Chapter 35

It's a bonus.

"Hey! Wait a minute!"

The communication abruptly cuts off.

A vacation? Relaxing? For six whole days? I’m at a loss to know what to do when suddenly told something like that.

...Well, I’m relieved that Second is safe. Since the team has been formed, and now we can communicate anytime, it doesn’t seem to be much of a problem—

‘Communication outside emergencies is to be avoided as much as possible. Second’

—No! Some strange message just came through! Is this saying, “Don’t get in the way of me and Yurari”? No, it can’t be, right?

"How was it?"

Eko looks at my face with concern.

Eko, who had a look of the end of the world from the moment Second transferred until just now, immediately perked up when she realized I was communicating with Second. She was so curious about the conversation that she kept moving around, trying to eavesdrop.

"...It seems he won’t be back for six days. During that time, we’re on vacation."

"Vacation?"

"Yes."

"Okay then."

"Indeed."

Silence.

Eko and I are probably thinking the same thing right now.

What to do for six days—

"Shiruia, I’m hungry."

...No, that’s not it.

"Since it’s a rare vacation, I thought about going back to my hometown."

Noon.

We returned to the town of Peho and, while having lunch, discussed how to spend our vacation.

"Is it okay for you, Eko?"

"Yeah, I’ll go!"

When I suggested this, Eko immediately nodded.

It was decided so easily.

"Shall we move out right away?"

"Sure."

It’s a four-hour one-way trip from Peho to the capital. If we leave now, we should easily arrive before sunset. Eko and I returned to the inn to check out and then set off for the capital on horseback.

On the way, I think to myself.

Why did I think of going back to my hometown?

When I was in the Third Knight Regiment, I would never have thought of such a thing. In fact, I might have avoided it.

...Hmm, why is that?

Before I could come up with an answer, we arrived at the capital.

"Ah, it’s Shiruia!"

The first person I encountered when I got home was my older sister, Claris. Her tall stature, lack of chest, and short blonde hair give her a very androgynous appearance. Sister is supposed to be 20 this year, but she seems to still be growing.

"Sister, it’s been a while."

"Are you doing well? You’re still so serious... Oh? Who’s this?"

"Hello!"

"Good afternoon, or rather, good evening, I guess?"

"Oh, right. Good evening!"

"Aww, so cute..."

Sister pats Eko’s head. Eko narrows her eyes and purrs contentedly, leaning into the touch.

"I’ve decided. I’m keeping this one."

What is she saying...

"She’s a team member, Eko Leaflet."

"Ah, Eko-chan, huh?"

Sister is trying to persuade Eko with phrases like, "How about it?" and "Would you like to be kept?"

"I’m already being kept by Second, so no can do."

"Ooh, there it is! The rumored super handsome prince!"

Prince? ...Oh, right.

"What’s all the noise... Oh, it’s Shiruia. You’re back."

Father, having heard Sister’s voice, came over.

"Father, I’ve come to greet you on my vacation."

"Good timing. I had a few things to talk to you about... Oh? Who’s this?"

"Good evening! I’m Eko Leaflet!"

"...I see. Noire Virginia."

"By the way, I’m Claris Virginia. Nice to meet you~"

Sister strikes a pose. What’s with the “nice to meet you~”? She’s like this even in front of Father, which is a bit of a problem. Father occasionally scolds her, but he seems to have given up on it.

"Come on, Eko-chan, let’s talk over here?"

"Talk~!"

Ah, Eko has been taken away. I hope Sister doesn’t do anything strange... What’s with the “talk~”?

Right, Father said he had something to talk about.

"So, Father, what did you need to talk about?"

"Yes, but first, may I say one thing?"

"Yes."

"Shiruia, you’ve changed quite a bit."

Changed?

"Are you not aware of it?"

"No, I’m not."

"You seem to have grown a lot in this short period. You don’t flinch in front of me, you remain calm, you’re not meek, and you’re full of confidence. I felt a presence like his."

"---!"

Like Second, huh. Hehehe.

"That... is very flattering."

"You seem to have been positively influenced. That’s good."

Father smiles contentedly and then changes his expression to a more cheerful one before speaking.

"I heard he won the magic tournament. Moreover, he publicly turned down the formal invitation from the first prince, and I hear he’s on good terms with the second prince."

Geez! This is bad!

"...W-well..."

I can’t think of a good excuse on the spot and am at a loss for words.

Then, Father suddenly bursts out laughing and says,

"Very refreshing! Impressive! I was right to trust my judgment!"

Huh?

"Shiruia, don’t let him go. He will surely become an indispensable presence for our Virginia family, no, for our Castor Kingdom."

"Y-yes."

That’s for sure, but I thought he would demand, “Who is he!?”

"That’s all. How long is your vacation?"

"About six more days."

"I see. Then take your time."

"...Yes, thank you."

Father leaves, and he seems unusually kind.

No, he has shown this kindness from time to time.

Right, it’s just that my perception has changed. Maybe I’ve gained confidence, as Father said. The fact that I’ve gone through the B-rank dungeon with Second hundreds of times has given me an unshakable “calm.” That’s why I can now pick up on Father’s subtle kindness.

"---So, what’s the deal with you and Second~?"

"Ah! Sister! Don’t stand behind me without making a sound!"

Sister, who was supposed to be playing with Eko, suddenly appeared behind me, making my heart jump. My face turns red from the shock. No, it’s not because of the content of the question... Who am I even explaining this to?

"Shouldn’t I have the right to hear this story too?"

...At the worst possible time, another complicated person shows up. Alex, my older brother, runs his hand through his proud long blonde hair and plops down in the chair opposite me.

"Second, huh... I’ll have to see him with my own ‘eyes’ someday."

Brother is muttering to himself. He hasn’t changed at all. He’s 22 now, but he’s had this strange way of speaking since he was 14.

"Hmph, it’s been a while, Shiruia. Come on, spill the beans about this Second."

"It’s been a while, Brother. But, what information do you want...?"

"Then I’ll ask! Does Shiruia like Second~?"

"What! Is that true!?"

"N-no...!"

...Not exactly!

Ah, this is troublesome!

What are Eko and Father doing at a time like this—

"Delicious!"

"Good, you like it? You can eat more if you want."

"Thank you! I’ll eat more!"

"Good, good."

Those two are too compatible! They’re completely like a grandfather spoiling his grandchild!

"Shiruia, tell that guy. If he wants my sister, he has to defeat me first!"

"Come on, Shiruia~? What are you going to do~? Hey, hey~?"

"Daah, enough already!"

It’s too noisy!

I shouldn’t have come back home!

Thank you for reading.

The next chapter is "Chapter 4: The Great Spirit King."

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Starting from the next chapter, the update frequency will change from "daily" to "every three days."

I sincerely appreciate your continued support.