Chapter 6: The villainous aristocrat is moved to tears

Goblins.

They’re what you might call “small fry monsters.”

However, the term “small fry” is a characterization from the perspective of protagonists, or players, in “Fantasista Stories”.

For peasants without combat abilities, they are recognized as a significant threat.

Father, who had gone out for wolf hunting, claimed to have witnessed these goblins.

“Is that really true?”

“I wouldn’t lie about something like this!! What’s alarming is that they were capturing and domesticating wolves!!”

“Goblin riders too… so there are higher-tier types confirmed.”

Father and Mother exchanged concerned glances.

“Anyway, let’s gather those capable of fighting within the territory. We’ll ensure the children stay indoors. Kunou, you’re not going out either—Kunou? Kunou?! What kind of expression is that supposed to represent!?”

“Ah! I-I’m sorry, Mother.”

It seems I had a more complicated expression than Father and Mother.

But I hope you understand, it’s not without reason.

Because this goblin attack is the opportunity for the Dorana territory to pass from my father, Aslan, to me, Kunou. 

In other words, in this goblin attack, my father will die.

My father, a renowned mercenary, will be defeated by goblins.

And this event will also lead to my own execution, as Kunou

　This is because, in exchange for not attacking the people of the territory, Kunou made a pact with them to offer grain, animal meat, and sometimes female travelers to the goblins.

The boss of the goblins, Goblin King.

This was revealed to the protagonist five or six years later, leading to the subjugation of Goblin King.

Kunou was executed for collusion with monsters, and Felsy and Wendy set out on a journey with the protagonist to defeat the Demon King, to atone for Kunou’s crimes.

In a way, the choice young Knou made was perhaps to protect the territory and its people.

However, it was the first step leading to destruction.

“…I have to do it.”

I muttered softly and locked myself in my room.

Then, I prepared what I would need and waited for the night to come.

It would worry my father and mother, but all the able-bodied residents, including my father, would be wiped out by Goblin King’s trap.

To avoid that fate, there was no choice but to have a third party who knew about the trap stir things up.

Under Father’s decision, the attack on the goblin village was set for early tomorrow morning.

Until then, I had to reduce the goblins as much as possible.

Something no one else could do.

“All right, let’s go.”

“Where are you going, Kunou-kun?”

“Hyoa!? Ah, onee-san!”

As soon as I left my room, Felsy found me immediately.

“Um, well…”

“You’re going to defeat the goblins, aren’t you?”

*Gulp*

“…I knew it. It’s not happening. I absolutely won’t let you go.”

“B-but if I don’t do something, then…”

No, what was I planning to explain? 

There was no way I could explain that Father and the others would be wiped out because Goblin King was there, and that’s why I had to go defeat him.

However, if I backed down here, I felt like my death would draw closer.

Moreover, the conversation would inevitably turn to how I knew about the Goblin King’s existence.

I could explain that I had memories from my past life, but if I did, I would definitely be treated as a strange child.

Besides, given that I knew what would happen next, it would undoubtedly lead to a better outcome if I acted directly.

…I have to push through this.

“Ah, wait!!”

Ignoring my sister, I ran with all my might toward the entrance.

“Icicle Trap!!”

“Nh!?”

I ran, or at least I tried to.

I suddenly got entangled in ice appearing beneath my feet and fell over.

W-What just happened!?

“Wait, Sister, since when can you use magic?”

It’s a magic of the icicle type, in other words, ice-element magic.

In “Fantasista Stories,” Felsy can use this magic right after joining the party.

But the reason she should be able to use it is that she wished to help the protagonist, who seemed to be losing to Goblin King.

Why can she use it!?

“…I learned it from stepmother.”

“Darn it!!”

So that’s how it is.

Because of my intervention between Mother and Felsy, I learned magic faster than I should have in the original story.

This Icicle Trap has the effect of stopping the target’s movements.

In game terms, it’s like skipping one turn.

I don’t know how long it will take for them to be able to act again.

There’s no way to escape this.

“Are you going to defeat the goblins?”

“Ah, Sister!! Please, let me go!!”

“No. It’s too dangerous.”

“B-but—”

*Bang!*

A sound, sharp and sudden, echoed through the air.

For a moment, I didn’t understand what had happened, but I quickly grasped it.

Felsy slapped me across the face.

It hurt more than I expected.

This was probably that.

A special move called “Onee-chan” to cure the status ailment “Confusion.”

It seriously hurts.

“…I’m sorry for hitting you suddenly. But I have a bad feeling about this. It’s dangerous to go there. It won’t end well.”

“Ah, Onee-chan…”

“This anxiety is the same as when we talked in bed before. It’s the fear that this might all be a dream, and I’ll wake up. If something were to happen to you, I…”

Felsy looked down sadly.

S-Stop it. If you look at me like that, I won’t be able to do anything!!

Grrr…

“Please, Kunou-kun. Don’t wake me up from this happy dream…”

“I understand.”

“…Thank you.”

This is no good.

I don’t want Father to die, but I don’t want to make Felsy suffer either.

What am I supposed to do?

Oh dear, the Kansai dialect in me is coming out.

…That being said, Felsy’s words just now sounded familiar, like I’ve heard them somewhere before.

Ah, right.

I remember now.

It’s the same line Felsy used when the protagonist tried to storm the Demon King’s castle alone.

I never thought I’d hear it for real.

But, I can’t keep escaping from reality. I need to think about what to do next.

…

…

…

No, I can’t think of anything. Ugh, thinking is such a hassle!!

I’m not good at dealing with complicated stuff like avoiding the path to destruction in the first place!!

Let’s stop thinking deeply about this.

“Kunou-kun? Where are you going?”

“To Father and Mother!!”

Right now, they’re probably planning the attack on the goblin village for tomorrow.

I’ll just tell them everything as it is.

I don’t care if they think I’m a strange child.

Just knowing about Goblin King’s trap should change the outcome.

“Father!! Mother!!”

“Whoa!? W-what’s going on, Kunou? At this hour—”

“I have something to tell you!! It’s about tomorrow’s goblin extermination!!”

I told them everything.

About the existence of Goblin King and his trap.

But Mother’s reaction was…

“Why do you know Goblin King is there?”

“T-That’s… well…”

It was a natural question.

What should I do?

Should I explain that I have memories from my past life, and this is a game world, and I know the scenario?

I don’t know.

Honestly, I’m not sure they would believe me even if I said it.

I was struggling for an answer when suddenly Father started patting my head gently.

“It’s alright, Karina.”

Saying that, Father smiled.

“Let’s plan the strategy assuming Goblin King is there and the trap exists.”

“You…!”

“Father…”

“Once in a while, I want to show my fatherly side and be cool. I’ll believe you and make sure to capture Goblin King.”

Despite his lax demeanor, he was reliable in moments like this.

I’m sure one of the reasons Mother never completely lost patience with Father was because of this aspect of him.

“Besides, it’s good to plan for the worst. If Goblin King isn’t there, then that’s that, and we can relax. Karina, let’s trust what Kunou says.”

“Wa-wait a minute!! Are you trying to make me sound like a heartless mother who doesn’t believe her son’s words??”

Father’s words made Mother blush and become angry.

“Mother, do you believe me too? I know it’s weird, but I say some pretty strange things, don’t I?”

“I believed you from the start!! What parent doesn’t believe their own child!! Right, Kunou? So why that expression!?”

Oh no, I’m getting emotional. It feels like I pulled an SSR in the parent lottery.

“M-Mother…”

“Hehe, come here.”

Despite being a grown man inside, I cried in Karina’s, my mother’s arms like a real ten-year-old child.

Maybe it was a good thing Felsy stopped me after all.

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