Vol. 1: Chapter 3 - Part 6

Volume 1: Chapter 3 – Part 6Author: Geraint

"Dear, is it just me, or hasn't Fuyumi grown at all this past year?"

Mom asked as she picked up Fuyumi from the crib and stared at her.

"I already did a health check on her. She's perfectly healthy," Dad replied.

"Fuyumi is already two years old. By now, she should be walking and saying a few words. But she still looks like she's in late infancy... I'm worried."

"Relax, Mia. If something strange is happening in this house—especially with Fuyumi—there's only one culprit."

Both of them turned to look at me as I tried to sneak out of the baby's room.

"Seir, what have you done to your little sister?" Mom asked, clearly angry.

I sighed, realizing I had no choice but to explain. Their reactions were... expected.

"What?! You sealed a powerful Divine Relic in her?!"

I was now kneeling in front of my parents, who were sitting on the couch with Fuyumi between them.

"I did it to protect her. The relic's power will shield her from harm and make her immune to sickness."

"You doting brother... Then why hasn't she grown up?"

"It's not that she hasn't grown. She just chose to stay like that because she wanted to be spoiled by you two. That's not her real appearance."

"Huh?"

"The first magic I taught her was a time-based spell called Age Shifting. It lets the user appear older or younger. It's actually the first magic I ever learned."

I gently took Fuyumi from Mom's arms and lifted her.

"Fuyumi, show Onii-chan how big you really are. Mama and Papa want to see it."

"Guhehe~" she giggled.

"Hehe. Even if you grow up, Mom and Dad will still spoil you. You're still their little girl, after all."

Fuyumi fell silent, then spoke.

"Is that true?"

Both of my parents were stunned to hear her speak clearly. Her body began to glow as she dispelled the magic. Her hair grew longer, and her clothes no longer fit her now older frame.

"It took me a while to figure out why she wasn't growing. You two were always busy with work and didn't spend much time with her. That's why... she chose to stay a baby, so she could keep being spoiled by you."

"Waaah! Mama! Papa!" Fuyumi burst into tears.

I handed her back to Mom, and both of my parents embraced her tightly, tears welling up in their eyes.

"Fuyumi, I'm so sorry!""Me too, sweetie..."

I smiled quietly, then stepped out and closed the door behind me, leaving the three of them together.

After that day...

"Huh?"

Mom and Dad were now dressed in vacation clothes, standing next to Fuyumi—who wore sunglasses like them.

"Sorry, Seir, but your mom and I have decided to take a vacation overseas. We want to spend some quality time with Fuyumi. We've canceled all our work plans."

"See you, Onii-chan!" Fuyumi waved at me adorably.

I was fine with it... until Himiko-san showed up, dragging a suitcase.

"Wait. Don't tell me—you're going with them?!"

"Yuki-sama, I'll leave Ayaka in your care," she said with a gentle smile.

My cheek twitched as I watched her walk away with them.

"We're leaving the house to you, Seir-kun," Mom said cheerfully as they stepped outside.

Once they were out the door, Dad lingered and leaned in close to me.

"I know you're a guy, and you might need this." He took my hand and placed something into my palm.

"Huh? What is this?"

It was a small packet—with something rubbery inside.

"You don't have to act innocent. You know what it is. Just in case."

I was speechless. He gave me a condom.

"Why would you give me this?"

"It's not enough? Here's another."

He placed another in my hand.

"Oi!"

"You're so greedy. How many times do you plan on doing it with them?"

Then he dropped an entire box into my hand and just took two for himself.

"These will do for Mia and Himiko. We'll be gone for ten days straight... Good luck, Seir."

He tapped my shoulder and turned to leave.

"Hey! Listen to me—!"

"Hahaha! All hail the Great Demon King!"He laughed maniacally and walked out.

"...Did that old man just tell me to have sex with my stepsister?"

I dropped onto the couch and sighed.

Then a thought crossed my mind.

Now that I think about it, my relationship with this family began as a contract—just to keep Mom alive. I wonder how they really see me.Even so... I genuinely think of Fuyumi as my little sister. That much, I'm sure of.

I couldn't deny it. I'd definitely changed since arriving in this world.

Meanwhile, in another world...

Naamah walked deep into the mountains, a lantern in hand, lighting her path. Eventually, she reached the ruins of an old temple. She inspected the cracked pillars, spotting dried blood splattered across them.

Pushing deeper, she came to a cave, only to find the entrance blocked by the corpse of a massive demon beast—one that resembled a giant wolf with saber-like fangs.

"A Demonic Fanghound... This thing usually hunts in packs. Even one requires an entire army to take down."

Naamah raised her staff.

"Pure Magic: Mana Blast!"

BOOM!

The beast's corpse exploded into pieces, leaving only a crater behind.

Inside the cave, a silhouette sat by a fire, roasting a massive hunk of meat. A girl with horns and long hair stared into the flames.

"It's too late to challenge me. Come back tomorrow."

Naamah stepped closer.

"It's me, Naamah. Don't tell me you've already forgotten your fellow Disaster Witches, Hannya."

"Hmm? Oh, it's the Witch of Chastity. What brings you here?"

The girl was petite, with reddish skin, long hair, and demonic red eyes with black sclera. Her massive spiked club leaned against the cave wall.

"Stop calling me by my virtue! It's embarrassing!" Naamah snapped.

Hannya took a bite of the roasted meat.

"It's good. Want some? You can have a bite."

"No, I'm fine," Naamah declined politely.

"Your loss. It's cooked perfectly. The result was worth the wait."

Hannya—an Oni from the demon race—was known as the Witch of Patience, one of the seven Disaster Witches.

"Hannya, I've come to gather the Seven under Seir-sama's command."

"So... the prince is still alive."

"Yes. Lilith, the Witch of Diligence, is already by his side. Lamia, the Witch of Charity, is helping me gather food for the elf refugees. I still need to find the others. I know where Hecate and Marah are, but Eisheth's location is unknown."

"Ugh... Eisheth, that weirdo. She's both the easiest and hardest to find. She just pops in and out on a whim. Thanks to her, people call us the 'Seven Weirdos.'"

"Please don't remind me," Naamah groaned.

(To be continued.)