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#Cecilia's Secret 4 "…Brother Leo. Is your leg alright?"
We walked back to the lord's city with the exhausted soldiers.
An awkward silence lingered between me and Brother Leo, who was walking alone, slightly out of the way.
That silence seemed to prick my side, making it unbearable, so I spoke first.
"Ah, um. I'm fine… How about Cecilia? Is she hurt?"
"Yes. Thanks to Brother Shimo… I'm fine too."
Perhaps he was also looking for a topic of conversation? Brother Leo's slightly dejected expression disappeared, and he turned to care about my health.
But for some reason, even though I said I was fine, Brother Leo's expression seemed to change again, as if a shadow had fallen over it. "…I'm sorry. As the hero, it should have been me protecting you…"
He actually looked so dejected… What was there to feel so guilty about?
If it weren't for Brother Leo buying me time, not to mention Brother Shimo, I probably would have been injured too. I feel like Leo was really shocked by how easily he was knocked away.
While that monster did look dangerous, it shouldn't have been that devastating… um.
Although it was indeed the first time I'd encountered an enemy like that, as his fiancée, I should comfort him…
"Don't, don't blame yourself too much, brother."
That monster was so huge and ferocious. Even a level 30 human, a hero, couldn't do anything about it.
"I wasn't actually in any danger. Thanks to Shimo-nii, I didn't even get a speck of dust on me!"
To be able to catch up with the incredibly fast Shimo-nii.
Just stopping him is amazing, isn't it?
"A monster that even fully armed soldiers couldn't handle, right? Even though I don't have Shimo-nii's muscles, blocking that attack is already impressive."
Although it was only a little bit, I did feel a flicker of anticipation when I saw Leo-nii step forward to stop the Hero Devourer.
Although he doesn't have the muscles of his brother Shimo, since he's Leo, the hero…!
I did have that expectation… but seeing the Hero Devourer simply flick its head and send Leo flying, it just felt like a natural outcome.
"If it weren't for the Hero's Aura, which only heroes can use, he probably wouldn't have lasted even a moment. Just for that, you're an excellent hero…!"
At this level, he's already performed very well, hasn't he?
Leo, whose muscle definition is barely visible, even with the title of hero, how could he withstand the power of that giant monster?
Leo's body is as soft and flat as a woman's.
Unlike Shimo, who possesses a superior male physique.
Even with the Hero's Aura that can increase strength without limit, how can such a weak body effectively utilize it?
"Of course, Shimo did try to withstand it with his bare hands… but that's only because Shimo is a born male…" There's nothing I can do.
The inherent physical difference can't be overcome by cleverness alone.
Unless you're a high-level hero like a knight... at Leo's current level, he certainly can't match the strength of that superior male.
Saying that heroes are ultimately human... if you disregard weapons and skills and only consider physical strength, humans are merely beings inferior to monsters... Yeah. That's the undeniable truth.
"Th-that means! Although you can't compare to Shimo, Leo is still very strong! Have confidence, brother!" "...Ugh, gurgle..." Huh...?
Why is Leo making such a pained expression?
Is he unable to accept the fact that he's a male inferior to Shimo?
Hmm...why...?
Isn't this...natural...?
Heroes are special beings, but Shimo is an even more special divine beast.
And he's a strong male with that superior physique, right?
I've experienced it firsthand, so I know very well.
As a superior male, Shimo's physique is something humans can never catch up to, no matter how hard they try.
That kind of superior physique that can unleash ferocious and brutal power... Hmm. It's truly an outstanding existence that makes my heart race. To compare it, one would at least have to be at the level of the top hero knights among heroes... But why is Leo showing such a painful expression, unable to accept it...?
Could it be that I chose the wrong words of comfort...?
I don't know...
...
Afterwards, Leo and I returned to the lord's city in silence.
Forced to say "See you tomorrow," Leo returned to his dormitory listlessly.
Thinking about Leo's dejected expression all night, I habitually went to the training ground again in the morning.
…Is he alright? It's the first time I've seen Leo with that expression... I don't know what to say today... I feel like I made a mistake with my comfort yesterday... Sigh. So frustrating.
"Cecilia."
"Huh? Leo-nii?" How did he know I was training here? While I was warming up, Leo-nii walked into the training ground. "…Want to train together?"
Ah…Leo-nii. That serious expression…
I see. Leo-nii felt he couldn't just sit around doing nothing.
Pfft…So cute. Even though it's a rare day off, he came to train with me so earnestly.
He always avoids me because he said it's dangerous for me to chase him with a sword…Hehe.
I didn't expect Leo-nii to have such a serious expression?
He looks kind of cool!
Hmm.
Okay.
As his fiancée, I should help him become stronger!
"Hmm! Let's train together, Leo-nii!"
"Okay. So, the sword..."
"Ah, Mother put the sword away in the training ground! Anyway, I'm not wearing armor right now, how about we practice hand-to-hand combat first?"
"Hand-to-hand combat isn't the main point... no. Okay. It'll get you some exercise too."
Heh. Leo-nii, the hero who's always wielding a sword, now knows something else.
Thanks to Shimo-nii, I realized that hand-to-hand combat is surprisingly good for your health!
Although my favorite thing is still the sword... how should I put it, thanks to Shimo-nii, I've discovered interesting things beyond swords.
Being able to have this kind of fun sparring with Leo-nii, no matter the reason, makes my heart race!
However, the last sparring session was a bit disappointing.
This time, Leo-nii seems very serious, it should be different, right?
Just how strong is a serious Leo-nii?
Come on!
To make my adorable fiancée—me—stronger, please attack!
"Ready? Let's begin, brother!"
"Okay. Then... I'll go first!"
Ah!
♡ Leo-nii actually attacked first!?
Yes!
That's it, brother!
I'm always on the defensive, it's so frustrating!
Hmm.
I'll definitely get stronger.
If it's Leo-nii, even if I'm struggling now, I'll definitely become a strong male like Shimo-nii in the future...!
"Hey! Ha! Haa!"
'...Huh?' What's going on?
What's that subtle feeling wrapped around my arm?
Huh?
Leo-nii.
His expression is so serious... why is he holding back?
Even if he's a weak male without muscles, he's still a hero, right?
This is no different from last time?
Is he looking for an opening...?
Well, if he shows even a slight opening... "...! Uh...! Haa!!!" Even though he deliberately showed an opening, Leo-nii instantly backed down.
"Is it because I'm your fiancée that you're under pressure...? Such gentle words...—Pfft!
...Huh?
...Why isn't my uterus trembling?
It definitely pierced my abdomen...Huh?
It doesn't hurt much...? "...Ugh...! Ce-Cecilia. It's okay...!!!"
"Brother. Did you hold back too much? To become stronger, you have to attack with all your might..."
"What are you saying! I used all my strength! Doesn't it hurt!? Is something wrong...?"
...Ah. What?
This, this is what a full-power attack is...?
Even with that kind of weak body without any muscles, I thought it would be different when I got serious... Haha.
Now I think I understand a little.
Why did Brother Shimo emphasize that he was a superior male?
I see... Even if he were a hero, at this level... no matter how hard he tries, Leo will never catch up to Brother Shimo in his lifetime.
Human male. Inferior male…monster, superior male…absolutely unattainable… "…Haa. Brother Leo."
"Hmm? Cecilia? Are you alright?"
"It's my turn to attack this time. Take this."
"Uh, wait, Cecilia…!"
Why?
Why am I so annoyed? Brother Leo, he wanted to become stronger for my sake… As his fiancée, I should have supported and helped him… The thought that no matter how hard I tried, I was destined to be mediocre, the disappointment and frustration, made me furious.
He's a hero… he's my fiancé…why! Why was I born with this inferior body that can't satisfy me! "Uh, Cecilia…!"
"Hold on! Didn't you want to get stronger?! What are you going to do if you can't even handle this much!?" With this level of strength, no matter how hard you try, you'll never become a superior male!
He's my fiancé, yet he's wearing such a resentful expression…!
Is this all the power you've squeezed out with all your might!?
That's not even masculine!
With that kind of power, you can't conquer me at all!
"Cough, cough…! Cecilia…! Wait…!"
"Too soft! Too bland! What's wrong with this body! Use some force to harden it!" What's wrong?
Why are you making such a painful face?
My weak fists, which are just a tickle to Brother Shimo, hurt you that much?
Haha!
You looked so strong, but now it seems Leo is just a piece of trash?
Hmm.
Well, what can you do!
This is probably the level of an inferior male.
A hopelessly weak male, suppressed by the female.
...Pfft. Yeah. Leo, you're just like all the other males I've beaten up...an inferior male who can't make me submit.
Fine. Since that's the case...since you're only this kind of male...the role that suits you is to be my punching bag!!!
"Cough! Glug, glug...!!! Ugh...!"
"Pfft...♡So pathetic~
♡Too weak, Leo."
"Ugh, Cecily..."
"Haa...so weak...really, I'll have to work harder in the future."
Even if I work hard, I'll probably still be so-so...but who knows?
Because I'm a hero, a chosen one. Maybe I'll suddenly awaken and become a powerful male worthy of my fiancé.
But if I can't...Leo, you'll always just be an inferior male...after all, you're my fiancé. I'll believe in you. Leo.
Because you are a unique being, I believe you can become stronger.
Become an exceptional male, and then dominate me. "...Now is not the time to idle around. Leo. From now on, train with me whenever you have free time. Like today."
"Ce-Cecilia...?"
"Train like your life depends on it. If you continue to be this weak, you'll become my punching bag like today."
Please, train like your life depends on it and awaken your potential. Leo.
Otherwise, I cannot consider you, so weak, a male.
If you don't want to be my punching bag forever... if you don't want me to be taken away by an exceptional male... then please become stronger to satisfy me.
Although I didn't have high hopes anyway.