Chapter 5
Brother of the Demon Knight
The Roseblade airship fled into the clouds.
Surrounded by more than ten pirate airships, there was no way to win, so they sped off into the clouds.
Visibility is poor and nothing could be seen ahead, thanks to that, the enemy could not track them.
However, they couldn’t hide in the clouds forever, if the pirates followed them to the sky, they would be discovered.
Deirdre and Dorothea looked out the window from inside the room.
The windows are wet, the visibility is too poor to see anything.
- I hope the knights who went to seek help arrive safely.
As they entered the clouds, the knights climbed into their armed units and flew off.
They flew in different directions to ask for help.
If even one of the knights could find an ally somewhere, their survival rate would increase.
The closest and most reliable ally is the Bartford family.
They are responsible for their dishonest conduct and I am sure they will come to help, but the question is whether it will be on time.
While praying that they would receive that help while they are still alive, she saw Dorothea holding her hand and squeezing her chest.
She looked pale and anxious.
- You seem composed, Deirdre. You are so different from me.
Seeing Dorothea trembling, Deirdre smiled and tried to ease the tension.
Actually, she is afraid.
However, she is calmer than Dorothea because she had previously experienced several critical situations like this.
The first time was when she met the Principality's fleet at the school event. The second time was when the Principality invaded the royal capital.
She had been on the battlefield and had seen dreadful things.
- Even if it doesn't seem like it, I have overcome several crises many times. I am a mistress of fortune, so this time I will be able to survive too.
- You are reliable, huh.
Seeing Deirdre's attitude, the maids in the room also seemed relieved.
However, she was just feigning a stoic attitude.
In those two situations, I had help.
Leon helped her in both situations, and remembering it, Deirdre reflected on her attitude when she left the harbor.
I should have at least said goodbye. Although, I would feel lonely if I did…
Then the sun shone through the window.
- Did we fly through the clouds? What's going on outside!?
The aircraft came out of the cloud it was hiding behind and the air pirates' aircraft could be seen through the window.
There were only women in the room and a series of small screams could be heard.
Three ships of the sky pirates could be seen just by looking out the window.
- They seem to be quite skilled.
Deirdre murmured bitterly.
The Roseblade family is one of the noble houses that are famed for their martial prowess.
Even though this aircraft only carries the daughters of the Roseblade house, the crews that accompanied them are people who are greatly experienced in real combat.
If even those people can't manage to hold on, the sky pirates must be very strong.
First of all, they are dealing with a great sky pirate that commands more than 10 aircraft.
However, when Deirdre looked at the flags of those sky pirates, their name did not come to her mind.
Therefore, she assumes that they are new sky pirates from other countries.
- I don't know where these sky pirates came from, but don't think it will be easy for you to mess with the Roseblade family.
The Roseblade family airship readied their cannons and is preparing to intercept the sky pirates.
Although it is inferior, it worked as trained.
The air pirates also saw the movement and moved cautiously.
After the pirates broadside cannons are lined up, they start firing.
Then, the bullets fired from the cannon exploded when they were blocked by the magical barrier that had been deployed to protect the Roseblade family's airship.
The impact reached the interior and the aircraft shook violently.
The furniture placed around it was fixed and did not move, but the violent vibration caused people to fall and small objects began to scatter around the room.
- Why aren’t we fighting back!?
Dorothea screamed in confusion, but Deirdre expected to be struck down by a slap even if they were attacked from the outside.
We don't know much about the situation from here.
Both Deirdre and Dorothea are daughters of the Roseblade family. However, since they are not military personnel, their entry onto the bridge would be considered a distraction.
Outside the window, units armed with stinging ornaments were appearing one after another from the sky pirate airships.
Their numbers are large and they seem to be sky pirates who possess great strength.
Deirdre was horrified by the sky pirates' coordination and size which is comparable to an actual country’s fleet.
Armed units of the Roseblade family come out one after another to intercept them, but their numbers are clearly inferior to the sky pirates.
When Deirdre had expected the worst to happen, a single airship appeared and started attacking the sky pirates.
Seeing that figure, Deirdre opened her fan and murmured.
- You are very trustworthy, Einhorn.
Due to the distinctive aircraft Leon was riding, the people around him seemed to immediately realize that an ally had arrived.
Compared to the sighs of relief and cheers from her surroundings, Deirdre is the only one who is bathing in a cold sweat.
She made everyone think that she is calm and composed, but she was actually scared and felt helpless.
She was struggling to contain the feeling of wanting to collapse from both relief and anguish.
However, from Deirdre's perspective, Einhorn's appearance struck her as strange.
- Why isn't Arroganz coming out?
◇
The Einhorn Bridge is full of ugly men. The first of them was my father.
- Did he really rush towards the enemy!? Guys, hurry up and get out! Deploy all armed units!
Soldiers from the Bartford family, who roam the bridge, are commanding an unfamiliar airship.
As for me, I am tied to the chair where the captain sat, unable to do anything.
- Why am I tied up?
- Because you're reckless. I really didn't want to bring you here, but Einhorn couldn't bring out his full potential without Luxion.
And Luxion would only obey my orders.
As a result, I had to go with them, but they wouldn't let me do anything.
- This is crazy. This is my airship!
- That's why I brought you. I Hope Nicks is okay.
My father is worried about Nicks, who got into an armed unit and got out.
Luxion described the armed unit Nicks boarded.
[It is an armed unit produced in my factory. Performance is guaranteed. I have calculated the difference in force between us and the sky pirates, and I see no problem.]
Still, my father is not convinced.
- That is not the problem that worries me.
I asked my father, who is too worried, to let me go.
- If so, then I will go out to support my brother. Can you release me for the moment?
- No, because you will start doing something reckless immediately.
[The girls told me not to let go of your leash.]
It seems that neither my father nor Luxion will let me out.
Will my brother be, okay?
◇
Nicks, riding an undecorated armored unit with metallic color, is fighting with his allies around him against the units of the sky pirates.
The sky is full of hand-to-hand combats between enemies and allies, with Einhorn attacking and sinking the sky pirate airships one after another with its cannons.
The sky pirates are also confused by Einhorn's sudden appearance.
However, they are able to determine that they are enemies, and start attacking Nicks and the others.
- Do you know who you're dealing with!?
On the battlefield, Nicks grows more serious than usual, attacking while cursing his enemies.
The metallic-colored armored unit Nicks is riding in is equipped with a shield in its left hand.
In its right hand, it holds a Glaive-like weapon which stabbed and defeated one of the sky pirates.
The sky pirate's armed unit began to fall, because of the sea below, he is lucky that he would survive.
Nicks, unable to afford to pay attention to the falling enemies, searched for his next enemy.
- Tsk!
Clicking his tongue, Nicks used the shield in his left hand to receive one of the armed units rushing directly at him.
As the two units collide, their weapons begin to clash.
The enemy is tough, probably because it has a well-trained pilot on board. As he approached, there was a voice from the other party.
{Single-horn aircraft! That's the Demon Knight's ship!}
Einhorn is an aircraft with a distinctive appearance and it seems to be quite famous.
Furthermore, they even knew the title by which Leon was known.
- What’s the matter?
Nicks' armed unit kicked the enemy away, creating distance between them.
They began to fight, circling in the air, getting closer from time to time and clashing their weapons.
- {Are you the Demon Knight?} - That's my little brother.
- {The Demon Knight has an older brother?} - Sorry for being such a nameless big brother!
As they fought and talked, it seemed that Leon's name had spread even among the sky pirates.
Hearing that, Nicks is fueled by a sense of inferiority.
Am I an older brother who doesn't stand out because he has a more accomplished younger brother…?
Leon became famous shortly after he entered the academy.
He was a student who stood out for his words and actions, and was often talked about.
Knowing that Leon has an older brother, there were many who compared them even if they did not like him.
Compared to Leon's demeanor, the unassuming Nicks was often referred to as the
"Incompetent Brother" or the "Eclipsed Brother."
That school life ended in a year, but after that, whenever Leon played an active role, he would listen to his stories and compare Leon to himself.
He thought that he couldn't be like Leon no matter how hard he tried, and wondered why they were such different siblings.
It would be a lie if he said he isn’t jealous.
He considered Leon, who is as flashy as a hero, to be greatly successful, when he found out that he is engaged to three beautiful fiancées with good personalities.
It is understood that it is inevitable that he would feel envious. But… Nicks was a better man than that.
Everyone says Leon is a hero and a great guy… But they have no idea what trouble such a guy has caused me!
For Nicks, Leon has always been a troublesome little brother.
- {I won't be afraid if the Demon Knight doesn't come out. I'll just have to defeat you and run away!}
By defeating Nicks, who is currently pursuing them, the enemy would be able to start their attempt to escape from this battlefield.
Nicks sped off with his armed unit and approached the enemy, hitting them with his shield to break their stance.
- There is no need for that guy to come out just for you!
Nicks remembered what he had done before approaching Einhorn.
◇
- Don't let Leon fight?
- Please.
It was before boarding the Einhorn.
The three people who came to see him were Angie, Livia, and Noelle.
Angie was the daughter of a duke, but now she was bowing in front of Nicks.
- Even if I tried, he will still come out somehow, won’t he?
- Even then, I want you to stop him.
Nicks was confused when Angie asked him for help, and then Livia told him what was going on.
- We think Leon has been fighting too much in such a short period of time and has more mental problems than he thinks. He received so much burden during his time in the Republic that he couldn't sleep, so he turned to drugs…!
When she learned that he had turned to drugs, Nicks realized that Leon's painful situation was more serious than he thought. Anxious Livia choked and Noelle took over.
"I know this is a nuisance to you, but Luxion also said that he should rest now. Please. If Leon tries to fight, stop him.”
Seeing that the three of them cared so much for Leon, Nicks shook his head.
How enviable. Leon………. you, you are very loved, huh.
◇
- Most of the time he's an annoying guy who always forces himself into serious trouble and makes the people around him worry! Even though he has been promoted to a marquis, he still makes me clean up his messes!
He furiously retaliated with a flying kick at the armed unit of the sky pirates and launched the enemy's weapon with his glaive.
Nicks closed the distance as his adversary tried to rush out of range. Still, he stabbed them with his Glaive.
There was a loud cry from the pilot.
- {I-I get it. I give up! I give up, so let me go!}
- It's too late for that. Go refresh your mind! When he pulled out the Glaive, the armed unit fell into the sea.
Nicks shifted his gaze to find the remaining enemies around him as he adjusted his troubled breathing.
- He really ... just how much did he do to make his surroundings worry about him. Don’t do this to me. I can't always take care of you.
He remembered the kind little sister-in-law who cares for Leon. At the same time, Nicks was relieved.
- ... But with girls like that by his side, I think Leon will be fine.
He feels lonely when his younger brother, who he cared for when he was young, is on his own alone.
As he spoke lightly in his mind to free himself from his troublesome younger brother, what he found in his gaze was an armed unit from the enemy boarding the Roseblade family's airship.
- Those guys just don't know when to give up!
He flew onto the deck of the Roseblade family.
The armed unit of the sky pirates landed on the deck and was about to wreak havoc in a last-ditch attempt.
Nicks lunged there.
He raised his shield to strike the body, and the enemy's armed unit flew out and fell.
Perhaps the impact was too strong, the shock from the blow made him unable to act.
The same happened to Nicks.
- I did it.
Danger alarms sounded in the cockpit, indicating that there are problems in every part of the armed unit.
However, it seems that the battle is over.
The surroundings are quiet, and Nicks opened the hatch and stepped out after confirming that it was safe.
- Will Luxion be mad at me?
Nicks was worried about breaking the armed unit they loaned him, but when he landed on deck, the people of the Roseblade family gathered around him.
Among them was the knight who had stared at him as he left the harbor. He is now smiling and holding Nicks' hand with both hands.
- He really helped us! You are a lifesaver.
- Huh? N-No, well ...
Nicks, who deluded himself by laughing vaguely, felt a little calmer.
With this ... I suppose I have made up for the inconvenience?
As people gathered and cheered, the women came out onto the deck of the ship.
Among them was the figure of Dorothea.
- Nicks?
She must have come to express her gratitude.
However, when she realized that Nicks was on the deck, Dorothea looked quite surprised.
The same happened to Nicks.
-… Dorothea.
The deck had been in a festive mood just now, but when the two met, the atmosphere turned somewhat delicate.
Nicks apologized, but Dorothea looked down sadly. Then Dorothea thanked Nicks.
- On behalf of the Roseblade family, I would like to thank you for your help. Thank you for rescuing us. You saved our lives, Nicks.
Nicks was called a savior and he waved his hands to deny it.
- N-No, I didn’t do that much.
Dorothea smiled sadly when she heard Nicks' words.
- Too much humility can be considered sarcasm. You have certainly risked your life to save us. Making it look like it's nothing is like saying that our lives are worth nothing.
Nicks, who has spent a lot of time on the field, is humble, but he apologized again for being rude.
- You are right. I was wrong.
He received a few words of thanks, but the two did not open their mouths in front of each other as time passed.
When the people around her looked uneasily at them, Deirdre deliberately opened her fan to hide her mouth.
So, she gave instructions to the people around her.
- I will let my sister take care of the guest ... the others can return to their places. … Sister, take our guest inside.
After urging Dorothea to guide him, Deirdre turned her eyes to Einhorn, who was approaching.
- I'll go talk to him.
◇
The Einhorn and Roseblade aircraft lined up in midair.
All around him, allied airships held back the sky pirates.
For some reason, I, who was detained until now, is dealing with Deirdre-senpai, who came to Einhorn's deck.
Luxion was next to me, but the others were busy working. My father also made an excuse and avoided talking to Deirdre-senpai.
…… He fled from talking to a higher-ranking noble.
Well, the other person is my acquaintance, so I think I was the right person to speak to.
Deirdre-senpai was in a good mood.
- You have helped me many times. I will definitely thank you for this.
If that's the case, then I'd like to ask you to demote me. However, Roland would get in the way no matter what I do.
- If you want to thank me, you will have to make sure that we are on the same page on this case. Tell Dorothea I caused the problems, not Nicks.
- I will tell her. Having said that, I would like to thank you again, so I would like to invite you to the main domain of the Roseblade family.
I assume this is a formal invitation to the person who saved your life to a thank you party.
That's a merit, but our family is not good at formal parties. Even if we participated, we would not be able to enjoy it.
But refusing after being invited is also a problem.
Let's pay a visit to the Roseblade family to apologize for that time. Perhaps, I will excuse myself there. I want …… this matter to be over.
- I don't like formal parties, so I prefer something informal. I come from the countryside so I'm not good with manners.
- Leave it to me. I will not let our guests be an embarrassment.
As the whole family came to visit the Roseblade airship, I turned my head and looked for Nicks.
- More importantly, where is my brother?
You could see the armed unit that was ridden by Nicks.
However, it has no pilot.
Deirdre-senpai opened her fan and covered her mouth. - He's talking to my sister.
◇
Reception room on board.
Nicks and Dorothea are facing each other across a table. After drinking the tea prepared by the maid, the cup is empty.
After the maid was told to leave, only the two of them are inside.
What am I doing in a place like this?
He doesn't even have anything to talk about with the person he hurt.
He doesn’t want her to feel any more uncomfortable, so decided to apologize again.
However, Dorothea is the one who speaks first.
- I have a question for you.
- Y-Yes!
Nicks, whose voice stuttered, put his fists on his knees and straightened his back.
Dorothea is in front of him, she looks very overwhelmed.
It seems like she is still feeling the shock from the sky pirate’s attack.
Nicks noticed that the weak Dorothea was crying.
Little by little, she started to speak again…
- Why can't it be me?
- Huh?
- Why won't you like me? I want you to tell me what is wrong with me. I'll fix what I can...
So…
Swallowing her last words, Dorothea shook her head, straightened her back, and smiled at Nicks.
- … Sorry. I just wanted to ask the reason why I was not accepted.
- R-Right. Well ... I really don't hate you or anything like that. You are so beautiful that I think you are too good for me.
- So, what is it that is wrong with me? Is it the collar?
Dorothea probably already realized that her taste is uncommon.
Nicks also wanted to say, “Exactly”, but since he is an adult, he decided to tell her in a less direct manner.
- I think that each person has their own hobbies, but I feel that it is crazy if it suddenly gets to the collar. Maybe if the involved people knew each other better beforehand, it would be, okay? … However, I'm not the one for that.
I think Leon would be honest enough to point out what's wrong.
Nicks is jealous of that strong part of his younger brother.
However, he also understood that he is a different person from Leon.
When Dorothea looked down, Nicks spoke of her ideals.
- I am a countryside noble, so the flashy life in the city does not suit me. Political marriage is normal for nobles, but my parents are a happy couple. I wish I could be like them, that's what I think.
For me, I wish I could be a couple like Balcus and Luce.
- It is different from a relationship where one has to obey the other, I am not like that, so it is better for us not to be together.
He anticipated the future in which they would both be unhappy due to their conflicting personalities.
If he is paired with Dorothea, the burden on Nicks would increase, and Dorothea will be unsatisfied. Then Dorothea raised her face.
- You should have said that from the very beginning.
Dorothea's face, which is smiling a little sadly, has lost its severity, she appears to have settled down.
There is no impression of a cold woman that turned people away, and Nicks is fascinated. It's true. If we had properly talked, we wouldn’t have gotten this bad and I wouldn't have hurt Dorothea.
I wish I hadn't trusted Leon, I'm a careless older brother.
Nicks looked down and scoffed at himself.
He looked up, straightened his posture, and bowed to Dorotea.
- I am so sorry.
Nicks looked up when Dorothea called out to him.
- You already apologized enough. …… But let me tell you this.
Dorothea felt embarrassed when she prepared to complain about one thing...
- The Nicks who rushed to our aid in our time of need have no need for modesty.
- Huh? C-Could it be that you were listening?
Nicks flushed with embarrassment when he realized that his conversation with the sky pirates had been overheard.
Dorothea smiled when she saw that funny Nicks.
- So, that knight who valiantly rushed in the face of a crisis is embarrassed?
- No, well, yes.
- You're a good person. You should have more confidence in yourself.
- When you have a younger brother who stands out a lot, you can't help but compare yourself to him.
- Oh, do you have bitter feelings for your little brother?
- I'm not saying I don't have them, but I understand that it is impossible for me to do things like Leon.
They kept talking with smiles on their faces until the maid came to call them. The two of them were there talking more calmly than when they first met.
◇
The territory of the Roseblade family is a city with a large castle.
Count Roseblade, the owner of the castle, seems to have been very concerned when he learned that his two daughters had been attacked by the sky pirates.
- I'm glad both of you returned safely.
He is tall, well-built, and has a stern look. However, he hugged them when they returned to the castle. Dorothea and Deirdre both looked at their father in dismay. After all, there are still their vassals around.
Their vassals are troubled by his sweet behavior to his two daughters.
- Father, the people around us are bothered.
- You don't know how worried I have been! The Roseblade family will send a fleet to the place where you were attacked. All the sky pirates around that area will sink!
Deirdre looked away and tried not to get involved, perhaps because it's a hassle to deal with.
Dorothea then consulted her father, who is spouting a stream of radical statements, with a serious look.
- Father, I have a request.
- Hm? I heard you haven't had any luck this time, but you sure will get another chance.
So, from now on, you should be more moderate regarding your hobbies ………
Dorothea complains with a "Muh!" and speaks about her request to her father, who gently points out her bad parts.
- Listen to me, actually…
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