Chapter 43

I was holed up in a warded room, agonizing over it .

I moaned and squatted on the bed when I fell and hit my side .

Maybe it was the stress that was bothering me too much, but I got a mysterious stomach ache .

When I got up and thought about it, I felt that I was somehow helpless, and I piled up Ortem and made a tower on impulse, and I almost died because It fell down on me .

Ive been holed up for six hours now, but I cant think of anything good to do .

I thought of something, but no matter how I scramble, I cant help but feel sorry for Gizel .

Im starting to think that I dont care anymore even if I marry Gizel .

Theres some resistance now, but maybe Ill get used to it .

Its just the way the world is . Ill apologize to s.h.i.+bi .

No, but really, is that all right?

Its something Ive been worried about all this time, but Gizel is almost dependent on me .

Theres even a theory that Im codependent because I just cant see it myself .

Gizel had been following me almost since she was born .

I guess the reason shes acting like a brocon now is because he didnt have a decent relations.h.i.+p with anyone but me .

Its my fault that I didnt pay much attention to the bad habits of the Marrens .

The theory that my ancestors were severely Siscon started to grow inside me .

In short, Gizel just had a very narrow field of vision .

If only Gizel had looked around more, she could have found someone else to like .

In addition to the fact that its not the same as my memory of my previous life, Gizels 14 years of living with me is all that matters to her .

I dont want to think too much about it, though .

Gizel was even more exclusive than me, a magic recluse .

For Gizel, both s.h.i.+bi and Firo were just acquainted with her brother .

Originally, I should have made my move earlier, I couldnt think of anything else besides Im troubled because my little sister is cute .

It was stupid .

If I had thought about it more deeply, I would have had more opportunities to notice cultural differences and differences in consciousness .

I know its not the right place for me to say this after all this time .

I know, but thats why I dont think its a good idea to just let it drag on .

If I dont do this, Gizel is going to have no real connection to anyone but me .

In the long run, Its definitely not going to be a good thing .

I have to get out of this village .

Its the only way .

My father is very eager to hold the ceremony, and since he believes so much in Marren culture, he wont listen to me no matter how much I tell him .

To top it off, Gizel is totally on board .

Ive always wanted to see the world outside the village for a long time .

Its sad, but maybe it was just the right opportunity .

Its forbidden in the village, but Im afraid Ill have to break it .

I closed my eyes, cut the air, and prayed to the spirits of my ancestors .

This is enough to forgive a lot of the mischief in the Marren village .

Our ancestors were generous .

I used my thick Ortem as a desk and wrote on a piece of paper .

My father and mother, and then a note to Gizel .

I wrote about how I only have feelings for Gizel as a sister and how Im sorry for that, as well as my anxiety about Gizel dependence on me .

And finally, I added, Ill be out there getting married, or Ill be back when I hear the news that Gizel is getting married .

Ill go out of the room temporarily to prepare for the long trip .

There was also a simple map of the area in the Chiefs mansion .

Ill just impolitely borrow it and head to the nearest city .

I can use the Ortem Trolley for transportation .

Quickly, I have to load up on preserves and things that could be converted to gold .

The sooner I get out, the better .

Time could shake my decision, and if my father found out, he could tie me to a board and hold me in place .

Besides, if Gizel cries on me, Ill probably break .

Hiding the letter on my desk, I left the room .

Brother, youve finally come out! I mean, are you okay? After all, you dont look so good

At the front of the room was Gizel .

It must have been more than six hours ago when I entered, but I wondered if she had been standing at the door the whole time .

In the past, it could have been adorable, but this is still not good . Thats definitely not a good sign .

I, Ill just go to the Chiefs house for a while

In that case, Im going too to escort you!

No, its complicated . Let me go on my own .

Eh .

Gizels expression froze .

Sheesh .

Up until now, I had never said anything bad for Gizel to hear, so theres no need for her to leave even once .

It was only the other day that I tried to talk to my father about Gizel .

Actually, theres something Ive been thinking about my father lately . I want to talk to the Chief about it . With Gizel around, it might be hard for the Chief to do it .

About fathers?

Oh, yes . Its about the incense leaf . Apparently, the Chief has been wielding the Karlco family at will, so hes afraid of having power concentrated in one house by a.s.sets As a matter of fact, I happened to overhear a bad rumor about father the other day . Its just a rumor is what I think but we need to make sure we have a firm report at the earliest opportunity so theres nothing dark behind it .

Is that so At this important period

Im sure Gizel had an idea .

Gizel tightly grabbed the hem of her dress and bit her lip .

She seemed to be convinced for the time being .

The guilt is great, but I managed to dodge it nicely .

I have set my father up as a typical petty villain, but I cant help it .

In hindsight, Gizel would soon find out it was a misunderstanding .

Maybe hes just happy with the fact that hes suddenly getting a lot of money and people around him are starting to praise him .

Theres nothing to be concerned about .

Im sorry .

I put my hand on Gizels shoulder and walked past it .

Brother .

A few steps away, he was called off .

What is it?

I stopped in my tracks and turned around .

Relax . Gizel shouldnt have any suspicions .

Thats why brother youve been troubled lately, havent you?

Eh? Ah, Ahhhhh

I bit my tongue unthinkingly in surprise at the way he spoke as if he was confirming it .

Its okay . Dont panic .

Its a guilty conscience that makes me upset by a single word .

The ident.i.ty of the ghost, the seeing and withering silver flower gra.s.s, is something I used to say even in my previous life .

When youre scared, everything seems to make sense .

I cough lightly and take a gesture that says something is wrong with my throat .

It was an appeal that he was not at a loss for words because he had something dark behind him .

A-Ah, Yeah Thats right

I hope father is innocent Ill be waiting for you when you get back . Im sure youre not in great shape, so take care not to collapse on the way . Dont force yourself, and turn around as soon as it gets tough, okay?

R-right, right . Sorry to worry you .

I turned around and walked out of the house to go to the Chiefs mansion .

Good, I got through it .

It seems that there is no reason to be suspicious after all .

Nonetheless, Im glad the lies and acting came through .

I thought I wouldnt make it since I couldnt make eye contact with her, but Gizel didnt seem to mind .

Thats about the only thing that bothers me .

This kind of skill at bargaining may be due to the difference in experience in a previous life .

If I got to the city, It wouldnt be a bad idea to try to become a famous actor .

Im curious how much knowledge this world has on this type of culture, though .