Prologue

"Soap!" a high-pitched, appealing voice called from behind.

"Eria-nee?"

It was Eria-nee-san, my upbeat older sister - or at least that's what I consider her to be.

Eria-nee looked as pretty as always, as she revealed herself under the warm early sunlight peeking through the tall autumn trees. While the blonde and purple colours of her long hair were striking, the gentle smile on her face will undoubtedly attract the gazes of others more. Not to mention, the alluring figure she was clearly showing under her light adventurer garments.

With so little effort, she was way prettier than anyone I know. Even that one princess we met before can't compete against her.

"Are you done with him?" she asked, staring at the corpse of the enemy I just defeated.

"Umu, he's dead," I said. "How about you, Eria-nee? That ogre boss looked strong. Have you killed it already?" I asked back.

"Yep, easily."

As expected, even that kind of enemy don't stand a chance against her...

Not only was she beautiful, she was unbelievably strong as well.

"And Van?"

"He's taking care of the small fries, but since there's a lot of them, he might take longer than usual."

I estimate him to take just about an hour. Van's a werewolf, his ability to smell fear and the blood of anyone he cuts won't allow them to escape him. They can all split up in different direction, yet he can still catch up to them with his insane speed.

"Let's go back to the city. We'll just wait for him there."

"Sure," I nodded.

As we walked back towards the city, I couldn't help but notice Eria-nee's good mood. She was constantly smiling and her hands were moving frantically. She seems more bubbly than usual.

No, she has been like that for a while...

"Did anything good happen recently, Eria-nee?" I suspiciously ask.

As I recall, she's been visiting Jule's manor more frequently...

"H-Huh? Well, I'm just happy that you're finally getting promoted. We'll have the same adventurer rank after this," she awkwardly said.

As I thought, Eria-nee really is bad at lying...

I'm sure something happened between her and that guy...

Tsk! That Jule... Constantly seducing Eria-nee...

I know he had been helping her since she arrived in his city, but I really can't begin to like him. He's creepy, and he's always lecherously looking at Eria-nee's breasts. He's an old man who's in a desperate need of a woman.

I guess I might need to finally do something and murder him. Preferably in a very painful way...

Those brothel girls flirting with her as well. Even though Eria-nee has been spending less time with them recently, I still won't let them get a pass. They deserve their own kind of punishment for stealing her precious time.

"Fufu...!" Eria-nee cutely laughs. "You've gotten so strong, Soap. You've certainly made me proud as your teacher and guardian."

"E-Eria-nee...!"

All the dark thoughts in my mind vanished instantly at Eria-nee's words. Although she was certainly lying at first, this time, I can tell that she was being genuine.

"You've really grown so much before I knew it," she said as she awkwardly scratches her cheek. "We're not just equal in heights anymore, but now we're also equals in strength."

"That's not true at all, Eria-nee..."

Eria-nee's really adamant in underestimating herself. At my best guess, I'm only a third of her real strength. Moreover, it's not just me that keeps on growing. Eria-nee herself seems to keep getting stronger and stronger. I'm actually scared that I might reach my peak soon and be left out...

With that said, I'm really happy that she thinks of me in such high regards. Even if I'm not able to reach her level, I will do my best to meet her expectations.

"E-Eria-nee..." I stuttered, bracing myself.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I'm an adult now so..."

I always wanted to ask her about it, I simply couldn't find the courage to do so. However, since Eria-nee has lifted up my mood so much, I can't help but ask her about it now.

"Eria-nee! Will you please marry me!"

"E-Eh...!?"

Under the naked trees and their autumn leaves falling, I asked Eria-nee to marry me for the first time. Of course, she rejected me fast, but I didn't stop asking her repeatedly after.