Ch.105105. Distrust (2)

After reading the quest, I didn’t immediately speak but took a moment to gather my thoughts.

Sione waited patiently for my answer, as if understanding that her question touched on a difficult subject.

I gratefully accepted my master’s consideration and once again took in the quest rewards.

Following Siabel’s awakening of power came Sione’s power awakening. There was also a reward related to Sion, but since I didn’t particularly like the guy either, I skipped over it…

My attention was successfully captured by the final reward presented.

‘A seed of power.’

A seed of power.

And not just any strange power, but the power of demon destruction.

I don’t know much about abilities worthy of being called powers since I’ve never handled one myself. But I had vaguely heard about this concept of “seeds” from someone else back on Earth.

Those born with innate powers don’t apply, but those who acquire powers later in life carry such seeds within them.

Whether one can awaken the seed or not depends entirely on individual capability, but—

‘If I could just awaken it…’

The sprouted seedling could grow and grow to produce beautiful results.

This was a powerful reward, completely separate from gradually unlocking my original strength. Naturally, I couldn’t help but be attracted to it, and intense desire began to creep up. I wanted to obtain it by any means possible.

Unfortunately, this quest wasn’t going to be easy.

‘Improve the relationship between Sione and Sion.’

This was on a completely different level from the previous quest about developing a relationship with Siabel.

While Siabel had maintained an attitude of near indifference toward Sione, Sion had constantly picked fights with Sione whenever he had the chance. Given how Sion had provoked Sione with all sorts of remarks, she must have accumulated quite a lot of resentment.

Moreover, just moments ago, the two had another terrible reunion.

So even if Sione wished for the close sibling relationship they once had, would it be right to push her toward reconciliation?

If I were to forcibly push her toward reconciliation with him out of greed for the quest reward, she might fall endlessly into a deeper emotional pit and end up completely wounded.

-I’m fine with Siabel unnie, but…I just don’t know how to deal with Sion.

My head hurt.

I was a Hunter who caught monsters, and now I was her slave and servant. I wasn’t a counselor who could offer her satisfactory solutions.

Even so, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut forever.

Finally, I made up my mind and spoke.

“May I speak my honest thoughts?”

“Yes. You’re not one to talk nonsense.”

“Then would you swear that whatever I say now won’t bring me any disadvantages?”

“…A swear?”

“Let’s start with a pinky promise.”

“Pinky promise?”

“Let me borrow your hand for a moment.”

I took her hand, locked our pinkies together, and pressed our thumbs together firmly.

“Now that we’ve locked pinkies and sealed it with our thumbs, it’s a promise.”

“U-um, okay.”

Sione, caught off guard by my sudden action, nodded in bewilderment.

Now that I had her permission, all that remained was to express my thoughts.

I continued without hesitation.

“I believe family truly shines when there’s affection between members and they can converse harmoniously.”

“……”

“You once told me that in the past, Sion followed you more than anyone else. So if possible, I’d like to see you two become close again like before.”

A dark shadow fell across Sione’s face.

Looking at her deeply troubled expression, I spoke with an unwavering voice.

“However, that doesn’t mean you need to try to become close right away, nor do you need to forgive him or lower yourself. You were the one who received verbal abuse, not the one who gave it. To be honest, I don’t particularly like Sion.”

“What…?”

“Just as I said. I don’t particularly like Sion. Previously, he belittled you in the open garden, and today he brought up demons in front of you in the corridor where many servants could see.”

“……”

“Would you feel good if I were being insulted?”

As I came on strongly, Sione was swept up in my momentum and shook her head.

I sat in the chair opposite Sione and looked at her.

“Sione, come here.”

“…What?”

“Quickly.”

“On…your lap…?”

“We’ve already hugged and kissed on the cheek, so what’s the issue?”

“……”

“Quickly.”

“Umm…”

Sione sat demurely on my lap.

She had just been in my arms to relieve stress moments ago.

Was there any reason to be so embarrassed about a simple back hug?

I gently embraced her from behind and said:

“Becoming close like before can wait until after you’ve resolved all the built-up resentment.”

Fortunately, the quest didn’t have any time limit.

If negative feelings remain toward the subject, neither reconciliation nor forgiveness—nothing can be properly achieved.

It was during elementary school. My little sister who always stole my share of snacks. Just as I grabbed her by the hair and we were about to settle our differences with fists and strengthen our relationship, we were forced into a reconciliation hug. That memory remains one of my worst experiences.

I have no intention of abruptly telling Sione to become friendly when various negative emotions have been layered over several years without resolution.

“If he mocks you for having no talent, proudly show him the bow you received from Ainel, and if he calls you incompetent, confidently display the sword bestowed by the royal family and laugh at him.”

“……”

“From now on, don’t just listen silently like a fool… it would be good to show your anger sometimes.”

Sione is no longer someone without talent.

It was none other than I who awakened her dormant talent and nurtured it. Following my teachings, she grew rapidly over the past year.

A growth rate impossible without talent.

Her self-proclaimed titles of “court archer” or “divine archer” weren’t empty boasts.

She’s now quite distant from incompetence and merciless rudeness.

Sion’s habitual belittling of his sister will likely no longer have the same impact on Sione as before.

Unlike in the past, now that Sione has moved beyond self-deprecation, his verbal abuse will no longer be helplessly received arrogance, but words she can overcome.

“So whether it’s a year from now or three years from now, after all the resentment has been cleared away, that’s when you can slowly approach Sion as a proud and dignified older sister with nothing to be ashamed of. Well, if you do that—”

I stroked Sione’s head as she silently leaned against me and said:

“Until the world ends… wouldn’t you at least have a decent relationship?”

If we can’t clear the quest by then…

Siabel with her awakened power and Ainel, who by then would likely be a Sword Master, would protect her somehow.

After finishing my speech, I took a breath.

What on earth had I just said?

After blurting out words following my stream of consciousness, I felt thirsty. I closed my mouth tightly and held Sione like a large teddy bear.

“Well…”

With Sione’s small murmur.

A weak, yet somehow refreshing laugh could be heard.

“If Sion had heard that, he definitely wouldn’t have stayed quiet.”

“Are you planning to tell Sion what I said?”

“No, not at all.”

“Then that’s fine.”

This level of conversation between us… and she said she had no intention of telling him anyway.

As I observed Sione’s reaction, it seemed my answer wasn’t too bad.

She appeared brighter than before.

“I feel like my thoughts are a bit clearer now.”

“If you don’t feel the need to become close like before, it might be better to filter my words selectively.”

“…Yes, I know. I’m glad you’re here.”

The room, which had been filled with heavy air, once again found calm serenity centered around her.

Thinking it would be good to refresh the room with some cool air, I gently pushed Sione’s back and said:

“Shall we get up now?”

“Can’t we stay like this a little longer?”

“My legs are starting to go numb, and I was planning to clean the room a bit.”

“Hmm…if that’s the case…”

Sione squirmed on my lap.

Then she turned her body sideways to look at me obliquely.

She hesitated for a moment, watching my reaction, then suddenly moved.

She embraced my neck and was about to press her lips against mine—

Thud!

…We headbutted.

“Ssss…”

Ow…that really hurt.

She hit so hard that my head was throbbing.

After bumping foreheads, Sione shed a tear and quickly gave me a bird kiss on the lips.

Then she moved away from me and stood up.

I rubbed my forehead, which still had a lingering pain, and looked up at my master.

“Hah…”

It seemed Sione was in considerable pain too, as the forehead that had collided with mine was turning red.

And her cheeks and ears were also as red as her forehead.

Looking at her wavering eyes, I asked:

“If you come at me so recklessly, doesn’t that go against our promise—”

“I-I didn’t use my tongue, so it’s not a kiss but a peck…!”

“No, back then I was just referring to the act of kissing itself—”

“Anyway, I didn’t break the promise…!”

Sione covered my mouth with both her hands.

“…I’ll be sleeping to sort out my thoughts, so call me when you’re done cleaning.”

As Sione removed her hands, I muttered:

“Do you think while sleeping?”

“Ugh…!”

Slap.

Sione hit me once on the back and fled into my bed.

“Tsk…”

…I should be more careful with my teasing in the future.

Sione. Her hand is spicier than I thought.