第３４３堀：とんだ再会 (Part2)
"Yes. As you say, Chancellor. I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's sentiments and I understand them, but please, I must insist you excuse me."
"Ugh! You’ve become so stubborn in the strangest ways. At the very least, use that cushion. Understand? Even if you look older than me, you are still my precious little sister. Take care of your body."
"W-wha—Y-Your Majesty!!"
"I accept your challenge. Get out to the courtyard, you withered old man. It’s because of that attitude that you can’t get married."
"C-Chancellor!?"
"Very well. I shall teach you that there is no younger sister superior to her older brother. Don't worry, I’ll finish this in an instant so as not to strain your lower back."
"P-please, both of you, calm down..."
It’s no use.
They’ve both hit a sore spot, and they won't stop until they’ve had a good rampage.
When it comes to this, their ability to handle things is lacking.
*BOOM!!* *THUD-THUD-THUD!!*
"Tch!! Illusion magic, is it!! How troublesome; it’s even harder to distinguish the fake from the real than it was before."
"Of course it is!! As a white-furred fox ages, their illusionary abilities only grow. It’s more delicate, more precise—a true gift of experience!! But, Brother, hasn't the power of your magic increased as well!?"
"Elves are the same; the older we get, the more our mana capacity grows, and the power of our magic rises with it!! So, don't worry—if you get hurt, I can heal you. Just go ahead and lose to your brother!! Though, thanks to your age, your back won't hold up, I’m sure!!"
"I’m going to snap that back of yours!!"
Brother has absolutely no delicacy when it comes to women!!
Honestly, I have work to finish, so I’ll end this quickly with the next strike.
"Wooooah!!"
"Haaaaah!!"
"Wait, the repairs for the courtyard will be a nightmare, so stop—!!"
Ignoring my daughter’s pleas, my massive fireball and my brother’s massive ice ball were about to collide...
*SWISH!!* *CLANG!!*
...but they never did. They were sliced apart by a swordswoman who had stepped between us.
To cut through magic like that—she must be a master of the highest order.
But there shouldn't be any soldiers who would dare interrupt our little game...
"Honestly. What are you doing, Brother? Even if we are within the castle, to engage in a magical duel in the courtyard, the very face of the castle!!"
"..."
I remembered that voice.
But my brother seemed too shocked to even speak.
I was the same.
"To return after all this time and find you two playing around? It seems you haven't changed at all since you were a tomboy, even now that you're an auntie."
"Ah... ah..."
I truly couldn't find my voice.
I wanted to speak, but I didn't know what words to weave.
Because, standing right there was...
"Who are you people!! Do you realize the insolence of pointing your blades at His Majesty Refest, the King of this land, and Lady Hina, the Chancellor!! Your Majesty, Chancellor, please step back!! I shall apprehend these ruffians myself!!"
Looking at the face of the girl shouting, she really does look just like me.
"W-wait!! Lady Tomori!! Those people are!!"
General Strong was running toward us in a panic.
Ah, so he was the one who let them in.
"Hey, that girl. She looks awfully familiar, doesn't she?"
"That is because she is."
I’ll have to show her a mirror later.
"Mother? Do you know them?"
Seeing how my brother and I were reacting, Tomori must have sensed they weren't enemies, as she asked me that.
"Mother!? Well, a lot of time has passed, so it’s only natural she’d have a child."
"It seems you are still single, Brother."
"I don't need to hear that from you, you foolish sister."
In any case, we were no longer in a position to fight.
"Foolish sister? Uh... sister? Which means... His Majesty's sister? That would mean... a Holy Sword User!? Then, this person is..."
"That is correct!! She is one of the legendary Holy Sword Users, and Lady Tomori’s aunt, Lady Kaya!!"
"B-but, if that’s the case, she should be at least older than Mother..."
That’s true.
For some reason, she hasn't changed at all since that time.
Leaving aside Lady Claudia the Elf, why is my fox-kin sister the same?
"Heh. That’s the privilege of being a Holy Sword User. Well, since you won't believe me, here is some easy-to-understand proof..."
"Proof?"
"The last time Hina wet the bed was when she was twelve, and the season was..."
"Gyaaaaaaaa!! Please be silent, Sister!! I acknowledge that you are the real one!!"
In front of my daughter, that is just too much!!
"No, that’s not it. Actually, after you two left, at thirteen..."
"Brother, you shut up toooooo!!"
This old man really has no delicacy!!
"...It seems they are the real deal. I am Tomori, Hina's daughter. It is an honor to meet you, Aunt Kaya, one of the legendary Holy Sword Users..."
*THUMP!!*
"It's *Sister* Kaya. Understood?"
"Y-yes!!"
See, she got angry.
"My apologies to our guests. Please, wait just a little longer. It’s been a long time since we last met, and we’re a bit..."
"Ah, yeah. I can see that. Is it alright if we wait in a room somewhere?"
"Yes!! I shall guide you!! This way!!"
...Eh?
There were envoys from other countries here?
Oh noooooo!!
This isn't going to turn into an international incident, is it!?
The main story finally reaches the long-awaited reunion.
Will they be able to talk without further issues?
Or will things take a turn for the worse!!
Stay tuned for the next installment.