TSFA l CH 62

Chapter 62

***

The Schacht monster incident is expected to happen around early February next year.

So when the new year comes—

‘Nikke is coming!’

Of course, it’s not just Nikke. Many people from the subjugation force will come too.

But still, I’m excited!

“Bania, if you’re going to help, do it properly. There’s still soap on this dish.”

“…I’m sorry, Prince. I’ll fix it.”

Yes… I’m doing dishes with the prince.

I felt bad watching Märchen (the prince) being overworked for free, so I helped him.

“Hey, Prince!”

Ryan, who was enjoying dessert made by Märchen, called out from behind.

“Why are you calling me, Ryan?”

Märchen didn’t even look back, focused on the dishes.

“If someone outside like a guard talks to you casually, what is your role in this house again?”

Wow… we’ve been training him to say this for three days now.

“I’m the younger brother of ‘Clara,’ Bania’s mother and Ryan’s lover, who is five years older than me. That makes me Ryan’s brother-in-law and Bania’s uncle.”

Märchen recited it perfectly, even while washing dishes.

“Where is the child’s mother now?”

“She’s missing. You searched everywhere for her but could only find me. I was struggling in the southern region, and you kindly brought me here to live together.”

“Okay!”

Ryan was happy with the answer.

I made up this story myself!

Why?

Because soon we’ll meet more people, and our situation might reach someone from Bassenberg.

So we made up this story before anyone could get suspicious. If they hear it, they’ll think:

“They’re pretending to be father and daughter just like we told them to.”

“By the way, Prince, are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”

I asked Märchen. He shook his head.

“The capital has too many people. It’s dangerous. Who knows what might happen to me.”

“That’s true.”

“If I stay home, I’ll be safe. Plus, now we have guards. It’s perfect.”

He smiled at me.

“Don’t worry about me. You just go and be careful.”

“Yes!”

***

Two days later, Ryan and I left for the capital.

We were going to the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament in early December.

“I’ve been waiting months for this event… to bring back my knight, Kali!”

At first, we all planned to go, but things changed.

Märchen was worried he might get hurt and turn into a monster in a crowded place.

And Rivan said—

“Someone has to stay home. I mean, royal knights probably won’t rob us, but… I have research that absolutely must not be leaked.”

So he had to stay and protect the house.

I glanced at the basement door near the front entrance.

Except for the first day, I’ve never gone down there.

But I know—

Now it holds many things we can’t let others see.

“Ba…nia…”

“Huh? Rivan!”

Rivan slowly came up from the basement, looking like a zombie.

“Wow, is that a person or a corpse?”

Ryan was shocked, but Rivan ignored him and came to me.

“Let’s go hiking…”

“Huh? Out of nowhere?”

Click.

Rivan loaded a gun and held it properly.

“This one has a strong recoil. You need to hold it steady when you shoot.”

Bang!

He pulled the trigger.

The bullet flew so fast you could barely see it and—

‘Oh my god.’

It pierced a thick tree.

Not just stuck in it—it made a hole straight through.

White smoke slowly came out of the hole.

‘It’s just like before.’

It reminded me of a trauma from before I turned back time.

This was the kind of powerful weapon that once wiped out Bassenberg’s soldiers.

Rivan had successfully invented an upgraded weapon in less than two months.

“How did you do it?”

Rivan opened the magazine and showed me a bullet. It looked like it used red mana stones.

“How come it’s so powerful but barely makes any sound?”

I’d always wondered about this.

“Sound suppression is basic tech,” he said casually, even cleaning his ear.

***

“Anyway, Bania.”

He spun the gun and handed it to me.

“Now this can kill. If you hit the heart or head, it’s instant death.”

“….”

“I’m not telling you to kill people—just carry it. Only use it in danger. Practice a bit before you go.”

I swallowed nervously.

“…Thanks. You look tired.”

“I haven’t slept much because of this. I’ll probably pass out for two days, then start a new project.”

Rivan rubbed his tired face.

“Bania, if a stranger offers you food, don’t follow them. And if someone is handsome, don’t chase after them either.”

“Seriously, what do you think of me…?”

“I’m just worried. Stay close to Ryan. Come back quickly.”

This was the first time we’d be apart for more than a day since we met, so he was really worried.

“Make sure to bring back a good guard. If he’s good with a sword, I’ll feel better.”

“Haha, okay…”

He was really acting like a real older brother, and it felt nice.

Ryan once said Rivan isn’t the type to easily get close to people.

But maybe he cares for me because I remind him of the younger sibling he lost during a monster outbreak.

“It’s worse not knowing if someone’s alive. If we at least found a body, it’d be better. But when someone goes missing in a monster event, it means… they were probably eaten.”

I remembered Ryan saying that and sighed.

Rivan’s hometown wasn’t even close to the cursed land Farnece. Still, it was hit by monsters.

And our family didn’t send help, even when there was a level 1 national alert…

Sigh…

“You’ll break the floor if you sigh that hard.”

“Ugh.”

I laughed and waved my hand.

“Hey, lower your head.”

His hair was a mess, like a bird’s nest.

As I fixed it, I saw his pretty green eyes up close.

And it reminded me of Kali.

That’s also why we were going to the capital…

To bring back Kali, my loyal knight.

“Uwahhhh….”

“Please stop crying. Adults shouldn’t cry like babies—it makes you look silly.”

My knight Kali was kind, but he could be strict too.

“Stop it!”

“Hic…”

He was tall, over 180cm, with wide shoulders. He had a serious face, long red hair tied back, and sharp green eyes.

When he looked at me like that, I always calmed down quickly.

Of course, part of it was because Kali was the strongest person I had ever met in my life.

“…What are you so sad about?”