Too Much Trash?
The Duke of Bathory, who had been making an unimpressed face while his daughter Elfride launched her sharp question, pulled a similar frown.
“What rude behavior is this before your father, Elfride?”
“What kind of father would drag a sick child around like that?!”
Elfride’s outburst left the Duke momentarily stunned. She marched over without hesitation, snatched the letter lying between them, and declared:
“Elfride, that’s enough!”
“‘Your Grace, how are you? I will be visiting the ducal estate during my daughter Elfride’s birthday party, so I would like you to decide once and for all on the matters we have discussed in the past. Although I cannot fully convey the sincerity of my House of Roberck’s congratulations, I send a bouquet of flowers in the likeness of Lady Elena.’”
Elfride deliberately read the letter aloud, still wearing her scowl as she looked at her father.
“Father, you truly intend to send Elena to the Roberck ducal house?”
“...What problem is there? Elena will soon become an adult. Unlike you, the Hero, who is already a Hero, Elena must find a match and marry early— that is only natural.”
“Isn’t that how things work in normal situations?! What is lacking that you would send this sick child away to another house...?!”
“...Sister, stop it. What rudeness is that toward Father.”
Elana tried to stop Elfride, but she ignored her.
“Even with this much power, you still want more?”
“...Elfride! What did you just say?!”
The Duke truly grew angry. Normally Elfride would have backed down by now, but today she stood her ground.
More importantly, this concerned his ailing daughter.
Elfride refused to yield even to her father’s roar.
“Even just having her stay at home and recover, the girl might not live long! To think you’d send her off to another house without ensuring she gets to live the way she wants! What exactly are you planning to receive from the Roberck ducal house?!”
“Wha—?”
“Sister!”
Elfride whipped her head at Elana’s shout. She glared at her brother with narrowed eyes.
“Elana. You agree with this too?”
“...Well, honestly, I’m useless in this kind of situation anyway.”
“Then who in their right mind would ask if you’re useful? Don’t tell me it’s my brother...?”
“No, no! Brother didn’t say anything. Why would he?”
There was only one person left who could make such a statement. Right in front of them—their father, the Duke of Bathory.
“Asking a sick child if she’s useful, Father?”
“...Don’t tease me, Elfride. As the head of the house I can’t condone your behavior right now, but I fully understand why you’re so worked up over your sister. Just stop it already.”
“Stop? What would be resolved if I stopped? You want to send my ailing sister to another house?!”
“...If you had done better, none of this would have happened.”
“...Huh?”
The Duke sighed deeply, stood up, and walked to his desk—the one he usually used for official business. He opened a drawer and placed several letters on the surface.
“Read them yourself.”
“This is...?”
Each letter bore the seals of powerful families across the Vesta Kingdom. Among them were the Bathory ducal house itself, the Bathenbergh ducal house—the other great duke house in the kingdom—and even the Roberck ducal house, which had been mentioned earlier. Some carried the royal seal.
Elfride opened the letters one by one. As she read, her eyes widened and her grip tightened on the parchment.
“What... is this...?”
“Evidence that your achievements have diminished and our family’s standing has declined.”
“...So Father, you took investments while using me as collateral?”
The letters all read along these lines:
“As Elfride’s achievements continue to lag behind those of the young Hero Abel, the standing of the Vesta Kingdom is falling. Investing under the condition that Elfride’s aid is essential to solidify the kingdom’s position on the Gaia continent. If we keep losing to foreign Heroes, we will be in trouble.”
They may have framed it as patriotic investment, but the real intent was clear: to secure international advantages by showcasing Elfride, the overwhelming Hero of the Bathory family.
Regardless of the motive, the Duke had indeed received investments using Elfride as collateral.
“Do you know how much money and power are needed to run the kingdom’s largest city and seize its greatest authority? The fact that you outshine even Levius—the worthless—means every one of these families feels no hesitation investing in our house. The more your family and I grow, the more firmly the Vesta Kingdom will stand.”
The Duke placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it. Elana gave a slight frown.
“...Put out the cigarette. You forgot Elana is here.”
“...Just a moment of absentmindedness.”
The Duke extinguished the flame, but the sight left Elfride speechless. Knowing his daughter was gravely ill yet smoking anyway spoke volumes about how little he cared for his children.
After stubbing out the cigarette, he continued.
“But as you began losing to that young Hero, more families started questioning the investment. Especially the royal family no longer wants you to lose to that worthless imperial Hero. If this continues, the investments flowing into our house will dwindle and our prestige will suffer.”
Elfride gritted her teeth.
“Of course our house’s size and power mean we won’t completely cut off investment, but declining investment is still fatal. Are you telling me you want me to watch our family sink?”
“...Father, if I try my best, why must Elana bear the burden?”
“You mean you could have done it sooner but didn’t?”
“That’s not what I meant...”
“Objectively, the Hero who defeated an Agares-class monster alone after only five months since becoming a Hero, compared to you who have been active for seven years without ever doing anything like that. It is as clear as day who will perform more feats.”
“...So Father means he would use Elana to preserve the family’s prestige?”
The Duke answered Elfride’s question flatly.
“The head of the house works for the family— what problem is there?”
“...Elana, let’s go. There’s nothing more to hear.”
“Sister, wait...”
Seeing that further discussion was pointless, Elfride tried to leave with Elana, but the Duke delivered a cold warning.
“Elfride, this decision is mine as head of the house. A member of the family like you dares oppose the head’s decision?”
“...Before I am Lady Bathory, I am Hero Elfride. As a Hero I cannot remain silent at Father’s conduct.”
“...I will give you one more chance. Choose wisely.”
“My choice will not—”
“Sister, stop!”
Elfride startled at Elana’s cry and turned to her.
“...Elana?”
“I don’t think Father’s thinking is entirely wrong either.”
“What?”
“After all, I may not live long because of this illness. No matter how well I recover at home, I’ll probably only have a few more years. Rather than rotting away, it’s better to contribute something to the family.”
Watching Elana speak calmly about her future, Elfride’s expression hardened.
“Then, sister, this matter will be decided by Father and me. I understand your feelings, but Father’s words are not entirely incorrect. Our house must be strong, or even as a Hero you would lack support.”
“...I do not want that kind of support, Elana.”
“...Please return soon, sister. I will apologize to Father later for today’s rudeness.”
“You consider selling yourself to a complete stranger as acceptable?”
“I’m not selling myself. I’ll undergo the proper marriage procedure. It’s just a noble marrying another noble.”
“What difference does that make?!”
Elana Bathory—one of Elfride’s two younger sisters—was the poor child who had carried an unknown incurable illness since birth, unlike her sister.
Doctors of renown had been summoned for diagnosis, yet all returned the same verdict: no known cause or name.
An extraordinarily strange disease of unknown origin. From childhood she suffered frequent high fevers, sudden fainting spells, pale skin that never glowed with vitality, and poor growth despite eating normally. Even now she coughed up blood with sudden fevers, collapsed without warning, and required a maid to stay constantly at her side. She was never allowed to leave the estate.
Sending such a fragile child away? To marry her off? Elfride could not accept it. What if she died on the very first night?
Elana offered a wry smile at Elfride’s outburst.
“...Lady Roberck said she is kind.”
“Don’t say such nonsense... How well would you treat someone who is sick and has no future? It’s not a love match; it’s a contract marriage for political alliance.”
“...I understand your worry, sister, but nothing will change.”
Elana gave a bitter laugh.
“And right now there’s nothing you can do for me anyway.”
“......”
She had come intending to oppose the Duke’s decision, but the final word belonged to the head of the house. No matter how strongly Elfride protested, if the Duke decided, Elfride had no choice.
That was the power of authority. If Elfride truly intended to leave the Bathory family, she would obey her father’s command.
Elfride was not worried about losing face. She knew that even if she rebelled and the matter was resolved, nothing would actually change. The Duke would simply find another match for Elana.
Thus she had no answer for Elana’s words—all of them were true.
“...Go on ahead. I need to speak with Elana a little longer.”
At the Duke’s dismissal, Elfride clenched her fists. But there was nothing left she could do. For her, it was already... too late.
“...Think about it once more, Elana.”
“Yes, I’ll think about it.”
That was the limit of what she could say—one piece of advice.
“...Elfride?”
Elfride returned to the training ground quite some time later. At first she had wanted to tease her for being late, but her expression was far too troubled.
“Why such a gloomy face? What happened?”
“...No, I’m sorry I’m late. I’ll show you the map soon, so draw your sword.”
“Huh?... Wait, what is wrong with that? You’re in this state of mind.”
Elfride rarely wore such an expression. An unsettling look that even a stranger would notice—shouldn’t a friend simply pass it by?
“What is it? Did something bad happen?”
“...Even if you know, it won’t solve anything.”
“Still, please tell me. Isn’t that what friends do—vent to each other and think things through?”
“Friends...”
Elfride mulled over the word, exhaled heavily, and lowered her head.
...There must be something serious. She had never seen Elfride like this—usually so proud.
“...Then you may vent to your friend.”
“Of course.”
That was what friends were for. If it were anyone else she would have no one to tell... but then the pain would fester inside.
Elfride and I sat haphazardly on the training-ground floor. She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them.
“...It’s about my little sister, Elana.”
“Huh?”
Elana, Lady Bathory—the sister Elfride had met this morning. She hadn’t expected such a heavy worry.
“...She has been suffering from an unknown rare disease since birth.”
What?
The shocking revelation set off a cascade of equally shocking details. Once Elfride finished speaking, I blurted out:
“...This is too trash.”
“Abel....”
Huh, shit. What did I just say?
I immediately apologized in panic.
“S-sorry. But still, Elfride’s father...”
“...Pfft.”
“?”
Someone actually laughed at my slip-up. Is there a god here?
“Thank you. You said exactly what I wanted to.”
“...Ah...”
“I know too. My father is the kind of man who can’t even be called good even in empty words. No matter the reason, can any father really push his sick child aside?”
“...That’s why your mood has been so bad.”
“Yes.”
Elfride sighed heavily.
“To reverse the head’s decision, I would need the elders’ consent, but honestly I don’t think our house’s elders would side with me. They’re the same kind of people as Father who value the family’s safety above all.”
“...Then what can we do? We can’t just send off my sister.”
“...I don’t want to send her either. Of course I don’t. But... there’s no way.”
No way. That word was hard to hear, yet I had no brilliant solution either.
I couldn’t interfere in noble affairs. Even if I could, I would need a proper justification. I couldn’t just go around shouting “Don’t send Lady Elana!”
It was a little sad being a commoner in times like this.
Elfride offered a wry smile.
“At least if we could cure her illness and send her off, it wouldn’t bother me so much.”
...Cure her... illness?
I suddenly remembered something. Estelle’s divine power had restored Chloe, who had been turned into a Cheshire Cat monster, to normal. Perhaps a rare disease was something she could heal?
If that was possible, maybe my Holy Sword of Order could do the same...?
“...Even in my current state?”
“Abel, what did you say?”
“A... I was just—”
I explained the abilities of the Holy Sword of Order to Elfride. Her eyes widened as she muttered:
“...Ah... I have heard that the Holy Sword of Order possesses such power. Not for ordinary wounds, but for rare or incurable diseases it treats them as violations of the world’s order...”
Really? Ordinary wounds cannot be cured. That’s a shame.
Elfride mumbled to herself, then suddenly grabbed my hand.
Eh?
“Abel, please. Could you at least try once?”
“...E-Elfride. But I don’t know how to use the Holy Sword’s abilities.”
“I’ll teach you. So please...”
“O-of course I was planning to try. You don’t have to beg me.”
Seeing Elfride cling to me so desperately left me flustered, though I hid it well.
...How desperate would this be. I told her the truth.
“Right now I have only partially unlocked the Holy Sword’s abilities a few times. There’s no guarantee they will activate, so be careful.”
“That’s fine. Trying once is enough.”
“Then when Lady Elana returns, let’s try. Until then—”
I handed her a practice sword.
“You have to teach me, Sensei.”
“...Yes, I nearly forgot my duty.”
Elfride, gripping the sword, wore a noticeably lighter expression than before.
“...Abel.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you.”
Elfride smiled gratefully at me. It was the same bright smile I knew so well.
...Yes, that was the Elfride I knew.