Chapter 194 Sister Complex ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Heave… ho!”
Flearis, Lily’s younger adoptive sister, arrived hauling two massive “bundles.” The moment she stepped into our home, she let them tumble onto the floor. One was tossed aside with utter indifference; the other was set down with a gentleness that hinted at genuine care.
”Hello, hello! Have you finally arrived? Ah, Lord Harvest¹, it’s been a while. I’ll be in your debt from here on out, so let’s get along, okay?”
The “bundle” that had been handled with care rolled over and spoke while looking our way. It was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Kushe, the Chief Court Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom².
”It really is that mage… I suspected she wasn’t quite right in the head since she can produce those magic weapons, but I never imagined she’d be a woman like this…” Tania muttered.
”Oh! It really is the ‘Witch of Fresh Verdure’³! It hasn’t been that long since we last saw each other, though I suppose given our history, it’s a bit weird to phrase it that way.” Kushe replied.
Tania, the elven adventurer, peered down at Kushe as she spoke. They were supposed to have been enemies who clashed in the previous war, yet both seemed to have moved past it. Or rather, Kushe was simply far too thick-skinned. I’d heard some rather unsettling stories from Tania, including the claim that she was “just a hair’s breadth away from snuffing that woman out.”
”More importantly! So this is Lord Harvest’s workshop?! I love it, I love it! That distinctive aura of a rogue researcher, materials I’ve never seen, half-finished mystery magic tools! This is the absolute best!”
Kushe didn’t seem to care that she was bound like a straw-wrapped bundle or that someone who’d once sought her life was standing right there; instead, her eyes sparkled as she surveyed her surroundings. She tried to get a better look by rolling about—thump—banging her head against a desk leg, only to keep rolling without a hint of discouragement.
I don’t keep any particularly vital research in this room, so I don’t mind how much she looks, but does this woman have no concept of boundaries or tact?
”Mmph! Mmmph!”
While I was busy being flabbergasted by Kushe, the other “bundle” began to hop across the floor. This was, naturally, the very reason for our shop’s state of high alert: Lily’s younger adoptive brother and the head of the ‘Pink Clan’⁴, Count Martin Popol.
I consider myself quite young for the head of a Viscount house, but he’s younger than me—younger even than Lily. On top of that, he’s a hopeless siscon, yet he holds the rank of a Count… It certainly illustrates the Pink Clan’s meritocracy.
Furthermore, factoring in what I heard from Her Majesty—that “anyone Count rank or above is a landed noble”—meant he was a bona fide aristocrat with his own territory. I wasn’t certain if the peerage system in the Coalmine Kingdom matched the Canaria Kingdom⁵, but since Flearis had mentioned “land we manage” recently, I was likely correct.
How did a man with such status and ability end up in this state?
”I shall now remove the gag. Is that acceptable?” Muse-san, Her Majesty’s maid, asked. Standing beside the pitiable Martin, I scanned the employees who had gathered today for confirmation before nodding to her.
”Mmmph! Mmmph!”
Muse-san proceeded to unfasten Martin’s gag. As Lily stepped forward while cradling her protruding stomach, I moved with her to act as a shield. Martin looked up at Lily with bloodshot eyes the moment the gag was removed, and his first words were…
”Sister…!”
As anticipated, it was a strained, desperate voice calling out to Lily. Lily knelt down, bringing her eyes level with Martin’s.
Depending on one’s perspective, it was a moving reunion. I didn’t want to admit it, however—the sight of an adoptive younger brother wrapped up like a silkworm and a heavily pregnant older sister was nothing short of surreal.
”Oh, Sister, how heart-wrenching…! Trapped in a dingy, back-alley magic tool shop like this, enslaved by some suspicious pervert of unknown origin…! I shall rescue you this instant…!” Martin cried.
True to form, Martin began spewing delusions. I mean, the fact that this is a “dingy, back-alley magic tool shop” and I’m a “suspicious pervert of unknown origin” are points I can’t exactly refute, but still.
But what on earth did he intend to do in this situation? Just as the question occurred to me, I felt the atmosphere in the room grow stifling. Martin was about to attempt something, and the employees, Flearis, and Muse-san were all tensing to intercept him.
Despite surely sensing that tension, Martin continued his tirade without a care.
”It’s alright. I can love you together with the child in your womb. If only I had arrived sooner, there would have been ways… No, it doesn’t matter now. I have crushed every insolent fool who dared to target you, so please, return to the Popol Count’s House in peace…! To that end, first, this guy…!”
Martin glared at me. However, I didn’t flinch. This man had just said something that should never be uttered. I felt as if a blood vessel in my brain was about to snap. My and Lily’s child… he just…!
I reached into my coat and gripped the ultra-compact magic weapon I had prepared for today. It wasn’t the PHZ⁶ developed by Satsuki. It was a magic weapon I had built independently after learning about the PHZ’s principles.
To put it simply, it was a “handgun” forged from the combined knowledge of my previous world and this one. It didn’t fire lead slugs, but magic stones with magic circuits directly etched into them.
Anyone struck by this would be incinerated from the inside out by magic, leaving not even a bone behind. The room might smell a bit scorched afterward, but I was beyond caring. Just as I was about to level my “handgun”…
”Now, Mar-kun, you know better than that!”
Thump…!!! Snap-crush…!!!
Beside me, Lily spoke in a lighthearted tone as if scolding a toddler, followed instantly by the kind of sickening, dull thuds that should never originate from a human body echoing through the workshop.
”Guh-hk…!!!”
Thump-thump-bang…!!! Crack-crack-crack…!!!
Martin let out a mangled sound, his eyes bulging in shock and agony. Startled, I glanced at Lily, only to see her bringing a chop down on his head that looked as if it wouldn’t even cause a sting.
”Honestly! I’ve known since you were a boy that you had a wild imagination, but I never dreamed it would get this severe… I won’t forgive you until you properly apologize to Master and everyone else for the trouble you’ve caused!”
Grind-grind…!!! Thump-crunch…!!! Snap-squish…!!! Crash…!!!
Lily was pinching Martin’s cheek and yanking it to and fro. Unrelated to that action, those horrific sounds continued to emanate from Martin’s body.
I had no concept of what was happening to his physique beneath those ropes. I can sense magic myself, so this was clearly some entirely different phenomenon. All I knew was that something profoundly terrifying was taking place.
Flearis was crouching in the corner, trembling and whispering to herself, “Sister is still Sister…! E-eek…!” as she clutched her head.
Muse-san, who had been poised for combat to suppress Martin, now wore a look of sheer revulsion on her typically icy face as she retreated.
The employees all wore expressions that said “As expected of Lady Lily,” but… uh, what is this, really? Scary, scary, scary!!!
”U-um, Lily-san, what exactly are you doing…?” I asked.
”Can’t you tell, Master? It’s a punishment. A punishment,” Lily replied.
”No, I mean, I’m hearing some truly ghastly sounds…” I noted.
”Sounds? Oh, I wonder what you mean. I’m not quite sure, but would you like me to clean your ears for you later?” Lily asked.
”N-no, I’m quite alright…” I replied.
Lady Lily flashed a radiant smile. Evidently, she was instructing me to pretend I had heard nothing. Meanwhile, those grisly sounds continued to pour from Martin’s body, and I couldn’t help but notice his joints were twisting in directions they certainly shouldn’t go… Since he was under the ropes, I couldn’t confirm the details, though…
”Listen well, Mar-kun. This person is my fated partner. I am very happy right now, so could you please stop interfering?” Lily asked.
”No way… Si-sister…!” Martin wailed.
”If you lay a finger on Master, or the child in my womb, or anyone involved here, I will give you an even more incredible punishment. Keep that in mind,” Lily warned.
”Kah… gah… agaga…!” Martin wheezed.
”Oh, why are you passing out! Come on, it won’t end until you properly apologize to Master and everyone else!” Lily said.
”S-sor… I’m sor… guh…! I’m… sorry…!” Martin managed to choke out.
Finally forcing out the apology, Martin lost consciousness as if his life force had snapped. He isn’t actually dead, is he…? I didn’t think I needed to worry, but when I checked, I could hear a faint, thready breath—truly the breathing of someone at death’s door.
”Phew… Master, I’m sorry for the mess caused by my adoptive family… I believe things should be settled now.”
”Ah, yes…” I replied.
And so, the siscon known as Count Martin Popol was brought to heel by Lily, and peace finally returned to our shop…
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Summary:
Lily’s adoptive siblings, Flearis and Martin, arrive at Harvest’s shop with the captive mage Kushe. Martin’s obsessive ‘sister complex’ leads him to threaten Harvest, mistakenly believing Lily is being held as a slave. Lily, despite her advanced pregnancy, subjects Martin to a horrific physical punishment while maintaining a sweet, scolding demeanor. The chapter concludes with Martin’s forced apology and the restoration of peace as he loses consciousness from his injuries.
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Character Insight:
This chapter underscores the terrifying hidden strength of Lily, juxtaposing her maternal status with her absolute martial dominance over her family. Her loyalty to Harvest and her unborn child manifests as a ruthless protection that borders on the supernatural, given her ability to inflict internal damage without magic. Martin’s delusion is so deep that only a brush with death at his sister’s hands can force a momentary apology, revealing the extreme dysfunction of the Popol household.
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Behind the Scene:
The use of ‘onomatopoeia’ to suggest severe physical trauma while the character speaks gently is a staple of ‘yandere’ or ‘hidden boss’ tropes in light novels. The chapter balances the high-stakes tension of Harvest’s new ‘handgun’ weapon with the comedic yet gruesome reality of Lily’s physical ‘punishments.’”
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T/L:
Notes:
• Flearis – A member of the diplomatic envoy and guard. Has pink hair.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Kushe – The Chief Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom. She has dark green hair grown out haphazardly and wears a mage robe loosely over her shoulders. She has a blunt, informal, and somewhat insensitive personality, focused on her ‘thinking experiments.’
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Witch of Fresh Verdure – A legendary elf from the Age of Heroes. She is a true ‘magic user’ from an era before formalized magic systems. She is an old friend of the Canaria Kingdom’s founding king.
• Martin – Lily’s non-blood-related younger brother. Considered the strongest candidate to succeed the Popol family due to his lineage and manifested ‘power. He has pink hair.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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