By Zephyria 
“I heard Allen went missing in the commoners’ market street. But that wasn’t it? Why?”
“That’s……, sob, because that was the last place, the last place his trace was found…….”
Frederick wanted to burst into tears without restraint, but he couldn’t even do that because he was being forced to answer my questions. I didn’t feel any belated sympathy for his wretched appearance. I wasn’t particularly worried either. The missing incident Allen experienced as a child was an event that had to happen somehow according to the game’s Setting, so it would be nice to say it wasn’t your fault, but I didn’t have any intention of offering such comfort, and there wasn’t even a hint of it arising in my heart, which had long since given up on him.
“I see. So, that’s why, every time Allen appears, you flip your hand over like that…….”
I understood. But that was it.
I understand why Frederick Hamilton has no choice but to fawn over Allen Hamilton rationally. But the story of unconditionally supporting Allen, and therefore unconditionally antagonizing me, was a problem of another dimension.
The Iteration right before I followed the true ending of the original work exactly. At that time, as soon as Allen’s identity was revealed, I unreservedly followed the actions of the ‘villain’ Noah Hamilton that appeared in the original work, so there was reason for Frederick to receive my criticism and contempt. But that was only then. Already in the countless past Iterations I had experienced before that, which only I remember now…….
‘Brother, what’s wrong, I’m scared…. Freddy, huh? Freddy!’
‘Can’t you let go of that dirty hand? Get away right now.’
Frederick Hamilton bared his sharp teeth even at me, who had done nothing wrong, who had not rebelled against Allen, but had simply crouched down and held my breath, waiting for the huge fate called the original work to pass by. Without a single exception, without any warning or opportunity. Just. For the reason that his own brother, Allen Hamilton, had appeared.
Even if it’s the current Allen, who is subtly twisted somewhere, the ‘Allen’ as the perfect protagonist nailed in the original work would not have openly urged Frederick to harass me. This was truly the first time Allen had dropped out of the predetermined curriculum as the protagonist.
Even this time. He was drawn to Allen without fail even before the fact that Allen was his younger brother was revealed. The feeling of my heart growing cold when I saw him visiting my newly arrived servant more often than looking for me was so vivid. Until then, I had naively believed that in this Iteration, where everything had begun to change……, I would be able to protect my longtime friend and the familiar brother I trusted and followed more than anyone else, without losing him.
Although it was a futile belief that the person himself had torn to shreds.
“Why did you do that?”
My voice naturally sank coldly. Strength is put into my jaw.
“…Huh?”
As if drunk, as if crushed by oppression. Frederick’s voice, which was noticeably duller than usual, came out a beat late.
“Why the hell did you do that. To me, who trusted you, to me, who had nothing to trust but you in this damn family……. Why the hell did you do that, Frederick.”
“Noah……, what, what are you talking about…….”
“I’m asking, you bastard. Why did you do that. Why, why. With that hand that promised to protect me forever, you grabbed my collar, strangled my neck, and dragged my wrist, which was crying and begging because I didn’t want to go and it was unfair, like a dog……. Why did you do that, Frederick, why…, to me, to me why…!”
I thought it didn’t matter. I thought I wouldn’t experience any emotional fluctuations about him because I had given up on expectations, but I was wrong. I climbed on top of Frederick, who was half-leaning on the bed, and shook his collar madly. I threw my fists, blinded by anger and resentment, into his wide chest, which could easily hold me. His chest, packed with muscles, was as hard as a rock, and my hand hurt more when I hit him, but I couldn’t stop. While I was asking for the reason, a hot feeling surged up in my throat, and my eyes, which were wrinkled as if being pressed down, were wet with moisture.
Warning!
If coherence between Iterations occurs, cracks may occur in the soul of the corresponding character.
“I resent you.”
“Ugh…, No, Noah…….”
“I hate you to death.”
Warning!
Warning!
“I wish you would just die.”
Due to the effect of ‘More Powerful Persuasion,’ the target (‘Frederick Hamilton’) willingly accepts your proposal.
Proposal: Death of Frederick Hamilton
Consumption of Favorability: 100 percent points
Current Favorability Held: 73 percent points
Due to the lack of Favorability points, your proposal for the target will not be realized immediately. Your proposal is stored in the target’s subconscious.
Beep.
A sharp tinnitus that felt like my ears would be torn apart, along with a flurry of warning and notification windows, instantly covered my entire vision.
System is readjusting the coherence between Iterations that occurred unexpectedly.
System temporarily freezes your and the target’s (‘Frederick Hamilton’) consciousness.
Shutdown count. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…….
Frederick and I fell into a death-like sleep in the comfortable makeshift bedroom prepared for Andrew. It was truly a silent and peaceful sleep, like death.
The next morning. When I woke up, all the situation was already settled. Andrew, the original owner of the barracks, was guarding my sleeping side, and Frederick had already left the bed, no matter when he had woken up.
…How much does Frederick remember? I had to suppress my emotions somehow, even though my insides were boiling. It was a mistake.
System soothes you, saying that you can rest assured that there will be no memories left that the characters in the world cannot handle.
“Ha…….”
“Did you wake up.”
Andrew came close and stood beside me, who was getting up and repeatedly washing my face in a daze. His complexion was clearly tired, as if he hadn’t slept a wink after giving up the bed to me.
“…Brother. Why didn’t you wake me up.”
“How could I wake you up when you were sleeping so soundly after a long time. It’s a pity just to look at you.”
“…….”
His unrestrained expression of affection was still unfamiliar, apart from being satisfying. Is it because he wasn’t originally like that?
“Don’t worry, Allen has returned safely.”
He said casually, handing me lukewarm water in a goblet. I didn’t need to say that I had never worried from the beginning. I just said, “That’s a relief.”
“By the way, what happened? Did the search party find Allen?”
“No, he came back on his own around dawn. He said he lost his way while looking around for a bit, and stumbled upon a hunter’s cabin by chance.”
According to Andrew, Allen decided to spend the night there after being guided by the hunter rather than moving forcibly because it seemed like the sun would set soon, and then returned with the hunter’s guidance.
That’s ridiculous. Why here, why would he just get lost and wander around without getting anything……? There must be some hidden intention.
“Well, if you’re awake, how about going out and having a meal? We decided to move soon. It must be quite difficult to keep riding the carriage on an empty stomach.”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
I smiled brightly and reached out to Andrew. I had to look for a chance to talk to Allen alone.
“I didn’t know you’d be so worried. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s okay. It’s enough that you came back safely.”
As I was escorted out of the barracks by Andrew, Allen, surrounded by the Count and Countess and Frederick and Carlisle, was the first to catch my eye.
“What should I do…, I, I’m happy. It feels like this to have someone waiting for me, to have someone worrying about me. I’m sorry, I know you must have been worried.”
“…My baby!”
Seeing Allen, who was struggling to hold back tears, the Countess, unable to overcome her surging emotions, hugged Allen tightly in her arms. His father, who was standing with his hands behind his back, also had red eyes.
Not to mention Carlisle and Frederick’s worried eyes. Did he deliberately cause such a ridiculous happening, aiming for this situation where everyone’s attention and concern was focused entirely on him? But…, would ‘that’ Allen, ‘just’ aim for such a situation?
It wouldn’t be strange if Allen was a common, stupid villain in a novel. But……. Allen, whom I have experienced and gone through so far, was not such an easy opponent.
“Allen!”
Having sorted out all my thoughts, I shouted abruptly and pushed past everyone to hug Allen.
“I’m so glad you came back safely like this! I was so worried!”
Until I figure out his intentions, I thought it would be best to stick with him, not missing a single move.