Chapter 41: The big sister
1328 Words
I heard the sound of someone running somewhere.
The footsteps were gradually coming closer.
"Noa-chan!"
The person who came running over dove into Noa.
"Mother!"
"Noa-chan, I wanted to see you!"
A woman rubbed her cheek with Noa’s.
She had beautiful golden hair, just like Noa’s.
She only looked slightly older than 25, so she was young, especially for being Noa’s mother.
Their features looked similar too.
The heck, at exactly what age did you give birth to Noa?
"So then, is Cliff not here?"
The woman surveyed the surroundings.
"Father is still working back in town. He told me to come here first, by myself."
"Is that so? It’s good that you arrived safely. So then, are you going to introduce me to that child dressed in interesting-looking clothes?"
It was the first time someone had said that I looked interesting.
I had already been told that I looked strange in the past.
Both had good and bad points.
"This person who looks like a bear is the adventurer, Nicole-san. She was my escort to the Royal Capital. This person is Marie. A bear friend."
What is that? That “fellow bear companion” kind of friend.
"I am Nicole, an adventurer. Nice to meet you."
"I am Marie. I came along with Big Sis Nicole."
"Oh my, what cute children. Let’s not stay out here, come inside."
"But, mother, how did you know that I was in the Royal Capital?"
"Ah, I told the gate guards to notify me if you or Cliff came, you see. That’s why, when you came, I immediately dropped my work and rushed over."
Is it really okay for you to just up and leave your work like that?
"Now, come inside and let me hear all about your journey."
After we entered the large and expansive mansion, we were taken to the parlor.
"I’ll show you to your rooms later. For now, please take a seat."
We sat down on the sofa and a maid brought drinks.
I hadn’t had anything to drink for a while, so I received my drink gratefully.
Umu, it was cold and delicious.
I sipped at my drink as I turned towards Eleanora-san once more.
"Eleanora-sama, this is something that Cliff-sama entrusted me to bring."
I took the Goblin King’s Sword and the letter out of the Bear Box.
"From that person? What is it, I wonder?"
Eleanora-san opened the letter and began to read it.
"This is a Goblin King’s Sword, isn’t it? He sure was able to prepare quite an unusual thing. Moreover, you were the one who provided it, huh?"
"No, it’s not really that great."
"Won’t you stop with that way of talking? Since you don’t seem to be used to speaking that way."
"Is it okay?"
"Oh, it’s fine. It’s even written in the letter."
"What exactly is written in there?"
"First, absolutely do not antagonize her."
"Haa?"
"Next, don’t make her angry, and if there’s trouble, be sure to follow up."
"Sounds like an outrageously troublesome woman, hmm?"
"But, it’s also written that she’s kind and an adventurer who Noa has taken a liking to."
"Is that so?"
"On top of that, he’s placed a lot of trust in you."
"Oh really?"
"The fact that he entrusted his daughter to you, as the only bodyguard, is evidence. In the first place, one wouldn’t normally even consider assigning bodyguard duty to just one girl like that. However, to have subjugated 100 goblins, a goblin king, wolves, tiger wolves, and a black viper by yourself, even I had thought that what was written in this letter was part of an elaborate joke."
"Yes, Nicole-san is amazing. On the way to the Royal Capital, she also defeated six orcs and captured 50 thieves all by herself, you know!"
"Is that true?"
"Yes, Guran-sama was also there at the time, so he witnessed it as well."
Noa humorously explained what happened before our arrival at the Royal Capital.
Was it because she was happy to have met her mother after a long time?
"Wow, it’s already this late. Now then, Shia should be returning home at any moment, I think."
"Shia?"
"Yes, she’s my big sister. She commutes to the royal academy."
"So you have a big sister?"
"Yes, she’s five years older, so we’re a little separated."
"So, in other words, she’s 15 years old?"
The heck, when did you have that child?
If you are roughly 25, judging from appearances, then it would mean that you gave birth at 10 years old.
If assuming that you are roughly 28 years old, then it would be a child at 13 years old…just barely safe, huh?
If it were in Japan, it would be a strike, though.
"Nicole-chan, are you thinking of something strange?"
"No, Eleanora-san looks very young, so I was wondering what age you were when you gave birth to your daughters."
"Ara, when you say I look young, how old do you think I am?"
Eleanora-san blushed and looked happy.
"I was thinking around 25, so you would have given birth to Noa when you were 15 years old, but I didn’t think that Noa would also have a sister who was five years older."
"My my, you sure say some nice things. I don’t usually give out my actual age, but I’ll make an exception for Nicole-chan. I will be 33 this year."
Lies! Even though you look this young!
However, would that mean that you had a child when you were 18 years old, then?
"Mother is famous for being a beauty."
"My, if that’s the case, then since you’re my daughter, Noa will also become a beauty."
"I’ll be happy if that happens."
Noa looked very happy.
At that moment, with great timing, the other side of the door became noisy.
"Mother, I’m home! Is it true that Noa came?!"
The door opened and another girl who looked exactly like an older version of Noa entered the room.
This girl was probably Noa’s older sister, Shia.
"Shia, you’re in front of a guest."
"Excuse me. Eh, a bear?"
She looked surprised upon seeing me.
"That’s right. You’re being rude to the bear."
You’re also being rude.
"Mother, please stop with the jokes."
"Fufu, I’m not joking, you know. The one who looks like a bear is Nicole-chan, who escorted Noa to the Royal Capital. The girl next to her is Marie-chan."
"These three girls came to the Royal Capital by themselves? Are you going to kid around to that extent? To say that such a small girl made the journey to the capital all the way from the town."
"You there, won’t you stand up and take off your hood?"
It’s not like I intended to keep it hidden, so I took my hood off and stood up.
My long black hair flowed out into the open.
"Saying that a small and cute girl like this is an adventurer is a joke, right? How old are you?"
"I’m 15 years old, though."
"You’re the same age as me? Even though you’re so small."
Stop saying “small, small” over and over!
I’ll be growing taller from now on, you see!
Even though I was the same age as Shia, I was only about half her height.
"Big sister, Nicole-san is strong, you know. Also, even though Nicole-san herself is amazing, her bears are even more amazing!"
"Bears?"
Shia tilted her head in confusion.
Well, of course, even if you said that the bears were suddenly strong, nobody would understand what you meant, probably.
"That’s right. Then, how about a match? That way, even Shia will probably understand it."
"Wait a moment!"
I would like it if you didn’t decide this without me.
"Nicole-chan, please be my daughter’s opponent. Ah, it’s fine to let her get a little hurt. However, since she’s a girl, please don’t give her any big wounds, okay?"
"Alright, I’ll accept that challenge."
- Writer
