Volume 3 Chapter 84: Sisters

Do you know what clothing is?

It’s one of humanity’s greatest inventions—something that everyone wears as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

There are garments that keep you warm, those that are breathable, and countless styles and designs ranging from cool to cute, and even some that are bold and eccentric.

By wearing clothes, we protect ourselves, express our style, and live our lives. Clothing is an indispensable part of an intelligent being’s daily existence.

However, this remarkable and essential creation has a downside. Failing to wear it earns you a highly dishonorable title.

Yes, a pervert.

In civilized society, a single misstep could even label you a criminal.

Even if there’s a valid reason for being completely naked, it’s rarely tolerated. A sad reality, isn’t it?

Clothes have enriched human lives, but they have simultaneously stripped us of the freedom to live naked.

In this day and age, you’re not recognized as a person unless you wear clothes.

It’s a bit unreasonable, if you ask me.

Humans are animals, after all. Wouldn’t it be fair to have the right to live naturally, as we were born? That’s what I think.

And yet, despite everything, clothing is still… wonderful.

Among humanity’s creations, it’s unparalleled.

“Absolutely incredible…”

What a sense of relief it brings.

Wearing my usual clothes after so long, I spread my arms wide and looked up to the sky, overcome with emotion.

“Noil… what’s wrong with him?”

“Don’t worry. He’s mostly always like this.”

“…Being naked was fine too, though.”

Hearing Tesea, Noel, and Sierra murmur behind me, I turned to them with a bright, refreshed smile.

“Noel, thank you so much.”

“Ehehe, you’re welcome… I wanted to see more, though.”

What did she want to see? Never mind. That’s not important now.

Noel had brought my clothes and gear. Apparently, when she noticed I had left only the clothes behind, she figured I’d need the rest and brought everything for me.

How thoughtful. Could she be a genius? Am I perhaps surrounded by a group of considerate geniuses?

Speaking of clothes, I hadn’t paid much attention before, but Noel’s outfit had changed since we came to the White Road.

She used to wear clothes typical of a girl from Calisa Village, but now she wore a sleeveless inner layer topped with a hooded long coat and short boots. She seemed to have opted for practicality, as she’d even given up skirts. She must’ve updated her wardrobe for her work at the White Road. Of course, she likely had other outfits too, but this was her usual choice these days.

The subdued colors of her coat bore a slight resemblance to the Manager’s.

Come to think of it, could they have picked it out together?

Oh, now that’s cheeky—choosing clothes without consulting this fashion leader here.

What’s that? You’re saying I always wear the same thing, so I’m not a fashion leader at all?

You just don’t get it.

The moment someone recognizes the brilliance of clothing, they become a fashion leader.

“That outfit suits you!”

So, belatedly but with a cool smile and a thumbs-up, I said that to Noel.

Then, without missing a beat, I gave a thumbs-up to Sierra as well.

“Sierra, your outfit’s great too!”

Finally, I turned my thumbs-up to Tesea.

“Tesea, let’s go shopping for clothes together once we’re out!”

Now that I’ve realized the greatness of clothing, I feel like I could coordinate the perfect fashion for Tesea.

“U-um… I-I’m looking forward to it, but… what’s gotten into you?”

Nothing at all.

I just thought, isn’t clothing wonderful?

“Noil, he gets like this sometimes. Isn’t it cute?”

“I… don’t get it.”

Noel smiled gently, but Tesea looked puzzled.

Well, that’s to be expected since I’m as far from “cute” as one can get.

Noel, you need to make your jokes easier to understand.

Don’t confuse people with weird remarks.

I guess it can’t be helped. I’ll have to step in—

“…My… sister… yet?”

“Eh…?”

Tesea’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

“…Aren’t you… my sister?”

Noel, standing between the two, seemed to take the hint and quietly stepped away, moving closer to me.

Facing each other directly now, Sierra and Tesea stared at each other with identical faces. Sierra, as expressionless as always; Tesea, stunned.

“…I’m not really interested, but…”

Hey, that’s harsh.

“…I’m Sierra. Your… younger sister.”

Meeting Tesea’s disbelieving gaze directly, Sierra spoke with clarity.

Tesea trembled and cast her eyes down.

“I-I’m…”

Her trembling voice escaped weakly.

“I… I’m…!”

Tesea’s face, once raised again, was crumpled with emotion. Tears spilled from her eyes as she pressed her hands tightly to her chest.

“Tesea…! You’re… my sister…!”

“…Yeah.”

“I’ve always…! Always wanted to meet you…!”

“…Yeah.”

“I hoped you were alive…! That you were healthy…! I’ve always wished for that…!”

“…Yeah.”

“I wanted to go outside…! So I could search for you…! I’ve always…!”

“…You did well, Nee-san.”

Sierra—her face soft with a gentle smile—spoke.

“Ah…!”

Tesea’s trembling hands reached out toward Sierra. But as if afraid to touch her, as if fearing she might disappear like an illusion, her hands stopped just before reaching her.

“…I’m right here,” Sierra said.

She took Tesea’s shaking hand and placed it against her chest, as if to confirm her existence.

“Right in front of you, Nee-san.”

Then, she gently embraced Tesea.

“Ah…”

A faint voice escaped Tesea as her face twisted in sorrow. Her knees gave way, and she collapsed, burying her face into her younger sister’s chest. Suppressed sobs shook her body.

“Hu…ugh…euh…uuh…”

“There, there,” Sierra whispered, stroking Tesea’s head as she held her close.

At that moment, it was impossible to tell who was the elder and who was the younger sister.

This was the reunion of twin sisters after sixteen long years.

“…I have something I want to ask,” Sierra said, addressing the quietly sobbing Tesea while continuing to stroke her head.

“Why… even though we’re twins… do you have those?”

Her voice carried an unnecessary note.

“That’s unfair. What trick did you use?”

Ruined.

Watching this heartwarming scene unfold before me, I couldn’t help but think so.

“Alright, hold on tight!”

Tesea, seated in the pilot’s chair of a small spherical airship, spoke with a slightly tense expression.

I would’ve liked to give her more time, but given our current circumstances, that wasn’t an option.

The others might still be fighting outside.

After Tesea had stopped crying, we reviewed the situation, and I realized how foolish I had been to waste time spouting nonsense about fashion leadership.

While I was happy everyone came to rescue me, an overwhelming anxiety gnawed at me.

Multiple Aizons and machine soldiers.

I couldn’t imagine anyone stronger than my companions—especially the Manager—losing. But from what I’d heard, the situation was dire. If anything happened to them because of me—

“…Nii-san…”

Sierra’s anxious voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I realized my expression was more tense than I’d intended.

Calm down. They’ll be fine.

Trust them.

Placing a hand gently on Sierra’s head, I reassured her.

“Noel, I might need your help again if things go south.”

“Leave it to me!”

Standing opposite Sierra, Noel responded with a confident smile.

We’ll be fine.

I could still use Sextet.

Apparently, the recoil from this power wouldn’t affect me directly but would instead be absorbed by the Sextet.

My companions assured me they could keep fighting.

“Alright…”

I exhaled deeply and turned to Tesea.

“Let’s go, Tesea.”

But at that moment—

“Eh?! No way! Why is it closing?!”

The exit began to seal itself as Tesea cried out in shock.

Simultaneously, the room—and indeed the entire Floating City Pharmament—shook violently.

“Go! Just go!!”

Sierra rushed to Tesea, placing her hands over hers and thrusting the airship forward.

The small vessel carrying us surged ahead, aiming for the rapidly closing exit.

By the narrowest of margins, we escaped outside.

“What the heck is—”

“Just keep going! Get as far away as possible!”

Following Noel’s urgent command, Sierra and Tesea pushed the airship forward without hesitation.

Behind us, the Floating City began to twist and contort.

“What…?”

“What is that…? I’ve never seen anything like this…!”

We stopped midair, a safe distance away, and watched in stunned silence as the Floating City continued to transform.

Tesea, using her Analysis, spoke in a voice tinged with confusion.

The city reshaped itself before our eyes, taking on the form of a massive—no, colossal—machine soldier.

I understood at once.

This was the true defense mechanism of the Floating City Pharmament, a source of pride for its creator.

The city itself could fight.

A dream come true for some, perhaps.

But an unnecessary addition if you ask me.

And now, an overwhelming sense of dread crept over me.

This oppressive, loathsome feeling against my skin—

“BOUUUU TRAITORRRRSSSS!!”

It was unmistakably his.

“Aizon…!”

How he managed this, I didn’t know.

Had he transferred part of his soul into the Floating City beforehand? Or had he used a hidden Soul Transfer Orb at the last moment?

It didn’t matter how.

What mattered was that a machine soldier larger than a mountain now stood before us, and it contained Aizon’s soul.

“ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

However, it was clear that this wasn’t a stable state.

Despite its immense size, its movements were slow—nothing like the usual machine soldiers.

Still—

“What are we supposed to do against this…?”

Tesea voiced what we were all thinking.

Just then—

The massive machine soldier’s head jerked slightly, as though it had been struck by something.

That was—

“Noel, it might be tough, but…”

Activating Hunter to enhance my vision, I confirmed what I saw and called out to Noel.

“I’ll be fine. But promise you’ll come back to me.”

Understanding everything, she activated Partner without hesitation.

“Thank you. I’m going.”

In an instant, I activated Sextet and teleported high above.

Far above the machine soldier, the strain on my body was immediate.

I must’ve moved out of Noel’s Magis Gear range.

“Guh…!”

Before I lost consciousness from the pain, I quickly deactivated Sextet and let myself fall.

“Milis!!”

I called out to the one person I knew would come for me.

As if summoned, she appeared.

Plunging straight toward me as I fell from above.

“Noil!!”

A radiant smile on her face.

And then—she caught me gently, tenderly.

“Milis!”

“I know!”

No further words were needed.

“Magis Gear—”

Together, our voices overlapped.

“White King!!”

Milis kissed me softly, and the ultimate Magis Gear manifested in its full glory.