Chapter 67: The Aftermath of Victory 2

“It has been a long time, sister.”

“Yes… It really has been a long time, Santana.”

My two older sisters stood before me and Dust.

After greeting them as their younger brother, I took a closer look at their appearances.

The first one to approach was the second tallest woman standing next to Dust.

Unlike her other siblings, she had glistening blonde hair and deep green eyes, seemingly inherited from her mother.

However, her skin tone was a light brown shade similar to mine. Overall, rather than a beauty, her features evoked the description ‘strong woman’, resembling our father.

Bajter Andreas.

The second daughter of the Andreas family, she was visibly in her mid-twenties with a muscular physique.

Not hulking, but clearly capable of knocking down an average adult male with a single punch.

Yet, at this moment, Bajter’s face bore a distinctly joyful smile, quite unlike Dust’s somewhat meaningful glances.

A rather unguarded, genuine expression of emotion.

‘Bajter Andreas. She was certainly a 5th rank Intermediate Mage, right? In the original, she came across as something of a combative battle maniac…’

Judging from her warm welcome, she did seem to have the straightforward personality described in the original.

My gaze then turned to the other woman, who had greeted me with a slightly cold tone.

The tallest of the three, she had reddish-blonde hair like mine and black eyes, exuding a rather mature countenance.

Unlike Bajter, her face could be considered beautiful by ordinary standards.

However, she also emanated a cold, sharp aura.

Especially in the way her eyes scrutinized me now, like a drawn blade’s chill.

‘This must be… the eldest daughter of the Andreas family from the original, my older sister…’

Queen Andreas.

The first daughter of the Andreas family and a 6th rank High Mage at this point.

In her late twenties, she would be considered an old maid by this era’s standards, though her marital status was never mentioned in the original.

‘In the original, she was portrayed as a cold Bohemian warrior maiden. Reportedly fought valiantly to the bitter end at the Battle of White Mountain before meeting her demise…’

By that criteria, she should have already died at this point, her life effectively extended thanks to me.

Of course, from her perspective, she would be unaware of that fact.

Yet, regardless of that truth, I could sense her gaze lacked the warmth shown by the other two as she looked at me now.

‘She seems distinctly displeased for some reason… Did young Santana do something to offend her back then?’

Unable to discern Santana’s past actions, I could only speculate about her chilly demeanor.

Maintaining that icy tone, Queen addressed me:

“We haven’t been able to meet due to busy affairs, but I finally get to see your face. Have you been well?”

“Yes, sister. I have been able to gain diverse experiences while traveling to many places.”

“Experiences, huh… Yes, I was rather surprised by your role in this operation. If that was the result born of those experiences, I suppose I should view it positively.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

Though her words sounded vaguely complimentary, her tone remained frosty.

Queen’s gaze then turned to Cazeros and Polena beside me.

“And who are these people… your friends?”

“Ah, yes. This is Cazeros, a former fellow Holy Knight. And this is Polena, a dedicated maid I met during my travels.”

“Hmm…”

Queen’s expression soured slightly as I introduced my companions.

Unsurprisingly, their presence did not seem to sit well with her.

Perhaps simply by being associated with me.

In any case, watching her, I felt a discomfort distinct from Dust’s demeanor.

‘Well, Dust was somewhat ambiguous, but this one is openly exuding hostility. It seems my eldest sister will prove quite troublesome going forward.’

With that thought, I cautiously gauged Queen’s mood.

She then spoke to me in a hushed voice:

“Making friends is fine, but remember your station from now on. Do not sully our family’s honor by mingling with lowly sorts.”

With that, Queen departed with the other two.

Though her attitude made me instinctively frown, my companions showed no outward reaction, as if already accustomed to such treatment.

From childhood, she had grown up constantly hearing one refrain from her father:

“You should have been born a son.”

Initially, she did not fully grasp its meaning.

It was just a habitual remark, especially when she displayed abilities surpassing ordinary people – her father’s casual, almost complaining observation.

However…

As time passed and she grew older,

And in that process, her younger brother was born,

She finally came to understand the meaning behind her father’s words.

The reality of the insurmountable wall placed before her, having been born and raised as a daughter, not a son.

No matter how exceptional her abilities,

No matter what great achievements she accomplished,

She could never succeed her father.

Simply because she was a woman.

Solely due to being born female.

And this truth had long cast a shadow over her heart.

Unlike her, a younger brother who was destined to inherit from the moment of his birth as a male.

When he was born, she had already become a formidable 3rd rank mage, outclassing her peers.

Yet, even when she displayed such accomplishments to her parents, her father’s face never bore a smile.

Only a perfunctory sense of praise.

The emotion it conveyed was closer to concern than joy, she realized.

In contrast, her father would smile whenever he looked upon that boy.

His son, her younger brother Santana.

No matter how trivial the occasion, a smile would grace his lips when beholding Santana – a pure joy so different from how he regarded her.

And this reality became vividly apparent to her once more, seeing her father’s demeanor at this very moment.

For a full two hours, he had been boasting about his son to all those gathered here, beaming with delight.

Despite the very same son who had caused over a decade of worry and grief, her father still displayed a joy he had never shown her.

Watching that scene from afar, dark clouds began gathering in her heart.

And finally, that boy left his father’s side to mingle with some lowly strangers, companions of unknown origin.

Beholding this, an indescribable discomfort welled up within her. Yet, she still approached him, as the eldest daughter and his sister.

No matter how unpleasant her feelings, they had been separated for over ten years. Now that the war had ended and time allowed, she at least needed to greet him properly.

Even if in the future…

There was a chance to dispel the emotions she felt today.