Nagai Koto c3

『Shut up already. Stop crying～ If you came this far then it’s a place you know right?』 (????)

『Making a young girl cry is bad!』 (????)

Five years ago, our family found a very young girl while on the way to the capital. The child was the princess of the kingdom, who stealthily escaped from the royal capital to the outside and had gotten lost in a wheat field, whom we then took care of.

『But, but, I thought I wouldn’t find anybody.』 (Forna)

『Eeeeh!? I’m scaaared.』 (Forna)

She continued to roam around while nobody was walking through the fields, and her loneliness, anxiety, and fear had reached its peak In the instant she was reassured by meeting me, all of her emotions were let out as tears streamed down her eyes. However, even though I didn’t have Asakura Ryuuma’s memories, I was still a rebellious kid that wasn’t sensible nor gentle when I spoke.

『Hey, you, think I’m scary?』 (Velt)

『Then, it’s alright. You don’t know right? In this field I’m the number one baddest guy around you know?』 (Velt)

When I think about it now, I honestly didn’t understand the meaning of my words. Rather, it’s embarrassing.

『......Yeah!』 (Forna)

And so, the brat felt something reassuring from me and was for some reason relieved, causing her to regain her composure. After that she tightly squeezed my hand, refusing to let go until we reached the castle. Even Forna was a cute kid at that age. However, a few days later, Forna had discovered that her magical talent towered above the rest. Since she realized that she was also stronger than the average me, she completely changed her attitude, and now acts as if she is the older sister.

「Hey, Forna」 (Velt)

「Have you umm, ever been to another country?」 (Velt)

Before I knew it she had joined her hand with mine, humming a song. When I asked, she had a surprised look, then smiled.

「I am a princess. It is natural that I attend parties and events in foreign countries, even though we are at war with them right now, I have interacted with demons and demi-humans before.」 (Forna)

Although she was a brat who lost her way in a wheat field and cried, in just a few years she had become a splendid individual that I admired a bit.

「*Sigh* Whatever country and whatever race, it seems like just another trivial matter for you doesn’t it? Just like going out and visiting a commoner’s house.」 (Velt)

(TN: Obasama and ojisama refer to Velt's parents, Aruna and Bonapa respectively.)

Well, what the prince said was the truth, wasn’t it?

「Even though that prince told me he was my fiancé, I completely refused him.」 (Forna)

「Wait a minute, Velt, are you listening?」 (Forna)

「Not that part, the part where I refused him as my fiancé!」 (Forna)

「W-Why, even though I refused the engagement, you do not want to know the reason?」 (Forna)

「T-that is true, but, you see, since a few years ago I had already decided who was going to be my husband.」 (Forna)

「*Fufufu* Velt, do you know? Do you know who I am going to marry in the future?」 (Forna)

「Do mind it!」 (Forna)

This precocious brat. And she’s noisy too. Although our bodies were of the same age, even if someone proposed marriage to her it wouldn’t be surprising. Well, whoever her partner is, it’d probably be the same. As expected, for me, I loved that person.

「Kimino......Mina......」 (Velt)

「Huh?」 (Velt)

Who? That’s right, she was someone nobody knew, she was a girl from Asakura Ryuuma’s school back in his world.

「I have...... someone that I like.」 (Velt)

「Oi, why are you crying all of a sudden!?」 (Velt)

「Huh? She’s doesn’t have anything to do with you.」 (Velt)

「Oh my, keep your lover's quarrel in moderation, you two.」 (Soldier B)

I then realized that we finally made it to the royal capital. A large circular wall encased the capital, with a gate located in each of the cardinal directions. Guards were stationed at each one of these enormous gates. However, there was no need for formalities, a commoner child and the princess were holding hands and entering was a charming sight that made them smile.

「Aah, it’s Velt, and he’s holding the princess’ hand～ They’re husband and wife～ Hyu Hyu!」 (Soldier C)

「Oi, Velt! Some good fish came in boy. The other day, your dad took care of us. Come take our reward for him later!」 (Soldier E)

Stalls and houses were lined up on our right and left, and people were going back and forth. In a way that’s how a large country should be, but everyone greeted Forna and me like it was natural, I felt bitter. Full of smiles and overflowing with energy, it was representative of a great country.

「Oi, quit crying already.」 (Velt)

「Fine, if you become an amazing woman in the future, I’ll marry you then.」 (Velt)

「Uh huh.」 (Velt)

「Yeah yeah.」 (Velt)

Well, if by that time you still love me, we’ll talk then. To be honest, there probably isn’t much of a difference between kids and their first love in this world and my previous world. As for me, things going on around me are going to become a pain. Hurry up and stop crying so I can finish this errand, I want to go home.

Then, at that moment, I heard the sound of hooves gradually approaching from a distance. As I turned my head, there was a knight straddled on a horse, but he vigorously passed through the gate without stopping.

「A messenger!」 (Civilian A)

A great number of people had noticed, and the knight shouted.

「The Bolbardié Kingdom has collapsed! It was devastated by 『Demon King Vesparda’s Forces』! The nation’s alert level has been raised! Please refrain from leaving for a period of time!」 (Knight)

Something like this unexpectedly happened, and hearing the report of the collapse of another country, the expressions of the carefree group of people changed.

「Bolbardié did? That’s the country on our western border!」 (Civilian B)

「Wait a second, then will this country be next......?」 (Civilian D)

「Hey Forna. Was that country also at war?」 (Velt)

「What do you mean?」 (Forna)

「Huh?」 (Velt)

「Wha- stop clinging onto me!」 (Velt)

「Uhh, maybe you misunderstood something?」 (Velt)

I don’t particularly mind what you said, but if I tried to clear up the misunderstanding you’d probably cry a lot, so won’t you stop?

Chapter end