Chapter 5 - The Repentance of the One who was once a Younger Brother (1/2)

“I……abhor all of you and this country to the extent that I wish you would just fall to ruin.”

At those words, Tedla despaired.

She had been his “older sister” up until 2 years ago. Her eyes, which didn’t reflect him at all, simply told of her apathy. The kindness and affection from 2 years ago no longer existed in them.

That was something that he had done himself. He had lost it himself. At the reality which thrust itself upon him, Tedla deeply, deeply regretted.

2 years ago, both the trust and deep affection that had certainly existed, he had……they had betrayed all of it.

Just why did he not even try to believe her words when she said she didn’t do it. Even though he knew that she didn’t even have the time to rest after returning from school.

It was often said that “love is blind”. It was certain that during that time 2 years back, he had become far too blind regarding Akari.

That’s why he didn’t realize. Just how desperately his own sister had been working to support this country. Whether it was at school or at home, at all times, she had been spending it cleaning up after the things that Akari had distorted.

After she disappeared, this country had very quickly deteriorated. The student council ceased to function, and the large number of students who had adored Syltina up until the very end boycotted the academy, causing it to close temporarily. And then the last of the nation’s taxes was used up, causing the nation’s political body to stagnate.

Due to the participation of an ill-mannered girl in the evening parties, the nobles finally bared their anger and abandoned their posts. Thus, majority of the country’s leading authorities refused to leave their own territories.

With the changes in the people of the upper class, the citizens fell into chaos. And with the rising price of commodities and fall in public order, their distrust of the royalty only grew worse.

Damages due to demons increased, and the corrupted land made it so that crops would no longer bear fruit. Those that came to seek refuge from there soon fell into difficulties in obtaining food, and the quarrels between humans began to increase in number. The Knight’s Order that would normally pacify those quarrels lacked both a Captain and Vice-Captain, and hence failed to function. Eventually, deaths emerged from those that had starved to death and victims from the quarrels between people, and since the country had lost the ability to faculties to process those corpses, a plague had begun to spread.

At the time when this country’s situation had fallen to the lowest possible point, a single citizen murmured.

“If only Syltina-sama were still here”, they said.

And then, at that time, everyone other than Akari and her followers realized.

That, “they were the ones who had been wrong”.

No doubt, the reason why this country was in this situation was because they had betrayed her. It was their punishment.

To the one who had frantically tried all they could for this country’s sake, for their sake, they had pinned a nonexistent crime. It was retribution to they, who had made her feel as though she should die.

That’s why……that’s precisely why, even though it was a royal order, they were surprised that she had once again come back to this country.

Even though it was a “request”, they were surprised that she said that for the sake of this country, she would protect the Saintess, Akari.

And at the same time, it had been made clear.

That she was no longer the same person they had known up until 2 years ago (Elder sister Syl).

The golden hair that had been cut short to hit just above the shoulder.

The orchid-coloured eyes, within which a strong will dwelled.

The healthily tanned skin.

The body that was muscular to the point where it wasn’t quite unsightly.

All of it was different from the ‘her’ of his memories.

“S-Syltina-sama.”

Having been about to call her “Elder sister Syl”, his words faltered.

Even calling her that, was no longer permitted.

“I know that it is not something that would be settled simply by apologizing. What you said before is quite right. After all, what we did to you was simply that severe.”

“……”

“That’s why this is for my own self-satisfaction. I don’t mind if you ignore it.”

“……”

“I am sorry that I wasn’t able to trust you that time 2 years ago. To you, who hadn’t made any faults at all……for betraying you, who did all you could for this country, and for us, I deeply apologize. I am truly, truly sorry…….I am thankful that you are still alive. It truly is great, that we could meet once more……”

He very deeply bowed his head. He was scared of seeing her face. Scared of, once again seeing that cold gaze that denied everything turned towards him. That why he was unable to raise his head, and simply stared at the ground.

“……you were my younger brother.”

“……yes.”

A quiet voice came down upon him.

“I liked the you who worked hard in order to become a knight. You were my cute younger brother that I could boast about.”

“……”

“In 2 years, you managed to become a knight-in-training.”

“Yes.”