“I-I don’t know! I don’t know anything about that!”
I decided to play dumb.
However, Dadinga brushed it off smoothly.
“That’s just modesty. I, a Magic User, would never have thought of sealing my Magical Power and training only my muscles. Truly, as expected of Lord Sharka, the Muscle Apostle. You must have a flexible mind that differs from ordinary people.”
“…Hey, wait. Are you trying to make that title stick?”
“No, no, it’s already stuck. When I established the Muscle Ripple Style, it’s only natural to spread the name of Lord Sharka, the Muscle Apostle, as the proponent of its ideology and philosophy.”
“What… did you say?”
Dadinga said proudly.
He probably thought he was doing a good thing.
It’s like a Showa-era manga artist having their address published in a magazine.
It’s too much of a nuisance, but the fact that he’s doing it out of goodwill makes it impossible to deal with.
Sharka @ Muscle Apostle, huh? Utterly suspicious.
Elmia in front of me looked like she was about to sigh at any moment.
“The Muscle Ripple Style has gained support from many comrades struggling with the path of martial arts, and it’s now spreading even among women. Lord Sharka’s popularity is gradually increasing, and there are even those who want to be held in those arms once…”
I don’t care about female popularity, but well, it’s not like it’s a bad thing to have.
…Hmm, I sense murderous intent from the front.
“Sharka…?”
Elmia was giving me a look as if I were trash.
A cold sweat ran down my back.
That’s right, provoking Elmia with women issues is a bad idea.
I have to shut Dadinga up right now.
“So, Lord Sharka, from now on too…”
“Alright! With the banquet in full swing, let’s end the Victory Celebration here! Dismissed! Do whatever you want for the after-party!”
I clapped my hands once by myself and desperately announced the end of the Victory Celebration.
Damn it, how did this happen?
Wasn’t I supposed to improve Elmia’s mood with the hidden talent show?
Instead of improving her mood, it’s gone even more negative.
With this, my mental state is down two points.
I feel like I’ve been put in checkmate, but if it comes to this, I have no choice but to apologize directly.
Ah, I want to make up soon…
◇◇◇◇
“Elmia-sama.”
“What is it?”
I called out to Elmia in the hallway as she was about to return to her room.
It was already past nine o’clock.
After this, Elmia would probably take a bath and then sleep in her room.
“Elmia-sama, I apologize for earlier.”
“What exactly are you apologizing for?”
“Hah, for showing you something unsightly. I am truly, deeply sorry!”
Dogeza.
No shame, no reputation, the only ultimate technique I brought from Earth, my family heirloom.
Elmia’s attendants and Nicoletta were flustered by my appearance.
“…”
“Um, I want to make up with Elmia-tan… Would you please forgive this pathetic brother?”
I raised my head and honestly confessed what I was thinking.
“………Without knowing how I feel…”
“Eh?”
“Brother, you say that because you think you’ll feel better if you apologize and are forgiven. You don’t understand how I felt all day today.”
Now that she mentions it, my actions today don’t seem good overall.
I tried various unfamiliar things, and as a result, this distortion has occurred.
“…Sorry, I was indeed insensitive.”
“That muscle guy said it too. It seems you’re quite popular with women, Brother. Was going to the town all the time to do indecent things?”
“No, that’s a misunderstanding…”
That musclehead (Dadinga).
“But you were doing indecent things with that maid. If you’re thinking of apologizing to get back in my good graces, you’re being too selfish, Brother.”
“Wait, I didn’t do anything indecent…”
I started to say, but then I stopped.
…Did I?
“You’re silent, so you were doing indecent things after all. That’s right, because Brother’s was so… so…!”
Elmia’s face turned red as if she was remembering something.
No, I don’t want you to remember.
It’s definitely not good for either of us.
“Eh, Elmia-tan?”
Elmia was tearing up and clenching her teeth in frustration.
Her Magical Power—was fluctuating violently like a rough sea.
“I hate you, Brother! You pervert!”
“Pervert…?!”
Three downs, KO.
Elmia walked away quickly.
As she left, I saw that she was holding something golden in her hand.
“Hate… me, huh?”
“Um, Lord Sharka, are you okay?”
“Fufu… Ahahaha…”
“…Lord Sharka?”
Nicoletta peered at me worriedly.
I was supposed to be an excellent brother supporting my sister from the shadows.
Now I’m just a perverted brother.
“…No, I’m fine. I just got a little carried away.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Maybe wanting to make up was too selfish, as Elmia said.
(In the end, was I only thinking about myself?)
If that’s the case, it’s a bit of a shock.
I thought I was considering those around me.
I feel like my foundation is shaking.
…Even so, simply.
If I were to have a consistent principle within myself.
If there’s one thing I don’t want you to misunderstand, it’s that—
—I cherish Elmia more than anyone else.
Even if that feeling becomes one-sided, it doesn’t matter.
Even if I’m called a perverted brother and hated, it’s fine.
However, the opposite is absolutely impossible.
Right now, I just wanted to convey that to Elmia.
(Is this how all fathers with daughters feel?)
However, the gap is too raw to be called parent and child, and it’s closer to a lovers’ quarrel than a family fight.
I’m not confident in handling women, but as far as that emotional tomboy princess is concerned, I have some knowledge.
I’m the trusted and accomplished me who has overcome minor disagreements, painful and difficult times, and even the crisis of Ortenos’s destruction.
“If I’m called a pervert, should I try doing it in a perverted way?”