Chapter 418
Chapter 418
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 418
Chapter Title: 2-41. Fugitive (5)
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"S-Sis... that's enough now. I've eaten plenty."
"No way! Your face is half the size it should be. How do you expect to fix that with just this much? Here, there's still plenty left, so eat slowly!"
With that, my sister ladled more stew into my bowl.
The stew, based on potatoes, was packed with generous chunks of meat and other vegetables.
She must have thrown every ingredient in the house into it.
It looked absolutely mouthwatering, but there was one major issue: I'd just finished my fifth bowl.
"Ha... haha... thanks."
"Ehehe, it still feels like a dream. Ronan, you're really back."
My sister beamed at me.
She gazed at my face like it was the most beautiful gem in the world.
Every now and then, she'd poke my nose or cheek, as if doubting whether this was all a hallucination.
In a situation like this, how could I say I couldn't eat any more?
Navardoje was the same way. Why were all these older beauties so obsessed with force-feeding people?
Schlieffen, who had just emptied his bowl, spoke up.
"I am grateful for this favor. Never in my life... have I tasted such a delicacy."
"Oh, does it suit your taste?"
Stew was ladled into Schlieffen's bowl as well.
I shook my head in disbelief, utterly sick of it.
That bastard was already on his seventh bowl.
And a delicacy? It was tasty, sure, but the word was so absurd it made me chuckle dryly.
"Isn't this simpler than the pre-meal bread from Grancia?"
Schlieffen didn't even reply, just dove back into the refilled stew.
Even while shoveling food like a madman, his table manners were the epitome of refinement.
His smooth, hairless chin gleamed white.
"I'm glad it suits you. I never imagined Ronan would bring a friend. You seem kinda familiar, though... have we met before?"
"Uh... well..."
The atmosphere suddenly chilled.
I'd momentarily forgotten.
Right now, Schlieffen was an official enemy of the Empire and a wanted man.
My sister narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing his face, then shook her head.
"Hmm, maybe not. I must have been mistaken."
"...I see?"
"Yeah, definitely. The guy from the Marbas wanted posters had a full beard! He looked like someone who'd committed a really heavy crime, but there's no way a nice guy like you could be that villain."
"Gasp."
"Ehehe, sorry for chatting during your meal. Eat up!"
My sister smiled.
Her smile, like summer fruit, stopped Schlieffen's breath.
Even after seven years, her fair face showed not a single wrinkle.
Schlieffen stayed frozen until she stepped into the kitchen for a moment.
"Hey, breathe, you idiot."
"......I beheld an angel."
"You're hopeless. Then again, that's just like you."
I chuckled and finished my stew.
My stomach felt like it would burst at the slightest prick, but I couldn't leave any of my sister's lovingly prepared food.
She was humming a tune as she cleared the dishes.
'Thank goodness. Really, thank goodness.'
I let out sighs of relief more times than I could count.
For this moment, nothing else mattered—not Akasha, not the bald guy.
Just knowing my sister was alive brought me peace.
But there was one serious problem.
'Where the hell is the real Ronan, that bastard, and what is he doing?'
I wasn't her actual little brother.
I'd meant to tell her right away upon arriving, but the words wouldn't come out.
How do you tell her that after seven years, the brother who ran away isn't the real one, and the genuine article is off in some backwater jacking off?
No matter how I tried, now wasn't the time.
Looking back on my first life, if nothing major had changed, he should be up north right about now.
'The werewolf subjugation operation would be in full swing.'
Marya.
No, the Earl of Armallen—that's where I'd first met her.
Around the time I'd asked if her downstairs hair was golden too and gotten my ass kicked.
What a headache.
No matter how I thought about it, there were too many people to meet.
Of course, the one I wanted to see most was Akasha, without a doubt.
I was staring blankly at my sister's back when it hit me.
"......Blood Compass."
A brilliant idea flashed through my mind.
If my memory served right, there was a way to track Akasha immediately.
I quickly checked my coat.
The bloody stains were still vivid.
Some of them were definitely from the fight with Akasha.
I set down my spoon and shot to my feet.
"Sis!"
"Eek! W-What's wrong?!"
My sister flinched, shoulders hunching.
The cup in her hand fell.
I dashed over and stuck out my foot.
The cup landed perfectly on my instep.
Grabbing her shoulders, I continued.
"Sorry for scaring you. But I need to ask you for something right now. Do you still have the Blood Compass Dad prepared as my coming-of-age gift?"
"W-What?!"
My sister's already large eyes went wide as saucers.
Stammering in shock, she said,
"B-Blood Compass? How do you know about that...? Dad said to keep it secret..."
"Sorry. No time to explain. I really need it—can you give it to me now?"
"......Well, you're an adult now anyway, and it was yours to begin with, so it's fine... Yeah, just a sec."
She nodded and hurried to her room.
Her voice sounded a bit downcast—was it my imagination?
As the door closed, crashing and banging echoed like she was hunting rats.
Soon, she returned, dusty and disheveled, holding a wooden box.
"Ronan! Found it!"
"Good, hand it over."
"Mm... wait a minute. Hoo..."
Suddenly clutching the box, she took a deep breath.
The melancholy on her face deepened.
She seemed reluctant to part with it.
I tilted my head.
"What's wrong?"
"......Ronan. Do you know what the Blood Compass does?"
"Yeah. It's a magic tool that points to the owner of the blood."
"Right. Then do you know... whose blood is on this one?"
"Of course it's Dad's...... no way."
A bad premonition hit me.
My sister bowed her head.
I took the box and carefully opened it.
Seeing the Blood Compass, I raised an eyebrow.
"Damn it."
The needle was cold and still.
There was only one reason it wouldn't move toward its blood owner.
The target's death.
My sister, head hung low, murmured.
"Ronan. Dad..."
"No. You don't have to explain."
It was within what I'd expected.
I set down the compass and pulled her into a hug.
Her slender shoulders trembled.
"I'm sorry, sis. I'm so sorry."
"Don't say that. It couldn't be helped."
"I... I missed everyone so much... I knew it was a gift for you, but I took it out just once... and it was already like that..."
Transparent tears plopped onto the wooden floor.
Bitter smile on my lips, I muttered,
"......Even here, I can't meet you."
Seven years was far too long for Kain with his grievous wounds.
Once again, my father passed without fulfilling his dream of family reunion.
I truly was the scum of the earth.
I couldn't even imagine the suffering my sister had endured all this time.
"I'm sorry. I should have come sooner."
I gritted my teeth.
She'd secretly opened the box because she couldn't bear the loneliness.
Suddenly, I recalled the two place settings on the table when I'd first entered.
I'd thought they were for guests, but no.
The bowl and spoon I'd just used for stew were the ones reserved for me since long ago.
'Fuck.'
Old as they were, they'd been impeccably maintained, not a speck of dust.
Every day, she'd polished them while waiting.
For the day her beloved brother returned.
For the moment we'd eat together again.
"......Lady Iril."
Schlieffen stared at her with a heartbroken expression.
I doubted he'd worn that face even when his family fell.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed my forehead to hers and whispered,
"Everything's going to be okay now. I promise."
"Ugh... ueee..."
I'd do everything in my power.
Just like in that previous parallel world, this one was merely passing through a storm.
Proving that was one of my missions too.
Gently pulling away, I took off my coat.
Eyes on the bloodstains, I spoke.
"Lin. Is Akasha's blood on here anywhere?"
"Yeah. Let me check."
In response, the white blade gleamed.
At Lin's request, I swung the sword over the coat a few times.
If Citta were here, it'd be easier, but my companion could handle something simple like this.
Soon, the answer came.
"Got it. The stains on the left lapel are all from that mage."
"Perfect."
I clenched my fist.
No need to open the blood sample for heading home.
I grabbed a glass of water from the table and poured it on the lapel.
Rubbing it out like wringing a rag, red liquid seeped free.
Opening the Blood Compass, I dabbed the blood on the needle.
Vrrr...!
The dull needle turned crimson.
It spun idly but didn't take long.
The needle's tip settled pointing east.
"Found her."
I murmured without thinking.
It felt like spotting a lighthouse through thick fog.
The faintly twitching needle pointed to Akasha.
Wherever she was, following this would lead to her.
"W-What was that, Ronan? Whose blood..."
"Just a sec, sis. One moment."
"Waaah, you were just petting my head!"
I stroked her hair, groaning inwardly.
Too much to think about; my forehead burned.
I wanted to dash off following the needle right away.
But there were still things in this world I had to protect.
'Can't afford to lose any more.'
The number of living people here was already different.
If Nebula Klazie stirred while I was away, it could lead to a horrific tragedy.
That wouldn't be a good flow.
Even if I drove out the evil in the end, unnecessary sacrifices along the way were unacceptable.
I needed the safest, most efficient method.
As I pondered, alternating glances between Schlieffen and my sister,
Bam bam!
A knock suddenly echoed from the front door.
"Huh? Who's that?"
"......!"
My sister perked up her ears.
Schlieffen's hand instinctively went to his sword hilt.
My focus broken, I glared at the door.
"What the hell? Sis, anyone we expecting?"
"Um, not really? Maybe Ringle from next door bringing sweet potatoes again?"
"Hold on.
I'll check."
No killing intent detected.
Still, just in case, I grabbed my sword.
As I trudged over and grasped the doorknob,
A black wall loomed before me.
"Huh?"
The black wall had a metallic sheen.
My distorted face reflected on the bulging steel plate.
It took me a moment to realize it wasn't a wall, but armor worn by a person.
The hulking figure, covered head to toe in shaggy black fur, gripped a pillar-sized glaive in his right hand.
"......!"
Lifting my gaze, I saw a tiger's head.
The dark were-tiger's eyes blazed red like a fortress inferno.
My brows furrowed.
"Zaifa?"
"That's me."
The reply was curt.
Zaifa swung down the glaive he held.