Chapter 38

Thank you to those who read this!

"Hey, Thor... Are you serious?"

It took me a few seconds to understand Thor's words, and I asked with a trembling voice.

"Yeah, I'm serious."

Thor looked straight into my eyes. A bit too close, though. If we were seen in this position by the yaoi fans, it would be a disaster. It looks like Thor is pressing against me. However, Thor is serious.

Elinora's appearance is indeed good.

Even though she spends a lot of time outside, her skin is white and smooth. Thanks to her daily sword training, her body is well-toned, and her limbs are slender and smooth. Her chest, which has become quite smooth, contrasts with her waist, which is beautifully proportioned.

Her long eyelashes, sharp eyes, and well-balanced face give her a dignified appearance.

She walks with her long, wavy ponytail of bright red and brown, and the way she brushes her hair back is captivating to everyone.

However, I won't be swayed by such information. I need to bring Thor back to his senses. I should show him the real Elinora. I can't let Thor go down a thorny path.

"What's so good about her? You have the lovely Emma, don't you?"

"Are you kidding? It's rare for someone not to be attracted to such a kind and beautiful person. It's you who's weird for calling my sister 'Emma.'"

"You're being deceived by her looks! Emma is beautiful, gentle, and has a wonderful smile, and she's incredibly kind!"

Elinora being kind? How did you come to that conclusion? It's a joke that's not even funny.

"Ugh!"

We step back to calm down.

"Thor, you seem pretty determined."

"You too. Liking my sister is just weird."

The space between us is so cut off from the festival's noise that a heavy silence hangs in the air.

"Elinora is rough, violent, and barbaric, far from being kind."

I speak slowly and gently, trying to reason with Thor.

"You too. My sister is sloppy, lazy, and careless. Her chest is even—"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm interested too."

Two voices, not ours, sound.

"..."

We turn around to see Emma and Elinora standing there. They both look very angry. Did they hear our last conversation? If so, this is the worst.

Behind them stands Sylvio, looking very tired.

"Sylvio, I've been looking for you!"

I use Sylvio as an excuse to leave the scene. I can see Thor's envious expression at the corner of my eye.

"Where are you going?"

"Ugh!?"

With those words, a demonic hand grabs my collar sharply.

This is Nord's technique! Did Thor learn it!?

"Come here, Thor."

"Ah, ah!"

Thor is also caught by Emma, who is smiling all the time. Even mentioning her chest would make Emma angry.

"Anyway, I have something to do, Emma. See you later."

"Sure, Lady Elinora. See you later."

We are gently led in a different direction.

"Well, Lady Elinora and Lord Alfrid are close, aren't they?"

"Really. It's heartwarming."

"True. My kids are always fighting, and I wish they would learn from them."

"Mr. Sylvio is also very handsome and cute, making them a great brother and sister."

"Koriat Village's future looks bright."

The ladies' cheerful conversation can be heard. No, this is a restraint. I'm being held to prevent me from escaping. These white, soft hands won't budge, but they don't hurt at all, which is even more terrifying.

Amid the warm gazes of the villagers, I try to smile as I am led to the mansion.

---

Elinora showered me with her affection like rain.

Considering it was the Harvest Festival, today's punishment was a tickling hell from Elinora.

No one seems to find it strange that my laughter echoes throughout the mansion.

Even Mother Elna, seeing my exhausted state, only smiles and says, "You two are getting along well today."

I wonder what the mansion's people think of me. Maybe I should talk to Baltor.

Finally freed from Elinora, I head to the square where the night festival is being held.

The sky is already dark, and Koriat Village is enveloped in a blue darkness. Here and there, bright flames can be seen.

"Is Thor here? Is he even alive?"

Worried about Thor's safety, I start running.

When I reach the village, many people are gathered around the square. The nearby stalls have either moved or closed, making room for more people.

A fire has already been lit in the center, and the large bonfire illuminates the villagers. Around it, food is being served, and the villagers are enjoying themselves with drinks in hand.

In some places, men start dancing, and hand clapping follows. Those with musical talent take out wooden instruments and play lively melodies.

"Ah, it's already started."

"Late, Al!"

Someone calls out to me, who was absorbed in the scene.

"Thor! You're alive!"

"Yeah, somehow."

Thor, rubbing his nose proudly, seems a bit hesitant.

"Is Lady Elinora here?"

"What about Emma?"

We check if the people we care about are around. I think our thought processes are similar in this regard.

"Sister said she would join Sheila and the others."

"Then Elinora is probably there too. She left the mansion before me."

"I see. Then let's talk as men tonight!"

Thor puts his arm around my shoulder with a friendly smile. He seems unusually energetic.

"Even if Emma is there, Elinora would overshadow her. Besides, women have their own social circles."

Also, I don't have many people to talk to except for adults. The adults also have their families and want to enjoy their drinks.

"Alright! Let's talk and drink, friend!"

"No, we're still minors. And are we friends now!?"

"Of course! After confessing our crushes, we're definitely friends now!"

I see. That makes sense. Since I don't have any friends my age, Thor's proposal is a good one.

"No, in my case, it's admiration. By the way, friend, what's your real intention?"

"Hehe, I want to know Lady Elinora's preferences."

With a lazy smile, Thor and I walk arm in arm to the center of the square.

What an interesting friend I've made.

---

"So, does Lady Elinora have a fiancé?"

Thor and I sit on a log placed in the center, side by side.

"Oh, right, she mentioned something like that."

"Hey! Well, it's fine. So, does she?"

"…No."

Hearing my answer, Thor clenches his fist. The volume was almost a roar, but thanks to the festival, no one seems to notice.

"But, there was a rumor before."

"What! What do you mean!?"

"Wait, it's hard to talk if you grip me so tightly."

"Sorry."

"Phew, about two years ago, at a noble party, she met a man she fell in love with at first sight."

"Then, what happened?"

Thor, unsatisfied with just that, urges me to continue. But I don't know much more.

"To make a long story short, Elinora challenged the man to a sword duel and defeated him. After that, she stopped going to parties, and no more marriage proposals came."

"Pretty concise."

"Well, I don't know much, but Elinora would probably say something like, 'I won't accept anyone who isn't stronger than me!'"

"Ah, that makes sense. She needs someone who matches her."

Does such a person even exist in this world?

Seria? No, that's not it. She's too good to be a woman. Natalie? I've never met her, so I don't know.

It's funny that the first person I think of when I hear 'strong' is a woman, but in Koriat Village, it's understandable.

"Hey! Roland is taking off his clothes!"

"Go, go, dance!"

"Hahaha! What a dance!"

"Westa is also taking off over there!"

"Always looks great, no matter what he wears!"

"What! Westa's movements! Is that… a dance…?"

"They do this a lot this season."

"I'm taking off too!"

"Old man! Stop it!"

"Why are you stopping me!?"

"You fainted last year! Think about your age!"

"Hey! Hey! If you won't, I'll take off! I used to make the men swoon—"

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