Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Beating the Bastard (4)
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Pat. Pat.
I gently patted Roera's back.
I planned to keep doing it until she calmed down.
Roera's breathing, which had been ragged from overwhelming emotions, soon steadied.
The back touching my arm rose and fell in a regular rhythm.
Sniff. Sniff.
Even the final stage of calming down, the nose sniffling, was nearing its end—
Soon, only even breathing remained between us.
Roera would probably pull away from me soon.
"..."
"..."
Not yet, huh.
I resumed the patting.
About thirty pats later.
By now, Roera should pull away from me.
"..."
"..."
Still not.
I resumed the patting again.
About sixty pats later.
At this point, even Roera wouldn't stay stuck to me, right?
"..."
"..."
Pat.
Pat.
Pat.
Pat.
An eternity had passed since the first pat began.
The bastard's arm, which seemed destined to pat forever, had turned to dust and scattered, while the noble young lady peacefully snored away. Or rather, when the hell is she coming out?
At this point, I was genuinely starting to worry.
Hey, is something wrong with her?
"Roera?"
Thankfully, she wasn't dead on her feet. At my call, Roera flinched, her body trembling.
"What."
"Are you, uh, calmed down a bit?"
"...What."
"...! Don't tell me shock-induced language regression!? Roera, say something with more than two syllables for your big bro's peace of mind?"
"...Ah, enough!"
Roera irritably shoved me away.
Like she was pulling off a tick.
"I'm stuffy, get off!"
"This is perplexing."
Stuffy, so get off?
Was I actually the baby kitten clinging to her lap, lapping up the pats all this time?
Muddled memories. Collapsing sense of self. My mind going blank.
I was shocked.
Apparently, my little sister's true nature was that of a True Ancestor.
Such powerful mental interference.
"Sorry. My little sis. Big bro got a bit clingy, huh?"
I was talking to the back of Roera's head right now.
She'd turned away right after shoving me.
"Ah, enough! What the hell are you saying, you creep!"
Thankfully, communication wasn't a big issue.
Her voice alone painted her expression perfectly.
Irritation, disgust, loathing in perfect balance.
"What's creepy about it? Big bro's starting to get hurt."
"Tone down that 'big bro' crap already!"
"You just said it yourself. Big bro is big bro no matter what anyone says. So even if you say otherwise now, big bro's still your big bro."
"Ugh— you're crazy, crazy— I must be crazy...!!!"
Slap slap slap!
Roera shook her head in exasperation, slapping her cheeks repeatedly.
Finally, she turned back to face me.
"F-Forget it!"
Roera's face was flushed red.
What a swordsmanship genius.
Just a few slaps and her cheeks were beet red like radishes.
That looks like orbital fracture territory.
"Forget what?"
"Everything! All of it, just now!"
"Even 'big bro no matter what is Roera's big bro' here isn't great at forgetting stuff, but forgetting that moment? Tough. It was the heartfelt exchange between loving siblings confirming their bonds. Big bro won't forget that ever. Forget everything else, but not me, got it?"
I quoted her words, reliving the touching moment.
Roera seemed touched too, her eyes gradually moistening.
"R-Really...? You'll never forget? Fine. Then no choice."
-Shing
A chilling sound unfit for the warm moment.
"L-Let's just die. You die, I die. Yeah, that's the way."
Trembling voice. Trembling sword tip.
Beet-radish Roera steeled her resolve.
"W-Wait, Roera...! Anyone but you can do this to me!!!"
"Aaaah!!! Shut up, shut up!!!"
I had to calm Roera down once more.
This time, dodging her incoming sword strikes instead of patting.
Phase 2 of calming Roera ended fortunately without casualties.
Now, Roera and I sat on a bench along the mansion garden path.
Roera sat next to me, then suddenly kicked off her shoes.
She propped her legs on my thighs and sprawled out flat on the bench.
Look left: Roera's white feet wiggling freely.
Look right: Roera with golden hair splayed on the chair, blankly staring at the sky.
"Roera, you okay?"
"What."
"Your clothes. Won't they wrinkle? Dust too."
"Don't care."
"Hair'll get messy."
"It's loosely tied."
"Confidence of a fashionista who looks good even half-assed."
"Jeez. What're you on about."
Roera snorted sharply.
Meanwhile, her white feet bounced happily on the other side.
If only our Roera were as honest and cheerful as those feet.
I envied the feet's big bro feet.
"So—"
Then, Roera lifted her legs and sat up properly—or so I thought, before flopping down again.
This time, laying her head on my thighs.
Roera looked up at me from below.
"What now? What're you gonna do from here?"
Roera nudged the backpack on the ground under the chair with her foot.
I'd set it beside me, but she'd tossed it aside saying it was in the way.
"You really moving? To the main house?"
Oh right, Roera thinks I'm in the middle of moving to the main house.
Before correcting her misunderstanding, I said,
"Just curious, but if I go to the main house, is there a problem? Puberty territory split? Hate sharing a building with big bro?"
"What're you saying."
Thud.
Roera lifted her head and dropped it, assaulting my thigh.
True to her knight prospect status, her whole body was a weapon.
"Just... pissing me off."
"Big bro's luck improving?"
"Told you not to call yourself big bro."
"...Male sibling's luck improving?"
"Sigh. Fine. Not you. That guy."
That guy.
Roera called the family head that in front of me.
Not out of caution because I was there, but because I was there, she spoke her true mind.
For some reason, Roera loathed the family head.
Stronger than typical teen rebellion.
"That guy punishes you by sending you to the annex, now rewards you by calling you to the main house. What the hell? Like—what—what—"
Mid-sentence, Roera glanced at me and smacked her lips.
Thud.
Then headbutted my thigh again.
"And you just accept it? No pride?"
"Then what should your male sibling—"
"Don't. Warned you."
"What do you want me to do, Roera?"
"..."
Roera averted her gaze.
Tap. Tap. Briefly drumming the innocent bench with her foot.
"I'm pissed, okay?"
Her voice unusually subdued.
"From way back, 'don't do this, don't do that, are you doing it, pathetic,' nitpicking everything, meddling in everything, but never giving proper alternatives."
"..."
"Same this time. What? So what? No pride? Stay in the annex forever? Bullshit. Like it's not his business."
Thump. Thump.
The foot drumming the bench grew stronger.
I quietly waited for her next words.
"...What'd you talk about with that guy?"
"First off, if the political marriage goes well, he'll treat me properly."
"...Ah. Right."
Roera bolted upright like she'd remembered forgotten summer homework.
"S-So what'd you say? You didn't accept, right?"
"Me doing a political marriage causes some issue?"
Roera scowled and flicked my knee.
"Y-You— idiot. Of course there's a problem. Now that guy's picking your spouse too?"
"Political marriages are common for nobles, though?"
"True, but... Ah! You're not a noble!"
"Face screaming 'great idea' but the words?"
"...What. Did I say wrong?"
"Not wrong. Honestly, I'm skeptical of political marriages myself."
For a modern person, arranged marriages were drama or movie stuff from another world.
I couldn't imagine myself in one, but my sibling or kid?
Super awkward.
"Really!?"
Roera suddenly perked up, reason unknown.
"Wh-What's up? Gonna suck up to that guy again? ~Oh, love arranged marriage~ Can't wait for my bride~ Gotta impregnate quick and show grandkid to family head~ Knew it."
"What the hell am I in that head of yours?"
"Then—"
Gestures and mutters. Roera pondered deeply, then said excitedly,
"Hey. Can you do as I say?"
"What're you ordering?"
"Anything. Diltan bitch. Whatever makes you lose feelings for her, do it."
"Diltan bitch? You and Fienne on bad terms?"
"...Fienne?"
Roera's face soured instantly, snorting.
"Wow. Already confirmed feelings? Fine. Some bird chick drops from the sky and clings, guys go all gooey~ love it~."
"Not really. But let's hear it. What's wrong with Fienne? Jealous I'm taken—"
"Wh-What're you saying!!! Keep babbling!? To you, that bitch normal!? Head full of flowers? Doesn't creep you out?"
I inwardly admired Roera's rambling excuses.
How'd she know? Fienne's not normal.
"Forget it! I'm the idiot for worrying!"
Roera irritably turned away.
Seeing her back a lot today? Roera's nape.
"Fine. Assume Fienne loses feelings for me. Then what?"
"...Actually. Told that guy this. I'd marry into Diltan instead of you."
"Why?"
"Why? Some Kalan there matches my ideal—"
Roera spoke mechanically, then slyly glanced back at me.
"...Just."
"Just?"
"Just! Hated seeing that guy control you, hated you living by his whims. Why? Jealous!? Feels like I stole your chance?"
"...So, sacrificing for me?"
"Damn— what're you saying, annoying."
"What? I'm touched."
"..."
"Only Roera cares about me."
"..."
Roera lay back in her turned position.
Pillowing on my thigh again, she grumbled,
"Then act better? Listen to your big sis from now on?"
"Would I dare not?"
"You! You said you'd listen!"
"But Roera okay with married life? Your personality."
"You think I'm like you? I'm Bendel legitimate. Real deal lady. Diltan? If I marry in, they'll choke on my glare. Worlds apart from you choking on theirs."
Her usual cocky arrogance was pure Roera, but somehow...
It felt forced.
I barely stopped myself from petting her head.
"Got it? From now on, do exactly as I say."
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Roera punctuated each word by smacking my thigh with her head.
Honestly, touched.
Despite the words and actions, Roera seemed genuinely trying to improve my situation.
Tap.
My foot unconsciously nudged the backpack on the ground.
Originally, I hadn't planned to tell Roera anything.
Didn't want to drag her into hassle, worry her, and figured she wouldn't care anyway.
But now—
I made up my mind and spoke.
"Roera. Appreciate the thought, but no need."
"Yeah. Shut up."
"I mean, no political marriage for me, so no unwanted married life for you."
"...What're you saying?"
I told Roera everything that'd happened so far and my future plans.
In other words, shared my runaway plan.
"...!"
As the story ended, Roera shot to her feet.
"What're you doing here right now?"
"Ran into someone pleasant midway."
"...Whatever!"
Tap tap.
Roera picked up the backpack, dusting it off.
Then slung it over her own shoulder.
"What? 'Don't go, bro!' plot twist?"
Roera poked my side with her elbow.
Not her usual cynical smile, but a playful one.
"Let's go."
"If I may ask, where to?"
Poke. Poke poke.
Instead of answering, Roera poked my side repeatedly.
Urging me onward.
With an excited face.
Damn. Knew it.
Idor. No way that guy's as cool as I hoped.
"Lord Rishir."
Urged by Roera, I was about to leave the Bendel mansion.
Soon reaching the main gate.
A man blocked my path.
"The family head's orders. If Lord Rishir attempts to go out, inform him to refrain."
Inside the gate, not out, so not a trainee guard.
Suited to his polite smile, it was Knight Gerhen of Bendel.
Gerhen was a full knight, not some apprentice.
What that meant.
"...If duty-bound to insist on outing?"
"Regrettably, must use force."
He was a wielder of power utterly beyond my level.
Even an apprentice knight was the same.
Why I beat Humton the apprentice? Purely his carelessness.
Allowed me to exploit with magic.
But now all Bendel folk know I use magic.
Humton said it.
If we spar again, he won't lose.
Not bravado.
An apprentice knight going all out, checking my magic. I had little confidence beating them.
A full knight like before me? No contest.
Gerhen could take three Humtons at once.
Such a Gerhen declaring he'd block me with force.
Best bastard move here?
"Gerhen. Move."
Damn. Hated [1. Hide behind little sis].
Ignoring my wishes, Roera stepped forward, facing Gerhen.
"Lady...?"
Target switching from bastard to lady, Gerhen visibly flustered.
"I. Got business outside."
"Lord Rishir—"
"Taking him too."
"..."
"Deaf? Business outside. Move."
Sigh.
Gerhen exhaled.
"Don't know what wind's blowing to protect Lord Rishir, but no."
"Oh?"
"Family head's orders. Please, lady. Don't want to be rude to you."
"Sounds like you could be rude if you wanted?"
Smirk.
Roera curled one lip in her signature sneer.
Full of fighting spirit.
"..."
Gerhen's eyes twitched.
He served Bendel, but was nobility himself.
No one but family head treats retainers roughly.
"Lady. Clearly: I'm not like the apprentice Rowen you barely beat."
"Know your place, huh?"
"Remember your bout with Rowen. Fierce, neither yielding an inch."
Noble euphemism.
Translation: You barely beat apprentice Rowen. Think you can take me?
"Bullshit."
Roera snorted, drawing her sword.
"Understood. If Lady Roera wills it— I, Gerhen, humbly request instruction from Lady Roera Bendel."
Gerhen drew too, unyielding.
The knights' non-spar began.
"...!"
First clash.
Gerhen's face, swords locked with Roera, showed deep surprise.
Just one year.
A year ago, Roera matched apprentice Rowen evenly, winning by a hair.
Now, a year later.
Roera stood unyielding against Gerhen, already a full knight then.
They shoved swords apart simultaneously.
Opened distance, then another exchange.
Swords clashed repeatedly, harsh metal ringing out.
Exchange paused.
Gerhen, distanced from Roera, said in disbelief,
"Now I see why the family head dotes on you so."
"Thanks. Gonna move now?"
"Such results without Bendel Style interest. Such growth speed. Dread the day you formally inherit Bendel."
"So, moving aside now?"
"..."
Gerhen reset his stance.
Different from before. Aura rippled around his sword.
"Seriously?"
Roera's face hardened.
Gerhen unleashed Bendel Style.
"Lady Roera. Please understand my position."
"Why're you doing this! The guy you all hate is leaving the family on his own!"
Gerhen was stunned.
Thought she'd back down by now.
But Roera charged full force.
No choice but to end it.
'Can't let the lady get hurt...!'
Some damage inevitable, but not serious injury.
Gerhen powered up.
Aiming to disable Roera in one blow.
Half-measures risked worse.
"...!"
Then Gerhen's gaze locked on Rishir behind Roera.
'This bastard—'
Alert knight senses caught the bastard subtly gathering mana.
Gerhen wasn't fazed.
He'd seen Rishir vs. Humton.
Knew his hidden abilities, deemed them trivial.
A knight's refined mana was sword and armor itself.
Gerhen's mana barrier unscratched by bastard tricks.
Thus, Gerhen dismissed Rishir.
'Hid that orb in left hand.'
Like noting a buzzing fly, minimal vigilance.
Very reasonable.
...Very reasonable, thus utterly wrong.
"Huh?"
"!?"
"!?"
All three sensed anomaly near-simultaneously.
Rishir gathering mana was off.
What? How much mana is pooling?
"No— why this again!? Whatever!"
Rishir thrust his right hand instead of the orb-holding left.
Randomly gathered, yet infinitely precise mana clump formed will, shot at Gerhen.
Unexpected even to himself, a surprise attack.
From others' view? Worse.
Human mana surging suddenly, sharply? Possible?
Rare elixir territory, even family head unused.
"Insignificant...!!!"
True Bendel knight.
Gerhen reacted a beat late but successfully.
Predicted trajectory, swung to deflect mana orb.
But mid-swing, orb curved.
"...!"
All converged: bastard's magic hit the knight.
Mana orb to chin, Gerhen's eyes rolled up slightly.
Before they refocused, Roera's fist followed.
"How'd you do that!?"
Roera voiced what the unconscious Gerhen would say.
And the bastard and lady left the mansion.