Everyone's choice.
My brother had accidentally gone all out, and the giant vegetable creatures ended up heading toward the capital of Shamcats. I wanted to chase after them immediately, but I couldn't just leave the scattered vegetable creatures unattended in all directions. We managed to retrieve most of them, but a few had still reached Shamcats.
And those vegetable creatures had been successfully—? dismantled and cooked.
"E-eeeeeehhh!?"
Why?? I mean, it's better than them causing panic, but still—!??? Normally, wouldn't you freak out if giant vegetables suddenly showed up!? You wouldn't just calmly cook them, right!?
While I stood there frozen in shock, the king of Shamcats approached me.
"Saintess! What do you think of Shamcats’ local cuisine? We have gratefully prepared dishes using the blessed vegetables you bestowed upon us."
It seemed the king had noticed the vegetables. The vegetable creatures had been turned into delicious oden. The aroma of the broth was irresistible. There was even konjac. Konjac in oden is absolute justice. It was unfortunate that there was no chikuwa-bu. It was my first time eating tomato in oden, but it was delicious. I should try making it at home. The daikon radish had soaked up the flavor beautifully and was exquisite. I almost wanted to take some home as a souvenir.
As I indulged in the oden and attempted to escape reality, I reminded myself—just like a certain anime protagonist—that I couldn't run away, I couldn't run away, I couldn't run away. And as I finally faced reality, I made a decision.
"The vegetables were a gift from my brother. Not from me. This is the great achievement of my esteemed brother, Rupert Rosenberg."
"Wha—!?"
Sorry, Niisama! But I really don't want any more weird titles, so I'm going to shift the blame with all my might!!
"Now, everyone! Let us honor Rupert—no, Ru-sama!!"
[Ru-sama!] [Ru-sama!!] [Ru-samaaaa!!!]The people cheered with smiles on their faces... for some reason, praising 'us' instead of just my brother, and they tossed us into the air in celebration.
Why!?
I’m fine, you know!
Just leave me out of it!!
You can even throw me away, if you'd like!??
"Rosarin."
"... Hiiih!?"
My brother was smiling. Brightly. He had a firm grip on my hand.
"You're not getting away."
"Uwaaahhh!!"
Yeah, I knew it. I totally knew this would happen! I had completely shifted the blame, so of course my brother wasn't going to let me get away with it!!
That day, we kept getting tossed into the air in celebration until Dirk finally came to rescue us. Being thrown around like that was terrifying. I got motion sickness from it.
Afterward, my brother and I also restored the greenery in Shiverihas, where Yggdrasil’s magic power had also been running low. They were suffering from food shortages, so the giant vegetable creatures were greatly welcomed. The meat we had obtained from the Great Tsunami was even more well-received.
The king of Shamcats, as if freed from a burden, decided to abdicate the throne to his brother, who was originally meant to be king, and instead take on a role like Lord Alphage, supporting the new ruler.
With this, Shamcats and Shiverihas finally achieved peace.
Since both countries had been exhausted from continuous wars, my brother took the lead in teaching them cooperative farming and agricultural management. With him in charge, food shortages would be solved in no time. He was also thrilled to be able to research plants unique to those lands.
Then, we learned that Mary had been distanced by her parents to protect her from being possessed by dark forces. Although the misunderstanding was cleared up, Mary remained steadfast in choosing to live as herself. So, she continued as she always had. For once, Nex looked visibly relieved. He, too, decided not to return to Shamcats and would continue living as an adventurer.
The real issue was Pochi. After we returned to Christia, he seemed deep in thought.
One day, I got a message from him, so I stopped by our family home on my way back from school.
"… Oneechan… I’ve been thinking about this for a long time."
"Yeah?"
"After your wedding… I'm going to Shiverihas."
"………Y eah."
I had expected as much. Pochi wouldn’t be able to abandon that country or our parents.
"I’ll still continue as an artist. It’ll probably just be on a hobby level, though."
"… Yeah. I love the things you create, Pochi, so that makes me really happy."
"As Pochi the artist… I’ll show you my greatest masterpiece at your wedding."
"… Yeah, I’ll be looking forward to it. Even if you become the king of Shiverihas, you’ll always be my little brother. If you ever need help, just say so, okay?"
"… Yeah. I… I’m really happy I got to be your little brother… And if you ever need help, I’ll come for you too… so promise me you’ll say something."
For just a moment, we both cried a little.
At some point, the little brother I was supposed to protect had grown into a fine young man—choosing his own future with his own will.
What do you think about this chapter?
