Published at 26th of December 2025 7:39 am

Chapter 451: Interlude: The Unexpected Attack

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With determination in my heart, I embarked on the world of second chances. My first action was to gather as much information as I could.

Why does the Demon King emerge from beneath the castle? Why on the night of my 15th birthday? There were countless other things I wanted to know and many things I wanted to try. Even if the repetitions were to stop, it would mean everyones death, so I sometimes resorted to reckless methods and dangerous means, desperately gathering information, but

Its no use. There are too many things I cant do.

After ten repetitions enough time for a normal person to live out their natural lifespan twice, I muttered this with my small five-year-old mouth.

Through these repetitions, Ive learned a few things. The most significant is that even without my intervention, the fate of my family of the country can change dramatically.

For example, theres currently a minister named Gyneve in this castle. Hes an influential noble who manages state affairs, but hes a born aristocrat with an especially strong discriminatory attitude towards commoners.

Because of this, he strongly influences the Second Queen Storia-sama and by extension, her children, Gilberia Nii-sama and Sister Mitoruna. If his influence continues, not only does my position worsen, but it can even lead to a civil war with Gilberia Nii-sama attempting to usurp the throne. This wreaks havoc on the countrys interior, and in that timeline, I was beheaded as a servants daughter pretending to be royalty before the Demon King even appeared.

Or theres Viscount Dales, who occasionally visits the castle. He has a bad reputation with women, often making advances on servants, and uses money embezzled from the national treasury for unsavory activities. If left unchecked, this leads to a gradual deterioration of finances and castle morals, worsening the overall atmosphere. In the worst case, he even circulates suspicious drugs within the castle, affecting even the royal family.

However, neither of these scenarios was guaranteed to happen. Sometimes, without my intervention, someone else might admonish them, or their misdeeds might be discovered, leading to their dismissal. In other words, its possible to randomly draw the best possible world like in the first timeline, but its foolish to do nothing and wait for that.

Since I know what to do, I should actively work towards a better future. Thats fine, but that was precisely the problem.

With this body, I cant do anything

Even if I am a princess, no one takes the accusations of a five-year-old girl seriously. Moreover, since there are several patterns to where misdeeds occur, if I make a wrong accusation based on what Ive seen or heard, Ill be strongly suspected. While it would be fine if that stopped the wrongdoing, in most cases, it only drives them deeper into hiding, never surfacing until its too late.

In other words, I need to catch them in the act together with someone trustworthy. But Elsa, my guard knight, naturally wont let me near dangerous places. So what should I do?

Hmm, if only I could get along with Sister Mitolna

Its difficult to freely walk around the castle alone, but if Im playing with someone, that condition is greatly relaxed. However, at this stage, my relationship with Mitoruna, whos closest to me in age, wasnt very good, and even if I try my hardest to win her over, it takes three years to become close enough.

And thats not good enough. While a small spark can be easily extinguished with a single breath, even heavy rain cant put out a raging fire. If I postpone the problems for three years, theyll grow beyond my control.

If only there was someone who would do whatever I say, without interfering in my circumstances

I pondered this for a while on my bed. Then, I remembered a certain adventurer. Shortly after turning five, I had the opportunity to go outside the town, where I helped a young male adventurer.

He was strangely fawning, crying and clinging to me, begging Please let me stay with you, so I brought him to the castle and used him for odd jobs. Well, after about half a year, his attitude suddenly worsened, so I kicked him out but what if that man was always on the verge of death, attacked by demonic beasts in the same place every time?

This might be useful.

With a smile unbefitting a child, I decided to go out in this world. The plan to use the adventurer Ed, worked better than expected.

Now, Ed! Over there next!

W-Woof!

With Ed in tow, I walked around places I normally wouldnt enter. As a condition for having an unknown person by my side, Elsa must always be with us when Im with Ed, but thats convenient for me too.

As a guard knight, Elsa wont speak beyond her domain, but shell answer if asked. And her words carry much more credibility than mine as a child. Leading Ed and Elsa, we happen to play in deserted areas where we witness slips of the tongue or blunders.

Then, I just need to casually report it to someone trustworthy. If Elsa confirms it, the adults around us will handle it on their own. The only regret is that I have to treat Ed unreasonably, so his attitude worsens after about half a year probably because it exceeds what he can endure as gratitude for saving his life and I have to expel him, but still, the castles cleaning activities became much more efficient compared to when Ed wasnt around.

(If I do this a few more times, surely I can prevent the Demon Kings revival!)

Feeling a definite response, I greet the morning of my fifth birthday for who knows how many times. As I go to save Ed again this time I was shocked by an unprecedented situation.

W-Who are you!?

An unfamiliar Elven woman was with Ed as his companion. Although I was confused by this unexpected development, I managed to adjust the subsequent flow somehow. I was able to expel the problematic individuals this time too, and Lord Kelv took over Gyneves position. There were several other candidates, but based on my experience, hes the best choice. If he becomes the minister, hell be a great help in the upcoming attack thats supposed to happen.

Yes, the attack The assault on the castle by a cult group calling themselves the [Crimson Eyes Tears] in the year Prince Andalt Nii-sama ascends to the throne. The dragon attacking from high in the sky was an incredible threat, but if the finances were sound thanks to Lord Kelv, the castles defenses and the knights equipment would be perfect, allowing us to defeat it with minimal damage.

Moreover, this time I was even able to inform Lord Kelv about the existence of the Crimson Eyes Tears in advance. In that case, theres even a possibility that the dragon attack itself might not happen.

We can do this. With this flow, I might reach the best point so far Even if I cant prevent the Demon Kings revival, I might be able to uncover its secrets or origins. Of course, theres still a long way to go, and many things to do, but even so, I was filled with the thought that this time for sure

Why?

I involuntarily muttered this at the majestic figure soaring in the sky. Why has the promised attacker come seven years early?

Why!? Why are you coming here now!?

I dont understand. I dont understand anything. There might be a branch I dont know about yet Could it be related to that Elf becoming Eds companion? Or did informing Lord Kelv about the Crimson Eyes Tears cause the attack to be drastically moved up? I want to know the reason, but theres nothing I can do now. Because

Youre supposed to attack seven years from now!

At my final retort, the dragons eyes glare sharply in our direction. At that moment, Elsa, who tried to help me, collapses on the spot.

But I cant blame her for tat. Its just that I, who have experienced death over and over again and become accustomed to it, am abnormal, and its not that Elsa was weak.

Princess Run

(Ah, how frustrating. We came this far)

So what came to my mind was such a feeling. I gave a grateful look to Elsa, who desperately reached out and called to me, and directed a defiant gaze at the dragon that brought death to me this time.

The dragons mouth opened wide, and a huge fireball was released from it. It will surely incinerate me in an instant, even destroying the castle walls. But

My heart will not be burned out! Someday, surely, beyond this

Whoa, I cant let that one slide.

Huh?

The fireball that promised my end splits in two right before my eyes. The one who spoke in such a carefree tone is the adventurer who always wore a goofy grin and let himself be pushed around by a little girl like me.

Lets not wait for someday, lets go now. All of us together.

Ed?

That grinning face was still the same shabby one as always, but it seemed to shine like the sun at dawn.

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