Chapter 28 : You Be My Little Brother
Chapter 28: You Be My Little Brother
Calimacos and Paul stepped out of the inn to discuss the schedule with Palacio.
The remaining mercenaries spent their free time as they pleased.
Robin tried not to stray far from the inn as he mulled over what had happened yesterday.
He was curious about what Vermilion looked like, but training appealed to him more than curiosity.
‘If I go out for no reason, who knows what might happen, and besides, training is fun.’
He followed Torgen and Felix to the empty lot behind the inn to train.
As usual, he swung his sword with weights strapped to both arms.
Now he could handle a longsword even with the weights on.
Paul’s advice had been correct.
As his lacking strength improved, wielding the sword became easier.
‘I’m still far from perfect, but I’m getting better.’
His height had grown to match that of other ten-year-olds, and his strength was no longer something one could call childlike.
By now, he had grown strong enough to defeat an ordinary adult in a fight.
Of course, Robin did not feel satisfied with that.
Felix, the youngest of the Calimacos Mercenary Corps, received Robin’s attacks several times despite being injured.
The very idea of a child sparring with a mercenary was astonishing, but Robin had no awareness of that.
Whenever he looked at the necklace and pocket watch Jeremy had left behind, he steeled his resolve.
‘If I want to become a knight, I need to be strong enough to beat the Captain.’
He would defeat Calimacos.
That was the goal Robin had set for himself.
Traveling under the mercenaries’ protection had given him a glimpse of their abilities.
Veterans standing at heights he couldn’t dare look up to.
By watching their training and battles, Robin accumulated indirect experience.
Every moment spent with the mercenary corps was a great blessing to Robin and nourishment for his growth.
“Robin, come explore the town with your big sister.”
“No, thank you. I think training is more fun.”
Refusing Mirian’s offer to look around Vermilion came from that desire.
The desire to become stronger.
The wish to become a knight.
The ambition to become the greatest swordsman on the continent.
The resolve to fulfill Jeremy’s dream.
Robin had many things he wanted to accomplish.
Pouring those hopes into it, he continued to swing his sword vertically.
“Eii, are you going to keep being so cold?”
His sword, which was descending straight down, stopped in midair.
Robin’s arm wouldn’t move as if it had hit a rock.
Air pricked at his arm like tiny needles.
‘This is… the same as before. No, slightly similar but different.’
His arm couldn’t move, but his legs, torso, and neck remained free.
He was bewildered that only his arm had stopped as if someone were holding it, but at the same time a competitive spark rose within him.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He relaxed the tingling arm.
Hooook.
Robin’s arm drooped limply.
“……?”
“Ahaha, sorry. But if I don’t do that, you won’t look my way.”
He had been released from the strange restraint, but it wasn’t his doing.
Mirian had withdrawn her power.
That inexplicable force stirred Robin’s curiosity.
After sheathing his training sword, he turned toward Mirian.
“That strange power just now. It’s the same kind as yesterday, right?”
“Robin’s not just cute—he’s quick.”
Smiling, Mirian grabbed Robin’s hand and pulled him toward a bench.
He felt Torgen’s gaze on the back of his head, but Mirian seemed unaware.
“Is there something I can help with?”
“It’s not that. I just want to get closer to you. We’re almost at Baron Tefir’s territory, aren’t we?”
There wasn’t much time left for the Calimacos Mercenary Corps to stay with Robin.
From Vermilion to the barony would take a week on foot.
‘Once the escort ends, the mercenary corps will leave.’
Robin, too, felt regret as the time to part approached, since he had grown attached to them.
Though they were receiving a large sum from some unknown client to stay with him, they were good people.
“Then let’s do this. You’re curious how I stopped your arm, right? If you spend the whole day with me, I’ll tell you what that power is.”
“Really? Is it okay to just tell someone like that?”
“I’m telling you because you’re adorable.”
“Okay. I’m grateful.”
“Then let’s go.”
Torgen and Felix waved as they watched Robin follow Mirian.
Robin waved back and stepped out onto the streets of Vermilion.
Vermilion was a town with a flourishing market, befitting a place where many merchants gathered.
Recently, bandits had been rampant and travel had decreased, but compared to Butterhills it was a whole different world.
“See? Anywhere people live, there’s always tons to look at.”
Mirian bought an apple from a stall, split it in half, and handed a piece to Robin.
Robin tried to split an apple like Mirian had, but failed.
Seeing that, Mirian burst into bright laughter.
They explored the market, and for lunch they stopped at a bakery that smelled of freshly baked bread.
Tasting the sweet bread for the first time, Robin’s tongue tingled.
“First time eating honey bread?”
“Yes. I didn’t know bread this delicious existed. It’s really good.”
“You’re learning something new thanks to your big sister. Eat lots.”
Mirian kept ordering bread until Robin was full.
Robin’s appetite had grown and was nearly like an adult’s.
As the plates stacked up, the baker’s smile widened.
“Robin, do you want to be my little brother?”
“Keck! Keck! That’s way too sudden.”
The unexpected question made Robin choke.
He gulped down the water Mirian brought to clear his throat.
“You remind me of my little brother.”
“You had a younger brother, Mirian?”
“Yeah. I can’t see him anymore, though.”
Robin didn’t know how to react to the back-to-back shocking statements.
Seeing him stammer, unsure of what to say, Mirian burst out laughing.
“Ahahahaha! You’re so fun to tease, Robin.”
“Um… are you okay? You mean… your brother died……?”
“Right. My little brother died two years ago. If he were alive, he would’ve been the same age as you.”
‘So Mirian is projecting her real little brother onto me.’
He felt he understood, at least a little, why she found him so endearing.
He had never had a family, but when Jeremy died, his heart had felt as if it were being torn apart.
The bond of a family tied by blood would be no less than that.
“How did something like that happen?”
“That’s a secret. It’s not a very pleasant story.”
For a brief moment, gloom flickered across Mirian’s face.
Robin pretended not to notice and continued.
“What would change if I became your little brother?”
“Nothing big. You can live just like you do now. Robin, you’re growing up so straight that I want to protect you. The difference is… I’d support you like a patron?”
“That’s not a bad deal for me. What’s the price?”
“I told you—just live like you do now. Ah, there is one thing.”
‘Of course. There’s no such thing as kindness without a price.’
Robin listened closely, waiting to hear what Mirian would demand.
“Call me ‘big sister.’”
“Uh… that’s all?”
“We might not be tied by blood, but if we’re going to be siblings, we at least need to settle the titles.”
The age gap between Robin and Mirian was ten years.
In a world where people had many children, a ten-year age difference between siblings wasn’t rare.
Robin was grateful to Mirian, who treated him warmly, and becoming siblings brought him no harm.
However—actually calling her “big sister” felt inexplicably embarrassing.
“Big sishter Mirian!”
‘Ah, a mistake.’
Trying to hide his embarrassment and speaking too quickly made his voice crack.
“Pffft! See? Robin really is adorable.”
Robin’s face burned bright red.
To shake off the embarrassment, he quickly cleared his throat.
“But won’t you leave once we reach Baron Tefir’s territory?”
“That’s right. This big sister has things she needs to do. I’d love to keep traveling with you, but it’s something I can’t delay.”
Mirian’s hand touched Robin’s head.
Though her hands looked delicate, the joints were covered in calluses.
“Once I finish what I need to do, let’s live together. If you stick with me, you’ll never be bored.”
“Sure. Only a fool would refuse to have a guardian. What is it you need to do?”
Mirian hesitated for a moment.
Robin stared at her with innocent eyes.
Her red lips parted.
“…Make lots of money and live like a queen!”
“I’ve heard that from Felix. You want to save up while you’re young so you can enjoy an easy old age, right?”
“Of course. A mercenary naturally moves for money.”
Mirian’s eyes sparkled at the mention of money.
“Torgen seems to like you. Is it okay if you live with me even though he likes you?”
“He won’t confess. He’s such a frustrating guy.”
“You like Torgen too, don’t you?”
“He’s slow-witted but steady, and he’s the type to focus on one woman. So I don’t dislike him.”
Mirian paid the baker, placed her hand on her waist, and flashed a wide smile.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating that smile to its fullest.
‘It’s a pity about her brother, but she must’ve overcome it well.’
They left the bakery while the owner, who had made a day’s worth of sales in one go, thanked them repeatedly.
After lunch, Vermilion’s streets grew more crowded.
Robin explored many corners of the market and talked with Mirian a great deal.
‘Mirian has lived a much rougher life than she looks.’
Pleasant times passed quickly.
Evening approached, and people began heading home.
It still didn’t quite feel real that he suddenly had a big sister.
Mirian had already been someone who frequently hugged Robin, calling him cute, but after they became siblings, it only got worse.
‘Maybe she just wanted an excuse to legally touch me.’
Even so, Mirian’s touch didn’t make him uncomfortable.
Because in her gestures was genuine affection for Robin.
In any case, Robin had kept the promise to stay by Mirian’s side for the day.
Now there was something he needed to receive from her.
“Mirian, keep your promise now.”
“Of course. It’s a promise with my little brother. Come along.”
Mirian walked toward a quiet corner of the plaza where no one was around.
After Mirian took Robin with her in the morning—
Torgen secretly followed them.
No one would like being tailed, but Torgen felt confident in what he was doing.
‘Robin is the one our mercenary corps is escorting. Since Mirian took him, I’m just monitoring. It’s absolutely not because I’m curious about what Mirian is doing.’
It was blatant stalking, but in Torgen’s self-justification, not a trace of guilt could be found.
There was nothing unusual about the places Mirian visited with Robin.
They wandered through the market, buying fruit to snack on or sitting on benches watching people.
When they grew hungry, they went into a bakery and shared plates full of bread.
It seemed like they’d had a serious conversation at some point, but he couldn’t tell what it was about.
‘Mirian… Robin is still a boy. Isn’t she sticking too close to him?’
Robin was only ten, far too young to awaken to the opposite sex, and was instead busy taking in all the sights.
When they passed a smithy, he observed the interior intently.
Mirian asked if he wanted her to buy him a weapon, but he shook his head.
‘After the bakery, they seem closer… What did they talk about?’
The two grew closer as time passed.
Before, Mirian had simply doted on Robin one-sidedly.
But after leaving the bakery, Robin responded warmly to Mirian’s words.
When Mirian brought a refreshing drink and they shared it through a straw, Torgen’s eyes blazed.
‘Sharing a drink—something even I haven’t done yet!’
Robin had wanted to thank Mirian, but since his money situation was poor, he had only bought one drink.
Torgen failed to realize this and continued tailing the two.
They accumulated memories like siblings reunited after a long time.
They even asked a street artist to draw their portrait.
‘A portrait that expensive—together with Robin?!’
When Mirian paid the artist with silver coins, Torgen was aghast.
Even if Mirian was sloppy, she wasn’t someone with broken finances.
A single silver coin could cover a week’s worth of food.
Paying that for a portrait made Torgen decide to stop thinking too hard.
‘It should be safe to head back now.’
The day was ending, and any worry that something might happen to Robin was unfounded.
He confirmed Mirian taking Robin toward a secluded spot and was about to turn back.
Whoosh.
The air around them changed.
‘I didn’t think she’d teach him even that.’
As Torgen watched Mirian speaking softly to Robin, his expression slowly hardened.