Roxy and Sylphy's gazes meet, and the two of them laugh.
"Let's support Rudi together, Roxy."
"Thank you very much, Sylphy."
Saying this, the two shake hands. It is a handshake filled with an odd sense of solidarity.
Seeing this, I let out a sigh of relief. It seems things will be fine. I unconsciously let my feelings show. However, seeing me, Norn's eyebrows knit together in a frown.
"If Sylphy-nee says so, then I don't have anything left to say either."
It seems that Norn still can't accept it. Her mouth upturned in a へ, she's glaring at us with an unhappy expression. We might be scorned by her again. However, Sylphy softly pacifies her.
"Norn-chan. Rudi isn't a follower of Milis, so please forgive him."
"But..."
"Even Paul-san had two wives, you know?"
"...That was certainly the case, but..."
"Norn-chan. Will you say this to Lilia-san, as well?"
Norn looks like she gasped, and looks at Aisha, who was sitting by her side. Aisha has been sitting there silently the whole time, with a prim and proper expression.
"Ah-... Sorry, Aisha."
"It's fine, it's fine. I know that Norn-nee often says things without thinking."
"...What's with that way of speaking!?"
"I mean, look. Even just now, you said something like that, right? Despite what Sylphy-nee said, you just forced your own thoughts on us, didn't you, Norn-nee?"
"Wha-!"
Norn violently stands up. Seeing her clenched fists, I scold Aisha.
"Aisha, you've said too much."
"But Onii-chan."
"I can understand what Norn wants to say. Honestly, despite what Sylphy said, it's an abnormal situation. If it's not considerate of others' feelings, I'm guilty of that too. You mustn't criticise Norn."
"Well, if you're going to say that much, Onii-chan..."
"..."
Norn is making a complicated expression. Like she didn't know what to do, at all. It was that kind of expression.
"...I'm going to sleep."
She quickly makes to leave the living room. However, as though she suddenly remembers something, she stops her feet and turns to me. She half-mutters.
"Um, Onii-san..."
"What is it?"
"Next time, could you teach me the sword?"
For a moment, I didn't understand what she is saying.
The sword. Does she mean that she wants to use Paul's sword?
I get the feeling that if she learns half-assed self-defense; on the contrary, she'll only end up ruining her body. But this is that kind of world. It'd probably be better to know swordsmanship. Even if it were only a small strength, it'd be better than nothing, after all. The problem would be whether I'd be of use as a teacher.
"Are you fine with me?"
"Though I still can't really accept what you've done, I don't hate you, Onii-san."
"...Yeah."
What I had meant was [Are you fine with someone who just half-assed the sword], but.... Well, if I'm told that she doesn't hate me, then I'm not going to refuse.
"Alright. I'll make room after school or sometime."
"Please do."
Saying this, Norn returns to her room.
"..."
At any rate, I guess the result was all right, huh? In the end, I couldn't do a thing, huh. I was saved by Sylphy's magnanimity.
"You know, Onii-chan," starts Aisha, "Right now you look incredibly pathetic, you know?"
Without replying, I agree.