Chapter 95

Smack, smack, smack.

"Aaaaah, Mom, please forgive meeeeee!"

"Hehehe, what should we do? Should you promise to never bother Aruru again and truly reflect on your actions?"

Smack, smack, smack.

"B-But... I don't want to! Because from the moment Aruru was born, it was her destiny to marry me!"

"It seems I need to be a bit more firm, doesn't it?"

Smack! Smack! Smack!

"Kyaa!? Everyone's watching! I'm not a child anymore!"

"Hehehe, then you should mature mentally as well, shouldn't you?"

Smack! Smack! Smack!

The smacking sounds that had been echoing were the sounds of the Sword Goddess Farah being spanked by the Empress Astea.

"Your Majesty..."

"Wow..."

Being spanked by her mother in front of her subordinates, this was the ultimate in humiliation.

"Stop hitting me already!"

Smack! Smack! Smack!

"Huh, w-what? Why isn't my 'Heavenly Destiny' working!?"

"Of course not. A mother's love isn't bound by skills."

"I don't understand at alllllll!"

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Incidentally, her subordinates, including the Eight Generals of the Imperial Kingdom, could only watch as their lord was being spanked. This was because they had already been utterly defeated and broken by the Sword Goddess Farah.

And this was their second defeat of the day.

(That younger brother and this mother... The royal family is really something else... I definitely shouldn't get involved...)

That day, this lesson was deeply etched into their hearts.

◇ ◇ ◇

"I'm home, Dad."

"Oh, Aruru. Welcome back."

When I finally returned home, my father greeted me. The Imperial Army that had surrounded the town was gone, so they must have retreated.

"Where's Mom?"

"W-Well, Mom has some business to take care of..."

My father averted his eyes as he spoke.

"Don't worry, she'll be back soon."

That's Mom for you. There's no need to worry.

"What about Rina?"

"Oh, Rina is out for some final training."

"Final training?"

"She's exploring a dungeon."

I see, a dungeon. It's a great place to gain practical experience.

"She said she'll challenge you again when she returns. She's been training hard with Mom, so she's probably much stronger now. Mom even vouches for her."

"Hmm, that sounds interesting. I'll accept her challenge."

"..."

"Is something wrong, Dad?"

"No, it's nothing..."

He seemed like he wanted to say something. What a strange father.

Then, I brought up the thing I was most worried about when I returned home.

"By the way, Dad..."

"!"

As if he had been waiting for it, my father's expression suddenly brightened.

"How is Mira?"

"..."

His expression suddenly darkened.

Could something have happened to Mira? Now that I think about it, she hasn't come out even though I'm back.

I thought she might be angry that I left without saying anything, but could it be that she's sick or something because of it—

"...Mira should be in her room upstairs. She's fine, of course."

For some reason, my father's response sounded sulky. I sighed in relief. That's good.

As I was about to go upstairs, I heard my father mutter from behind.

"You fought with Mom, but you won't fight with me..."

Well, you don't have to sulk over that. Unlike with swords, if my father and I were to have a serious magic battle, it would cause a lot of damage to the surroundings.

Knock, knock.

"Mira, it's me. Your brother. I'm back."

I knocked on Mira's door, but there was no response. However, I could sense that someone was inside.

"Mira, are you there? ...I'm coming in."

The door wasn't locked, so I opened it and went in.

My sister was sitting on the bed with her back to me.

"Mira?"

"..."

"Are you doing well?"

"..."

"I'm sorry for leaving without saying anything."

"...Brother is such an idiot."

Finally, she responded, but it was that.

She seems to be quite angry.

"Please forgive me and cheer up."

"Brother is such an idiot."

"Come on, at least turn around and show your cute face to your brother."

"......Brother is such an idiot."

She's being completely unresponsive. She doesn't seem to want to face me, and I might have really been disliked.

Trying to force her to forgive me might backfire. I reluctantly left the room.

"What should I do?"

Even while relaxing in the bath, I was troubled.

My cute little sister hates me. We've been inseparable since we were little.

I'm taking a bath alone now. It seems Mira doesn't want to take a bath with me anymore.

Just as I was thinking this, the bathroom door opened, and Mira came in.

"Mira?"

"Brother is such an idiot."

Even though she pouted and said that, Mira got into the bathtub and sat next to me, but she still had her back to me.

"Mira, will you forgive your brother?"

"Brother is such an idiot."

"Mira."

"Brother is such an idiot."

"Mira."

"Brother is such an idiot."

"Mira."

"Brother is such an idiot."

In the end, Mira didn't say anything else.

That night, when I was about to go to bed, Mira came into my room.

"Mira?"

"Brother is such an idiot."

She climbed into my bed, but she still had her back to me.

"Mira."

"Brother is such an idiot."

"Mira."

"Brother is such an idiot."

"Mira."

"Brother is such an idiot."

It seems I really have been disliked...

"...I think she's just pouting, you know? (mutter)"