"Because the reason doesn't matter. You definitely saved me, big brother. It was because of you that I was saved."
Is that how you interpret it? My desperate, pathetic outburst?
"Big brother, you think too negatively."
Saying that, Shion hugged me tightly with her fully grown body.
Wow! Her chest is huge! Her whole body is so soft!
"You wouldn't have helped me if I wasn't the Hero? If someone else had saved me, I would have loved that person. If someone else would have been fine, I feel the same. It's not strange."
"Ah, yes..."
"The fact that I'm the Hero and only you can see Holly, it must have been fate. Holly, visible only to us, is our red string of fate."
"Ah, yes, of course."
Unable to resist, all I could do was agree.
Katoarea and Iris, who had been worriedly watching, now looked half-amused. Heath was smiling and nodding, while Safran continued to gaze at me with interest.
"But come on, big brother, indulge me for once. Let's take a bath together."
"Ah, yes... wait, what!?"
All that just to ask for a bath together!?
I was terrified of death for that!?
"Everyone's always fussing about us being together. They say you're a lolicon, brainwashing me, or using me. I'll eliminate anyone who says such things. You don't have to worry about them, big brother. Know why? Because I want to be with you. You understand, right?"
"Yes, I understand."
As Shion held me tightly, I could only affirm her words."It's scary, how intense her love is."
"Hero Shion."
While I was being hugged by Shion, Heath, who had been silent, approached and spoke to her.
Shion, still hugging me, looked up at the tall figure of Heath.
"…Who are you?"
Then, with a puzzled expresshion, she revealed that she didn't remember Heath at all.
I always joked about it, but I should stop saying "Who are you again?" It's quite a rude attitude.
"Shion, that's Prince Heath. The king's son."
"Oh, the son of that arrogant guy... Oh? Isn't he the one who tried to kill big brother before…?"
After I reminded Shion of Heath's name, she detached from me and suddenly sported a terrifying smile.
"Bold of you to show your face in front of me…! I'll kill you this time."
Heath, genuinely terrified, prompted me to grab Shion's shoulder and stop her.
"Wait, wait! Don't kill him!"
"Why? I thought it's okay to kill anyone I want to. After all, I'm the strongest in the world."
"No! That's not what I meant! He's a friend of mine, sort of! Please spare him!"
"Hmm. Big brother, you really don't have any good friends."
Shion seems relentlessly harsh towards Heath, probably still holding a grudge for his past attempt on my life.
But by that logic, Iris who kicked me hard when stealing the Holy Sword, Katoarea who blasted me with her fiery sword as I fled, and Safran who actually tried to assassinate me should also be in danger.
Come to think of it, everyone close to me has beaten me up at least once.
"H-h-hero Shion…"
Heath, still shaking, tried to speak to Shion again.
"Why did you decide to ask Crow that question? Was it just a whim, or did someone suggest you ask?"
Heath asked something incomprehensible. Shion casually replied,
"Platanus told me to ask, so I just did."
"He said Crow only thinks of using me, that he doesn’t truly love or care about me. He kept insisting that people who say such things too easily can't be trusted, so I thought I'd try asking. I knew you weren't that kind of shallow guy, though."
"…"
Heath looked as if he was thinking, "I knew it.""Huh? So, the reason I was freaking out was because..."
"Platanus is trying to kill you," is that what it means?
"…"
Why does everyone in my circle beat me up at least once?
"Damn it! How dare he!" Katoarea roars in fury as she strides down the corridors of the castle. I'm following her, along with Iris and Heath. It seems Katoarea is incensed because Platanus tried to use Shion to kill me, according to Heath's suggestion. However, I'm not entirely convinced.
"Hey, Katoarea. It could all be a misunderstanding by Heath, you know."
"Shut up! I hate bullying and fighting among my students! That bastard, playing such tricks on his junior! I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
No matter what I say, Katoarea’s anger does not subside.
"…Crow. The instructor's anger is not exaggerated. It's better to act quickly."
"Really? …" I question, tilting my head, as Heath speaks next to me. Iris, walking silently, seems to agree.
"…"
What's more concerning is Safran, who loves such chaos, isn't with us. That's far more troubling to me. So, just in case, I asked Holly to come along. If things get out of hand, Holly can possess me, and I can match the physical abilities of the Holy Sword sisters, at least in terms of running away.
But I didn't want to involve Shion in this.
"Platanus! Where are you, Platanus!"
Katoarea, leading the way, throws open the doors throughout the castle until finally,
"Found you, Platanus!"
She opens the door to the room Shion uses as a private chamber, and we find Platanus.
"Oh, Instructor Katoarea. It's been a while."
Platanus answers calmly, seated in a chair.
"Ah, Prince Heath and Mr. Crow are here too. And the lady in a tailcoat similar yet different in color to Instructor Katoarea’s… that must be Miss Iris, the wielder of the Ice Sword, correct?"
"Cut the crap, Platanus! You really took liberties this time!"
Katoarea, seething, looks as though she's about to draw her Explosive Flame Sword at any moment.Facing Katoarea's fury, Platanus remains cool and collected.
"What are you so angry about, Instructor Katoarea?"
"You! You tried to use Shion to kill Crow!"
Quite a direct accusation from Katoarea. Not many would admit to such a thing outright.
"Yes, that's correct."
Unbelievably, he admits it without a hint of remorse!
"You bastard! Why would you do such a thing?"
"Why? What do you mean 'why'? Instructor, do you really think it's acceptable to let that man roam free?"
"Huh?"
"That man has skillfully brainwashed the Hero, trying to conquer the world. It's astonishing that he's even managed to manipulate other Saintly Sword wielders, but are you saying you've been brainwashed too, Instructor Katoarea?"
"Ah!? None of us have been brainwashed!"
Katoarea's shout is met with a deep sigh from Platanus.
"Everyone who's brainwashed would say that. From an outsider's perspective, it's clear. Think about it logically. If powerful Saintly Sword wielders, led by the Hero, are devoted to a powerless man, isn't it obvious they've been brainwashed by him? How can anyone fall for such a man? It's like looking at a group of beautiful women brainwashed by a cult leader."
Platanus chuckles after saying this.
"It's strange, isn't it? Cult leaders are usually unattractive men. Maybe it's their charisma? I've never been drawn to anyone, so I can't understand it."
"…"
"…"
As Platanus talks, Katoarea and Iris become increasingly irate.
They're probably furious about being accused of being brainwashed.
"However, it was futile to objectively show you that you're being used. It seems the mind control Shion is under is more severe than I thought."
"We're telling you, none of us are brainwashed!"
"Both Instructor Katoarea and I owe our lives to Crow at one point. Our relationship with him is a pure alliance."
"An alliance, huh? Even observing that man's abilities, I can only conclude his intelligence, bravery, and personality are all below average. Is there some special ability that I'm not able to observe?"
"Stop rambling! Crow is your junior, isn't he? Are you telling me this is all you have to say after hearing that your junior has played a significant role in discovering the Hero? That's deplorable!"
"Ha ha! Junior or not, what sentiment should I harbor for a man five years my junior whom I've never met? Even considering our shared background from the same military academy, I can only see him as a competitor. Though I wonder what exactly I am supposed to compete with him in."
As Platanus laughs, Katoarea and Iris's anger only intensifies.It's strange. Platanus is now being glared at by three Saintly Sword wielders. I know from my experience of being terrified of possibly being killed by the Hero, Shion, that Platanus should be in a similarly dangerous situation. Yet, how can he remain so calm?