Chapter 87

Translator: penny

Chapter: 86

Chapter Title: Opstein Counteroffensive

Leaving behind the Marchioness who had begun mutating into a demonic beast, I wondered how much time had passed since we stepped out of the barracks.

"Little brother."

Lost in complicated thoughts, I stared blankly up at the sky. Then, at the sudden voice from behind, I tilted my head and turned around.

"I'm heading out."

"Pardon?"

"To the Opstein Marquisate's territory."

Looking down at me, my big sister spoke to me in the gentlest voice she could muster.

"Um, Big Sis."

"Yes?"

"Could you hold out your hand?"

I gazed up at her quietly for a moment, then took the hand she extended with a puzzled expression, my eyes turning red.

"Ta-da!"

The next instant, the small cuts on her hand and the scars on her arm slowly faded away.

"......"

Watching this in a daze, my big sister knelt down and whispered softly into my ear.

"...I like my little brother."

Right after those words, a system message appeared before my eyes.

I'd only meant to heal her wounds, but it felt like I'd unwittingly stolen my innocent big sister's ability. That twinge of guilt didn't last long. As I read the message, I quietly furrowed my brow.

'God-Defying Monstrous Strength?'

Forget matching Mother's difficulty to use it—even guessing what it did from the name alone was impossible.

'I'll put this aside for now...'

But right now, there was something more pressing than figuring out big sister's ability.

"Is it really okay, though?"

I dismissed the system and voiced my concern. My big sister tilted her head slightly.

"The Opstein Marquisate is a renowned magical house."

"......"

"They have lots of barriers to keep outsiders out... and strong mages too..."

She nodded as she listened to me.

"So, shouldn't you go with Mother and the others...?"

"That's fine."

But by the time I finished, her innocent gaze held a point that made sense.

"If Mother comes too, it'll be overkill."

"Ah..."

"If both Mother and I deploy at once, His Majesty the Emperor will scold us..."

True. Having Mother—who was handling the 'picnic incident' cleanup—join the expedition would be a bit much.

And from what she said, the imperial family likely wanted to minimize Belverk involvement in the same war.

"And the other little siblings..."

Was that why Lilien and Uriel couldn't come along?

"...They're still scared of me."

As I listened intently, her timid voice made my jaw drop.

"I want to play with them this time and get closer..."

Right—even though she'd just reconciled with Mother hours ago thanks to me, it was natural she'd still be awkward with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Lilien and Uriel, where misunderstandings lingered.

"Wait just a moment!"

I couldn't let that stand. Vowing to bridge the gap now, I hurried back to the barracks.

"Heave-ho..."

Soon, dragging them by the hands, I brought out my second and third sisters—who'd been waiting in their private tents, still not grasping the situation.

"Wh-wh-what's this!?"

"...Um, what are they doing?"

"......"

And so, for the first time, all the Belverk heirs gathered privately. Yet no one could speak easily.

Alright. No choice. Time for me to step in again.

"Big Sis, hurry!"

Of course, if I handled everything, it wouldn't be 'communication.' So I poked my frozen big sister's side, urging her on as she faced her siblings.

"...Kairen wants to picnic with his big sisters."

Despite still looking dazed, as I muttered sulkily, words finally spilled from her lips.

"Little sisters."

"......"

"I'm planning to go picnic at Opstein from now on."

But after that, she paled and hesitated again.

"So..."

"You're doing great."

Encouraged by my whisper as she pushed on, she clenched her fists and finished.

"...Will you join me?"

Silence followed.

"Wh-what is this...?"

"...Hmm."

In that quiet, the other two sisters' flustered mutters echoed briefly.

- Zap...

But I glared at them with my fiercest look, silencing them before big sister heard.

"Let's play together at Opstein."

Then, big sister mustered courage again, averting her gaze as she repeated the offer.

"So, what's going on here...?"

"Sounds good."

"Huh?"

As Lilien stared wide-eyed, frowning to speak—

Uriel suddenly raised her hand, squinting as she stepped toward us.

"I'll join the fun too, Big Sis."

"...Really?"

"Yes! I've been curious about you."

"Even though success was right there, why change your mind at the last second? And..."

"......?"

"...Just how strong are you really...?"

She shot big sister a calculating glance, then turned to Lilien standing alone.

"Lilien. What about you?"

"Uh, uh?"

"Hehe. You could stay in Belverk and spend some cozy time with Mother..."

At her languid tone, Lilien shuddered and hurried over.

"N-no, I don't want that..."

Thus, the complete 'Picnic Party' was formed.

"Little brother."

Glancing at her new companions, big sister knelt and whispered.

"I'm happy..."

Unlike her usual icy tone, emotion laced her voice, showing her joy at being with family.

"I have three little siblings following me now."

Wait—she seemed to be misunderstanding something.

"Ah, um..."

"Yes?"

"Well..."

I had no intention of joining the Opstein demolition...

"Are you not coming, little brother?"

"......"

"...For real?"

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chilling mutter froze them.

"Of course I'm coming."

"Right? Hehe..."

So, sweating, I nodded. She beamed like a sunny retriever, then turned.

"...Follow me, little siblings."

Her voice returned to its cool norm as she stepped forward.

"Hey, kid."

"Cute little brother?"

But the other two had witnessed it.

"How did you tame that monster?"

"...Did you learn hypnosis?"

The emotionless Iron-Blooded Princess smiling brightly at me.

"Ahaha..."

It might shock them.

"...I'll explain slowly."

They'd see it endlessly from now on, so I hoped they wouldn't be too surprised.

- Rumble...

That evening, after the Opstein Picnic Party formed.

"We've arrived near Opstein territory."

The covert carriage halted with a jolt. The 3rd Knight Division Commander, who'd insisted on driving, bowed and reported.

"But there's a problem..."

"...Ah."

Before he finished, the eldest daughter flinched mid-step and stopped.

"Sis, is something ahead?"

"Hm..."

"Let me see. Hmm..."

Uriel tilted her head, stopping too, her eyes turning red as she scanned ahead.

"A portable sanctuary. The strongest existing barrier replicating a sanctuary with human magic."

A minute later, she sighed, done analyzing.

"It's one of the Opstein family's greatest achievements as descendants of saints and a magical powerhouse."

"...I see."

"Usually invisible, but you spotted it."

Praising the eldest—who'd frozen—Uriel made her flinch again.

"...Ow."

Only after Uriel looked away did the eldest rub her reddened forehead sulkily.

"Kid. Move aside."

As Kairen averted his eyes, Lilien shoved him aside confidently and advanced.

- Boom...!

After a deep breath, she slammed full-force into the portable sanctuary blocking the way.

"Tch..."

Soon, blushing faintly, she stood, brushed dirt off her pants, and pouted.

"If it attacked intruders, I could've adapted."

"......"

"But if it's just insanely tough, adapting with my ability is hard..."

Finishing, she glanced at Uriel slyly.

"Even for me, it'd take 5 days. Calling the Tower Master could cut it to 3."

"That complex?"

"Shortening beyond that's theoretically impossible. Opstein didn't stay one of the four great ducal houses for nothing."

With even Uriel confirming it would take time, the path seemed blocked—

"What if we dig under...?"

"......"

"...Yeah."

Lilien, poking the barrier embarrassedly with a knife, suggested sheepishly.

"Lilien."

"Eek."

"Good idea."

The eldest stepped forward suddenly. Lilien flinched.

- Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!

But then, like a dog digging for buried bones, she clawed the ground at terrifying speed. Everyone's eyes glazed over, Lilien included.

"Big Sis."

"Yes?"

Kairen hesitated, then approached where she'd dug a hole his height deep.

"Digging under won't work!"

"...Why?"

"I've tried it before!"

Her head poked out curiously.

"I dug until my nails fell off, but the barrier kept going."

"......"

"...Then the servants caught me and beat me badly. Hehe."

Her expression chilled with each sunny word.

"Opstein servants bullied you too?"

"...For real?"

His other sisters reacted the same.

"Yes, so I like Belverk better."

"......"

"Belverk servants never scold or hit me—they just dote on me..."

Yet he beamed innocently.

"...S-so, what do we do?"

Noticing the chill, he pivoted desperately.

"We can't give them time..."

Uriel pulled him into a hug reassuringly.

"It's fine."

"Huh?"

"It'll vanish in 10 seconds..."

Her words barely ended—

- Crunch...

When a forced crumpling sound echoed at Opstein's entrance.

"...God-Defying Monstrous Strength."

As Kairen's eyes widened, Uriel explained softly.

"The nickname those who witnessed its power on the Eastern Continent gave it. It's big sister's Crimson Eyes' true ability."

Dazed, Kairen answered her question.

"Do you know what it means?"

"Uh... A bizarre or mysterious power. Like supernatural phenomena..."

"...Hehe, so smart."

She stroked his head fondly at the clever reply.

"It's her nickname because of a little wordplay."

Her gaze shifted forward slowly.

"Pure physical strength. If it's a bit strong, it's called monstrous strength."

- Graaaah...!

"But if that strength violates physical laws and causes supernatural phenomena, shouldn't it be God-Defying Monstrous Strength?"

She spoke toward Belverk's firstborn monster, shoving both hands into the portable sanctuary with red eyes, tearing the whole thing apart with raw power.

"Like, say, grabbing and ripping a grand magic barrier made of spells with just physical force—like a madman."

As Uriel's explanation drew wry laughs, a small rift appeared in the air.

"...First Law of Magic: Physical force and mana do not interfere. That's the sole exception."

The rift grew uncontrollably—

- Crash...!

Opstein's unbreakable absolute defense shattered like glass, scattering everywhere.

"Little siblings."

The ensuing chill ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was broken by the famously taciturn eldest.

"Let's bet."

"...!"

"Who kills the most inside."

Her red-eyed words tempted Lilien and Uriel.

"...Sounds fun."

"For that kind of picnic, count me in."

They paused, turning to frozen Kairen.

"You're joining, right?"

"I'll yield a few specially, kid."

"Um..."

Blinking at his sisters, Kairen asked shakily.

"What about the subordinates?"

Their answer was simple.

"Subordinates?"

"Kid, you're joking?"

"It's just Opstein."

With that, the three sisters' eyes turned red, slowly advancing toward the distant Opstein Marquisate.

'...My sisters are scary.'

Frozen long, Kairen trailed with short steps, pouting.

"L-Lady Dorsia."

Meanwhile, in Opstein Marquisate's grandest, most ornate room.

"...What?"

"The territory's barrier has been destroyed."

"What?"

Dorsia shot up from the bed, dark expression shattering at her confidant's report.

"Who did it?"

"Th-that is..."

The confidant bowed, unable to meet her eyes.

- Whirr...

Behind him, the intruder-detecting scrying orb lit up, projecting footage.

"Ah, it's Kairen."

Watching blankly, Dorsia lit up with a smile.

"And... huh?"

But seconds later, it froze cold.

"Four intruders."

"......"

"All Belverk heirs."

Ahead of peeking Kairen, three girls advanced with red eyes and murderous smiles.

- Grind...

Dorsia ground her teeth staring at the feed.

"Prepare for total war."

Time passed. Fully risen, her command stunned the fidgety confidant.

"Pardon?"

She glared coldly, grabbed her staff from the wall, and left with a chilling mutter.

"...Things have come to this. I'll personally ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠take back Kairen."