• This is the story of Saliroza’s younger sister, Merrilond.

***

Golden lights gather as Saetta—my staff—returns to its original form, and falls into my hand.

“It’s strange no matter how you look at it.”

The half-astonished, half-sarcastic voice comes from the man accompanying me; Vice Captain Glen.

I peer from the shadow of my hood towards the dark green cloak.

—Huge. He’s truly huge.

Although he may be so, his body is also proportional. He wears a large leather jacket with a big belt that bears a sword. At first, I thought that was his weapon, but apparently not—

—his true weapon is a blessed, beautiful, silver javelin.

His weapon is perched on the ground, and his face—dirty with stubbles—is directed at me.

…Rugged.

I always think this word represents him best—Vice Captain Glen; Rugged.

Carelessly trimmed short brown locks, highly defined cheekbones, a scar on the corner of his eye, an impressively tall nose, and lastly, a mouth large enough to eat a pheasant’s leg.

He’s also intimidating…

“I heard that witch’s familiar is still alive.”

His wide mouth grievously contorts. “Yeah, it transformed into something akin to an inorganic substance. ‘Seeing is believing’, they say—but even after seeing it, I still find it hard to do so. Albeit, unlike yours, though.”

His eyes have tints of dark blue in pale brown hues that do not mix together.

…The Vice Captain has an odd eye color.

While removing my gaze from his stare, I open my mouth slowly.

“…How many times have I said this already—but it’s fine, once again, I’ll explain it to you. My magic is much more stable—hence, the result is better. Don’t even bother comparing them. Ah, my skill in absorbing Inki is also greater.”

My magic absorbs Inki. Inki originates from people’s lust—even just plain dirty minds can produce it.

Under my hood, I laugh—it’s the laugh I usually don’t do when I’m with my sister, Saliroza.

“Fufufu. And you, Vice Captain, are a particularly fine source for it!”

“I know.”

Tch. What’s with that matter-of-fact tone? It’s as if we are discussing the weather…

Most people get uncomfortable whenever sex is randomly introduced into a conversation. Some back away instantly. This guy has an attitude—and to top it off, his body starts to shake—he’s laughing at me!

“Doesn’t that mean you have to splurge every time you want to use your magic—!? It’ll definitely be hard for someone your age to procure it—!!”

“…”

I hate this guy! I hate this guy so much! How old is he—thirty—!? I’m 18 years old, so what!? Uugh, I hate him so much!

“So, tell me about this guy. What about him?”

As his tone changes, so does my gaze. After all, personal feelings and work are two different things.

Even though it’s almost summer, the mountain’s breeze blows coldly, swaying the hem of my cloak.

I’m currently in an open space in front of Fort Gordo. All the trees were cut down so that this area could be used as a training ground. A pale blue mountain is visible beyond the lavish green hills.

In front of us, laying in the vacant land, are strange lumps of black and gray attached together.

“Could it be a demon?”

“Yeah, Saetta’s power also confirms that it’s indeed a demon. Even though its hardening has progressed, the appearance only changed slightly, hasn’t it?”

“That’s true…” Still not fully convinced, Vice Captain Glen grunts.

When the Spiral Castle opens, a negative influx of otherworldly air spills out. Part of that overflow then turns into demons. Those demons will then appear in the surrounding area—aka The Capital. Those with traces of wisdom will try to get rid of obstacles.

Those ‘obstacles’ include me and Vice-Captain Glen.

Troublesome, isn’t it?

Some says it’s better to just leave, to move altogether to a different, better place—

—but why should I?

To leave Saliroza, who lacks the ability to absorb Inki, is the same as leaving her to starve. …Well, I can just bring her with me, but that Captain-I’m-watching-your-every-movement will absolutely object.

…That socially-inept Captain,

You think I don’t know how much of that ‘Golden-Freaky-Fuwa-Fuwa’ Inki you’re aiming at my sister, huh?

Mhm, I totally didn’t notice it at all.

Aah, but wouldn’t it also be nice if Saliroza can taste it?

Well… that Captain keeps his eyes on her, though from afar, so… maybe, hopefully, she’ll be fine?

Still, this is unfair! I feel like he’s keeping me away from her! Me? Away from her? —alright, this is officially abuse of power! Does he confuse private matters with public!? I will sue that Ear-Wings!

The sound of Vice Captain cracking his neck brings me back to reality.

“There’s no doubt it’s a demon …right?”

“Yes.”

“Alright…”

He’s grunting again! What is he, some kind of bear?

As it bothers me, I hold Saetta tightly.

“Are you going to smash it and destroy what could be a valuable evident?!”

“Exactly as you just said.”

The Vice Captain sighs, turning his body sharply.

“Gordo’s made it clear about keeping the research material intact—hence, you have no right to do so.”

“Go on, report me, then.”

“There’s no need for this. If anything, it’s Gordo’s responsibility—!!”

I sigh heavily, and add;

“Vice Captain, please, lower your voice. Your words are too misleading.”

The way those far away soldiers look at us—especially me—hurts.

I was assigned to Fort Gordo in order to exchange information.

Fort Gordo consists of two huge walls standing side by side. It also has strange shape where the interval connects to several towers. The Heavenly Ones made it that way, and since it also happened on the same day they make a pact with us, it’s supposed to be a venerable thing. However, I and The-Ones-Who-are-Heavenly just don’t share the same taste.

This building—this thing—this thing that looks like a result of kid playing with blocks marred the beautiful hills!

Obviously, The Heavenly Ones have too much free time—that’s my personal opinion, feel free to ignore it.

Within the walls are barracks and other facilities, making the Fort far more comfortable than it seems. I’m sent to a room in the residential area, next to Vice Captain Glen’s.

“Ahh~ I’m really happy~”

My eyelids grow heavier and then I feel someone grab my hand—it’s Versana, also a Sennette witch.

She’s one of my cousins. She married a Fort Gordo’s staff member and works as a witch here. Wearing a navy dress, she looks more plump and feminine than before. Around her neck hangs a long lace ornament, and is covered by fluffy, curly, back hair.

“Who is the man staying in the room next to yours?”

“Ah, well…”

I single-handedly remove my hood.

“Only half a year or so has passed, no need to think much of this reunion, eh, Ver-nee-san?”

“Noooo!”

Swinging and shaking her body, Versana, who is also the eldest cousin, laughs.

“You are so cold, Merry-chan! How about Sally-chan? Is she doing alright?”

“She’s fine, don’t worry. The same as usual.”—that, if she doesn’t get ‘eaten’ by Captain Earwings. In my heart, I pray for the best.

Then, I look around the room.

It’s a fairly large room, divided by a thick, black pillar. The bed is placed at the back while the front seems to be a living room—it contains cute furniture, such as a soft pink flower-patterned sofa.

“It’s a married couple’s room! Not too bad of a choice to stay a night, right~? I was told I’m ‘clever’ for always keeping rooms tidy, hence, I keep doing so!”

Ver-nee-san’s voice climbs up a few ladders and her gaze become dreamy as she speaks about her husband—

—my dear sister, I don’t think that’s a compliment, but the one who told you that surely deserves it the most.

---

***T/N:

Le Me (A Translator and a Reader): SO the *** scene will happen in the next chapter!!!?
Author: Nope.
Me: How about the chapter after the next?!?
Author: Nah.
Me: How about the second last chapter?!!
Author: Meep. –it’s on the very last chapter.
Me: Noooo 🙁 But there’s a long sequences of interludes, tho. ThAt MuSt Be WhErE ThE FLufFy BiTS REsIdES.
Author: Still nope 🙂
Me: Huh?! Well okay, maybe someone will get married, being introduced the spouse’s family or something–…
Author: You are wrong again. The interlude is actually the prologue of a very amazing adventure, consisting of her sister, who’s adept at magic, and this rugged, handsome Knight–…
Me: …ooookay. But it’ll at least be only 1 chapter right? After all this novel is rly short. Saliroza’s part is only 16 chapter lo–

Author: itsactually20.

Me: …PlEaSe LeT My Po0r T0rMenTeD S0uL ResT.

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