has experience in making coffee and tea, but she has never ......　
　The next time you want to learn how to make pastries, ask Ciphany.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.

　I'm not sure why you're trying to raise your hand at me, though.　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll understand.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　Of course Nia knows that.

　It is true that Nia was assaulted in the past.
　But that doesn't mean she can go and get revenge.

　If everyone took revenge as they pleased, public safety would deteriorate tremendously.

　As a nobleman, there are certain things that you should not do.

　But ......
　If it is self-defense, it is a different story.

　He grabbed the nobleman by the chest and tried to hit him in the face when he slipped up and spilled (・・・・・・) coffee on him.
　Even if Near fought back and kicked him in the stomach and face, ...... it was inevitable.

　There is nothing wrong with that.
　On the contrary, the owner of the store will be charged with attempted assault.

　I really want to go there every day and say something sarcastic, but ...... I'll let it slide. I don't even want to see your face. Besides, .......

　Nia grinned.
　That smile is ......

　It was a brutal smile, drunk with torment, just like Hercule's, whom she worshipped.

　There are still those who have violated me, abused me, thrown stones at me.

　Like a maiden in love, Nia put her hands to her chest and looked up at the sky.

　"Dear mother, father. How are you doing now?　What are you doing now, dear mother and father, living happily ever after after abandoning your only daughter?　Are you building a new family?　...... I'm fine. I can't wait to see you. ...... I wonder where you are.