Raising the Princess to Overcome Death Chapter 48

48. Beggar Sibling - Sworbria

In the bustling market filled with the cries of vendors, the chatter of passersby, and the noisy children running around, the two stood frozen, staring at each other.

Katrina was the first to break the tension.

“Do you know me?”

Seeing that the man, who resembled ‘that soldier,’ reacted as if he recognized her, Katrina asked sharply. Uncertain how to handle this bizarre situation, she instinctively responded with anger and picked a fight.

“...No.”

“Then why did you act like you did?”

“I didn’t.”

His voice was different from the soldier's.

“No, please don’t kill me.”

Her temper subsided as she noted his submissive attitude.

Pointing to the ground with her finger, she commanded, “Stay right here. If you move, you’re dead.”

As Katrina turned to receive her meat from the butcher, Leo shook his head, trying to make sense of the situation.

He had been on his way back with flowers for Lena. How did this happen?

‘Why is she here? She should be on the battlefield... Oh!’

He had met Katrina in the previous fiancé scenario.

Leo Dexter had fought her fiercely, negotiating from a near-death situation.

That was just a few months ago, given the timeline.

‘So the scenarios are happening simultaneously!’

Finally, his long-standing question was answered.

Multiple Lenas and Leos were moving simultaneously across the continent. This was the only explanation for Katrina being here and recognizing him.

Katrina motioned him to follow.

“Hey, come with me.”

“Why, why?”

“Do you want to die?”

When she growled, furrowing her brow, Leo flinched.

“...I’ll follow you.”

Minseo’s psyche found Katrina somewhat intimidating. He vividly remembered her fiery gaze during their previous knife fight. Although not paralyzing fear, he couldn’t help but shrink a bit in her presence.

Even if they fought now, he wouldn’t stand a chance against her.

Despite having {Swordsmanship 2v}, Katrina’s skill surpassed that of an ordinary knight, and most importantly, her physical capabilities were superior. Her lean figure was deceptive.

Moreover, Leo was still officially a mere thug, while she was a knight of the kingdom. Even if she drew her sword and cut off his head, Katrina wouldn’t face any consequences.

But Leo, just as intrigued by the situation as she was, suppressed his slight fear and followed her.

Katrina led Leo to a small restaurant. She showed something to the owner, who then allowed her to sit comfortably.

“What are you waiting for? Sit.”

“...Yes.”

Once seated, she scrutinized him rudely. Her eyes were filled with surprise, curiosity, and a hint of caution.

“You really look alike... What’s your name?”

“...Leo.”

Katrina’s eyes widened.

“Your name is Leo too?”

“Excuse me?”

She was so shocked that she didn’t realize she had stood up.

The soldier’s name was also Leo. She remembered hearing another soldier shout it when she slashed his chest.

But Katrina, seeing the young man’s unfamiliar golden eyes, composed herself and sat back down.

Definitely a different person. But why...?

“Do you really not know me?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then why did you act surprised when you saw me?”

“...You looked like you knew me, so I reacted out of courtesy. Sometimes that happens.”

Leo feigned ignorance. Admitting knowledge would complicate matters. There was no way to explain it.

“Hmm... is that so?”

She continued to feel an inexplicable connection as she stared at the thug.

[Achievement: Saved Katrina - Katrina remembers your kindness.]

‘They look a bit similar but are definitely different people...’

The soldier was tall and broad-shouldered. He wasn’t as handsome and had ordinary eye color, but this thug kept reminding her of that soldier.

Katrina was a knight of the Second Knights of the Kingdom of Bellita. For some reason, Count Herman Forte delayed the deployment of the knights, so they only arrived at the battlefield in early summer despite the war starting in early spring. But she had to return before fully participating in the battle.

It was because she encountered absurd soldiers. She had attacked what seemed to be an ordinary squad, but among them were two soldiers wielding two-handed swords.

Those rascals killed her subordinate, Deros. Katrina, having to face two squads alone, fought desperately. She had even prepared to die in the end.

Had the battle continued, she might have killed the female soldier but would have died to the other soldier’s counterattack.

Then, a soldier named Leo made an offer no knight could refuse.

Although it was a humiliating negotiation, it allowed her to return alive.

Her injured shoulder had some lasting damage. While she forced her arm to move despite the injury, it couldn’t receive proper treatment in the battlefield without a priest.

The deeply embedded sword had torn through her muscles and tendons, eventually leading to her being ordered back to the capital. On the way back, she received treatment at a church, but her arm was never the same.

She wondered if she could continue being a knight...

Despite the depression, Katrina quickly brightened. At least she wasn’t completely incapacitated, and she had Ellen.

Katrina asked again.

“Are you from the Kingdom of Astin?”

“No.”

She began bombarding Leo with questions, trying to make sense of this strange situation.

“Are you a namesake? No, right? Leo isn’t that common of a name... Where are you from?”

“...The Kingdom of Conrad.”

“Huh, do you have any siblings?”

Leo’s mind raced.

He quickly lied.

"Yes, I had an older brother by two years, but we were separated when we were young. Our village suffered a famine, and our family scattered..."

In fact, this Leo was a year older than Leo Dexter, but because he was short and handsome, he looked much younger.

On the other hand, Leo Dexter was quite large, making him appear older than he actually was.

Upon hearing Leo's lie, Katrina clapped her hands as if saying, "I knew it!" then raised her eyebrows and asked,

"Aha! So, you are brothers! Wait, but why do you have the same name?"

"I needed an alias when I started doing gangster work..."

"I see. Now it makes sense."

Katrina nodded.

Of course. There’s no way two people who look so alike aren’t related. The younger one inherited the looks, while the older one got the build.

Indeed, God is fair.

With her doubts resolved and understanding the situation, Katrina became quite magnanimous. So, this young thug was the lost brother of 'that soldier.'

She patted Leo's arm familiarly and said,

"Actually, I... Oh well, this is fate. How about we talk over a meal? My treat."

Leo sighed in relief as Katrina went to order food. When she returned, her demeanor was much more relaxed.

Apparently, the lie worked well, as Katrina started talking about her encounters with Leo's 'brother,' and Leo chatted with her over the meal.

"Ah! So, he was a knight. I had a feeling..."

"...Are you just doing gangster work? Your brother, you see..."

"So? What happened then..."

He pretended to be hearing it for the first time, sweating while acting as if he had a real brother.

Katrina was boisterous but also nosy and full of advice.

She said things like, "You shouldn't live like that. Your brother is big and skilled in swordsmanship, fighting alongside his pretty girlfriend in the war..."

It didn't seem like something you would say to someone you just met, but regardless, she showed a liking for Leo.

Even while paying for the expensive meal and leaving the restaurant, she seemed reluctant to part and gave him her address.

"Hey, if you ever need help, come to the second alley on Rosellin Boulevard near the west gate. The roof is blue, so it’s easy to find. I’ll help with whatever I can."

"Thank you, Katrina... ma’am."

"Call me sister. And stop with the gangster stuff. Got it? Living like that, you won't live long."

"Yes, sister."

"Good. Then... Oh! The meat will spoil. I’ll be off now."

"Take care."

"Alright. See you again."

Katrina hurried off with the meat.

She walked with a spring in her step, eager to tell Ellen about this peculiar encounter.

Leo stood dumbfounded for a moment before starting to walk again.

His head was a mess.

'In the engagement scenario, Katrina survived and met me here like this.'

The questions he had when he first saw the prince of the Astin Kingdom in Orville were answered.

Three scenarios were progressing simultaneously on this continent, and actions taken in one scenario could influence another!

This was incredibly important information. Excited, Leo was walking when the restaurant owner called out from behind, saying he had forgotten the flowers, so he turned back.

As he walked again, he thought of some helpful information.

'If only I could stop the war in the beggar siblings scenario...'

The engagement scenario always failed because of the {war} event.

War was hard to avoid and a very harsh event, leading Leo Dexter and Lena Ainar to repeatedly meet unfortunate endings.

Though other scenarios didn't end well either...

Anyway, if the war could be prevented from the beginning, the difficulty of the engagement scenario would significantly drop.

He knew why the war started too. It was because Princess Chloe de Tatalia insulted the prince of the Astin Kingdom. So, to prevent the war...

Leo's excitement cooled quickly.

There was no way to stop it.

'The prince arrives just two months after the scenario starts, so how can I stop the princess? Becoming the Marquis's adopted son was only possible because the princess caused another incident...'

There was no hope in the current state. Unless he became much stronger through scenario rewards and became a royal guard, but even after more than a year since this scenario started, Leo hadn't set foot in the palace.

'Then, can it help in the childhood friends scenario? What is there? Ah! If I can prevent Gilbert Forte from going to the capital church... No, that guy is the son of a swordmaster.'

Thinking of various plans, Leo eventually clicked his tongue.

They were all far-fetched, and he was still too weak.

Besides, he couldn't do anything for the Lenas and Leos in other places right now.

In the engagement scenario, Lena and Leo would soon meet a swordmaster and die, and even if he did the engagement scenario again, the war would still start the same way.

The same went for the childhood friends scenario. Gilbert Forte had already left for the capital church...

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice a few 'Swovria' flowers he was holding falling off.

At that moment,

"Leo! Leo!"

Someone called him from behind.

It was Ober.

"I've called you several times, but you didn't answer?"

"Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought and didn't hear. What’s up?"

Lost in thoughts of the other two scenarios, Leo had arrived at the leather district.

"Come here for a moment."

Ober had something to say and led him to a shelter. Though Leo wanted to return quickly to his sick sister, he followed.

Ober laid out some snacks and drinks, seating him before starting to talk.

"I heard from Lena earlier..."

Leo interrupted suddenly.

"How is Lena? Is she feeling better?"

"She seemed fine. Anyway, I went to visit Lena because she was sick and heard... You guys are going to the Marquis's house?"

Lena must have said goodbye to Ober.

"Yes. That's how it turned out."

"Why keep that a secret? That's great news! From the moment I first saw you, I thought you were a special friend."

No, he told him to go back and drink more breast milk.

But Leo didn't bother to point that out. Ober was the person who had treated Lena and Leo the most kindly.

He sincerely congratulated them, spitting while speaking.

"Nobles! The skinny little kids... Cassia has an eye for people."

Unlike the boss, Ober didn’t change his attitude even after hearing that Leo was going to the Marquis's house. He was, to put it nicely, a man with guts, and to put it bluntly, a thug through and through.

Thugs tended to disregard common social norms because they routinely engaged in illegal activities.

Leo was embarrassed by Ober's constant praise, so he changed the topic to something Ober would like.

"How is Cassia these days?"

"Ah! I just told Lena earlier, but Cassia seems to have pulled herself together and is living properly these days."

He smiled, seemingly happier than hearing about Leo becoming a noble.

"She used to walk around like a zombie, but now she's normal. She's buying leather little by little, maybe to make shoes. That's great. She couldn't live off that forever anyway..."

Ober's chatter continued. He clearly felt sorry about the farewell.

Seeing him say things he usually wouldn’t, it seemed this was Ober’s way of saying goodbye.

His rough words were filled with affection, making Leo feel warm inside.

'Typical thug indeed...'

Thugs were ruthless enough to stab others for money, but their human hearts didn't disappear, and they poured all their love into their families.

Feeling grateful for his kindness, Leo stayed for a while.

But when Ober eventually brought out alcohol to set up a proper farewell, Leo exchanged a few drinks and then excused himself, saying he needed to tend to his sick sister.

"Lena, how are you feeling? Are you okay?"

"Brother, you’re back?"

Arriving at the family house, Leo went to his sister's room.

Lena, looking much better, greeted him cheerfully and told him she had said her goodbyes to the family today.

It seemed saying goodbye to the family had relieved her greatly, as she could now sit up in bed, as if her illness was due to that farewell.

While Lena spoke in a mixed tone about how "Tian cried a lot. It was funny," Leo potted the 'Swovria' he had brought.

The flowers matched his sister’s room beautifully and were lovely, though they quickly wilted due to late watering.

The wilted flowers lost their 'color.'