Chapter 6

"Miu, are you going to become a prophet?!" ← The village chief of Tolfai Village was a "village chief often seen in games."

Huh? You don't understand what I'm saying? Well, he was the familiar old man with white hair, a beard, a robe, and a staff, the kind you often see in games. You know, the kind of design you see in pixel art. Is that a template? No, it's not.

By the way, in this world, girls don't wear pants, but men can wear robes. It doesn't make sense. If that's the case, girls should be able to wear pants, right? I'm treated as gender-neutral just because I'm wearing pants. Even if they tell me to move around in the same clothes as the female attendants, I'll trip on the hem and get a death flag!

...I guess I was called a boy because I was wearing tracksuit pants the first time. I just realized that. And I want to know the details from Adalbert, who only gave me the attendant's uniform even after I declared myself a girl. Apparently, in this world, girls who wear pants are only those who have to dress as boys for family reasons or something important.

That setting doesn't come up much in games! But now that I think about it, all the female characters, even the combatants, wore skirts! Yeah!

"Miu, stop thinking about nonsense and explain the situation to the village chief."

"...I'm not being stupid."

"Chief, this one has been my advisor recently. He has the wisdom to foresee the future."

I don't have that kind of thing.

Please, Mr. Lion, stop telling such blatant lies with a straight face. The consequences all fall on me. Look! The kind old village chief's gaze has changed from 'Who is this boy the king is bringing?' to 'Huh? This suspicious boy is an advisor?' He's looking at me with suspicion!

You should stop saying that to people you just met, shouldn't you? I'm not that famous, and I don't have such hyper-miracle genius specs. I only have game knowledge. I only remember the parts that are events or mentioned in the story. It's unfair to be thought of as knowing everything!

"Foreseeing the future, you say...?"

Look, the old man is really confused! He's having trouble figuring out how to handle someone the king knows! I'm confused too! Yet, why are you so confident on your own? That's what kings are like!!

"Right. ...Miu"

Adalbert glanced at me sideways. The meaning of that look is, "Buck up and say it." I get it. There's no option for me not to say it here! I know. If I don't say it, Adalbert will spill the beans and the story will proceed anyway!

"Chief, has there ever been a landslide in this village?"

Let's not jump straight to the main topic. Let's take a detour. It would be too much of a shock to say it right away. If this old village chief suddenly passes away, it would be a big problem.

"Landslide, you say? No, there hasn't been... We live with the mountains, so we are always cautious."

"But it seems the mountain slopes are quite exposed."

"That's... Recently, there have been many orders for timber..."

The village chief, who had said everything was fine, now looked troubled. I saw it clearly. Adalbert, standing next to me, saw it too. He seems to understand that this is a "different state from usual." It might make the conversation a bit easier. I let out a small sigh of relief.

Instantly, a look of "Hurry up" came my way. I get it. I get it, but you should understand people's feelings a bit more, shouldn't you?! You going-your-own-way guy!

"Let me be blunt. Next month, there will be an unexpected heavy rain, and Mount Arrosa will collapse."

"...What?"

"The resulting landslide will destroy Tolfai Village completely."

I tried to say it as solemnly as possible. I tried to say it with a serious face. I leaned on the table, clasped my hands, rested my chin on them, and looked down, speaking in a serious, low voice. Who said "Dark... Plug" there? It's not that. I did imagine it, but it's not that!

The village chief was speechless. Of course, he would be. Sorry. I wouldn't believe it either if someone suddenly told me something like that. But it's the truth. At least, in the history I know, this is the correct future.

"Chief, it might sound far-fetched, but Miu's words are true. Just the other day, he predicted an attack by mercenary bandits on a border village."

So, don't call it a "prediction."

It's impossible to believe what Adalbert says. However, there are things that need to be done, even if they don't believe us. But it's not my job to bring it up. It's not within my authority. That's Adalbert's job.

"Even if you don't believe it now, I want you to take precautions against the landslide. ...Can we count on your cooperation?"

"...If it is as the king commands, we will comply."

"Thank you. I will make the arrangements soon. Please tell the villagers to be vigilant about the mountain's condition."

Adalbert looks handsome when he talks seriously about serious matters. He's the wild and handsome emperor I've seen many times in the game. If I only knew him like this, I could have been all 'squee' and 'aww' with a handsome guy... Unfortunately, the Adalbert in front of me is just a bad friend mode. I want to ask him for an hour or so where he got that kind of thing. The developers didn't say anything like that?

"Miu, do you know the specific date?"

"...Hmm. June 15th. The heavy rain will start on the night of the 14th and continue, causing the ground to weaken."

"Right. It's still over a month away, but I want you to be on alert."

The village chief could only nod. Sorry, old man. But both Adalbert and I just want to save this village. I hope you understand that.

After that, Adalbert and the village chief talked for a while. I listened to their conversation like a statue. Occasionally, when Adalbert asked, I would chime in a little. But that's all I can do. I can only share a bit of game knowledge.

When the conversation ended and we went outside, Lainer and the other guards were all there. It seems the bandit hunt was successful. The bandits, tied up, were quite beaten up. Well, it can't be helped. It's only right that criminals get the punishment they deserve.

"Are these all the bandits?"

"Yes, we caught them all."

"Good. Then take them back to the capital and punish them."

"Yes, sir."

The guards saluted. ...Huh? Everyone is on horseback, but are they going to drag the bandits? Make them walk? Even after beating them up? Wow, that's harsh. It's tough, but they caused trouble for others, so it can't be helped.

Hmm? So, the return trip will be slow? If I go back with them, it will be slow, right? Yay! The risk of falling off the horse will be reduced!

"I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"They will go back slowly, but I will return quickly. I have work to do."

"......I want to go back slowly with them, swaying on the horse..."

"Denied."

Of course. I knew that much. If he had that much kindness to let me go separately, he wouldn't have brought me here in the first place! Damn! It's still painful to know! I have to fight that terror and the pain afterward again! My hip still hurts!

He grabbed me by the collar and lifted me up as if it were nothing. Stop it. I'm not luggage. Yes, I can't get on your horse without being lifted, but I'm not a kitten!

"Shouldn't you eat more? You're too light."

"Rude! I'm at a standard weight!"

"What's standard? You're way too light. ...Ah, is it that you lack muscle? Want to train together?"

"I refuse with all my might!!!"

What a terrifying, devilish invitation! If I train with a martial lion beast like him, I'll be dead in ten minutes! If he just tells me to do a bit of exercise, I might consider it, given that I'm provided with food, clothing, and shelter... But if it's with Adalbert, I have a strong feeling I'll die!

Besides, talking about a girl's weight is completely lacking in tact! What a rude guy. I might not be very feminine, but I am a girl! Don't forget that!

"......Ah, you're a girl, right?"

"Did you just remember!?"

"No, it's just that with your outfit and behavior, there's nothing feminine about you, so I forget."

"The tone is my own fault, but this outfit was your choice!"

"But it's easy to move in, right? The attendant's uniform."

"Yeah, it's easy to move in! If I knew pants were limited to boys in this world, I would have thought about it more!"

He ignored my complaints and put me on the horse as if it were nothing. I don't want to. This horse is big, so it's scary to be put on it. I'll fall off, I'll fall off. I'm not at fault for clinging to the horse's neck desperately. It's two sizes bigger than other horses!

What kind of size makes ordinary warhorses look like ponies!?

Well, it's probably that size so Adalbert can ride it, right? I get it. I get it, but being on it is tough. If I lose my balance, I'll die. I don't want to die!

While clinging to the horse's neck and fighting the fear of falling, Adalbert gracefully mounted. Then he pulled me close and wrapped his left arm around me like a log seatbelt. ...Ah, this is how we're going back. Safety is ensured, but the pressure is intense. My stomach hurts...

"Don't fall, okay?"

"...Don't ride in a way that makes me fall."

"I'll handle it."

"Not 'handle it'! It's 'safety first'!"

Isn't the spirit of "safety first" universal when it comes to driving or operating something? Isn't it the same for horseback riding? Since someone is riding, considering safety is a given. So why does it sound so troublesome?

"Miu"

"What?"

"We'll plan the countermeasures when we get back. Help me."

"...Okay."

I nodded sincerely at the words whispered in my ear. To protect Tolfai Village. As someone who pushed the work onto Adalbert, I want to help with what I can, even if it's a little. I don't want to lose this village. I think we share that feeling.

"So, let's hurry back."

"That's even worse!!"

I can't see it, but I bet you're smiling really nicely right now! You know I'm going to be tossed around by your horsemanship, and you're still making this devilish declaration?! Are you a demon? Possessed by a demon? Tell me!

Everyone says I was completely soulless when we returned to the castle, but it's not my fault!

Seriousness is just not my thing...

Next time, I'll try a different topic to change the mood.

Because there's nothing Miu can do, right?