***

On a midsummer afternoon when I was fulfilling my usual duties as an unemployed person.

“It’s been a while, little sister.”

Teaerik Rabius, Callia’s blood relative, visited the mansion.

It was the first time someone from Rainfeld had come all the way here to see me, but it was even more surprising that it was Teaerik.

“What brings you here without any prior notice, brother?”

“Your temperament is still the same, I see.”

“Look who’s talking.”

Whether it was sibling instinct carved into our bones, Teaerik clicked his tongue at my automatic counterattack.

“Of course, we’re not close enough to meet privately without business, but didn’t you have something to ask me? Stupid sister.”

“What? Who are you calling stupid…! Ah.”

Reflexively fighting back, I suddenly remembered the letter I had sent to the Rabius Ducal Residence a few weeks ago.

‘I asked about the anonymous donation to the Harnelia Grand Temple… and to look into the artifact.’

For the former, I thought it was well resolved since the donation certificate from Harnelia Grand Temple had arrived, but for the latter, I assumed he didn’t know anything because there had been no news.

“So you remember?”

“Yes. It’s disappointing when comparing your brain, which failed the Academy entrance exam, with mine, which graduated with decent grades.”

I thought brothers in romance fantasy novels were usually sister-obsessed, but somehow this guy just treated his sister like an idiot.

However, since I was the one in need at the moment, I swallowed my anger and put on a subtle smile.

“Right, smart brother. So you must have come all the way here because you have some results to share with me?”

“Ugh, did you eat something bad?”

But this guy.

The one who quickly shattered my fantasy about having an “older brother” (as I was an only child) reached out and squished both my cheeks, carefully examining my pissed-off expression.

“Seeing your face contort at my words, it seems you’re not suffering from some incurable disease…”

“Get your hands off me.”

“Indeed. Judging by your growling, you’re perfectly healthy.”

Teaerik nodded like a veterinarian who had finished his diagnosis.

He might have an unexpected talent for making me want to bite him instead of talking.

“Whoa, calm down. I’ll tell you about the bracelet that chose you.”

“Skip the sounds you’d use for livestock.”

“Fine, cute little sister.”

“Skip the disgusting adjectives, too.”

“Alright, my terribly discontented little sister.”

At this point, I gave up on my meaningless corrections and folded my arms.

Teaerik shrugged and took out a large piece of paper from his pocket.

“What’s that? An artifact?”

Recalling the suspicious paper sent by a blackmailer, I asked, and Teaerik looked at me with contemptuous eyes.

“Foolish sister. How could a mere piece of paper like this be an artifact? This is a rubbing of the clay tablet we saw together in the treasure vault.”

The foolish one is you, damn brother.

I planned to take out the paper artifact I had carefully stored in a drawer to show Teaerik, while trying to calm my anger.

One thing at a time. One step at a time.

“Did you discover something new?”

“Why else would I personally come to this rural place to tell you the interpretation?”

“Then stop being irritating and get to the point.”

Seeing me pressing my temples due to rising blood pressure, Teaerik snickered.

“…Well, your temper has died down somewhat.”

Finally, he began to talk about the contents of the clay tablet (a.k.a. ancient bracelet manual).

“‘First, wearing this bracelet allows you to become friends with all beings living and breathing in the sea.'”

“…Your ancient language skills have improved? Before, you just stared at it for a long time and said it improves fish affinity?”

Seemingly stung by my sharp observation, Teaerik cleared his throat awkwardly.

“‘The ability to befriend sea creatures’ or ‘fish affinity’ – it’s all the same. The reason you complained to me in your letter about fish being aggressive is the same thing. The important part is what comes next, so focus.”

I obediently closed my mouth.

After all, I was curious whether this ancient bracelet was truly the cause of the “I alone have a translator” incident at the Sea God Temple recently.

“‘Second, you will be able to understand the language of all higher life forms, regardless of race or origin.'”

Teaerik stared at me after saying this, apparently expecting a surprised reaction.

But since I had already guessed this to some extent, I just nodded indifferently, causing him to grumble with a deflated expression.

“Why aren’t you surprised? Well, I suppose you wouldn’t have had the chance to meet non-human higher life forms, so it’s understandable that it hasn’t sunk in yet.”

“That’s not it. I already communicated with a divine beast at the Sea God Temple and was even called a saint.”

“What?!”

At Teaerik’s intense reaction, I proudly smiled and shared my story about seeing the divine beast.

“It’s called Alua, a divine purification beast that looks like a white dolphin, and it was quite amazing.”

“No, not that. You, a saint? What on earth…”

Rubbing his ears as if doubting his hearing, Teaerik turned to Mikhail, who was standing behind me, with a serious face.

“Lord Hasloff. Please don’t misunderstand, this isn’t regional disparagement, but do they select people who are friendly with fish as saints in the south? It seems the concept of sainthood is quite different from the north…”

This guy, really.

No, no. Huff, alright.

‘If he’s been seeing Anael in Rainfeld all this time, he might have such doubts.’

I decided to be generous once more.

“I don’t think I’m a saint either, so stop making a fuss, brother.”

“Good, that’s settled. The introduction of the clay tablet says ‘The chosen one can resolve conflicts and create a peaceful world,’ but you seem to be quite the opposite.”

“…I can see that you want to create conflict and discord with me.”

At this point, it’s clear that the bad relationship between siblings wasn’t entirely original Callia’s fault.

I reflexively looked for a weapon to punish my brother for his loose tongue, but instead clasped my hands tightly.

‘Be patient, he’s still the precious child of the Duke and Duchess of Rabius.’

As I chose noble nonviolence, Teaerik’s eyes widened and he pointed at me.

“You, you’re not Callia.”

Right. That’s why you haven’t been slapped yet.

If I were the real Callia, you would have at least three bumps on your head by now.

While inwardly retorting and repeatedly engraving patience in my heart, I suddenly felt a presence approaching from behind.

“That’s enough, Young Master.”

Mikhail, who had been standing quietly like an invisible person regardless of the conversation, approached.

“Even if you are blood relatives, if you continue to speak disrespectfully to the Young Lady, it will be uncomfortable for me as her attendant.”

“…Indeed.”

Teaerik grabbed Mikhail’s shoulder with a somewhat understanding expression.

“Your contribution is truly great. If you ever decide to change careers to a wild beast, no, a monster tamer, I’ll sincerely write you a letter of recommendation.”

“The Young Lady is neither a wild beast nor a monster, but a person.”

Mikhail, who spoke calmly, avoided my gaze, shining with gratitude and fixed his eyes back on the wall.

“Thank you, Mikhail!”

I’m not the type to withhold gratitude.

However, Teaerik made a strange face seeing the scene before him.

“While Lord Hasloff has always been unusually rigid for his age, it’s surprising to see you changed like this, considering you never treated servants as people before.”

“Well… people change, you know.”

If he probed seriously, I would be at a loss for words.

With that judgment, I glossed over it, and Teaerik muttered with narrowed brows.

“Could the bracelet have a hidden function that makes one repent…?”

“It doesn’t.”

Teaerik chuckled at my serious retort.

“Right. I may not have adjusted yet, but our parents must be very pleased.”

“…Is the interpretation of the clay tablet finished?”

It was an unnatural change of subject, but fortunately, Teaerik complied.

“No, there’s one more left.”

“What is it?”

“‘Lastly, chosen one. The bracelet will protect you from magical malice. You will be free from even the most terrible magical malice.'”

Oh, that’s quite a good ability, isn’t it?

Of course, I might not have a chance to use it since I don’t fight sea monsters like the Navy does.

Still, it’s good that it protects the body from evil energy.

The ability to understand divine beasts is also an advantage, so I could withdraw my previous thoughts about the bracelet being a burden.

But not everyone seemed to accept it as easily as I did.

“Young Lady. Regardless of the other abilities, it would be best to keep the last one a secret as much as possible.”

Mikhail, who had been silent again since earlier, said in a subdued voice.