In Mushoku Tensei with an A.I. Chip

"I still don't understand, why did the Notos Greyrats send us a special invitation to their scion's birthday celebration?" Philip asked aloud in the carriage he shared with his wife, daughter and father. 

Their family was currently on the road, travelling southwards to the Milbots region. A month ago, their estate had been visited by a messenger bearing the crest of the Notos Greyrats as well as a letter of invitation to attend the second birthday celebration of the second-in-line to the Notos lordship - one Luke Notos Greyrat.

"Indeed, it is still odd considering we lost the battle of succession." Hilda said after glancing at their daughter who was thankfully asleep after having spent the last few days gawking at the countryside they passed. 

"Could there be a conflict between my brother and the Notos lord?" Philip wondered, "Inviting us would clearly be a sign of disrespect to my brother." 

Sauros nodded and grunted, "I am still technically the head of the house, though most other nobles should already know by now it is just a meaningless position now that James is heir apparent and a current cabinet minister."

"Exactly. Politically, we are social pariahs. Inviting us is akin to stepping on James' foot." Philip said with a confused furrow of his brow. 

"The Notos' letter did not leave much room for rejection…" Hilda added. "They gave us notice well in advance, and specifically invited each of us by name." To snub such a precise and specialized invitation would be a faux pas of the highest order. 

Her husband narrowed his eyes at that, "Could this be some sort of a trap, father? Could the Notos Greyrats be working with James?"

The aged patriarch of the Boreas Greyrats frowned, "Possible, but not likely. Unlike me, that humorless grump Amarant still holds the reins of his household with a tight grip. And he wouldn't help a future rival like James just to deal with us. Not for a price James would be willing to pay." 

Sauros then glanced at his sleeping granddaughter, "It might be for Eris…"

The red-haired girl stirred slightly at the mention of her name but thankfully remained asleep. 

"Eris!?" Philip exclaimed but was shushed by a quick jab at his waist from Hilda. 

Quieter, he stage-whispered, "What does this have to do with Eris?"

Sauros closed his eyes in consideration, "Eris is a year younger than their boy. They might be looking for a match between our families."

"With the losing family of a succession battle?" Philip asked incredulously. "I love Eris, but she is not exactly the belle of the ball for political matches if that is what they're angling at."

"Perhaps not as his legal wife. But it would be different if she was a concubine. Have you forgotten? Eris bears your blood. Boreas blood. And so does Amarant's grandson, who is also my grandnephew, mind you." Sauros stated. 

Indeed, Luke's grandmother was born Valentina Boreas Greyrat, and she had married Amarant Notos Greyrat. As such, Luke undoubtedly also had Boreas blood flowing in his veins. 

He continued, "Any son Eris would bear for their family would have a strong claim on the Boreas lordship, should anything… happen to James and his children."

Hilda tightened the grip on her silk fan. Hearing talk of her daughter being treated as a mere political tool made her heart sour. 

"That's-!" Philip nearly shouted but quietened down upon remembering his daughter was still sleeping in the same carriage, "So you're saying they want to hedge their bets…"

"And it wouldn't be a bad match for Eris." Sauros pointed out, "The Notos lad would inherit the lordship of his house in time. And Amarant always brags about his grandson. He claims the boy is already a Saint-rank magician before he's even 10 years old."

"How ridiculous." Philip rebuked, perhaps harsher than was necessary when talking about a mere child. "Saint or not, no one is going to force me to hand over my daughter like some bargaining chip. It's probably rubbish anyway." 

Philip's other children were already being fostered by his older brother at the Capital of Ars. That was putting it nicely. In truth, they were hostages as implicit threats for Philip to behave while administering the Fittoa region on James' behalf while the man himself was politicking at the capital.

Eris was the only child they had left. If they lost her too, then Philip and Hilda would be truly pushed to the brink of despair. 

His wife was clearly of the same mind as well, as she nodded firmly in agreement. 

"I suppose we will see if Amarant's claims hold water when we meet the lad." Sauros said, "And besides, it's just a theory. They might just have invited us as a slight to James." 

Philip sighed and leaned back in his seat. Court politics was something he detested. At times, he was glad he had lost the succession battle if it meant he no longer needed to deal with the nest of vipers known as the royal court. Then he remembered his sons were still being held hostage and cold but helpless fury raged in his heart once more. 

"Perhaps, but regardless he's not going to be happy about it. You know that, father." Philip folded his arms, jaw tightening as he looked out the window. 

Sauros sighed, his voice level but firm, "I have already sent a letter explaining the situation. We cannot control how he will perceive things." 

"We know how he will perceive things." His son shot back, tired and resigned, "There will be consequences for 'acting outside of our station'."

The figurehead Lord Boreas Greyrat did not respond, silently mulling over Philip's words. Sauros was the reason, after all, for the strife in their family. The succession battle between his sons had his blessing. 

Sauros held firm the belief of 'might is right', and 'survival of the fittest'. It was only right then, that the next lord of Boreas Greyrat be the one who could prove themselves the one most worthy to inherit his lordship. Regrettably, James took it a step too far to hold Philip's sons hostage after winning but was well within his rights to do so as heir apparent.

If it had not been at the expense of his son and daughter in law, Sauros would have praised James' wisdom for holding on to the leash of potential rivals. 

The silence in the carriage was deafening then, but was broken by Hilda who smiled and stroked her daughter's hair, "Well at least Eris is enjoying the trip. Come to think of it, she's never really gone outside of Roa before." 

Philip's mood brightened at the mention of his daughter, "Yes, perhaps a trip out of Roa is precisely what she needs. A change in scenery. Especially after what she did to her last tutor." 

Sauros chuckled at the memory, "Aye she's a feisty one. Who knew she could pack such a punch at her age?"

Hilda clicked her tongue disapprovingly, "Please don't encourage her, father. At this rate, who's going to want her as a bride?"

"The Notos Greyrats apparently." Philip countered lightheartedly. "Though they might bite off more than they can chew with this one." 

Their laughter stirred the subject of their jokes awake.

"Mhm?" The nine year old Eris Greyrat rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned lightly. "Are we there yet?"

Sauros looked out the window for any familiar landmarks, "We're close to the next town. Maybe an hour away."

"Okay…" Eris replied absentmindedly before turning to her parents, "Wait, where are we now?"

"We just crossed the border into the Milbots region. It's still a few days from our destination." Philip answered. 

"What!? Why didn't you tell me!? I wanted to see the line!" Eris hurriedly scrambled to her feet and looked out the window to seek said line.

Philip and Hilda looked at each other quizzically before she asked, "Line? What line?"

Eris made a face like her mother said something dumb, "The line! From the maps! There's a giant black line between Fittoa and Milbots!" 

Hilda was confused for a second before realizing her daughter was talking about the borders that were drawn to demarcate between different regions on a map. 

"Eris, those lines are only on maps… there aren't really giant black lines between regions." She explained slowly.

"HUH? But then, why are there lines on the maps? Are mountains fake too!?" Eris questioned in bewilderment. 

Hilda looked back at her daughter like she was a special breed of stupid before turning to her husband, "Dear, we really need to get another tutor for Eris or people's going to laugh at her when she grows up."

"Eris is just going to get mad and attack them again…" Philip replied with a helpless shrug. 

"EHH? A tutor? I don't wanna! They always try to make me read stupid books!" Eris complained, "I will kick them all!" 

"Buahahah! That's right Eris! Just kick anyone who tries to force you to do anything you don't want to do!" Sauros laughed encouragingly. 

"Father! Stop encouraging her!"