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Chapter 78 Part 1 – The fortune teller ‘Mother’ appears. The 「True History」 is starting to be revealed little by little. Our love story is beginning to move. Carrying various emotions, the curtain rises on the night of the dance ball.

「…… Bradd, you ……!!」

I gasped.

The one looking face-to-face with me inside the carriage was not the young Bradd wearing a maid’s outfit.
It was the adult Bradd who had taken my life numerous times in the previous 「108 times」.

There is no way I could forget him. He was the best amongst the assassination group〈Lawless Crew〉. An aloof warrior who always had a grim expression on his face. His jet-black cloak with hood fluttered. The same cloak that had driven me into a corner so many times when I was the queen. I recalled those nightmarish memories.

「…… Mnya …… mnya ……」

Alisa was still in her child form as she lay on the floor sound asleep, so at least that’s a relief. If even this girl had appeared in her adult form as the 「Maiden of Salvation」, I would have died from the continuous series of traumas.

As for the rejuvenated mother and Arnold, who is eagerly wooing her, well, let’s put them aside for the moment. When I see that lovestruck Hunter of Darkness, it makes me feel foolish for screaming in traumatic terror ……

In the previous 「108 times」, the adult Bradd was feared by the Queen’s army as the Black Reaper. He was a man who could appear and disappear from the scene whenever he wished. He also possessed unorthodox godlike speed. The distance that would normally be an absolute safe zone could not be counted on at all. The Imperial Guards were always greatly perplexed because of that. He could close a distance of 30 meters in an instant. And he would do this while passing through crowds of people. He’s more dangerous than a lion. He was more like a homing human projectile weapon. The only thing we could do was to flee to a solid, locked room as soon as he appeared.

Even if I escaped on horseback, it was no use. Even though my equestrian skills were on par with the Imperial Guards.
Well, my equestrian skills are specialized only in escaping though ……

And my saddle was specially made. Normally, a lady cannot step over a saddle because of her skirt. They sit with both legs on the side and twist their upper body to face forward. However, with that kind of position, it is very easy to fall off a horse when riding on their own. Even if they put handles on the saddle so that the ladies could hold on to it or use leather straps to secure their bodies to the horse, their hips are not stable at all. It is truly a bride’s riding style, where the horse must have someone else pull its reins or it must be ridden slowly.

In contrast, I had a horse-riding posture that resembled the mermaid statue in Copenhagen with my legs thrown out diagonally down to the left. Then I would slightly pull up my bent right knee. So, only the left foot is stepping on the stirrup. But the saddle had a U-shape to hold my right and left thighs to stabilize my body. This made it possible for the horse to run at full speed even when riding sideways in a skirt.

The skirt was also buttoned up here and there to prevent it from billowing up in the wind. This was not to prevent glimpses of the inside, but to prevent it from hindering the escape. A woman’s dress is filled with all kinds of secrets. And, through my daily evacuation drills, I was able to change my skirt into its horse-riding form while running. As soon as I mounted the horse, the horse would immediately charge ahead at full strength.

There are many noble ladies in Hydrangea, but I was the only one who could escape at this speed while wearing a long skirt. I’m also very good at jumping obstacles on horseback, jumping over the heads of large men standing in my way, running down steep slopes, and even jumping from bow to bow of ships.

There have been many times when both friends and foes have stopped fighting and applauded loudly for that big move.

And yet!! Against Bradd, that move could barely stall for time. That guy is faster than a horse!! He’s a chasing machine that quickly comes after me with no expression on his face. I wish I could make him experience how it feels to be chased like that. If it weren’t for Matzo, who was the only one in the Queen’s army who could fight against him, I would not be able to escape with my life even if I had a hundred lives.

I can finally understand it in this 109th life. In order to escape from that guy I need my father’s divine-level of equestrian skills. Or my mother’s archery skills with 100% accuracy. It was too much of an impossible task to begin with.

And yet, right now, the adult Bradd and I were in such close proximity that the tip of our noses touched each other. For him, it was a one-hit kill distance. If he had any intention of killing me, I would be doomed. Recalling those eyes that could kill a human being with a glance, I cried out with a 「Hieeee」. I think I’m going to pee myself down there too. I took a deep breath and was about to give the usual traumatic shout of 「Hogyaaaa」.

But then,

「Ohh, it’s been a long time since I saw the adult version of Sca-chibi. I knew you’d be a beauty when you grow up. Like I said before, my premonitions are often right.」

Contrary to my expectations, Bradd showed his usual cheerful smile.

There was no sense of incongruity as if that smile was the real adult Bradd.

「During the battle against the demon dog Gallam, you were wearing the ceremonial dress of the〈Lawless Crew〉, but today you’re wearing a normal dress. Well, this also looks good on you.」

After transforming into an adult, I was wearing the red dress that I loved in the previous 「108 times」.
Seeing Bradd smiling at me so carefreely, although it was a bit of an anticlimax, I felt relieved.

To tell you the truth, I think it would break my heart if Bradd glared at me with the cold eyes he had when he was a killing machine. That would have been more dreadful than being killed. Before I knew it, the idiot Bradd had occupied a large place in my heart …… I’m going to charge him for rent later.

「…… Thanks for the compliment. And well, Bradd, I guess you look cool as well as an adult? …… Wait, aren’t you getting a little too close to my face. Well, it’s only natural that you would be fascinated by this grown-up appearance of the Jewel of Hydrangea.」

I twisted my body and struck a sexy pose.

Because this guy was amused and started playing with my long hair, twirling it around his fingers. I have to make him realize that I’m a lady now.

I made eye contact with the adult Bradd again. But then, I suddenly felt embarrassed and turned my head away. Even though I was sitting down, my buttocks were kind of restless which caused my body to sway.

「Watch out.」

Bradd wrapped his arms around my waist and supported me.

I mumbled 「T-Thank you」 to Bradd. I tried to act nonchalant, but was actually flustered on the inside. I mean, unlike when I’m a child with short stature, every time Bradd moves, his face suddenly gets closer to mine. It felt like I might be kissed if I closed my eyes for even a second, so I kept my eyes wide open.