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Chapter 78 Part 10 – 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.

‘Mother’ laughed charmingly.

「You’re really overestimating me. Knight-kun. In order to protect Scarlet-san, you’re prepared to put your life on the line. And she also tried to respond to your determination. It makes my heart pound. Fufufu, but you know what? The presence you feel from me is just a bluff. It’s like a papier-mâché tiger. There are techniques that let the user hide his strength, and on the contrary, there are techniques that make the user appear more than he is capable of. The more expert you are, the more you fall for it. Thanks to this I can avoid unnecessary conflicts. I’ll release it now.」

We couldn’t understand what ‘Mother’ meant, but Bradd’s eyes widened in surprise.

「…… The monster-like presence has disappeared ……」

「I told you. I’m just a fortune teller. It’s just that I’ve lived long enough to know several tricks. If I don’t use it for a long time, I forget about it, so I show it to the people I know and enjoy seeing their surprised faces. Mr. Knight’s vigilance is justified, but that’s all. Just dismiss it as a silly joke of an old woman.」

‘Mother’ winked mischievously.

「Anyway, this old woman is tired, so Seraphy-san, please let me take a rest in the covered wagon of the Orange Privateers that was repelled outside the boundary. Earlier, I have chatted with them who were outside the boundary. In exchange for reading their fortune in love, they will treat me to their signature tea and sweets. I am very much looking forward to it.」

「Haaa, those guys are doing whatever they like again.」

Seraphy covered his face with one hand and sighed.

‘Mother’ calmed him down with a smile.

「…… In all ages, both men and women have always been concerned about their fate in love. It is as natural as breathing. Thanks to that, I’ll never lose the means to make my livelihood. And please rest assured, I will protect Alisa-san. Even though I am a woman and may not be that proficient in fighting, I am good at running away and dodging. Even against the Seven Phantoms, I will not fall behind. Please come back and pick up this child after the ball. At that time, I will also tell all of you about your love fortune.」

‘Mother’ picked up the sleeping Alisa in her arms, hummed a tune about sweets, turned around, and walked away. Somehow, she seemed so different from my memory of ‘Mother’ in the previous 「108 times」. I was a bit troubled that she was so eager to make skin contact with me, but she seemed to be wrapped in a veil of mystery. I’m sure she wasn’t the kind of foodie who would walk cheerfully with the anticipation of eating sweets.

「Well then, duchess. I hope you have a good evening at the ball. I’m sure that the current you will be able to notice the tears hidden under the mask. Please save the heart of that sorrowful woman. And Scarlet-san, Bradd-san, Seraphy-san, Arnold-san, oh my, well, fufu, ufufufu, youth is great. My heart gets so excited about it even though I’m so old. Your feelings are like sparkling jewels. Each one is pure, precious, and heartrending. If there was only one, I would not hesitate to hold it close to my heart.」

We had been completely led around by the nose by ‘Mother’ and were dumbfounded. It was only then that we were shocked to realize that ‘Mother’ had so casually mentioned our names and the Seven Phantoms, even though this was our first encounter. We then rushed to find out the details about the mysterious message ‘Mother’ had left for us. However, ‘Mother’ did not seem to want to discuss the matter any further and did not look back.

「…… If I explain the divination in too much detail, I will not be able to round up more clients afterwards. I have learned various techniques to compensate for my lack of ability. So I can help to this extent. Members of the Imperial Guard, it’s your turn now.」

‘Mother’ said so. At the same time, she slashed at the sky with one hand.

We could see it clearly this time. Like a mirage, the landscape was distorted.

「The Imperial Guards who are here today have nothing to do with that night’s ball. However, 14 years ago they were all ardent fans of the duchess, who was called Lady Cornelia at that time, and their memory of her is still vivid in their minds. Therefore, I was able to link them to the Lady Cornelia of 14 years ago and deceive the barrier. I am unable to do so for the Orange Privateers and the〈Lawless Crew〉though. Well then, see you later.」

We were unable to run after ‘Mother’ who had disappeared into the darkness.

「……!! Miss Cornelia!! It’s real!! I never thought I’d be able to see you from up close!!

「Ohhh, when I came to, I suddenly found myself in the forest. I thought I had been bewitched by a demon!! No, it’s worth being bewitched for such a lucky dream!!」

「All of us admire, no, we are deeply in love with Lady Cornelia ……!! Ohhh, the beautiful goddess of archery. I would like to dedicate a poem in your honor.」

「Calm down, everyone. We are the members of the Imperial Guard. By no means are we suspicious and shady people. By the way, my name is ……」

「Hey, that’s so sly of you!! I won’t let you get a head start!! I also want to introduce myself to Lady Cornelia!!」

All of the members of the Imperial Guard, still on horseback, suddenly appeared here. They quickly jumped off their horses and rushed to the door of the carriage as if in a race. The trademark bright red and blue brigandine is still the same, but all of their faces have turned younger!! They, too, have reverted to their appearance and memories of 14 years ago.

They had rough breathing as they scrambled to introduce themselves first and finally a fight broke out amongst themselves.

What are these guys doing. You guys are members of the strongest chivalric order in Hydrangea ……

Mother was surprised and rushed to calm them down.

「I-I do remember the names of all members of the Imperial Guard. I will never forget the names of you valiant men. Besides, you have been very kind to me.」

While looking at their faces, mother called out their names one by one.

Yeah, since the battle against Gallam, our Duke’s family and the Imperial Guard have had a long relationship.

The imperial guards clenched their fists and their bodies trembled with deep emotions.

「…… To think that Lady Cornelia remembers our names ……」

「And she even praised us for being valiant ……」

「Never have I been so glad to be a member of the Imperial Guard as today ……」

Some of them are so overwhelmed with emotions that they even looked up to the sky and shed tears. Quiet murmurs of agreement and nodding of heads occurred.
It seemed as if all the commotion that had just occurred earlier was a lie.

I-I have a bad feeling about this. It’s like the calm before the storm.

M-Mother, you are only adding fuel to the fire, not extinguishing it. Because their state have reverted to 14 years ago, they recognize mother not as a comrade-in-arms who overcame a life-threatening battle together, but as the unattainable idol that they admire and yearn for. If an idol remembers their name, looks at them in the eye, and say with a smile, 「You are a valiant man」, how will the ardent fans react?　

…… My worries were confirmed a few seconds later.

All of the imperial guards were simply too overwhelmed with emotions that they were at a loss for words for a few seconds.

Loud cheers that shook the ground and chants of 「Cornelia」 filled the area with enthusiasm that put a carnival to shame.

Mother was stunned and unable to understand what had happened as these guys get overexcited, shouted her name, and showed off their exquisite skill in horse-riding. Bradd and Arnold applauded with delight. While Seraphy and I were at our wits’ end as we looked at each other. One of us was going to have to clean up the mess. This is the sad fate of the honor students.

「Well, I’ll take care of it. It seems like Scarlet-san is going to be busy after this.」

Seraphy raised his hand out of consideration for me, but I stopped him. Seraphy looks cool, but he’s extremely compassionate and caring. As a result, he always ends up with the short end of the stick, so I feel sorry for him.

「The same goes for you as well, right. I know very well how much Seraphy has taken care of and prepared for us. So let’s take control of this situation together. Without your support, we couldn’t have repaired this carriage. Thanks to you, we’ll be able to go into the ball fully prepared. Thank you for everything. Please continue to lend me your strength in the future as well, okay.」

When I smiled at him, Seraphy scratched his cheeks in embarrassment and said with a smile, 「With pleasure」.

That’s right. This is not a bad situation at all.

Compared to when I was a queen in the previous 「108 times」 where I had to run away from the castle all by myself and would be killed in the end, I now have so many allies I can rely on. If I complain about something like this, I would be punished.

Now, let the decisive battle begin!! Let the sound of horseshoes roar as fanfare!!