Chapter 76

"…I'm glad we installed the anti-eavesdropping magical device.

Just when things with the related nobles were finally settling down, I don't want to have to go out for dinner multiple times a day again.

…So, why is Allen roasting meat himself?"

Since the conversation was long, I took the skewer from the chef and flipped the meat I was roasting.

The chef said, "I will roast it," but I politely declined.

"Having someone else roast the barbecue isn't really a barbecue.

There's something more important in a barbecue than the taste."

What's important is not the perfect heat control, but the act of roasting it yourself.

Additionally, by making everyone, who are not used to cooking, do it, I can avoid revisiting the earlier topic and guide the direction of the conversation.

"Again, it's one of Allen's usual, incomprehensible fixations.

So, what did you think of the underlying story, my dear brother?"

These guys look as if they've heard a touching story, with faces full of emotion, but to me, it's completely absurd.

He must have just punched him out of anger.

"About your impression…

Senior Furi seems to be concerned, but I don't think there's any need to worry.

He punched him out of anger.

He doesn't have any particular attachment to the Royal Academy, so he just went back home.

That's all, right, Sister?"

When I confirmed with Sister, she smiled happily.

"Hehehe.

Sure enough, Allen! You understand me so well~

I've explained it to Furi many times, but she never believed me, and I was troubled by it~"

Hearing this, Senior Furi looked momentarily confused, then burst into laughter with tears in her eyes.

"Ahahaha!

I'm glad I met you today, little brother.

Your words just now have made me feel a bit better about myself.

If you ever have any problems with motive-related magical devices or magic engineers, feel free to consult me?

I'll be happy to help with anything."

Saying this, she winked and added,

"Because you ruined his acceptance to the Royal Academy, and said that since the Draygred noble school is closer to home, your brother might come to play, and that it would be lucky, how could I possibly believe that?"

"Hehehe, finally you believe me!

…In the end, Allen never came to play at Draygred…

So, to the girls, is Allen just a friend?"

"S-S-S-Still, isn't he a bit too close?!

Is he a special existence?

Ohohoho."

The conversation boomeranged right back to its original position.

◆

"Do you two even know what the Royal Academy is?

I'm truly impressed.

I'm sorry I can't meet Sister's expectations, but Allen and I are still just classmates.

For now, that is."

Faye, with eyes that resembled a lion's, provocatively said to Sister,

"I'm doing my best to become a special someone, Sister.

I've decided that I will be Allen's first."

Jewel, with eyes as intense as Faye's, declared straightforwardly.

"Are you guys idiots?!

Can't you at least—"

As I tried to stop them hurriedly, a punch from Sister flew at me.

I guarded my face with Body Reinforcement, but blood still splattered.

As always, she doesn't even show any preparatory movements to channel her magic.

"Huh?

Allen, if you can't even block that, have you been distracted by girls and gotten weak?

I can't trust your words, and since the girls are talking among themselves, please wait without interrupting."

Saying this, Sister invited the two of them inside the house.

Then, they stopped at the entrance.

"What a terrible smell…

What kind of experiment did you do to create such a putrid odor?"

Faye pinched her nose and said.

I sighed.

"Ha.

It's not an experiment, just that Sister is lazy.

She doesn't even throw out the garbage.

Come on, Manager.

It's your turn to shine."

I patted Kate's shoulder.

"…What turn?"

◆

After that, everyone decided to open all the windows in the house and clean up.

Sister said she would do it herself, but I insisted that if she did it, it would never be finished by nightfall.

The men cleaned the first floor, including the kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom, and toilet.

The women cleaned the second floor, where Sister's private room and bedroom are.

Faye and Jewel tried to use the people they had waiting to clean, but I stopped them hurriedly.

For a poor viscount family in the countryside to use people from two marquis families to clean their house would be outrageous.

If the news leaked, it could be seen as a challenge to the entire noble society.

"Your point is understandable, but why is it okay for us to clean?

Well, it's fine, I guess."

While saying this, Faye and the others were happily cleaning the second floor, making a lot of noise.

There must be a lot of bugs or something.

"Sorry, Al is one thing, but making a duke's son, Leo, handle rotten garbage…"

"…Why is it okay for me?!"

Ignoring Al, who has become a regular target for teasing, Leo answered.

"It's fine.

Solar's breakfast has trained my tolerance for smells.

Since I moved to the general dorm and started maintaining my own room, I've made many discoveries.

Cleaning, which has a lot of room for improvement, is one of the household chores I enjoy.

…Usually, when I visit a friend's house, their parents or attendants are always nearby, half trying to get some connection or information, and half monitoring.

Playing at home with just the kids is a refreshing experience.

Moreover, even though it's a viscount family, the fact that the house is in such a state, without any housekeeping staff, and the children are left to their own devices, yet they still grow up to be capable individuals, is a surprising new fact to me.

In other words, the current situation is a rare and valuable experience, and I even consider it fortunate."

Leo, while scraping off the black, greasy residue from the sink, smiled.

"…Are you crazy?"

"Huh.

Allen, who takes this environment for granted, probably can't understand.

By the way, could you have avoided Roselia's punch earlier?

Why did you take it?"

…As expected, Leo understands.

"Because Sister was quite angry due to my continuous ignoring of her letters.

At least one hit is necessary to calm her down.

By the way, that punch was a feint.

Whether you guard or dodge, a heavier, more serious punch will follow."

As I answered Leo's question, a voice came from upstairs.

"Wow, Allen, you had me fooled?

I'm proud of how you've grown.

I thought we needed a bit more physical contact after such a long time.

Come, let's play?"

Crap, I forgot that the anti-eavesdropping magical device Faye brought was so high-performance that it completely blocks magical detection even inside the house…

Worst of all, Sister didn't realize she was getting closer to the downstairs and heard the previous conversation.

As I grimaced, Leo cut in with a grin.

"Play with me, Senior Roselia.

I'll help you release your stress."

Even Sister seemed surprised by this.

"Really?!

You're Leo, right?

I'm not good at holding back, so it's impossible.

After getting help with the cleaning from someone else's child and then injuring them, it wouldn't be right to their parents."

"No, I'd like to consider it payment for the cleaning.

There aren't many opportunities to experience the martial arts of someone whom Senior Furi, the top graduate of the Royal Academy, calls a genius.

Of course, I swear on my name, Leo Zeitzinger, that I won't hold you responsible if anything happens."

Sister looked at me, confused.

…Well, with Leo, there shouldn't be any serious injuries.

I brought these guys along to share some of the beatings I usually get.

Especially since I brought Leo, who I expect to be the tank, and he's saying he wants to get hit, it should be fine, right?

Yeah, I feel it's fine!

Okay, I'll split the cost of my beatings with Leo!

"Sister, I always lose to him, so I don't think you need to worry too much."

"Really?! Allen?!

Then just a little—"

Saying this, Sister suddenly leaped from the stairs toward Leo.

The punch was a bit sharper than the one I received in the yard earlier.

"Ugh!"

Leo managed to avoid it, but his stance was completely off balance.

Against Sister, that's the end of it.

As soon as she landed behind Leo, she executed a fluid low back kick, sweeping both of Leo's feet just below his toes.

As always, it was a god-like move.

With an insufficient stance, Leo's Body Reinforcement output doesn't matter.

Leo fell sideways, and Sister's fist caught his right cheek, with the floor in between.

Leo, who has no idea why he's on the ground with a nosebleed, is in a daze.

But as expected, Sister.

She really doesn't hold back at all…