Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 27: The Royal Decree
“Eh?”
Hyde froze as Monica looked at him with a smile curving at her lips.
He never expected her to suggest using [Appraisal].
He had no choice but to resort to a disguise with the [Clay Doll of the Divine Realm] on the spot.
As Hyde faced such a decision, Monica spun around in place once.
“Hehe, just kidding. Unfortunately, I can’t use [Appraisal] without permission. It’s prohibited by the Royal Family’s decree.”
“Royal Family’s decree…?”
“Yes. ‘Royal family members who have awakened the [Appraisal] skill must not use it without the Emperor’s permission.’ So, your skill identification will have to wait until tomorrow.”
Hyde sighed in relief at Monica’s dissatisfied tone.
“Hey, Hyde. Do you know why such a rule exists?”
“That is… no, I’m afraid I don’t.”
The Royal Family’s decree restricting the use of [Appraisal] by anyone other than the Emperor. According to Monica, this law was established during the founding of the Empire, and its purpose was clear.
(—To prevent other members of the royal family from gaining power. To put it another way, to prevent usurpation of the throne.)
Through [Appraisal], the Empire established its dominance over the central continent by identifying useful individuals. If this skill were misused by other power-hungry royal family members, the foundation of the Empire would not remain stable.
Unlike the current era, where families with powerful skills have risen as nobles, during the chaotic dawn of the Empire, such a misuse would have been even more dangerous.
(But there’s no way I could say that out loud, seriously.)
A single wrong step could be seen as criticism of the first Emperor.
As Hyde feigned ignorance, Monica puffed out her lips in displeasure.
“How boring. You’re unexpectedly serious. I thought someone would be in my garden for once.”
“Did I seem like an unserious person?”
“Of course. A serious noble would never squat in a corner of a garden and stare at simple flowers.”
“…Aren’t those flowers you planted, Your Highness?”
“Yes, they are. That’s why I’m an unserious member of the royal family.”
Monica said this and chuckled softly.
She truly was someone difficult to grasp.
(But this is an opportunity.)
By tomorrow’s skill identification, he had managed to come into contact with someone who possessed [Identification].
If possible, he wanted to extract some information about [Appraisal].
“—In other words, Your Highness, you have never used [Appraisal], have you?”
The moment Hyde asked the question, Monica gave him a mature smile and closed the distance between them.
Before Hyde could step back, she had already moved right in front of him, standing on tiptoe and whispering into his ear.
“I told you earlier, didn’t I? —I am an unserious… member of the royal family.”
“—!”
She whispered this, then quickly stepped away from Hyde, still smiling sweetly.
Hyde broke into a cold sweat as he looked at her.
(No, isn’t that essentially implying you’re breaking the Royal Family’s decree?)
His intuition, which had compared her to Enju, was proving to be correct, and Hyde felt more certain of it.
“Don’t look so scared. There’s no one around. This is our little secret.”
“…Then, while it’s still a secret, may I ask you about it? About the power of [Appraisal]?”
“Oh? Are you really that interested?”
“Well, yes… Given the circumstances, I’m quite anxious about tomorrow.”
Hyde thought he might have pushed too far, but Monica, without a care, simply responded with “Well…” and began explaining.
“You can see the skills of those who have given their consent. That’s all.”
“Those who’ve given their consent? You can’t look at someone’s skills unilaterally?”
Hyde asked quickly, almost interrupting her, and Monica blinked her large eyes in surprise.
“Of course not. There’s no such thing as a skill that lets you secretly peek at someone else’s skills. And if that were possible, it would defeat the whole point of the Royal Family’s decree, wouldn’t it?”
That was certainly true.
If someone could just secretly view another’s skills and deny it afterward, they wouldn’t be caught breaking the Royal Family’s decree.
“…Huh? But, Your Highness, you have used [Appraisal], haven’t you?”
“Yes. —On myself.”
Hyde nodded in understanding at Monica’s answer.
It was the same as when he had first reincarnated.
By using the [All-seeing god’s eye] on his reflection in the mirror, Hyde had been able to check the skills he possessed.
Since it was himself, there was no need for consent from another, and he could do so without risking anyone realizing he had broken the Royal Family’s decree.
(That said, [All-seeing god’s eye], which lets me freely peek at others’ skills, really is strange…)
Although he hadn’t felt any particular discomfort before, he was reminded of the sheer power of his skill.
Just as he was about to speak again about [Appraisal], a maid’s voice called out from a distance.
“Your Highness—!”
“Oh, it’s already this late. I really should be heading back now.”
Ad
“My apologies for detaining you.”
“It’s fine. I had fun too. …Oh, by the way, hey, Hyde.”
“Yes?”
“As thanks for complimenting my flowers, would you like me to pick a few for you?”
Monica leaned forward, looking up at him with wide eyes, then alternated between him and the flowerbed behind her. Hyde shook his head.
“While I appreciate the kind offer, I’ll have to decline. I wouldn’t want to make even the flowers experience the five-day journey that is tiring for a person.”
“Heh, I thought you’d say that. I knew my judgment wasn’t wrong.”
Monica flashed the brightest smile of the day.
It was a smile that could truly be described as blooming like a flower.
“We’ll meet again. I like you.”
“I am honored.”
Hyde bowed respectfully toward Monica’s retreating figure.
Her steps were light and carefree, full of joy.