Chapter 26

“Hey, why’d Flatche get so mad?”

A series of sharp glares turned toward me.

Rex’s suspicious eyes. Mei and Karin’s puzzled expressions. All of them were directed at me.

“Hey, I told you before, right? That I’d explain things myself eventually. You still can’t talk about it?”

“Uh… well…”

Y-yeah, that’s right. Rex saw my swordplay at full strength, after all. At this point, I should probably assume the jig is up.

There’s no way some random swordsman who can match a nation’s top general would just be lying around. And the odds of someone like that working as a bottom-tier adventurer are practically zero.

Which means my real identity is pretty much narrowed down.

“……”

My best friend’s gaze digs deep into my heart. Rex is usually an idiot, but his intuition is weirdly sharp at times like this. What should I do…?

“...Flatche, you don’t have to hide it. I already kinda figured out who you are. I had a hunch ever since Rex told me about it.”

“Oh, really, Natal?”

“Yeah. …Honestly, it’d be weirder if I hadn’t noticed.”

And as for my little sister, she seems completely certain. Why is it that she’s usually an airhead, but suddenly sharp when it counts?

Ugh… guess I’ve gotta come clean, huh? Then grovel and apologize to Mei and Karin for stuff like peeking at them changing.

Dammit, this is so embarrassing…

“So, Flatche-san, what is your real identity?”

“It was in the letter from my brother.”

“Huh? Letter?”

Just as I steeled myself for the shameful act of pressing my hands to the ground in apology, Natal suddenly said something weird.

A letter from me? Sure, I sent stuff to my family now and then, but did I write anything unusual?

“Brother, I heard he’s been training a disciple lately.”

“A disciple?!”

A disciple?!

“...Ohhh, that’s it!”

“Ah, the disciple…”

“he bragged nonstop in his letters about how his disciple was a genius—it was annoying. …Didn’t mention they were a girl, though.”

Natal smirked and started spouting nonsense.

“A genius disciple, huh? That explains why Rex said your swordplay was just like his.”

“...But why hide your identity all this time?”

“Probably ‘cause this idiot screwed up and got his master killed or something. Ask him yourself for details.”

Wait, I have a disciple? Did I even write that in a letter?

I don’t have a disciple—I was too busy training myself. And I don’t remember writing anything like that. Natal, are you mixing up my letters with someone else’s?

But this is lucky. I can use Natal’s misunderstanding to dodge the truth.

“Y-yeah, pretty much.”

“I see. So your sword really was inherited from him, huh?”

“Guess so.”

Or, y’know, it’s me.

“...Makes sense why you snapped. Even you wouldn’t just sit there if someone insulted your dead master.”

“So you’re the disciple of Rex-sama’s rival? No wonder you’re so strong.”

“So, what’s your real name?”

“Still a secret. …When I reunite with my master, then I’ll say it. I’ve kinda grown fond of ‘Flatche,’ anyway.”

“Fair enough.”

...Did I pull it off?

“Then we’ll keep calling you Flatche for now. Nice to have you, Flatche.”

“What an unexpected connection!”

“Yeah, no kidding.”

Phew… looks like I managed to slip through this time.

“More importantly, Rex. What’s this about going to the royal capital soon?”

“Huh? Got a letter from the guild. The king himself has a request. Probably found another Demon Army hideout and wants me on the job.”

“Ugh, a royal commission?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry—I’ll make sure Melo doesn’t get involved. I’ve got your backs.”

“So cool~! We’re counting on you, leader.”

I see. Another investigation or extermination request, huh?

...If we’re teaming up again, I’d rather have Penny. That old man was a real stand-up guy—aside from being a total lolicon.

“Still, how’s a guy like Melo even a general? You can’t just hand power to someone like that.”

“He’s a damn child. When Penny got recognized for his achievements, Melo threw a tantrum—‘Why isn’t I a general when I’m stronger?!’”

“Ugh, sounds about right…”

“Nobody could stop him—not even Penny—so they had no choice but to make him a general too. But hey, flatter him enough and he’ll behave. So now he’s just… a high-maintenance asset.”

“What a pain…”

“Actually, Melo’s been pretty effective against bandits and stuff. According to the king, he’s ‘usable if handled right.’ Gotta make the most of what you’ve got to run a country.”

“Politics sound rough.”

Huh. I guess for small fry, there’s nobody better than Melo. So even with his… issues, they have to tolerate him.

Wonder how the king’s stomach handles all this.

“Um, just out of curiosity… what’s the last general like? We’ve heard about Penny and General Melo, but not the third one.”

“The last of the Three Great Generals? …Is she another bad one?”

I decided to jump in on Mei’s question. Yeah, I’m curious about the third general too.

If we’re heading to the capital, we might run into her. Better to know what we’re dealing with.

“...Don’t ask me about her.”

“Huh?”

But the moment the topic came up, Rex’s face twisted into something downright demonic.

Without hiding his disgust, his eyes narrowed and his voice dropped.

“Listen up. Stay the hell away from her.”

“G-got it. Is she that bad?”

“‘Bad’ doesn’t even cut it. I’d rather dive headfirst into a cesspit than talk to that thing. That’s how vile she is.”

“Wow. That’s harsh.”

Did I hit a nerve? For easygoing Rex to go this far… just how awful is this general?

“‘Mino the Cunning.’ That’s her name.”

“‘The Cunning’…?”

“A scheming, filthy bastard in human skin—that’s Mino. If we’re talking sheer malice, Melo’s nothing compared to her.”

“Worse than Melo?”

“Melo’s just got a broken personality, mindset, morals, common sense, guts, dignity, and everything else—”

“Isn’t that enough?!”

“Mino’s beyond broken. Everything about her is vile, despicable, and downright evil. Sure, she’s useful to the country, but the world would be better off if someone slit her throat yesterday.”

Rex’s expression was darker than I’d ever seen. He sounded like he was talking about his parents’ killer.

Something must’ve happened.

“I can’t even imagine someone worse than that general…”

“Melo’s bad enough, right? …But Mino makes him look tame. That’s what a real demon looks like.”

“The arrogant pervert looks tame in comparison?!”

“Listen. Even in the capital, stay the hell away from the military.”

“Understood. So the royal army’s that terrifying, huh?”

“Nah, the grunts are fine. Especially the volunteers—good people, easy to talk to. But the two generals at the top? Absolute scum.”

Hmm. If Rex says this much, she must be the real deal. Mino the Cunning, huh? Better remember that.

“Got it, Rex. So when are we heading to the capital?”

“Prep tomorrow, leave the day after. …Sorry for back-to-back jobs, but I’m taking this one.”

“Gotcha.”

“If it’s about the Demon Army, we’ve gotta go. No choice.”

“Exactly.”

Guess I’ll have to visit the blacksmith again. My sword’s in pieces after today’s fight.

...Might as well buy a spare with the last job’s reward. Blades are consumables, after all.

---

──Night.

"Huh. So you’re still swinging your sword at this hour?"

"Hm?"

Beneath the moonlight, in the secluded backyard of our hideout—one I hadn’t visited in a while—I was quietly practicing my swings when someone called out to me.

"Brought you water and a towel."

"...Natal? You’re up late."

"Karin-senpai told me to check the backyard before bed. Said there was a high chance you’d be swinging your sword."

"Can’t hide anything from her... Today, struggling against Melo made me painfully aware of my own weakness. No way I could sleep without swinging my sword first."

"Sounds like you."

The person speaking was Natal, my petite little sister in her maid uniform. Seems she’d come prepared to wipe my sweat.

...Just the two of us under the moonlit sky. I lowered my sword, but even though she went to the trouble, I still wasn’t ready to sleep.

"Just leave the water and stuff over there. I’ll clean up later—you should get some rest, Natal."

"Fine. I’ll put it by the tree."

"Thanks."

With that, I raised my sword again. Today’s imaginary opponent wasn’t Rex—it was Melo. If that swordsman, whose speed could be called godly, ever wielded his blade with true mastery, how would I counter it?

A swordsman who mixed feints with flawless footwork, unshakable posture, and the occasional area-of-effect magic attack. By any reasonable measure, he was unbeatable.

Which was exactly why I had to visualize it. A battle against a Melo who had honed his swordsmanship. How would Rex fight him? What options do I have?

...Yeah. I don’t have time to sleep. This world is crawling with monsters────

"Hey. Mind if I ask you something, ‘swordswoman’?"

"...Hm?"

Just as I was losing myself in my swings again, Natal spoke up. I stopped and turned to face her.

"What is it?"

"...Just need to confirm something."

My little sister in her maid uniform stared at me quietly, her eyes sharp—almost accusatory.

...What? Did I do something to her?

"...You’re my brother, aren’t you?"

"────!?"

Her words made my eyes widen in shock. Wait, I thought she bought the act earlier?!

"What’s with the face?"

Before I knew it, Natal was right in front of me, her gaze piercing. She’d closed the distance without me noticing.

"...Did you really think I wouldn’t notice after watching you today? Every little thing you did screamed ‘big brother.’"

"W-w-what are you talking about? Like I said, I’m just the disciple of ‘Kazenagi’────"

"That’s a lie. My brother never wrote anything about having a disciple."

R-right, of course! I’d never write something like that!

G-goddammit! Since when is Natal this sharp?! You’re supposed to be the airhead who eats the bread you’re sent to buy!

N-no, wait! She’s still an idiot at heart. I can still talk my way out of this!

"...Y-you’ve got it all wrong. Look, I’ve even got these—flimsy as they are. I’m a woman. Not your brother."

"Then you won’t mind if I test you?"

"Test me? On what?"

"Whether or not you’re really my brother."

With a mischievous grin, Natal leaned in close to my ear.

...W-what’s she planning?!

If my little sister finds out I’ve been pretending to be a woman and bathing with my female comrades, I’ll die of shame.

I can’t let her expose me. I have to keep up the act.

"Brother’s Tragic Confession Chronicles—Fran-nee Edition~"

"!?"

As I braced myself, Natal spun on her heel, skirt fluttering, and began singing in a cheerful, almost taunting tone.

W-what is she doing?! And what the hell is this ‘series’ she’s talking about?!

"It was just an ordinary morning, no festival or special occasion~"

"N-Natal?! What are you────"

"You woke up early just to wait outside the bakery~ And as Fran-nee headed to work, you hit her with this line~ ‘Fran... Be the sheath to my sword!’"

"GYAAAAAAAAHHH!! HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!"

HOW DOES SHE REMEMBER THAT LINE?! IT’S TOP THREE ON MY LIST OF ‘MEMORIES I WANT ERASED’!!

"Fran-nee’s response was~ ‘Sorry, I don’t really get what you mean.’"

"NOOOOOO!! DON’T MAKE ME RELIVE IT!!"

"Turns out Fran-nee was already engaged~ Meaning big brother was just a clown────"

"STOOOOP!!"

I’m gonna puke. My most delicate emotional scars are being flayed open by my little sister’s merciless strikes.

Is she a demon?! Does she even have blood in her veins?! How can she do this so casually?!

"...Pfft. Yep, you’re definitely my brother."

"I ADMIT IT! I ADMIT IT, SO PLEASE STOP TALKING! THAT MEMORY HURTS! I SERIOUSLY WANT TO DIE!"

"Shouldn’t have tried to lie, then."

"I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, just spare me...!"

Defeat. Turns out, big brothers are powerless against their little sisters.

Tears welling in my eyes, I bowed my head to this devilish girl and begged for mercy.

---

"……Huh. So you actually lost to some stray demon, huh?"

"Guh!!"

"And then got saved by your so-called 'lifelong rival,' Rex—"

"Gah!!"

"And on top of that, you got turned into a girl and can’t even change back?"

"AAAAHHH!!"

"Brother, you’re lame."

"STOOOP!! Can’t you at least try to be gentle?! You know how fragile your big bro’s heart is!!"

And so, after being ruthlessly exposed by my little sister, I had no choice but to explain everything—every last humiliating detail—while enduring her merciless verbal barrage.

After miraculously surviving death, this is the welcome I get? Too cruel.

"You’re the one who should’ve thought about our feelings. Do you have any idea how much Mom cried? You’d better go see her soon."

"Ugh… I know. I’m sorry about that."

"Sigh… I never thought you’d die so easily. But ending up as a girl? That’s just pathetic beyond imagination."

"Could you not keep stabbing my heart? I’ll actually cry."

They say words are like knives, but… Natal’s blades are on another level. They cut deeper than Rex’s greatsword.

…Maybe she’d make a good swordsman.

"Sigh… You’re really something else, brother."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Do I have to spell it out?"

As I tried to patch up my tattered pride, tears streaming down my face, Natal suddenly leaned into me, burying her face against my shoulder.

…Now that I think about it, it’s been a while since we last saw each other. At some point, she’d grown taller—no longer a kid.

Meanwhile, I’d shrunk after turning into a girl, so the height difference wasn’t as drastic as before. Her weight pressed against my smaller frame, warm and heavy.

"You’re such an idiot, brother."

"…I really don’t wanna hear that from you."

"You’re too stupid for words."

This was Natal’s way of being clingy. She wrapped her arms around me, her voice trembling, growing wet with unshed tears.

"Stupid… idiot brother…"

"…Yeah. I was an idiot. Sorry."

Then, the dam broke. She started sobbing into my shoulder, hiccuping like a child. I patted her back, soothing her like I used to when she was little.

…Yeah. I really made her cry, didn’t I? God, I’m such a moron.

"Sorry."

"Shut up… loser."

────And so, beneath the moonlight, the two of us stayed like that in the quiet backyard, time slipping slowly by.