19
「どうして」
私の「どうして来てしまったの」が、殿下には「どうしてここがわかったの」に聞こえたらしい。
「ゴウデスは以前から監視対象だった。詳しいことは後で話す。それよりレベッカ、答えろ。怪我は無いか」
殿下は鋭い視線を『ハル』に向け、座り込んでしまった私を背中に庇う。その声は固く。それでも私を心配しているとわかる。
「...はい」
「来て欲しくなかった」と、声が震えた。殿下にはまた「来てくれて良かった」に聞こえたに違いない。
殿下はちらりとエミリアにも視線をやる。九尾も目に入ったはずだが特に動じた様子もなかった。
『ハル』はすっかりへらへらモードに戻っていて、私を何か言いたげな顔で見ている。
今ならわかる。シナリオ破りの私から見てシナリオ破りだったあなたは、そうしてこの世界を正しい形に戻していたのだ。
「よし、じゃあ俺はもう行くわ」
『ハル』は満足げだ。殿下が来たことでこのイベントの目的は達成され、つまり彼の目的も達成された。
「んじゃな、三人共。キャラン嬢については指輪を外した上で魔法を解除してやってくれ。」
そう言い終えると体がぼやけて薄くなっていく。しかし途中で「あ!」と大きな声を出した。まだ何かあるのか。
「そうだ。俺の名前。
ま、あんただけは知ってるだろうけど。
ほぼ消えかかっていたオウカがいきなり私のすぐ近くに現れ、最後の言葉だけを耳元で囁いて今度こそ完全に消えた。
あまりのことに背中が粟立つ。なぜ知っていると知っている!あの男、最後に爆弾を投げていった。
殿下は弾かれたようにこちらを振り返り、オウカに囁かれた方の私の耳を袖口で擦った。ごしごし、ごしごし。...怒っているように見える。唇が一文字に閉じられ、いつもみたいに優しく笑むこともない。
私は少し落ち着きを取り戻した。たしかに殿下は来てしまったけど。明らかに私を助けに来てくれているではないか。シナリオに抗うと言いつつ思い切り気にして振り回されている、この体たらくはなんだろう。
それに今は他にやるべきことがある。
どうしても私の耳からオウカを拭い取りたいらしい殿下の手に自分の手を重ねた。そして目を合わせる。彼の行動がほんの少しおかしくて、意外と心配性な彼を安心させたくて、心から笑う。
「助けに来てくださってありがとうございます、殿下。かっこよかったです」
最後の一言は余計だっただろうか。だけど今はこの人の婚約者であることに感謝だけしていたいと思うので。不安になるのは、本当に何かが起きてからにしようと決めた。
***
殿下はエミリアの縄をいとも簡単に引きちぎり、九尾の札を剥がし、キャランの指から指輪を引き抜いて解除の魔法をかけた。
指輪は彼女を操るためオウカがつけたのだろう。具体的に何のお花なのかは分からないが、ピンク色のお花がモチーフの可愛らしいものだった。
キャランは瞳に光を灯すと、ただただ困惑の表情を浮かべた。その様子を横目でしっかり見つつ、エミリアを抱きしめて宥める。エミリアは私へのお礼やら言いつけを破ったことへの謝罪やらでいっぱいいっぱいになっていた。
エミリアと外で待っていた騎士たちを連れ家に戻った。殿下は諸々の後始末をしてからうちを訪ねると言った。
本当にどっと疲れた。二時間ほどの出来事だったとは思えない。
エミリアは椅子に座り、膝に乗るくらいのサイズに縮んだ九尾を繰り返し繰り返し撫でていた。自分自身を安心させるかのような動作だ。そしてぽつりぽつりと話しだした。
「ゴウデス様が部屋まで入って来てしまわれて。レベッカ様が誰とも会わないようにと仰っていたので追い返そうとしたのですが...彼女の指輪についていた、あのお花は。ずっと昔に馴染みのあった懐かしいものだったんです。それを見せられてつい二人で話すことを了承したら、縄をかけられ転送魔法で連れていかれました。そのあとは独り言のように『取らないで』、『悲しい』、『嫌だ』と繰り返し仰るだけで会話になりませんでした。そして突然卵を割られそうになりました」
遅れて到着した殿下が言うにはこうだ。
「ゴウデス侯爵令嬢はお前たちへの嫌がらせを指示していた人物だ。まだ何かある気がして泳がせていた。スルタルク公爵領に向かう途中ゴウデスが動いたと知らせがあったので転送魔法で駆けつけた」
殿下が転送魔法を習得していたとは。攻略本にはなかった情報だ。一日一回が限度で、緊急時以外は使いたくない代物だそうだが、それでもすごいことだ。
「ゴウデスは今回のことを何も覚えていないそうだ。それどころか数ヶ月前から記憶があやふやらしい。裏付けも取れている。操られていたとして罪には問われないだろう」
キャランには魔法の才能があって、実家にも権力がある。加えて本人にも指示の通りに動いてくれる『親衛隊』がいるから、操る相手として都合が良かったのだろうか。それだけで選ばれてしまったのならキャランは不運だったとしか言いようがない。
しかしそれより、私がシナリオを知っていることをオウカが知っていたのが問題だ。
現段階ではまだ、彼がずっと昔に封印された男だとは判明していないはず。彼には近いうちまた会うことになるのだろう。
スッキリしない気持ちはある。しかしエミリアはこうして無事に戻ってきた。私はそれだけでよしと思うことにした。
エミリアが殿下のルートに入ったかもしれないという不安は、頭の隅に追いやって鍵をかけた。
Ch 19
"Why."
"Why did you come?" sounded like "Why did you know this place?" to his highness.
"Goudes has been under surveillance for a while. I'll explain the details later. More importantly, Rebecca, answer me. Are you injured?"
His Highness looked at [Hal] with sharp eyes and protected me, who had slumped down, with his back. His voice was firm, but it was clear that he was worried about me.
"...Yes."
"I didn't want you to come," my voice trembled. It must have sounded like "I'm glad you came" to His Highness.
His Highness also glanced at Emilia and must have seen the Kyuubi, but he didn't seem to react.
[Hal] had returned to his normal mode and was looking at me with a suggestive face.
Now I understand. From my perspective as someone who broke the scenario, you were also breaking the scenario, and in this way you were restoring this world to its proper form.
"Alright, I'm leaving now."
[Hal] looked satisfied. The purpose of this event had been achieved, and therefore, his purpose had also been achieved.
"Alright then, all three of you. Miss Kyaran, please remove the ring and release the magic."
As he said this, his body became blurry and faint. However, he let out a big "Ah!" in the middle. Is there something else?
"That's right. My name is Ouka, nice to meet you."
Well, I already know that.
Ouka, who was almost gone, suddenly appeared right in front of me and whispered only a few last words before disappearing completely this time.
I was so surprised that my back stood on end. Why do I know that! That man, who threw a bomb in the end.
His Highness turned around as if he had been shot and wiped my ear that had been whispered to by Ouka with his sleeve. Wipe, wipe, wipe... He looked angry. His lips were closed in a single character and he didn't smile gently like usual.
I calmed down a little. Certainly, His Highness had come. It's clear that he came to save me. What is this situation where I'm being swung around by the scenario that I'm trying to resist?
Besides, now there are other things to do.
I put my hand on His Highness' hand, who seemed to want to wipe Ouka off my ear no matter what. And I looked into his eyes. His actions were a little strange and I wanted to reassure the surprisingly worrying him, so I smiled from the bottom of my heart.
"Thank you very much for coming to help me, Lord. That was cool."
Maybe the last word was unnecessary. But now I just want to express gratitude for being his fiancee. I decided not to worry until something really happens.
***
His Highness easily tore off Emilia's rope, peeled off the Kyuubi's seal, and removed the ring from Kyaran's finger, breaking the spell.
The ring must have been put on by Ouka to control her. I don't know specifically what kind of flower it was, but it was a cute motif with pink flowers.
Kyaran lit up her eyes and had a look of confusion. While watching her expression carefully, I hugged Emilia and comforted her. Emilia was full of apologies for breaking my rules and thanking me.
I took Emilia and the knights who were waiting outside back home. His highness said he would come over after taking care of everything.
I was really tired. It didn't feel like it was just a two-hour event.
Emilia sat on a chair and repeatedly stroked the Kyuubi, who had shrunk to the size of her knee. It was a motion to comfort herself. And then she started talking bit by bit.
"Goudes-sama came into the room and I tried to turn her away because Rebecca-sama had told not to see anyone, but then I saw the flower on her ring, which was a familiar and nostalgic thing from the past. When She showed it to me and agreed to talk to her, I was magically transferred away. After that, she just kept repeating things like [don't take it], [it's sad], [I hate it] and we couldn't have a conversation. And then suddenly I felt like she was going to smash my egg."
His Highness, who arrived late, said.
"Marquis Goudes' daughter is the person who was giving instructions to cause trouble for you all. I still have a feeling that something is going on and I am keeping an eye on it. I was informed that Goudes moved while I was on my way to Duke Slutarch's territory, so I rushed over using transfer magic."
His Highness had learned the transfer magic. It was not information in the strategy book. He said it was limited to once a day and that he didn't want to use it unless it was an emergency, but it was still amazing.
"Goudes apparently has no memory of this incident. In fact, her memory has been vague for several months. There is also no evidence. If she was manipulated, she will not be held responsible for any crime."
Kyaran has magical talent and power in her family, and also has loyal bodyguards (cronies/followers) who follow her orders, so she may have been a convenient person to manipulate. If that's the only reason she was chosen, then Kyaran was unfortunate.
However, more importantly, the problem is that Ouka knows that I know the scenario.
At this stage, it should not have been confirmed that he is the man who was sealed a long time ago. I will probably see him again soon.
I have an uneasy feeling. But Emilia has returned safely like this. I decided to be satisfied with just that.
The anxiety that Emilia may have entered the route of the palace, I pushed to the corner of my head and locked it away.
The Villainess Carries a Strategy Guide
その悪役令嬢は攻略本を携えている
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-villainess-carries-a-strategy-guide/
Fantasy Josei Romance Shoujo
Academy Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Doting Older Siblings European Ambience Female Protagonist Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Nobles Otome Game Reincarnated in a Game World Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6554fr/
岩田加奈