Turning Point 1 [Part 2]

Over the next several months, the citadel of Roa was a flurry of activity as preparations for the impending calamity's potential arrival intensified. The two strategies that had been decided upon were being put into action.

The first strategy involved the creation of a powerful magic barrier. Mages, both from within the city and those who had been called in as experts, worked tirelessly to paint intricate magic circles along key roads and entrances to the city.

The magic circles glowed with a faint light, indicating the immense power that would be required to activate the barrier.

As I walked through the city, observing the mages at work, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of hope and anxiety.

The barrier held the potential to shield the city from the calamity's destructive forces, but the magnitude of magic needed was unprecedented. The success of this plan hinged on my brother's ability to channel his abundant mana into the barrier.

Rudeus took his role seriously, practicing and refining his mana control under the guidance of skilled mages. His determination was evident, but the weight of responsibility was not lost on him.

I could also see the worry etched into his features, the fear of potential consequences for using such a vast amount of mana.

The second strategy, the controlled evacuation plan, was also in motion. Officials organized the orderly departure of citizens, ensuring that everyone, from nobles to commoners, had a designated safe haven to retreat to. The logistics were daunting, but the collaborative effort of the city's leadership and its residents was impressive.

I also joined Mayor Philip and Lord Sauros as they helped to coordinate the evacuation efforts. It was heartening to witness the community coming together in the face of adversity.

Families packed their belongings, children clung to their parents, and people shared reassuring smiles amidst the uncertainty.

"Listen up, my people!" The lord's voice rose above the bustling crowd, his words carrying a tone of firm conviction. "These actions are undertaken to safeguard each and every one of you! Roa has confronted trials before, but together, we shall conquer this ordeal as well!"

While the people of Roa were encouraged by the lord's speech, I couldn't shake the sense of unease that lingered within me.

The impending calamity felt like an impending shadow, casting doubt over even the most carefully laid plans.

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One day, amidst the chaotic scene of coordinating the evacuation effort, Eris suddenly appeared and walked towards me.

"Hey, Reine. Are you busy right now?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern.

I turned towards her, offering a small smile. "Oh hey, Eris. Coordinating the evacuation is going smoothly right now. Why did you ask?"

Eris shifted her weight from one foot to the other, a hint of nervousness in her demeanor. "I just wanted to show you something. Follow me."

Intrigued, I complied and followed her behind, leading me through the bustling streets. We walked away from the heart of the evacuation effort, finding our way back to the manor, where the place was oddly quiet and devoid of people.

As we stopped, Eris turned to face me, a mixture of excitement and hesitation in her eyes. "Close your eyes, Reine."

I furrowed my brows, puzzled by her request, but complied nonetheless. She then guided me through the hallway, and I heard the sound of a door opening.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now," Eris said with a note of anticipation. Following her command, I opened my eyes and was shocked by what I saw.

"Happy tenth Birthday!! Reine and Rudeus!" The shouts of the people in the manor reverberated in the room.

I looked to my side and saw my brother beside me, who was equally surprised by the sudden celebration. The room was adorned with decorations, and a table was overflowing with delicious foods.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I took in the unexpected joyous scene. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Eris had managed to gather everyone to commemorate our birthdays.

"Thank you, everyone, despite of everything," I managed to say through my tears, my voice filled with gratitude and emotion.

The gesture meant more than words could express, a beacon of warmth in the midst of looming darkness.

"I want to thank everyone as well," Rudeus chimed in, his voice shaking. "I was worried my sister and I weren't welcomed by everyone since we came here. I never thought you'd celebrate our birthday for us."

Everyone was touched by his word when suddenly Lord Sauros stood up and shouted loudly. "W-war! I declare war on the Notos! Kill Pilemon and make Rudeus the new head!"

"Father! Please calm down!" Mayor Philip and the others tackled the lord, restraining him from doing something reckless. He tried to struggle but everyone did their best to calm him down.

"A-anyway, let's leave grandfather aside for now," Eris said awkwardly while trying to compose herself. "I've prepared something that'll surprise you two today!"

"Something that'll surprise us?" I asked curiously while I nodded intrigued.

Eris smiled mischievously, "What do you think?"

Rudeus and I looked at each other in confusion before something clicked in our minds. "Don't tell me our parents and family were here?" I assumed.

In response to my assumption, Eris panicked a little and admitted, "Well, we tried to invite them, but since everyone was evacuating lately, they couldn't come..."

"I see.... That's quite a shame," Rudeus solemnly said, causing everyone to pity us.

While Eris tried her best to reassure us, Madam Hilda suddenly stood up and strode towards our direction before hugging us both. "Rudeus, Reine, you're our children now."

While I was surprised by the mistress sudden declaration, my brother seemed to be perversely enjoying being embraced by a voluptuous woman, which was really annoying.

"We will adopt you two... No, wait. Marry our children, including Eris!" Madam Hilda suddenly blurted out. This not only shocked me but Eris as well, who was blushing red.

"Mother! What are you saying!" Eris exclaimed embarrassingly, her cheeks flushed.

Madam Hilda furrowed her brows and argued, "Eris, do you have problem with Rudeus and Reine?!"

"They are just ten years old!" Eris shouted, her voice flustered.

However, that didn't budge the mistress, and she argued even more. "Age is irrelevant! You should develop your charm as a woman and...."

It didn't happen.... The people of the manor had to restrain the mistress because the conversation was getting out of hand. She even tried to resist and insisted on adopting us.

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Moving on from that comical scene, we refocused on the matter at hand. "So, Eris, what is this surprise you're talking about?" I reminded.

"Ah, that," Eris attempted to regain her composure before snapping her fingers. "Alphonse, bring out the gifts."

Upon hearing her command, the butler, Alphonse, along with a maid, brought the gifts for me and my brother. The one for my brother was something long, wrapped in cloth, while mine is a heavy metallic object, also wrapped in cloth.

"Wait, is this a sword?" I inquired, figuring out the gift due to the weight.

Rudeus also checked his gift, inspecting it. "This one looks like a wand."

The butler nodded as he explained the gifts. "Lady Eris gathered all kinds of superb materials from all over the world and asked the best craftsman and blacksmith in the Asura Kingdom to make these for you two."

As we unwrapped the cloth, Rudeus and I were surprised by what we found. For my brother, he received a magic staff with a sturdy pole and a bright blue orb on the tip. The butler called it the [Aqua Heartia].

Meanwhile, I received a beautiful sword called the [Night Sky]. Its blade has deep shade of black like the night sky.

The craftsmanship of these weapons was impeccable, and the magical aura they exuded was palpable even before we held them.

"These are incredible," Rudeus marveled, his eyes wide with astonishment.

I nodded in agreement, carefully examining the intricate details of the new sword I received. "You know, Eris, this sword is really cool."

Eris beamed with pride, clearly pleased with our reactions. "I knew you'd like them! I thought that since you two might have to face dangers in the future, having exceptional weapons would help."

The sentiment behind her gesture touched me deeply. Despite the impending calamity and the uncertainty that loomed over us, Eris had found a way to bring light and joy to our lives.

"Thank you very much, Eris," I said sincerely, my heart filled with gratitude.

Rudeus echoed my sentiment, his voice equally sincere. "Yeah, thanks, Eris. You're amazing."

Eris blushed slightly, her confidence wavering in the face of our heartfelt appreciation. "Aw, don't mention it. I did what I could to show my gratitude for you two."

As we admired our new gifts, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. The weapons in our hands were more than just tools—they were symbols of our strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

With these weapons, we were ready to face whatever challenges the future might bring.

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Once the gift-giving concluded, we continued the celebration, indulging in the delicious foods and heartfelt well-wishes from the people of the manor. The atmosphere was a mix of joy and determination, a united front against the impending calamity.

After a while, the celebration settled down, and everyone began preparing for their departure soon.

Eris, visibly tired from the festivities, was carried to her room by Ghislaine, who herself appeared weary yet determined.

Meanwhile, Rudeus and I found ourselves engaged in a toast with Mayor Philip. The wine we used was specially chosen to be safe for our age, allowing us to partake in the moment's solemnity.

"You know, Eris used to have two brothers," Mayor Philip finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "She has one older brother and the other is younger."

The revelation caught my attention, and curiosity got the better of me. "Where are they now, Mayor?"

"Ever since they were born, the main branch of the Boreas family took them away from us," the mayor grimaced as he recalled the events. "We had no other choice because it is our family tradition."

My brother and I looked at each other, furrowing our brows upon hearing such a horrible family tradition. "Why would they do such a tradition, Mayor?" Rudeus inquired as he looked back, visibly uncomfortable with the things he hears.

"You see, I lost the succession of power because of my brother," the mayor explained. "He implemented that tradition to ensure none of the other members' sons would claim his authority."

"That sounds very awful," I couldn't help but voice out my sympathy towards the mayor. "I feel sorry for Eris's brothers. They might be having a hard time away from their real family."

The mayor nodded, understanding my sentiments. "That's the reason why Hilda was indifferent towards Rudeus when she first saw him. She was bitter from the loss of her two sons, and she gets frustrated every time she saw your brother in the manor, Reine."

"I see...." I lowered my head, realizing the reason why Madam Hilda changed her mind during our birthday celebration. It seems she now sees my brother as her son in that moment.

As we processed the information, the mayor suddenly made a surprising proposal. "Listen, Reine, since you seem to feel sympathy for my sons, why not consider marrying one of them?"

"Eh?!" My eyes widened in shock at the unexpected proposal, and a blush crept onto my face. "W-well, Mayor, that's... it's not that simple, and I would need more time to think about it."

While I grappled with my embarrassment in front of the mayor, I could hear Rudeus stifling his laughter. I turned my head and found him with a mischievous smirk, mocking my confession.

Seeing that, I glared at my brother and threatened him with my fist. He backed away from me in response to my flustered anger.

Mayor Philip chuckled at our sibling banter and turned his attention to my brother. "And what about you, Rudeus? Since Reine seems open to the idea, would you consider marrying Eris?"

"I appreciate the offer, Mayor, but I must respectfully decline," Rudeus, without hesitation, refused the mayor's proposal like a coward.

How dare he embarrass me and not join me in this embarrassment like a real man.

The mayor raised an eyebrow at his quick response and attempted to persuade him further. "Are you sure about that? Because I could arrange a romantic evening with Eris if you change your mind."

Okay, I take it back. That proposal is utterly ridiculous. Like who in their right mind would do something like that to their own daughter just to convince my brother?! How absurd.

"Stare~"

I fixed Rudeus with a stern and pointed stare, silently warning him not to accept the proposal. He got the message and started sweating nervously, realizing what he should do next.

"Sorry, Mayor, but my answer remains the same," Rudeus finally replied, firmly refusing the mayor's persistent offer.

Mayor Philip shrugged, acknowledging the futility of his proposal. "Very well, I understand. No need to rush into such decisions. Let's get some rest for the big day tomorrow."

Though the mayor's proposal had been unusual and somewhat comical, it hinted at the underlying complexities of the Boreas family dynamics and the extreme lengths in order to regain power and control.

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After that embarrassing conversation, Rudeus and I parted ways to enter our own rooms to rest for the night.

However, as I prepared to go to bed, I heard voices coming from my brother's room next door. My curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't resist the urge to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Welcome back, Rudeus," I heard Eris's voice from the adjacent room.

This raised a curious mix of emotions within me. What could she possibly be discussing with my brother at this hour? I continued to eavesdrop on their conversation, unable to resist my curiosity.

"What's wrong? I thought you went to sleep?" Rudeus asked.

Unexpectedly, Eris's response caught me off guard. "Y-you might feel lonely by yourself, so we'll sleep together tonight..."

My heart skipped a beat. Sleep together? With my brother? My thoughts veered into inappropriate territory, and my imagination began racing with scenarios that were certainly not suitable for my young age.

I told myself to calm down, hoping there must be an innocent explanation. Still, I couldn't help but eavesdrop, feeling increasingly anxious about my brother's virtue and our family's reputation.

Their conversation, however, took an even perplexing turn.

"W-well, I'm kind of lonely today, so I might do naughty things, you know," my brother confessed, his words sending shockwaves through me.

What in the world that damn pervert was talking about?!

My mind raced with many inappropriate interpretations, and I felt a mixture of anger and concern for my brother's seemingly absurd behavior.

But then Eris's response was just as baffling. "I-if it's just a bit... I-it's okay," she replied, leaving me utterly flabbergasted.

Why would she consent to something like that?! What's going on?!

I continued to listen, my curiosity and anxiety growing with each passing second, and my mind filled with wild, inappropriate interpretations that I couldn't erase.

"You're trembling, you know?"

"Y-you're just imagining it!"

My heart began to race as their conversation became increasingly suggestive. I strained to hear their words clearly, even though it felt like I was intruding on a private moment.

"You're so cute, Eris."

"Why all of a sudden?!"

They shuffled around on the bed, making it sound like they were getting comfortable for an intimate conversation. I couldn't help but wonder what was really happening in there.

But then I heard the bed squeak, as if someone had been pushed down, and Eris's startled exclamation can be heard as well. What the heck is my brother doing in there?!

Just as I was about to leave my room to confront the two, I suddenly heard Eris scream loudly.

"NO!!"

What followed were a series of painful sounds like smacking and thumping. I assumed Eris was fighting back against my brother's advances. The noises continued for a while before ending abruptly, with Eris shouting her final rebuke.

"Rudeus, you dummy!"

*SLAM*

Once the scene ended, I couldn't resist peeking out of my room's door. I saw Eris marching away from Rudeus's room with obvious frustration. I decided it was time to go out there and give my brother a piece of my mind.

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As I opened the door to my brother's room, I found him on the floor, shirtless and clutching his crotch, probably because Eris had stepped on it too hard. His expression was a mix of pain and terror as he met my seething gaze.

"So, care to explain yourself, brother?" I asked, my tone stern and deep.

Clenching my fists, I approached him, and he tried to back away from me, panicking profusely. "Wait, Reine! This isn't what it looks like!"

"Oh really? Then why did I hear you saying suggestive comments to Eris, huh?" I demanded, my anger and concern for my brother evident.

He furrowed his brows upon hearing my words. "Hold on, you were eavesdropping on us?!"

"What if I was? Your suggestive comments towards Eris are inappropriate!" I reprimanded my brother.

However, he stood up and pointed at me, his expression a mix of frustration and desperation. "Oh yeah?! Well, you invaded someone's private moment! Therefore, you're the inappropriate one!"

I could feel my own cheeks redden with embarrassment as I tried to come up with a response. His words had caught me off guard, and I couldn't deny the truth in what he was saying.

"Fine, it's wrong for me to eavesdrop!" I exclaimed. "But that doesn't mean you've won this argument! You're still guilty for trying to charm Eris on your bed!"

My brother, still clutching his crotch, looked flustered and desperate. "Wait, let me explain. This is all a misunderstanding."

I crossed my arms, waiting for him to clarify the situation, hoping for a very convincing explanation.

However, just as he was about to explain, the door swung open. Our attention quickly shifted to the doorway, where Eris appeared, a hint of embarrassment in her expression.

"Eris? What are you doing here?" I asked, wanting to know her intention.

Blushing, she finally revealed herself, dressed in an elegant white nightgown that could easily captivate my brother.

Her gaze shifted between me and my brother before she finally spoke up. "Reine, you don't have to scold Rudeus. It was my fault in the first place."

I furrowed my brows, curious of her confession. "But why, Eris? Do you have feelings for my brother, don't you?"

Eris's face reddened with embarrassment as she tried to clarify her stance. "No, it's not like that! I just asked Rudeus to sleep with me because... I was feeling lonely and scared about the impending calamity. I didn't mean it in a... romantic way."

My brother chimed in, his voice equally embarrassed. "Y-yeah, it's true. We were just talking, and then things got out of hand."

"I see... If that's the case, then I apologize for jumping to conclusions," I admitted, feeling guilty for my earlier accusations.

Rudeus and Eris both looked relieved upon hearing my apology, and the tension in the room began to dissipate.

However, as Eris was about to leave, she looked back and added one more thing. "Rudeus, if you really wish to be more than friends, you'll have to wait at least five years until we're both adults."

With that surprising statement, she left the room, leaving me utterly speechless. I then turned to my grinning brother, who appeared to be relishing the situation.

"I guess she really likes me after all, huh, Reine?" he teased.

*Smack*

In the end, I couldn't resist smacking his face for being too cheeky.

Men were truly insufferable.