Chapter 35: Raven-black Melancholia

Many things happened to my peaceful life in this year. Some were things I would never forget and remained forever in my memory, even without my computer brain. Things that caused a great impact on my life.

The confession of my derns to my sister greatly affected our relationship. I am now able to open up more than I ever could.

After my sister's birthday, during my negotiations with the Mom's family, the Raeven family, I secured funds to establish my own business. I also secured the engagement of my childhood friend to be my bride-to-be.

In the stampede incident, my sister and I fought and slew hundreds of monsters. Facing a nigh-immortal lizard, we faced it with all of our might and managed to obliterate it, literally. It was a rare opportunity to fight a formidable opponent, so it was a good experience for us.

After the stampede, we gained much experience and leveled up significantly. Since we leveled up too much, our mothers increased the time and intensity of our training to catch up with the lost stat.

We've been training our bodies for the whole month and refraining from killing monsters. We honed our skills that we haven't mastered yet.

"Hundred Slice!"

"Hundred Slice."

Two women launched at each other as they did the same Level 8 Sword technique. Sister slashed her blue blade towards Mother a hundred times. Mother used her legendary-grade purple rapier and parried all of Sister's attack with the same technique.

The screeching sound of clashing metals echoed through the front yard. At the hundredth slash, they still cross their blades and face each other.

"You have gotten better, Louise."

"Thank you, Mother. But I'm not finished yet!"

In an instant, Sister disappeared in front of my mother. Mother heightened her awareness and strengthened her senses as she was anticipating an attack.

"?!"

Without a warning, Sister appeared behind Mother and slashed her katana horizontally at high speed, aiming for Mother's back. It was as if Sister had teleported into Mother's blind spot.

Sensing Sister's presence and the sound of the blade, Mother turned her body and used her rapier to block Sister's Sword technique.

Sister used a Level 6 technique called Fast Sword. It is a technique that increases the user's focus and slashes the blade at divine speed. When the Mother was in her range, Sister slashed her sword very fast enough to break Mother's flawless demeanor.

The reason for her instant transportation was a Level 8 Martial Art technique called Instantaneous Movement. It was a technique that greatly increased the user's fighting spirit and released it by teleporting oneself nearby.

"Not bad, my daughter,"

"I cannot even land a hit on you!"

The collision of the last attack caused the leaves that fell from the deciduous maple trees to be blown by the violent gusts of wind. Creating a shockwave that covers an area of several meters in radius.

The impact even brushed the lustrous black hairs of Mom and Sophia, who sandwiched me on the wooden bench. Mom is on the left, and Sophia is on the other side.

"They are so fast. I couldn't see anything at all. This family is really incredible." Sophia commend as the match continues.

We are currently watching a mock battle between Mother and Sister. Even though they looked matched, Mother was only using thirty percent of her strength to catch up with Sister.

"Why the long face, Sophia?" Mom asked as she noticed Sophia's melancholy smile.

"Well… I realized this family is just filled with great people. It made me feel that I am not suitable to be a part of this family…"

"Don't say things like that, Sophia. You're an amazing woman, too."

"Mom's right, Sophia. If it weren't for you, I would've been stressed out from managing a store alone. You can make the right decisions for the company and compete with veteran competitors."

"…Auntie…Raphael…"

"Because of your hard work, our restaurant grew and opened up a branch in Astley's Capital. Not only that, we earn some funds to establish a café of our own."

A month had passed since the stampede incident, and our little company already had a branch abroad. Since we earn extra money, we established a café that primarily sells our desserts and confectionery products.

"It will only increase your workload, though." I continued.

"It will increase more as the other countries request a branch of the café in their territory." Mom added.

"I have to work harder, then. I will prove myself worthy of being Raphael's wife and a part of this amazing family. Thank you, Aunt Claire and Raphael."

"That's our Sophia."

Sophia clenched both of her fists as she steeled her resolve. Mom cheered her up as she hugged her tightly. Since I am between the two of them, I am also being embraced by Mom. Means I can feel the divine pressure of their assets.

(Mature on the left and developing on the right.)

As I was in a state of bliss from being bathed in such softness, my ears noticed that the blades stopped clanking. I moved my gaze to the battlefield and saw the match had come to a conclusion.

"Looks like Mother won again." Mom let go of us and left Sophia blushing a little.

As we can see, Mother pointed her rapier at my sister, whose butt and palms were on the ground. The mock battle ended with Mother as the victor.

"Nice match, Louise."

"Thank you, Mother. I'll beat you next time."

Mother offered a hand, which Sister gladly accepted to raise herself up.

Even though Sister lost to Mother many times, she had achieved a handful of victories. Every time my sister won, Mother unseal five percent of her limited strength. Since Mother started at five percent, Sister has already won five matches against Mother.

Me against Mother? With my current stats, I can only fight her decently with her twenty percent in terms of swordsmanship, even though I have a higher Level than my sister.

Even Sister has a higher Level than Mother at thirty percent. She just has superior techniques and is more skilled with the sword than Sister.

Higher Level and stat doesn't determine the outcome of a battle. Talent and skills partake as the factors of winning. Power without knowing how to use it is barbaric, and skills without power are pointless.

"Let's call it a day." Mother declared as she stretched out her toned and gorgeous body, exposing her alluring curves beneath the leather armor.

"Beautiful…" Sister, who is in front of Mother, muttered with admiration.

Not just her, but me, Mom, and Sophia were amazed at the scenery. We couldn't help but be stunned at Mother's body figure.

"We're all sweaty and smelly. Wanna take a bath together?"

"Y-yes, Mother!"

Still stunned, Sister accepted Mother's invitation to take a bath with trepidation. Then they sheathed their respective blades back into their scabbards.

"Let's go!"

They crossed their arms and walked through the grassy front yard. Their figures get smaller and smaller in our vision until they enter the mansion.

"Am I not enough for her? Is she not satisfied with me?"

Out of nowhere, Mom said those words after the shutting of the doors. Is she talking about Mother?

"What's the matter, Mom?"

"Well… I noticed your Mother was quite fond of Louise these past few years and spoiled her so much. Maybe she preferred the young ones over me. Perhaps I aged myself too much," she said, as she lowered her head.

"Don't say that, Mom. Mother still loves you as always, Mom. For me, you're still as beautiful as I can remember."

"What Raphael said was right, Auntie. You haven't changed since the first time I saw you."

I held her hand as Mom felt ambiguous about her relationship with Mother, which was obviously not true. Mother's love for Mom didn't even decline; it remained or grew stronger. Even if she said that, they were tribbing each other almost every night.

Her pulchritude didn't even deteriorate a bit since she gave birth to me. Stopping her maturity when she reached thirty years old made her even better.

"But…"

"If you are worried about the closeness of Mother and Sister, just think of it as their way to spend their remaining time before Sister will depart to the Imperial Capital to study."

"You're right. Perhaps I'm just overthinking too much."

"So you should spend time with Sister, too."

"I'll take note of that."

Mother lifted her head and said that with a smile on her face.

When spring comes, my sister will go to the Imperial Capital to study at the most prestigious academy on the continent.

When noble children turn fifteen, they are obliged to attend the academy to hone their innate abilities and experiences for the next three years.

It's an institute that nurtures young people, produces new hopes for the continent, and contributes to society.

Even though she will be there for three years, she can still visit us during summer and winter breaks. And speaking of seasons...

"Ah! I almost forgot that today is the day when the wash is done."

"Wash? You mean those fermented grains?"

This autumn, our territory had a bountiful harvest and sowed mountains of crops. We had also collected crops after the harvest and piled them in our storage room.

Grains were among the harvested autumn crops. Grains had many purposes and were used to create a variety of things. For example, we produce wheat products like bread and pastries.

It is used as an ingredient to produce malted liquor like beer. Because we had grains on hand, I am trying to recreate something that I haven't seen or heard in this world.

"While waiting for them, let's take a peek at what we've got and move to the next step."