The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life
[The Plan to Go Outside]
Translated by: ME
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Well, if that's how it's gonna be, then I'll just have to fight back!
—Oh, how wonderful it would have been if I could have delivered that line.
...Huh? You think this is the part where a proper young lady should be crying her eyes out?
—That's for people who are guaranteed to have a hero come save them. Unfortunately, it's not for someone with absolutely no prospects like me.
If I dawdle, things will quickly reach a point of no return.
'It's still okay,' 'Just a little longer'... turns into 'If only I had acted sooner back then!' (Based on previous life experience).
You can never start preparing too early. You just prepare and then determine the right time to act.
I tried researching the Royal Family as much as I could, but there wasn't any particularly notable information. All I could gather was that the current King ascended to the throne a few years ago, and it's now a stable reign. That the Queen is a gentle person, and the Crown Prince is mischievous... full of energy, that sort of thing.
But perhaps there's something I'm overlooking, or something that hasn't leaked to the public.
There must be a reason that you can only understand by actually interacting with them.
It would be easier to just play along and skillfully avoid things, and it should be for the family's sake, yet he deliberately chooses not to. There must be a reason.
First things first. I need to leave this house and get to a safe place.
If there are duties Magnolia, as a noble's daughter, must fulfill for society, then by her position, she probably should.
I know that if you're allowed to live a life of luxury, you have an obligation to use that position effectively for the people who provided it.
However, if various things are being done based on my parents' whims *not* to make me a proper noble, or even to disadvantage me (though maybe it's part of some plan that ultimately benefits the territory?), and I'm being threatened unnecessarily without understanding the details, then avoidance it is. Avoidance.
Because there's no guarantee it will actually help the people of the territory.
But being only three years old makes reaching a safe place on my own extremely difficult.
Even if I were to live as a commoner. If I ran out into the city like this, at three years old, I'd either die on the streets, get kidnapped, or at best, become a street child.
I have no capital to start a business, and I can't get a proper job or become a freelancer; no one would hire a three-year-old.
And with this appearance... who knows how easily people would connect me to the Gilmore family...
I wonder if they're known even among commoner circles.
Uuuuum.
Magnolia spread out a map she borrowed from the library.
The Ascald Kingdom is a country located slightly to the west on the continent. To the north, beyond a large forest, is the Monteoriona Theocracy. To the east are small countries. From the west to the south, it borders the Marinase Empire and several small countries.
A small part in the west is the only place where Ascald has a coastline, and that's the Azenda Border County.
The forest... Is it even possible to live in the forest?
Farming, selling medicinal herbs, sewing like crazy to make a living. Going out to sell them under the pretext of running an errand. When I'm older, I could go to a city and become some kind of apprentice.
It feels like a year-end special on desert island survival.
Her heart leaping with a little hope, she read books about the northern forest.
『————The Monteoriona Theocracy is a land of magic. There, magical power resides in all things, and the forest is no exception. The forest contains magical beasts and magical insects of all sizes. While damage rarely reaches the Ascald Kingdom, where the land and trees lack magical power, encounters do occasionally happen, sometimes requiring the formation of large-scale subjugation parties.』
...Magical beasts. And magical insects.
—What are magical insects? I've heard of magical beasts in light novels, but there are insects too...?
Impossible. A shiver ran down her spine.
A frail three-year-old is no match for creatures that require large-scale subjugation parties.
She quietly closed the book.
...If not the northern forest, what about a small forest somewhere within the Ascald Kingdom? Could I manage there?
***
For now, let's set aside the plan of living in the forest.
Probably, Father intends to put Magnolia on the 'marry from the monastery' track.
If I'm an eyesore, he could just lock me away on the estate. The fact that he doesn't suggests he doesn't want any more people to know about Magnolia.
And, in case something falls apart, he wants to be able to recover directly himself, so he wants to keep me under his own surveillance.
The fact that he doesn't provide education at home is likely because he doesn't want teachers to know of my existence, and he clearly wants the flaw of being 'educated in a monastery.'
Probably, it won't be long before I'm sent to a monastery.
—I don't particularly have any aversion to the monastery itself.
The problem is I don't know the actual conditions. Probably, if I go as a noble (whether as a notorious problem child or treated as a madwoman, I don't know), I should at least receive polite treatment.
But, it would mean a life under constant surveillance.
Not only is it hard to imagine how much freedom I'd have, but it likely varies by institution, and perhaps even by the specific caretaker—effectively, a warden.
Regarding marriage, there's a risk that the single-digit age scenario I thought didn't exist might actually happen.
To minimize the costs of monastery life and to ensure a solid return, I might be offered in exchange for money, business, or other privileges to some gentleman with unusual tastes.
Marriage to a strange person would likely yield greater benefits (for Father) than marriage to a normal person.
Because things that are rare command high prices, no matter the era.
A win-win relationship (for Dad and the pervert, that is).
(...Probably, if he wants to avoid the Royal Family knowing, the match would be someone living far away. And a low-ranking noble with no connection to the Royal Family... or maybe even a commoner. But someone with good financial standing, or someone who can provide some kind of benefit to Father or the 'Gilmore family.' And someone who can be easily discarded if necessary.)
Thinking that, disappearing *before* going to the monastery or *during* the move would be best.
Alternatively, as soon as preparations are ready, ransack my room as a decoy and run away from the mansion one night in the near future.
In either case, if I can make it look like I'm dead, they probably won't search much.
This isn't a world with N-systems or surveillance cameras. If I can escape successfully, there should be plenty of ways to cover my tracks.
Whatever happens, I want to avoid causing trouble for the maids and servants involved as much as possible.
(In the case of disappearing during a move, make it look like I got separated and was attacked... lie low for a while... Once the heat dies down, pretending to be an orphan and getting taken in by some orphanage seems like the only way to survive.)
Therefore, the immediate short-term goals are set:
* Learn about edible plants and animals.
* Earn money secretly to survive while lying low.
* Learn how to use a weapon.
* Build up physical strength.
(Alright!)
Pumping herself up, Magnolia slapped her own cheeks with both hands and gave a firm nod.
***
When she's with Rosa, she embroiders incessantly, far more than before. Truly non-stop. She carefully, meticulously sews handkerchiefs and embroiders flowers on them.
She'd already confirmed that using accessories with floral embroidery instead of names was a common practice.
She'd like to create rare, high-value pieces, but that would be too conspicuous.
Besides, making the same things improves dexterity and efficiency, and most importantly, since no one knows how many she's made, it's easier to hide the quantity.
She embroiders easy-to-stitch, common flower names in various colors. She adds decorative embroidery around the edges or attaches decorative lace.
Her eyes are getting tired, but full speed ahead!
「...My Lady, wouldn't you like to take a short rest?」
Perhaps finally feeling something was amiss, Rosa looked suspiciously at Magnolia, who never took breaks, and offered her tea.
「I'm okay. I'll resht when I'm done with thish bit. Rosa, please take a break if you want.」
Seeing Magnolia's bright smile, Rosa furrowed her brows worriedly.
***
...This continued for several days. Rosa sighed inwardly as she watched Magnolia.
At first, she thought it was retaliation for being told not to go outside, but she soon changed her mind.
The level of concentration and seriousness was terrifying.
It wasn't that Rosa *wanted* to keep Magnolia inside. The Marquis Gilmore had given her strict orders.
Ever since Magnolia was born, whenever the Marquis couple made strange choices, Rosa had been the first to plead with them to change their ways in the past.
She didn't know what others thought of her attitude.
But Magnolia was the young lady in her care. She wanted her to be happy, to always be smiling.
Wasn't that natural?
Magnolia's wishes were such trivial things. She wanted to grant every single one.
...Regardless of Wisteria, the Marquis must have some kind of plan.
It was utterly unbelievable to Rosa, who had watched Gerald grow up and knew him to be a sensible man, that he would act so out of character towards his own daughter.
His treatment of Brian was perfectly normal, so it was clear he was deliberately treating Magnolia this way.
But when her master Gerald firmly told her, "There is a reason, do not interfere," and "It is for my daughter and the house," there was nothing she, a mere maid, could do.
Keep her out of sight of the Marquis and his wife as much as possible. Shield her from both jealousy and malice.
If they *must* interact, ensure she behaves amiably to avoid incurring their hostility as much as possible.
Aside from raising her that way, Rosa didn't know how else to protect her.
***
When Lily came to her room, Magnolia secretly asked how much handkerchiefs could sell for.
「It depends on the item and condition, but I think perhaps the cost of the cloth plus around three to six small copper coins...」
Small copper coins. She couldn't help but feel faint.
The continent uses a common currency across nations.
There are three types of copper coins: small, medium, large. Two types of silver coins: small, large. Two types of gold coins: small, large. And for large-scale transactions between nations, platinum coins—eight types in total.
Their value: one small copper coin is about 10 yen. One medium copper coin is about 100 yen.
And it's a decimal system, so ten small copper coins equal one medium copper coin.
Respectively, the coins are worth: 10 yen, 100 yen, 1,000 yen; 10,000 and 100,000 yen; 1 million and 10 million yen; and platinum at 100 million yen.
—Incidentally, for currency smaller than a small copper coin, some countries seem to have their own locally circulated coins.
So, one handkerchief for three to six small copper coins, meaning 30 to 60 yen. Tough world.
The seller needs to make a profit too, and considering material costs, I guess that's how it is...
It's a bit discouraging, realistically.
「Shorry to ashk this of you, Lily, but if it's posshibble, could you have these handkerchiefsh bought shomewhere for me?」
「...Understood. Is there a minimum price you have in mind?」
She must have had her own thoughts, but she silently accepted and confirmed the necessary details.
「Not really. I don't know what a fair price ish.」
「Then, if you're not in a hurry, I will go during my next day off.」
She gave Lily about ten handkerchiefs, and Lily offered to iron them when she had time.
Everyone was so attentive to the smallest details; she was truly grateful.
***
A few days later, five medium copper coins lay in Magnolia's hand.
500 yen.
It seemed Lily had managed to sell them for five small copper coins each.
The first money Magnolia had earned in this world.
She felt like laughing at the small amount, but at the same time, it felt incredibly precious.
Thanking Lily, she clenched the copper coins tightly.
The more you rush, the more carefully you must proceed. What seems like a detour is sometimes the shortest path.
***
When she was with Daisy, she read books incessantly.
Books on plants and animals, books on weapon handling.
Especially distinguishing between edible and inedible things was crucial. It was one of the key pillars of surviving safely.
Daisy said that among commoners, recognition of the Gilmore family wasn't as detailed as among nobles.
The image of the 'Demon General' and his parents (the previous and former heads) was strong, and the recognition of 'red hair = Gilmore' was probably more prevalent.
However, it was still true that this color combination was rare, so it seemed certain she would stand out a lot if she went outside.
Also, with a worried expression, Daisy taught her about the flow of people, both domestic and international.
Within the country, it seemed enforcement varied slightly by territory but wasn't overly strict. People seemed to come and go through gates with guards, and unless you were particularly conspicuous, you were rarely checked.
To go abroad, nobles needed the King's permission. This was mostly used for visiting relatives or long vacations and didn't seem to happen very frequently.
Commoners were relatively free to travel for commercial purposes; it seemed having an identity card issued by the Merchants' Guild was sufficient.
Probably because merchants traveled everywhere for procurement.
Similarly, the Adventurers' Guild also issued identity cards (apparently called Guild Cards), and if you were certified as C-rank or above, you could apparently enter any country.
The Merchants' Guild and the Adventurers' Guild. It felt very much like a fantasy world.
She'd like to register if possible, but a three-year-old probably couldn't join either.
***
When she was with Lila, she practiced weapons.
It was something Magnolia herself hadn't even considered, but when she happened to ask Lila about self-defense for noblewomen, it turned out, surprisingly, that Lila had martial arts training.
Upon asking, she learned Lila's family was from a knightly lineage, and even the girls learned weapons and martial arts suited to their aptitudes from a young age.
「I'd like to try too... but I can't, can I?」
「...... You will grow up to be very beautiful, Lady Magnolia. If simple basics are acceptable, I can teach you.」
After a moment's thought, Lila agreed.
She probably thought it was pitiful that Magnolia, who used to go out so cheerfully, was now always cooped up (under house arrest, really).
***
Thinking that was that...
The next day, a dagger, longsword, saber, falchion, spear, kusarigama, scythe, flail, hammer-axe, war hammer, battle axe, halberd, and a whip were laid out before her.
(((...A whip...)))
Magnolia, along with Lily and Daisy who had come to watch on their day off, couldn't help but tremble.
「I do think adding unarmed combat would be better, but you are still so small... It would be bad if you hurt yourself, so I brought some of the more common ones.」
(...Yeah. I don't plan to train to the point of injuring myself. I mean, Lila, you're hardcore...)
She wondered how Lila managed to walk around the mansion (both in terms of looks and security). And how did she bring this massive amount of weapons here...? Don't tell me she carried them all...?
The three of them inadvertently exchanged glances.
「For now, let's try with this one.」
「...Pleashe.」
She took a short stick and approached Lila. Lila dodged, or their sticks lightly clashed.
Next, she took a long stick and did the same.
「Hya, hya! Haaah! Hyah!」
Magnolia's listless—though she herself thought they were spirited—battle cries continued.
Lila, not changing her expression at all, dodged with light movements.
The contrast was brutal.
...It was like a playful little puppy and its cool owner.
After swinging the stick around for a while, Lila told her to stop, saying "That's enough." Then Lila lowered her eyes and fell into deep thought. Magnolia was breathing heavily, her shoulders heaving.
「...A-Are you alright? Lady Magnolia...」
Daisy came over with a towel and wiped Magnolia's sweat.
「...Thank... you...」
As Magnolia wobbled to a chair, Lily offered her cooled tea. She nodded weakly and gulped down the tea noisily and vigorously.
「Pwah~! I'm alive again!」
「「…………」」
Looking at Lila, who was still quietly thinking, the three resolved 'Let's not defy Lila.'
After a while, Lila spoke.
「I believe Lady Magnolia's base physical ability isn't bad, but as you have been staying inside your room, I think your stamina is rather lacking.」
(Yeah, I figured. Please direct any complaints to Marquis Gilmore.)
She nodded with her face, while complaining in her heart.
「When you are older, I believe you could learn to use any of these with training, but as you are small now, I think something that allows you to fight from a distance would be best.」
「So, like a halberd...?」
Muttering "Training..." simultaneously, Daisy looked fearfully at the weapons.
「However. You are simply too small to use it effectively.」
「「「Indeed.」」」
「A concealed weapon might be better.」
「「「A CONCEALED WEAPON?」」」
The casually spoken word was far too dangerous, making the three of them blink rapidly.
Lila handed her a relatively small hammer-axe, saying "For now, try this one."
「If you press here, a small blade extends from the tip of the handle.」
As she spoke, she pressed a button. *Shing!* With a high-pitched sound, a very dangerous-looking object sprang out from the handle.
「Strike with the hammer-axe, and when their movements slow down, use this.」
U-use this...?
「Well, it can do various things. (Smile)」
Incidentally, with a *thud*, several weighted belts with attached weights fell to the floor.
Six eyes were drawn to the weights.
「「「…………」」」
「For the time being, let's wear these for warm-ups and light training.」
She said it so casually, "Since we can do it indoors," but it was anything but casual for them.
And so, the boot camp led by Lila began.
***
Me's note:
one thing I hate about isekai/reincarnation light novel in general was this tendency to use "this amount of money = equal this amount of yen" to explain the money value of that world. Which is fine but still come out as lazy to me.
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