My 4 years younger little sister Emil, ever since she was small she has lacked emotions and rarely expresses her feelings. Brother Sieg always treats her badly at every opportunity. Is it because he finds it unpleasant that between us siblings only Emil possess magic power? When big brother isnāt around I speak kindly to Emil and when I pat her head she shows a tender smile even though itās just for a moment.
When my youngest sister was bornā¦. Emil started to secluded herself in her room at 7 years old. When I asked Cecilia about it, she said Emil was reading books and knitting lace in her room. Though Emil is unsociable sheās more feminine than I thought.
When I turned 12 I enrolled into the knight academy in the royal capital. I return home only once or twice a year but Emilās environment at home has still not changed. Brother Sieg still treats her coldly and Emil still secludes herself in her room.
Emil enrolled at Heinz academy in old in royal capital at 12 years old. Itās a great honor for the family, but for Emil who is an introverted girl and canāt use magic, can she get along well with others in the academy? I was just so worried, ever since I was assigned to the order of knights in the royal capital, everyday became busier with training and duty until I almost forgot about my family, and my worry for Emil began to fade too.
After 1 year I return home, Emil greets me looking like a different person. I think it must be because of Emilās environment at the academy that has made her grow to become more like a human. Emil told me about the academy. She told me about how she gets along with other noble ladies, about how the sword arts they teach are good, about how her results didnāt improve even after she studied hard and also, about the false accusation incidentā¦.
When I heard her talk about that incident, I was really angry. While those guys have a standpoint and ability way above Emilās, they surrounded one girl and made her out to be the offender. I, as a knight, as a big brother and as a man cannot forgive them. Though Emil said she already forgave them, I can never forgive them.
I, Emil and Harutia, pet name Haru, decided to go out shopping together before new year arrives. Maa, itās almost like Haru is just forcing herself to participate but for me Haru is my important little sister too, so itās good if they both can get along while shopping. Thatās what I thought but, it seems like these two really have a bad affinity. Haru just one-sidedly flared up at Emil, but Emil herself didnāt dislike it that much.
In Edibara town, we entered a clothes store thatās quite far from the main street. When Haru wanted to try her new dress she didnāt take Chikona, her maid but she took Emil and dragged her to the Changing room. After that the 5 of us waited for Haru to change her clothes but even after a while, Haru and Emil didnāt return. Isnāt it strange? while I was thinking that I told the two maids to go check on Haru and Emil, where they only found Haruās dress on the floor. A chill runs down my back as I get a bad feeling.
āThe two daughters of the feudal lord have gone missing.ā I told the escort guards and dispatch them to inform the order of knights in the town.
āAslein-sama, your handā¦.ā
āAh, sorry. Itās okay.ā
The maid Cecilia noticed that Iām grasping my hand strongly. Though I canāt just laugh it off, I smile and tell her that itās okay, she exhales a relieved breath but Iām starting to worry about her pale face.
After a while the 2nd order of knights in Edibara town and some of the garrison guards come and we begin to search together. Though I donāt have the authority for this because I am off duty, I canāt just stand still and wait. Because my parents have to know about this too, I told the maids and the escort guards to return to the mansion.
After investigating, in the dressing room at clothes store part of the wall can be dismantled, they must have gone in from there. The store manager said that he didnāt know anything about it, but if I leave this to the knights to do further cross-examination they should be able to dig out more information.
According to the knights, recently some children have started to go missing one after another and they are still searching for the culprit now.
āUm, what will happen to the kidnapped children?ā
āā¦. Mainly they will be sold as a slaves or become raw materials for research. Itās truly a heartrending story. But, if itās a nobles daughter they will go to get a ransom. Donāt give up hope, we still have a lot of time.ā
Without realising, the vice captain of the knights answers my doubts. Itās not like Iāve never seen a ghastly scene while I was on duty. However, right now I just donāt feel any sense of reality, there is only anxiety in my mind.
The situation has progressed and now itās been 2 days since my little sisters went missing. There is a man who is believed to be a suspect who has bought a wagon and wants to go somewhere. According to the knights who got the information from the wagon merchant, that man wants to go to a different region and begin a new business while taking their belongings with them. That man doesnāt seem to have anything among his belongings that can be used from the wagon. When he starts to leave we will stalk him and if he shows any suspicious movements, we will catch him immediately. Though I donāt have any confidence in this plan, itās been decided to be carried out.
That night, the man stops his wagon after 30 minutes of traveling out of Edibara town at a small house, and entered the house. We close in on the house while holding our breath, and surround it.
I can hear some clattering noises from inside the house. When the knight captain orders to shrink the encirclement, a man was suddenly struck out through the door and thrown outside. From the place where the doorās destroyed, the sound of a girl coughing can be heard. The shadow of a person wearing a skirt starts to move out from the house, heading here, seen because of the moonlight. Just one step before they come out, they stop, the manās legs are pierced through with lances made from ice coming out from inside the house. I had a feeling that I heard the man groan.
When the shadow slowly moves out, the knight captain gives the order to use light magic, <Light>, some of the knights begin to chant the aria at same time and the place was brightly lit up like day time.
I was not able to comprehend what happen. Because, the lit up person was my bloodstained little sister.
āEmil?ā¦. Emil!?ā
I unintentionally call out to her. Although Emil is squinting her eyes because of the light, she nods at my call.
I want to immediately run to her and hug her, but I canāt do that because thereās a magician who is hiding there.
āEmil. Iām sorry but can you raise your hands slowly and come here?ā
Emil raises her hands and slowly approaches me. Thereās a wound on her face and wrist, on her neck thereās a strangle like mark and thereās blood all over her clothes, itās truly painful to look at. I hug her tightly after waiting for her arrive.
āā¦ Iām really glad you are safe.ā
āOnii-sama, Haru is inside the house.ā
Emil said with a hoarse voice.
āI have captured every criminal in there. Please quickly save Haru.ā
When the knights and guards heard what Emil said, some of them begin to go inside the house.
Then as the encirclement becomes lax.
ā!! Emil!!!ā
I change positions with Emil by hugging her at once and protect her from a flying blade. The thrown knife strikes my flank.
āGu!ā
āO, Onii-samaā¦!?ā
I unintentionally put more power into my arms. Itās quite painful but this knifeās blade doesnāt seems to be long so it shouldnāt cause a fatal injury. Emil is looking up at me from my arms looking like her tears will burst out at any moment. Suddenly, I fall to my knees and canāt stand up anymore. ā¦. Is it poisoned?
āEmilā¦. It was poisoned so, donāt touchā¦. the, knifeā
āOnii-sama?! Onii-sama!!!?ā
All my senses disappear in no time and before I lose consciousness, I see Emil looking at me with a tearful face.