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 4 Chapter 2.2
Grey and Yudai entered an empty classroom nearby. They didn’t bring the others along because it would have made the situation even more complicated. Those girls tend to become uncontrollable when I get involved, you know.
Yudai had a displeased look on his face, whether he genuinely disliked being alone with me or not. I wanted to frown too, but I put on a smile because I didn’t want to make things worse.
“So, what do you want, sir?”
“It’s about Marina. You understand, right?”
I just asked a simple question out of habit, but even that seemed to bother him. Yudai flared up with anger.
It seems like he really can’t accept the relationship between me and Marina. In the original game, there were scenes where I said I thought of her like a little sister, so I could understand his feelings. But he’s the one who created this situation.
“Whether you understand or not, I put Marina under my protection. That’s all.”
Suppressing a sigh, I calmly replied.
However, Yudai’s anger didn’t subside. On the contrary, it burned even hotter.
“Rumors are spreading that Marina has become your mistress. It’s defamation against her honor! What are you going to do about it?”
“What can I do? I can only leave it be. It’s baseless, but I anticipated this development, and Marina herself agreed to it.”
“What agreement? I’m sure you used some noble’s threat or something. Otherwise, there’s no way Marina would become your mistress.”
“Are you even listening? I said it’s baseless. I didn’t make her my mistress, I just protected her.”
“I don’t buy it. Right now, you might not have any intentions, but I’m sure you’ll make a move eventually. Nobles are always preying on commoners like that.”
It’s no use. This is beyond persuasion. He simply refuses to listen.
Yudai is not thinking clearly, his anger has clouded his judgment even though I’ve already cast the “Calm Mind” mental magic on him. It seems to have no effect, and he remains furious.
What should I do? There’s only a short time left until the next class starts.
Besides, I’ve already covered for Yudai, so he should be grateful instead of blaming me. This carefree guy needs to face reality a bit more.
This is troublesome. If he’s going to make one-sided remarks, then I’ll respond in the same way.
“Instead of babbling, why don’t you–“
“Just be quiet for a moment.”
Interrupting Yudai’s yelling, I calmly stated. My voice wasn’t raised, but I infused it with a hint of intimidation, and he fell silent.
“The cause of this issue lies with you, sir. First, I want you to recognize that.”
“…”
He didn’t say anything, but Yudai wore a dissatisfied expression.
Ignoring him, I continued.
“Yesterday, you dueled with the son of the Trias family, and it seems the compensation you demanded was unsatisfactory. A public apology is a heavy burden for nobles. As a result, Marina, who is the root cause, is now being targeted.”
As a premise, what happened yesterday was blown out of proportion by Yudai.
If he hadn’t intervened, the son of the Trias family would have simply given Marina a menial task and paid her a small reward in the end. It would have been a one-time thing. After that, he would never bother her again because meddling with commoners is just a child’s play to show off their power. They wouldn’t repeat it and tarnish their reputation.
But Yudai’s misunderstanding turned a mere trivial matter into a duel, and it eventually escalated into an assassination incident.
“W-Wait a minute! Just because I made him apologize, her life is in danger? Are you crazy!?”
Yudai raised his voice in surprise.
It seems he truly doesn’t understand what it means to be a noble. I would expect someone who has been reincarnated to have a bit more imagination… No, it might be the opposite. Perhaps it’s precisely because he’s a reincarnated individual that he fails to grasp the inequality of this world. It’s giving me a headache.
“It is true that the Trias family chose a reckless course of action,” I said.
Accepting a duel and then trying to cover up the evidence after losing is not something I can defend. I think if this incident were to leak to the public, the Tria family’s reputation would be tarnished. In fact, their subordinates are already spreading the news, and they are currently facing consequences.
However,
“Assassination is a foreseeable option,” I stated.
When a noble’s honor is tarnished, it is only natural for them to consider eliminating the cause. Even if the motive in this case is not commendable, the logic of such nobles’ thinking won’t change.
“Th-That’s ridiculous! There shouldn’t be such a stupid norm! It’s a violation of human rights!”
Sigh.
I’ve given up on holding back. I respond with a sigh mixed in.
“Human rights and fantasy illusions don’t exist. The norms in this world… well, that’s not important.”
“It is important!”
“It’s not. The crucial point is that Marina’s life is in danger. That’s all.”
“Wh-What?! If we know who’s trying to kill her, we can counterattack–“
“No, that won’t work.”
“Why not?!”
No, “Why not” should be my line. Don’t go from advocating for common sense and human rights to endorsing assault. You should first suggest resorting to legal measures or other safety precautions. Going for violence to solve everything? What kind of barbarian are you?
“If you resort to violence, you will become a criminal.”
“But they’re targeting her life!”
“Even so.”
You underestimate the feudal state. The value of life is different between nobles and commoners. Even if a noble kills an ordinary commoner, it won’t be a significant problem. Well, if you were to openly massacre people in public, it would be a major issue, but this assassination is done discreetly.
As a hero, he would likely receive considerable immunity but Yudai still will face the consequences.
When I explain this, Yudai trembles with anger again.
“All lives are equal!”
He’s still saying it, huh?
Certainly, Yudai’s assertion is correct. I can’t deny that, and there are parts of it that I can sympathize with. But the recognition of that correctness is not guaranteed in this world.
“I understand your argument, sir. However, this country’s policy is different. There is a clear disparity in the value of life between nobles and commoners. That’s why your actions were extremely reckless, and as a result, Marina’s life is in danger.”
“Guh…”
Realizing that his childhood friend’s life is at risk because of his own actions, Yudai struggles for words.
Does he feel guilty? If so, this seems like an easy direction to place blame.
“Eliminating the hired assassins will only result in new ones being sent. To save Marina, she needs a strong backing.”
“Are you implying that you’re that backing?”
“I am the current head of the Foranada family. There is no guardian for Marina greater than me.”
“Even so, to treat her as a mistress–“
“It’s just a baseless rumor. I have no intention of treating her that way, and Marina herself has accepted the rumors.”
“But still–“
“You’re persistent. I covered for you, and you have no right to complain. If you want to change the current situation, then strive to become someone greater.”
“…”
With no words to respond, Yudai fell silent. He bowed his head, making it impossible to gauge his expression.
From the leaking magic, it’s clear that he’s feeling quite down. However, I can still sense a hint of rebellion, suggesting that his spirit is not completely broken.
I ended up giving quite a sermon. It’s unlike me.
I lightly shake my head and leave the empty classroom, leaving Yudai behind.
I hope he takes this as a lesson and grows into an admirable hero. I also hope he tries his best to avoid any further involvement with me.