Chapter 10

Prophet, have you finished your work?

"......I thought I was going to die......"

"Exaggerating."

"There's no way I'm exaggerating kaaaahhhhhh!"

My scream echoed through the peaceful morning of Tolfay Village.

The morning in the rural village starts early. Everyone is busy with farm work and housework, and they are up and about as usual. It's probably around 7 a.m. now. The sky, which had been clear after last night's heavy rain, made me feel a slight urge to kill.

Me? I was dragged out of bed by Adalbert at dawn, forced onto a horse, and brought to Tolfay Village at an incredibly fast pace. To prevent me from falling off, his left arm was tightly gripping my stomach, and it felt like I was going to die!

The knights residing in Tolfay Village contacted Adalbert via communication magic at 5 a.m. I was woken up and forced onto the horse half an hour later. I didn't even get to eat breakfast... I was only allowed to change clothes and take some water before being forced onto the horse. Ugh, what a bully.

When we arrived at Tolfay Village, it was the same peaceful rural village as before. There were large puddles everywhere due to the heavy rain. The sight of children playing joyfully in the puddles was heartwarming. The Arossa Mountain in the distance, thanks to the emergency afforestation and sandbags, was still standing there as it always had.

It was as if the future I knew was a lie.

But I know the truth. This is the future that Adalbert seized. It's a scene he protected by taking action. I know this. Even if no one else knows, I know it well. ...Although it irks me to thank him, I'll properly thank him when we get back to the castle for putting up with my whims.

"We're going to the mayor's place."

"Okay."

"......Don't cry."

"......I'm not crying."

Adalbert's stride, as he walked beside me, was smaller than usual. Was he adjusting to my pace, or was he taking his time to look around the village? I hope it's the latter. Because being overly concerned by him is really annoying. It's as if he thinks I'm a crybaby.

No, I'm not a crybaby. I'm not crying. I mumbled complaints in my mouth, but Adalbert didn't react. Once, his large hand gently patted my head, but that was it. What a jerk. He's such a terrible man. When he does that, my tear glands start to loosen, so he really needs to stop. I might start crying before I even meet the mayor. Damn it.

The ordinary, everyday scene of the village. Who would think that I'd be on the verge of tears just by looking at it? I'm about to cry. I might cry because the village was properly protected.

At the same time, I can't help but worry about the future of the twisted timeline. But it's okay. Adalbert said he would investigate. He said he would take action. So, this country will be protected from landslides in the future. Even in the future I changed, they will be able to live on. I feel relieved.

"Your Majesty, welcome."

"Is there any damage to the village?"

"No, not particularly. ...However, without Your Majesty's assistance, we don't know what might have happened."

"Hmm?"

At the mayor's words, Adalbert's lips twisted into a smile. It was as if he was saying it was the most enjoyable thing ever. I don't understand what's so funny or interesting, but Adalbert seemed to be eagerly waiting for the mayor to continue.

...Are you really that bad-tempered?

"Last night's rain was the heaviest I've ever seen. Without the measures Your Majesty implemented, there might have been a landslide."

"I see. So, it did rain heavily."

"Yes, it was so heavy that it can hardly be described as just a heavy rain. The nearby river might have flooded, and houses might have been submerged, as everyone feared."

The mayor said this with a serious face.

Ah, yeah. It was a sudden heavy rain. The event movie I saw was really intense. The nearby river had its embankment raised and other measures taken. If the river had flooded, it would have been really bad. And thanks to those measures, the mountain is still there, and the village hasn't been destroyed. I'm so relieved.

Suddenly, Adalbert pulled me by the shoulder. I looked up, not understanding his intention, but he was looking at the mayor. So, I also turned my gaze back to the mayor. Adalbert, with a low voice, laughed and then spoke.

"Surely, there can be no doubt about the wisdom of my strategist?"

It was a statement that made it seem like he had achieved something great. What? What's he talking about? I looked around, seeing the grand Adalbert and the mayor bowing. What? What's going on? And why is Adalbert being so arrogant?

"I am unworthy, and I apologize. I never thought that you could truly see the future..."

"It's fine. Even if you were told that I have the power of prophecy, it wouldn't be easy to believe. It's normal to think it's a trick. But Miu is my strategist. I trust her more than anyone."

"...With the power of Miu-sama and Your Majesty, our village has been saved. I don't know how to thank you..."

"Thank you is not necessary. But if anyone in the future doubts Miu's power, I want you to tell them the truth."

"Understood."

Eh? Eh? Wait? Isn't this conversation taking a dangerous turn? Adalbert, why are you promoting my existence like this? And Mayor, stop bowing! I'm not a god or a Buddha!

Looking up, I saw Adalbert smiling happily. Ah, you! Did you bring me here knowing this would happen?! You said you brought me to reassure me about the village's safety, but it was really just to promote me, wasn't it?!

Cold sweat started to pour down my back.

My existence is already established in the royal castle as a "strategist with the power of prophecy." However, this is only within the castle. In other words, only the important people who work in the castle recognize me this way. Most people don't even know I exist. But now, the strongest billboard has been created here!

This means that my existence will be known among the common people. Don't underestimate the rumors of the common people. They spread quickly. And with all the embellishments, it could become a huge deal. If this continues, I might end up being seen as a "hero who came from the future to save the world." I absolutely refuse!

"If Miu-sama is with Your Majesty, our country will be safe."

"That's right. ...I promise to continue to protect the people with all my strength."

"Your words are too kind."

Wait, you're having a really good conversation, but hold on? Don't just throw me into this situation? Adalbert, listen to me! I'm stomping my feet, but it's not working at all! I knew it! I'm so weak that even if I punch, kick, or step on him, it doesn't hurt Adalbert. In fact, it's so weak that it tickles! Damn it!

After that, I was dragged out of the mayor's house by Adalbert without being able to complain. Then, I was surrounded by children! Yes, a group of children! At first, I thought they were there for Adalbert, but it was different! The children were looking at me!

"...Um, do you need something from me?"

I asked the boy who seemed to be the leader of the children, a tiger beast boy who looked about 10 years old. His ears and tail patterns were the same as the mayor's, so he might be the mayor's grandson. I'm not interested in personal information, though.

There were about 10 children around him, all under 10 years old. The youngest was probably around 5. A little further away, there were girls around 13 and boys of the same age. They were all staring at me. Stop it. I'm not a panda at a zoo.

"Miu-sama, thank you for saving the village!"

"......Huh?"

"The knights said they saved the village because of Miu-sama's prophecy!"

The boy handed me a bouquet of flowers. They weren't cultivated but probably gathered from the wild. I took the small bouquet of wildflowers. The boy was smiling. Everyone around him was smiling.

What is this?

Usually, Adalbert would receive such things, but the emperor himself was smiling contentedly. Why are you so satisfied, you?

"Take it. It's a token of the villagers' gratitude."

"...No, I think Adi should take it. He did all the arrangements, didn't he?"

"But without your prophecy, I couldn't have done anything. Even when I visited the village, I didn't think anything special was going to happen."

Adalbert insisted it was my achievement. Is that so? I don't think so. Still, I couldn't let down the boy's bright face, so I looked at the bouquet and whispered, "Thank you." In return, I heard a chorus of "Thank you" from the children. Oh no, I'm about to cry. My tear glands are loosening, stop it...

Next, the children, without any hesitation, rushed at me. They hugged me and kept saying, "Thank you, thank you." Being called "Miu-sama" repeatedly made me feel embarrassed. I looked at Adalbert for help, but he was just smiling. Hey! I'm a commoner and not used to this! At least give me a hand!

"Miu-sama"

"Uh? What?"

"Is Miu-sama a boy or a girl?"

"………………"

I felt myself stiffen.

The innocent question from a child is very cruel. My face twitched. I glared at Adalbert, who was trying to hold back a big laugh. Look, this is what happens when you wear a servant's uniform all the time. Even innocent children misunderstand your gender!

"Um, even though I'm dressed like this, I'm a girl."

I was about to mention my age, but as I started to say "twenty," Adalbert's arm reached out and patted my head. It might look like he's petting me, but he's actually holding me down. I get it. I'll be quiet. I won't say it. So, stop it! It hurts!

By the way, not only the children but also the adults seemed confused about my gender, so they all went back to their work with a satisfied look. Wait? Do I really look that much like a boy? I know pants are usually for boys, but there are girls who dress as boys for family reasons, right? In that sense, I could be recognized as a girl, right?

"......It's a matter of curves and body lines."

"Adi, I'll take that fight with all my might."

"Kidding. Since you're a strategist, it's better to have a bit of an unusual presence."

"That's your logic! I've never wanted to be seen as a boy!"

The people around us were surprised by our usual bickering. Only the guards who accompanied us had normal faces. I'm sorry. But our relationship is fixed as this kind of bad friend, so please accept it.

The story of the prophet who saved Tolfay Village spread rapidly throughout the country, surprising me.

In the end, it was the usual two of us.

With this, Miu has completed a major task.

The next chapter is a bit of a side story, with Lainer's monologue.