Chapter 26 

Even after returning home, it seemed my sister monopolizing the TV had delayed my access to information.

After finishing dinner and finally being able to watch the news, I learned for the first time about the government’s announcement.

It was a declaration officially recognizing the emergence of a third dungeon in Japan.

Called the “Odaiba Branch Dungeon,” the area was originally reclaimed land over the sea. The government had decided to expand the land further and officially develop small sections for explorers.

Currently, the interior of this newly emerged dungeon is being investigated—its specific floors, difficulty, enemy tendencies, and how long it would take to reach the “Japan Common Dungeon” are being studied. These investigations have been commissioned to the “Nationally Selected Clans.”

“The woman making this announcement… ‘Suzaku-san’… I remember her.”

“Yeah, that’s right. In your previous life… she’s the one you turned down.”

On TV was a woman holding the position of “Director of the Japanese Dungeon Public Security Investigation Agency,” the department overseeing all dungeon-related incidents, organizations, and legislation in the country.
And in my previous life, I had met her once.

“That’s right. When I first entered a dungeon… a Tenko-class monster appeared, and she showed up when the magical stone was being sold. She tried to recruit me for the Nationally Selected Clan.”

“…Because I was overly cautious of the government, Akira refused that offer. I feel like it might have been my attitude back then that caused Akira to… get killed.”

Suddenly, she began shedding tears as if regretting her past actions.
I immediately hugged her, telling her to calm down.

“No, it’s not like that. I was cautious too, and I didn’t want to lose my freedom, so I turned it down.”
“But, but!”
“It’s fine now. If an opportunity to be recruited comes up, I’ll accept it then.”
“…No, you don’t have to. If we can maintain an equal relationship with the government, that’s enough.”
“Yeah, but that’s even harder… being equal with a government like that?”

Equal with the government…? Maintaining a mutually beneficial state?
If that’s possible, the government likely won’t eliminate us, and we might remain free while being protected—but that seems… unrealistic.

“My sister met with this person today. She was able to negotiate on equal footing or better, so future negotiations will likely go in our favor. Until Akira officially becomes an explorer, I’ll act as the ‘maid conveying my master’s intentions,’ hinting to the government about Akira’s existence and impressing him as an important figure.”

“Huh!? What does that mean!?”
“Hm? Actually—”

She told me everything about what she did while I was at school and the negotiations she conducted.
The outcome? She managed to act on equal or superior footing with the government and achieved results beyond imagination.

“Broadcasting the auction to the public…”

“That inevitably spreads overseas too. Then what happens? Countries will realize, ‘If such a promising explorer is in our nation, we must protect them, or they could fall into other hands or be eliminated.’ Right now, that attention is on my sister, but eventually, it will target Akira as well. At that point, a student like Akira, normally level 1, would normally be ignored as ‘not the maid’s master.’ But as a potential weakness tied to the maid, the government will actually be motivated to protect Akira.”

“I see… the government would act to protect me if I became a hostage.”

“But when Akira becomes an explorer and starts standing out at the academy, what then? The government, already aware of him, will notice his potential and make contact. At that moment, my sister can act alongside him, maintaining our freedom while leveraging the government as our protector. While Akira is working to gain support, she was preparing a backup behind that backup—the government as an ally. Until Akira chooses his path, no one can interfere. That was my sister’s goal.”

Her plan exceeded my imagination.
She probably hadn’t considered such things until recently.
But after the Odaiba incident, the situation changed dramatically. She obtained enormous rewards and magical stones, creating this opportunity to act decisively against the government.

“…Sister, are you really okay? Someone might target you. I’d be safe, but if you were in danger, I wouldn’t like that.”

“Have you forgotten? Even a tiny bit of potion makes me recover instantly. And my body is stronger than most! No need to worry!”

Saying that, she rolled up her sleeves and flexed her arm, pretending to show strength.
A white, slim, soft-looking arm concealing incredible power.
Still, I can’t help worrying. She’s family.

“…It’s okay, Akira. You’re most important, but the time I spend with you is equally precious. To spend time together, I need to stay safe too. I won’t let anything happen to myself. I never lie to kids—though I might deceive them a little.”

“Then stop deceiving me too… but I believe you.”

“Yes, believe me. Now, no more money worries for a while. I can take a break from dungeons and focus on household chores! I’ll even pick out useful reference books for studying! Aim for top of the class! And make bento that goes viral! I’ll put my all into tomorrow’s bento too!”

She said this, beaming with a full smile.
I was looking forward to her bento.

I understood that the government and the environment surrounding my sister were rapidly changing, yet I prayed that our daily life, our peace, would continue.

Time passed.

Mornings were slightly sweaty as we woke up, but the chilly nights of autumn increasingly favored “the benefits of sleeping together.”

On this day, the night before the “Explorer License” exam, I celebrated a little early with my sister.

“Akira, isn’t it a bit unfortunate having your birthday just before the exam? Hard to get into the celebration mood, huh?”

Yes, it was my birthday.
October 10—my birthday, and today I officially became an adult.

“In my previous life, that’s exactly how it was… I wasn’t strong like now, failed this exam, and only passed on the next try.”

“I see. Well, this time your sister can celebrate with you, right? Eighteen from today! No more being a kid! So, are you going to want more than just ‘sleeping together’ now?”

Her sudden remark made me imagine something outrageous for a moment.
But I knew she was teasing, as usual—

“Then, since I’m an adult now, I’ll sleep alone. The bed is already in my room, so I’ll be fine alone, right?”

“…No, I don’t want that. Sorry for teasing—you shouldn’t say things like that, Akira.”

“Then don’t say weird things. Once we get some money, we’ll buy a bigger bed. Futons and blankets make it cramped anyway.”

And does she realize how much I try to remain rational while sleeping?
The beautiful sister stays silent while sleeping, and in light clothing.
If I wake up at night and see her resting her cheek on my chest, it completely wrecks my rationality…!

“Then, Onee-san, I want a high-end bed! With a thick, bouncy mattress—hundreds of thousands of yen!”

“…The public auction of the magical stones is also this month… I’m starting to worry how high the price will go.”

This month will bring major changes to our environment.
Tomorrow, I will take the exam to obtain my license and officially become an explorer.

My sister will sell her magic stones and gain enormous wealth.

Feeling the coming changes, I drifted to sleep with a slight tension, preparing for tomorrow’s exam.

“My heart is racing more than usual! What, did you really think your sister would do something… adult? What a naughty boy!”

“That’s not it! I’m just nervous for tomorrow’s exam!”

Even while teasing me, we sleep together as usual.
Feeling her weight on my chest, listening to my heartbeat, I drifted off.

…No, no, no—I’m definitely not expecting anything! Absolutely not!