Episode 55: My Brother is a Beautiful Girl
The conversation with Getrude continued.
“What merit is there for Naia to choose a ceasefire?”
“They probably want to conclude a truce before the wound spreads any further. They must have taken the capture of Bangwall Fort seriously.”
Indeed, we seized Bangwall in what could be called a blitzkrieg operation.
Our losses were minimal, and we captured a large number of prisoners.
“Why did you rely on me first? From Naia’s perspective, I’m just one of the Guardians with no decision-making power.”
“That’s not true. At the age of twelve, you subjugated Barbat and captured an impregnable fortress in a short amount of time. From Naia’s perspective, you must have appeared as a sudden, comet-like threat.”
“I can’t deny that, but…”
“Rather than relying on Minashiro-sama, I think they probably wanted to ascertain your character.”
The exchange of letters covered a wide range of topics, including our hobbies and families.
If you asked if Luna had an intention to probe, I couldn’t say for sure that she didn’t.
However, it was so natural that I even had the feeling of exchanging messages with a girl in my class while feeling excited.
Luna seems to be two years older than me…
“Is character that important?”
“Yes, it would be important to ascertain whether the other party is susceptible to subornation.”
“Subornation?”
“…A cunning plan using Luna.”
Getrude said, sounding a little reluctant to answer.
I, too, thought that there might be something behind it.
Sprinkling the stationery with the scent of Princess White Lily, the national flower of the Ortenos Royal Family, has the meaning of showing affection.
It is an effective tactic in diplomacy.
“Luna is the Crown Princess. She wouldn’t be able to engage in marital diplomacy like nobles sending their daughters.”
“No, it’s the opposite. Frankly, it’s awful to even put into words, but since Minashiro-sama is of the Ortenos Royal Family bloodline, once they succeed in incorporating you, they can orchestrate a reconciliation with the former Royal Family. If that happens, House Ortenos will inevitably find it difficult to interfere.”
If Luna were a foolish princess, it would have been a quick story, but as expected of a Naia princess, her writing showed education, and I got the impression that she was flawless.
If she was playing the role of a tragic princess, I thought she was too skillful, and honestly, I even felt a little sorry for her.
If I thought about things simply, I would likely have my feet swept out from under me someday.
“I see, but that’s a double-edged sword. Even if it succeeds, Naia’s authority as a royal family will inevitably weaken. It’s like indirectly acknowledging the authority of the Ortenos Royal Family. Is Naia so desperate that they’re considering such a thing?”
But now, it would be laughable if they thought they could get along with Ortenos.
Since I’ve been caught up in Naia’s scheme, I’ve identified Naia as an enemy to be destroyed.
No matter how lovely a beautiful girl Luna may be, this part will not change.
“Yes. Naia is not in a geographically advantageous position. They have to be wary not only of us but also of the east.”
“The east, was it Colm-Wells? I heard it’s a community formed across borders to counter the western empire and federation.”
“Yes, it is an organization led by the Holy Nation in the Far East, modeled after the territory of a once-great power. However, since there is almost no diplomatic relations, its actual state is shrouded in mystery.”
From the Empire’s point of view, the eastern part of the Atra Continent is just a collection of small countries.
Even after Ortenos joined the Empire and bordered them slightly, that hasn’t changed.
On the other hand, from Ortenos’s point of view, it’s completely nonsense.
If we can destroy the Kingdom of Naia, we will border Colm-Wells.
“In any case, thanks to my grandfather’s achievements, we should be able to proceed with the negotiations in our favor.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing Naia make a sour face.”
While Getrude was talking, a visitor came to the office.
I had been detecting a large reaction with Detection Magic and Magical Power Detection for a while now, and it seemed like they were now in front of the door.
“Excuse me. Lord Sharka, Lord Roa has arrived.”
One of the Military Officials opened the door first and invited the visitor in.
What entered the office was a cross-dressing beautiful girl who was a slightly smaller, more youthful, and more feminine version of me, with longer eyelashes.
The same golden eyes as me, with short black hair.
Her name is Roa—my younger brother.
“Brother, it’s been a while. Congratulations on your First Campaign, the subjugation of Barbat, and the capture of Bangwall Fort.”
Roa bows with a captivating gesture.
His expression seems a little stiffer than usual, but even his nervous face is cute.
Ah, no, he’s not a girl.
However, I have not yet determined that Roa is a man.
The possibility that my father and mother are lying is close to zero, but it should exist at the level of microparticles.
“Ah, welcome, Roa. Have you heard the story?”
“Yes, of course. It is an honor to be invited to such an important meeting…”
“No, that matter is fine for now.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry, but let’s put the greetings aside for now. There’s something I want to take care of first.”
“W-What is it?”
There is a reason why I called my brother Roa, the Guardian of Ortenos, today.
I could have had him come to the castle with my father on the date of the meeting, but I dared to have Roa come today.
“Then, let’s go to the basement right away.”
“T-The basement?”
“Yes.”
Leaving the bewildered Roa behind, I strode forward.
We descended the stone steps to the dark basement, relying only on the light of the torches.
Roa followed, clinging to the hem of my clothes, looking frightened.
“Brother, where is this?”
“This is the torture chamber.”
Bangwall Fort has well-equipped underground facilities.
There were many dungeons and torture chambers, so we are making good use of them.
“T-Torture chamber? N-No way, Brother! Are you planning to torture me?!”
Roa’s face contorted, and he made a gesture as if hugging his chest.
Roa, who is as timid as a small animal, still looks like a beautiful girl no matter how you look at him.
“Haha, no way. Do you think I would do something so terrible to Roa?”
“…”
Why don’t you deny it…?
Roa was silent, giving me a sullen look.