Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Easier Than Expected
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No, what?
"...?"
I double-check the condition my sister laid out.
<Defeat me with magic to become my mate.>
Okay, fine, whatever.
Lily sis has a strong sense of self-worth.
She might not like anyone inferior to her.
Alright, let's say that's true, even if I have to concede a hundred times.
But what about the next part?
<Or defeat my beloved little brother Theodor in every way possible.>
"...Why me?"
I'm utterly baffled.
Out of all the people in the world, why me?
Just say beat Ravire sis. Isn't that enough?
There isn't a single peer who could beat Ravire sis these days.
Ravire sis has gotten really strong in swordsmanship lately.
How should I put it?
She feels like a total monster now.
I can't even touch her with a fingertip no matter how hard I try anymore.
Just two years ago, I still had hope that with enough effort, I might win once.
But now? No chance.
It's like holding out as long as possible in a spar before inevitably losing.
Of course, if I used magic, swordsmanship, and holy power all together, it might be different.
Even then, our win rates come out surprisingly even.
No, wait.
Even using everything, it's barely fifty-fifty.
Watching her dismantle everything with her bizarre sword techniques makes her seem like an absolute monster.
Anyway.
"..."
I can't stand this.
I need to talk to Lily sis and choose my words carefully.
"Master, where are you going?"
"To see Lily sis."
"No special preparations needed? I'll just tag along."
I head out with Clue, who's now shorter than me, by my side.
I've grown a lot in these two years too.
I've shot up so fast, there's no other way to describe it.
Thinking that, I glance down at Clue.
"...Don't look so smug, Master."
Clue sighs and leads the way.
*
Lily sis's door is protected by multiple layers of magic, just like her.
I hear it's rigged with a system that screens unauthorized entrants and attacks automatically, but even after her explanation, I couldn't replicate it.
I get it, but do I really need something like that?
I have a homunculus assisting me 24/7, so no need to lock doors.
It even has facial recognition to filter people out perfectly.
"You're thinking something weird again, aren't you?"
"No?"
I bluff through Clue's question and step inside. Soon, Lily sis's voice rings out.
"Theo? What is it?"
She emerges saying that.
She's seventeen now—shouldn't she be hitting puberty?
She could snap at me for barging in, but Lily sis just smiles at me without a hint of irritation.
Of course, I wasn't backing down this time either.
"Sis..."
I sigh softly while looking at her, and our eyes meet. She smiles gently.
"You're here, Theo?"
"It's not 'you're here'."
I narrow my eyes at Lily sis.
She was always beautiful, but now she's stunning.
Maybe it's because she's seventeen, when beauty really blooms.
Put it this way: anyone on the street would turn to stare at her.
Her neatly arranged silver hair cascades freely, framing a relaxed smile.
Her violet eyes curve like crescent moons as they gaze at me, filled not with suspicion but pure affection.
"Yes, Theo? What's up?"
"You know exactly why I'm here."
I let out a deep sigh and continue.
"Why'd you do that?"
"What?"
"Why set such an absurd condition?"
Beat me in every way.
It's vague to begin with, and beating me... is just...
"You're just dumping it all on me."
"That's not it."
"...Did you get Mom's permission?"
"Of course."
The fact that Mom approved makes it even scarier.
"What'd she say?"
"She asked if I was okay living alone forever."
Mom, why aren't you stopping your beloved daughter? Why say that?
I press my temples and stare at sis.
"Sis. Just... say you don't want to get married."
"Theo, that won't work."
She replies softly with a smile.
"People always fantasize about what they can't have."
"..."
"If I say I won't marry, even more people will want me."
What kind of logic is that?
Even as I think that, Lily sis continues calmly.
"You know that too, Theo."
"..."
"And the ones chasing me won't be decent people."
"..."
"Guys who go after forbidden fruit are never the good ones."
"...What does that have to do with me?"
I get what she's driving at.
People are like that.
Gawkers assign more value to the unattainable.
So if Lily sis declares no marriage, idiots will flock, shouting they can win her heart.
I get that part, but...
"Why dump it on me?"
"I'm not dumping it, Theo."
What are you talking about?
I stare at her, and she smiles softly.
"Really, I'd marry a guy like you, Theo."
"..."
"If you want, you can lose on purpose. I'll follow your choice, or if I meet someone better at magic than me, I'd actually consider it."
She beams, and I sigh while looking at her.
"And it's not bad for you either."
"Not bad for me?"
I stare blankly, and she laughs back.
"Smart Theo already knows."
"...?"
I don't.
Lately, I've noticed Lily sis overestimates me.
To me, she's the genius.
Her brain is so sharp she sometimes sounds prophetic.
I've benefited from it before, but...
Now it skips to 'Theo knows,' which is frustrating.
Ask for an explanation, and she just smiles innocently.
No matter how I rack my brain, I can't figure it out.
Even so,
"Like I said, I'm not burdening you. If it's too much, just say so. I'll retract it immediately."
"...If I do, what's next?"
"Hmm. Hard to set a condition tough enough to beat you."
"Beat Mom?"
"That's just silly."
"Yeah."
Last year, Mom wanted to test our skills and sparred all us siblings at once.
No joke—we attacked with everything, and she didn't even get grazed.
She said in ten years we might match her, but I'm skeptical.
"So, it looks doable at a glance but is actually impossible—except for you, Theo."
"...Is that a compliment?"
"Of course."
She smiles gently.
"Anyway, I trust you. And no pressure. Worst case, just marry me off."
"Then if I lose to some weirdo, you'll hate me forever."
"You know that's not true, Theo."
"..."
I meet her eyes and sigh.
Fine. Whatever.
I can't help it.
"...Master."
Clue, who's been quiet, taps my shoulder.
"Oh? Dolls these days even pat their owners' shoulders?"
Lily sis teases with a smile, but Clue ignores her and keeps talking while patting.
"Someone looking for you is here."
"..."
I glance at Lily sis, who smiles apologetically.
"Sorry, Theo."
"...Whatever."
"But sis only does things that help you, right?"
"...Yeah."
She's been helpful so far, so I can't complain.
I head out thinking that.
Whoever it is moves fast—rumors spread quick.
*
The door creaks shut, and Lily quietly turns her gaze.
It's fixed on Clue.
"Dolls these days don't follow their owners?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Dolls these days talk too?"
"...That doesn't hurt my feelings. I'm a homunculus."
"Liar."
Lily smiles softly, and Clue meets her eyes.
"I just treat myself like a doll because you want me to. You'd hate it if I treated you like a person—"
"...That's not my question, Princess Lily."
Lily sighs and continues.
"Theo lacks real combat experience."
"..."
"With Mom alive, I believe we'll have eternal peace... but I'm always worried about him."
She smiles gently as she speaks.
"This world is too harsh for Theo."
"...Harsh?"
"Studying magic made me realize: blessings are curses."
"What do you mean...?"
"You're a blessing, and so am I—to Theo."
She cuts Clue off calmly and gazes at the spot Theo left.
"Those blessed must bear the responsibility. We call it trials."
"..."
"As his big sister, I protect him, but I also prepare him to move forward without me."
"...So you're saying."
"You bear responsibility too."
Clue meets her eyes, and Lily just smiles softly.
"Got it?"
"...Even without you saying."
Clue replies and leaves. Lily watches her with a smile.
"Right. And don't cling to Theo too much."
"..."
Clue ignores her and walks off. Lily watches quietly before sighing.
Three months pass like that, and about thirty challengers face Theodor.
From mages to noble heirs, all sorts went at him.
But not one has even scratched him yet.