What am I going to do...

　I stand in the hallway, stunned.

　It's the real Elinora's sister who's lying on the floor. Unfortunately, this is real.

　What to do, Alfried. Do you want to bury her?　Do we just let him go?　Is he alive in the first place?

　Yes, first of all, we need to make sure he's alive. Put your hand on your wrist and measure the pulse. At this time, it is important to measure with the index and middle fingers. Because the thumb is insensitive.

I have... a pulse...

　Then I hold my hand over sister Elinora's mouth as well.

''He's also ... breathing.''

　Huh. What was he in a hurry to do? If you think about it calmly, there's no way that Elinora sister would have died just because she hit the door. The door is more likely to cave in than the door.

　Suddenly, I turn my gaze to the door, but there's nothing wrong with it. I observed all over the place just to be sure, but I didn't see a single bloodstain.

　I checked my sister Elinora's forehead, but it's only slightly red.

　I exhale heavily.

''Do you want me to finish it?''

　No, murder is not good. That's out of character, Alfried.

'If I bury him in the ground like this, will he hibernate?

　No, I'm pretty sure Sister Elinora will wake up looking for food. I'm the one she'll be feeding on.

　I can't bury her in the ground.

　Then I'll just have to make sure Elinora is respectfully carried to her room.

　It's much more dangerous to drop than crockery or glass.

　So when I wake up, you're in bed. It was all a dream.

　So no one knows anything about it.

..........

　Oh, it's Meena.

　In the hallway, Meena was looking at me. I wonder how long she had been there.

　But the heavens have sided with me.

　It's not Sarra or Mel, it's Meena, the bad maid. Yes, he can make a deal.

　Yes, I'm sure he had plenty of candy balls now. I've been saving my stock for a bribe.

"Here's something. "Now, let's not get upset.

　I slipped a lot of candy balls into the pockets of Meena's maid's apron.

　But Meena's reaction is muted.

　She has a dignified expression that is different from her usual dumb face. It's difficult to read her intentions from her neat complexion.

　Is it still, or is it still not enough? I keep pouring in the candy balls while watching Meena's face.

　When the pockets of my apron were swollen, Meena nodded her head.
　She no longer looks like a pregnant woman.

　Apparently, she was convinced by this. Good. We were about to run out of candy balls.

''Well, carry sister Elinora to her room, okay?

　When I asked her to do so, Meena bowed her head with a polite motion.

　''Now, please wait, sister Emma. Alfried now!

　I ran out in a joyful mood that was a change from the previous one.





''Well you don't understand, Alfried-sama. I would have liked to have had a cookie.




　× X X X



　Thor and I headed to Emma's sister's house.

I wonder what kind of house they live in. 'I'm sure it's a big house, a very glamorous place.'

'No, I live here, for one thing.　Don't forget that part, okay?

　What are they saying?　Sister Emma and this guy under the same roof?　I'm jealous just thinking about it.

I can hear it in your voice. I'll say the same thing to you.

What?

What?

　How many times today is this argument going to happen? I want you to get home quickly.

　We headed to the village as usual and walked down the road. As I recall, Emma's sister's house is located near Celia's dining room. I regret that I've been walking by it without knowing anything about it until now.

　I turn near the Celia Diner and proceed to the area where the houses are lined up. This area is a bit crowded with houses, and I've never walked by it. The road is faintly dark due to the shadows cast by the roofs and houses.

　Thor leads me along the narrowed path.

'This is it.'

'What?　Don't tell me this whole house is your sister Emma's house!

Idiot. I live in the house with this orange roof.

Well the rest of the house is orange too.

Look closely. My roof is a different color when it's repainted.

　That may be true, if you ask me. However, the house was built around here at the same time or maybe the structure is similar. The other parts of the house must have been built in the same way.

By the way, the house next door is Sheila's sister.

I've learned. I'll never forget it.

　I didn't realize that two beautiful flowers in bloom in the village of Coriat were here.

I'm home.

　Emotionally, ignoring my thoughts of such things, Thor opened the door.

'Hey!　What are you doing, sis?

Wha...?

　Then I hear Thor's panicked voice and the woman's ragged voice.

'You said you might call your friends today!

'Oh, I don't know if I told you that or not. It's Asmo anyway, right?

It's Alfried, isn't it?

'....What?　How long have we been getting along so well!　All right, just give me a minute!

　The muffled voices reach my ears outside. Is there any privacy in a house around here?

　I hear a slamming sound and Thor peeks out the door.

'I'm sorry, but you're going to have to wait a minute.

Oh, yeah.

　I reply briefly, and Thor quickly goes back inside again.

'Hey, why are you leaving your skirt in the kitchen!

"Hey, feet!　You're stepping on my underwear!

'Oh, my God!　I always told you to take your clothes off in their proper place!'

'I was going to take it with me later!　I thought you were Asmo already.'

"No, I don't think this is a good idea, even for Asmo.

　I can hear every conversation between a boisterous Thor and someone else. Could it be Thor's mother?

　Sister Emma probably lives in the wilderness surrounded by a field of flowers, advanced from the basement of this house.

　She is drinking tea in a large mansion built in the midst of it, or in a quaint little house. You are dressed in a beautiful blue color and hair, dressed in a soothing dress and playing with birds. I'm sure she must be a resident of such a world.

So the person with the voice you hear now is probably not the same person.

'Hey, sis. Did you just call me?

"What?　You didn't call me?　Oh, Asmo, give me an egg roll.

"Here. Don't eat it all.

　From Sheila's house next door, you can see that she is very calm and relaxed, unlike Thor's family.

　Yes, it's very harmonious.

'Okay, you can come in, Al!

Okay.

　For some reason, Thor, who is breathing heavily, proceeds to enter the front door.

　It's a normal single-family house. There's no second floor, it's built to spread out at the back.

''It's ... strange.''

What's that?

There are no stairs to the basement. There are no stairs to reach the flower garden where sister Emma lives.

"...what do you think people's sisters are?

Welcome, Mr. Alfried. I hope you enjoy your little home, Mr. Alfried.

　As I made my way to the back living room, sister Emma greeted me with a smile.

　Fresh!　Unusual plain clothes. I've never seen her dressed like this outside of a harvest festival.

　She is wearing a white long-sleeved long-sleeved dress that is round and generous around the neck. You'll be able to find a reddish-brown, knee-length culotte skirt underneath.

''No way, sir.''

　It was worth it to come here just to see this.

Thor, I'm going home for the day.

Wait a minute. You don't mind talking to me about it, do you?

Yeah, it's a pain in the ass.

Come on, come on.


　Without regard to me, Thor gingerly pulls my arm and sits me down in a chair.

　After a few moments, sister Emma serves water for both Thor and I. "Excuse me.

'Sorry. We only have water in our house.

　Sister Emma gives an apologetic, bitter smile.

　'No, I love the cup of water you put in for me more than Alfried tea or fine wine.

'Myself, I love water,'

What are you talking about?

'Even so, you look good doing housework. Do you do housework on a regular basis, after all?

　I ignore Thor's prodding and call out to my sister Emma.

　When I saw Emma's sister wearing a wooden tray or an apron like this, I felt a pang.

'Yes, our parents work,'

What are you talking about? What do you mean-- Huh?

What is it, Thor?

　He had his arm on the table, and Thor suddenly made a strange noise.

　His face was blue and his forehead was smeared with what looked like greasy sweat.


'Did you have a cramp in your leg?'

'Well?　He's my weird brother.

　When I said that, Emma's sister said, "Take your time," and went to the other room.

　Oh, I want to go that way too.

　In front of me, I was breathing hard and Thor looked very distressed. It can't be helped. Let's just stay here.


　× X X X



'So, Al. What do you think it takes to be an adventurer?

You're on your own.

You're asking me this because you don't know enough. Besides, your father used to be an adventurer, right?

Oh you're the Dragonslayer.

'That's it!　How cool is it to slay a dragon!

　You have a brilliant smile. I wish you could see that, Nord.

　So let's talk about it at my place. I'm sure he'll be able to explain it to you in detail.

We'll talk about it when he comes to my place.

..........

　Thor gives me a look like he doesn't understand what he's saying.

'There's a real one in my mansion.

'Yes!　Definitely call me!

　Thor's cloudy eyes change to glowing eyes. You change quickly. Well, it's better than being talked about enthusiastically here.

So, you are an adventurer, right?　As I recall, you can only register with the guild when you're twelve.

I'm six years old now. Five more years to go.

　Five years. How will my life change in those long years? It occurred to me, but I don't think it will change as expected.

'Well, I don't know what will happen during that time, but we should try a lot of things, right?

I knew it was a sword!

'Yes. You need to be strong.

　I emphasized "strength too" here, just in case.

You're right!　Right!

　Thor isn't listening at all. He clasps his palms together and calls out the words excitedly.

'Fortunately, there are people like sister Emma, or Sheila next door, who are learning the sword, so they can teach you.

Speaking of which, I'm in a pretty good place!

　Originally, you should have tried sister Emma before talking to me.

'You're teaching Al's dad too, aren't you?'

I see you've got your sister Elinora.

　Thor said with his eyes, "I want to go! He speaks to me.

　'No, Thor. You're too young to stop humans. It's fine to be faithful to your desires, but you should value your life a little more.

Only if you are strong enough to do so.　

Okay. I'm going to learn the sword from my sister and Sheila first!

　Thor is putting on a good face, but I have one question to ask him.

'Mm-hm. By the way, Thor, can you read?

Oh.

　Thor revealed a dumb expression, and the room went thin and quiet.


　× x x x


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

　I explained to him that he would have a hard time if he couldn't read or do math well, and he clung to my waist with all his might.

　Apparently, Thor is not as good at academics as he appears to be.

　Well, in this world of low literacy, when you are a child of a rural village, not being able to read is not strange. Books are rarely owned by the villagers. It's impossible to learn unless you live in an educated person. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're looking for a job.

　Then when I told her that she should ask her sister Emma to teach me, she said, "She can't read very well either! He said.

　I was surprised, I didn't know that sister Emma could barely read.

　Eventually Thor's perseverance got the better of me and I decided to tell her once in a while...........I had to tell her twice because it was important.

　I just wanted to get back to the mansion already.

　That's how I was going home.

　The sky has already turned into a sunset and everything is dyed reddish brown.

　My shadow as I walk down the street is clearly captured by the slanting sun.

　When I finally see the Rowlett family's mansion, I feel a sense of discomfort.

　The gate is fully open and empty. I wonder why.

　Wondering, I pass through the gate and enter the grounds of the house, and the front door begins to open.

　I turn my gaze forward, wondering who it is.

　I wonder if it's Saara greeting me.

　How I imagined it, but instead of glossy black hair, an auburn hair emerges from the door.

　Yes, Erinora sister. She's coming towards me with an imposing gait while shaking her hair.

　Come to think of it, I knocked out Elinora with a jab from the door at noon.

　Now I remember that. A sensation that chills the core of my body all at once.

　Alfried, chill out. Sister Elinora shouldn't remember anything from the sudden crashing into the door that knocked her out.

　Calm down. Don't change your color. It's just natural.

　I scolded myself, and I walked proudly as usual.

　I haven't done anything wrong.

Oh, you're back, Al. Where did you go today?

'I was at Thor's house today,'

　When she replied that, Elinora's sister pretended to be a little thoughtful.

''Oh, you're Emma's brother, as I recall?''

'Yes it is. By the way, what happened to sister Elinora?

　The wooden sword is in sister Elinora's hand. Naturally I knew she was planning to perform a bare swing, but I couldn't help but ask.

''Me?　I was trying to pretend that Al was coming home late,

　What a smile and carrying a wooden sword on his shoulder.

　I wonder. I'm not sure if a sharp swing down is going to attack me at any time, but it's unnerving.

　But even so, the timing of his appearance is just too good. The moment I stepped onto the grounds of the mansion, I feel like I came out.

　If this is a natural sensing ability, Elinora sister is already not human.

''Oh, that's right. I'm sorry. I just left.''

　I walked past sister Elinora with a smile on my face.

'You know, Al I collapsed today.

　That word stops me in my tracks.

　You don't remember that, do you?　No, you could have bought off Meena and fudged it. There's no way they could have made a mistake in the contract.

'Oh, really?　Even Elinora's sister can do that to me. Do you think she's standing up?　You've got to take care of your health--

Meena told me all about it.

The f*cking maid--!

　I duck the wooden sword wielded mercilessly and keep my distance.

　Then again, I have my back to the gate, and Elinora's sister glares at me with her back to the house.

　Then I suddenly spot what looks like a shadow in my room and turn my gaze slightly.

　There is Meena's face out there, looking down at us.

''What do you mean?''

　As she exclaims this, Meena holds something small and round.

'Oh, that's a cookie!　Nonsense!　I'm pretty sure that was--

'If it's cookies, you have a stock of them in Al's room, right?

　Sister Elinora tells me with a wicked smile.

　Probably bribed Meena with a cookie from my room.

　Dirty, how dirty!

I can't believe you went through my brother's room!

　I knew it was this guy. I should've buried him when I had the chance.

I can't believe you're trying to bury me.

You don't even know that!　Then you've tried to finish him off!

That's the first time I've heard of it.

　Oh, man, I'm sorry I said something stupid!　

　Sister Elinora looked up, her body shaking with a wince.

　Ugh, her face is incredibly drawn.

　Anyway, it's impossible to break through now. Alfried, retreat!

　I turned my back to Elinora sister, who was holding her sword, and started running at a glance.

　I don't neglect to be vigilant behind her because I'm sure she's going to slash or something flying at me.

''Wait!''

　Elinora sister kicked out the ground in the form of a demon.

　Her feet are clad in magical power.

　How dare you use 'magic armor' and body strengthening in a place like this!

''How can you use that kind of skill when you can't even use fire magic very well!

　Oh no! If I activate it now, I won't be able to make it just in time. However, even if it were to be triggered now, it's a sure bet that they'll catch up with us.

　Isn't there something I can use? I look up and down, left and right, and develop my thoughts.

　Something, anything.

　While I was thinking this, the sound of footsteps was still approaching.

　d*mn, up and down, left and right, nowhere.......up?

　I suddenly look up at the sky.

　The sky is dyed bright red and a few clouds drift lazily as if they are enjoying their freedom.

　........The sky is infinite.

　And I instantly activate my magic.

　That magic is the non-attribute magic 'Shield'

　Magic that shapes magic into a rectangular shape, compresses it, and creates a shield to protect oneself.

　I sculpt it in succession and line it up like a staircase.

"Wait!

　Sister Elinora's hand snatches my clothes away from me.

　Because my feet hadn't already reached the ground.

　This day I ran in the sky.


　× X X X


　I made my way back to Thor's house again. The sky had already gone from Akane to blue darkness.

'Thor!'

　I shout at him, and after a while, he comes out.

"What, you're shouting, you're disturbing the neighbors. Did you forget something?

Will you let me stay here tonight?

'Huh!　Why?　Go back to the mansion.

I don't want to go home today.

Well, I don't know what's going on, but it's dark today and you're going to stay the night.

Thank you. I'm going to teach you how to read now.

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

　Thor prompts me to walk into the door.

　What you should have is a friend, after all.



''Thor x Al here!

　Such cries came from all over that night.