episode_0016

Pat. Pat.

I gently patted Loera on the back.

I was thinking of doing that until Loera calmed down.

Loera’s breathing, which had been turbulent with emotion, soon calmed down.

Loera’s back, which was touching her arm, went up and down repeatedly.

Sniffle. Sniffle.

The final stage of calming down, sniffling, is already at its end.

Only the sound of hushed breathing remained between us.

Little by little, Roera will fall away from me.

“…”

“…”

Not yet.

I resumed patting and patting again.

About 30 minutes passed like that.

At this point, even Roera will probably get away from me.

“…”

“…”

Wasn’t it still not there?

I resumed patting and patting again.

About 60 minutes passed like that.

At this rate, I wonder if even Roera will really leave me.

“…”

“…”

Pat.

Pat.

Pat.

Pat.

***

An eternity has passed since the first pat.

The arms of the illegitimate child who seemed like he would sing forever have turned to dust and scattered, and when on earth will the young lady of a prestigious family, who is peacefully swaying, come out?

At this point, I’m seriously worried.

Hey, is there a problem?

“Roera?”

Fortunately, Roera didn’t die while standing, but when I called out to her, she flinched and trembled.

“What.”

“How are you feeling now?”

“…what.”

“…! Could it be that your language skills have declined due to shock!? Roera, can you please speak words with two or more syllables so that your brother can rest assured? ”

“…Ah, come on!”

Loera pushed my body away, getting nervous.

As if removing a tick.

“It’s stuffy, get away from me!”

“That’s embarrassing.”

It’s stuffy, so you want me to step away?

In fact, was it me who was the kitten that clung to the other person’s arms and was patted time after time?

Memories that mix. A collapsing self. A torn mind.

I was shocked.

It seemed that my sister’s true identity was Jinjo.

What a powerful mental interference.

“Sorry, my brother. Did I get a little sloppy?”

I was talking to the back of Loera’s head right now.

Because Loera, who had pushed me away, immediately turned around.

“Ah, come on! What are you talking about!”

Fortunately, there was no major disruption to communication.

Because it felt like I could see the expression just by hearing the voice.

That expression was a perfect balance of annoyance, disgust, and disgust.

“What do you mean, it’s disgusting. I think my brother is about to get hurt.”

“That guy, oppa, stop being so noisy!?”

“Just now, Roera said. No matter what anyone says, my brother is still my brother. So no matter what Roera says now, this brother is still your brother.”

“Ugh- I’m crazy, I’m crazy- I’m crazy…!!!”

Clap clap clap!

Loera repeatedly tapped her cheek as she shook her head.

Finally, Loera turned around again to face me.

“Forget it!”

Loera’s face turned red.

Who wouldn’t say he’s a swordsman genius?

When I tapped her cheek, her face turned red like a carrot.

Wouldn’t that be a fracture of the orbital bone?

“Forget it. What?”

“Everything! Everything that just happened!”

“No matter what anyone says, oppa is Roera’s oppa, oppa’s oppa, and he has the talent to forget, but wouldn’t it be hard to forget what happened just now? It was a moment when he confirmed his sincere affection for each other with his lovely younger sister, who was no different from anyone else. Oppa will probably never forget that moment. Even if he forgets everything, he can’t forget me, of course he can’t.”

I recall the emotion of that moment by quoting what Loera said.

Even Roera was moved, and her eyes gradually became moist.

“That, really…? You’ll never forget it? Yeah. Then there’s nothing I can do.”

-Sreung

It was a cold sound that did not fit the warm moment.

“Let’s just die. You die, and I die. No matter how much I think about it, that’s the right thing to do.”

A trembling voice. A trembling sword tip.

Hongdangmu Loera made up her mind.

“Okay, wait a minute, Roera…! I don’t know about other people, but you can’t do that to me!!!”

“AAAHHHH!!! SHUT UP, SHUT UP!!!”

I had to calm Loera down again.

This time, instead of patting him on the head, he avoids the sword attacks that come his way.

***

Fortunately, the second phase of the Loera appeasement ended without any casualties.

Just now, Roera and I were sitting on a bench in the garden path of the mansion.

As soon as Loera sat down next to me, she took off her shoes and threw them down.

Then she put her legs on top of my thighs and lay down on the bench.

Looking to the left, I could see Loera’s white feet wiggling freely.

When I looked to the right, I saw Loera sitting on a chair with her blonde hair hanging down and staring blankly at the sky.

“Roera, are you okay?”

“What.”

“Clothes. Won’t they get wrinkled? And they’ll get dusty.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Your hair might get a little messy too.”

“Just tied it up roughly.”

“Is this the confidence of a stylish person who looks good even if he dresses up roughly?”

“Oh my. What are you talking about?”

Loera snorted bitterly.

On the other side, white feet were swaying excitedly.

I wish our Loera was as honest and cheerful as those feet.

I was just jealous of the feet of that guy’s older brother.

“So-”

At that moment, Loera lifted her leg and straightened her posture.

I thought I was finally sitting properly, but then I fell down again.

This time, she lays her head on my thigh.

Loera looked up at me from just below.

“What are we going to do now? What are we going to do from now on?”

Loera tapped the backpack under the chair with her foot.

I had placed it next to her, but Loera threw it away, saying it was bothering her.

“Are you really going to move? To the main building?”

Oh. By the way, Roera knows that I’m moving my luggage to the main building.

I said this before correcting Loera’s misunderstanding.

“I’m just curious, but will there be any problems if I go to the main building? Is there a separation of areas typical of adolescence? I don’t even want to share a building with my brother?”

“What are you talking about?”

puck.

Loera raised her head and then lowered it, hitting my thigh.

As expected of a promising reporter, his whole body was covered in weapons.

“I’m just a little annoyed.”

“Oppa, is your fortune getting better?”

“You, I told you not to call me oppa.”

“…Male person, brother, will your fortune get better?”

“Ugh. That’s enough. Not you. That guy.”

That human.

Loera used to call Gaju that in front of me.

Rather than saying that he is being considerate because it is in front of me, it feels like he is speaking his mind because it is in front of me.

For some reason, Loera was disgusted with the family.

At a level more intense than that of a teenage daughter’s rebellion.

“That guy. He sent you to the annex as punishment, and now he’s sending you to the main building as a reward. What is that? What- What-”

As she was talking, Loera looked at me and then smacked her lips again.

puck.

And then he hit my thigh with his head again.

“You accept that as good? Don’t you have any self-respect?”

“Then my female sibling-”

“Don’t do that. I warned you.”

“Roera, what do you want me to do?”

“…”

Loera avoided eye contact.

Knock, knock. Then he briefly tapped the bench with his foot.

“Are you annoyed?”

He speaks in a voice that is not very encouraging.

“Since long ago, they’ve been telling you not to do this, not to do that, why are you doing that, pathetic, they’ve been nitpicking and meddling in everything, but they haven’t been able to come up with a proper alternative.”

“…”

“This time too. What. What do you want me to do? What do you want me to do if I have no self-respect? Don’t come to the main building and continue living in the annex? Damn it. It’s none of your business. ”

Thud. Thud.

The power of the feet hitting the bench has become stronger.

I waited quietly for Loera to say her next words.

“…What did you talk about with that person?”

“First of all, if this political marriage goes well, I will treat you appropriately.”

“…Ah. Right.”

Loera jumped up as if she had remembered some summer vacation homework she had forgotten.

“So what did you say? You didn’t accept it as a good thing, did you?”

“If I get married for political reasons, will there be any problems?”

Loera made a face and slapped me on the knee.

“This- this- this- you idiot. Of course, there’s a problem. Are you going to let that human choose your marriage partner now?”

“Isn’t arranged marriage common among nobles?”

“That’s true… Ah! You’re not a noble, are you!?”

“What is the state of saying that you have a good idea?”

“…What. What do you want me to do? Did I say something wrong?”

“Well, that’s not wrong. In fact, I’m also quite skeptical about the system of arranged marriages.”

For modern people, the story of someone from a political background is something from another world, something that can only be found in dramas or movies.

If I say I’m getting married for political reasons, it doesn’t feel real, but what if my brother or child gets married for political reasons?

It’s very rough.

“Really!?”

I don’t know why, but Loera suddenly becomes angry.

“What, what’s going on? You want to look good to that person again? Oh~ I love political marriages~ I want to see my bride soon~ I have to get her pregnant quickly so I can show my grandchild to the lord of the house~ I knew it.”

“What on earth is this human being in your head?”

“Then-”

Gestures and mutterings. Loera seemed to be thinking about something for a while, then spoke to me with an excited face.

“Hey. Can you do what I say?”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Anything. You damn bitch. If it makes you lose interest, do anything.”

“Dintal girl? You don’t get along with P.N.?”

“…Pien?”

Loera suddenly snorted with a very annoyed expression on her face.

“Hey. I guess you’ve confirmed each other’s feelings? Yeah. If a girl who suddenly fell from the sky like a baby bird clings to you and says she likes you, what can you do? Men can’t help but say “I like you~”. ”

“Not really. Let’s just listen to what he has to say. What do you dislike about Pyeon? No way, you just don’t want me to be taken away-”

“What, what are you talking about!!! Are you going to keep talking nonsense!? You, that girl seems normal to you!? She’s acting like her head is a flower garden? Doesn’t it feel uncomfortable?”

I was secretly amazed at the words that Roera poured out as if making excuses.

How did you know? That kid Pien wasn’t normal.

“Just stop! I’m the one who worried about you!”

Loera turned away from me nervously.

We meet often these days, Mr. Loera’s Back of the Head.

“Okay. Let’s say Pian falls in love with me. Then what, what are you going to do?”

“…Actually. I had this conversation with that guy. I said I’ll marry Dintal instead of you.”

“Why?”

“Why? That guy named Calon is my ideal-”

Roera spoke in a mechanical tone, then turned her head slightly to look at me.

“…Just.”

“Just?”

“Just! I did it because I didn’t want to see that person do whatever they want with you, and I didn’t want to see you live according to that person’s will. Why. Are you picking on me!? Do you think I stole your chance?”

“…So you’re saying you were going to sacrifice yourself for me?”

“Mr. Lee – What are you talking about again? It’s annoying.”

“What are you saying? You said you were touched.”

“…”

“As expected, the only one who cares about me is Roera.”

“…”

Loera turned around and laid back down in the same sitting position.

Loera, who was using my thigh as a pillow again, said while ticking.

“If you know, you’ll do better. From now on, listen to what your sister says diligently?”

“Is there any possibility?”

“You! You said it clearly!? You’ll listen to me!?”

“But, is Roera okay? Marrying your in-laws with your personality.”

“Am I the same as you? I am a direct descendant of Bendel. Right? I am the young lady who is like jade or gold. Dintal? If I marry Dintal, they will not be able to breathe because they are too concerned about what I think. On the other hand, you and I, who will not be able to breathe because you are too concerned about what I think, are worlds apart.”

The way he spoke with such arrogance and his characteristically twisted attitude was just like Roera, but why?

I felt like the sight seemed somewhat artificial.

I barely managed to hold back from patting her head without realizing it.

“So, you understand? From now on, you just do what I say.”

That. Human. Word.

Loera hit my thigh with the back of my head to the beat.

Honestly, I was impressed.

Despite his words and actions, it seemed as though Roera was sincerely trying her best to improve my treatment.

Bam.

I unconsciously moved my foot and touched the backpack on the floor.

Originally, I wasn’t planning on telling Loera anything.

I didn’t want to get involved in something annoying, I didn’t want to make her worry, and I didn’t think Loera would care about me in the first place.

But now-

I made up my mind and opened my mouth.

“Roera. I appreciate your kind thoughts, but you don’t have to do that.”

“Yeah. Shut up.”

“What I mean is, since I won’t have to get married for political reasons, you won’t have to live with your in-laws if you don’t want to.”

“… What does that mean?”

I told Loera about what I’ve been through and what I plan to do next.

So, I shared my plans to run away.

“…!”

As soon as the story ended, Roera suddenly stood up from her seat.

“What are you doing here?”

“I ran into someone nice along the way.”

“… Ah, that’s enough!”

Knock knock.

Loera picked up her backpack and dusted it off.

And then he just slung it over his shoulder.

“What? By any chance, Don’t go, Oppa! Development?”

Loera poked me in the ribs with her elbow.

With a mischievous smile, not his usual cynical one.

“Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry, but what are you talking about?”

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Instead of speaking, Loera repeatedly jabbed my ribs with her elbows.

That’s what quickened my steps.

With a face as excited as the world.

***

Damn, yeah.

Idor. He can’t be as cool a guy as I expected.

“Rishir.”

I was urged on by Loera and tried to leave the Bendel mansion.

The moment we arrived at the main gate.

There was a man blocking my way.

“The lord of the house gave orders. If Risir goes out, he told him to refrain from going out.”

He is not a trainee standing guard, as he is inside the main gate and not outside.

He was Sir Gerhen, a knight of Bendel, and he looked good with a polite smile.

Gerhen was a full-fledged knight, not a trainee knight.

What does this mean?

“…What would you do if you had to go out for some reason?”

“I guess we have no choice but to use physical force.”

It meant that he was the owner of a force that I could never handle at my current level.

In fact, this is true even for trainee reporters.

The reason I was able to win against the trainee knight named Humpton. It was entirely because Humpton let his guard down against me.

Thanks to that, I was able to exploit Humton’s weakness with magic.

But now all of Bendel knows that I can use magic.

Humpton said.

If we ever spar again, I won’t lose.

It’s not a bluff.

A trainee knight who was trying his best to restrain my magic. I had little confidence that I would win a duel against them.

But what about the official article in front of you?

Gerhen was a skilled fighter who could take on and subdue three apprentice knights like Humpton at the same time.

Gerhen declared that he would stop me even with force.

In this case, what is the best course of action for the illegitimate child?

“Gerhen. Get out of the way.”

Damn. I don’t want to choose [1. Hide behind your little sister].

As if she didn’t care about my opinion, Roera came forward and faced Gerhen.

“Miss…?”

When the opponent changed from an illegitimate child to a young lady, Gerhen was visibly flustered.

“I have something to do outside.”

“Rishir-sama-”

“I’ll take this one too.”

“…”

“Didn’t you hear? I have something to do. Get out of my way.”

Phew.

Gerhen sighed.

“I don’t know what kind of wind is blowing to surround you, Risir, but it won’t work.”

“Huh?”

“It is the lord’s order. Please, young lady. Please. I hope I will not be rude to you. ”

“Does that sound like you can easily commit a crime if you put your mind to it?”

Shh.

Loera raised one corner of her mouth and let out her signature sneer.

It was a triumphant laugh.

“…”

Gerhen’s eyes trembled.

Although he served Bendel, Gerhen was also a noble in name.

No one, except the head of the household, may treat the vassals of the household carelessly.

“Miss, let me be clear. I am not the apprentice knight Rowan you defeated.”

“Don’t be rude and get to the point, is that it?”

“I remember the duel between Miss and Rowan. It was a fierce match where neither side backed down even an inch.”

An aristocratic way of speaking indirectly.

If you interpret it, it is like this.

You. You barely beat trainee knight Rowen.

But do you think it will work for me?

“You piece of shit.”

Loera snorted and drew her sword.

“I understand. As Miss Loera wishes – I, Gerhen, will ask Lord Loera Bendel for guidance.”

Gerhen also drew his sword without giving up.

The duel that wasn’t really a duel between the two knights began.

***

“…!”

It was the first number.

A look of deep confusion appeared on Gerhen’s face as he crossed swords with Loera.

It was only a year.

A year ago, Loera had a close match against the trainee knight Rowen, and won by a narrow margin.

But now, a year has passed.

There stood Loera, who was not pushed back by the sword of Gerhen, who had already been a full-fledged knight a year ago.

They both pushed their swords away at the same time.

After putting some distance between us, we do it again.

The swords clashed several times, and a harsh metallic sound erupted.

A series of battles have come to an end.

Gerhen, who had distanced himself from Loera, said with a face that said,

“I think I know why the lord favors you so much.”

“Thank you. Are you saying you’ll step aside?”

“I have never been interested in Bendel, but I have achieved this much. I have grown at this rate. I am afraid of the day when I will officially succeed Bendel.”

“So, are you saying you’re going to step aside?”

“…”

Gerhen straightened his posture again.

A different posture than before. A rippling energy began to swirl around his sword.

“Really, is this it?”

Loera’s expression hardened.

Gerhen unfolded the Bendelryu.

“Miss Loera. I hope you will understand my position.”

“Why the hell are you doing this! The person you hated so much is leaving the family on his own!”

Gerhen was astonished.

I thought that if I went this far, Loera would step down.

But instead, Roena kicked the ground with all her might and rushed at Gerhen.

Since it had come to this, there was no choice but to see it through to the end.

‘The young lady must not get hurt…!’

Minimal damage may be unavoidable, but it should not lead to serious injury.

Gerhen raised his power.

The intention was to render Loera incapacitated in one blow.

If you give them some leeway, there is a high chance that they will get hurt.

“…!”

At that moment, Gerhen’s gaze was fixed on Risir behind Loera.

‘This bastard-‘

The knight’s sense of duty caught the bastard secretly raising his mana.

Gerhen was not embarrassed.

He also watched the duel between Risir and Humton.

I knew what abilities Rishir was hiding, and I knew how insignificant they were by my standards.

The forged knight’s mana was a sword and armor in itself.

The mana barrier surrounding Gerhen’s body was now so weak that even the bastard’s remaining techniques could not even scratch it.

That’s why Gerhen immediately withdrew his interest from Risir.

‘The one hiding the bead is in the left hand.’

Remaining only alert to the extent of noticing the pesky flies flying around.

It was a very reasonable judgment.

…as it was a very sound judgment, it ended up being a wrong judgment.

“Huh?”

“!?”

“!?”

The three people felt something strange almost at the same time.

The state of Risir, who was raising mana, was strange.

What? How much mana does it collect?

“No- Why is this happening again!? I don’t know!”

Instead of his left hand, which had been holding the orb, Risir held out his right hand.

A mass of mana that had been gathered haphazardly, yet was infinitely precise and sophisticated, shot out at Gerhen with form and will.

It was an unexpected move and a surprise attack.

But what would it be like from the perspective of others?

Is it possible for a human’s mana to suddenly increase, and drastically?

This was only possible when taking a rare elixir that even the Bendel family had never tasted before.

“That’s not right…!!!”

Indeed, the knight of Bendel.

Gerhen managed to react to Risir’s ambush, albeit a beat later.

I anticipated the orbit and swung my sword to try to strike the mana sphere.

However, the sphere of mana whose orbit is deviated midway.

“…!”

All of these circumstances came together, and the bastard’s magic eventually reached the knight.

Gerhen’s pupils slightly rose as he was hit on the chin by a sphere of mana.

Before the pupil could return to its original position, Loera’s fist followed.

“How did you do that!?”

Roera spoke on behalf of Gerhen, who had lost consciousness.

And the bastard and the young lady left the mansion.