TLB 34

TLB

Chapter 34

I bared my teeth. And at that moment, the men who had been staring at me in shock all stepped back in unison. As if there were some invisible barrier between us.

“Scared, are you?”

I glanced at their feet and curled one side of my lips into a smirk. I knew exactly why they had backed off. Instinctively, they had sensed I was stronger. They were overwhelmed by my aura.

Realizing they had retreated out of fear, the faces of the Parrot Gang members twisted in embarrassment.

“W-We’re scared? Us?!”

“Why, you little—! Just ‘cause you can talk!”

Then it happened. One of the men from the back suddenly stomped forward. He was the biggest one, with a bristly beard.

“Wearing fancy clothes like that, I guess you little noble brats don’t even know where you are! But this ain’t a place where nobles get special treatment!”

Just as I thought. Stupid people always try to deny the warnings their instincts scream at them. Things like “No way a little girl could be stronger than me”—the same old prejudices, stubbornness, and arrogance.

The man stomped closer to me.

“Ugh, seriously!”

He moved his left foot a step back—he was getting ready to kick me. The only problem was, he was way too slow.

I rushed forward and lowered my stance, sliding to position myself beside his left leg. The man’s eyes widened when he realized I had slipped out of his kicking path in a blink.

Normally, this is where I would kick him or spring up to hit his groin, but instead, I whispered softly:

“Comet.”

—Just say the word, Master.

Can you appear just briefly and disappear fast? I don’t think Saldir will be able to see.

—…You’re not asking me to burn something down?

Disappointed, Comet responded. Just then, I felt the solid sensation of a gauntlet wrap around my right hand. And with that sensation, I threw a punch straight into the man’s shin.

“G-GAAAAAHHHHH!”

The giant man fell forward with a loud thud, as if collapsing was the easiest thing in the world. His terrible scream was a bonus. His eyes rolled back, and the leg I had punched was twisted grotesquely forward.

“She—she broke his shin with her bare fist?!”

The other men screamed, nearly shrieking.

I stood up straight. At the same time, Comet vanished from my right side in an instant.

—How was that?

Felt a little slow… I glanced behind me. From this angle, Saldir probably couldn’t see my arm, but I wasn’t completely sure.

—Then next time, I’ll disappear faster… Really, what a strange request. Never heard one like this before.

Comet’s voice was pouty, but I ignored it and stepped over the fallen man. Standing on his soft back, I glared straight at the others.

“Listen up, you bastards. If you apologize to the apple vendor and promise never to show your faces around here again, I’ll let you go. But if you don’t promise…”

I slammed my fists together.

“If you don’t promise, I’ll just make sure myself that you never pull this thug act again. Like I did with this guy.”

“What the hell is she even saying…”

The men standing between me and Saldir muttered, their faces pale. They looked completely overwhelmed by my presence. Soon enough, they began to retreat hesitantly. They didn’t even bother picking up the bearded guy foaming at the mouth. They were abandoning him.

Once they’d put enough distance between us, the Parrot Gang turned tail and bolted. They shouted threats as they ran.

“You just wait! We’re backing off now, but next time, we won’t go easy on you!”

“We remember your faces, got it?! Better watch your back!”

“Wow, worst getaway lines ever! I even used honorifics with you, and you don’t even appreciate it!”

Laughing out loud, I gave them the finger—then quickly lowered it with a gasp. Oh no. That was an old habit from my back-alley days. I’m supposed to be the adorable youngest daughter of a duke now…

My heart sank. And behind me… there was my older brother, who still believed I was a sweet little sister.

—Nah, it’s fine. You looked like a bit of a rascal, sure. But your outfit still screams ‘noble young lady,’ so you can play it off.

Because my outfit’s pretty? Is that really the best defense here?! I slowly turned my head with a creak. As expected, Saldir was standing there, looking stunned. One hand even covered his mouth.

Crap. He’s definitely disappointed in me. Maybe because I wasn’t the cute sister he imagined? Does this mean he won’t dote on me anymore?

That… that would be kind of disappointing…

Wait—disappointing? Why would I even care? I’ve only had this “family” for a few months… Saldir’s overprotectiveness always threw me off, and yet… I’m feeling disappointed?

I shook my head quickly to chase the thought.

“…Berdette.”

Saldir finally called out to me. I looked up at him awkwardly. Should I try to explain?

“Brother. So, I mean… the thing is—”

“That was amazing.”

“…Huh? That was just me acting on instinct—”

“Where’d you learn that kind of verbal takedown?”

Saldir murmured with one hand still over his mouth, his eyes gleaming brighter than I’d ever seen before.

“That was one of the best intimidation standoffs I’ve ever seen. And you smashed a guy’s shin with your fist! Wait—your hand okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re incredible.”

Saldir walked up and scooped me into his arms.

“You’re amazing, our little one!”

“W-Whoa!”

He lifted me into the air, and I locked eyes with him. Was he joking? Maybe mocking me? I stared closely, but his face was full of nothing but joy.

“You’re so clever. Earlier, you jumped in because you were worried I’d spill who we were, right?”

“…”

I gave him a big, awkward nod. Saldir burst out laughing.

Thank goodness.

The second I saw that expression, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. This feeling—relief—was still unfamiliar.

…But it was warm. I had to admit it. The kindness and pride they showed me as family—it felt good. Knowing they were truly proud of me brought me peace.

Back in Oterne’s backstreets, the idea of “family” had been so different. There, it wasn’t uncommon for families to abandon one another. Sick mothers left behind, drunkards selling off daughters to brothels, grandfathers maiming grandchildren to make begging easier… That was the world I had come from.

But this family—the one I had found again—was different.

I hoped they would keep loving me, keep cherishing me.

Was it okay to want that?

“Anyway, let me see your right hand.”

“Huh?”

I instinctively held out my hand. Saldir inspected it, his brow furrowing, and then he muttered to himself.

“Looks okay.”

“What is it?”

“It’s just… when you hit that guy’s shin… I thought I saw your hand turn black… Maybe I imagined it.”

He tilted his head, puzzled. My lips clamped shut.

Black hand? There was only one possible explanation. Saldir must have seen the moment I used Comet.

He saw me!