Of All
Things, I Became a Crow: Chapter #85
Translators: Nyx and Ririi Rain
*Rainelle’s POV
Aria furrowed her
eyebrows. She seemed to search through her memory.
"Hidden character
assassin... Do you want to meet him?"
"I'm curious."
"...but I don't think
Rainelle will like it that much…?"
I felt a little uneasy at
the sight of Aria’s strange smile while she said that.
What? Why are you smiling like that?
"Why? Why?"
"It's because of
Sedarun's appearance condition. It is when a certain level of favorability for
all of the attack characters has been met."
...what, UH-what?!
"There are a few more
conditions besides that, but that's the most important one."
Aria grinned while
uttering that.
"Do you want to meet
the hidden character?"
"No! I never want to
see him!!"
"Ah, I guess you're
curious? Hidden target character, the ‘target’ and ‘hidden’ parts are
attractive after all..."
"No, no, no, never
want to meet!! Never want to meet!! So you’re not allowed to approach
Karmeut!!"
When I strained my voice
like that, Aria's face distorted. Then, as if she couldn't stand it,
“Hahahahaha!!”
She started laughing loudly.
"Oh my Gosh, my
stomach---!! Puhuh, hahahahahaha!!"
"Why, why?!"
"No, really... What
do you eat that makes you so cute? Your crow form is cute too, but you’re fussy
when you’re a human too! Oh, my... I'll get to enjoy things."
"Aria!!"
"Yes. Yes. I won't
lau-hup! Anyway, I'm targeting Namuel alone, so don't worry! I'm curious about
the hidden character too, so I know how you feel. I've only met
him once while playing. Don't worry, okay?"
---It’s like she’s giving candy
to a child… But more importantly! I’m relieved to hear that she’s only
targeting Namuel.
"Well, then..."
"Fufufu... Aww,
you're cute."
"But I’ve not done
anything cute…?"
"Fuhhhh... That's cute.
Ah, I think I can understand why Karmeut chooses you as the next Empress."
Aria, who nodded her head
while giggling, picked up one of the cookies. She then opened her mouth as she
chewed,
"Is there anything
else you're curious about?"
"Ummm... I think that’s all for now."
"Really? Oh, that's
right. To attack Namuel, I need to get Crobanlock."
"...? Is the event to
get Crobanlock coming soon?"
"Uh- well, if it's
according to the original event, it will be found during thieves sweeping
that’s done to maintain security in Count Gwynell's estate! I remember getting
it from the Count who obtained it.”
"...But will he give
such a precious thing?"
"The Count is a fool. He’s particularly a fool for his
daughter. One who loves his daughter so much. How could he ignore his beloved
daughter’s wish?"
"---Ah, I see."
"Well, in the original story, he gave it up after a few cute behavior, but there is no
guarantee that it will go as the original work, right?"
She said that and groaned,
but then she looked at me and let out an “Ah!”
Yes, that's right. This place is already
different from the original game. Because I exist.
"You’re right... I'm
sorry."
"You don't have to
apologize. Neither I nor you would have expected this, Rainelle."
"---If I had known
this was going to happen, I would have played until I memorized the contents of
the game."
"That’s what I mean.
Haa, I was playing recently to see Namuel. If I had known this would happen, I
would have attacked all the characters and memorized the background settings."
We looked at each other's
faces and sighed deeply.
---I can’t believe I’d found comradeship now.
"...let’s cheer each other
on..."
"...yeah..."
After consoling each other
for a while, we drank another cup of tea.
"For now... I live in
the Imperial Palace, so if there's anything I can do, I'll help."
"Well, thank you.
It's hard to meet Namuel unless it’s in the Imperial Palace."
"It is that
bad?"
“Namuel is such a
difficult character to attack. Whew, so I have to work hard.”
I was slightly amazed at
how Aria clenched her fists while saying that.
...It seemed that she would not give up no
matter what, and she looked very hard-working.
"Oh, how about this?
You can come to see me as often as possible, then you'll get to enter the
Imperial Palace often, so won’t the chances of you meeting Namuel
increase?"
Aria's eyes widened at
those words. Then tears welled up in her eyes.
Huh?!
"Uuu---! An
angel---!! An angel is here---!!"
"...just for
that?!"
"What do you mean
‘just that’!! That’s a huge thing!!"
Saying so, Aria clenched
her fists.
"The basics of the
attacks are meeting! Depending on how often we meet, the probability of raising
favorability will increase! But to say that it is only ‘just that’!! It's a
huge thing, Rainelle!!"
"I, I see..."
"Heuk-heuk... Angel,
you’re an angel... I will accept that favor with gratitude."
It was like she said: “If
you say no, I'll cry, I'll make a fuss!”... so I nodded my head. Then, I
couldn't shake the feeling that I was caught up in Aria’s pace again as she
smiled and rejoiced.
"...Ah, that's right.
Can I call Miel now? I think he’s starting to get worried..."
"Ah, yes, that’s
fine. ...We had a not very pleasant meeting, but I’ll let it slide because he’s
good-looking."
Aria, who frowned while
saying that, seemed to not like Miel.
Ah, actually, Miel was
wary of Aria too. ...and for a good reason: because I’ve been avoiding Aria.
And Miel had said that he would protect me.
I called Miel while I was
thinking about it. Then, as if he had been waiting all along, Miel came right
over.
"Are you all right,
Rainelle-nim?"
As soon as Miel
approached, he asked me if I was okay. I nodded while showing a smile.
Aria was the one who
answered the question, while frowning, perhaps not liking the question itself,
"I didn't do
anything. We just chatted, Marquis Albion."
Aria responded sharply,
but Miel didn't even care about her. After checking me for a while with worried
eyes, he sighed briefly and stepped back.
"I'm glad you're all
right, Rainelle-nim."
"Thank you for your
concern. But we really just talk."
"...Is that so?"
"Didn’t I tell you so
before, Marquis? It's a little unpleasant."
"---Please forgive
me, Young Lady Gwynell. But for me, the first priority is Rainelle-nim’s
safety, so please understand."
"...Okay. It's for
Rainelle-nim's sake. You must be offended. I understand."
"Thanks for your
understanding, Young Lady Gwynell."
Miel bowed politely. Then,
after sending home the intermediate-level spirits who were beside me, he moved
to stand behind me.
I took a sip of the tea,
having nothing to say in his very natural attitude like it was his spot.
"I really had a great
time, Young Lady Gwynell. I think there was a misunderstanding."
"Thank you for your
consideration, Rainelle-nim."
"I hope to have a
chat like this again next time."
"I will accept with a
happy heart."
After saying so, she bid
her farewell gracefully, and Aria walked away with a dramatically different
gait.
...Wow... No matter how I look at it, her
attitude changes drastically, right? What a skill...
"---Are you really
okay, Rainelle-nim?"
As I was admiring her
inwardly, I heard a voice, so I turned my head to that voice. Even though I had
said earlier that I was fine, Miel was still worried. His pink eyes were
shaking.
"I’m really okay.
There was a little misunderstanding, but it has been solved."
"Then I'm
glad..."
I sighed inwardly when
seeing Miel still frowning.
...It seems that Aria is firmly shot down(?) by
Miel. Oh, what to do?! I have no talent to explain! It's something that can't
be talked about as it is!!
Right now, I have no choice but to comfort him
by saying that things are fine between me and Aria... If it doesn't work out,
I'll have to mediate them, right? I wonder if I really need to mediate them...
My thoughts went to Aria.
---I don't know anything else, but this is for
sure. It doesn't seem like Aria is swayed by him at all.
"Thank you for taking
care of me today, Marquis Albion."
"This is nothing if
it’s for Rainelle-nim."
"...Is that so? But
don't overdo it."
I looked into his eyes
while telling him not to overdo it, but he only smiled and didn't answer.
---I’m just saying not to overdo it... Uh---
Why are you doing so much for me?
It's not bad, but sometimes it's burdensome.
Will he do something extreme if something happens?
Anyway, now that I'm less worried about the
heroine, I‘m able to relax now! The heroine targeted Namuel, not the hidden
character or Karmeut!!
When I was relieved, I
felt like my body was floating and I automatically turned into a crow. Then I
hovered over Miel's head gleefully and landed on his shoulder.
Miel flinched, perhaps
surprised. But he soon began to walk calmly and cautiously. Miel's actions were
both interesting and funny. I also felt grateful to him, so I rubbed my beak on
his cheek.
"Rai, Rainelle-nim?"
Miel stopped walking and even asked a
question as if he was flustered. I turned my head.
I didn’t do anything special? I did it
to say thank you?
As I was picking at my feathers without really answering, Miel hesitated for
a moment before moving on with his steps.
"Your Majesty the
Emperor."
When we arrived at
Karmeut's office, I flew off Miel's shoulder. After looking down at Karmeut
from above, I flew over to him.
"How was the tea
party with Young Lady Gwynell?"
"Um- it was better
than I thought."
"Really?"
Perhaps finding my words unexpected,
Karmeut and Miel both looked at me with slightly wide eyes. I nodded and said,
"I think I
misunderstood. In many ways. It was regrettable that I was vigilant without
even meeting her and talking to her in person."
"...you were
vigilant?"
Yes, I know this question would come up. And
I've been thinking of the most ‘crowy’ answers possible on the way here!
"Yeah. Isn’t it
natural? I heard that Young Lady Gwynell had tried to end her own life.
---There are no animals that are willing to take their own life, right?"
It's not that there isn't at all. Very few
animals that have experienced great sorrow die without feeding themselves.
But anyway, it’s only a handful. I can't generalize that.
"So it was strange and
frightening that Young Lady Gwynell did such a thing.
But when we talked together, it wasn't bad. Rather, she’s a good person."
"...Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'm glad."
I nodded at Karmeut's
gentle curving of his eyes while saying so. Then I returned to my crow form and
sat on his shoulder.
"Marquis Albion,
thank you for your hard work."
"No, Your Majesty. I
just did what I had to do."
Miel bowed his head
courteously while saying that. Then he looked at me. It seemed that his pink
eyes were shining even more beautifully. Was I mistaken?
But without even having
time to look at it more, he said goodbye and began to leave the room. I bid him
farewell by spreading one of my wings and waving it slightly.
A faint smile appeared on Miel’s lips. It was after the door
closed when I realized that his smile didn't give me any pressure.
"Um, Rainelle? Don't stare at him
too much."
At that, I turned my head and looked at Karmeut. His golden eyes were
strangely brighter than usual.
"It's your first time
coming here. So pay attention to this side, not that side."
The voice that seemed to
be a little grumpy was cute. That was why I let out a soft cry and rubbed my
beak on his cheek, then I playfully bit his earlobe. Karmeut smiled a little
and stroked my wings.
...Now that I think about it, it's the first
time I've ever been to Karmeut's workplace? I didn't want to disturb him, so I
didn't go looking for him here, but... I'm a little curious.
With that in mind, I moved
my head with the intent to look around.
This is where Karmeut works... It's exciting!
This is where the emperor works!
---I tried to look around
with curious eyes, but failed.
Whoa, what mountain is that? What is all this?
Something so high that can
be momentarily mistaken for a mountain blocked my view.
Hey, is that all paper?
I looked at the mountain
of papers, feeling my beak open wide naturally.
---Why
haven't I seen it before?! Oh, I didn't see it because I only looked at
Karmeut's shoulder!! What a bird head!! I can't believe I didn’t see this!
Birds have good eyes, but it doesn't seem like
that at all---!!
...Wait, the fact that this mountain of papers
is here... Does that mean Karmeut has to deal with it all?
"---? Why are you
looking at me like that, Rainelle?"
...poor Karmeut... Being an emperor is not all
good... It's like an office worker working overtime... Un. I'll try my best not
to cause any trouble...
Feeling a bit sad, I
spread one of my wings and hugged Karmeut's head. Of course it was impossible,
but still, I wrapped his head as much as possible and sent deep consolation
from inside.
In the future, if Karmeut is having a hard
time, I should try to cheer him up in my own way.
***
Previous chapter | Novel page | Next chapter
Help us keep our spirit up by buying
us Coffee
You can visit too to check out some
cute and cool phone wallpapers!