Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Lion's Feast (2)
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The commotion—not quite a commotion—had finally settled.
"Ah. Ruin, my little sister didn't mean anything by it. She doesn't talk to people much. She probably just doesn't realize how it sounded yet. Haha. So, could you ease up on the frowning a bit?"
It was terrifying.
The White Wing Knights Captain, a woman of that caliber, had furrowed her brow the moment she heard Ariel's words.
The aura seeping out from her made even me tense up.
My dear little sister, unfortunately, was utterly unaffected.
"……."
"……."
Ariel and Ruin stared each other down without an inch of retreat.
In Ruin's case, it was anger, sure.
But how on earth could Ariel hold her gaze like that? It was astonishing.
'No wonder she's got the title of the world's strongest for a reason.'
The problem was, the one responsible for that bombshell remark wasn't my sister—it was her big brother, me.
I silently resented Ariel for one whole second.
Anyway, had my desperate assist worked?
"Fine."
Ruin nodded once.
As if checking off something she'd come to confirm.
"Indeed, the lion's daughter. Or... in this case, even 'lion' doesn't quite fit."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Keep a close eye on your sister. She's a young lion. Even if it wasn't aimed at me, words like that could spark something huge someday."
Ruin left those words behind and returned to her group.
She seemed to have neatly put Ariel's rudeness behind her.
But her words stuck with me.
'Spark something huge someday?'
It wasn't on the level of a slip-up causing a stir, like she'd said.
It was something more fundamental—a single sentence piercing right through Ariel as a girl.
"……."
I sniffed and rubbed my nose, countering inwardly.
'That won't happen, so don't worry.'
As long as I was around, Ariel wouldn't become a disaster.
As long as I was around, Ariel wouldn't be alone.
As her big brother, I'd already resolved myself to that.
A few words from someone else wouldn't shake me now.
I checked Ariel's expression.
My sister blinked slowly, looking up at me.
As if asking what the problem was.
"Haa."
I let out a deflated sigh and scolded Ariel.
"Why'd you say that?"
"What."
"Why'd you say that to Ruin? You can't just throw words around like that. They're rude."
"……."
Ariel's expression didn't change.
Her usual blankness.
I waited patiently.
This kind of patience was essential for talking with Ariel.
"Food's here!"
As we locked eyes, the shop owner belatedly rushed over and set down our order.
Steam rose gently from the bone-in meat.
A 120% greasy slab dripping with juices.
Yet with a springy texture.
"Whatever. Let's just eat."
I dropped the lecture and picked up a piece of meat.
What was the point of scolding her at the dinner table?
I hadn't gotten a clear answer, but sometimes you just let it slide with grace.
I sank my teeth in and tore off a bite.
The oily meat stimulating my tongue already brought waves of happiness.
'Ah.'
This was why we lived.
As I tore into the meat with gusto,
I noticed Ariel hadn't touched hers.
"What's wrong? Doesn't look good?"
"……."
"Try some. It'll change your mind."
Ariel was slow to react to new things.
Having been cooped up in the mansion, she took time to accept anything unfamiliar.
So I'd taken it upon myself to introduce her to things step by step.
I smiled softly and encouraged her to eat up.
Ariel's lips twitched, and she fired back something out of left field.
"……She touched you."
"Huh?"
"That person. She bullied you, brother."
"……?"
Was I the only one lost here?
No. Wait.
Six years as Ariel's big brother.
I had the skill to parse even contextless chats.
I quickly grasped what she meant.
"You saw it during the handshake?"
"Yeah."
"Well, damn."
Impressive.
It was a pure power grip, no mana involved.
You couldn't tell just by looking at the surface.
But my little sister had noticed.
"But why's that a big deal?"
"……She tried to hurt you, brother. I got mad."
"Aha. Got it. My little sister's got my back that much? I could die happy now."
"Idiot. You always brush it off like that. I was really worried."
"Mm."
I tried to tai chi my way past it, but Ariel looked dead serious.
She'd really gotten angry seeing Ruin crush my hand.
Should I praise her for expressing it verbally instead?
Even at six, she was the world's strongest character.
No telling what would've happened if she'd clashed with Ruin.
"Alright. You held back well. You're the best, little sis."
"Yeah."
"Now eat up. You must be hungry."
"Yeah."
Only then did Ariel seem satisfied, picking up her meat.
She opened her much smaller mouth and chomped down a chunk.
And chewed away.
Like a cat tentatively pawing at something new, my sister sampled it.
"……Tasty."
"Right?"
She answered with a bit of grease on her lips.
Of course.
Little sisters took after their big brothers.
**
After the meal, I took Ariel back to the mansion.
The sun still shone before sunset.
The Leonhart Ducal Family's assembly hall was packed with people.
"Tomorrow's the martial tournament for the 'Lion's Feast,' right? Can't wait."
"What? Then what's today? Why are so many people here already?"
"You don't know? Today the Leonhart Ducal Family's knights are holding their ceremony. The Duke himself is attending."
The territory folk all buzzed with anticipation for the upcoming knights' rite.
Fair enough. It'd be a spectacle—knights in polished armor, swords gleaming in the sunlight.
I entered the mansion through the family passage.
Alfred came rushing over as if he'd been waiting.
"Young Master! You're here."
"Yeah. Nothing's happened yet, right?"
"Yes. The Family Head hasn't appeared. But he sent a message."
"What is it?"
"He wants you to join him. Said it's about time you showed your face to the territory folk at public events."
"Really?"
If Father thought so, I'd follow.
I nodded and started after Alfred, then paused.
Behind me, my sister blinked her clear eyes at me.
Hmm...
Couldn't just leave her like this.
I went to Ariel and stroked her head.
"Sorry. Big bro has to step away for a bit. You can handle it alone, right?"
"……Yeah."
Her usual blank reply, but I knew.
She was down. This kid.
Hm.
Something to cheer her up...
Ah, right.
"If you get lonely, play Okari. I made it for you last time, remember?"
"Yeah."
"Play that, and I'll rush over when it's done. Wait for me, okay?"
"Yeah."
Ariel seemed comforted thinking of the ocarina, rubbing her head against my palm.
I petted her a bit more, then followed Alfred.
The assembly hall from the platform was grand.
Countless territory folk looked up at us, plus swordmasters from afar.
In front, the knights stood in perfect formation.
And the most important figure.
Thud—thud—
Heavy footsteps approaching the platform's center.
One of the Empire's three great swordsmen, Family Head of the Leonhart Ducal Family, sworn enemy of the Crimson Blood Cult.
Gerard Leonhart took his place.
"I thank everyone gathered here today."
A resonant voice.
Just hearing it straightened your back and posture—a powerful timbre.
That was my father, Gerard's presence.
"The Leonhart Ducal Family has hosted the 'Lion's Feast' every year. To honor our knights' efforts, proclaim our house's prestige, ensure our territory folk's happiness, and advance the way of the sword."
As Father's words continued, the territory folk and swordmasters' eyes sparkled.
No applause or cheers yet, but they'd erupt at the end.
"And this feast welcomes esteemed guests."
Then Father said something different from usual.
As his words ended, one figure ascended the platform.
Clank—clank—
The sound of metal hitting the floor.
I turned and recognized her, chuckling dryly.
White Wing Knights Captain Ruin.
She stood on my opposite side.
"One of the Imperial Court's four great knight orders, the White Wing Knights' Captain, Ruin Calderk, will observe this feast."
"Most of you know me, but allow me to introduce myself again. Ruin Calderk."
As Father's words finished, Ruin bowed her head.
Thunderous cheers from the territory folk and swordmasters were inevitable.
"Woooah!"
"The famous White Wing Knights? Their captain? Insane."
"This feast is gonna be huge. Gotta see it."
"With that, I'll conclude the opening remarks."
Father turned and stepped down.
He had to pass me, so our eyes met.
"……."
Father said nothing.
He was always so stiff and serious.
As he passed,
Ruin, following behind, spoke up.
"Leonhart Duke."
"What."
"Mind if I make a request?"
"What is it?"
Father turned, as if to say spit it out.
Ruin didn't look at him.
Instead, she stared straight at me and proposed,
a faint smile playing on her lips.
"For a special event to liven up this feast, how about a spar between a White Wing Knights member and a direct blood relative of the Leonhart Ducal Family?"
Eh?
A sparring event here?
As I made a bewildered face, Father replied flatly.
"What's the reason."
"I've taken an interest in your child. Their talent shines brightly."
"……."
"Naturally, it'd be a member capable of a proper match. If your child wins, they'll gain great honor. They could make their name known from a young age."
"Fine."
Father didn't hesitate further.
As if there was no reason to refuse if it was for me.
"Kline. Do you agree?"
"Y-yeah. Sure... "
I scratched my head.
An out-of-nowhere sparring event.
Honestly, I didn't have to do it.
'They could make their name known from a young age.'
Like Ruin said, winning would make me famous, right?
[For example, there is a way to raise your fame.]
The status window had said something like that.
"Sounds good. Let's do it."
I accepted the proposal.
Alright.
Time to get famous.