Chapter 243.2

“I’ll try going a little further out later.” (Anos)

“…You’re leaving again?” Arcana asked, her voice tinged with concern.

She didn’t want to be separated from her brother.

“I’ll be back soon.” (Anos)

“Alright then.” (Arcana)

With a sigh of relief, Arcana moved closer to the fireplace with her bread and soup in hand.

Then Arcana tapped the spot next to her.

“What a demanding little sister.” (Anos)

“…But it’s because it’s so cold…” (Arcana)

Anos sat beside her, holding his bread and cup.

Then she snuggled close to him.

“Hey, big brother, can you read me a book again?” (Arcana)

“Haven’t you learned to read by now?” (Anos)

“It’s not the same! I want you to read it to me!” Arcana insisted, looking up at him earnestly.

“Can you?” (Arcana)

“The usual one?” (Anos)

“Yup! The usual one!” (Arcana)

Anos beckoned with his finger, and a book flew from the bookshelf to his hand.

The title was Dora the Liar.

Perhaps because it had been read over and over again, the binding was peeling in places and in tatters.

Anos began reading aloud to her.

The story took place in a fictional country that wasn’t Dilhade.

In a certain village, there lived a girl named Dora.

She was apparently the daughter of a noble.

Due to her incredible talent for every kind of magic, she had to live in a remote village to avoid being targeted by bad guys.

However, famous sorcerers would visit from time to time, begging to be her apprentice.

Secretly, she would cure the incurable.

Her parents would come to see her in secret when no one was watching.

Both her mother and father cherished Dora and worked hard, dreaming of the day they could all live together as soon as possible.

But all those claims were actually lies made up by Dora.

The villagers would get swept up in the web of Dora’s lies, until one day when a boy her age exposed her lies.

Having lost their trust, Dora lived out a lonely life all by herself.

Unable to admit that she lied, she waited for her nonexistent parents to come and pick her up one day.

As time passed, she continued to lie, not only to others but eventually even to herself, and before she knew it, she began to convince herself that her lies were true.

In the end, she died alone, without anyone believing her ever again.

“Hmm. As always, I don’t understand what’s so interesting about this story. What do you like about it?” (Anos)

“Well, you see, it’s fun how Dora tells lies! And then, because of a little lie, everything turns into a huge mess, and everyone panics! They’re all like, “Oh no! What should we do?!’” (Arcana)

So that’s why she likes to lie. I really don’t understand children’s tastes , Anos thought.

“If you keep lying like that, you’ll end up like Dora.” (Anos)

“N-No way! I like Dora, but I don’t want to end up like her!” (Arcana)

How honest , Anos thought.

“Then, make sure not to lie too much.” (Anos)

Arcana puffed out her cheeks, looking dissatisfied.

“But I’ll be fine because I have you, big brother.” (Arcana)

“That’s true.” (Anos)

As Anos said this, Arkana giggled happily.

“Read more, read more!”

Urged on by her, Anos continued reading the story.

“Ah…”

Arkana accidentally dropped her bread.

It rolled across the floor and into the flames of the fireplace.

She watched the scene sadly.

“What’s wrong?” (Anos)

When Anos turned to look, she waved her hands.

“Oh, um, I tried to eat the bread in one bite, and it was hard to breathe!” (Arcana)

“Well, you certainly wolfed it down, didn’t you?” (Anos)

“Hehe! Come on, keep reading, keep reading!” (Arcana)

Anos continued reading the rest of the book.

When Arcana relaxed, her stomach growled.

Hungry, she stared at the bread in the fireplace, but it didn’t look edible anymore.

Left with no choice, she sipped her soup slowly.

Anos, while reading, occasionally glanced at her.

“Arcana.” (Anos)

Anos offered her his bread.

“Huh…?” (Arcana)

“Don’t drop it this time.” (Anos)

She hesitantly accepted it.

“What about you, big brother?” (Arcana)

“Actually, I ate something rare in town earlier. I’m not that hungry.” (Anos)

“Hey, that’s not fair!” (Arcana)

Arcana playfully hit Anos with soft punches.

“Forgive me. I’ll buy you something next time.” (Anos)

“You better! It’s a promise, okay? You’re not allowed to eat it by yourself!” (Arcana)

As Anos nodded, Arkana happily took a bite of the bread.

“Your lies are different from Dora’s.” (Anos)

Arcana looked at Anos as she munched on the bread.

“You were worried I would have trouble looking for food again, right?” (Anos)

“…Well, it’s cold outside, and I didn’t want to make this hard on you, big brother…” (Arcana)

Anos gently patted her head.

“That’s a kind lie that hurts no one. You’ll never turn out like Dora.” (Anos)

Arcana smiled with relief and rested her head on Anos’s shoulder.

As he continued reading, the two cheerfully exchanged thoughts and laughed about the chaos caused by Dora.