96 95. Twenty Trials "Prison".txt (1/2)

....... It's all right, Kanami. I'm fine.

Cooling off on the balcony for a little while, Snow feels completely recovered.

He smiles brightly and urges her to return to the Great Hall.

'I see. Then let's go back: ......

Deciding that the brightness of the room doesn't lie, I agree.

Then, just as I'm about to return to the great hall, a man walks onto the balcony.

''Well, excuse me,''

He was a man with short red-copper hair and a soft face. His attire was of the highest order among the nobility, similar to the clothes Snow wore. I turn my attention to Snow and urge him to tell me who he is.

'...... Good job, brother.'

Snow nodded and called this man his brother.

In other words, this man--.

'Oh, I'm so tired ....... I'm so tired. Tired to death. Oh, I want to die .......

Even though there are no ...... people around, you have to be a little more careful what you say and do.

'Ah, yes. ...... haha, but I guess the only break is to say hello to Mr. Snow. Really.

I 'gaze' at the man.

[Status]

Name: Glenn Walker HP 331/342 MP 92/92 Class: Scout

Level: 28

Strength 7.22 Strength 8.55 Skill 11.78 Speed 13.79 Wisdom 10.01 Magic 5.26 Elemental 2.19

Inherent skill: good luck 1.02 bad luck 2.75

Acquired skills: earth magic 1.22 Weapon combat 1.17 Exploration 1.11

Hiding 1.56 Apothecary 1.10 Stealing 1.66

This is Glenn Walker.

A searcher who has been given the title of 'strongest' in this confederacy.

His talent and level is naturally high. However, his status is more skewed than one would expect. He seems to be the type of person who doesn't go head-to-head with an abundance of skills as his strength.

However, this is .......

If it's not good enough, Snow is more .......

Glenn-san approaches languidly and greets me with a friendly smile.

'Nice to meet you. Is it okay if you're Kanami-kun from Epic Seeker?

Ah, yes, nice to meet you. I'm Aikawa Uzumi.

I bow my head deeply and introduce myself to Mr. Glenn.

'Heh, that's not at all what I've heard from Palinclone: ....... No, I mean in a good way, okay?　Don't get me wrong, okay?　Not a bad word, okay?

Ha, ha. ......

I'm the one who thought, ”Not at all.

It's more than a little surprising that this person is the 'strongest' that everyone admires.

Glenn-san observes me intently and then pats me on the shoulder with a big smile.

''Yeah, yeah, that's good. You're good after all!　I've been a fan of yours ever since that time (・・・・). That was amazing. You're a real 'hero', not a pathetic imposter like me!

And then, excitedly, he says he's a fan of mine.

But when was ”that time”? I wonder if he heard about me in Epic Seeker.

Then Snow interrupts with a panicked look on his face.

''-- Brother Glenn. What happened back then is ......!

'What?　Oh, yeah, I know, Mr. Snow. I-I didn't forget, did I?　I'm not lying, okay?

Snow is angry at him and Mr. Glenn deflates. Then he piles on the excuses, looking at Snow's face. They are both about the same height, so this makes it hard to tell who is older.

Glen-san clears his throat and turns to me, regaining his composure.

'And anyway!　Kanami is a good enough person to trust my sister with your work. After watching you carefully, talking to you, I'm sure of it. You are a good man. I'm sure of it!

Hi. ......

For some reason, Mr. Glenn's favorable opinion of me was unusually high.

He was adamant about tapping me on the shoulder and praising me.

And then Glenn, looking excited, makes a fist and stresses the point.

I couldn't do much for you, Snow, but I could at least give you a boost (・・・・・・) for your marriage. Finally, I've got that much power. I won't let the guys in the main house complain about it either!　...... maybe!

'What, a marriage boost ......?'

I repeat myself, because there were words that I couldn't hear.

'What do you say ......, brother ......?'

The same goes for Snow.

He suddenly said something strange and asked his brother for an explanation.

'What?　Because you guys are getting married, right?

Apart from our confusion, Glenn's answer was very simple.

'Ha, ha!　Yeah!

What?

Me and Snow both voice our doubts.

'Huh?　Palinkron has been saying this all along, you know?　I think I found a suitable son-in-law for Snow Walker. Will you please let Glenn help us work things out between them? And...

Mr. Glenn does an impersonation of Palinclone and explains what he was asked to do. But there is no resemblance at all.

'Oh, that bastard: ......'

I'm furious at Palinclone's sidelong impersonation.

However, Glenn continues to talk with a buoyant look on his face.

'Snow-san and Kanami-kun's marriage!　I'm all for it too! I couldn't be happier that Kanami, the man of my dreams, has become my brother-in-law. You are recommended by me and Palinkron as Snow Walker's fiancée!　No matter what, I'll make you two get married!

Leaving me and Snow puzzled, Glenn announces his decision.

Next to me, Snow mutters shakily.

'...... I haven't heard anything. This kind of ......, this kind of ...... thing.

Yeah, I don't hear it. I don't know what the hell he's talking about.

I'm trying to agree with that - but I'm interrupted.

”Ki, I'm not listening, but (...) ......, it's not a bad idea. It's not a bad idea ....... Eh, but that's .......

Snow continues to mutter to himself.

He doesn't seem to hear my words or Glenn's statement of determination. He just repeats the question to himself by himself. And--

'What?　That kind of ......, that kind of thing ......?

Leaving me and Mr. Glenn behind, he seems to have come up with some kind of answer on his own.

Just like before, he is staring at his palm with an expression on his face as if he has found an object for the first time in his life.

Neither Glenn-san nor I know what kind of answer Snow got. We just couldn't interrupt her for the bizarre look. So much so that she had an opaque and distorted expression on her face.

With that expression, the monologue continued.

'Just do whatever you want (・・・・・・・・・), is that what you mean?　I mean, Palinkron (that guy) does the same thing ......?

And gradually Snow's face lights up.

The stagnant voice gradually clears up and becomes brisk - uncharacteristic (・・・・・) speaking.

'Oh, finally, finally ......!　I finally figured it out: ......!

No longer did Snow's characteristic languid speech completely disappear.

She became like a normal girl.

Snow looks at her palms with a radiant face, as if a possession had fallen from her.

Glenn and I are confused by this sudden change.

'Snow ....... What's wrong with you ......?

”Well, um, Mr. Snow, ......?

Me and Mr. Glenn call out to him fearfully.

In contrast, Snow turns a fresh smile on me and asks in a cheerful voice.

''-- Hey, do you not want to marry me, Kanami?''

The question was so heavy that it was one of the highest points in my life.

I'm upset by that un-Snow-like confession of innocence and clarity.

'Well, wait, ......!　Wait, wait, wait!　Snow, what the hell are you doing out of the blue?

Marry Kanami and everything will be okay. Everything would be fine as long as Kanami was there to take care of the Walkers, not just her husband.

Snow takes my hand in hers and tells me with an innocent smile.

The innocence of Snow's appearance is so much cuter than the languid previous years. It's cute, but none of it is easy to nod to.

I choose my words carefully.

'...... the responsibilities of House Walker?'

Yes. Every child adopted by a Walker family has a responsibility to make that family name known. They are only as good as their brother Grenn, or they will never appreciate it. I'm not convinced that they took in that dragonborn descendant, Snow. Even ...... can convince them, Kanami can convince them. If only Kanami's 'heroic' powers were available!

Snow replies happily.

Then I understand the problem and get the edge of what she's thinking.

'You want me to spread the ...... Walker family name to me?　As Kanami Walker?

'Exactly. If brother Glenn and the Legacie family cooperate and support me, I can dream of marrying Kanami. You won't have to marry into another family, like a disposal!

'Oh, calm down, Snow ....... I know you're in a hurry for a lot of things. But it's not such an easy decision to make. Marriage is an important thing, and you should think about it more.

At least it's not a matter of deciding as if it were an idea.

'I've thought about it ....... I've thought about it. Marrying Kanami is absolutely the easiest (...). It's the most free, that's why I want to marry Kanami!

That was the worst confession I could think of.

Snow said he wanted to marry me, not because he liked me, but because it was easy.

'It's ......, no. That's no good. Snow is talking about marriage because ”it's easy”. There's no way I'd accept that kind of confession.

Of course, he refuses to accept the offer of marriage.

At the very least, I would never nod at the current Snow.

Above all, just like it or not, I am now that shiny-haired--

But that response seemed to surprise Snow. With a hardened smile, he returns the words.

''Eh, eh?　That ......?　Ka, Kanami won't help me ......, help me ......?

Not that I won't help: ......!　But suddenly marriage is too big a story. Besides, even I have the right to choose my partner: ......!

'Such a ......!　It's not fair that I don't have the right to choose and Kanami has the right to choose. That's not fair: ......!

Understanding my refusal, Snow's expression becomes distorted. This was the first time she had ever shown so much emotion.

Realizing that I can't take it back if I don't, I squeezed Snow's hand back and retorted strongly.

'Snow, don't worry. Everyone has the right to choose his or her partner. If the Walkers are complaining, I will find a way to make it right for you.

I put all my energy into trying to get rid of Snow's fears.

But my thoughts fail to reach her. Snow leans closer, tears pooling in her eyes.

'...... right, hey. ...... Let's give up Kanami with me too, okay?　It would be easier if we gave up, right?

No, I don't have to give up on you!　I'll work with you so that Snow can make her own choices!

Hey, will you marry me if you help me?　That's the best I can do, ehehehe ......

Snow laughed flirtatiously, tears in her eyes.

Somehow, she was forcing herself to laugh just to get me to nod.

I didn't want to see Snow like that.

I shook my head coldly.

'I can't do that. All I can do is help Snow choose freely.

If you're free to choose, I'll choose Kanami.　Kanami spoils me the most. She has the power to spoil me like this. There has never been a person like that in my life!　Kanami is the only one who will spoil me without fear of the Walker family!

Grasping my hand tightly, Snow packs it in.

But I keep shaking my head quietly.

Seeing this, Snow lets go of my hand and stumbles back.

'Oh, is that ......?　Why ......?　That man was kidnapped ...... and I'm not kidnapped ......?　Wrong again: ......?　I knew it was my fault: ......?

Then he begins another monologue.

I look down, stare at my hands and repeat the question to myself, and then I fall to my knees.

It's not normal.

It's an unthinkable condition from the usual Snow.

Of course, I 'gazed' at it and checked the 'condition'. But there's nothing unusual about it. It's clear that he's in a mild state of excitement, but there's nothing else.

This is the true state of Snow's mind.

The plating of composure has been removed, and Snow, who has become serious, is so weak and foolish--and

I couldn't say a word in front of Snow's mind, which was weaker than I imagined it would be.

Instead, Glenn-san reached out his hand in a familiar manner.

'Su, Snow-san ....... Sorry ......, that came out of nowhere .......

Then he lends a wobbly Snow a shoulder and sits him down on a nearby couch.

As he sits down, Snow catches his breath and gradually calms down.

As expected of a brother and sister. Perhaps this isn't the first time Glenn-san has seen Snow in this state. I decide that it's best to leave it to my brother, Glenn, to handle it as it is.

All I can do is continue to watch the crumbling snowflakes in silence.

◆◆◆◆◆ ...

From the depths of the darkness comes the sound of a bird.

It sounds like an owl (owl) and reminds me a bit of my former world.

I sit on the couch a little ways away from Snow and Mr. Glenn and wait for time to pass.

Then, after about half a minute has passed, Snow, who had been sitting, stands up.

I get caught up and stand up too.

Snow walks up to me and speaks to me apologetically.

'...... I've calmed down now, it's okay. ...... I'm sorry for being so weird.

He was the same Snow as usual.

Languid, calm, and never serious about anything.

It's Snow with a 'pause' before a conversation.

I'm grateful that he's back to normal, but it's a little hard to talk to him. But I can't say that. Snow is my partner in The Epic Seeker.

'Don't worry about it. You've been thinking about your engagement for a long time, haven't you?　Then I have no choice.

...... Yeah, that's right. I was in a lot of trouble. Marry me, marry me,” he repeated, and I felt like my head was boiling over. Ha-ha.

Snow repeated his apology with a dry smile as he mended and mended.

'...... haha. I'm sorry. It really wasn't like that. I don't know what I'm trying so hard to do. Of course it's not going to work if I'm desperate.

And then I give up.

He's about to give up on everything, as usual.

That's typical of Snow, but it was something that couldn't be overlooked. I'm not asking you to give up everything.

'No, you don't have to be so mean. It's true that you'll cooperate. If you're about to be forced to do something you don't like, just let me know. I'll make it work.

......, thanks.

Snow thanked him weakly.

Deep down, I'm not pleased. The words he really wants are not, he says.

Then Snow tied her mouth tightly together and added more words.

'...... Oh, and, you know what? Just in case you remember that there's 'that way'?　That's all there is to it: ......

The 'that way' that Snow refers to would be the way that me and Snow would be married.

'Ah, ah, ......'

I can do that if I just remember.

I nodded and responded.

When Snow saw that, she smiled as if she was relieved.

I don't see any abnormality there like I did earlier.

Was she just an outburst of daily exasperation earlier ......?

Glenn sees me and Snow talking to each other with no problem and speaks to me.

'Hey, we've made up ...... right?'