Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 38
Publicly, Aubrey Violet is known to suffer from an incurable disease. And I believe that to be true as well.
“If Aubrey Violet’s interest in this venture stems from her own illness…”
Had she confirmed her condition improving while carrying sacred relics, she might have pursued exchanges with the Holy Kingdom while evading The Empire’s scrutiny.
“The atmosphere within The Empire grows increasingly unfavorable toward the Violet Family these days.”
The magical artifacts they distributed independently were their only real advantage, yet even that market share was partially seized by Rosena.
Of course, they harbored no malice in their actions. But rescuing Phoebe Violet from her predicament hardly suffices to deepen our friendship to the necessary degree.
“Well, that’s the extent of my reasoning.”
Now that I’ve spoken it aloud, the foundation seems rather thin.
I merely read the current situation and made reasonable inferences. I wish I possessed deeper knowledge of the Magic Tower’s politics or the Violet Family’s circumstances.
“If the Violet Family truly possesses this Obliviae, then we have only two methods to bring the Holy Kingdom under our influence.”
First, cultivate an exceptionally close relationship with the Violet Family.
Second, bring Aden Prince, who may be residing in Crystal Palace, into our fold.
This would naturally allow us to introduce sacred relics and similar items, instilling hope that divine power might be restored within The Empire.
However, both approaches carry their own complications.
There’s the possibility that the Violet Family supports Aden Prince and opened their path to the Holy Kingdom for that reason, and the probability that Aden Prince views Lucian Advein as an adversary.
If they gave him a sacred relic necklace, their relationship shouldn’t be entirely hostile.
“But the odds are probably against it, aren’t they?”
“Why do you think so? Tiae, the more I hear your reasoning, the more it makes sense.”
“It’s just… I’ve merely presented evidence anyone could provide.”
Simple observations that anyone with keen perception might make.
Yet the expression I glimpsed on Serpina Rosena’s face at that moment was utterly indescribable.
“Tiae, ordinarily it’s difficult to know not only the Holy Kingdom’s circumstances but even the existence of sacred relics. The merchant company’s name, the Violet Family’s situation, or information about Aubrey Violet either.”
“…You’re right.”
“The same applies to The Empire’s currents. And to the Faneshula Reading Circle as well.”
“I see.”
“This deduction could have come from no one but you.”
Serpina Rosena regarded me with wide eyes, her expression tinged with pity, before leaving the room with a promise to investigate further.
Elian fixed me with a gaze so similar to Serpina Rosena’s, then offered a single word of consolation.
“You ought to evaluate yourself more highly, my lady.”
“I shall take those words to heart from this moment forward.”
I must not take for granted the threads I could grasp only because of my position—threads others could never reach. Nothing in this world is truly within everyone’s grasp.
I grasped this truth deeply, bone-deep.
* * *
“Tiae, I’m not asking this with any ill intent.”
“I know. You could never harbor such intentions, so there’s no need to drag this out.”
It was a rare, intimate tea time with Minabell and Serpina Rosena.
I heard that Jade Delpoi had finally returned from the Holy Kingdom, and he was steadily preparing for his marriage to Hailey Genevre. He was too occupied to invite this time.
Minabell had been visibly struggling with whether to speak for some time now, and only after I opened the conversation did she finally voice her question.
“Why don’t you and Serpina Rosena have any friends?”
“….”
“No, it just seemed like the only people you call friends are me and Hailey Genevre. I was wondering why you don’t meet other people.”
I almost asked without thinking whether she truly meant no harm by it. Even Serpina Rosena seemed taken aback, her words catching in her throat.
“First of all, I had nothing to do with any of this. Why would I?”
“Well, my status window shows plenty of people who want to grow closer to you and Serpina Rosena, but neither of you accepts anyone.”
“What?”
“You didn’t know? People with such keen perception? Wow, you’re absolutely terrible at reading social situations in your own relationships.”
Minabell looked at us both in turn, her expression one of shock.
I never imagined that even I wouldn’t notice something like this, let alone Serpina Rosena.
I don’t know everything, after all.
“Well, for a while I was so preoccupied with recruiting and managing Prince Aden that I had no mental space to make friends. I understand.”
“Making friends has nothing to do with personal schedules like that.”
That’s Serpina Rosena for you.
To think she could state so bluntly that ‘we sisters simply lack social skills.’
I found myself nodding along without meaning to.
Minabell seemed to lose her words, not expecting to hear such a thing from the person herself.
“No, I just wanted to say that you two are trapped in a worldview where ‘everyone in the world loves us, but we don’t realize it.'”
“What on earth is that?”
“Well, it’s hard to explain, but… it’s a phenomenon where everything in the world exists for you and holds affection for you and treats you well, yet you alone fail to perceive it. And you, in turn, suspect that these people who treat you kindly must have ulterior motives, so you sharpen your blade against them—that’s the worldview the story unfolds in.”
Minabell continued earnestly explaining this incomprehensible tale to Serpina Rosena.
At some point, I accepted that most of what she said was beyond my understanding even with explanation, so I gave up asking questions altogether—though Serpina Rosena hasn’t reached that stage yet.
Just from watching her nod with an expression of ‘such a world exists?’ and listen with genuine interest, I could tell.
“Anyway, setting that aside—why did you suddenly bring up people who want to grow closer to us? Is there someone among them we should pay attention to?”
“Oh dear, I almost got sidetracked again while talking about that.”
Minabell collected herself and returned to her original point.
“I upgraded my status window by achieving points this time. And now I can see my friends’ statuses in much greater detail based on their affection levels!”
“I see.”
“Originally, I could only see your titles, current physical condition, and mood. But now I can also see friendly relationships, what would be good to do next, suitable targets for conquest, and even strengths and weaknesses.”
There’s one thing I’ve realized since growing closer to Minabell.
If I simply agree with something I don’t understand, she will always repeat the same thing in language I can comprehend.
It’s less about the other person being me and more like a habit of speech. She doesn’t even seem aware that she’s repeating herself.
“And does this goal we need to achieve this time relate to forming friendships?”
“How did you know? You’re just as perceptive as Tiae, Serpina Rosena!”
Serpina Rosena glanced at me with a slightly bewildered expression, as if asking whether Minabell was always like this.
Her expressions have certainly become more varied. I smiled and nodded slightly, feeling an inexplicable warmth.
She’s always like this, Serpina Rosena. There’s no way around it except for us to adapt.
“I can tell you two are really curious about a lot of things. The scroll just keeps going on and on.”
“So what you’re saying is that some magic you’re looking at also recommends suitable allies for us?”
“Something like that.”
“I want one too.”
Phoebe Violet spoke with genuine seriousness. I had said something similar myself when I first heard about Minabell’s status window.
I’d asked what magic had created it, and whether, if it cost money, she might share it with me regardless of the price.
Minabell answered with the same bewildered expression as before.
“Well, first I’d have to abandon my original world, my family, my friends, and my very existence….”
“Never mind.”
“Your reaction and question are identical to Tiae’s. I didn’t particularly want this ability in the first place. Though I don’t wish to return to my original world either.”
Minabell’s expression grew distant with regret for a moment before she exhaled softly.
“In any case, Phoebe Violet wishes to see you, and someone named Aden wishes to see Serpina Rosena.”
“Hmm?”
“Phoebe Violet hasn’t forgotten that you promised to contact her—she’s been waiting every single day.”
“Oh my.”
So much time had passed, and the relationship between Violet and Rosena had grown so ambiguous that I’d assumed it was all forgotten. Yet she waited for me all this while.
I should have approached the youngest, Violet, from the beginning instead of the eldest or second. That would have solved everything.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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