Adventure Awaits! Huzzah! 05

Himmel waved at the green-haired boy. "Yo Alm, have you accomplished your legendary mission?" He was guessing no. The new girl wasn't here after all.

Alm sighed. "I failed... she doesn't want to leave her room... Honestly, she barely talked with me." The boy seemed really down about it.

Himmel was surprised, it was hard for Alm to fail in reaching someone. Though then again, Celica had clearly gone through some heavy stuff, and she was a child. So maybe he shouldn't be surprised she was acting like a medieval NEET.

Alm's mission had been simple. He was given the task of bringing Celica outside so she could help everyone build a snowman. Also, so she could actually meet everyone. Alas, life was not so easy.

Himmel sighed. "Well... it is what it is. If she doesn't want to leave her room, then we should give her some time." Alm would probably agree with him. He too had immediately understood Celica had gone through... something.

It's just that, much like Himmel, he was blind on the why.

Alm gritted his teeth. "I can't just... just leave her there. Alone." That was... probably wise.

Himmel put a hand to his chin. "Then what do you suggest, Alm?" Maybe he could drag this group of brats to Alm's house and basically force her to play? It was super cold, so playing inside did sound pretty nice.

Alm pouted. "I-I dunno! You're the one who's super great at all of this stuff! Please help her!" When had he become the village's therapist of little girls? He knew exactly one little girl!

Gray interjected. "Yeah, go fix this, boss man. I want to meet the new girl." When the hell did he become the boss man? That was Alm. Or boss boy, he supposed.

Tobin nodded. "Yeah, you're the one who had the idea of inviting her, so it's your responsibility to help her." Right, because Tobin, of all brats, was the pinnacle of responsibility.

Kliff, who until now was ignoring them to read as usual, finally put his book down. "You're the smartest one here. Do your thing." Of course he was the smartest! He was an adult!

Faye clasped her hands together. "Please go and bring her here, Himmel! I can't wait to play with her!" Ah, she wanted a girl friend huh?

When the hell did everyone decide to gang up on him?

Himmel scratched his cheek. "I'll... I'll try my best."



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Sadly, harems weren't really a thing in this world. The only person whom he could think of who technically had one was the king of Zofia. And it was less of a harem and more of him fucking a different woman every night.

He could do that because he was a goddamn king, however, and even then he was largely disrespected by pretty much anyone. Hell, even in this village in the middle of nowhere, people talked shit about him. It was largely agreed upon that the one who actually kept the country standing was the Mother.

So... Himmel had no delusions of one day building a harem. Which is why he had pretty much not talked with Celica at all and kept focusing his efforts on Faye.

Sure, one shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket, but... Celica just seemed to be more trouble than she was worth. It was clear that the girl had gone through something horrible, and the fact that Himmel was an adult didn't give him the skills of a therapist to deal with that. In the end he had decided he would groom... befriend her once she got out of her funk.

Nonetheless, he had at least tried to invite her to play... Which is what got him into this situation in the first place.

Himmel knocked on the door to her room. Alm had guided him here. "Hey Celica, are you there?" He doubted she had left the room, little NEET that she turned out to be.

A slurred voice answered. "Yes...?" It sounded a little confused. Was the girl just waking up?

He didn't know how to feel about that. On one hand, kids slept during the day all the time... On the other hand, if she was sleeping because of her NEET habits, that would be no good.

Himmel supposed it didn't matter right now. "Awesome." He tried keeping his voice a little low, just in case she really was just waking up. "I... I'm Himmel, that boy from Kris' house. Do you remember me?"

Her voice came out hesitantly. "I do... Do you need something, Himmel?"

"Not really, but I wanted to ask if you wanted to go out and play." Alm had already asked her, of course, but perhaps she would fall to peer pressure!

Sadly, Celica wasn't using drugs anytime soon. "Thanks, but I'm feeling a bit tired right now..." Welp, mission failed.

Is what he wished he could say, but if he tried leaving with no Celica, Alm would probably metaphorically drag him by the hair here again. So even if he didn't mind leaving Celica alone, her fate was sealed.

He held back a sigh. "Are you sure? We're gonna build a snowman." And then kill it! "It's a pretty exclusive activity, you know? If you pass it up, you're gonna need to wait until the end of next year." If she was still a NEET by then, then it was intervention time!

Though he should probably leave that for Mycen.

Her answer took some time to come, Himmel almost thought she was ignoring him... but thankfully she wasn't. "I... I'm gonna pass it up on it. Thank you for the invitation, Himmel." Wow, she was such a cordial little NEET. Adorable.

Himmel put a hand to his chin and started thinking. He doubted he could force her outside, and even if he could, that would probably just make things even worse. Did he really have to make her leave the house, though?

Eventually she had to leave, yes... but maybe he should start with baby steps.

"Hey Celica, what if we played inside? Would you mind that?" As long as she got some social interaction, that would be progress.

Mycen would hate him for bringing so many unruly brats to his house though.

The girl went back to being confused. "You can't build a snowman inside of a house." Not technically true, but yes, Mycen would kill him if he tried. "And you don't need to... don't need to restrict your fun because of me." Ah, he made a mistake.

Now that he had brought up the whole snowman thing, he couldn't pivot into anything else without looking like it had happened because of her. It would make her feel guilty, and it was hard to have fun when one is feeling guilty.

Now what should he do...?

He needed to retreat. "Gotcha. See ya soon, Celica." He left before she could answer.



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"You couldn't help her either...?" Alm sounded incredibly disappointed.

Himmel scratched his cheek. "Yep. It's not like I'm a magician, you know?" In the end he wasn't particularly talented or charismatic, he just abused his knowledge as an adult. So when a genuine challenge came, he could not so easily overcome it.

It's why he had struggled with magic training all those years ago, and it was also why learning about tactics of war always left him with a headache. Himmel had the limits of a normal village boy.

Alm looked down. "But... but Celica..." Geez, Alm had really gotten attached to the girl. Though Himmel supposed that was only natural, she was his family.

Maybe.

Himmel didn't actually know what sort of relation they had. Were they cousins? Was she adopted? Were they brother and sister? He doubted the latter, since they didn't look that similar... He also hadn't yet confirmed if she was of Jugdral blood either.

Mycen, who had silently watched talk until now, suddenly gave his grandson a head pat. "Alm... you shouldn't try to drag your friends into this." He sighed. "I know you mean well, but what Celica needs right now is space."

Alm looked down and gritted his teeth. "She doesn't seem all that happy with just giving her space..." Ah, as one would expect of him, Alm was treating this like a fight. One he had to win, and soon.

Mycen nodded. "Indeed. Space alone won't be enough... you can also help her by just... by just being there, Alm. Say good morning and good night to her, and you will already be helping a lot." The knight was clearly trying his best to drill some sense into Alm.

Alm clenched his fists. "I... I just don't get what's wrong... and she won't tell me either...!" So he had asked, huh? "And I have a feeling that... that just being there won't be enough. I can't explain it, but I just know I have to do something!"

Surprisingly, instead of comforting the boy, Mycen started muttering to himself. "Um... I wonder…" Just what was he thinking about?

It didn't matter. Himmel didn't have the time to worry about Mycen right now, instead, he needed to worry about his friend. "Alm... For now, just try to hold the fort." Himmel had an idea, one that came back to his training in tactics.

Alm tilted his head. "Hold down the fort? What do you mean?"

Himmel smiled. "I mean, keep occupying Celica while I come up with some plan on how to deal with her."

The boy gasped. "B-but I thought you said you couldn't help her!?" Light had returned to his eyes. Which probably wasn't a good thing, since there was still a very high chance of Himmel utterly disappointing him.

Himmel chuckled. "I said I failed to help her right now, so I had to tactically retreat!" He pointed a finger at the point. "But tactically retreating doesn't mean giving up, it means buying time so you can come up with something new!" Alm was just starting to learn tactics too, so he should keep that in mind.

Slowly, a wide smile appeared on his face. "Right! Then I'll be counting on you, Himmel!" Ugh, why did he have to dig himself into a deeper hole?

Mycen started patting his head as well. "You two... just don't force yourselves..." And then he nodded. "But thank you for helping her."

Himmel bet he wouldn't be saying that if he knew his plans of turning Celica into a side-chick in case the Faye ship got cruelly sunk. He would take the gratitude though.

He was a shameless man.



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In his years of studying war, Kris had drilled many important things in Himmel's head. Like how one should always be aware of his own supplies or how information was key to winning a battle, which is why scouts and spies were invaluable. By far the most important thing he had learned, however, was that one should consult their damn advisors.

Which is what he was currently doing. "Kris, I need help. Please enlighten me." He had an idea of how to deal with Celica, but he didn't know how to execute that idea. Or if he should execute that idea.

His guardian raised an eyebrow. "Well, isn't this unusual...?" Had the boy gotten stuck on something? That pretty much never happened. "Of course, what do you need, Himmel?" This was such a rare event that he was even getting excited.

Himmel crossed his arms. "I need your advice on how to deal with a girl."

And immediately Kris flinched. "This talk already...?!" Wasn't this way too early!? His charge was nine! "I... I see. Carry on." But in the end, his age didn't really matter.

Himmel nodded. "The truth is that I already have an idea on what to do, but... but it also might be foolish and get me in trouble." Should he really be saying this to his guardian? "The chance of success also isn't very high... but if I don't do it, I'll probably regret it." Because Alm would be sad.

Kris closed his eyes. "I see..." This talk had immediately spiraled him in memory lane. "Then let me say what you wish not to hear and yet need to. Do not take this risk." Ah. As expected of a tactician.

Himmel pouted. "Are you sure...? Shouldn't I at least try?" He was pleasantly surprised with how his guardian hadn't said the generic answer of following one's heart.

Kris opened his eyes. "Yes..." He patted Himmel's head. "I know this may sound wrong, but... put your head ahead of your heart, Himmel. If you know it's stupid, why do it?" Yep, good ol' cold logic.

"Your father..." Sudden daddy mention!? "He had once been put in a similar situation, although he was much older and the situation much more serious." Kris bit his lip. "Much like you, he recognized the risks of what he was doing... but he pressed on nonetheless. And then he came to regret it, even if he would never admit it."

"Now, I doubt what you're experiencing is truly similar to him, but it's best you learn early." He chuckled. "Your father was far too bullheaded, you inherited his stubbornness, so you must temper it while young." Right.

So his dad had probably messed up and gotten scammed or something, he then most likely met his mom later... And apparently this scam was big enough that Kris looked as if he was going through a PTSD attack.

And then suddenly Kris smiled. "With all that said... being a tactician means recognizing that not all risks are the same." Oh? "Are you afraid of simply being scolded? Then bet on victory." Oi, what's with the sudden change?

Himmel's eyes widened. "B-but you just said I should temper my stubbornness and all that!"

Kris nodded. "And I stand by it. Keep that in mind as you walk forward... But a balance is needed. As I said, the risk is low, and I presume the reward is plenty." He snorted. "Simply keep in mind that a tactician must never, ever become a gambling addict."

Himmel sort of understood what Kris was saying.

A person should always consider risk and reward in his head. And in this case the reward was a happy brat, and the risk was a measly scolding. He just shouldn't forget that not all risks were equal. In essence, Kris was trying to prepare him for the future.

What kind of crazy father did Himmel have that Kris thought such talk to be necessary?

Himmel put a hand to his chest. "Understood, Sir!" He would try to not pull any crazy stunts after this one.

Suddenly Kris's face twisted in discomfort. "Good... But Himmel... Don't you think that the girls of this village are a little..." He clicked his tongue, trying to find his words. "Uneducated?"

"What?"

Kris sputtered. "I'm not saying you shouldn't befriend them or anything like that, and I'm sure they're all very nice, but... you shouldn't... lower yourself to their level either." His guardian was apparently self-aware enough to know he sounded horrible, considering how embarrassed he looked.

Himmel could only repeat himself, a little louder this time. "What?"

Kris's face was completely red. "It's just that you..." And then he suddenly took a deep breath and started muttering to himself. "What am I saying to a nine-year-old...? He won't even remember this crush by tomorrow..." It wasn't a crush.

Leaving that aside though, was his guardian really saying he shouldn't mingle with the lowly classes or whatever!? He hadn't expected that from Kris of all people...! Though now that he thought about it, his guardian didn't exactly mingle with the villagers either...

In the end, Kris shook his head and smiled. "Forget about it, Himmel. Go out and have fun with your friends." This wasn't gonna be fun! It was gonna be a mission!

Also, if Kris expected him to not be seduced by a lowly villager, he was gonna be sorely disappointed. Who else was an untalented village boy supposed to be seduced by!?



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In the end, Mycen hadn't scolded him, in fact, the old knight had been pretty happy once he realized what was happening. Which meant he wouldn't be punished for his gamble. Now he just needed to see if it would work.

He took a deep breath. "It's pretty much done. Thanks for the help, everyone." He couldn't do it fast enough without them. For his plan to succeed, he was forced into dragging all the brats into this.

Well, they were the ones who forced his hand in the first place.

Alm smiled. "Don't worry, just go call her already!" Ah, this would be a total failure if she didn't follow him.

Himmel nodded and picked a stick from the ground. It was the final piece of the icy puzzle. He then made his way upstairs, where Celica's room could be found.

He knocked on the door. "Hey Celica, it's me, Himmel again!" Hopefully she wasn't sleeping like last time.

She sounded annoyed. "I already said I don't want to go. Just leave me alone..." Alm had probably really bothered her while Himmel consulted his mentor. She hadn't been this annoyed before, after all.

Himmel tried to sound as cheerful as possible. "I'm not here for that... I just need you to follow me to the living room for a second." Time for another risky tactic. "Mycen ordered you to." He didn't!

"Okay..." Finally, Celica opened the door.

Himmel had to take back his earlier analysis of her being asleep during the day. The girl had massive eyebags... It was clear the girl hadn't been sleeping at all. Naturally, the fact that her eyes were completely red didn't help any.

Immediately Himmel grabbed her by the wrist with his free hand. "Let's go then!" Naturally he dragged her along.

"W-woah!" The girl had no choice but to come. Though Himmel was forced to slow down a bit, lest she slip on the stairs or something.

Finally, she entered the living room... and saw what Himmel had made. "Is that... a snowman?" Her eyes widened. "Why is that inside the house...?" That's right.

Himmel and his gang of brats had actually brought snow inside and built the damn bastard. It had been a complicated thing to do, since they had to put out the house's chimney fire. And even so, the snow still melted fast enough that it had been a rush job. Still, with Mycen's permission, things had gone a lot more smoothly than he expected.

Himmel grinned. "Nope, that's not a snowman." He handed her the stick, Celica cluelessly took it. "A snowman has a nose. So go and turn him into a snowman." Or a snowwoman. He was a progressive village brat.

Celica silently and hesitantly walked over to the snowman, ignoring the looks she was receiving from the curious village children... Eventually she extended her hand and put the supposed nose in the now supposed snowman.

Finally, she smiled.

The snowman immediately fell apart. Oops.

"Ah." Himmel could only watch in amused horror as Celica's smile immediately shifted into a frown... and then her lips started to tremble... The girl was clearly about to cry.

So before Alm could declare war against the spirit of snow itself, Himmel interjected with a boisterous laugh. "Hah! How lucky for us!" This totally wasn't luck! This sucked!

Celica obviously agreed. "H-how is that luck!?" She was barely holding back tears. "I ruined it...! Everything gets ruined when I get involved...!" Oh boy.

Thankfully, Himmel already had thought of a way to pivot this into something positive. "It's luck because now we get to build it again! That's the fun part, right?" In his opinion it was more frustrating than anything else.

Celica looked down on the dead snowman. "But..." And then she smiled. "Sorry, I will be more careful with the next one." Awesome.

Mission passed! Some amount of respect gained!



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"So what do you need, Mycen?" The old knight had come to visit. Himmel could only hope he wasn't here because of the snow thing. They had cleaned it up afterwards!

The old knight was blushing as he spoke. "Um... first of all, I'm sorry to bother you this late at night..."

Kris waved him off. "It's fine, Himmel and I had not yet gone to sleep." Mostly because Himmel was really struggling with his studies and so had spent until late in the night trying to figure it out with Kris' help.

Mycen slightly bowed. "Thank you..." But he was still clearly uncomfortable. "Well, the thing is... Um... Celica, she... um..." Wow, what had made even the old, confident knight this embarrassed!?

Kris's face became serious. "Did something happen?"

The knight shook his head. "No, it's just that... She keeps waking up during the night." At least she was trying to sleep. "And... well, she asked for Himmel." He nodded to himself. "She said she couldn't sleep without him."

He cleared his throat. "So... my apologies if I'm overstepping any boundaries, but I would like to ask if young Himmel could spend the night by her side...?"

Naturally, Himmel had to put all his strength into not immediately shouting yes I can like a maniac.