I Was Reincarnated As The Older Brother Of A Villainess Destined to Die, So I Want To Change The Future By Raising My Younger Sister With My Own Hands. I Am The Strongest In The World, But My Little Sister Must Be The Cutest In The World - Volume 3 Chapter 6.7
A few days after the duel, the royal palace retracts the accusations against Caron. Along with a formal apology from Prince Grey, even the Holy Royal Family releases a statement of apology.
As mentioned before, the fact that the country’s leaders acknowledged their mistake is significant. It not only shakes the nation internally but also sends shockwaves through neighboring countries.
However, immediate chaos does not ensue. The Holy Kingdom is, after all, a major power. They are well-versed in handling such situations and have suppressed any potential riots before they could escalate. While their reputation may have been tarnished, they have managed to maintain control.
On the other hand, Grey has suffered a fatal blow. The fact that he assaulted a Countess and, moreover, a rare Light Mage, weighs heavily against him. His chances of becoming the next Holy King are now despairingly low. There are even rumors that he will be disinherited as soon as he reaches adulthood after graduating from the academy. The only reason he hasn’t been discarded immediately is out of humanitarian consideration.
Personally, I feel that the punishment is rather harsh. This incident was blown out of proportion by the Foranada intelligence agency, and Grey is effectively socially dead. It would be fine to leave him be without further consequences.
By the way, Count Becca, who supported Grey, has mysteriously disappeared. It seems his entire household has been dismantled, and it’s easy to imagine her fate. The nameless knights who assisted Grey are likely not safe either.
As for my abilities, a gag order seems to have been placed. It is only known to those who were present at the scene.
That’s probably for the best. If news were to leak that a colorless defeated the Sword Saint, it would be a massive embarrassment for the nation. It would be like a professional losing in a serious match against a baby. Even if that infant is an exception among exceptions, no one would believe it properly.
I’m fine with that. I have no intention of boasting about my strength, but at the same time, I have no desire to hide it anymore.
Let’s leave the topic of the royal palace behind and talk about Foranada.
Overall, life here remains mostly unchanged. There were some complaints when I took a more prominent role, but pre-existing public opinion control efforts have prevented any significant problems from arising.
However, there is one annoying issue. It seems that Duke Lorumberl was observing the battle between me and the Sword Saint, and since then, he persistently inquires about magic. I receive a letter from him every day. Moreover, he tries to push his daughter Minerva to stay in Foranada.
I couldn’t help but wonder about the treatment of his only daughter. However, now that there are no more secrets, I had no strong reason to refuse. In the end, Minerva ended up living in Foranada Castle.
What surprised me a little was that Minerva, who was called a “magic fool” in the game, didn’t show much interest in my abilities. It seemed that she wasn’t unable to be straightforward due to her emotions influenced by magic power, but…
Despite the new changes, peaceful days continued. Not all the problems had been resolved, but I finally found a moment to catch my breath.
However…
“Oooooooooohhhhhhhh!!!”
I let out a voice full of frustration that didn’t suit the peaceful atmosphere as I threw a powerful right straight punch. The target of my punch was a white-haired, black-eyed young man—Akatsuki.
That’s right. I was currently engaged in simulated combat training with my mentor. Since I was able to win against his doppelgangers consistently , I was now sparring with the real self. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down, as one wrong move could lead to death.
As we were in the final stages of training, I was already at my limit. I had no weapons and very little magic power remaining. I was fighting solely with my fists.
Fortunately, it seemed that his magic power was also running low. Although he seemed to have more leeway than me, the fact that we were on the same playing field of close combat gave me a glimmer of hope for victory.
“Oh yeah!”
Akatsuki throws a counter-like jab at me. Desperately evading it, I launch another punch.
It’s a back and forth battle. In my battered state, even a single blow could bring me down. I have no choice but to avoid with all my might.
I want to land at least one hit on Akatsuki!
It was the goal I set from the beginning of my training. It feels like it’s within reach now, so I’m more determined than ever. I widen my eyes and carefully assess his movements.
And finally…
“Guh!?”
Seizing a split-second opening, my fist lands on Akatsuki’s cheek. It was the first time in three years of training that I achieved this.
“I did it—guh!”
Overwhelmed by joy, I let my guard down and receive his counterattack perfectly. I’m sent flying backward with great force, and my consciousness fades away.
“Hah!?”
“Hah!?”
When I come to, the sun has already set. It should have been early afternoon during our training, so I must have slept for about four or five hours.
Akatsuki is standing right beside me.
He acknowledges my awakening and shrugs his shoulders.
“I didn’t expect you to take a hit.”
His words confirm that the events before I lost consciousness weren’t just a dream.
The grueling scenes of training flash through my mind, and I can’t help but tear up.
“Hey, come on, there’s no need to cry.”
“I aimed to land a punch on you.”
“That’s quite dangerous.”
Akatsuki chuckles wryly.
However, he doesn’t continue with any complaints. Perhaps he’s aware that I’ve been engaging in reckless training.
Suddenly, he starts to speak.
“By the way, there was something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Why didn’t you become independent?”
I thought it was just a casual question, but he unexpectedly asked something delicate.
I answer carefully, choosing my words.
“I was fond of the First Prince.”
However, it seems that this response doesn’t sit well with him. Akatsuki shakes his head.
“That’s a story from when you went to the capital. But even before that, you had no intention of becoming independent, did you?”
“Ah…”
I find myself at a loss for words.
His observation is correct. I had decided not to become independent before I even met the First Prince, Weimley. Even in the current situation, I could have distanced myself.
In truth, up until six months ago when I initiated the plan, I had planned to become independent. I thought it would increase the chances of overturning Karon’s fate if I didn’t have to attend school.
But I discarded that idea. The reason is clear.
I shift my gaze to the western sky and exhale.
“This world is on the edge, isn’t it?”
“No way…”
From my gaze and words, it seems that Akatsuki has grasped the situation. As I suspected, he also knew.
Six months ago—when I understood the concept of “Pure White” and “Chaotic Black” magic, my perception of the world changed. I became able to accurately read the flow of magic throughout the world. In simple terms, the resolution of my “Magic Sight” increased.
Through this, I discovered that this world is cursed. A malicious curse fills the entire world, albeit in a minuscule amount. This curse is likely the cause of the “Land Curses” that occur.
Furthermore, it must also be affecting the people. A small grain of sand can accumulate and become a mountain. Those who are weaker to their desires will inevitably stray onto the path of wrongdoing.
The fact that this world has been twisted by someone’s curse is a terrifying truth.
And I had a clue about this curse. When it was revealed that the origin of the curse lay to the west through the flow of magic, I realized it.
“The Western Demon Lord is cursing the world even while sealed, isn’t that right?”
In the game, the enemy that the Saint would reseal. A calamity that the Holy Kingdom has been resealing every hundred years. That is the Western Demon Lord.
Honestly, in the game, the portrayal was rather haphazard, so I didn’t consider it much of a threat. But now that I know the truth of the world, I keenly feel that my perception was naïve.
“After learning about the curse, I hurried to the sealing location. I also checked the East, where the Hero should handle things.”
The East was fine. There was a suitable existence that slept just as I remembered. Even if the Hero were to fail, I could handle an enemy of that level.
However, the West is different.
“It’s not a matter of whether I can defeat it or not. It’s understandable why it’s a matter for the Saint. It’s not effective without Light Magic… It’s hopeless…”
In game terms, it’s like having resistance or immunity to anything other than Light Magic. In terms of level, it’s weaker than me now, but I can’t inflict damage without using a non-elemental attack.
Perhaps, by relying on brute force and the level difference, I might be able to inflict some damage, but it would undoubtedly require an immense amount of time. If the battle were to drag on, the world would be destroyed in the aftermath. Even though it’s considered weaker, it is overwhelmingly stronger than humanity.
That’s why the Western Demon Lord must never be unleashed.
“Even if I keep Caron from meeting her fate, it would be futile if the world were to perish. I wanted to closely observe the movements of the Saint and take precautions. In the worst-case scenario, Caron could also be in danger.”
The reason why Caron, in the game, falls into the clutches of the final boss is due to the temptation of the Western Demon Lord. That entity takes advantage of the darkness within her heart and transforms her into an enemy of the world.
As someone who has a connection with Caron, it’s possible that I might get involved, even if the real-life her is a different person from the one in the game.
I believe that the chances of the real Caron succumbing to temptation are low. As long as she remains sealed, there shouldn’t be any problems. However, if the Demon Lord were to be revived, I couldn’t make any guarantees about what would happen if there was direct interference.
Considering all the risks, it was inconvenient for me to leave the Holy Kingdom until the ritual for resealing was completed.
“And besides, I wanted Caron to experience being a student. That’s another reason.”
Adding a playful remark to mask the serious atmosphere, I included those words as well.
It wasn’t a lie. I did want to keep Caron within my reach, and that was part of the reason for having her attend the academy.
However, it didn’t seem to have much of an effect.
Akatsuki looked at me with a serious gaze and nodded. It seemed like he was contemplating something.
I couldn’t read his inner thoughts, but it appeared to me that he had made a once-in-a-lifetime resolution.
I sincerely hoped that his resolve would not be put to the test.