“You’ve all grown so much.”
First, there were two girls. One was about fifteen, and the other ten. The younger one clung to Nina’s chest, who had crouched down.
“Sister Nina…”
“Miina, you’ve grown well, it seems.”
“Yes! Just like your letters, I’ve been doing my magic training properly!”
“I see. I won’t be able to write as often from now on, but do your best, okay?”
“Oh, Sister, please don’t go…”
The taller girl wrapped her arms around her neck as well. She carried herself with a knightly air, and was beautiful. She wasn’t as blessed with a figure as Nina, but she was still very well-endowed.
“Sister, I heard you were returning and have been waiting.”
“I’m sorry, Riina. I only wanted to see the mansion. I’m leaving now and don’t intend to come back.”
“Even though I’ve been accepted into the Knights, I won’t be able to receive your training anymore, will I?”
“…I’ve already purged the rot from the Knights. I’ve defeated the Demon Lord as well. Do as you please from now on.”
“Sister, you’re going to defeat other Demon Lords, aren’t you? I’m worried about you going alone. I wish I could too, someday…”
Nina shook her head.
“I already have the best partner. There’s no need to worry.”
“Where is this person?”
“Right here.”
Riina covered her eyes with a look of “acher!” when she saw me.
“Sister, you finally… I’ve sensed that you had a penchant for this for a long time.”
“No, that’s not it. He’s 19 years old, and he’s a Hero. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“…Please take care of Nina, Sister. I believe only you can satisfy my elder sister’s peculiar tastes.”
She bowed deeply.
“I-I don’t really understand what you mean, but, o-okay.”
“Deles, please forget what she just said. She might mistake me for a pervert with a preference only for young boys.”
“I-is that so? Ah, hahahaha…”
Riina had an apologetic expression. I somehow understood part of the reason I had been “captured” by Nina.
Next were two boys. The older one was a year or two younger than Riina.
“Sister, it’s a shame.”
“Yuse, you’ve become quite the handsome man. Though not to my taste.”
Did she just say something unnecessary?
“Thanks to you, Sister, I’ve been able to compete with subtlety while you excel in boldness.”
“A Hero and a Swordsman have different approaches. Continue to strive forward.”
“Yes. If we ever meet again, I will show you an even more improved version of myself.”
The boy, holding back tears, spoke with resolve. He was indeed a son of a Duke Family.
Finally, there was the youngest boy, about eight years old. Ah, Nina hugged him!
“Nina, Nina, Nina!”
“Kyos, oh Kyos, stay well. If you ever get into trouble, rely on your older siblings.”
“No! I want Nina! Please, come back!”
“I’m sorry, I truly am. But I must go. I am a Hero, and this is what a Hero must do.”
“Then I want to become a Hero too! Will you take me with you then?”
Nina gently stroked Kyos’s head with a kind expression. Her attitude suggested she’d always doted on him.
“Become a strong man, not weaker than a Hero. If you can do that, I’ll acknowledge you.”
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
“Everyone, stay well. I am going to defeat the Demon Lord and find my happiness. Please see me off with smiles.”
Even Nina shed tears as she said this. Everyone else was crying, and I felt like I might cry too.
“Now, shall we go?”
“Y-yes!”
Urged by Nina, I left the mansion with her. If only I were taller, I’d have offered my chest for her to cry on. Thinking this, I walked close to Nina…
“Uh, that…”
“It’s likely my younger siblings came to try and stop me, but they seemed to understand.”
“You have so many siblings.”
“Two older brothers, two older sisters, two younger brothers, and two younger sisters.”
“Th-that’s a lot… Of course, you are a Duke Family.”
It’s partly to ensure heirs, but surely there’s more…
“I am the daughter of the third wife, and the only child born to my mother.”
“Then the others are all…”
“Half-siblings. Still, they are siblings.”
Even for me, Ric was Ric, even if we weren’t blood-related. And Irion was someone I’d save even at the cost of my life. It must have been a painful parting, but it’s good that they had a chance to say proper goodbyes.
“Deles, do you have any biological siblings besides those in other Count Families?”
“Um, it feels like there might be, with a slight nuance, a presence of them.”
“What do you mean?”
“After I was adopted by the Count Family, and even when I set off as an Adventurer, the head of the Avac Count Family told me, ‘There may be people claiming to be Deles’s biological parents or siblings coming to ask for money, but since we’ve already paid more than enough compensation, please ignore them.'”
“I see, so that’s what happened.”
They might have actually come, and perhaps they sent them away without me knowing. I interpreted it as him telling me not to go near Tarukki Village, the place he told me was my hometown.
“And, we’re heading to the Dragon Arena, aren’t we?”
“We are, but before that… Is this plaza acceptable?”
“W-what is it? What’s going to happen?”
I took out the Princess Sword from my Item Box.
“You can stop before impact or hold back, right?”
“Y-yes.”
“It’s a duel. Let’s have a duel to decide important matters for the future.”
What was this brainless Heroine going to say next?
“We are partners, both as Adventurers, and as man and woman.”
“Yes, we are.”
Memories of being sworn to that promise while crying in bed at night flooded back. No, don’t make me say why I was crying!
“Let’s decide with this duel whether we will have an equal relationship from now on, or not.”
“I-is it really now?”
“Let’s call this a ceremony. I can’t rest without crossing swords at least once.”
Having no choice, I took out my copper sword.
“…Is that alright?”
“Yes. This is all I have. If you prefer a rapier, I can take it out, but with that sword…”
“This is troublesome. I could switch to the Berserk Sword and give you the Princess Sword, but then I wouldn’t be able to hold back.”
“It’s fine like this. Consider it a handicap.”
“Understood. For now, let’s compete with this.”
We both took our stances, but I asked a question first.
“What happens to the winner?”
“They will have the initiative from now on. However, I was also helped by you. If I win, from now on, we will be in a completely equal relationship. Of course, I will do my work as a Leader and protect you from strange women, but we will be equal as Adventurers and as man and woman.”
“Understood. Then, if I win…”
“Consider it a surprise for then. Shall we use a coin for the signal? Let’s begin.”
“Yes, whenever you’re ready.”
The gold coin flew high into the air. The moment it hit the ground… we moved!
