Part 1

The Roseblade family’s airship had fled into the clouds.

Surrounded by more than ten airships of sky pirates, there was no way they could win, so they fled at full speed into the clouds.

The visibility was poor and they couldn’t even see a little bit ahead, but thanks to that, they were undetected by the enemy.

However, they could not hide in the flowing clouds forever, and if they went out, they would be discovered by sky pirates.

Deirdre and Dorothea look out the window from inside the room.

The windows were wet and visibility was poor, so they couldn’t see anything.

“I hope the knights who went to seek help got there safely.”

When they entered the clouds, the knights jumped out in their armor.

Each of them flew in a different direction to ask for help.

If even one person reaches an ally somewhere, their survival rate will increase.

The closest and most reliable ally is the Bartfalt family.

(He owes me for his dishonest behavior, and I’m sure he’ll come to my aid ―― The question is, will they make it in time.)

As they were praying for help to come to them while they were still alive, they saw Dorothea clasping her hand and holding it to her chest.

She looked pale, perhaps she was anxious.

“Deirdre seems to be all right. You’re so different from me.”

Seeing Dorothea trembling, Deirdre smiled and tried to relieve her tension.

The truth is that she’s scared and it can’t be helped.

However, having been through several critical situations, she was able to remain a little more calm than Dorothea.

The first time was when she encountered the Principality’s army at a school event.

The second time was when the Principality invaded the royal capital.

She has been close to the battlefield and has experienced scary things.

“Even though I look like this, I’ve been through many a crisis. I’m a very lucky person, so I’m sure I’ll get through this one without a hitch.”

“That’s very encouraging “

Seeing Deirdre’s attitude, the maids in the room looked relieved.

But she’s just trying to be strong.

(Both of those times, I had help, though)

Both were saved by Leon, and remembering that, Deirdre reflected on her attitude when leaving the port.

(I should have behaved better in greeting him. It would be very sad if this is the last time we see each other in this life.)

Then the sun was shining through the window.

“Are we through the clouds? What’s the situation out there?!”

The airship broke out of the hiding clouds, and the sky pirates’ airship was visible through the window.

The only people in the room were women, and there were several small screams.

Just from what can be seen from outside the window, three air pirates can be identified.

“They seem to be quite skilled.”

Deirdre muttered bitterly.

The Roseblade family is considered a martial family among the lord nobles.

Such is the airship that the daughters of the Roseblade family board, and as a matter of course, it is assigned with those who have experienced in actual combat.

If even they can’t escape, then the opponent must be quite skilled.

In the first place, when someone leads more than ten ships, they are a big deal as sky pirates.

However, when Deirdre saw the flags of such sky pirates, she could not think of their names.

For this reason, she assumed that they were new sky pirates who had come from other countries.

“I don’t know where they’re from, but don’t expect to get away free by messing with Roseblade Family.”

The Roseblade family’s airship was ready with its cannons, ready to intercept the sky pirates.

Even in the face of inferior forces, they are moving as they were trained to do.

The sky pirates saw the movement and, perhaps wary of it, did not approach carelessly.

However, once the ships were lined up, they lined up their cannons and started firing straight away.

The cannonball fired from the cannon exploded when it was blocked by the magical barrier that had been deployed to protect the airship of the Roseblade family.

The impact reached the inside of the ship, causing it to shake violently.

The surrounding furniture was fixed in place and did not move, but the violent vibrations knocked people over and scattered small objects.

“Why aren’t we attacking!”

Dorothea screams in confusion, but Deirdre guesses from the look of things outside that even if she turns to attack, she’ll be ganged up and sink.

(I don’t know the situation in detail here)

Both Deirdre and Dorothea were daughters of the Roseblade family, but since they were not military personnel, they were currently denied access to the bridge because they were deemed to be in the way.

Outside the window, armor with piercing decorations flew up one after another from the airships of the sky pirates.

There were many of them, and they seemed to be air pirates who possessed enough strength to fight.

Deirdre was horrified by the movements of the sky pirates and their strength.

(It’s like an army)

They seemed to be well coordinated and even too well equipped for sky pirates.

The armor of the Roseblade family also comes out one after another to intercept them, but they are clearly outnumbered.

As Deirdre was expecting the worst, an airship appeared to charge the sky pirates.

Seeing that figure, Deirdre opened her fan and muttered.

“Impressive appearance, Einhorn”

The unique airship that Leon was riding in seemed to be the only thing that made the people around him immediately realize that their ally had arrived.

While sighs of relief and cheers went up everywhere, Deirdre was alone in a cold sweat.

Although she appeared to be composed to those around her, the truth was that she was scared.

She struggled to hold on to the feeling that she was about to collapse from relief and weakness.

It’s just that, from Deirdre’s point of view, Einhorn’s condition is strange.

“Arroganz not showing up?”

.

Part 2

Einhorn’s bridge was filled with disheveled men.

The first of them is my father.

“You really rushed into the enemy? Y-You guys, hurry up and move out! All armor out!”

The soldiers of the Bartofalt family, who were on the bridge right and left, were operating an unfamiliar airship.

I’m tied to the captain’s chair and can’t do anything.

“Why am I being detained?”

“It’s because you’re reckless. I really didn’t want to bring you here.”

Einhorn can’t give his all without Luxion.

And Luxion only obeys my orders.

As a result, I had to go with them, but they didn’t let me do anything in return.

“It’s ridiculous. This is my ship!”

“That’s why I let you on. Anyway, are Nix and the others going to be okay?”

Dad worries about Nix, who has gotten into his armor and sailed off.

Luxion explains the armor that Nix has gotten into.

The armor is manufactured in my factory. I can guarantee its performance. I’ve calculated the difference in strength between us and the air pirates, and I don’t see a problem.

Still, Dad wasn’t convinced.

“Because there are no absolutes in war “

I asked my overly concerned father to release me.

“Then I’ll come out and support aniki. Can you release me for the time being?”

“You’re too quick to be reckless, so no.”

“The ladies have told me not to send you out so strongly.”

Dad and Luxion are definitely not going to let me go out there.

Is aniki gonna be okay?

.

Part 3

Nix, riding in metal-colored, less ornate armor, was fighting the armor that the sky pirates were riding in, along with the others around him.

The sky was in a state of melee between friend and foe, with Einhorn attacking and sinking one airship after another with its cannons.

The sky pirates were confused by Einhorn’s sudden appearance.

However, they seemed to be able to determine that they were enemies, and they attacked Nix and the others.

“Do you know whose guests you’re messing with!”

Out on the battlefield, Nix, more outspoken than usual, was cursing and attacking his enemies.

The metal-colored armor that Nix rides in has a shield in its left hand.

In his right hand, he was holding a Glaive ―― He was carrying a weapon that looked like a naginata, and he had stabbed one of the sky pirates to death.

The armor of the sky pirate is falling, but if they are lucky, they will survive because below is the sea.

With no time to pay attention to the enemy in the sky, Nix looked for the next one.

“Chi!”

Clicking his tongue, Nix used the shield in his left hand to catch one of the armors that was swooping down from directly above him.

As it was, the two machines clashed their weapons as they fell.

The enemy was formidable, as if they had some very skilled pilots on board.

The closer they are, the more they can hear.

“A one-horned airship! That’s the ship of a fiend knight!”

The Einhorn is an airship with a distinctive appearance and seems to be quite famous.

They even knew Leon’s other name.

“Then what?”

Nix’s armor kicks the enemy away, creating distance between them.

They began to fight, circling in the air, occasionally approaching each other and clashing their weapons.

“Are you the fiend knight?”

“That’s my little brother”

“Are you saying that the fiend knight had a brother?”

“I’m sorry for being a plain big brother!”

As they fought in conversation, it seemed that Leon’s name was spreading even to the sky pirates.

Nix’s inferiority complex is stimulated by hearing this.

(A plain big brother who doesn’t stand out because he has a capable little brother ――)

Leon became famous as soon as he entered the academy.

He stood out from the rest because of what he said and did, and he was a student who was often talked about in one way or another.

If people knew that Leon had a big brother, he would be compared to him a lot even if he doesn’t want it.

Compared to Leon’s behavior, Nix, who is more modest, has often been referred to behind his back as “the unskilled brother” or “the inconspicuous brother”.

That school life was over a year ago, but after that, every time Leon was active, he heard about it and compared himself to him.

He knew that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be as good as Leon, and he wondered why they were so different.

It would be a lie to say that he doesn’t get jealous.

After his heroic and flashy career, Leon has made a big name for himself and found himself with three beautiful, good-natured fiancées.

He understands that there is no point in being envious.

But ―― Nix was a kinder man than that.

(Every single one of them said that Leon was a hero or a great guy ―― Do you know how much trouble that guy has caused me!)

In Nix’s mind, Leon was always going to be a handful little brother.

“I’m not afraid if the fiend knight doesn’t show up. I’m going to defeat you and run away!”

The enemies try to escape from this battlefield by defeating the Nix who are chasing them.

Nix went full speed with his armor and approached the enemy, striking him with his shield to knock him off his feet.

“He doesn’t need to come out for you guys!”

Nix remembers what happened before he boarded the Einhorn.

.

Part 4

“Don’t let Leon fight?”

“Please”

Before boarding the Einhorn.

The three people who came to visit were Ange, Livia ―― and Noelle.

Ange is a Duke’s daughter, but now she’s bowing before Nix.

“Even if I stop him, he’ll still leave, right?”

“I want you to stop that.”

Nix is bewildered by Ange’s request, and now Livia tells him what happened.

“Leon-san is, I think he’s fought too many battles in a short period of time and is more mentally exhausted than he thinks he is. Even in the Republic, he was so reckless that he couldn’t sleep and had to resort to drugs. That’s why!”

Hearing that he had taken to drugs made Nix realize that Leon must be in more pain than he thought.

When a concerned Livia, stumbled over her voice, Noelle took over.

“I feel bad for Nix-san. But Luxion also told me that he needs to rest for now. Please. If Leon tries to fight, please stop him.”

Nix gave a small nod when he saw that the three of them were terribly worried about Leon.

(I envy you. Leon ―― you’re so loved)

.

Part 5

“He’s always getting himself into trouble, pushing himself too hard, and making everyone around him worry! Even though he became a marquis, he still makes me clean up after him!”

He kicked off the armor of the sky pirates, and used the glaive he was holding to hit the enemy’s weapon.

As Nix closes the distance, the enemy panics and shows his back to get out of range.

He thrust the Glaive there.

Maybe the pilot is safe, and a loud scream is heard.

“I-I understand. Surrender! I surrender, so please let me go!”

“It’s too late for that. Go cool your head!”

As he pulls out the Glaive he stabbed, the armor falls into the sea.

Nix took a moment to regulate his ragged breathing and moved his gaze around the area to find any remaining enemies.

“He really ―― How much are you going to make the people around you worry. Look over here too. I can’t be bothered with you all the time, either.”

It reminded him of his gentle sisters-in-law who were concerned about Leon’s well-being.

At the same time, Nix was relieved.

” ―― But with those girls by his side, I guess Leon is safe now.”

He also feels sad to see his little brother, whom he took care of as a child, going off on his own.

While he was making light-hearted comments in his mind to be free from his troublesome little brother, what he spotted in the corner of his eye was the armor of the enemy that had boarded the airship of the Roseblade family.

“They are people who not knowing when to give up!”

Fly towards the deck of the Roseblade family.

The armor of the sky pirate had landed on the deck and was about to go on a rampage in a last desperate attempt.

That’s where Nix charges in.

As he held up his shield and hit the body, the enemy’s armor was blown off the deck and fell.

Perhaps the impact was too strong, but apparently the current blow had rendered him unable to act.

It was the same for Nix.

“I’ve done it”

A danger alarm goes off in the cockpit, telling him that there is a problem with various parts of the aircraft.

However, it seems that the battle is over.

The surroundings were quiet and Nix made sure it was safe before opening the hatch and getting out.

“I wonder if Luxion will be mad at me?”

The Roseblade family gathered as Nix, worried that he had broken the armor he had borrowed, landed on the deck.

One of them is the knight who stared at him as they left the port.

Now he smiles and shakes Nix’s hand with both of his.

“It really saves us! You are a lifesaver.”

“Eh? N-No, well.”

Nix smiled vaguely and faked it, which made him feel a little better.

(Now we’re even for the trouble, aren’t we?)

As the crowd gathered and became more lively, the women came out from the ship.

Dorothea was among them.

“Nix-sama?”

Comes to give thanks.

However, Dorothea looked quite surprised when she realized that it was Nix who was on deck.

It is the same for Nix.

” ―― Dorothea-san”

The deck had been in a celebratory mood earlier, but when the two of them came face to face, the atmosphere became rather tense.

Nix looked apologetic, but Dorothea was looking down and sad.

Dorothea thanks Nix for his help.

“On behalf of the Roseblade family, I would like to express our gratitude. Thank you for your help. Nix-sama is our lifesaver.”

Nix is called a lifesaver and denies it with a wave of his hands.

“I-It’s not that big a deal.”

Dorothea smiles sadly when she hears Nix’s words.

“Too much humility can be sarcasm. You have certainly risked your life to save us. To make light of this is to say that our lives are of no importance.”

Nix, who has spent a lot of time in the countryside, is modest, but he apologizes again when he is told that it would be rude to be overly so.

“That’s right. I was wrong.”

They thanked each other, but they remained facing each other, did not open their mouths and only time passes.

As the people around them grew impatient to see the two of them, Deirdre deliberately opened her fan to cover her mouth.

Then she instructed the others.

“I’ll leave the care of the guest to onee-sama. Everyone else, return to your posts. ―― Onee-sama, escort the guest to the ship.”

After urging Dorothea to lead the way, Deirdre turned her gaze to Einhorn, who was approaching.

“I will talk to that side.”

.

Part 6

The airships of the Einhorn and Roseblade family line up in the sky.

In the enclosure, an allied airship was holding the sky pirates.

For some reason, it was I who had been restrained until now, who was dealing with Deirdre-senpai, who had arrived on the deck of the Einhorn.

There is Luxion by my side, but the others are busy working.

My dad also had a reason and avoided facing Deirdre-senpai.

―― He ran away from talking to a higher ranked opponent.

Well, the person I was talking to was an acquaintance of mine, so I guess he thought I was the right person to talk to.

Deirdre-senpai is in a good mood.

“You have helped me many times. I’ll be sure to repay you for this.”

Then I wanted to ask for my demotion.

But no matter what I do, Roland will get in the way.

“If you’re going to thank me, then you’d better make this whole thing even. The truth is, aniki ―― not Nix, but me the one who caused the trouble, please tell that to Dorothea-san.”

“I’ll let her know. In the meantime, I would like to thank you again and invite you to the main territory of Roseblade House, though?”

I guess they invite the person who saved their lives to their house and have a party to thank us.

That’s about as much credit as we get, but our family is not good at formal parties.

Even if we participated, I’m sure we wouldn’t enjoy it.

However, it is also a problem to be invited and refused.

Let’s also apologize for this time and visit the Roseblade family.

Maybe I’ll apologize there and this whole thing will be over ―― That’s I hope.

“I’m not good at stiff formal parties, so I’d prefer something casual. We’re from the countryside, so we don’t know much about etiquette.”

“Leave it to me. We won’t embarrass our guests.”

We’ll visit the Roseblade family again with the rest of the family, and I turn my head to look for Nix.

“More than that, where is my brother?”

The armor that Nix had been riding in was carried in by two armors.

But there was no sign of the pilot.

Deirdre-senpai spread her fan to cover her mouth.

“He’s talking to onee-sama.”

.

Part 7

A reception room on the ship.

Nix and Dorothea face each other across the table. They have drunk the tea that the maid prepared and the cup is empty.

Dorothea had sent the maid away, so it was just the two of them.

(What am I doing in a place like this?)

There is no talking to the person who hurt her.

He didn’t want to make her feel any more uncomfortable, so he decided to apologize again.

However, Dorothea speaks to him first.

“Let me ask you something”

“Y-Yes!”

Nix, his voice trailing off, put his fists on his knees and straightened his back.

He is facing Dorothea, but she looks very tired.

She must be very scared after being attacked by the sky pirates.

Nix noticed that the weak Dorothea had tears in her eyes.

She talks little by little about how the Knicks didn’t accept her.

“Am I not good enough?”

“Eh?”

“Does Nix-sama hate me? I want you to tell me which part is bad. I will fix what I can. That’s why――”

Dorothea swallows the last word, shakes her head, then straightens her back and smiles at Nix.

“――Excuse me. I was just trying to ask you what was unacceptable for the future.”

“I-Is that so. Etto――It’s not that I hate you, or anything like that. You’re very beautiful, and you’re too good for me.”

“Then what’s wrong? I-Is it a collar?”

Dorothea probably didn’t think her hobby was common either.

Nix wanted to say, “Yes, it is,” but he was an adult and decided to tell her in an offhand way.

“I think everyone has their own hobby, but I don’t think a collar is a good one. Why don’t we get to know each other better first? ―― I say that, but it’s not very convincing.”

(I’m sure Leon will be honest enough to point out the bad parts)

Nix becomes envious of his brother’s strong sense of self.

But he also understood that he was not the same person as Leon.

When Dorothea looks down, Nix speaks of his ideals.

“I’m from the countryside, so the fancy life in the city doesn’t suit me. If I were a nobleman, a political marriage would be the norm, but my parents are a relaxed couple. I wish I could be like them.”

He wants to be a couple like Barkas and Ruth.

“Which one will be obeying the other is wrong, or it’s just not for me. So you and I shouldn’t be together.”

He predicts a future where both of them will be unhappy together due to their personality mismatch.

If he were to adapt to Dorothea, it would be too much for the Nix, and if he were to do the opposite, Dorothea would not be happy.

Dorothea raises her face.

“You should have talked to me like this at the beginning.”

Dorothea’s face, smiling a little sadly, had lost its sternness and had become calm.

The impression of an inhospitable, cold woman was not there, and even Nix could not help but be fascinated.

“Y-You’re right. If I had just told you properly, we wouldn’t have gotten into this kind of trouble.”

Nix didn’t even have to hurt Dorothea.

(Instead of relying on Leon, I should’ve been taking care of it myself. What a sloppy big brother I am)

Nix looks down and mocks himself. He looks up, straightens his posture, and bows his head to Dorothea.

“I’m really sorry”

Nix looks up as Dorothea calls out to him.

“You’ve apologized enough. ―― But just let me say this.”

When he prepares himself for at least one complaint, Dorothea is embarrassed.

“Nix-sama, who had come to our rescue, was not plain at all.”

“Eh? C-Could it be that you were listening to that?”

Nix blushed in embarrassment when he realized that the conversation with the sky pirates had been overheard.

Dorothea was amused by Nix like that, and she smiled.

“Even a knight who dashes in at a crisis is embarrassed, isn’t he?”

“No, well, yes”

“You are a good person. You should be more confident.”

“When you have a brother who is capable, there’s a tendency to compare.”

“Ara, is there that feeling for your brother?”

“I won’t say that I don’t. But if you’re asking me if I can do it like Leon, I understand that I can’t.”

The conversation continued and the two of them smiled and talked until the maid came to call them.

There they were, talking more calmly than in their first meeting.

.

Part 8

The home of the Roseblade family is a city, and they have a large castle.

The Count of Roseblade, the owner of the castle, seemed to be very worried when he heard that his two daughters had been attacked by sky pirates.

“I’m glad you’re both back safely.”

He was tall, well-trained, and had a stern look on his face.

But he hugged two of them when they returned to the castle.

Both Dorothea and Deirdre gave their father a somewhat dumbfounded look.

After all, there were still vassals around.

The vassals were troubled by the sweet sight with his two daughters.

“Otou-sama, the people around you are in trouble.”

“Do you have any idea how worried I am about you? The Roseblade family will send an army to the place where you were attacked. I will sink all the sky pirates in that area!”

Deirdre averted her gaze and refused to be involved, as if she was tired of dealing with him.

Dorothea consulted with her father, who repeatedly made radical statements, with a serious look in her eyes.

“Otou-sama, I have one request.”

“What is it? I heard that you didn’t get a chance this time, but I’m sure you’ll get another chance. That’s why you’ll have to hide your hobbies――”

Dorothea was a little annoyed with her father, who gently pointed out what was her bad parts, but talked about her request.

“Please listen to me. The truth is――”