Chapter 40

This time, it's probably about twice as long as usual, isn't it?

"Wh-What should I do..."

I stand dumbfounded in the hallway.

The one lying there is the real Elinora. Unfortunately, this is reality.

What should I do, Alfrid? Should I bury her? Leave her? Is she even alive?

Right, first I should check if she's alive. I place my hand on her wrist to feel her pulse. The key is to use your index and middle fingers; your thumb is too insensitive.

"...There's a pulse..."

Then I place my hand near Elinora's mouth.

"...She's breathing..."

Phew. What was I so anxious about? If I think about it calmly, there's no way Elinora would die from just bumping into a door. The door would probably be the one to cave in.

I glance at the door, but there's nothing wrong with it. I observe it carefully just in case, but there's not even a trace of blood.

I check Elinora's forehead, but it's just a bit red.

I let out a deep breath.

"Should I finish her off?"

No, murder is not good. That's straying from the path of humanity, Alfrid.

"Maybe if I bury her in the ground, she'll hibernate through winter?"

No, Elinora will definitely wake up looking for food. And that food will surely be me.

Burying her is dangerous.

Then, I should carry Elinora to her room with due respect.

It's more dangerous to drop her than dishes or glass.

When she wakes up, the noble lady will be in her bed. Everything was just a dream.

So no one... will know anything...

"......"

Ah, it's Meina.

Meina is looking at me in the hallway. I wonder how long she's been there.

But, the heavens are on my side.

It's not Sara or Mel, but the incompetent maid Meina. Yes, there's room for negotiation with her.

Yes, I definitely had a lot of candy. I always keep a stock to buy her off whenever needed.

"Here, please. Please keep it quiet."

I stuff a large amount of candy into Meina's apron pocket.

However, Meina's reaction is lukewarm.

Her expression is different from her usual dazed look, a composed and serious face. It's hard to read her intentions from her expression.

Is it not enough yet? I keep adding candy while watching her face.

When Meina's pocket is bulging, she nods.

She looks like a pregnant woman now.

It seems she's satisfied. Good. I was almost out of candy.

"Then, please carry Elinora to her room."

Meina bows politely in response.

Come on, wait for me, Emma. Alfrid is on his way!

I run out with a completely different, cheerful mood.

"......You don't understand, Alfrid-sama. I wanted cookies."

× × ×

I head to Emma's house with Thor.

"I wonder what kind of house she lives in. It must be a big, fancy house."

"No, I live there too, you know? Don't forget that."

What are you talking about? Emma and this guy under the same roof? Just thinking about it makes me envious.

"You're saying it out loud. I'll return that line."

"What!?"

"What!?"

How many times have we argued today? I wish we could get home soon.

We head towards the village as usual, walking down the road. I'm told Emma's house is near Celia's restaurant. I feel regret for passing by without knowing it all this time.

We turn near Celia's restaurant and head into an area with houses lined up. This area is a bit more densely packed, and the road is slightly darker due to the shadows cast by the roofs and houses.

We follow the narrow road, guided by Thor.

"Here it is."

"What!? You mean this whole house is Emma's!?"

"Idiot. My house is the one with the orange roof."

"...But the other houses have orange roofs too."

"Look closely. Our roof is a different color because it was recently repainted."

That might be true. But the houses around here seem to have been built around the same time, and they look similar. The interiors are probably the same too.

"By the way, the house next to us is Sheela's."

"I got it. I won't forget."

Two beautiful flowers of the Koriatt village bloom here.

"Back home."

Thor opens the door, ignoring my deep thoughts.

"Hey! What are you doing, sis!?"

"What-What?"

Then I hear Thor's flustered voice and a woman's lazy voice.

"I said I might bring a friend today!"

"Oh, I think I said that, or maybe I didn't. It's probably Asmo, right?"

"It's Alfrid, actually?"

"...What? When did you two become so close!? Wait a minute!"

Her flustered voice reaches my ears outside. Do the houses around here have no privacy?

I hear the sound of Thor running around, and then he peeks out from the door.

"Sorry, but can you wait a bit?"

"Okay."

When I respond, Thor goes back inside.

'Why are you putting skirts in the kitchen!'

'Hey, you're stepping on my underwear!'

'Oh, you always take off your clothes in the right place, don't you!?'

'I was going to take them later! I thought it was Asmo.'

'No, even if it was Asmo, that's not good.'

I can hear all of the noisy conversation between Thor and someone, probably his mother.

Emma must live in a large mansion or a quaint small house surrounded by a flower field, deep in nature.

A beautiful blue-haired lady in a calm dress, playing with birds. She must be a resident of such a world.

So, the person I'm hearing now must be someone else.

"Hey, sis. Did you call me just now?"

"Huh? I didn't call you. Ah, Asmo, can I have an omelet?"

"Here you go. Don't eat it all."

The atmosphere at Sheela's house next door is very different from Thor's. It seems very peaceful.

"Okay, you can come in, Al!"

"Got it."

Thor, who seems out of breath for some reason, lets me in. It's a normal single-story house.

"...That's strange."

"What's strange?"

"There's no staircase to the basement. Without a staircase, I can't get to the flower field where Emma lives."

"...What do you think I am?"

"Welcome, Alfrid. It's a small house, but please make yourself comfortable."

When we enter the living room, Emma greets us with a smile.

Fresh! She's wearing casual clothes, which I've never seen before except at the harvest festival.

A white long-sleeved top with a round, loose neckline, and a reddish-brown culotte skirt that reaches her knees.

"It's worth it just to see this."

"......What are you saying?"

"Still, you look good doing housework. Do you usually do housework?"

Ignoring Thor's interjection, I speak to Emma.

It's a heartwarming sight to see Emma with a wooden tray and an apron.

"Yes, my parents work, so..."

"Huh. What are you talking about—ugh!?"

"What's wrong, Thor?"

Thor, who was leaning on the table, suddenly lets out a strange sound.

His face turns blue, and sweat beads on his forehead.

"Did you cramp your leg?"

"Who knows? He's a weird brother."

Emma says, "Please take your time," and goes to a different room.

Ah, I want to go there too.

In front of me, Thor is breathing heavily and looks very uncomfortable. I have no choice but to stay here and take care of him.

× × ×

"So, Al. What do you think you need to do to become an adventurer?"

"Think about it yourself."

"I don't have enough knowledge, that's why I'm asking. Besides, your dad used to be an adventurer, right?"

"Yeah... a Dragon Slayer."

"That's it! Killing dragons is so cool!"

That bright smile. I want to show it to Nord's dad.

So, let's talk about it another time at my house. He'll surely explain it in detail.

"Let's talk about it when you come to my house."

"......"

Thor gives me a look that says, "This guy doesn't get it."

"I have the real thing at my house."

"Sure! You have to call me!"

Thor's eyes, which were dull a moment ago, suddenly become bright. He changes quickly. Well, it's better than being lectured here.

"So, about being an adventurer. I think you can register with the guild at twelve."

"I'm six now, so it's five more years."

Five years. I wonder how my life will change during that long time. I think about it, but I don't think it will change much.

"Well, a lot can happen in that time, but you should try your best."

"Of course, a sword!"

"Right. Strength is also important."

I emphasize "strength" just in case, but

"Right! Right!"

Thor doesn't listen at all. He clenches his palm and repeats the words excitedly.

"Luckily, there are people like Emma and Sheela who can teach you sword skills."

"Come to think of it, I'm in a pretty good environment, huh?"

Normally, you should try it out with Emma before consulting me.

"Al's dad teaches too, right?"

"And there's Elinora."

Thor's eyes say, "I want to go!"

No, Thor. It's too early for you to stop people. It's good to be true to your desires, but take better care of yourself.

"That's when Thor gets strong. For a beginner, it's a bit..."

"Right. I'll start learning from sis and Sheela!"

Thor looks happy, but I have one question.

"Sure. By the way, Thor, can you read?"

"..."

Thor shows a dazed expression, and the room falls silent.

× × ×

After that, Thor came crying to me, and it was a mess.

I explained that not being able to read or do math can lead to big problems, and he clung to my waist with all his might.

It seems Thor is as bad at studies as he looks.

Well, in this world with low literacy rates, it's not strange for a child from a rural village not to be able to read. Books are almost non-existent in the village, and you can't learn unless someone knowledgeable lives there. Soldiers and knights can learn after passing the enlistment exam.

So, I suggested he ask Emma, but she said, "Sis can't read much either!"

I was surprised to learn that Emma can hardly read.

In the end, I gave in to Thor's persistence and decided to teach him occasionally. I say "occasionally" twice because it's important.

I just wanted to go home.

On the way back, the sky was already turning red, and everything was dyed in a crimson hue.

My shadow is clearly cast by the slanting sunlight.

Just as I see the Slowlett family mansion, I feel something is off.

The gate is wide open. Why?

I wonder as I pass through the gate and enter the grounds. The front door is also open.

I wonder who it is and look ahead.

I thought it might be Sara welcoming me.

But a head of reddish-brown hair, not lustrous black, comes out of the door.

It's Elinora. She's walking towards me with a confident stride, her hair swaying.

I remember, I knocked her out with a door jab at noon.

I remember that now. A chill runs through my body.

Alfrid, stay calm. Elinora must have no memory of bumping into the door and passing out.

Stay calm. Don't change your expression. Act natural.

I walk as usual, as if I have nothing to hide.

"Ah, welcome back, Al. Where were you today?"

"I went to Thor's house to play."

Elinora looks a bit thoughtful.

"...Oh, Thor, Emma's brother, right?"

"Yeah. By the way, what are you doing, Elinora?"

Elinora is holding a wooden sword. I predicted she was going to practice, but I had to ask.

"Me? I was thinking of practicing while waiting for you to come back."

She smiles and rests the wooden sword on her shoulder.

I feel like a sharp strike could come at any moment.

Still, the timing is too perfect. She came out the moment I stepped into the grounds.

If this is natural perception, Elinora is no longer human.

"Ah, that's right. Sorry. I'm back now."

I pass by Elinora with a smile.

"Hey, Al... I fainted today."

Her words make me stop in my tracks.

Does she remember? No, I must have fooled her with Meina. Breaking a contract is impossible.

"Really? Even Elinora can faint. Maybe it was a dizzy spell? You should take care of your health—"

"I know everything from Meina."

"That damn maid—!"

I dodge the merciless swing of the wooden sword and put some distance between us.

We face each other, with me backed against the gate and Elinora backed against the house.

I notice a figure in my room and glance up.

Meina is peeking out, looking down at us.

"What's going on!?"

Meina holds a small, round object.

"Ah, that's a cookie! What an idiot! That's definitely—"

"Al, you have a stock of cookies in your room, right?"

Elinora grins evilly and says.

She must have taken the cookies from my room to buy off Meina.

How dirty, how dirty!

"Going through your brother's room without permission!"

You should have been buried then and there.

"You, trying to bury me!?"

"Even that!?"

"I'm hearing this for the first time."

This is bad, I said too much!

Elinora's body trembles, and she raises her head.

Oh, her face is terribly contorted.

There's no way to break through now. Alfrid, retreat!

I turn my back on Elinora, who is ready to attack, and run as fast as I can.

I keep an eye on the back in case a slash comes flying.

"Wait!"

Elinora charges at me with a demonic expression, her feet enveloped in magic.

Using 'Magic Armor' to enhance her body in such a place!

"Why can you use such a technique when you can