Of All Things, I Became a Crow

*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 don't 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 acts, 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.

***