Ch.118A New Beginning NPC. (1)

In the dead of night when everyone was asleep, golden eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

[I haven’t forgiven you for what happened the day we first met.]

[Can you keep up with the combat abilities of our group that you just witnessed? They’re only going to get stronger. Of course, they’ll soon catch up to our level.]

[And lastly, you didn’t prioritize Ira above all else.]

“……”

Not a single word was wrong. Naturally, I had nothing to refute, no excuse to offer.

Through Lord Gore’s instruction, I clearly understood that what I did to Miss Ragni that day was wrong.

Even though we’re both female, I shouldn’t have done that. Even if what I learned… was like that.

The same goes for combat ability. Somehow I managed not to lose track of the four people’s movements, but the coordination of the three at the end was perfect, and ultimately, I completely missed Miss Ray’s sword.

If her blade were to turn toward me, my head would fall in an instant. No, even before that, avoiding Miss Ragni’s weapon called a “gun” would be impossible.

As for Lord Gore, there was simply no answer except to say we were on completely different levels.

And regarding Lady Ira, not a single word was wrong. That day, I thought she was an enemy to be defeated, so I pushed back the priority of reporting.

“Still, I’m being hated too much…”

My eyes grow hot without permission.

It was better when Lord Gore’s training had my body running wild and my mind unable to return.

Back then, even when I whimpered and acted like a dog, Lady Ira would show me affection, and Jack, despite his displeased expression, would pat my head—they didn’t treat me as coldly as they do now.

Of course, it was also an undeniable fact that a supreme spirit—a legendary being even in the Spirit Demon Country of Siltra—had appeared before me, and I had once again acted foolishly with my mind gone.

If Lady Ira truly felt that way, couldn’t her brother Jack have just told me?

Then I would have tried my best to be less conscious of the spirit and corrected my behavior.

…It’s been almost two years since I left my homeland, the Spirit Demon Country—one year alone, and half a year with my current companions.

Yet I find myself alone again.

“*Sniff*… Sister, the outside world… is too hard.”

Is it a sin to be born as a white tiger beastkin, said to appear once every thousand years?

I suffered all sorts of mistreatment in the village, and then was pushed out by my sister. And now I’m suffering all sorts of mistreatment again.

Of course, I unconsciously make excuses that these were mistakes due to my unfamiliarity with the outside world.

But if I think about it calmly, in the end, all the karma from my actions is simply coming back to me.

-Squeeze.

“*Sniff*… So it ends today.”

Unable to serve Lady Ira, my benefactor, and without being acknowledged as a companion. Tomorrow I’ll be alone again.

The blanket Lady Ira bought me to celebrate my return to sanity. This blanket still carries her scent from that day.

…A nice fragrance. The scent of the person I want to serve.

Truly. If I had prioritized her above all else, would I not be feeling this way now? I regret it so much.

Perhaps tomorrow morning I should kneel and beg to stay with them…

[Do you think your sister would bow her head and kneel because of a spirit? Do you think my sister would see that and feel no pressure?]

…My thinking is always too short-sighted.

Like when I painted Jack as a bad person.

Or when I thought it wouldn’t matter with Ragni because she’s female like me.

And even now. In the end, I only think about myself.

He, Jack, always acts with consideration for Lady Ira and the companions, while I am so different from him.

‘…I should leave. I was much more selfish than I thought. That’s why I can’t please him.’

Jack, the former forest keeper and current adventurer, is the leader and core of the group. I… deserve his hatred.

Yes, I’m the same kind of person as the villagers who tormented him and Lady Ira.

I wipe my freely flowing tears on the blanket and squeeze my eyes shut.

‘Tomorrow, I’ll properly apologize to Lady Ira and the others before leaving. I’ll work hard to become like them, and then ask again.’

I’ll work hard to someday return as someone who prioritizes others over myself, like they do.

Having thought that far, I forcibly stop my thoughts and bury my face in the blanket.

As the blanket with Lady Ira’s scent touches my face, I find myself achingly missing the touch of the man who used to stroke my chin every night.

*

“…W-what is this?”

I woke up after the sun had fully risen.

It was somewhat surprising that I was more exhausted than Ira who had taken the test, but even more surprising was that Ira wasn’t in my arms this morning.

And now, the situation unfolding before my eyes is far more surprising than those two things combined.

“Someone came from the academy early this morning. From what I heard, the headmaster sent them? So I quietly woke up Miss Ira early and prepared her. What do you think?”

As Ray proudly thumps her chest with a bright smile, I unconsciously give her a thumbs up.

Damn. What would we have done without Ray? It’s even frightening to think that if she hadn’t followed us, we wouldn’t have seen this sight.

“Hmm. I know how to dress up too, but honestly, I don’t have the confidence to do it as quickly and beautifully as Ray. Even the ladies-in-waiting at the palace where I stayed couldn’t manage this level of adornment so quickly.”

[…I helped bathe Lady Ira, but honestly, Ray’s movements earlier made me wonder if she has a skill that activates for dressing up. The speed was incredible.]

Ragni and Gore beside me also praise her achievement.

Yeah, it’s really no joke. I did wake up a bit late, but it’s still only breakfast time.

“Brother. How do I look? Does it suit me?”

“Kuk!”

My heart aches involuntarily at the sight of Ira, who used to be just cute, now tilting her head anxiously as she asks if her clothes and adornments really suit her.

Don’t get excited, heart! Stopping here would be a lifelong disgrace!!

“Sister complex. Here we go again. Don’t collapse. You said you’re leaving today, right?”

“If I collapse now, I’ll have less time with Miss Ira in this appearance, since I’m leaving today!”

[If you collapse this time, I’ll throw you into Aigram.]

Our kids are secretly harsh with me!

Maybe it’s because I always verbally hit them, but their level of sarcasm is sharp! Thanks to them, I can’t collapse despite my racing heart, so I was able to speak to Ira with a smile.

“Ira, you look absolutely amazing. The ‘school uniform’ really suits you. You’ll definitely make many friends.”

“Hehe. Really?”

“Yes, really. Our Ira is the cutest and prettiest in the world.”

“Heheh!”

Ira, who was standing in front of Ray, spins around once in her uniform, smiles, and then runs to me and throws herself into my arms.

My goodness. When did our Ira grow so much? I’m slightly startled by the force with which the incredibly cute and pretty Ira rushes at me, and I lift her up.

It must be because she’s no longer hungry or lacking in nutrition. I’m even moved by how completely different Ira’s weight and appearance are from when we lived in Ponia.

“Brother.”

“Yes?”

“You’ll come back soon, right?”

“Of course. I’ll do everything I can to return as quickly as possible.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

It’s more painful and difficult not being able to watch Ira grow up. Your brother is even worried about bugs being attracted to the increasingly cute and pretty Ira.

“Ray, Ragni, Gore. Please take good care of Ira. Really.”

“Sure. Leave it to us.”

“Yes. Come back quickly, okay? If you don’t come back quickly…”

[Miss Ira might have a boyfriend by then. She’s obviously super cu—ARGH!]

Gore, what are you saying? Do you want to die? Do you really want to die?

Before I know it, I’ve dropped my fist on Gore’s head, and the golem actually staggers backward.

Oh, his HP even decreased.

“Brother, brother!”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t come back quickly, I’ll get a boyfriend!”

“KUHEK?!!”

“M-Miss Ira?!”

“…My, Ira has started manipulating her brother. A monumental moment where our food chain has been completely established.”

Thanks to Gore’s unnecessary comment, the perceptive Ira said something she knew I wouldn’t want to hear while smiling brightly, and my heart genuinely started racing.

No! Ira is still young!! This brother can’t accept such things yet!!

And Ragni!! Don’t celebrate this kind of thing!!!

“Now, let’s have breakfast. Ira, you’ll see me off, right?”

“…Brother, you really have to come back quickly, okay?”

…Yes, I absolutely must return quickly.

Despite knowing full well that I’m just going away temporarily, Ira’s drooping eyebrows—a stark contrast to her smiling face just moments ago—make me want to say I won’t go.

But.

‘Still, still the tutorial… I need to make progress while Ponia hasn’t fallen yet. Once the invasion begins in earnest, I won’t have the time or energy to do other things like this.’

Honestly, I’ve thought several times about ignoring my promise to Green Stone.

There was no oath or contract, and Ray has already learned all the swordsmanship in advance, so honestly, I don’t have to go. If we’re never going to see each other again, that would be the end of it.

But that wouldn’t be right as a person. He trusted me and saved Ray at my request.

Since I’ve come to cherish Ray, I should also respect Green Stone who protected someone precious to me.

Plus, I know what Green Stone is worried about in ep.2, so it will be quick to resolve, and there’s also the request from the Spirit King.

It’s right to move now, while it’s still safe.

“I promise, I’ll come back as soon as my business is done.”

“…Okay. I’ll wait. I’ll be good and wait. You have to come back without getting hurt, okay?”

-Smooch.

…Ira’s soft lips touch my forehead. A kiss she stopped giving after turning 10.

I never expected Ira to initiate it, even though I didn’t ask for it.

Since Ragni has been teaching Ira various etiquette lessons, I thought she would become hesitant about such affectionate expressions.

“Ragni taught me. A kiss on the forehead means ‘I really like you’ and is a pledge.”

“…Ira, I’ll definitely come back quickly, just wait a little bit.”

Brother feels like crying.

Though I know it’s an unreasonable wish, hoping that Ira won’t feel anxious, I smile slightly and move my lips toward her forehead.

And then.

-Smooch.

“…Huh?”

“Heheh!”

“WHAT?!”

“J-just now? D-did he k-kiss her l-lips?!”

[Holy shit. Sister complex.]

No!! Ira clearly noticed my intention and lowered her head, but before my lips could touch her forehead, she deliberately raised her head…!!!

“J-just now…!! K-kissing!!! Y-your sister…?!!”

Miho, who came to the living room last, shouted and pointed accusingly, not even hiding her puffy eyes, and my thoughts came to a halt.

—-

Academy Elementary Uniform Ver.1

Ira, 12 years old.

Chubby baby bird supreme spirit(?) Phoenix.