Ch. 1: Intelligent Eyes
A vast rural landscape, tranquil, and stretching as far as the eye could see…
As I traveled along, I saw something sparkle as the sun reflected off of it.
OO: “Ah, oh no…!”
A group of crows were pecking at what I’d seen. I rushed over, and the crows flew up into the air.
But…-.
(From a distance it looked like they were watching me. Is that even possible?)
I looked around, and identified the glittering object as a ring.
(This is…!)
I hurriedly clasped my hands together in prayer, and the ring emitted a strong light…
??: “Nn…ah….damn, my head!”
What appeared was a tall, slender young man, his face twisted in a scowl as he muttered.
He wore a hat that looked as if it were made of straw, which I was staring at when…
He suddenly leapt to his feet, seething with anger.
??: “Those bastards…you’re lucky I couldn’t move…! You’re not getting away with that!”
He shouted at the crows, and they seemed to be laughing at him as they cawed. Then he promptly took out a mysterious book.
(W-what’s that…?)
He tore the book open to a page. His finger suddenly stopped on a particular passage and he started to mumble something.
It felt ominous, and at the moment he raised his voice …-.
??: “Get outta here!!”
OO: “…!!”
He shouted, and a strong wind like a tornado erupted from the pages of the book.
The crows were caught up in the strange wind that had suddenly appeared, and blown away.
??: “…man, I let my guard down… Hey, who’re you?”
He let out a sigh of relief, his anger going with it, then snapped the book shut and finally looked towards me.
Those eyes, seeing me for the first time, were beautiful and seemed to sparkle with intelligence.
OO: “Ah, I’m…-“
He looked dubious, and I explained who I was.
??: “Hmm…”
His golden eyes looked at me with great interest.
??: “I get it. Well then, I’ll thank you.”
He pulled the straw hat further down, then abruptly turned away from me.
??: “…it’s nothin’.”
OO: “Eh…?”
??: “You’re welcome in my territory, since you saved me.”
Paying me no heed as I stood there puzzled, he quickly walked away.
OO: “Wait!”
??: “What?”
He turned only his head back to me as he spoke, a sour look on his face.
OO: “What’s your name…?”
??: “…”
He coughed as if clearing his throat, then turned to face me.
Leeya: “Right…it’s Leeya.”
It almost looked like his face had turned slightly red as he spoke.
Ch. 2: Rough Affection
As thanks for waking him, Leeya said he would host me in his territory. I followed after him as we walked.
As soon as we’d left the tranquil countryside behind, we entered into a bustling town with a steam engine running through it.
(Wow…it all changed in an instant to something so modern.)
As soon as we’d set foot in the town…-.
Villager 1: “Lord Leeya!”
Villager 2: “Lord Leeya has returned!”
In an instant, the two of us were surrounded by the townspeople.
Leeya: “Whoa, what the hell!?”
Villager 3: “Lord Leeya, it’s terrible! During your absence, the crows took to the fields…”
Villager 3: “Lord Leeya, the fields and the crows…”
Leeya: “Huh? Geez, you got the scarecrow’s right? Make it so it swings its head every 5 seconds. Those things’ll figure it’s got no brains if it doesn’t move at all.”
Villager 5: “Yes…brilliant. It’s genius!”
Villager 6: “You’re a genius!”
Villager 7: “Lord Leeya, by the way, how should we make the scarecrow’s head shake?”
Leeya: “Lemme think…”
For a while, Leeya was hit with the townspeople’s barrage of questions, and he answered them with a tired look on his face.
Villager 7: “Oh, that’s magnificent!”
Villager 8: “Genius!! Wow!”
While being mobbed by the villagers, Leeya looked troubled and pulled his hat lower over his eyes.
Leeya: “…damn, think of these things for yourselves.”
(It’s amazing that they all rely on him for his genius…but it must be hard for Leeya.)
As Leeya let out a heavy sigh, I…
OO: “That’s amazing Leeya. Everyone in the town relies on you like that.”
I spoke cheerfully, hoping to lift Leeya’s spirits though he seemed to disagree with what I said.
Leeya: “…they rely on me too much. They gotta think for themselves.”
His words were rough like usual, but this time I heard sadness in his voice.
OO: “Leeya, are you alright?”
I began speaking to him, concerned by his darkened expression.
Then without hesitation, Leeya roughly adjusted his hat and his expression turned stern.
Leeya: “…it’s nothin’ for you to worry about.”
His response was curt, but his expression made it seem like he was lonely.
(I wonder…if there’s something going on?)
Though I was still curious, I felt like I shouldn’t ask anymore and didn’t respond.
Leeya: “Argh, alright, everyone go, move it! I’m headed back to the castle for now, but if you can’t figure it out with the scarecrow, then come see me.”
Villager: “Ah, Lord Leeya…!”
Leeya: “Got it? ONLY if you can’t get the scarecrow to turn its head every 5 seconds! Only then!”
Leeya spoke definitively, emphasizing his words, then suddenly grabbed my hand.
(Eh…?)
Leeya: “Everyone’s gathered here, so we’re makin’ a break for it!”
OO: “R-right…”
(Leeya…)
His words were rough, but I could feel a kindness in his hand…
As we slipped between the noisy townspeople, I became curious about Leeya’s true nature.
Ch. 3: The Prince Bestowed With Wisdom
Leeya, awakened from his sleep, was clearly popular with the people based on their reactions when we’d arrived in the town.
A crowd had appeared out of nowhere, calling out ‘Lord Leeya’, ‘Lord Leeya’. They were clearly dependent on him.
(I’m really glad I was able to wake Leeya up.)
I watched Leeya’s back as we walked. He was still firmly pulling my hand, and I willingly went with him…-.
We entered the castle and approached the courtyard when my eyes stopped on a figure rushing towards us in a panic.
??: “L-Lord Leeya…!”
The person who had rushed over in a panic was a middle-aged man.
Seeing him, Leeya suddenly pulled me up front.
Leeya: “Butler. This is my guest.”
Butler: “Y-yes, Lord Leeya…Lord Leeya, it’s so wonderful to see you safe…!”
The butler completely ignored me as I stood there in front, and his eyes were damp with joy as he practically fawned over Leeya.
Leeya: “Hey, Butler! You listenin’!?”
Butler: “Of course I am! Welcome home Lord Leeya. Everyone has been eagerly looking forward to your return…”
Leeya: “No you are NOT! Listen up. This. Is. My. Guest!!”
Butler: “Oh…”
Leeya shouted, enunciating each word precisely.
The butler stared at me, his eyes as round as dinner plates.
(Th-this is kind of uncomfortable…)
Leeya: “Got it Butler? If she’s my guest, you get what that means? You gotta he hospitable to her. She’s the one who woke me up, the Princess of Traumere.”
Butler: “Oh! My my…um, so then how should I do that?”
Leeya: “For crying…Fine, you listenin? Since she’s an important guest, you take her to the topmost guest room in the right tower, alright!? Then you bring her top-notch cakes, and delicious tea. Got it!?”
Butler: “Understood Lord Leeya.”
The butler had taken in every single detail that Leeya had laid out for him, then nodded in satisfaction.
I was reminded of the people in the town.
(This seems…kind of rough for Leeya…)
Leeya: “Hurry it up, I’ve got stuff I gotta do, so I’ll be heading back to my room. If you need or want anything, just tell this guy.”
Saying as much, Leeya pointed to the butler.
OO: “Thank you.”
Leeya: “Haa? You should be thanking me, not him. Just relax while you’re here.”
As expected, his words were a little rough. But I suddenly realized Leeya was smiling faintly.
OO: “Um, Leeya, what are you going to do?”
Leeya: “Just somethin’ I gotta work on. Once things’ve calmed down, I’ll listen to whatever your wish is, so just wait till then.”
OO: “…!”
(Th-that’s not what I meant though…)
He said it with a smile, and I could feel a gentle, dependability there. My heart wavered.
I could kind of understand why everyone was so reliant on him.
With that, Leeya and I parted, and the butler guided me to the guest room in the right tower…-.
…
……
I spent some time in the elegant guest room, and I enjoyed the delicious tea and snacks the butler had prepared.
Butler: “Thank you so very much for aiding Lord Leeya.”
The butler formally bowed his head.
OO: “Oh it’s nothing, I’m glad I could wake him up.”
Butler: “Truly…Lord Leeya is an incredibly important person to all of us here…-“
The butler began to speak about how wonderful Leeya was.
Long ago, Leeya had gone on a journey to seek out Oswald and obtain wisdom.
(A traveler… I think that kind of suits Leeya.)
As a result, Leeya had a fortuitous encounter with Oswald and was bestowed with wisdom…
With that wisdom, Leeya was able to defend the people from the harassment of the family of crows living in the western forest.
Butler: “Lord Leeya is a genius! If he wasn’t here, the country would surely fall!”
I listened as the butler frantically praised Leeya…
And I remembered how all of the people in town had said the exact same thing about Leeya being a genius.
(But…I think it’d be difficult to have people relying on you so much for everything.)
The image of Leeya letting out a deep sigh came to mind, then…-.
OO: “…!?”
There was a sound like a great explosion, and the room started pitching violently.
(W-what…!?)
In the next moment, a figure burst into the room…
Leeya: “You okay!?”
Butler: “L-lord Leeya, what is…!”
Leeya: “Later! We gotta get outta here now!”
OO: “R-right.”
In that instant…
OO: “…!”
The room shook again, and a bookcase started to fall…
But in the nick of time, Leeya grabbed my arm and held me protectively.
Leeya: “Come on…!”
Leeya held me tightly, after having suddenly wrapped me in his arms.
The part of his face that I could see was serious, and I…
OO: “…”
I said nothing, and left myself to the care of Leeya.
Leeya: “It’ll be alright!”
Leeya smiled slightly, as if to reassure me.
OO: “U-um, what’s going on?”
Leeya: “We just gotta get outta here for now. It’ll be alright!”
Leeya spoke with reassurance, and I wondered if he was concerned with my silence.
After that, we somehow managed to safely escape the crumbling tower.
Ch. 4: The Scarecrow Project
Leeya let out a heavy sigh as he stood in front of the collapsed tower…-.
(The tower suddenly collapsing like that… what could have happened?)
Leeya: “Damn…now I’ve done it…”
Leeya pulled his hat down as if embarrassed…
Then almost immediately, he turned up his head and let out long, thin sigh.
Leeya: “At this rate, the left tower won’t be any good either…”
OO: “Um, Leeya, what’s…”
Leeya: “Mmm… guess you’re mixed up in it now, so I’ll tell it to ya straight.”
Leeya forced a smile, then took me to his room.
…
……
Leeya’s room was a bit peculiar.
Built into the sturdy walls was a spiral staircase leading upwards.
(What’s…that…?)
Leeya: “Don’t go up there, okay? It leads to the head, but it’s still under construction.”
OO: “Head…?”
Leeya: “Tell ya later…Ah, you can sit anywhere over there.”
(He says that but…)
The area was full of books and research materials, all scattered about, and there was no place to sit.
Plus, there were many strange contraptions.
Leeya: “Well…this room is part of the plan too.”
OO: “Plan?”
Leeya spoke as he offered me a hot cup of tea.
Leeya: “Yup. The plan. Truth is, this country has always had a connection with the Crow Clan of The Western Forest, and they always come and mess up the country. I wanna take out the problem at the source, by any means possible.”
(The crows…ah, so that’s why he was so mad at them when he woke up. And if I remember right, the butler said something about it too.)
Leeya looked utterly frustrated as he bit his lip.
OO: “What are you planning?”
Leeya: “The people in this country don’t know how to use their own heads. So I’m remodeling this castle right now. Alone.”
OO: “…you’re doing it alone?”
Leeya: “Yeah, I don’t got anyone I can rely on.”
OO: “That’s…But I’m sure there are people who would help you. I’m sure if you just said something…”
Leeya: “…yeah, that’s probably true. But right now I can’t be giving directions left and right. This is something I started after all.”
OO: “I guess you’re right…”
When he put it that way, I supposed there was no choice.
OO: “I wonder why…”
Leeya: “Hah? Wonder what?”
OO: “Why does everyone rely on you so much Leeya…?”
Leeya: “Well, long ago I…”
OO: “…?”
Leeya: “N-never mind!”
As if to brush away my question, Leeya vigorously shook his head.
Leeya: “Anyway, I do fine on my own. I’m working on how to make this castle into a scarecrow.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Leeya: “Just now was a little miscalculation. Next time it’ll work!”
OO: “Th-then when you said the thing about the head, did you mean…”
Leeya: “Yeah, that staircase leads to the scarecrow’s head…the staircase to the lookout!”
His expression was full of confidence, and his eyes sparkled, but without thinking I…
OO: “Turning the castle into a scarecrow, that’s a little ridiculous…”
I surprised myself as the words came tumbling from my mouth before I realized it…-.
Leeya: “What!? Did you just say I’m an idiot!??”
OO: “…!”
Suddenly, Leeya’s expression turned grim and he approached me.
In that instant, the cup fell from my hand, and I was pushed against the wall.
Leeya: “I’m not an idiot!”
OO: “L-Leeya…please calm down!”
Leeya: “How am I supposed to calm down when you just called me an idiot!!?”
His tone turned more violent, and he pressed in closer.
OO: “Well, I, I wasn’t saying you’re an idiot Leeya… I was just surprised that you could do something like that…”
OO: “N-no you aren’t…that really isn’t what I meant…”
I spoke in a panic, forcing the words out past the knot that had formed in my throat.
Leeya: “Then what DID you mean?”
OO: “I was honestly just surprised you could do something like that…”
Leeya: “…so when you said ridiculous, you didn’t mean me.”
I nodded several times, seeing Leeya’s terrifying expression.
That threatening look, only a hair’s breadth away, made my heart pound.
Leeya: “…I’ll forgive you then.”
OO: “…I’m really sorry Leeya.”
Leeya: “…”
Leeya slowly released me, then averted his gaze.
His eyes seemed to flicker uneasily, then he completely turned his back on me.
OO: “Leeya…?”
Leeya: “Sorry…Long ago, before Oswald gave me my smarts, I was…I really was an idiot. And I hated myself so much…Aa, forget I told you that! And…forgive me. I was a little rash. I scared you huh…?”
Leeya, his eyes still looking down, picked up the fallen cup.
OO: “…It’s alright. And I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that…”
Leeya: “Then you forgive me?”
OO: “Only if you forgive me.”
Leeya: “The hell does that mean…”
Leeya smiled awkwardly, then raised his head.
After that, he pulled himself together…
Leeya: “Anyway, the plan to turn the castle into a scarecrow only has a little more work to go. Those guys aren’t giving up. So I turn the castle into a scarecrow, and teach ’em a lesson with the thing they hate most.”
OO: “…but, is that really something a single person can do?”
Leeya: “Yeah that’s right.”
OO: “Well then…I guess you wouldn’t want any help from me?”
Leeya: “Huh…? What’s that mean? It’s not like I can’t do it!”
OO: “I’m not smart like you are, but if I can help in any way…”
Leeya: “Then what CAN you do?”
Leeya looked very interested as he peered into my eyes.
There was an intelligence there, and it felt like he could easily see through me to what I could do…
(B-but if I try hard, I think I can help…!)
OO: “I could organize documents, ah, and if you’re tired I can rub your shoulders…or something.”
(Th-that’s kind of pathetic…)
Disappointed in myself, I waited for Leeya’s reaction…
Leeya: “He…hahahaha! You’re a funny one! And kinda refreshing! So that’s the response you come up with, straight outta your own head. Awesome!!”
OO: “U-um…”
Leeya: “Alright, you’re hired! And with my brains, we’ll make it work!”
Leeya patted my head, and I could feel a great deal of kindness there in his palm.
Ch. 5: The Crow's Declaration of War
Leeya had been working alone on a plan to drive away the crows, and I came to help in his endeavor. After a while…-.
Leeya: “Hey, bring me that measuring device.”
OO: “Got it.”
Leeya: “Thanks, and can you calculate this?”
OO: “Yes, I’ll try…!”
Although Leeya taught me a great many things, I still had a ways to go before I wouldn’t be a burden, but…
Leeya didn’t push me away.
Leeya: “Aah, if we do it this way I’ll lose 0.1 milometer…”
Leeya said it like a complaint.
With a thud, he flopped down, face up, then began fiddling with one of the charms on his hat like usual.
(Ah, that’s one of his habits…)
When he was thinking about something, he’d often play with the charms on his hat.
I…
OO: “Do you want to take a break?”
I spoke humbly, not wanting to be a bother.
Leeya: “Nn…just a bit.”
Leeya smiled, and his whole demeanor was more relaxed than usual.
I moved closer, but quietly so that I wouldn’t disturb him.
Then Leeya’s posture changed and he turned to look at me.
Leeya: “Break time.”
His smile was gentle, and it made my heart thud loudly in my chest.
Leeya: “Anyway…you’re really trying hard huh.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Leeya: “Honestly I figured you’d have run off somewhere by now …”
OO: “But you’re so nice Leeya…I’d never do that.”
Leeya: “I’m nice? You’ve got a screw loose or somethin’.”
Saying as much, Leeya smiled, unconcerned.
I felt like his smile had become especially gentle recently…
(When we’re together, sometimes…my chest hurts.)
OO: “But…everyone adores you Leeya.”
Leeya: “Yeah well, that’s just ’cause they rely on my brains.”
OO: “That’s not…!”
Leeya: “Besides, it’s boring.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Leeya: “It’s boring…Before, I was so worried about not having any brains, and I didn’t want people to call me an idiot…but then my wish came true, and now they call me a genius. ‘Cause of that, it’s kinda lonely…Seriously, I feel like I’m all alone.”
Leeya suddenly grabbed his hat and hid his face.
Leeya: “OO…”
OO: “…!”
Still hiding his face, Leeya gently took my hand.
(What do I do…I feel something tightening around my chest.)
Unable to bear it, I tightly squeezed his hand back.
Leeya: “Hey…if this plan goes well, and I’m able to get the country protected…I wanna go travelling like before. A journey like the old days, where I’d look for awesome things that’d make my heart sparkle…”
Listening to Leeya’s confession broke my heart…
We sat there in silence for a while, holding each other’s hand…-.
That evening…-.
I couldn’t bring myself to sleep as I remembered what Leeya had told me when…
There was a ‘thud’ like something hitting the window.
(What…?)
At the same time as I hesitantly got up from the bed…
OO: “…!”
The window was shattered with a violent force, and a flock of crows flew inside.
Leeya: “OO! You okay!?”
I figured Leeya had heard the crash and come running from his room.
OO: “Leeya…!”
Swiping at the crows that had swarmed around me, Leeya held me tightly as if to protect me.
Leeya: “Damn…! This is playing dirty you bastards! What do you want!? If you want a fight, you’ve come to the right place!!”
Then…
??: “Heh, kukuku. It’s just a little greeting for your woman.”
Suddenly, a man clad entirely in black appeared amidst the flock of crows.
Leeya: “H-huh!? Sh-she’s not my woman!”
Leeya’s face turned red, and I wasn’t sure if it was from anger or embarrassment.
Crow King: “Kuku, I, the Crow King, see all. I have many adorable crows as my vassals you see.”
Leeya: “Hmph…don’t you think peepin’s a bad habit?”
Crow King: “When that woman tires after helping you and falls asleep, I see how red your face is as you stroke her head.”
Leeya: “Wha….w-w-w-what the hell are you talking about you idiot!!?”
(…um…)
Leeya: “Bastard! You’ve done it now!”
At that time, the air sparked between Leeya and the Crow King as they glared at each other, and it felt as if the air were about to ignite…-.
Crow King: “However…in the end I was able to learn what you were scheming… and so we had an idea.”
Leeya: “What’s that?”
Crow King: “A declaration of war…!”
Leeya: “Damn! Wait…!!”
There was a thud, and the great flock of crows flew out of the room like a whirlwind.
I closed my eyes against the furious flapping of their wings, and in the next moment…
Leeya: “…so they ran away.”
In the destroyed room…there was no trace of the Crow King.
Ch. 6: Great Scarecrow No. 1, Launch!
The day following the Crow King’s declaration of war…-.
Leeya was hurriedly moving the plan forward.
Leeya: “Damn…I don’t want to, but I’m gonna need to ask that damn Oswald for help.”
As he finished mumbling in annoyance, Leeya took out a massive book and began furiously scribbling down a formula.
(We have to do something before the crows come back.)
At that time, I wanted to help Leeya more than anything.
Butler: “P-pardon me! Lord Leeya.”
Leeya: “Aaaah, shaddup! I ain’t got time for it.”
The butler had come flying into the room, his face flushed.
Butler: “B-but Lord Leeya! It’s the town…”
Leeya: “The town…what?”
Leeya, who had looked only annoyed before, now stopped writing and turned around, his expression serious.
Butler: “Th-the town, a great flock of crows has come…! And it’s not just in the town, it’s a disaster in the fields and in the residential area too…!”
Leeya: “Those bastards…”
(That’s so awful…)
Though fate had bonded them together thus far, Leeya and his side had never done anything to counter attack against the crows.
Even so…
Leeya: “If that’s how it is…if that’s what’s happening, we’ll have to start up Great Scarecrow No. 1!”
OO: “Great…Scarecrow?”
(That’s the name he went with…)
Leeya: “It’s not done yet…but we’ve got no choice!”
Leeya loosened a key attached to the still-unfinished castle staircase that was part of the Great Scarecrow, and began his start-up sequence.
I…
OO: “But Leeya, it’s still dangerous…!”
Leeya: “If I don’t do it now, then when!?”
Leeya’s visage was intense, and I couldn’t say anything more.
OO: “I-I’ll help…!”
Leeya: “Alright! Come handle this!”
Leeya handed me one of the tools, then nimbly moved on to another section.
…
……
And so the two of us finished the final inspection of the Great Scarecrow No. 1.
With great strength, Leeya grasped the activation switch in the room.
Leeya: “We’re startin’ it up ahead of schedule…but all the calculations have been flawless so far.”
OO: “Right, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Leeya held my gaze.
As we’d carried out this plan, those eyes had sparkled with intelligence countless times…
I knew I had very little strength on my own, but I felt that the two of us working together were very strong…
(Please…please work!)
Leeya took my hand and placed it on the activation switch.
Leeya: “We should do it together, right?”
I swallowed hard, sensing the tension in the air, and I could feel the heat of Leeya’s hand contrasted with the coldness of the activation switch.
OO: “Right.”
Leeya: “Great Scarecrow No. 1, launch…-!!”
There was a clunk as we pulled down the switch, and we felt it click into place…
The ground began to shake.
Leeya: “OO…!”
Leeya tightly grabbed my shoulders, and at that moment…
The constructed scarecrow definitely began to move.