“Do you like Reina? For real?”

“Huh? What’s this all of a sudden?”

I thought it was a joke at first, but Zeke’s eyes told me he was dead serious.

So I straightened up in my seat and gave him a proper answer.

“Yes, I do. For real.”

A heavy silence settled over us.

The air was thick with tension. No idea why Zeke had brought this up out of nowhere.

“How much do you like her?”

It sounded like one of those clingy girls asking, “How much do you like me?” But I guess this was just fatherly concern.

I answered earnestly. My feelings hadn’t changed a bit since that day—in fact, they’d only grown stronger with every passing day.

“Enough to stake my life to protect her.”

Same as with Kaguya.

Impure? Maybe. But I genuinely love both of them.

Who decided you can’t fall for two people for real?

Who says you can’t pour equal love into both?

Society’s rules might call it taboo.

But no one can prove these feelings are fake.

Because I’m head over heels for both of them.

No one’s gonna tell me otherwise.

“You’re serious. Got it… I approve.”

“Huh? So should I start calling you ‘Papa’ from now on?”

“Y-You idiot! Not marriage!”

I’d assumed he meant giving his blessing for marriage, but apparently not.

He’d gotten the wrong idea—or made me think he had.

“We’ll talk more once Road gets here. Anyway, Kenya, about your name…”

The sudden topic shift left me unsatisfied, but I responded anyway.

“What’s wrong with Kenya?”

“A name that’s too traceable isn’t ideal. How about a fake one—Sword? Sword Silfield.”

“Sword… Yeah, it fits coming from Kenya… Sure! Got it!”

And so, my name for operating as an Earthguard became Sword.

Pretty straightforward, but hey, it’s an alias. Doesn’t have to be fancy.

“And call me… Papa. ‘Zeke’ might raise suspicions.”

“So it is Papa after all.”

“Regrettably, in this case, ‘Papa’ doesn’t mean Reina’s husband. It’s more like you’re my son. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“R-Roger that. Papa.”

Zeke’s face twisted in bitter reluctance at being called Papa.

Something was eating at him, but whatever. Looking forward to working with you, Papa!

He’s gonna play my dad. Daddy-daughter vibes? Nah, more like sugar daddy.

“By the way, who’s the older sibling?”

“Hm? Doesn’t matter. Up to you.”

“!?”

Those words sent lightning racing through me.

“Up to me…”

I mulled over the implications.

My brain kicked into overdrive, thoughts accelerating as the world faded to gray.

Brother or sister? Older or younger?

The perfect choice to satisfy my tastes. No regrets.

(She calls me ‘big bro’… or I call her ‘big sis.’ What a tough call! Both are too tempting!)

I pictured Reina calling me ‘big bro.’

“Come on, big bro! Time to get up!”

“Mmm, five more minutes…”

“Ugh… There! Get up, big bro!”

“H-Hey, Reina! No sitting on my stomach!”

Not the only one who imagines a little sister barging in to wake her sleepy brother, right?

What bliss. Gotta make her the little sis.

Then big sis.

Just imagining it felt sinful. No guy hates a beautiful big sis who’s sweet and a little naughty.

Actual siblings might call it nonsense.

But in fantasies, big sis is always doting and flirty on her little bro. Right, guys?

“Ugh, ugh… If I pick one, the other suffers. Well, both get me going anyway.”

“What are you mumbling about?”

Reina walked in wearing an apron. Japanese breakfast today: miso soup, rolled omelet, white rice—the perfect meal for me.

“Breakfast, Kenya-kun, Papa.”

“Reina, could you call me ‘big bro’?”

“? …Not sure I get it, but… big bro?”

She tilted her head, staring straight at me as she said it.

“Guh! Thanks for the feast!”

I clutched my heart, writhing in ecstasy.

“We haven’t even eaten yet…”

“What the hell are you playing at?”

I’d died a noble death.

And just like that, it was settled: she’d call me big bro.

…

After breakfast and a short break, Road arrived at the mansion.

“Morning, everyone. Glad we could meet again.”

“So, Road, what’s the plan from here? Spill it.”

“Yeah, right.”

The Nichia Alliance crew took their seats: Tanaka, Road, Zeke, Reina, and me—now Sword.

“Sword, huh… Sounds good.”

“Kenya-kun’s my big bro…? Got it. Nice to meet you, big bro.”

“Ugh!”

We filled in Road, Tanaka, and Reina on the decision.

Still not used to it, I clutched my chest—my heart was pounding.

“Anyway, for the plan moving forward: Kenya—no, sorry, Sword. You’ll head to the Earthguard Empire.”

“Figured as much. But why?”

“First, rise through the military ranks. At minimum, become a Holy Knight.”

“Is that necessary?”

“Yeah. Only the Holy Knight Captain can appoint knights. Like how my sister’s knight was Captain Jilian. With my authority, I can make a Holy Knight into a captain.”

“Why not start there…?”

“Like I said yesterday, this is about sentiment—winning the traditional battles. An unknown knight suddenly shining in my camp looks like my power. First, enroll in the Earthguard KOG Academy in the homeland as Zeke’s son. Flaunt our alliance, make it clear you three—Zeke, Reina, Sword—are on my side.”

“Fine by me… But can I really become a Holy Knight that fast?”

“You’ll manage. Oh, and Reina, same goes for you.”

“Me too?”

“Yeah. Sword alone feels risky, and having someone who knows Earthguard by his side helps. You’re invincible in a KOG, but outside… well, bluntly put, you’re weak. Unreliable.”

“Unreliable…? I’m a guy, you know? Hate being protected.”

“Reina’s strong. Even in close combat, the Silver Ice Princess rep holds up. She’d snap your neck barehanded. Not many grown men could beat her.”

(What? That’s terrifying.)

Yeah, her grip on my shoulder back then hurt like hell.

Reina’s trained body outpowers mine by miles. Terminator-raised, after all.

Speaking of, I heard Kaguya’s pretty tough too. Wait… am I the weakest?

True, outside KOGs, I’ve got zero martial arts training. A random thug could deck me.

Wonder if this world’s got delinquents.

Then the Terminator himself—Zeke—spoke up.

“So that’s how it is… Meaning…”

“Yeah.”

Zeke and Road exchanged nods.

Then they looked back and forth between me and Reina.

“Sword, Reina. You’ll live together in Valhalla, the capital of the Earthguard Empire.”