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Chapter 78 Part 9 – 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.

「…… I am a fortune teller. I’m good at avoiding danger. Besides, when you live long enough, you learn a few tricks. And where there is a great flow of power, you are naturally drawn to it. It may seem like a coincidence, but it is inevitable. That is why I continue my wandering life.」

As if reading my mind, ‘Mother’ chuckled. Then she turned to look at my mother.

「…… Miss Cornelia, no, I should call you the Duchess now. It has been a long time. Do you remember me? This is the first time we met since the coronation ceremony of the current king. Your divine skills in archery that you demonstrated at that time is still etched in my memory and I can’t forget it …… Well, you seem to be a little confused right now. Excuse me.」

Before mother could greet her back, ‘Mother’ pointed her long, slender index finger at her. Her finger reminded me of a white snake. The ends of ‘Mother’s’ mouth curved up.

「Cornelia-san!! It’s dangerous!!」

Bradd’s expression instantly turned serious and he jumped out in front of mother. But it was pointless.

Even though she was located quite far away from ‘Mother’, my mother’s head was thrown backwards and then her head hung down.

「…… Boom. Haha, just kidding. Fufufu, sorry about that. That wouldn’t harm her. Teasing young people is the only amusement that I, this old woman, has. Please don’t be offended.」

It was as if a mass of air had been shot from ‘Mother’s’ fingertips.

「You can shoot that from afar …… Moreover, you can aim to hit wherever you want ……」

Bradd shuddered and let out a groan.

He made it just in time to guard my mother.
And yet, ‘Mother’s’ shot ignored Bradd, who was in the line of fire, and hit only my mother who was behind him.

‘Mother’ smiled teasingly.

「Young boy, this is something like a bonus that I learned from being a fortune teller for many years. Your response was excellent, Mr. Knight. But this is nothing compared to what you will learn in the near future.」

We would later learn the accuracy of the ‘Mother’s’ words, but that is another story.

「Now then, wake up. Duchess. I like the current you, who has gotten back on her feet with the love and strength of being a mother, more than the past you, who was a genius who never knew a setback.」

‘Mother’ snapped her fingers.

「……!?」

Mother raised her head as if she was flicked.
She blinked at us curiously, her eyes widening in surprise.

「Scarlet!? You’ve become an adult again!? And even Bradd, Seraphy-san, and Arnold!? What’s going on ……」

Mother regained her memory!?

Because it was night outside, the window of the carriage reflected my mother’s image like a mirror.

「T-This is the dress I wore to that ball 14 years ago …!? Also, my appearance has gotten younger …… ‘Mother’!? Why are you here? Is this your doing?」

Certainly, ‘Mother’ whose age was unknown and remained young forever seemed to be able to pull this off. She looks to be in her late twenties, but there are even rumors that she is over 100 years old. And this location is already within the perimeter of her mansion. The Countess is trying to relive the ball that took place 14 years ago. Once those who were involved in the ball step into the perimeter, their minds and appearances are immediately restored to its state 14 years ago. And those who were not involved in the ball will be thrown out of the boundary. They are only unable to enter, so there is no need to worry.」

I was taken aback by the unexpected explanation.

Countess Rosenthal had tried to kill me in the previous 「108 times」, but this is the first time I have heard of such a peculiar ability. But if ‘Mother’ says so, it must be true. In that case, except for my mother, the reason why we were not thrown out of the boundary and our appearances changed is because ……

‘Mother’ looked at my ruby ​​and squinted her eyes as if she was overwhelmed by a dazzling light.

「…… That’s right. The Ruby of the True Emperor protected you all from Countess Rosenthal’s evil eye. It’s a cursed object that is beyond legendary. For those in my profession, it is like looking directly at the sun. The reason you all changed into an adult form was to match the wavelength of the ball so that you wouldn’t be kicked out.」

It’s like putting on a boar’s skin in order to get into the herd of wild boars.

But what’s going on with Bradd? His form changed so many times from transforming into an adult, then back to his original form but with his hair becoming longer and all dressed up. Besides, Alisa’s been sleeping like a baby this whole time.

「…… His …… hidden power is too powerful. Hence, even if he is affected by the Ruby’s power, he will immediately be restored to his original state. That’s why the Ruby must have compromised and put him in that appearance.」

Compromise …… That means that Bradd is like a powerful spring that would bounce right back up if you tried to change its shape by pressing down on it with your hand. So, the Ruby had no choice but to add various options to the spring to make his appearance look more believable. Which means that Bradd’s current appearance is according to the tastes of the Ruby of the True Emperor.

The Ruby vibrated in protest.

It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t feel embarrassed. I don’t mind your personal taste.

「Hahaha, a hidden power. That kind of tickles my boyish heart a bit.」

But in the end, the result is more meticulous cross-dressing. Bradd, how can you be so carefree? As expected from a vagabond. His ability to adapt is astonishing.

「Mnn, yeah, I guess this outfit isn’t so bad.」

Bradd quickly rolled up his skirt to check his range of motion. His legs were visible from above the knees. What an immodest guy.

Well, okay, Bradd’s case made sense.
But what about Alisa?

「I don’t know. I really don’t understand. The power of Countess Rosenthal’s evil eye has slipped through this child. I can understand if the power were to be repelled, but I have never seen such a phenomenon before. Maybe this is ……」

The unparalleled fortune teller, ‘Mother’, was greatly perplexed.

As expected of Alisa. She’s like a gag character mixed into a serious manga.

A loud noise resounded. The earth beneath ‘Mother’s’ feet burst open.

Whoa, that surprised me!!

「Oh my, I don’t think she’ll let me chat any more. How scary.」

Could it be that Countess Rosenthal is attacking her in order to silence her!?

「What a shame, I am not protected by the power of that ruby, so I cannot accompany you all. I’ll wait for your return here together with this child. What a shame.」

‘Mother’ repeated the word 「What a shame」 as if to give the slip and chuckled at the sleeping Alisa.

「Now, be a good girl, okay?」

We were surprised.
Before we knew it, Alisa had somehow nestled in her left arm. She was poking Alisa’s plump cheeks and enjoying the sensation.

It was like magic. ‘Mother’ had not taken a single step into the carriage. She did not even move from her spot. So how did she pick up the sleeping Alisa?

‘Mother’ only gave a short answer to our question.

「It’s ‘Dark Illusion’. I can use it too.」

Our astonishment deepened.

The ‘Dark Illusion’ was a foul-like technique used by Addis, one of the Seven Phantoms, to make us unable to recognize his attacks and appearance. Those who are targeted by that technique would be unilaterally trampled down without having any idea of what just happened.

「…… It must be a lie that you’re a fortune teller. Who the heck are you?」

It’s only natural that Bradd would be wary. We repelled Addis, but we didn’t break the ‘Dark Illusion’ technique. Which means that if ‘Mother’ wanted to, she could harm us at any time.

「You don’t even let me read your blood flow. You’re skillfully hiding it with a smile, but there’s a faint hint of something terrifyingly dangerous about you. What kind of fortune teller would have that? I feel like I’m facing a giant dragon or something.」

Bradd got ready for battle. Cold sweat ran down his cheeks. He was about to invoke the ‘Blood Atonement’.

「Scarlet, if that woman attacks us, I’ll hold her off. I’ll hold her off for at least a minute at all costs, so during that time, gain some distance and be ready to counterattack with Cornelia-san’s and Arnold’s archery.」

We looked at each other.

It certainly seemed like she used ‘Dark Illusion’, but ‘Mother’ was far from a dragon, she is a delicate and beautiful woman. I’m sorry, but it seems to me that Bradd is off the mark with regard to that analogy.

「If you decide that that’s impossible, leave me behind and run away. Even if I can’t win, I’ll do my best to protect you.」

I almost burst out laughing, but my expression stiffened at the seriousness of Bradd’s words.
He is not the type of person to joke around at a time like this.

I got it. I’ll follow your instructions. But I’m definitely not going to leave you here and run away. I’ll wring out all the brain cells that I have to come up with a plan that will let us recover from a hopeless situation.