Chapter 10

From early morning, Vil had been in a bad mood.

"…Did you use a drug?"

"I just burned some incense with a relaxing effect. I added a little bit of magic to it… but you slept soundly, didn't you?"

I felt sorry that Vil couldn't sleep, and I thought it was necessary for my own peaceful sleep. I enjoyed his sleeping face.

He hit the wall in silence. He seemed to regret exposing his vulnerable side to me.

"It's my homemade incense. There shouldn't be any aftereffects, right?"

"Could it be that you are a… pharmacist?"

"Did you think it was a lie? I'm an expert in magical potions. I'm especially known for my beauty potions."

However, it took quite a while for Vil to fall into a deep sleep. As a prince's attendant, he must have been trained to build up resistance to poisons.

I know from experience how tough it can be. Taking poison yourself is no easy task.

I waited for Vil to wake up, so I left the room a bit later than usual.

At the reception, Vil was being envied by the innkeeper. I can guess what he was thinking, but I'll pretend not to notice.

With his guard even more heightened, I proceeded on the road to my hometown.

As we got closer to Kukuruj, Vil's body became more tense. It seems he can't sleep well even when we stay at different inns. His complexion is getting worse, and he's giving off a tense atmosphere.

He's nervous. He's going to the den of the witches he hates.

On the fourth day of our journey, we arrived at the last town.

From here, it's about a full day's journey to Kukuruj. There are only small villages and settlements in between, but I plan to leave after preparing here.

I expect tonight to be a critical moment. I was a bit nervous, too, though not as much as Vil. I can't let my guard down until we return to Kukuruj.

Vil and I went to the market to buy supplies.

"We'll be in Kukuruj in one more day. Do you really need that much?"

"No, it's necessary. We can't survive without food."

While discussing how much dried meat to buy with Vil, who is a carnivore… or rather, Vil,

"Vil-san! I finally found you!"

A blonde boy with a large book ran up. Behind him were a man and a woman with striking appearances.

"Citrine? And Mocha and Charlotte, too…"

Oh dear.

I hid my inner turmoil and merely tilted my head.

Citrine, a blonde boy around twelve years old.

Mocha, a maid in a maid's uniform, and Charlotte, a boy wearing a large silk hat like a street performer, both around my age.

These three and Vil are the four companions found by Emeralda.

…It's bad to meet the prince's companions here. It's too late now.

I suppressed the urge to sigh and decided to go with the flow.

"Why are you here?"

Citrine looked up at Vil with sparkling eyes.

"We came ahead by dragon. We thought you'd definitely pass through this town."

"No, I mean… why did you follow me?"

"Of course, we were worried about you, Vil! Are you okay? Have you been eaten yet?"

Charlotte casually patted Vil's shoulder. Vil irritably brushed it off. It seems their relationship is the same as in the original story.

"This is none of your business. Get back to the capital quickly. You were supposed to protect the prince and Emeralda."

"Emeralda herself asked us to check on you. She's worried about you, Vil."

"Emeralda…"

Vil's expression brightened at Mocha's matter-of-fact words. Such a simple man.

It seems even in house arrest, he's allowed to talk to his companions. Emeralda, what a meddlesome woman.

Since I was getting tired of being ignored, I stepped forward. Really, are all the prince's people so rude?

"You seem to be Rain-sama's companions? Thank you for worrying about my attendant. I'm Sonia Carnelian. Nice to meet you."

The three of them turned their gaze to me.

Not exactly hostile, but their eyes were wary.

I ignored it and smiled softly. They straightened up.

"Sorry about that. I'm Charlotte Airum. Sonia-chan… you're amazing up close. Super beautiful. I envy Vil. Haha!"

"Thank you. Even flattery is appreciated. By the way, are you from the Airum Trading Company?"

"Yep. You know us well. Our products haven't spread much in the western regions yet."

"Not true. Your tableware is popular. People want it because it's hard to get. I received some from the lord of Azurite and use it myself."

"Really? Thanks! I'll give you something too!"

Charlotte is incredibly cheerful and carefree. He's also the heir to one of the top five trading companies in Mistoria. He joined the group after being saved from a financial crisis by Emeralda's foresight.

He doesn't have a brain or a core, but he fights with a rare magical gun. The magical crystals used as ammunition are very expensive, a weapon only the wealthy can afford.

…Incidentally, he is the traitor in the original "anime."

However, he doesn't betray Emeralda out of malice. He has a sister suffering from an incurable disease. In exchange for her treatment, he was asked to join the group and, after much internal conflict, provided information to Sonia.

The maid stepped forward, pushing aside Charlotte, who was trying to shake my hand.

"I am Mocha Serius, a maid serving Rain-sama."

"Serius… the same name as the viscount family that fell a few years ago?"

"Yes. I am a direct descendant of the Serius family. …So what?"

"No, nothing in particular. I apologize if I offended you."

"……"

Mocha is a cool beauty from a fallen noble family.

She was saved by Prince Rain when she had nowhere to go and pledged absolute loyalty to him.

She has a core and is trained in spear fighting, using a large magical spear. In short, she's a fighting maid. Her position is similar to Vil's, but she secretly loves the prince.

At first, she was cold to Emeralda, trying to separate the two by saying the prince didn't deserve her. However, she gradually recognized Emeralda's efforts and eventually became her best friend. There was a scene where she confessed to the prince to tie things up.

After her heartbreak, she and Charlotte got along well.

When Charlotte was revealed as the traitor, she was furious, and they ended up fighting to the death.

In the end, Charlotte didn't fight seriously, and Mocha won. Charlotte was in a critical condition, unconscious. When Mocha learned the reason for his betrayal, she was shocked and left the battlefield to take care of him.

A tragedy.

"I'm… Citrine Nupia. I was helped by Emeralda and the others in searching for my mother."

Citrine, hiding behind Vil, said shyly.

A child searching for his long-lost mother. He was saved by Vil when he was attacked by a monster and has since become attached to the strong and manly Vil.

A brain-holder and a genius, he's often teased. He can use simple magic, but his offensive power is weak. He's the mascot of the group.

However, he starts training in the middle of the story and becomes capable of fighting. When surrounded by a group of monsters just before the final battle, he volunteers to be a decoy. "I'm a man too! I can fight! Leave this to me and go ahead!"

In the end, what happened to Citrine is not explicitly shown in the "anime." The story ends with his precious book, bloodstained, buried among the dead monsters. He is officially listed as missing, but it's likely….

The previous life girl foamed at the mouth, saying, "A precious shota!!" The following week, Vil died, and the "author" was mentally devastated.

"…Is something wrong?"

I stared at Citrine's face.

When I saw the prince, Emeralda, and Vil, I felt a bit of a difference between the "anime" and the real thing.

Especially with Citrine, his face in the "anime" was often deformed.

"Stop… Please don't look at me like that. It's embarrassing!"

Citrine, covering his blushing face.

Well, maybe the "shota" isn't so bad.

Vil hid Citrine from my gaze.

Let's stop the teasing here. Standing together like this is drawing too much attention.

"I'd like to give you some time to chat, but we have to leave soon."

You're not planning to follow us to Kukuruj, are you?

That would be a huge inconvenience.

Mocha, with a blank expression, bowed slightly.

"I apologize for the inconvenience. We really just came to check on Vil. He can be a bit dull. Has he been a bother?"

"Hey."

"He's fine. He's working very well. We haven't fully bonded yet, but we seem to be getting along. Right, Vil?"

Vil turned away without answering.

"…She seems more mature than he is. Vil Obsidian. You became her attendant as compensation for the broken engagement. For the sake of Mistoria's prestige, you must fulfill your duties publicly. Don't forget that."

Vil, scolded by the younger maid, looked unhappy but reluctantly nodded.

Yes.

Even if your true feelings are different, you must maintain the facade.

Especially tonight…

"When things calm down, I'll invite you to Kukuruj. Please come and visit. We can talk more next time."

In response to my social pleasantries, the three of them politely thanked me.

We wished each other a safe journey and parted ways.

I truly hope that the tragic future you are supposed to face does not come to pass.