16 – The Real Sister

“Everyone’s assembled, then.”

From early morning, the five Tristy siblings found themselves gathered in the Head of House’s study.

It was all because of Porto, who sat in the head chair, rolling a metal sphere in his hand.

“I will tell you the reason I summoned you.”

Porto scanned his brothers and sisters, including myself.

All of them looked tense.

Well, it wasn’t hard to guess why Porto had called us together.

“From now on, I will announce the contents of the Second Heir Apparent Test.”

‘Just as I thought.’

It hadn’t been long since he made Felix a soldier, he sure was impatient.

Porto rose from his seat.

And unfurled a map on the table with a flourish.

“It’s the Tristy territory map.”

At Uriel’s observation, Porto nodded.

The map depicted everything from the grand mansion where we were now, to the mining town of Charconia, the trading city of Elion, Tristy Academy, and all other places belonging to the domain.

Porto tapped the map with his finger.

Then, slowly tracing a wide circle, he continued.

“The time approaches when the Insane’s curse will strengthen.”

The Insane’s curse.

A phrase no citizen of Justina could fail to know.

The Insane was a devotee of Lunatic, the god of madness, and a powerful demon.

It was said that in the distant past, he led the demonic hordes in an invasion of the kingdom, countless humans losing their lives to his hand.

The Insane was ultimately extinguished by the first king and the exploits of numerous heroes.

Yet, he remained a figure remembered with dread by many.

Before he died, the Insane, at the cost of his life, his unholy blood, and his soul, made a wish to the god of madness.

The wish was that all humans living in the Kingdom of Justina would suffer eternally.

The god of madness granted the demon’s wish.

And the result…

“Soon, demons will begin to reveal themselves even in Triste.”

Though not in the ant-like swarms that infested the eastern front.

Their numbers were certainly smaller, but demons would begin to appear within the very borders of the Kingdom of Justina.

“We must prepare for the demonic incursions.”

The Insane’s curse peaked for a month every twenty years.

Usually, it was enough for the mercenaries, who made a living killing demons and taking their spoils.

But when the curse strengthened, soldiers had to be mustered and separate measures devised.

“This time, I intend to gauge how much you are each capable of doing for your territories against this vile curse.”

Porto set down the steel sphere.

“The date on which the curse will truly begin is four months hence. Until then, prepare to confront the Insane’s curse. And protect the people of your territories from the demons, using all the means at your disposal. I trust you will show me a good accounting this time.”

Furthermore.

“I intend to send the child who displays the most incompetence in this trial on the ‘Pilgrim’s Path.'”

The Pilgrim’s Path, eh?

No one could offer assistance on the journey along the Pilgrim’s Path.

That was the rule established by the royal family and the temple.

A solitary penance, heading to the goddess’s temple located within the Empire.

A better fate than Felix’s battlefield, perhaps, but… who could say?

Of all the siblings, Haneel’s expression darkened most noticeably.

“There are no exceptions to this decree. Not even the ailing Haneel, nor Esther, newly titled Baroness. I expect your utter devotion to your assigned territories.”

The title of Baroness escaped Porto’s lips,

and all eyes fell upon me.

A burdensome weight of gazes.

I felt a prickle of anxiety under the palpable animosity and wariness radiating from my siblings.

Though, with Nob AI’s assistance, I doubt it showed.

“Lastly, I have one more thing to impress upon you. The siblings standing beside you are your rivals. At times, you will need to disregard all scruples in your ambition to win. However…”

Porto warned us,

“Regardless of the reason, fratricide amongst heirs is strictly forbidden.”

This was Porto’s rule for the Triste Succession Trials.

Unexpected, perhaps, yet also utterly predictable.

*‘One would think he wouldn’t even blink an eye if one of his children died.’*

Surely, amongst those gathered here, there wouldn’t be a psychopath willing to murder their own family for the title of Head.

*‘A pilgrimage, is it…’ *

Last time it was the battlefield; this time, the backwoods.

What does Porto even think of his own children?

The man was a headache in so many ways.

I held no ambition for the title of Head.

And frankly, I couldn’t care less what happened to most of the others assembled here.

“Cough…”

I glanced at my ailing sister.

In her current condition, Haneel would be all but guaranteed to die on the road if she were to undertake this pilgrimage.

Our eyes met.

And Haneel offered me a quiet smile.

“…”

Porto dismissed us.

Together with my siblings, I departed from the Head’s chamber.

“Last time, it was the battlefield. This time, a pilgrimage. What could Father possibly be thinking…?”

“People tend to discover their true potential in extreme circumstances, don’t they? Perhaps that’s his intention.”

As Kenneth grumbled, Uriel chuckled in response.

“I still don’t understand attaching such penalties to every exam.”

“Why is it that you don’t understand, sister?”

“Because the first exam had defective products mixed in…”

His eyes met Kenneth’s.

At that, the fellow shut his mouth and left the corridor.

“Hmm~”

Uriel turned her gaze to me.

“Do you require something from me, brother?”

“No. I was just staring, fascinated.”

She always maintained a beaming smile.

Even when I was being tormented, at Mother’s funeral, and even now.

“I’ve become very curious lately, how our youngest brother escaped being a defective product.”

I had always thought Felix was the most vicious.

But, thinking back, that wasn’t true either.

Kenneth, Uriel, those two b*stards were the same.

Unlike Zeper, who lowered his head and apologized, those two showed no signs of remorse.

“Is that so?”

I faced Uriel.

It was something I couldn’t have even imagined as a child, but now the situation was completely different.

“As your youngest brother, may I offer you a piece of advice, sister?”

“Yes, by all means.”

In the past, I was weak and incompetent.

So timid that I couldn’t even utter a single word properly in front of the tormenting Uriel.

But now, at least…

“Right now, sister, you should be focusing on the Successor Exam, not wasting your time thinking about your brother with that dim brain of yours.”

I had the courage to bare my fangs at the enemy.

“You’ve wanted to be the Head of the House since you were little, didn’t you?”

“…….”

“I understand you’re anxious and resentful that you were overtaken in the exam by a brother you considered insignificant, but perhaps it would be better to use your head in a slightly more productive direction?”

That this was a way for Uriel to gain even greater recognition from Porto, I explained.

Delivered every word, precisely, to Uriel.

A genius mage concept – quite fetching, yes. But the expression on my sister’s face, souring in real-time before my very eyes, now that was truly amusing.

“Of course, given that I’ve already grasped the totality of Uriel’s capabilities, the limitations seem quite clear. But, is there not always a chance, however slim, in this world? As her brother, I can only hope that she achieves what she desires.”

Uriel was undeniably stung.

“Heh heh…”

She always maintained that perpetually pleasant smile, leading many to misunderstand.

Her temper was, without a doubt, the worst amongst all the siblings.

“Thank you for the advice.”

Uriel was at least capable of discerning the time and place.

Watching Uriel’s back as she departed, I turned my gaze away.

“Younger brother.”

Jepper approached me, cautiously glancing around.

“Heartfelt congratulations on receiving the title of Baron.”

“Thank you.”

He extended his hand in a gesture of celebration.

I grasped it, shaking slowly.

“If you require any assistance in the successor trials, don’t hesitate to tell me at any time. It might be trivial to you, but I’ll gladly offer what help I can.”

After conversations with Kennes and Uriel, Jepper was starting to look like a veritable saint in comparison.

At least this brother had some conscience, however small.

Or perhaps it was more a matter of social awareness than conscience, regardless.

Jepper smiled, waving his hand.

“Ah, just so there are no misunderstandings, I’ll say this beforehand. What I just said wasn’t specifically motivated by a desire for assistance from you, younger brother. I may be a snob, but I’m not so oblivious as all that.”

“Yes.”

My second brother, having insisted on avoiding any misinterpretations, took his leave.

I suppose I should head back as well.

Could it be from that little power struggle with Uriel earlier? I felt in need of sugar.

I’d have to ask Dalpi to make me a sweet dessert.

It was then, as I was about to return to my room to prepare for the second successor trial, that I paused.

“Ester.”

A familiar voice reached me.

These days, she was mostly seen with Dalphy, but before that, she’d always tried to be with my second sister.

Since childhood, I’d relied so much on my sickly sister, and thinking back on it now, I felt truly sorry.

“Cough… Do you have a moment? There’s something I’d like to talk about.”

Haniel had called me.

There was no reason to refuse.

She was the only person in our family who could be considered truly on my side.

The fundamental reason I didn’t leave the Tristi estate in the first place was connected to Haniel.

“Yes.”

I quietly nodded.