Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Oppa Is Already a Great Big Brother
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Rike's point all boiled down to the Akarite worldview settings I'd known since my previous life.
It was the bizarre issues arising from the deep-rooted male dominance intertwined with aristocratic society in the Harun Empire, embedded there since ancient times.
Even if they seemed grotesque to me, carrying values from another world,
the empire's long history of living that way meant its people didn't see those issues as problems at all—they viewed them as perfectly natural.
"The children of knightly families naturally aim to become knights, so they receive all sorts of training centered on swordsmanship. But if the one taking those lessons is a girl, it includes 'purity' and 'chastity' as well."
"Chastity...? When they're not even joining the church? Knights come back from campaigns, get smashed on booze, and call in women to party."
"Yeah. Male knights can get away with it to a certain extent, but if a female knight does that, she's in big trouble."
A stark double standard—and that explained it.
Even I, as an adventurer, knew that male and female knights who achieved the same feats received different treatment in this imperial society.
Among the daughters of knightly houses, Eclair reaching knighthood at her age was beyond rare—it was unprecedented. That's why she earned even greater praise.
Rumors had it she was a faith-like icon among the empire's female knights.
"That's the empire for you."
"Even so, knights in the imperial family or central institutions where maintaining dignity is key can't flaunt their debauchery openly, male or not. There must be verbal rules passed down to that effect."
"True... Even before we started dating, watching Eclair made words like 'dignity' come to mind, unlike those other so-called knights."
Rike smiled at how readily I accepted it and posed a simple quiz.
"When knightly families give sex education to their young daughters, they tack on all sorts of reasons to enforce premarital purity. Do you get why, big bro?"
It wasn't like losing purity meant losing mana, nor did the empire have families whose trade was unicorn hunting.
So the answer was obvious.
"For marriage?"
"Exactly! As expected of my smart big bro~"
This time, Rike popped some bread into my mouth as affirmation, then patted my head for getting it right.
Lately, these taming-like gestures were becoming more frequent, but they didn't feel bad at all. If anything, they were healing—and I rather liked it.
"When you asked Eclair if she'd ever masturbated alone, she said she hadn't, right?"
"Yeah."
"She wasn't just embarrassed and lying—she really never has. Same for me."
Was that even possible? Maybe because I'd never lived as a woman, but I truly couldn't wrap my head around it.
"If instincts exist, shouldn't people figure it out naturally without needing lessons?"
You couldn't block self-pleasure by skipping education. If anything, without proper guidance or solid info, they might veer off into harmful habits.
"From a young age, they scare you during sex ed. They say lust is a trial from the devil... or that indulging in solo relief corrupts your soul, preventing you from becoming a strong knight. They mix in realistic warnings too, like how a promiscuous life dooms your house and future."
In a world where undead, ghosts, and demons actually existed, frightening pure children might work—but I couldn't comprehend it with my own mind.
Especially after drinking unicorn blood and getting clearly categorized.
In this world, a woman's "purity" referred to sleeping with others—masturbation didn't count.
Even inserting something other than a penis didn't break purity. Ultimately, the empire's concept of purity hinged on whether you'd embraced the opposite sex.
That was the crux.
"Purity can be detected magically even without a hymen tear, so why go to such lengths for chastity?"
It was odd for me, who'd drunk unicorn blood, to say it, but noble daughters weren't out grabbing random men for fun. Scaring them into suppressing their urges—what was the point?
First experiences could draw blood or not, varying by woman.
Whoever started and spread this nonsense wasn't right in the head, fantasy world or not.
"Well, that's how it is~ But ultimately, confirming it visually during the act is best, right?"
Even Rike struggled with a man's perspective and answered as a question.
"Commoner or noble... life is exhausting and harsh everywhere."
I'd nearly been traded off like barter by this world's parents to another set, so compared to my previous life, yeah—this was hardcore.
From the viewpoint of someone who'd lived in a more scientifically advanced world,
the nobles carrying malice and ignorance into twisted education were better off than commoners, but with my personality, I might've bolted even if born noble.
"Chloe says much the same, and until I shut myself in my room... my family's education wasn't much different."
She smiled, but seeing her brows twitch at thoughts of her mother, I patted my thigh.
"Wanna sit here?"
At the now-familiar signal, she grinned brightly and settled across my lap.
"Yup—! Girls born into knight families like Chloe or me mostly prepare for the second path too."
"Marriage to another house, right?"
"Yeah. Unlike men, women knights still need basic bride training if marriage is on the table—it's the empire's custom."
"So I've heard."
"Even famed female knights in the empire are ridiculously few compared to men. They lowball women's odds of knighthood success from the start and prep alternative paths."
"Hm..."
Living in the capital, you pick up such trivia even if uninterested.
This was getting to the main point—Rike shifted her hips higher on my thigh, pressing closer.
"You're weirdly oblivious to noble society, so the intro dragged, but on to Chloe. She was supposed to train with bride lessons alongside the sword... but she says her family never made her do any."
"Because of Eclair?"
"Probably. One sister's influence rocketed the family sky-high, so they told Chloe to pick one path—knighthood or marriage—and commit."
"Got it. The Dreitna house had big expectations for Chloe, openly."
I knew the setup as the timid sisters' backstory, but these fleshed-out details sharpened my focus as I listened intently.
"Yup! Chloe chose knighthood, but since she hasn't achieved much yet, marriage talks are subtly popping up."
"Hasn't achieved much?"
It felt premature to say "yet" for Chloe, so I wondered if I'd forgotten some setting detail—Rike provided the answer right away.
"Eclair racked up feats before even entering the academy and graduated early, so they're expecting big things from her little sister too. If not, they'll push marriage as young as possible."
"Everyone's so impatient. Chloe's just a first-year cadet."
I recalled bumping into Eclair in the back alleys and our talk.
She'd said pouring power and wealth into the family was like poison, sickening and ruining it.
Seeing the Dreitna house's huge hopes for first-year Chloe, even I outside could grasp what she'd meant.
"She hates the idea and Eclair's blocking it hard, so it won't be forced."
"Hmm—blocking it still puts pressure on Chloe by bringing it up... Knowing that, Eclair's stressed seeing Chloe burdened."
"Exactly. You're quick and sensitive, big bro... A true big brother to Chloe."
Giggling at "big brother," Rike traced circles on my chest with her finger.
"Don't you find Chloe cute, thinking of her as a little sister? I'm a bit worried."
"Hm~ If she were my sister, I'd wanna look after her like you say. But Chloe gets it done when it counts, so I wouldn't worry too much."
Introverted, but when push came to shove, she flipped the switch and handled it.
I thought of the outdoor class and nodded.
"She does when it matters... Yeah."
"Still, this world has too much you can't do on willpower alone— even with a resolute, versatile big sister, there'll be times she needs a 'big brother'."
Her words reflected her own past too.
"The best everyday is when neither I nor Eclair need to step in..."
I trailed off, no need to voice it—Rike pressed, seeking confirmation.
"And if she does need it?"
I gazed steadily into her beautiful violet eyes.
Rike wasn't jealous or just curious—her expression brimmed with intrigued anticipation for my answer.
No need for lies; I'd told Chloe the same, so I could say it confidently.
"I'd help. Imagine how sad Eclair would be if something happened to her."
"You're already a splendid 'big brother.' I'd be sad too if a dear friend were in trouble, so I'm counting on you."
With that, she smiled with her eyes and slipped her tongue into my mouth—I wrapped my arms around her slender waist.
'...W-what do I do!'
Chloe kept her eyes closed but hadn't slept, wrestling with her chaotic thoughts through the night.
At the sounds of servants arriving outside, she rose, washed up, and donned her academy uniform.
Normally, she'd eat breakfast, rub sleepy eyes, change, and head out... but today was different, against her will.
'Sister said she'd come in briefly this afternoon, right?'
With her duties... and overall exhaustion, might she sleep till afternoon?
She knew from a lifetime of watching that her sister, unlike her, wouldn't—but still, a faint hope.
Creeeak—
Rarely? Or for the first time, Chloe finished prepping for the academy early in the morning and cautiously opened her door.