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Chapter 40 Part 7 – The thing that tumbled into my hands was a ruby that is a testament to the hegemony of the continent. When I became frightened by the shadows of the evil princes, Seraphy pointed out a fantastic solution

 

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Aquilegia

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I know a famous fortune teller called Mother and she has predicted that I would become the queen in all of my previous 「108 times」. And that was while I was still a child. If that’s all she said, it could be lip service, but she also predicted my early death, the rebellion of the people, and the appearance of the five heroes. The accuracy of her predictions on natural disasters was also incredible, so much so that the Hydrangea Parliament took them seriously as a reference for political measures. Mother had a tendency to wander, appearing and disappearing at a moment’s notice, but when she did show up, many nobles would rush to her side. Mother was a beautiful woman and was good at talking, so her popularity was immense. The only thing I didn’t like about her was that….. she was always trying to have physical contact with me. And for some reason, she only did that to me. She told me that the owner of a strong star is so bright that it dazzles her eyes, and if she doesn’t touch me directly, the accuracy of her fortune telling will be ruined….. Somehow, the way she touches me reminds me of Alisa…..

「…..Oh no…. What will happen to the young lady if the other kingdoms find out about her?」

Mary asked anxiously.
Seraphy, who has been speaking in a roundabout manner, hesitantly spoke straight to the point.

「…The princes of the large kingdoms, or even the kings, will move to try to get the young lady and the ruby. Even if he is not recognized by the ruby, he can make the young lady his own. So…..」

「The quickest way to do that is to make Scarlet his queen or consort….That would be just like keeping a pet till it dies….. She was just born, but…..what’s waiting for her in the future is having those guys involve the whole continent in the struggle over her….!!」

Bradd grinded his teeth in anger, but I have given up and accepted what he said.
Seraphy’s answer was just as I expected.

「That’d make her too pitiful….! Can’t you do something about it….?!」

Bradd clenched his fist and snarled.
I’m happy to know that you feel that way, but I’m the one who understands the most about the fact that nothing can be done about this situation. Although Hydrangea is one of the five large kingdoms, Hydrangea’s military power is significantly inferior to the other four kingdoms. Only the Imperial Guards are exceptionally strong, but a few elite troops are useless in the face of the violence of numbers. Even if the princess of the Hydrangea royal family is the owner of the ruby, if the four large kingdoms are serious about snatching away the princess, Hydrangea would not be able to resist. To say nothing of a daughter of a poor Duke. Honestly, no matter how much I arm myself with knowledge cheats, I don’t have the power to fight against the major powers of the continent.
Perhaps what Seraphy said will happen. If that happens, the only thing I can do would be to skillfully conduct myself in the large kingdom that has obtained me along with the ruby and keep the damage of the great war as small as possible.
Or the other option that I have is…..

「…..In the worst case scenario, you’re planning to die!! You’ve got to be kidding me!! Scarlet!!」

Bradd read my thoughts and yelled at me, his expression changing.

「Don’t do that!! Young lady…..!?」

Mary screamed and hugged me tightly.

「W-What are you angry about…..」

Bradd breathes out and explains to the stunned Seraphy.

「I can read people’s thoughts through their blood flow to a certain extent. This munchkin actually thought if worse comes to worst, she’ll take the ruby along with her and throw herself into the deep sea. That way the ruby won’t be discovered and the great war won’t happen. I’ll become really furious!! You!!」

Bradd had such a menacing look that I flinched.

Y-You’re already furious at me…..!!
Because…. As long as the ruby and I are gone, there won’t be a great war.
No matter how many times I think about it, this is the best way to certainly avoid the great war…..
Me going to heaven.
…..Well, in my previous 「108 times」, I’ve driven the Lawless Crew to annihilation, so I might just be headed to hell though.

Bradd glared at me. Not having the courage to look straight at him, I looked away.

「….Do you remember? I told you before that it’s fortunate that you were born. Are you trying to turn those words into a lie?」

I remember. I will never forget it. It was the first time I met you.
But Bradd, you don’t understand the graveness of this situation. How powerful the great powers of the continent are.
I got a glimpse of their strength during the previous 「108 times」when I was a queen. Along with the brutality of the four princes. If those guys get serious, Hydrangea will be turned into a scorched earth.
The beautiful die young!! Just leave me alone!!

「Owaaaahhhhh….!! Owaah….!!」

「I’m not asking about your reasons. I’m asking about how you feel. Do you want me to help you or not? I’m telling you, there’s no point in trying to fake it, because I can see it all in your blood flow.」

Bradd bent down and stared at me straight in the face.

T-That’s not fair.
I can’t even lie in front of you……

I recalled countless memories from the previous 「108 times」, the numerous attempts of the princes to rape me, their cruel tactics, the military power of the four large kingdoms that we could never win against….. The lives trampled on by the war….. The fear that a great war might start with me and the ruby as the trigger…… The feelings I had been holding back swelled up inside me and my eyes were overflowing with tears.

「…..Owaahhh….! …..Owaaaah…..!」

I’m scared….! I don’t want this…..! Help me!! Bradd…..!!

「…..You idiot～. Just honestly say this from the beginning.」

Bradd chuckled and stood up.

「Okay, I’ve made up my mind!! No matter whether the enemy is a great kingdom, a king, or a prince, I will protect you. So…..don’t cry anymore.」

With the morning sun on his back, Bradd looked so dependable that I really thought he could do something about the situation.

A-Are you an idiot…..?
I don’t think there are any girls who won’t start to cry when someone tells them something so moving….!
I’m just a passerby, and yet you’re willing to fight against the demon dog Gallam for me, and now you’re willing to protect me against the military force of the large kingdoms?
Why are you so strong? Why are you so kind?
If this Bradd was by my side during the previous「108 times」, just how…..!!

Mary gently hugged me as I sobbed, unable to hold back my tears.

「…..Young lady, I don’t know much about complicated things. But I can assure you of this. There are people here who will be on your side no matter what happens. Your mother, Bradd, Sir Matzo, the Imperial Guards, your father, and of course me. And maybe even Seraphy….right?」

Mary’s body temperature was transmitted to me and made me calm calm down.

Yeah….I’m glad that you feel that way, but probably my father and Seraphy are still ambiguous.

When Seraphy realized that Mary was looking at him, he rushed to cover his eyes by pressing on his long bangs with one hand. His nose had turned red.

Eh, this guy, I doubt it, but did he cry? Just because of what happened just now?
He rubbed his nose casually to cover it up, pretending to be calm, but is he the type to be easily moved to tears?…..

「…..Okay. I’ll also help you. My dream is to revive the Orange Privateers. A young lady with the same eyes as the「True Emperor」and possesses「the Ruby of God’s Eye」. This will definitely shake the continent. The resulting commotion will become a chance to make a leap forward. Under the young lady, there will always be a flow of people and wealth. And if I join you guys while you are still a weak force, I can become a meritorious person. High risk, high return…. Just what I like.」

Seraphy smiled composedly.

A-As expected, this guy is dangerous……

Bradd glanced at Seraphy and chuckled gleefully.

「You’re such a liar.」

R-really…..!? Is he plotting something?

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