Chapter 2

Miyu, formerly known as Enjima Miu, found herself appointed as the strategist of the tyrant in no time.

"Is this you, Miyu? What's the matter? Are you lost again?"

"No, I'm not lost. I'm just exploring the castle to get used to it."

"I see. ...Ah, His Majesty said that today's lunch will be in the courtyard."

"Got it."

The guard smiled and left. I wandered around the castle of Galleria, map in hand, feeling utterly baffled as to how I ended up in this situation. That damn emperor, what a joke.

"Miyu-sama, your clothes have dried, so I'll put them in your room."

"Thank you very much."

I returned a smile to the smiling maid. In her hand was my tracksuit. By the way, what I'm wearing now is the same uniform as the castle's servants: a front-button shirt, a vest, and pants. Since they are made for humans, there's no hole for my tail or anything like that.

I really want to ask that idiot emperor why he gave me men's clothes. I clearly told him that I am a woman.

This is the Empire of Galleria, the world of the RPG game *Brave Fantasia*, or something very similar. The castle of the Galleria Empire, known as the country of beastmen, is where I now work. Most of the staff are beastmen, but there are also other races bustling about. The emperors of the past were broad-minded and didn't care about race or origin, always being strong leaders.

But to appoint a human summoned from another world as a strategist just because they find it "interesting," what kind of logic is that?

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I was carried to the Galleria Castle like a bag of rice by Adalbert. The guards were flustered, and the gate guards were stunned. Of course, they would be. Their king was carrying some unknown thing on his back. Think about it! Please!

I complained the whole way, but I was completely ignored. Great, Your Majesty! Why is this guy so set on his own way? Ah, right! You're the real-life Alexander the Great! You're the type who would expand the empire's territory or even unify the continent, so it's no wonder you don't have normal sensibilities!

"Let's hear the details, shall we?"

...

When we finally reached what seemed to be an office, I was allowed to sit on a sofa. But I didn't feel grateful at all. Plus, having guards standing on either side of me, watching me like hawks, was really scary. Adalbert, smiling in front of me, was also scary, but at least he seemed in a good mood. Compared to the guards who looked like they would kill me on the spot, he was much better.

By the way, I'm not here by choice! Your Majesty, the Emperor, carried me here like a bag of rice and kidnapped me! Get that straight. Rather, are your heads just for decoration!?

"There's nothing much to say. I'm just an ordinary person who was summoned to this place by someone."

"Miyu"

"...To the great Emperor Adalbert, I humbly request that you focus on your duties and not concern yourself with someone like me."

So, just send me back to the inn quickly. I remember the old man saying that a big customer was coming tonight. He said he would be busy, so I need to help out, even though I can't do much yet. If I don't earn my daily bread, I'll starve to death.

I tried to speak politely and pleaded with my eyes. I sincerely begged from the bottom of my heart not to involve any more ordinary people. But it was useless. Of course, if he were the kind of man who would listen to such pleas, he wouldn't carry people around like bags of rice! I knew that!

"Do you think I would be convinced by such a flimsy excuse?"

I didn't think so.

I couldn't help but look serious. There's no way I would think that. My relationship with you started with *Brave Fantasia 3*, which is considered one of the best in the series. In 3, you were just before your coronation. In 4, you're about where you are now. In the latest 5, it goes up to the empire's destruction five years later. In 3 and 4, you were the protagonist. In 5, you were the protagonist in the first half. I understand Adalbert Gallerios very well.

You may seem to be dominated by your fighting instincts, but in reality, you are a rational type who judges everything with a terrifyingly calm mind.

From your demeanor and actions, Adalbert is often perceived as an instinctive, passionate type. Being a wild, handsome lion beastman with red hair only adds to this image. Moreover, he acts this way on purpose because it's more convenient for him if others let their guard down. Right now, he's showing the ferocity of a carnivore hunting its prey, but his eyes are calm and focused on me. Ah, he's scary. He's a scary man. If he were on the other side of the screen, I could praise him as handsome.

...

"Will you believe me no matter what I say?"

"Only if it's worthy of trust."

"Even if I tell the truth, no one will believe me. Can these guards be trusted? Are they worthy of sharing important secrets with you?"

"...You!"

"Stop it."

I kept my eyes fixed on Adalbert as I asked. The guards on either side of me are really scary. I'm so scared that my face is stiff. But it doesn't show. Stop it. My facial muscles, work now! This isn't the time to hide my excitement like when I'm thinking, "Wow! Such a cute development in the official story? God! The author is truly our god!" No, I need you to be stiff, my facial muscles!

Adalbert calmly stopped the angry guards. They are great for following orders. They are loyal. Oh, they are dog beastmen. Of course, they are loyal. Dogs are a loyal race.

"These two are fine. ...We've known each other since I was a prince."

"I understand. Then I will tell you about my true identity and the meaning behind the prophecy of destruction."

I tried to make it sound dramatic, but there's no deep meaning. It just felt like a serious scene, and I didn't want to be executed if I failed. I think I'm mostly in denial. Damn. I wish this was all a dream.

"Emperor Adalbert, I am a summoner from another world."

"I've heard that."

"Just listen quietly. Don't interrupt. It will only make things more complicated."

"Alright, continue."

The guards' hostility increased, but if I didn't set the tone now, this king would surely keep interrupting. He looks really interested. He's drawn in. I don't want to be drawn in.

Ah, he looks somewhat cute when he's in a good mood. A red-haired lion is scary, but his smiling, relaxed expression is like a lion basking in the sun at the zoo. ...Of course, it's safe because there's a cage in real life!

"While in my world, I learned about a world similar to this one. *Brave Fantasia* is a world that closely resembles this one. The world's structure, the countries, and the main characters are very similar. That's why I recognize the Empire of Galleria and have knowledge about the rule of King Adalbert."

To be precise, in the game, I followed Adalbert's life from before his coronation until his death. Three games, no, in 5, he was the protagonist in the first half, so two and a half games! Thanks to that, I know a lot of small events! But if I start talking about the past, it could be dangerous, so I'll just mention the future I accidentally revealed.

"To cut to the chase, in the world I know, the Empire of Galleria will fall in five years."

"State the reason for the fall. Foreign invasion? Natural disaster? Or civil war? Which one applies?"

Adalbert, calm and unyielding, asked. He boasted at his coronation that he would protect his country, his people, from any disaster. Over the past ten years, he has repelled foreign enemies and dealt with natural disasters. He is indeed a great king.

I took a deep breath and spoke. I remember the fall of this country. The end of the first half of 5. The scene that requires the game disc to switch from 1 to 2. It was a very, very cruel reality.

"The empire will fall due to a foreign invasion that targets the moment of losing its leader."

No one spoke. The guards held their breath. Adalbert remained silent, his eyes fixed on me. His calm gaze was scary. Stop it. Please don't look at me so seriously. I'm just a college girl, a fan (yaoi fangirl). I'm just a twenty-year-old girl!

"Will you die?"

"In the world I know."

"In five years?"

"In five years."

"Was a successor not chosen?"

"No, one was not chosen. Because you were still young. In a world where the average lifespan of a beastman is about 120 years, no one would say anything about a 30-something-year-old not choosing a successor. Isn't that normal?"

My words were true. Because that's what the game's dialogue said. Adalbert was still young. No one thought he would die. Therefore, no one was worried or anxious about him not choosing a successor. The proud tyrant of Galleria, the lion among lions. No one thought he would die in his 30s.

Even we, the players, didn't think so.

When Adalbert died in the first half of 5, I was stunned. I thought, "What is this?" I knew the protagonist would change in the second half, but I thought it was just a change in perspective. Or that Adalbert, as king, couldn't move freely. No one predicted he would die.

Longtime fans mourned deeply, even holding a funeral. I, too, mourned on his birthday (since this world uses a solar calendar, a year is 365 days).

Ah, Adalbert was a character I liked. I loved his free-spirited young lion mode in 3, his serious king mode in 4, and his charismatic mode in 5. He filled my fangirl meter just right. Check.

But now, the lion king smiling arrogantly in front of me is completely unnecessary!

Why? Why are you smiling so happily when you're told you will die? I can't understand your thought process! The guards don't understand either! Of course, this king is not normal, I get it!

"Hey, little girl."

"Yes, what is it?"

I was tired of taking him seriously, so I used a casual tone. The guards are scary, but I've always been a bit of a smart mouth, so what's the point now? Adalbert doesn't seem to mind, so it's fine, right?

"You will serve me as a strategist."

"......What?"

"“Your Majesty?!”"

I couldn't believe my ears.

I didn't understand what was said at all. But Adalbert was smiling very, very happily.

Like he had found a favorite toy? No.

Like his favorite food had been served? No.

His face told the story. It was perfect. This is it. Yes, it's decided.

It's the face he makes when he encounters an unbeatable enemy, his battle instincts fully exposed.

...Ah, I see. You feel like you're fighting against a doomed fate. I get it. But to appoint me as a strategist, are you out of your mind? The guards look really shocked. Of course, they would be. Did you believe everything I said?

"Do you believe me?"

"You are not lying."

"But the 'history' I know may not be this world's 'future.'"

"I will verify whether it is true or not. You have nowhere to go, right? Stay by my side quietly."

"......Damn."

I couldn't help but mutter. Because I have no choice. A suspicious person like me has no right to refuse. How did I end up in this situation? Is Adalbert really like this? ...Ah, yes, he is. When faced with the impossible, he challenges it. I remember now.

"Rest assured. I will guarantee your safety."

"...Please be gentle."

If I can't escape, at least give me a nice place to stay, you idiot emperor!

No complicated things will happen.

What will happen in the future is just a matter of aligning Miyu's game knowledge with reality.

So, I hope you can read it casually.