Volume 2
Finale Part 1
A few days after the incident with Lisa, Nozomu had returned to his unchanging daily life, but the events at the Ox Head Inn that day had ultimately remained without a clear resolution.
However, even though
Nozomu himself remained at a standstill, time moved on regardless of him, and
he had no choice but to return to his daily routine.
In a way, it might
have been for the best. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, both Nozomu and
Lisa were able to distract themselves from their problems, albeit a little.
The school courtyard
during lunchtime. Here, Nozomu and Mars were eating lunch they had bought from
the cafeteria while talking about Somia's birthday party, which was just around
the corner.
"So, today's
Somia-chan's birthday, huh? Irisdina-san said the party would be after
school."
"Ah, yeah. Seems
so..."
But something seemed
off about Mars. He had been strangely fidgety since morning. He had even been
warned by the lecturing teacher several times during the morning classes.
"?...What's wrong
with you? You seem strange."
"N-no, I'm fine.
I-I'll be back to normal after school..."
"Is that so?
Well, if you say so. By the way, what about Ena-chan? I feel bad if only we go
to the party..."
"I-it'll be fine,
probably. S-she wasn't invited in the first place. It would be weird for
someone who wasn't invited to suddenly show up..."
"You're right, I
guess..."
Mars was indeed right.
Ena hadn't been invited to the party in the first place, so it was normal for
her not to attend. However, Nozomu was bothered by Mars's strange nervousness.
He would find out the reason after school, when they went to Irisdina-san's
house to attend the party.
***
The northern district
of Arcazam. This was where the political institutions of the academy city were
located, overseeing its political operations.
At the same time, the
residences of those who carried out this administration were also built in this
district, and among them stood the Francilt family's mansion.
However, its size was
incomparable to the other mansions in this district.
It occupied a plot
more than twice as large as the other residences, and that plot was surrounded
by a fence taller than three times a person's height.
The mansion itself was
also large, probably spacious enough to accommodate all the residents of a
small village.
Incidentally, the head
of this mansion was apparently Irisdina, the next head of the Francilt family.
The mansion itself had been built when her admission to Solminati Academy was
decided.
Preparing a mansion
for one's daughter's move was something unimaginable for ordinary people.
After finishing their
classes, Nozomu and the others had arrived at the front gate of Irisdina's
mansion, the venue for the party, but they were simply overwhelmed by its sheer
size.
"…………It's
huge."
"…………Yeah."
"…………The venue's
here, right?"
"…………Yeah."
"It's a really
big mansion. Onii-chan, please don't do anything weird again."
Nozomu and Mars, who
were dumbfounded by the mansion that ordinary people would never have any
connection to, were brought back to reality by a familiar voice from the side.
"...By the way,
Mars. Didn't you say Ena-chan wasn't coming?"
"Ugh!"
Standing beside Nozomu
and the others was Ena, who wasn't supposed to be attending the party. Nozomu
questioned Mars, but Mars awkwardly averted his gaze.
As if unable to bear
seeing her brother like that, Ena began to explain the situation.
"Please don't
misunderstand, Nozomu-san. I didn't come to attend the party."
"Eh, then what
for?"
"I'm here to
apologize to the person my brother caused trouble for the other day. Onii-chan
is unreliable on his own…………"
Apparently, Ena had
come along to apologize to Tima-san, whom Mars had bothered the other day. Mars
himself was holding his head. This was probably why he had been acting
strangely at school.
"Mars...
you..."
Nozomu let out a
dumbfounded voice. It was incredibly pathetic for one's younger sister to
accompany them for an apology.
"That's not it!
What are you thinking! She just followed me on her own!!"
"What are you
saying! If it were just Onii-chan, you'd just say something weird and make
things worse!"
"Cut it out
already! Are you my mother!!"
"H-hey, you
two..."
The siblings were
bickering as usual. Naturally, the people passing by were paying attention to
them. Nozomu was frankly embarrassed. He called out to the two of them several
times, but they were so engrossed in their verbal battle that they didn't
notice.
Raising their voices
in front of such a large mansion would naturally attract attention, but Nozomu
knew that it was impossible to stop this sibling quarrel, so he ignored them
and started walking towards the gate.
As Nozomu approached
the gate, it opened, and a maid who seemed to work at this mansion appeared.
"Excuse me. We
would appreciate it if you would refrain from making noise in front of this
mansion."
"Ah, I'm sorry.
We were invited to Somia-chan's... Somiliana-san's birthday party today."
"You
are...?"
The maid looked at
Nozomu and the others with clearly suspicious eyes. Nozomu and the others were
wearing Solminati Academy uniforms, but because of the commotion happening
behind them, the maid saw them as thoroughly suspicious individuals.
Incidentally, the
reason they were wearing uniforms was that neither Nozomu nor Mars owned any
formal wear suitable for attending the birthday party of a noble family's
daughter, even if it was among acquaintances.
"…………I am very
sorry, but we cannot allow such suspicious people into the mansion—"
"Oh, Nozomu-kun, you came!" O-oh, young lady!!"
Appearing from behind
the maid, who was gently trying to send Nozomu and the others away, was
Irisdina, the host of the party. Her close friend Tima was also behind her.
"They are my
friends. It's alright to let them through. I'll guide them, so you can return
to your duties."
"Y-yes."
"Ah, thank you,
Irisdina-san."
The maid hurried away,
and Nozomu was relieved as he had thought they were about to be turned away.
"Fufu, we can't
just turn away invited guests at the gate, can we? ...By the way, how long are
those two going to keep this up?"
A smile that would
captivate anyone graced Irisdina's refined face as she replied to Nozomu.
However, she was probably still concerned about the siblings behind them. The
two were still arguing without noticing them. They didn't seem to realize that
there was a crowd of people gathering around them, let alone notice what was
happening here.
"Those
two…………hey!! We're going inside now! How long are you going to keep this
up!!"
""…………Eh?""
When Nozomu shouted at
the two of them, it seemed to have finally reached them this time. They let out
foolish sounds and looked over here, finally realizing their embarrassing
behavior and hurrying over.
"Nozomu! If you
noticed, you should have said something!"
"That's right,
Nozomu-san! You made us so embarrassed!"
"………………Eh~."
Nozomu could only hold
his head at the two people who were saying such unreasonable things. Irisdina
and the others were watching the three of them with amusement.
"Fufufu. You all
seem to be having fun. But Nozomu-kun, would you introduce her to me if you
don't mind?"
Irisdina's gaze was
directed at Ena, who was standing beside Nozomu and Mars.
"Ah, come to
think of it, this is the first time you've met Ena-chan."
"Well, maybe
you've heard, but I'm Irisdina Francilt. Nice to meet you."
"Y-yes! I'm Ena
Dickens."
Pressed by Irisdina's
aura, Ena introduced herself nervously. Next, Tima, who was behind Irisdina,
also introduced herself.
"Fufu, I'm Tima
Lime. Nice to meet you, Ena-chan."
"Ah, you're
Tima-san, right? I'm very sorry for the trouble my foolish brother caused you
the other day."
When Ena realized that
the person in front of her was the one Mars had bothered, she bowed her head
deeply in apology. Tima looked a little taken aback by this.
"I-it's alright.
You don't have to worry about it..."
"No, I can't do
that... or rather, Onii-chan, you apologize too! It's your fault in the first
place!!"
"Like I said! Are
you my mother! You're making it hard for me to talk!"
"What! You can't
apologize on your own anyway, can you! That's why I apologized first!"
"That's why I'm
saying it's unnecessary!! It's counterproductive, if anything!!"
"H-hey, wait a
minute, you two! Fighting at someone's house, especially during a birthday
party, is bad!!"
"Pfft,
Ahahahaha!"
Nozomu somehow managed
to stop the two who were about to start fighting again, but he was surprised by
Irisdina's laughter as she watched them. The Irisdina Nozomu had seen until now
was composed and unwavering, but that transcendent aura made Nozomu feel like
she was someone from a different world. However, the girl laughing in front of
him now had no such transcendence, but rather she looked like a girl of the
same age as them.
Mars and Ena, who saw
such an Irisdina, forgot their quarrel and stared blankly, and Tima, who was
behind them, also looked at the black-haired girl with surprise.
"Fufu, sorry. You
two seem to get along really well... that's right. Ena-chan, was it? Would you
like to join my sister's party if you don't mind?"
"Eh? B-but...
I've never been to a party like this before, and..."
Ena was quite
hesitant.
She had originally
come to accompany her brother, so she seemed hesitant to join the party.
However, Irisdina
didn't seem to mind and said it was alright.
"You don't have
to be so stiff. This time it's just a family party, so anything goes. Besides,
I think my sister would be happier if there were more people."
"Well... since
the host is saying so, I think it's fine."
"…………I
understand. If it's not too much trouble, please let me join."
Since Nozomu also
agreed with her opinion, Ena seemed to think it would be rude to keep refusing
and decided to participate.
***
When they arrived at
the party venue, there were various people, but most of them seemed to be
people working at the mansion.
The party itself
seemed to be a standing buffet, with various dishes lined up on the tables in
the venue, each of which was clearly the result of the chef's ingenuity.
The guest of honor,
Somia, was in the center, surrounded by children of her age wearing Ekros
uniforms. They were probably her classmates from school.
When Irisdina went to
Somia's side, Somia, noticing her older sister, jumped into her arms, and
Irisdina gently accepted the leaping Somia.
The scene of the older
sister, lifting her younger sister with a goddess-like smile, and the younger
sister, clinging to her older sister with a beaming smile, was very gentle, and
smiles naturally appeared on the faces of those around them, enveloping the
party venue in a warm atmosphere.
***
"Thank you all
for celebrating my precious sister's birthday today. Please forget about your
usual duties and decorum today and enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
With Irisdina's
greeting, the party began, and everyone started to enjoy themselves in their
own way.
Nozomu had been
watching the scene while enjoying the food with Mars and the others since
earlier.
A crowd had gathered
around Irisdina, Somia, and Tima, and everyone seemed to be having fun talking.
Somia had been talking
with her classmates, but when she noticed Nozomu and the others, she waved her
hand widely and came over.
"Good evening,
Nozomu-san!"
"Good evening,
Somia-chan. Happy birthday."
"Yo."
"Thank you for
coming today!"
Somia replied
cheerfully. She seemed especially happy, more energetic than usual.
"Nozomu-san. Who
is this person?"
Somia turned her gaze
to Ena, who was standing next to Mars, and asked.
"Nice to meet
you. I'm Ena, Mars Dickens's younger sister. Irisdina-san kindly invited me to
join you today. Nice to meet you, Somiliana-san."
"Ah, you can just
call me Somia. I'd be happier if you did, so please don't hesitate!"
"Alright. Nice to
meet you, Somia-chan."
"Yes!"
Then the two of them
started talking about it with smiles. Judging from their self-introductions and
current demeanor, they seemed to be getting along quite well.
The two of them were
currently talking about their older brothers and sisters. Perhaps because both
of them had older siblings, their conversation was lively. Ena was talking
about how much trouble her brother had caused her, and Somia was defending
Mars, who was being thoroughly criticized.
Mars protested against
his sister who was constantly badmouthing him, and his sister retorted. Just as
another great verbal battle was about to begin, Tima, who had come over after
hearing the commotion, joined Somia in trying to stop them.
Nozomu had been
watching the scene from a little distance, when Irisdina came over.
"Hey, Nozomu-kun.
Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, I don't
often get such an opportunity. More importantly, shouldn't you stop them?"
"It's alright.
Mars-kun and the others seem to do this all the time, and Somia seems to be
enjoying it. Tima looks a little troubled, but it's good for her sometimes, I
suppose."
She chuckled and
watched the commotion with amusement. Her demeanor was appropriate for her age,
different from her dignified self at the academy, but her smile was very
attractive.
"!"
"?Is something
wrong?"
"N-no. It's
nothing!"
"?Is that
so?"
Nozomu felt
embarrassed that he had been staring at her smile and inadvertently looked
away.
Irisdina approached
Nozomu, who seemed to be acting strangely, which only made Nozomu's heart beat
faster.
"By the way, I
haven't thanked you yet."
"Thank me?"
Nozomu tilted his head
at Irisdina's words. He couldn't think of any reason why he should be thanked.
"Our mother
passed away when she gave birth to Somia. That's why I've tried to be a mother
to Somia... but perhaps because she misses her real mother, Somia always seemed
a little sad as her birthday approached."
Nozomu listened
intently to her monologue. He hadn't known that her mother had passed away.
"But this time
it's not like that. I think it's thanks to meeting you. Somia often talked
about you at the mansion. About meeting a strange older brother."
"I... see."
When he looked towards
Somia, she was frantically trying to stop the arguing Mars and Ena. It looked
difficult, but there was no unpleasant atmosphere, and it was somehow
heartwarming.
"Please stop it
already! Onee-sama! Nozomu-san! Don't just stand there looking all warm and
fuzzy, do something!"
Nozomu and Irisdina
exchanged glances at Somia's voice and chuckled.
"Well then. The
princess is calling, so shall we go?"
"Yes, I'll stop
Mars for now."
The two nodded at each
other and ran into the commotion.
***
The front gate of the
Francilt residence. An elderly gentleman in a butler's uniform stood there, and
when he rang the gate bell, the maid who had cautioned Nozomu and the others
appeared.
"Yes, who is
it?"
"Excuse me for
calling so late. I have business with the master of this mansion. Could you
please announce me?"
"I am sorry. A
party celebrating the young mistress's birthday is being held at the master's
residence today, so no one can be announced. If you have any business, I will
convey it to the master later, so please forgive me."
The master of this
mansion was Irisdina. The maid, looking at the elderly gentleman, thought that
while his attire was neat and his speech polite, something was off.
She asked about his
business, but the elderly gentleman said he had to speak to the person directly
and wouldn't budge.
The elderly gentleman
repeatedly asked the maid to let him meet the master of the mansion, but the
maid gently refused, saying it was the master's order.
"Hmph, it cannot
be helped then…………"
Finally, the elderly
gentleman sighed, straightened his butler's uniform collar, and snapped the
fingers of his right hand.
Then, suddenly, the
maid's strength left her body, and she collapsed on the spot.
"I apologize.
This too, is by order of my master."
The elderly gentleman
caught the collapsed maid, gently leaned her back against the gate, and quickly
moved the fingers of his right hand through the air.
At that moment, a huge
magic circle appeared at the elderly gentleman's feet, and a massive magic
power enveloped the mansion.
***
As the enjoyable time
passed and the party itself drew to a close, the attendees either headed home
or began tidying up the venue.
However, Nozomu and
his group remained, waiting for Somia and the others. For them, the birthday
celebration wasn't over yet.
"Sorry to keep
you waiting, everyone!"
Somia rushed over to
Nozomu and his group. Irisdina and the others were behind her.
The reason Nozomu and
his group had stayed behind was to give Somia her present.
While others had
presented their gifts during the party, Nozomu and his group hadn't had the
chance.
Incidentally, the
cause was Mars and Ena's massive quarrel. Nozomu had been playing the role of a
leash for the two boisterous siblings throughout the party, thus missing the
opportunity to hand over the present.
Somia gazed at them
with anticipation, her eyes urging Nozomu to hurry.
Chuckling at her
eagerness, he was about to take out the gift.
But the next moment,
the door to the party venue clicked open, and an elderly gentleman stepped
inside.
The gentleman wore a
black butler's uniform, his silver hair neatly tied back, and sported red eyes
and a monocle.
Irisdina frowned upon
seeing this figure. Neither she nor Nozomu and his friends had seen such a
person at the party. He was clearly an outsider.
"Who are you? I
don't believe you were invited to today's party."
"Please forgive
my impolite intrusion. I actually have a message from my master for the lord of
this mansion... Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rugato, a butler serving the
Wajiart family of the Dizart Empire. Might I presume that you are Lady Irisdina
Francilt and Lady Somiliana?"
Irisdina questioned
the elderly gentleman in a stern voice. He bowed deeply, maintaining the smile
on his lips. It was an ideal bow befitting a servant.
"The Dizart
Empire... if I recall correctly, it's in the northwest part of the continent..."
Nozomu murmured the
name of the country, as if to himself.
"...Indeed, I am
the lord of this mansion, Irisdina Francilt, and this is my younger sister,
Somiliana... But may I ask, Rugato-dono, what brings you here?"
"My purpose is to
request the return of the treasure, the 'Eternal Flame Furnace,' which was
previously lent to the Francilt family."
"The Eternal
Flame Furnace?"
Irisdina tilted her
head, a name she had never heard before. It seemed she knew nothing about this
treasure.
"Yes. It is a
treasure capable of absorbing the souls of others and making their power one's
own, originally belonging to the Wajiart family I serve... Judging by
appearances, it seems to have fused with Lady Somiliana's soul. We have come to
retrieve it."
"What?!"
Everyone present
doubted their ears.
According to Rugato's
story, the Eternal Flame Furnace had fused with Somia's soul. Moreover, he was
saying that they had come to take it back.
"Now then, I
shall fulfill the contract."
"W-wait!"
Irisdina, completely
unaware of the situation, called out to stop Rugato, but at that moment, an
immense magic power enveloped the entire mansion.
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