Chapter 6 MP-Free. Ridiculously Effective. Should a Skill Like That Even Exist? Concerning.

The courtship ball was still in full swing.

Countless encounters had occurred, and more and more people were finding themselves with amenable partners. They were finding their ways to secluded areas for more private conversations. Go right ahead! Make yourselves happy.

Sadly, there were also those who came up empty and ready to leave—but they, too, were given one last chance.

“This calls for drinks!” “Come, drink with me!” Many groups stopped in local bars on their way out. That in itself appeared to be a good time—although, the sun was still high.

Masato’s party wasn’t actually here to court anyone, and with the job they’d been hired for accomplished, they’d regrouped and were relaxing in the castle garden. Thoroughly enjoying the royal cake and tea.

“Mm, sooo good… Anyway, Masato. Gotta ask.”

“Huh? What?”

“The heck is that?”

Wise pointed across the garden.

Hahako was sitting in a seat meant for courtship, wearing a beautiful gown and holding a sign that said RECRUITING CHILDREN. Shiraaase was there, too.

“No one’s approaching her…”

“They sure aren’t.”

“I wonder why…?”

“Truly a mystery.”

There definitely seemed to be a few men interested, but none had actually spoken to her. Her reasons for being here were clearly different, so perhaps this outcome was inevitable.

The two women were definitely beautiful, but both were taking this whole thing so seriously it made them rather unapproachable.

Unable to think of any way to help, Masato elected to pretend he hadn’t seen them.

“Let her do what she likes. We can leave that problem to Shiraaase.”

“Fair enough,” agreed Wise. “Let’s do that.”

“I have a question, too,” Medhi said.

“Mm? What?”

“What’s going on over there?”

In the direction she pointed…

“Sniff… Sniff… Sniffle…”

“Please don’t cry! Eat some of this yummy cake and cheer up!”

“Sniff… Munch, munch… Sniffle…”

…Rika was collapsed on the table, refusing to budge. Porta was trying to cheer her up, but it was proving ineffective. The table was stained with tears.

“Rika’s condition? Well… Mone, explain.”

“She was able to talk to the prince, but all she did was introduce herself, explain what all the commotion was about…and that was it. She didn’t exactly do anything in the ‘courtship’ department.”

“Oh dear.”

“What a shame.”

“…I mean… I got so nervous… My mind went blank… Sniffle…”

“Honestly, you’re such a mess! Come on, get it together! You’re older than all these children! It’s time you acted like it. Come on!”

Kanako sounded thoroughly disgusted, but she was gently rubbing her daughter’s back like any mother would.

And the other mother present…

“Ma-kun! Now’s your chance! Go on!” Pat, pat, pat, pat.

“Stop pushing me! This isn’t even the right time for that! Even if I did step in here, there’s nothing I can do!”

Mamako was busy trying to acquire a motherly skill and practicing hard. Ignore her.

Hurling the last bits of cake into their mouths, the girls sighed.

“So what’s our final score?”

“Basically, the courtship’s a failure.”