Volume 3 Chapter 58: The Witch Hunter

I had never seen the Manager truly angry before. No—in fact, I just realized that she had never truly been angry, not even once.

And I had never seen the Manager use a Sacred Artifact as a weapon in battle.

She had no enemies. No matter who or what stood against her, nothing could threaten the Manager. To her, everything was just a plaything; she probably didn’t even perceive it as “fighting.” That’s why, despite her mastery of all weapons, she defeated everything with just her fists and her own mana. There was no need to go out of her way to use weapons.

Yet here she was, wielding a weapon—a Sacred Artifact she shouldn’t use recklessly—and directing her unrestrained fighting spirit—no, her killing intent—toward Ciara.

The Wings of Light were still acceptable. That was “Longing Sky of Yearning,” an anklet Sacred Artifact that the Manager always wore. Its effect simply allowed her to fly, and I had seen her use it a few times. I had been allowed to use it once myself, but it was too difficult to control, and I couldn’t fly properly.

That wasn’t a dangerous Sacred Artifact.

The problem was the pure white sword.

I had never seen anything like it. Weapon-type Sacred Artifacts are rarely found to begin with, and to possess one, you have to apply to the Kingdom and obtain permission. Unauthorized possession is a serious crime, and you are considered to have rebelled against the state without question.

Moreover, individuals are almost never granted permission to possess weapon-type Sacred Artifacts. I think there’s a nine out of ten chance that the Manager didn’t get permission. Though I wish she had.

Well, I had heard about it. When I previously asked her what Sacred Artifacts she owned, she did say she had a few weapons. I was so terrified that I pretended not to have heard, but she definitely said that.

That translucent white sword—if I recall correctly, that’s “Shirogami.”

I had never seen the real thing, and I didn’t know in detail what abilities “Shirogami” had, but according to the Manager, if swung correctly, there is nothing it cannot cut except for certain other Sacred Artifacts. She had no reason to lie, so that’s probably true.

It’s likely that “Shirogami” is what severed Ciara’s sturdy Magis Gear legs.

But I don’t think she brought out such a dangerous item because Ciara was a formidable opponent to her. That would have been better. If the Manager judged that she couldn’t win even at full power and had no choice but to use a Sacred Artifact, that would have been understandable.

But this time, that was definitely not the case; Ciara had simply touched… the reverse scale of Milis Albama.

That’s why, despite the battle being already over, the Manager was still emitting a killing intent so intense it made me shiver. At this rate, she would kill Ciara without mercy.

I desperately held back the urge to collapse under the Manager’s cold gaze as she landed before me.

“Longing Sky of Yearning” had disappeared, but in her right hand, she still held the unsheathed sword.

I realized that Elle, standing next to me, was tensing up. As for Mina, she had probably unconsciously already placed her four limbs on the ground.

The Manager said nothing. She silently, slowly stepped toward us.

If I misspoke, Ciara would surely lose her life.

But if I could properly explain the circumstances, the Manager should calm her anger.

I was about to succumb to the overwhelming pressure, but I slowly opened my mouth. I felt a slight pain on my lips, which had become dry without me noticing.

“…Milis.”

“…Why are you defending her? The one who tried to take my Noil without my permission.”

When I called her name, she stopped right in front of me. The air loosened slightly, and her crimson eyes reflected me.

And just as I was about to explain—

“Kyah!! Ciara-chan!!”

A voice utterly unsuited to the atmosphere echoed from above, and simultaneously, with a gust of wind, Fiona, Noel, and Sophie descended beside Ciara, behind us.

“Senpai! So it was Ciara-chan who tried to take you away!”

“Ah, yes.”

“Then I forgive her!”

“Ah, yes.”

Stunned, I nodded to Fiona, whose eyes were sparkling. Amazing, the temperature difference between the front and back is incredible. Even though the Manager in front was still emitting a tense aura, Fiona was incredibly high-spirited. She seemed to grasp the situation to some extent, but the fact that she wasn’t at all overwhelmed by the Manager’s pressure made me wonder if she might be crazy.

Mina, still in a combat stance, wore a complicated expression, and Elle opened her mouth with an extremely awkward look.

Ah, ah… so you finally made it,” Fiona said, her tone carrying a mix of relief and irritation, her lips forming a small pout.

“You two were too fast… and besides, I had Noel-san and Sophie-san clinging to me…”

“Hehe, thank you, Fiona!” Noel replied, sticking her tongue out playfully.

“Yes, you were a great help,” Sophie added with a deep, formal bow.

That these two could act so casually in this situation suggested they might be truly extraordinary people—or simply oblivious. Fiona, snapping out of her frustration, quickly knelt by Ciara’s side.

“Sophie-san,” Fiona called.

“Yes… There’s no problem. She’s just unconscious,” Sophie replied after swiftly checking Ciara’s condition, nodding in confirmation. Hearing this, Fiona immediately hugged Ciara tightly, her expression softening into one of deep affection as she nuzzled against her.

Watching Fiona’s affectionate display, Noel placed a finger on her lips, tilting her head as if deep in thought before asking, “Fiona suddenly changed her attitude, so I didn’t think she was a bad person, but… do you know her?”

Fiona turned to Noel, her face lighting up as if she’d been waiting for this question all along.

“Yes! This is Ciara Arlens-chan, my younger stepsister!”

The air froze in an instant.

Noel went rigid like a statue, Mina quickly turned her face away, Elle shrugged with a knowing look, and Sophie tilted her head in genuine confusion.

The sudden change in atmosphere was so jarring that my mind struggled to keep up. Nevertheless, before I could even think of voicing my disbelief, I instinctively glanced at the Manager, who had remained eerily silent.

The Shirogami was no longer in her hand.

With a soft whoosh, the oppressive aura she had been radiating, sharp enough to pierce through anyone, dissipated like a mist. Crossing her arms and resting her chin in one hand, she muttered softly to herself.

“Hmm… a sister.”

Then, with her striking ruby-like eyes fixed on me, she tilted her head slightly, her expression surprisingly innocent and disarming as she asked:

“Why did you not say so earlier?”

“A-ah… yes…” I stammered, exhaling deeply as I sank to the ground in sheer relief.

◇

“…Nii-san, hold me.”

Her long, smooth black hair flowed like silk.

Her long lashes framed jet-black eyes. A perfectly shaped nose and lustrous, healthy lips adorned her delicate face.

Standing before me was my younger sister, Ciara Arlens, dressed in a black ensemble that complemented her slender, fragile frame. She extended both hands toward me, her expressionless face looking straight at me as she made her request.

Seeing my sister for the first time in seven years was deeply moving.

She had grown taller, her arms and legs now long and graceful, transforming into a stunning young woman.

Back then, she had been nothing more than an adorable little girl, but now, while traces of her youthful innocence remained, she had also blossomed into a true beauty.

As her older brother, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride. At the same time, I worried about unsavory men trying to approach her.

Though, considering Ciara is far stronger than me, I probably had nothing to worry about. Even so, I couldn’t help but fret—because she was just that adorable.

The time apart seemed to have deepened my brotherly affection for her. I felt a surge of desire to spoil her immediately.

Without hesitation, I pulled Ciara into an embrace and gently patted her head. She nestled her face against my chest.

We were in my room at the White Road inn. Since returning to the Capital City of Elist, everyone had kindly given us the night to ourselves. It was already late into the night, and the others were likely asleep.

“…Nii-san’s scent.”

…Do I smell? Wait, could it still be lingering?

I had taken a proper shower, but watching Ciara press her face into me, sniffing audibly, made me uneasy.

After all, I had been drenched in vomit earlier today.

“Do I stink?”

“…I love it,” she murmured without answering my question.

Though her words made me happy, her lack of denial only increased my anxiety. Well, since Ciara isn’t the type to enjoy unpleasant smells, I decided to brush it off.

“…Shall we go to bed?” she asked, her voice even and calm.

“Yeah.”

Her words could easily be misinterpreted, but Ciara meant exactly what she said—she wanted to sleep together. Besides, my room didn’t yet have any tatami mats or a second bed, so there wasn’t much choice to begin with.

When I nodded, Ciara reluctantly let go of me and began tossing off her clothes.

Her behavior was slightly improper, but I decided to let it slide for today.

While she undressed, I fetched a simple shirt and trousers from the closet. They were mine, so they wouldn’t fit her perfectly, but they would suffice for sleeping.

When she finally peeled off her tights, I handed her the pajamas.

Ciara, now standing in elegant black underwear that gave her an oddly mature air, stared intently at the clothes I offered her.

“…Nii-san’s clothes.”

“Ah, do you not like them?”

I had instinctively picked out my own clothes, but Ciara was sixteen now. She might say something like, I don’t want to wear my big brother’s clothes!

The thought was a bit heartbreaking.

Though her expression didn’t change, as her brother, I could tell—she was deeply conflicted.

“…It’s tempting, but I’ll stay like this tonight.”

“Won’t you catch a cold? Should I go borrow something for you?”

The Manager’s clothes might be a bit small for her, but Noel or Fiona’s might fit her better.

However, Ciara shook her head firmly and tugged at my hand.

“…It’s fine. I don’t need them.”

Though I worried about her sleeping in such light clothing, a thick blanket should be enough to keep her warm.

Ciara switched off the lights and crawled into bed, patting the space beside her to beckon me. I climbed in, and we pulled the blanket over us.

She wrapped her arms tightly around my back, so I returned the embrace. Her face softened ever so slightly, a rare display of emotion.

For a sister whose expressions rarely changed, this was proof of how overjoyed she was.

Her smooth skin brushed against my hand, but since she was my sister, it wasn’t a problem. Even my iron will, which had often been tested in difficult moments, found no reason to stir.

I gently combed my fingers through her silky hair, brimming with affection.

“…Nii-san, a kiss,” she whispered in a soft voice.

Her tone was even and composed as usual, but I knew this was her way of being affectionate. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Ciara responded with slightly dissatisfied eyes and a faint pout.

“…Not that. I mean, that’s fine, but… a real kiss.”

Faced with my adorable sister’s request, I had no choice. I leaned in and gave her a soft, delicate kiss.

She broke into a smile and burrowed her face into my chest.

It was a moment of pure peace and happiness. My heart felt healed.

What was this unbelievably cute creature? How could I have left such a precious sister alone for seven years? I wanted to go back in time and punch myself.

“…Did it make you feel excited?”

“It didn’t,” I replied instantly to her hopeful-sounding question.

Of course not. I’m not the kind of degenerate who lusts after his own sister.

It seemed Ciara had developed a sense of humor over these seven years. Fortunately, I had honed my skills at delivering sharp comebacks, so we might be evenly matched now.

“……I see.”

Sierra murmured indifferently, and for some reason, she suddenly unhooked her bra and tossed it off the bed. It looked expensive—was it okay to handle it so carelessly? Well, I’ve heard that many women don’t wear one when they sleep, so maybe she just felt restricted.

She hugged me tightly again, pressing her chest against me a bit more firmly than before.

“……Does this turn you on?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

If I weren’t her Nii-san, it probably would.

“……I see.”

Sierra murmured the same phrase indifferently and, this time, slipped off her panties. Apparently, my imouto has turned into a nudist during the past seven years. I just hope she doesn’t catch a cold.

Now stark naked, Sierra entwined her graceful legs around me. She kept shifting, rubbing against me as though she couldn’t find a comfortable position.

“……Does this—?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“……I see.”

I felt like this back-and-forth could go on forever, so I decided to change the subject.

Sierra was still squirming around, but I resolved not to pay it any more attention. I’d just let her do as she pleased.

“Sierra, what have you been doing these past seven years?”

“……Waiting for you, Nii-san.”

“Oh… I see.”

I’m sorry. Truly, I’m so sorry.

But that’s not quite what I meant.

“Um… other than that?”

“……I was attending the Academy of Magical Arts.”

“Wait, after I graduated?”

“……Yes.”

So that’s what happened. I hadn’t known. Then again, I don’t know much of anything about my imouto.

Still, if she started after I graduated, wouldn’t she still be halfway through her fourth year? The Academy of Magical Arts is a fully residential school. Although they have long vacations, she shouldn’t have been able to come to the Capital City of Elist yet—

“……But I dropped out recently.”

“What? Why?”

Dropped out… did she mean she withdrew? With Sierra’s level of talent, they must have tried to persuade her to stay. Was it really okay for her to leave like that? No, it wasn’t. Absolutely not.

Sierra stared at me intently.

“……Nii-san, are you getting married?”

“No, I’m not.”

Of course not. I couldn’t possibly. Someone like me could never.

“……But someone said you were.”

“Who told you that…? Oh…”

A certain someone came to mind, and I felt a heavy weight settle in my chest.

“Fiona, huh?”

“……Yes.”

Of course. Now that she mentioned it, Fiona did say she had greeted Sierra. Something about introducing herself as her future onee-san, if I remember correctly. What nonsense.

I instinctively wanted to bury my head in my hands.

“That’s not true…”

“……I see. But I realized there are bad women around you.”

“They’re not really bad—”

“They’re bad.”

“Oh, okay.”

Sierra said it with uncharacteristic sharpness, and I nodded reflexively. She had always been like this, but now, with the added guilt of leaving her alone for seven years, I couldn’t bring myself to argue back. In a way, she’d become someone I couldn’t defy, just like the Manager, but for entirely different reasons.

“……That’s why I’ll stay by your side from now on.”

“Oh, okay.”

“……Nii-san, you have too many women around you.”

“Oh, okay.”

Why does it always turn out this way?

“……Tomorrow, I’ll ask you about them in detail.”

“Oh, okay.”

“……Does this turn you on?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“……I see.”

At last, with that final exchange, Sierra buried her face in my chest. She slipped her hand under my shirt while her legs, still entwined with mine, continued to rub against me.

As I felt her playful touch, my thoughts drifted to her Magis Gear.

Its resistance to even Letto-kun’s strongest strike, its ability to fly—it could very well be a counter to Fiona’s “Heaven’s Witch.” And the fact that Sierra was here because of Fiona…

A grim idea crossed my mind, and I frowned as I muttered quietly. It couldn’t be, right?

“Witch Hunt…”

“……Wow, how did you know?”

“Huh?”

“……The Magis Gear I made recently—it’s called ‘Witch Hunter.’“

“Huh?”

“……Nii-san, hold me.”

Sierra smiled happily, but I couldn’t help feeling a faint chill run down my spine.