Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 48 - Aisha 4

When my consciousness returned, I found myself in that pure white space again.

......

I mean, I'm already dead. How can I still see you?

"Don't say that~ It's not like you died because of me."

How is it not because of you?! If I'd known the kind of enemy I'd face after taking your help, I would never have listened to your advice.

"The fact is — you didn't listen to my advice anyway, did you?"

You talk in riddles all day long. Of course I don't trust you.

"Ehe~"

So. What happens after a person dies?

"They disappear. Not just the body. Their consciousness vanishes completely too."

Ah...... what happened to my brother?

"What if I told you he died too?"

......I don't know. I'm already dead. I can't even take revenge now.

"Why do you think you're dead?"

Huh? So I'm not dead?

"That's right~ That brother of yours — pride so high it scrapes the sky — even begged and knelt before that Dragon God. Now your brother has joined his ranks. What a hassle."

So...... my brother and I...... neither of us died?

"Correct. But your brother has become that Dragon God's subordinate."

That doesn't matter. As long as we're both alive.......

"Aren't you afraid?"

Of what?

"That Dragon God coming back to kill you both. Brother and sister, finished off once and for all."

He let us go. There's no reason for him to come after us again...... right?

"Who knows~"

So. Since I'm not dead, why did you pull me in here?

"Since the Dragon God has appeared, I'll tell you some truths."

Oh? Go on.

"The thing is~ I can see the future. A very vague future. Originally, fate had me helping you, and after you grew strong enough, you'd become my subordinate, something like that. But because of what that Dragon God did, the future has changed."

Changed into what?

"I told you. It's very vague."

Mm...... you're still as vague as ever. It really is hard to trust you.

"Eh~ Even after all the advice I've given you."

But you never once told me your actual purpose...... So I might as well sell you out. My brother has already joined that person's side anyway.

"Hm? You're sure about that?"

I'm sure. Compared to someone like you, someone I can't see or touch, being that person's subordinate and working hard might actually lead to a better outcome.

"Even if the world gets destroyed because of it?"

As long as my brother and I are alive right now, that's enough.

"You little brat. So selfish."

My brother and I were just living ordinary lives. You people dragged us into all of this, and now you're calling me selfish?

"As long as you keep following my advice going forward, I'll let you both live in peace. Didn't this whole incident happen because you ignored my advice and went through the Red Dragon's Jaw?"

You have a point....... but I don't want to listen anymore. This conversation is over. Let me out.

"Are you sure you want to betray me? If I decide to harm your family, you won't be able to stop me."

This isn't betrayal. I was never loyal to you in the first place.

"I'm so hurt~"

If that person wants to kill my family, I'd be even less able to stop him. As for you....... it's mostly empty bluster, isn't it?

"Fine. From now on I'll find every possible way to kill your beloved brother. If you ever regret this, take off your bracelet."

Bracelet? What bracelet?

.......

When I opened my eyes again, inverted icicles filled my vision.

"Aisha? You're awake."

"Ah...... Sister Eris......."

My mouth opened to ask where my brother was, then I came to my senses and found him lying in Sister Eris's arms.

For some reason....... his hair had turned a bit white.

"Can you use fire magic? I'm not very good at controlling it, so I didn't dare try......"

"Mm......."

I conjured a flame, then used healing magic to treat Sister Eris's fracture.

The three of us must have looked absolutely pathetic right now.......

After some time, I couldn't tell how long, my brother woke up.

"Aisha......! Eris!"

He bolted upright calling our names, like a man startled out of a nightmare.

He stared at Sister Eris and me for a long moment. Then he let out a slow breath.

"You two...... as long as you're okay......."

"What do you mean 'as long as we're okay'?! Rudeus, your hair has gone white! Did you catch some kind of disease? Or did that person curse you......"

Sister Eris cupped his face in both hands, and as she spoke, tears started falling.

I couldn't say a word.

All of this...... felt like it had happened because of me.......

"Eris...... no need to cry. We're all alive, aren't we?"

"Aisha almost died! Rudeus too! If I were stronger...... stronger than Ghislaine...... I could have held that man off......"

"Don't be so hard on yourself. Eris is already very strong for her age."

My brother raised his hand and touched her cheek, wiping the tears away.

Then, without warning, Sister Eris leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

My brother startled. He pushed Sister Eris back first.

"What are you doing....... Aisha is right here......"

"Aisha, close your eyes."

She said it to me, and then, without waiting to see if I'd actually done it, kissed him again.

Wow.......

How do I put this.......

In front of Sister Eris, my brother really is like a helpless little thing.

Anyway. I raised both hands and covered my eyes, then watched the whole thing through the gaps between my fingers.

2 minutes later, Sister Eris finally let him go. My brother caught his breath, then looked over at me, clearly trying to figure out if I'd seen anything.

Sorry, Brother. I saw everything.......

"Rudeus....... I love you......"

"Mm. I love you too, Eris."

So mature.......

"Aisha....... come here."

Lost in my own swirling thoughts, I heard my brother beckon me over.

I walked toward him in a daze. He pulled me into a hug.

"I almost thought I was going to lose my little sister......."

"I'm sorry, Brother....... I've been hiding something from you......."

"Here, put this bracelet on first. I don't know what it does, but......."

I didn't hesitate. I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist the moment he held it out.

This must be what that man gave him. Is this the bracelet the Man-God mentioned?

"Aisha, Eris....... it's embarrassing to say out loud, but I just begged that man for mercy. If it comes to it, I'll work for him."

Sister Eris's fist tightened when she heard that.

"Rudeus...... if you don't want to, I'll...... get stronger. Strong enough to help you beat him."

"We'll see....... For now, let's just keep moving according to plan."

Seeing that neither Sister Eris nor I had much else to say, my brother stood up and brushed the dust from his clothes.

"Alright, enough with the long faces. Working for that man might not actually be a bad thing. He calls himself the Dragon God, and from what I know, he's ranked second among the Seven Great Powers. If nothing else, we've at least got a backer now, haven't we?"

"Mm......"

Sister Eris nodded, hollow and distant, whatever she was thinking kept to herself.

Either way, we set out again, same as planned.

➤ Next: The Distance Between Hearts