Chapter 43

Confined in a room under a barrier, I was agonizing over my troubles.

Groaning, I crouched on the bed and ended up hitting my side.

Perhaps due to the stress from overthinking, I was struck by a mysterious stomachache.

When I stood up to think, I felt restless and impulsively stacked Otem to make a tower, which then collapsed on me, nearly killing me.

I had been holed up for about six hours, but no good ideas came to mind.

I could think of solutions, but no matter how I struggled, they all ended up making Giselle pitiful.

I started to think that maybe it would be fine to just marry Giselle.

Though I currently resist the idea, I probably would get used to it.

That's how the world works. I should apologize to Sibyl.

However, is it really okay?

I have always been worried about this, but Giselle is almost completely dependent on me.

It's possible that I just can't see myself clearly, and there might even be a codependency issue.

Giselle has been with me almost all her life.

Her current clinginess is probably because she hasn't had normal relationships with anyone else.

Partly due to the bad habits of the Maren tribe and my own negligence.

Perhaps my ancestors were severe siscons, a theory that is starting to take root in my mind.

In short, Giselle's perspective has been narrow.

If she had looked around more, she would have found someone else to like.

For Giselle, the fourteen years we've lived together are everything, and the emotional attachment might differ from mine, who retains memories from my previous life.

It's not something I want to think about too much.

Giselle was even more exclusive than I, who was a magic recluse.

To Giselle, Sibyl and Phiro were just acquaintances of her brother.

I should have taken action earlier, but I was too complacent, only thinking that "my cute sister is a problem."

I was foolish.

If I had thought more deeply, I would have noticed the cultural and awareness differences.

I know I'm not in a position to say anything now, having gone along with things so far.

But because of that, I can't just let this drag on.

If I do, Giselle will become even more isolated from others.

In the long run, this will definitely not be good.

...I will leave this village.

There's no other choice.

Father is determined to force the ceremony and, being a believer in Maren culture, won't listen to me no matter what I say.

Moreover, Giselle is completely on board.

I have always wanted to see the world outside the village.

Though it will be lonely, it might be a good opportunity.

The village rules prohibit it, but I will have to break them.

I closed my eyes and cut through the air, praying to the spirits of our ancestors.

Most evils in the Maren village can be forgiven this way.

Our ancestors are forgiving.

I used a thick Otem as a desk and wrote a letter.

It was a note for my father, mother, and Giselle.

I wrote about how I only feel sisterly affection for Giselle, my apologies for this, and my concerns about her dependence on me.

At the end, I added, "I will return when I marry someone outside or hear that Giselle has married."

...I will go out of the room and prepare for a long journey.

There should be a simple map of the area in the chief's house.

I will take it and head to the nearest city.

I will use an Otem trolley for transportation.

I need to immediately load up on preserved food and items that can be exchanged for money.

The sooner I leave, the better.

If I hesitate, I might lose my resolve, and if Father suspects, I might be tied down.

If Giselle cries and pleads, I will probably give in.

I hid the letter in the desk and left the room.

"Brother, you finally came out! A-are you okay? Your face looks a bit..."

Giselle was in front of the room.

I had been in there for over six hours, but she must have been waiting by the door the whole time.

In the past, I could have found it endearing, but this is definitely not good. It's a bad sign.

"Um, I'm going to the chief's house."

"Then I will accompany you!"

"...No, it's a complicated matter. Let me go alone."

"Eh..."

Giselle's expression froze.

I might have made a mistake.

I have never had to tell Giselle anything unpleasant or keep her out of something.

The only time was when I tried to consult Father about Giselle recently.

"...Actually, I have some concerns about Father recently. I want to talk to the chief about it. It might be difficult for the chief if Giselle is there."

"Father...?"

"Yes, it's about the incense leaves. The chief is worried that the power is concentrated in one family because of the wealth. ...Actually, I overheard some bad rumors about Father recently. I think it's just a rumor, but to be safe, I need to report it early."

"Is that so... At such an important time..."

Giselle must have had some suspicions.

She gripped the hem of her dress and bit her lip.

...She seemed to understand.

I feel guilty, but I managed to deceive her.

I made Father out to be a typical villain, but it couldn't be helped.

Later, Giselle will realize it was a misunderstanding.

He probably just got a bit carried away with the sudden influx of money and the praise from others.

There's nothing to worry about.

"Sorry."

I placed my hand on Giselle's shoulder and walked past her.

"Brother."

I was stopped a few steps away.

"What is it?"

I stopped and turned around.

Calm down, me. There's no reason for Giselle to suspect anything.

"Is it... that you've been troubled recently, Brother?"

"Eh? Ah, yeah..."

I was surprised by her confirming tone and almost bit my tongue.

It's okay. Don't panic.

It's because I have something to hide that I get flustered by a simple question.

In my previous life, I often said, "A guilty conscience makes a man jump at his own shadow."

When you're scared, everything seems to have meaning.

I lightly coughed, pretending that my throat was just acting up.

It's not because I have something to hide that I stumbled over my words.

"Ah, yeah... that's right..."

"I hope Father is innocent... I will wait for your return. Since you're not feeling well, be careful not to collapse on the way. If you feel too tired, turn back immediately."

"...Yeah, yeah. Sorry to worry you."

I turned and left the house, heading to the chief's house.

Good, I managed to get through it.

It doesn't seem like she was suspicious.

Still, it's a relief that the lies and acting worked.

I thought it was over when I couldn't meet her eyes, but Giselle didn't seem to notice.

That's the only thing that worries me.

Maybe it's the difference in experience from my previous life.

When I get to the city, maybe I'll aim to be a great actor.

I'm curious about the status of such a culture in this world.