Chapter 9

The day before the fateful day.

The fateful day has arrived.

Today is June 14th. It has been raining since morning. If my memory serves me right, a torrential downpour will occur tonight, causing a landslide on Mount Arossa. However, Adalbert said that all possible precautions have been taken. Moreover, the villagers are on alert because they have been warned. Additionally, it seems that the knights have been dispatched just in case. Truly, His Majesty the Emperor is capable. A capable man is different, isn't he?

I'm a bit nervous.

Adalbert told me not to worry, but indeed, it's not right to lump together a situation where no precautions have been taken and one where all precautions have been taken. Still, I'm scared. Rather, I feel like shouting to all the residents of Tolfai Village, "Run! Run now!" ... But no matter how loud I shout from the castle, it won't reach them, right?

"You'll get wet."

Rainer called out to me in a gentle voice and offered me a towel. Recently, Rainer has become my personal bodyguard. I'm very grateful for his help. I really appreciate it.

However, from a yaoi fangirl's perspective, I wish Rainer would stand behind Adalbert with his partner. (Straight face)

The always calm and gentle Rainer and the serious, blood-filled human make a very cute pair. Plus, the age difference of 10 years is delicious. The serious, blood-filled guy is apparently the same age as Adalbert. I can chew on this deliciousness. I won't say it, though.

No, no, no matter what, I have enough sense not to show it. That's what a proper yaoi fangirl is, right? Like a deep-sea fish, I quietly enjoy it in a place where ordinary people can't see. That's the etiquette, I think.

"Miue-sama?"

"A, yeah. Thanks, Rainer. It's really coming down, isn't it?"

"It's June, after all," Rainer said with a smile. When he smiles, his large dog ears wiggle. ... I tried to suppress the urge to touch them. Yes. The last time I touched Adalbert's tail, he got super serious and angry, so I think touching ears is also not allowed. It's probably something only close people can do. Probably.

Well, it doesn't matter if I worry about the rain and other things here, so I'm just going to be quiet. Recently, when I wander around the castle, most people recognize me as "the advisor with the power of prophecy," so I'm not treated as a suspicious person. I didn't intend to become such a person, though.

However, Adalbert assigned Rainer as my bodyguard because of the potential danger, knowing the situation and being favorable towards me. The other serious guy seems to want to throw me in jail for disrespect all the time. ... I know it's because of my sharp tongue? I know, but since His Majesty the Emperor forgave me, it's fine, right?

Because he was so murderous, I did ask Adalbert for confirmation. I can speak in polite language to some extent. If you assign me a manners teacher, I'll try to act appropriately. I tried to consider His Majesty the Emperor, even though I'm just a useless person.

As expected, the response to such a virtuous me was predictable.

—Such a person is creepy, so I don't need you.

That's right.

Yes, I knew it. Rather, Adalbert finds my disrespectful attitude amusing. It seems he hasn't had close friends before (in the game, he had close friends, but no one he could confide in or be a bad friend with). I think it's a bit strange, but since he's happy, it's fine, right?

"Is Mount Arossa going to be okay?"

When I muttered this, Rainer stopped moving. Oh, sorry. You are the only one, besides me, Adalbert, and the village chief, who knows about that ominous future. I forgot. Well, today, all I can think about is the safety of Tolfai Village. It can't be helped.

I tried to laugh it off, but Rainer smiled in a troubled way. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. Still, it's hard not to be concerned, right?

"His Majesty is taking care of everything. Please, Miue-sama, try to be at ease."

"But, it's hard to be at ease, even if you say that."

"But, staying up unnecessarily is not something I can overlook, is it?"

Rainer smiled at me, but his eyes weren't smiling. Huh? What's this? Do you think I'm a disobedient child trying to stay up late? No, no, no, Rainer! I'm already 20! Adalbert didn't explain it to Rainer, did he!?

Okay, I'll explain it to Rainer. Because I'll be relying on him in the future. Yes, yes. I'll do it. That's good. That's fine.

"What are you staying up late for, girl? Go to bed quickly."

"Adalbert!?"

Just as I was about to reveal my age to Rainer, Adalbert grabbed my head. Wait, it hurts. It really hurts. Please, have mercy! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts! This brute strength!

I'm at my limit. My head is at its limit, so please let go! Struggling doesn't help at all, and Rainer is watching with his usual gentle eyes...!

No! It's completely different, Rainer! This guy is pressing down on my head with normal force right now! He usually holds back, but now he's pressing down on my head as if to punish me! Stop! It's going to crack! My head is going to crack like an apple!

"If you stay up too late, your already weak stamina will be even more depleted, won't it, Miue?"

"Ita! It hurts! Hey, give! Give, give!!"

"Rainer, I'll throw this idiot into her room. You can go."

"Understood. Good night, Miue-sama."

"Wait! Don't abandon me, Rainer!"

Rainer left with a cheerful smile. Wait, I'm clearly in a bad state right now! There's no one to help me, teacher! My head hurts! Let go!

After Rainer left, Adalbert finally released my head. It hurts. It hurts so much I want to cry. I'm teary-eyed. What a terrible guy. Grabbing a young woman's head with all his strength... It might not be much for a beastman like Adalbert, but I'm just a regular person with no combat skills!

"Don't try to say unnecessary things."

"Why can't I tell my age?"

"If Rainer gets flustered and becomes useless, what will you do?"

"Is it that important a matter?!"

I couldn't help but shout at his words, but I'm not bad, right? I mean, who would think that telling someone I'm 20 would be such a big deal? I'm just a regular, slightly childish otaku college student! In Japan, it's normal!

...But, this isn't Japan, is it? It's the Galaria Empire? And it's the world of "Brave Fantasia"? Probably. ...I don't have any allies here...

"Putting jokes aside, go to bed quickly."

"But, I'm worried about Tolfai Village, you know."

"Even if you stay up late here, it won't change anything. I've arranged for an early morning update."

"Mmm."

That's true, but I can't accept it just because it's the right thing to do. You know, the heart and the mind are different things. Yes, that's the case. So, it's fine if I stay up a little and watch the rain, right?

"Let's head to the bedroom."

"Hey! Why do you carry me like a bag of rice?!"

"Because it's easier this way. Stop struggling. It makes it harder to carry."

"You're so noisy!"

I'm getting used to this situation.

Adalbert picked me up and carried me like a bag of rice, just like the first time we met. It's painful to see everyone we pass smiling. Ah, is this considered a normal scene? We're the Emperor and his advisor, you know? Is this bad for our reputation?

I tried to punch Adalbert's back to express my frustration, but he only said, "Stop it, it tickles." Damn, you combat race. My punches are like feathers to you! ...Well, it seems that's the case. I tried punching Rainer once, and he looked at me with wide eyes and asked, "Are you really punching me?" I'm so weak! I'm really weak in this world!

"Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep."

"What about Adalbert?"

"I still have work to do. I don't have time to deal with you."

"You say you don't have time, but you're the one carrying me..."

It's a break, Adalbert said calmly. Yes, yes. You're taking a break from work to tease me, I get it. I'm used to it. In Adalbert's mind, I'm more of an interesting toy than an advisor! I knew it! I knew it! I'm not going to cry!

He entered my room as if it were the most natural thing in the world and threw me onto the bed, ignoring the wide-eyed maid. Oh, a new maid? If it were the usual maid, she would be used to my treatment and the fact that Adalbert barges into a woman's room.

"Newcomer? Ah, don't worry about this guy."

"Why are you acting so bossy?"

"Because this is my room."

"But it's my castle."

"What's wrong with the room's owner having control?"

"The castle's owner is me."

The new maid, who had been frozen in place, was led away by the usual maid. Sorry. I feel bad for involving you in this strange scene. Usually, I would thank the maid for making the bed and go to sleep quietly! But now I'm a bit annoyed at being thrown around!

I found myself lying on the bed in a familiar servant's uniform. Adalbert was standing over me. Go to sleep? Go to sleep quickly? Is that what you mean, Your Majesty?

"...No matter what happens tomorrow, with or without an incident, we'll go to Tolfai Village."

"...Okay."

"I'll put you on my horse, so save your strength and go to sleep today."

"Do you plan to ride in a way that requires saving strength?!"

"We need to hurry."

After making this devilish announcement, Adalbert left. Demon! Devil! How can you say such terrible things so calmly! If I get caught in your terrifying horse riding, I'll have to fight the danger of falling off again! And the wooden left arm seat belt just makes my stomach feel compressed and uncomfortable!?

In the end, there's no point in complaining, so I decided to go to sleep. Good night!

The ending is as expected, and these two are still the same. Period.