Chapter 56 Just Like That Guy
"When did your memories come back?"
"It was when I fell into the pond at the royal capital's estate, Grandfather."
Marquis thought for a bit.
"Did you really fall into the pond?"
"I was found near the pond and had a fever, so I slept for about 3 days."
"Ah! That time, huh. So that's why you fell into the pond."
"More accurately, it was because my cousins bullied me and Adam pushed me, so I fell."
"What?!"
It seemed Marquis didn't know that his grandchildren were fighting with each other.
"Well, I don't think they intentionally pushed me, but they didn't help me when I fell into the pond and ran away instead."
"What kind of thing is that?"
"Thanks to that, I developed water-attribute magic, so I don't hate them that much now. I even got my revenge."
"Revenge?"
As I explained the trivial matter in detail, Robert burst out laughing, holding his belly.
"Hah! I wish I could've seen that scene. Sara's the best!"
"I saw it, but it was really pitiful. Especially Adam... thinking that he's my grandchild..."
"Even considering adolescence, theft is a crime, so please make them stop."
The 2 men had awkward expressions on their faces.
"Sara, how old were you?"
"Grandfather, asking a woman's age is impolite, but I'm... currently '8 years old'."
"No, it's just that..."
"Well, to be honest, in my previous life, I lived until I was 33. I died in a taxi accident on my way home from work... or rather, a horse-drawn carriage accident in this world."
"Wait, you're older than me?"
"That's right, Uncle, I also died in a horse-drawn carriage accident, just like Arthur, my father."
When Sara think about it, he died in horse-drawn carriage accidents. If that's the case, it's not impossible that Sarasa's accident was similar too."
"I see."
"By the way, is it inconvenient being reborn as a woman?"
"Huh? I was a woman in my previous life too?"
""What?!""
'Wait a minute, they thought I was a man in my previous life?'
"Were you thought to be a man in my previous life?"
"If your executive ability was this high, that would be something."
'Ah, what's with that? You're saying women can't do administrative work or something?'
"In my past life, women worked just like men. I was an employee of a large merchant guild and was involved in international trade."
"But, women don't have the same abilities as men."
"No, there were many women like me who worked hard. There were also many female politicians, and it wasn't rare for a country or region to have a female leader."
Sarasa remembered that the Prime Minister of England in her past life was a woman, and the Governor of Tokyo at that time was also a woman. Although Japan still hasn't had a female Prime Minister, it's only a matter of time before many women take on that role.
"If there's no male heir, that's what happens. But, there will be men to support them. Once the successor is raised, they'll naturally take over."
"Don't men, like kings and lords, also have people to support them? Humans can't do everything alone, that's just common sense."
"And women lack the ability to make rational judgments."
'What's with that?'
"Why do you think that way?"
"Women are emotional and find it hard to think rationally. They're also weak with numbers and aren't suited for administrative work. And even if they can use magic, they can't control it and make it work for them. Sara, aren't you even now using your magic to intimidate me?"
As Marquis pointed that out, Sara realized her magic was intimidating him. It was probably because she couldn't control her emotions. If she looked closely, she could see beads of sweat on Marquis's forehead.
At that moment, Sara remembered Rebecca's words.
'There's a way for nobles to be nobles, and a way for women to fight.'
Sara controlled her magic, suppressed her intimidation, and smiled elegantly like a noble. She fully displayed the ladylike behavior that Rebecca had drilled into her with Spartan-like intensity.
"I apologize for my rudeness, Marquis Grandchester. But, I don't understand why you think women are inferior to men."
"It's not about superiority or inferiority. I'm just saying that roles are different. Women protect the home and raise children, and men protect them."
'Ah, I've heard this reasoning before in my past life. Is it on the level of the Showa or Meiji era?'
"I understand that biologically, there are differences in the roles of men and women. However, gender and ability are not the same thing. There are women who are suited for office work and men who are not. The difference between the 2 in this country is simply a matter of learning opportunities."
"Learning opportunities?"
"Yes. Only men can enter the Academy."
"Don't women have governesses too? You have Lady Rebecca, don't you?"
"That's true. I'm fortunate to have a talented female teacher, and I'm grateful to Marquis Grandchester and Sir Robert for giving me that opportunity."
Robert hastily interrupted.
"Wait, Sara. Why are you being so formal? Call me 'Uncle'!"
Sara turned to face Robert.
"Then, I ask Sir Robert, who has seen my work, am I inferior to men in terms of ability?"
"No, Sara, you were the most excellent among us."
"And what about Miss Rebecca and the office maids?"
"They were also extremely talented. The bureaucrats often made mistakes in their calculations."
"Come to think of it, Sir Robert, you were once intimidated by the Guild officials, weren't you? Of course, I know that was to protect me."
"Yeah, that did happen..."
"If women with inferior abilities can't enter the office, then would you give up on bringing back the office maid?"
"No way! If you say that, who knows what the bureaucrats will say?"
Sara turned to face Marquis and declared.
"Now, no matter how many words I use, I don't think Marquis Grandchester will understand. However, I want to prove with my own body that women can work and contribute to society with their abilities. May I have your permission?"
'This might get me kicked out of Grandchester. I need to rethink my independence plan...'
"Then, I'll help you out with my meager abilities."
Rebecca suddenly raised her voice.
"Your Excellency the Marquis, it's true that Ms. Sara caught all the horn rabbits today? With magic, in one swift motion."
""What?""
"We didn't even have a bow with us."
""What?!""
The Marquis and Robert stared at Sara with shocked faces.
"She used water-attribute magic to catch 3 rabbits at once, and then cleaned them with magic. It was amazing. Well, women do have a hard time controlling their magic, so maybe it's not surprising for men, but..."
Unlike Rebecca, who wore a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, the Marquis and Robert had looks of astonishment on their faces.
"Wait, water-attribute magic? Those horn rabbits only had small holes in their foreheads, with no other injuries. How did you catch them?"
"Like this?"
Sara pointed an ice arrow, created with magic, at the cheese on the table.
"Well, I didn't freeze the horn rabbits, but it's similar, right?"
""...!?""
"I apologize. I'm not good at controlling my magic, so it gets out of hand sometimes."
Sara picked up the ice arrow and took a bite of the cheese, then vaporized the arrow on the spot.
"No incantation...?"
'Hmph, if I can activate magic with just an image, then that's my style. Don't look down on me, okay?'
Although, in reality, it's often easier to imagine when you chant spells like "Water Arrow" or "Wind Cutter".
"Ah, can you do this too?"
She picked up the cutlery on the table, warped it into a sword hilt and grip, and then manifested flames in the shape of a sword.
"What?!!"
It looks like a Flame Sword, but in reality, it doesn't have a blade, so it's only good for lighting the way like a torch. Even if you swing it, you'll only manage to inflict minor burns. To Sara, it's just a party trick-level magic.
'Every night before bed, I have fun playing with magic. It's so much fun!'
"I-I get it. I take back what I said about doubting your abilities as a woman, so put that away for now."
Marquis slumped back onto the sofa, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his hand.
"Understood, Your Excellency Marquis Grandchester."
"Stop that too. It reminds me of your grandmother, and it gives me the chills."
Robert explained with a grin.
"My mother gets really angry when she's upset, and her language becomes super polite. She'd call Father 'Your Excellency the Marquis' and us by our full names. And on top of that, she's the strongest in terms of magic in our family, and she'd smile while intimidating us. It was really scary."
"That's right."
"Yeah, you're just like her."
"It's a great honor."
Sara's smile made Marquis's face twitch.
It wasn't because of her ability that Robert thought Sara was a man in her past life.
Sara: So, why not?
Rob: Well, when we talk, it's like... you have this old-man vibe going on...
Author: Yeah, that's true.
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