The Villainess Wants To Be A Sidekick

[– Variables Cannot Be Controlled at Will –]

 

I do feel bad about provoking the Swallow Prince. In hindsight, it wasn’t the smartest move.

But whether I provoked Kalt or not, the outcome would’ve been the same, this meeting was inevitable.

Crown Prince Kalt Ashan Faynance asked me one thing.

Who are you, the person who seems to hold the strings of two individuals crucial to the nation’s future?

“….. Your Highness may find this hard to believe, but I had no hidden agenda in provoking you or in attempting to block their departure for the capital.”

“It’s hard to take your words at face value. Do you not want something in exchange for sending those two to the capital?”

“I beg your pardon, but no.”

Even as I spoke, I knew my words weren’t entirely convincing. But what choice did I have? I let out a quiet sigh internally and continued.

“I swear on Alfaynance itself, I have no intention of striking a bargain with Your Highness or using those two for any purpose. Neither of them has even consulted me regarding their proposal to go to the capital.”

“Hm.”

Swearing on Alfaynance, the origin King of this land, was nearly equivalent to staking one’s life on the claim. While a fraud might make such a vow lightly, it wasn’t worth committing blasphemy of that magnitude, especially not to the crown prince.

Kalt seemed to understand this, as his posture softened somewhat, his arms now crossed in a more relaxed manner.

“If what you say about the capital is true, and if Velkina and Lumins are going to be acknowledged for their talents and make great strides there, I would be more than happy to support and encourage them.”

“So, you’re telling me that, with no ulterior motives, they simply want you to accompany them for some reason?”

“…. To be honest, I don’t fully understand it myself. I do value them greatly, but to them, I’m nothing more than someone they’ve recently gotten to know.”

And that’s exactly how it should be, based on the original storyline, just a shallow, distant connection.

When I answered with a gloomy tone, Kalt chuckled.

 

“Indeed. Lord Lumins must be going through quite the ordeal.”

“…Pardon?”

“Well, I’ll choose to believe you.. at least halfway. I still have my doubts, but I suppose I’ll resolve them as I get to know you better.”

“….Huh? Wait, what?”

“It’s getting late. You should head back for the night.”

Without giving me any chance to respond further, Kalt curtly ended the conversation.

Feeling utterly baffled, I bowed politely once again and left the Crown Prince’s quarters to return to my dormitory.

“…..What just happened?”

Even lying in bed, I couldn’t sleep. Everything felt too surreal.

Lumins and Velkina’s journey to the capital had been on my mind as well. In just a short time, the two would leave for the capital to begin their adventure. That stage, naturally, wouldn’t involve an ordinary individual like me, whose magic abilities were too mediocre to stand out.

Still, I had been worried. Without me, it would be harder to control the fate Velkina would inevitably trigger, and I’d even considered moving to the capital with my little dog and finding a new job.

But now, out of nowhere, these two had declared they wouldn’t go to the capital unless I accompanied them.

It was both absurd and deeply concerning.

….. More importantly, if those two don’t go to the capital, the continent will be destroyed.

What kind of madness is this?

Everything has gone off-script, the early recruitment of Jin, whose fate was tied to the evaporating lake, and now Kalt revealing his identity as the Crown Prince much earlier than in the original story. The more I meddle with the flags, the more the game’s original flow veers off course.

“Am I doing something wrong…?”

A sudden fear gripped me. What if I failed to save the world? What if Lumins, Velkina, or Jin lost their lives or met tragic fates because of me? The thought was suffocating. I’d already come dangerously close to losing my dog, who’d faced actual life-threatening danger.

“…. No. I need to stay focused.”

The story had already diverged far from the game’s original flow. That only made it all the more important for me to carefully think things through and guide everyone toward the right path, the future I know must happen.

 

The best scenario was for Velkina to end up with Lumins, following the Lumins route of the game. However, since I’ve disrupted the main events, a lot has already changed.

Of course, the safest way is still to support the two of them and hope that the flow leads in that direction, but in the worst case, Velkina might end up on another character’s route or follow a completely different, unpredictable path from the game.

I need to think of countermeasures. I know when and how Lumins dies at a certain point. Knowing the future gives me an advantage to prevent death fate. Even though the flow has changed, the major upcoming events likely won’t change much.

Admittedly, it might become harder than simply following the Lumins route…. but this is to save our Lumins, isn’t it? I have to give it my all.

First, I need to convince the two of them to head to the capital. Since Lumins said he’d join us for lunch tomorrow after a long time, I’ll talk about it when we’re all together.

With those thoughts organized, I closed my eyes. It felt like it would be a long night without much sleep.

The next day at lunch, though it hadn’t been too long, it felt like ages since all four of us gathered at the table. Lumins seemed genuinely busy, carrying a stack of documents that he placed beside him.

“Wasn’t your presentation finished yesterday?”

I asked, recalling the presentation I had listened to yesterday afternoon. To be honest, I didn’t understand much since the research was so advanced, but as a friend, Velkina and I (along with Jin, hidden in my pocket) went to watch it. Even if I didn’t understand the content, it was worth it just to see smart and hot Lumins.

“My presentation is done, but I keep getting requests to review presentation materials from other departments.”

It seemed like the crazy crown prince’s influence was still at play, making Lumins review others presentations even at the very last minute.

How is our kind Lumins supposed to survive in this harsh world…?

Perhaps feeling the same way, Velkina puffed up her cheeks while stirring her half-eaten affogato ice cream.

 

“Tell them to make sure you get a lot of overtime pay.”

“I’m not working for money in the first place, so whatever.”

“Wow~. Must be nice to be the son of a rich family. Envy, really.”

“They say money is like mana for humans. Isn’t it better to collect as much as you can while you’re able to?”

….. Is it even okay for a fairy-like being to say something so worldly?

“Anyway, none of us want Lumins to overwork himself unnecessarily. Everyone’s saying this out of concern. Please take it easy and rest within healthy limits.”

“Yeah, I was just about ready to throw everything away because I’ve been so busy I barely get to see anyone anymore.”

He looked at me with a faint smile as he said this. If it’s enough to make Lumins feel that way, it must mean they’ve really been working him too hard.

“Oh, by the way, Senephin. You said you had something to talk about today, right?”

Velkina downed the rest of her affogato in one go, wiped her mouth, and smoothly shifted the topic.

I hesitated for a moment but decided to get straight to the point.

“Well, last night, His Highness the Crown Prince summoned me to talk.”

“What!? Are you okay, Senephin!?”

Velkina grabbed my hand immediately, her face full of worry. Oh, no worries, he’s not interested in me, sis. I’m more worried about you…

“I can guess what it’s about. I’ve told him before, if he has something to say, he should come to me directly. Did he just ignore that…?”

…Maybe it’s my imagination, but Lumins looks even more upset than before.

“Ah, so… according to what His Highness said last night, it seems the royal family will soon be selecting exceptional magicians to join them. Velkina and Lumins, you two have been chosen, right?”

At my words, Velkina gave a “that’s it?” expression, tapping her empty cup in boredom. On the other hand, Lumins kept listening silently, his unhappy expression unchanged.

“…. If what His Highness said is true, he mentioned that both of you refused to go unless you could bring me too.. Is that correct?”

“What? Lumins said that too?”

“You were predictable as always.”

 

Hearing this, Jin, feeling left out from the topic, banged on the table in dissatisfaction.

“What’s this? Are you all planning to leave?”

Velkina leaned back in her chair, shaking her head.

“Honestly, I’m not that interested. I don’t know if I’m particularly gifted or anything, but I’m still a rookie magician. Wouldn’t it be better to spend a few more years studying at the Magic Research Institute?”

“The fact that the royal family is handpicking elites already smells dangerous. I’m more suited for research than performance magic, and I’m satisfied with my life at the Institute, so I have no ambition to go.”

These are the people who, in the near future, will become the continent’s hope. Yet they’re talking as if they lack any aspirations.

Still, their reasoning was somewhat reassuring.

“Oh, so that’s what it is. Both of you wanted to decline for personal reasons and just used me as an excuse? Well, well, you could have at least given me a heads-up. His Highness even suspected that I might be controlling you two!”

“Well, it’s not like we’re being controlled…”

“I think it’s a shame. I feel like it would be amazing to see you both shine and make a name for yourselves in the capital.”

Velkina and Lumins exchanged glances, their expressions turning a bit awkward. Velkina was the first to break the silence, turning to me with a question.

“…. Senephin, you’re planning to keep working at the Magic Research Institute, right?”

“Of course. I don’t have such exceptional talent that I’d get chosen for this, anyway. But I really want to see both of you go to a place where you can show off your full potential.”

After saying that, I hesitated a bit. We hadn’t spent that much time together, so I wasn’t sure if I even had the right to say such things.

“Because Velkina and Lumins, you’re both my proud friends.”

Hearing this, Velkina propped her chin on her hand and mumbled, “That’s nice and all, but being lumped in the same category as him..” seemingly disappointed about something. Meanwhile, Lumins sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Am I any different?”

Adding to that, Jin, still in his puppy form, looked as if he was about to cry. Quickly, I reassured him, “Oh my, of course, Jin! You’re one of my proud friends, too.” Relieved, Jin nestled into my arms.

As I held him and gently patted him, Velkina muttered under her breath.

 

“I feel a little murderous right now.”

“What a coincidence, Velkina. So do I.”

On such a beautiful spring day, the atmosphere had inexplicably turned thunderous, and I found myself flustered, wondering if I’d said the wrong thing.

“S-Sorry! Did I overstep my bounds?”

“No, Senephin! It’s not that. Um.. It’s just… if you want me to go, I’d like to go, too. But.. it feels lonely to think of being apart from you.”

“Oh, Velkina, I feel the same way. Actually… After hearing what His Highness said yesterday, I’ve been thinking. Maybe I should move to the capital as well.”

At my words, both of them and one little white creature turned to stare at me simultaneously.

“Of course, moving is no small matter, and finding work there would be difficult. It might seem impulsive to follow my friends like this, but.. I thought it might be a good opportunity to explore the new studies happening in the capital. That is, if it wouldn’t burden you all..”

“I’ll go to the capital.”

Lumins was the first to speak up, cutting me off decisively. Velkina puffed her cheeks in irritation.

“Ugh, sneaky move! Senephin, I’m coming, too! I might as well study while I’m there!”

“Oh my! That’s wonderful! You two will make such an amazing duo in the capital..”

“Forget that nonsense! Right, let’s move to the capital and live together, Senephin.”

“Stop revealing your ulterior motives so blatantly, Velkina. And don’t worry about housing. My family’s estate is in the capital. You’ll have a formal invitation there.”

“How amusing, humans. I was never planning to be apart from Senephin anyway.”

“If you keep saying things like that, Jin, I’ll just feed you or Lumins some magic and abduct you by force.”

The conversation suddenly sped forward at a breakneck pace, and I found myself waving my arms frantically.

“W-Wait, nothing is set in stone yet!”

“Who cares about that!”

“I’ll talk to His Highness myself. I’ll make sure he understands not to bother you again.”

And so, it seemed the first steps of a journey to save the world were being set. Though.. somehow, I couldn’t shake this uneasy feeling.

This vague foreboding would come back to haunt me in the form of Prince Kalt’s farewell speech right to the back of my head.