Curses…

This is bad. This is very bad…

At the moment, at the front of my door are a group of 5 people. Each of them is a member of a different faction of royalty.

They’re really trying to drag a little baby like me into the succession war, aren’t they…?

Well it makes a lot of sense though.

The Akashi House is very rich, and as I’m a baby, they probably assume it’ll be very easy to get funding for their war from me.

After all, my parents didn’t influence me into joining any faction since they died too early.

I’m aware they were part of the Church faction.

I’ve honestly expected them to come earlier, it’s been almost a year and a half since I was born, but I can guess why they’re late. They were probably trying to stop each other from getting here before them. After all, the first one here could convince a normal baby to close the door on the others. That, or they were more focused on other houses. Not a member of every faction is here.

I take a look at the House Crests from the people at the door.

At the very least they had the courtesy to send only nobles. It would’ve been an insult otherwise.

Though there aren’t any 1st or 2nd children…

There’s even a person from a Baron House. Cent Ulden.

House Ulden from the Theophania faction, that’s a little bit rude, no?

I’m even wondering if I should turn them away… I don’t like what I’ve heard about Theophania either. She’s not kind towards low nobles and apparently treats non-peerage nobles and commoners like livestock.

I’ll focus on kicking them out first.

I don’t want to be an enemy of any of the factions unless I choose to join one first, so I’ll be a little courteous, and won’t turn them away right away.

I look through the others.

Viscount Rillin’s seventh child, Saith, from the Church faction.

The Church faction is the one my family was part of before. It’s also a rather interesting one. It’s one of the few not named for the royal who heads it.

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The church faction’s figurehead is Calavia, the 3rd Princess and 7th Child of the royal family.

Being a household that was part of the Church faction, I’ve heard good things about her. My impression is that she’s basically a shonen anime protagonist or something.

If aristocrats were allowed to be part of the church, she’d apparently be a Bishop already. She’s only 22.

Viscount Answorth’s 4th child, Rosalie, from the Tabito faction.

The Tabito faction is headed by the country’s 4th prince and 6th child of the royal family.

Supposedly the Tabito faction is one of the factions that are rather strong. They have the support of most of the kingdom's merchants, as well as the logistics division of the military.

Both of which are already powerful, and abnormally powerful at this moment because of the recent war.

If Tabito becomes the king, it’s likely that the kingdom will have great economic growth.

The Answorth house is rather interesting as well. Rosalie’s only 15, barely an adult by this world’s terms, though I can guess why they sent her. The Answorth house is a house that produces extremely talented mages quite often. I’m guessing that they lost a lot of members in the war. A powerful AOE mage can change the course of a battle, so they’re also a huge target.

In a battle, a normal mage is only actually about as useful as a couple of archers, and can normally be taken out quite easily. However, a good mage is far more useful than a couple of good archers. Especially elite ones who can cast mass AOE spells that can ruin an enemy army.

Anyway, onto the next ones.

The other two factions are factions that I don’t know much about. They aren’t very notable either. The only reason I know about Theophania faction is because they’re especially dislikable.

The Luther faction and the Artur factions.

The Luther faction has sent Theresa of the Resa house. She’s the 2nd Daughter and 5th Child of that house. Theresa Resa, huh? Interesting name.

The Artur faction has sent Bert of the Fallah house. He’s the 4th Son and 6th Child of the Fallah house.

“Allow them to enter. I’ll receive them soon.” I tell Bedo

He nods his head. “Yes, little master,”

After he leaves my room I slowly get out of bed. This is going to be a huge pain…

I slowly make my way to the receiving room. The estate’s large enough that there’s a room especially for that purpose alone.

Luckily I can walk properly now. I’m just a bit slow. I probably should have gotten more practice in. I haven’t practiced enough.

It takes a little bit, but I make it to the receiving room properly.

The representatives sent from the houses are waiting there.

They introduce themselves one by one, as well as explain what they’re there to do, which is to be options for me to select a Caretaker. The caretaker will end up raising me for at least a few years.

Saith is someone who looks like some sort of pretty-boy. He seems very confident and friendly.

Rosalie looks rather cute. She’s quite small for someone her age. She seems quite shy.

Theresa is a somewhat large woman who’s otherwise rather plain looking.

Bert is a skinny and small guy with a smart look about him.

Cenk is a huge mountain of a man who looks quite bullish. There’s an intimidating aura emanating from him.

I introduce myself in turn. “Salutations, I am Takabi Akashi, the head of the Akashi Viscounty. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Hehe, so the baby can talk, huh? Can the baby fight too?” Cenk asks with an evil sounding laugh.

Err, what? Excuse me?

You can’t be serious…?