"What's that bitch planning?"
Setting aside all propriety, Ravilon asked Finlay bluntly.
'Who did he mean by 'that bitch'? My little sister?'
It was really annoying.
Should he kill him right now?
'Oh, yeah. I can't.'
When logic brought him back on track, he just stared at him, not answering anything.
"Oh, come on, Finlay. I'm not an idiot like the others to believe it was your personal idea to nobly sacrifice yourself in this Wasteland. First you arrived hand in hand with her, then you confronted Father together... I am almost touched."
The smile disappeared from his face as he repeated his question.
"So what's she planning?"
Overtly emitting his aura, he pressed down on me.
"Whether it's the Head of the Family seat or anything else... she won't succeed while I'm here."
"Haaaa… you can think whatever you want, but I have no freaking idea what you're talking about."
Finlay had indeed, as far as he could remember, never made any arrangement with Remy. Even what had happened today had been a pure manifestation of her will.
As the pressure around him reached its peak, Ravilon suddenly put it away, smiling instead.
"Haha...I see. I got you, brother."
Laughing, he waved his hand as if to lighten the atmosphere before leaning over to him and whispering in his ear.
"The main thing to remember is, any time you want to sharpen your practical skills before going into the Wasteland, we can restart our friendly sparring sessions as before, with the goal of deepening your skills."
After saying that, he straightened up and walked away, keeping a creepy smile on his face.
Of course, Finlay didn't feel anything from it. He wasn't attracted to guys.
But the friendly sparring he mentioned...
Finlay did participate in them.
Of course, of the friendly stuff there was only: friendly one-sided beating, friendly punching bag beating, friendly honing of skills on a moving target… and so on.
Though he had to admit that Finlay's skill at withstanding blows and healing his wounds had actually gotten deeper, reaching a whole new level.
Of course, that didn't negate his desire to punch that asshole in the face. And then another time. And again, again until his whole face looked like one big, creepy smile.
***
"Hmm.... I'm quite handsome?"
Standing in front of the large mirror in the hall, Finlay said to himself.
When the Family Dinner came to an end it was quite late. The sun had long since set over the horizon, and many stars had appeared on the night sky.
However, he didn't go back to his room – tonight, even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to sleep.
So he opted instead to wander around the estate until one of the mirrors on the wall caught him for a long time.
Jade-like skin, jet-black hair, pitch-dark eyes, and aristocratic features.
So different from the Esterra traits, they were probably inherited from his mother.
Although Finlay didn't remember his mother's face, according to the rare gossip of the maids, she was especially beautiful. And it wasn't surprising.
How else could this old dry stick Ruden have been attracted by his mother, who didn't even have a noble background?
Finally, he snapped out of his trance, running his fingers over the reflection of his face, as if etching its every contour into his memory.
'If my opponent in a duel is a woman knight, can she just give up looking at that face?'
It didn't seem impossible.
Tilting his head to the side, he looked at his reflection once more, as if confirming something.
"9... no, 10 out of 10?"
Modesty was the virtue of heroes. He wasn't a hero, so he could afford to be honest.
"Gross."
At that moment, Remy appeared in the mirror's reflection, disgust written all over her face.
"Oh, little sister. Do you also think your big brother is handsome as hell?"
"…"
"I'll take that as a yes. Thank you for your honesty, Remy."
Her mouth twisted even more in a grimace as she turned away.
Anyone who saw her now would say, 'dude, that's not tsundere's cute behavior, she really despises you.' But that's okay. This is what a healthy sibling relationship should be like.
I even felt a little proud of it.
Meanwhile, with a sigh, she pointed in the direction of the manor's exit.
"Come with me, we still have a lot to do today."
"Little sister? What do you mean...?"
"Training."
"Now? At night?"
"Yeah. Do you mind?"
"No."
She froze for a moment at his instant response, but continued anyway.
"...That's right. With what you're trying to achieve, working out at night won't be out of place."
Quickly turning away, she walked toward the exit.