In the apartment living room, Su Mu sat on the sofa, flipping through the original Mushoku Tensei web novel. The moment March 7th appeared, she immediately huddled close to him, her tone seeking confirmation. "Main body, that girl just now... that was Eris, right? Her personality is way more overbearing than it was in her childhood in the original story."
Su Mu set the novel down, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "It's definitely her. It's highly likely due to the absence of Rudeus. In the original, Eris's temperament was naturally volatile; it was only through Rudeus's constant guidance and correction by her side that her hostility slowly mellowed out. Now, without anyone to restrain her—and considering her family's unique circumstances—it makes sense that her personality has become even more extreme."
"That makes sense," March 7th nodded, though a hint of worry remained. "So, what's next? Are we still going into the city? Eris said she's going to get Ghislaine to catch me. Ghislaine's current strength has to be at least King-tier, right? I'm not sure I can beat her."
"Don't worry. Even if you can't win, you won't lose," Su Mu said with certainty, a glint of understanding in his eyes. "If a fight really breaks out, the worst-case scenario is luring her out of the city and bringing out the apartment to bait her inside. Once she's in here, with my Administrator privileges, she'll be at our mercy."
"Oh! Right!" March 7th's eyes lit up, her worries instantly vanishing as a fighting spirit returned to her face. "Then I'm heading into the city right now!"
"Mm." Su Mu nodded and cautioned her, "Shrink your size as much as possible and sneak in. It would be best if you could infiltrate the Greyrat manor. A spoiled, headstrong young lady like her needs someone to teach her the meaning of restraint."
"...The main body has definitely spent too much time alone; his personality is getting more and more 'black-bellied,'" March 7th muttered under her breath, though she still nodded obediently.
"The main body is right," Himeko said, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, her tone serious. "A naughty child who won't behave truly does need proper education."
"Exactly, exactly!" Hu Tao skipped over, looking indignant. "And she actually wanted to whip March's face! That's basically slapping all our faces—slapping the main body's face! We absolutely have to teach her a lesson!"
Fu Hua stood to the side and gave a small nod, her voice steady. "Judging by her appearance, she is already an adult. As a noble lady, she must take responsibility for her words and actions."
"Alright, I'm heading out. I'll call you guys depending on how things go."
With a laugh and a wave, March 7th shimmered. Her body rapidly shrank until she was only a dozen centimeters tall, and in the next instant, she vanished from the apartment.
Outside the apartment, the tiny March 7th landed on the bluestone road, her body turning into a blur as she dashed toward the city gates.
After shrinking tenfold, her Agility attribute had skyrocketed to 140 points. Her movements were so fast they were practically a streak of distorted light. The gate guards felt as though something had just flickered past their eyes; they rubbed them and looked again, but seeing nothing, they simply glanced at each other in confusion and resumed their posts.
Having successfully slipped into the city, March 7th moved rapidly along the edges of the buildings lining the streets. She hopped over walls and ducked under eaves, avoiding the feet of pedestrians while keeping her ears open to the chatter on the streets, quietly gathering information.
This city was called Roa, and the Greyrat family—Eris's family—were its lords. Their power in Roa was absolute; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them local emperors. It was no wonder Eris was so tyrannical; no one dared to resist her.
From the idle talk of passersby, March 7th also learned about Eris's situation.
Her parents had died in an accident years ago, and she had been raised by her grandfather since she was a child, with only maids and guards for company. As for Ghislaine, the only person who could truly restrain her—after her grandfather passed away last year, she had chosen to join the Royal Family as a Guardian Knight for the Princess to maintain the Greyrat family's status. She was stationed in the Royal Capital year-round, and the time she could spend by Eris's side grew increasingly scarce.
Without the discipline of elders or the restraint of Ghislaine, Eris's personality had become utterly reckless. She had become a "Little Demon King" whom everyone in Roa avoided like the plague.
Learning these details, March 7th couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy. Compared to the Eris of the original story who had companions and guidance, the Eris of this world was undoubtedly much more lonely and bitter.
But the more this was the case, the more her personality needed correcting. Otherwise, if something happened to Ghislaine and the Greyrat family lost its protection, Eris's current behavior would likely lead her to a tragic end.
Following the addresses she had gathered, March 7th soon found the Greyrat Manor.
The estate covered a vast area, with green-brick walls several meters high. Thick shrubbery grew at the base of the walls, and two guards stood watch at the entrance. Inside, the grounds were teeming with patrolling soldiers and scurrying maids; the security was tight.
Using her tiny form, March 7th nimbly avoided the patrols. The moment she hopped onto a wall, her gaze suddenly froze—deep within the courtyard, she saw a familiar figure: Lilia.
She hadn't seen her back in the village, so she hadn't expected to meet her here. Looking at Lilia's attire, she was clearly Eris's personal maid.
March 7th's mind raced as she instantly formed a theory.
In the original story, Lilia was originally a Royal Guard maid in the Asura Kingdom's inner palace. She had been dismissed after failing to prevent an assassination attempt on the princess and getting injured, eventually finding work as a maid for Paul and Zenith.
The situation here was clearly different. Most likely, because Ghislaine had become the Princess's Guardian Knight, the Royal Family had specifically dispatched Lilia here. On the surface, she was a maid, but in reality, she was likely there to monitor Eris.
When it came down to it, Eris had probably already become a bargaining chip—or even a hostage—used by the Royal Family to ensure Ghislaine's absolute loyalty.
At that thought, March 7th grew curious about the current state of the Asura Kingdom. Who was the reigning monarch? Was it that nameless old king from the original story, the ambitious First Prince, or someone else entirely?
It almost certainly wasn't the Princess. If the Princess had already ascended the throne, the gossip she heard on the streets wouldn't still be referring to her as "the Princess."
However, since passersby rarely discussed the King's identity, she would have to look into it later.
Steadying her focus, March 7th moved quietly along the wall. Before long, she located Eris in a wide-open courtyard.
Currently, Eris stood with her hands on her hips, shouting angrily at a woman in front of her. The woman's appearance allowed March 7th to immediately identify her—Ghislaine.
She was a beastfolk woman dressed in black martial attire. Her grey hair fell loosely behind her head, revealing a profile with sharp, disciplined lines. The beast ears atop her head and the tail behind her were unmistakable. Her golden eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and her entire body radiated a biting killing intent and the pressure of a true powerhouse.
Her martial outfit outlined her firm, muscular physique, and a long blade hung at her waist. Even just standing there quietly, she projected an oppressive aura that warned others not to approach.
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