Chapter 91, Brother and Sister

Translator: Barnnn

 

The soft click of the neighboring door echoed through the quiet room, followed by the presence of two people entering.

At the sound, Ize flinched. Her hands, resting atop her skirt-covered knees, clenched together tightly.

It had been two days since she’d reached out to Wardon. The room she waited in was part of the spacious suite he’d rented.

As expected of an A-rank adventurer, his accommodations were almost absurd for just one person — multiple bedrooms, a proper dining room, and even a private parlor.

Ize and the others had been allowed to wait in the parlor. Now, her hands pale from tension, trembled in her lap — until a pair of fingers suddenly slid in from the side and began to playfully dance circles on her skin.

She glanced up. Hal, as always, wore a casual expression. Ize tried to return the smile — and failed.

Whatever expression she managed must have come out awkwardly, because Hal blinked in surprise before stifling a chuckle.

With a small huff of breath, Ize relaxed her hand and lightly bopped him on the forehead with three joined fingers. His eyes crinkled into cheerful crescents beneath her touch.

 

––Knock knock.

 

A gentle rap came at the door, followed by Wardon’s deep voice.

 

“Mind if we come in?”

“I’ll open it now,” Fieda replied, moving to the door.

“Huh?” came a surprised voice from the other side.

 

Wardon stepped through first, ducking slightly to clear the doorframe with his broad shoulders.

Behind him, Odelya entered — her eyes wide with disbelief and her steps unusually timid.

 

“Ize? Hal?”

 

The names fell from her lips unbidden, as if they had surprised even her.

 

“Yes, Miss Odelya,” Ize said, standing with a polite nod. “Thank you for coming all this way.”

“Likewise,” Hal added, rising to his feet beside her. “We appreciate your time.”

“I, uh… I thought we were meeting someone important?” Odelya blinked.

“I didn’t say that,” Wardon grunted. “I said ‘people we owe a debt to,’ remember?”

“But if they’re the ones who saved Josbal and the others, doesn’t that mean they’ve got the money to afford antidotes…”

 

Odelya trailed off and fell silent for a moment, then tilted her head, looking between Ize and Hal.

 

“Uh, so, you two saved Josbal?”

“Well, if that Josbal was the poisoned man in Wardon’s party, then… yes,” Hal replied.

 

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Odelya launched herself at him.

 

“Gwoh–!”

“Thank you! Seriously, thank you! I mean it!”

 

There was quite a height difference between them, so when she wrapped her arms around Hal, they looped dangerously around his neck.

With every enthusiastic squeeze, Hal let out a strangled squeak like a frog being stepped on.

Then came the slaps — whap! whap! — as she enthusiastically patted his back with all her strength. Hal bounced with each impact, his face steadily turning pale.

 

“Miss Odelya! Stop, please! Hal’s dying! You’re killing him!”

“Oh! Oh no! Sorry! My bad!”

 

She let go in a fluster, and Hal crumpled to the floor. Ize rushed over, immediately casting a healing spell to restore him.

 

“Hal? Are you all right?”

“…Was it just me, or were Jas and Ted waving to me from across the river?”

“I’m pretty sure Jas and Ted are both still alive, so… probably just your imagination.”

“Right. I must’ve imagined the giant paper fan, too. Thank the Goddess…”

 

Assured of his survival, they clasped hands and helped each other up slowly.

Across the room, Odelya was being chewed out by Wardon.

 

“Don’t go killing the guys we owe, idiot!”

“S-sorry… I lost myself for a second…”

“A second!? You nearly hugged Josbal to death back in the day, remember!? How many times do I have to tell you — learn to hold back!”

 

Apparently, this wasn’t the first time someone Odelya cared about had been nearly crushed under her enthusiastic affection.

Her shoulders drooped under the scolding, and the look of utter dejection on her face was so exaggerated that both Hal and Ize couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“I feel like we haven’t seen Miss Odelya’s normal face even once today.”

“Ever since she walked in, it’s been one emotional rollercoaster after another.”

“All right, let’s all sit down and take a breath,” Fieda said. “Wardon, Odelya — grab a seat, would you?”

 

At his suggestion, the two returned to the circle of chairs and sat. It seemed Wardon had already given Odelya a rough idea of the request, because she immediately launched into the conversation.

 

“So, you just want me to cut Ize and Hal’s hair, yeah? I mean, you helped Josbal, so I owe you big. Whatever you need, I’m your girl. Though… it sounds a little shady. Should I ask for details?”

“You’ll understand the moment you see it,” Ize said.

“All right then, show me.”

“Wait, don’t be so quick about it–!” Wardon tried to stop her.

 

But it was too late. Ize had already dispelled the Camouflage.

By the time Wardon and Odelya realized what had happened, the two before them had returned to their original appearances, black hair and all.

 

“Whoa… that’s really black.”

“Black hair…?” Odelya murmured, stunned.

 

As the two of them froze, Hal offered a sheepish smile.

 

“This is the situation we’re dealing with.”

“…You want to cut THAT?” she said, blinking rapidly. “Who’s doing the cutting again?”

“You are, of course,” Hal said.

“Nope! No way! I can’t do it! Cutting black hair is… I mean, that’s sacred!”

“Didn’t you just say you’d help with whatever we needed?”

“I-I did, but…”

 

With her protests, Odelya’s head was shaking violently.

Hal, wearing the most refreshing of smiles, pressed on.

 

“You’ll be fine, Miss Odelya.”

“But… Ize…”

“It’s all right,” Ize reassured her. “I’ll reapply the Camouflage afterward. It’ll look black when you cut it, but that won’t matter as long as no one’s watching.”

“That does matter!”

“It really doesn’t.”

“Of course it does! Right!?”

 

Desperate for backup, Odelya looked to Fieda and Wardon — but both men simply shook their heads with resigned expressions.

Alone. Utterly abandoned.

 

“I-if I mess up… you won’t hold it against me?”

“I doubt you’ll mess up, honestly,” Hal said with a smile.

“No worries! Any hairstyle you give us is bound to look great!” Ize added.

“Ow, ow! That hurts! Your trust is too much — it’s more pressure than fighting a Dragon!”

“You’ve never even seen a Dragon,” Wardon said with a chuckle.

“It’s a metaphor, dammit!”

 

Odelya shouted, correcting her brother’s inappropriately-timed joke.

Given that Odelya was only recently promoted to C-rank, it was highly unlikely she’d ever encounter a Dragon anytime soon.

 

“Well then,” Fieda said, settling comfortably into his seat, “why don’t we chat a bit while we get used to the new colors?”

 

At his suggestion, Hal and Ize began placing a variety of snacks and fruits on the table.

 

“Ooh, this all looks delicious,” Wardon remarked, eyes lighting up.

“That one’s Zububu — we picked it up in the capital of Lazulseed Kingdom,” Ize explained with a smile. “Sadly, there’s not much left.”

“If the climate’s similar, the Republic of Adoghan might have something close,” Fieda said.

“I hope so. Oh, and this here is grilled Polpetta. We got it at the border crossing. There’s a ton, so help yourself.”

“Still haven’t made a dent in it,” Hal muttered, scowling at the pile. “The guy who gave them to us is quite… EXTRA, when he wants to be.”

“We had nearly thirty boxes,” Ize admitted with a wry laugh. “We already gave a lot of them away, but there’s still plenty left.”

“What else do we have?” Odelya asked, scanning the table.

“Hal?” Ize turned to him. “What are these, again?”

“I think that’s the steamed buns from Haradory…”

 

As they chatted, Ize and Hal continued pulling out food from their Magic Bags, setting whatever came to mind on the table. Even skewers and sweets from Jasted somehow made their way out.

 

“This is overkill,” Fieda said, eyeing the growing spread.

“I thought you two might eat a lot,” Ize replied innocently.

“Well, thanks for the thought. Much appreciated,” Odelya said. “And you too, Ize.”

“Oh, no need! I should be the one thanking you, really — you’re the one putting up with all my whims!”

 

As Ize spoke, Odelya hesitantly reached out and gently stroked the girl’s hair. Ize closed her eyes and leaned into the touch like a contented cat.

 

“It feels just the same,” Odelya murmured.

“Fieda said that too,” Ize replied with a chuckle.

“You’re wearing a skirt today?”

“Hal got it for me,” she said, spreading the fabric out with a small flourish. “He said if I was going to have my hair done nicely, I should look the part.”

 

The soft pink skirt had the delicate blush of cherry blossoms, a fitting hue for the tail end of spring.

 

“You’re such a good brother, Hal,” Odelya chuckled. “Say, wanna swap for my clumsy oaf of a monster-sized brother?”

“Nope! He’s mine,” Ize declared, clinging playfully to Hal’s arm.

“You’ve come a long way, haven’t you?” Odelya said after a pause. “It must’ve been tough.”

“It’s been fun,” Ize answered, eyes shining. “There’s so much in the world I never knew.”

“You weren’t scared?”

“Not really. Hal was always with me, and once we got here, Fieda was too. I’ve been completely fine. We found delicious food and saw beautiful fall foliage. We even saw snow here in Jasted — but now it’s spring. There isn’t much nature inside the city, so I imagine the scenery outside must be completely different.”

“Yeah… you forget the seasons when you’re always inside a city or a Dungeon. It’s good to step out now and then.”

 

Odelya, seated beside Ize, slowly drew a comb through her long, dark hair as they spoke. Her expression was relaxed now.

 

“You know… I think black suits you.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Mm-hmm. It fits your aura.”

“Hal looks good too, doesn’t he?”

“Well… Hal’s brown hair gives off a softer impression. He needs the contrast — black hair gives him more presence.”

“That’s harsh, Miss Odelya,” Hal said, feigning a pout.

“You’ve got half the muscle I do,” she shot back. “You could stand to bulk up a bit.”

“That’s just how I’m built. Nothing I can do about it.”

“And Ize’s a tiny thing too. Family trait?”

“Pretty much. Everyone back home is like this.”

“Good thing you’ve got magical talent,” Fieda said. “Strength alone doesn’t get you far as an adventurer.”

“Yeah. We’re both thankful to the Goddess for that, right?” Hal looked over.

Ize nodded. “Definitely. My biggest worry was whether we could earn enough money to get by, so I’m relieved it’s working out.”

“With how promising you two are, I bet you’ll be climbing the ranks in no time! Next time we meet, you might’ve already outpaced me.”

Ize laughed. “If that happens, I’ll treat you to something nice. Courtesy of a high-ranked adventurer.”

“Don’t get cocky, brat. I’m not planning to fall behind.”

 

As the laughter died down, Odelya’s fingers lingered in Ize’s hair. A hint of determination settled into her eyes.

 

“All right then,” she said. “What’ll it be, miss client?”

“I’d like you to shape it so it grows out naturally without looking awkward.”

“Got it. I’ll adjust the bangs and nape for balance. The Sage of Innate Talent called this style ‘one-length.’ You know it?”

Ize nodded. “It’s where the front, sides, and back are all the same length, right?”

“Exactly. Your bangs are a bit short for it right now, but you can even them out over time. No need to trim them constantly, which is the real perk. You’re not planning to get cuts very often, are you?”

“No. I want something low-maintenance. I’ll go with whatever you recommend, Miss Odelya.”

“Roger that.”

 

Odelya exhaled slowly and rose to her feet. Standing before Ize, she bent her knees slightly and offered a hand like a knight escorting a noble lady.

Ize placed her hand gently in hers and stood.

 

“I’ve set up a chair and tools in the next room. This way, milady.”

“Why thank you, good lady stylist,” Ize said in a playful upper-class accent.

 

The two girls exchanged a giggle and strolled off together.

 

“Then I, the humble servant, shall accompany you,” Hal chimed in, falling into step behind them.

“Oh, but Hal, you’re not just a servant,” Ize replied.

“Then what am I, milady?”

“You’re my most trusted and powerful bodyguard.”

“A great honor indeed,” Hal said with a bow.

 

The three left the room together, light laughter trailing behind them.

 

“Guess the old man gets to sit here and be lonely,” Fieda muttered.

“Hey, you’ve got this big, dumb giant brother to keep you company,” Wardon replied.

 

And with that, the two rough-and-tumble men were left alone in the now overly quiet room.