S33 Siblings

"Brother~"

A voice so full of affection it might as well have a heart mark trailing its end.

Beaming with a smile as radiant as blooming flowers, she dashes toward me.

The same girl who normally maintains a flat expression, replies in a monotone, and rarely varies her tone—yet for me alone, she displays this expression and voice.

Just moments ago, this was a familiar sight.

The only difference between then and now is that she now wields a weapon in her hand—and is coming to kill me.

"Ghh!?!"

"Brother! Brother~!"

Blocking a barrage of strikes with my sword.

Why?

Why has this happened?

The worst possible atmosphere hangs between us.

My former classmates, imprisoned within this elven village.

Tanigawa and Kushiyama—two who had ventured out as adventurers.

The elven teacher.

Julius—brought here by Yugo’s indoctrination, advancing alongside the imperial forces into this elven village.

And me—along with Katia.

What happens to us from now on—unknown.

Entirely dependent on the will of the leaf-borne ones.

We are prisoners. Our position shifts based on how the leaf-borne ones intend to treat us going forward.

If we take the earlier discussion at face value, we won’t be treated harshly…

Either way, there is nothing I can do.

I believed I had done everything within my capacity to the utmost.

Yet the result is this.

Failed to stop Yugo. Let him die. Meant to protect the elven village—ended up causing the complete annihilation of the elves. The power over life and death of the reincarnated lies entirely in the hands of the leaf-borne ones.

I thought I had done my best.

Yet the outcome is the worst possible.

No—now that I know the nature of the Taboo, I understand this outcome is not the worst possible.

The elf I sought to protect was the root of all evil leading this world to collapse.

But knowing that—what difference does it make?

In the end, I accomplished nothing.

Caught in the tides of the world’s great movements, I merely flailed helplessly in the current, unaware.

Absurd. I cannot even laugh.

Perhaps I had become delusional without noticing.

Not perhaps.

I was delusional.

I believed myself the only one capable of becoming a hero, the only one who could stop Yugo.

I believed, with absolute certainty, that my power could achieve something.

I believed I had become someone like Julius-sama—someone capable of moving the world.

Julius-sama had been carrying the burden of a hero since childhood, actively shaping the world for so long that he became a figure capable of moving it.

I had merely inherited the title of hero. I had deluded myself into believing I stood on the same stage as Julius-sama.

That pride—this arrogance—had just been shattered completely.

Sophia had made me feel, in every possible way, the insignificance of my existence.

I had done nothing.

I could not speak back.

I had not even been given the chance to respond.

Even if I screamed at the top of my voice, Sophia would not hear me.

She would merely scoff, and that would be the end.

And that is my limit.

I do not possess the power to move the world.

No strength. No reputation. Nothing.

Only being manipulated, used, or worse—ignored—by those who truly move the world.

Potimas might have been attempting to use me, but the young leaves paid me no mind at all.

Seen as nothing more than a background figure, regardless of presence or absence.

The one moving the world is not me, but people like Sayo.

Perhaps that would be acceptable.

Originally, I wasn't contemplating anything so grand as the fate of the world.

Simply thought vaguely that one day I would become someone who could assist Julius, my elder brother.

Julius—elder brother—died. Became a hero. From there, the gears began to misalign.

After that, I just charged forward blindly, determined to do something about Yugo—but perhaps it would be better to stop here, take a breath, and think carefully about what to do next.

What I can do, what I cannot do.

There are only things I cannot do.

But perhaps the only thing left is to accept it clearly, and steadily do what I can, step by step.

Even if I don’t know what I’m capable of.

Still, I have no choice but to do what I can.

Not because I want to make another sacrifice like Julius-sama.

“Cathia.”

“Hm?”

“I want to talk. Okay?”

“Ah, of course.”

I decided to speak with Cathia alone about what comes next.

I returned to the room where I had been sleeping earlier and settled myself.

“Are Anah and Hyrlins safe?”

The first thing I asked was about the two companions I had not yet seen since waking.

Anah especially had lost her life once during that battle.

I barely survived thanks to my mercy skill—more accurately, resurrection should have succeeded, but I lost consciousness due to the backlash of acquiring the Taboo skill, so I don’t know what happened afterward.

“Both are fine. They’re isolated in a different location. I can communicate with Hyalins through telepathy, so you can check later if you’re concerned.”

I see.

Hyalins possesses the telepathy skill.

Then even if separated by distance, communication remains possible.

“So Hyalins knows what’s happening here?”

“Yeah. I report every detail of what I know. He’s imprisoned, but he’s not lacking food or basic needs. Ana has awakened and is in good health.”

That’s good.

The other thing I’m concerned about.

“Katia. Have you heard anything about Sue?”

Sue, kidnapped and brainwashed by Yugo.

The last time I saw Sue was when she was brainwashed by Yugo and killed Father.

After that, I learned she followed Yugo to the Empire, but I have no knowledge of her whereabouts since.

I did not see her during this battle either.

"Can't say. I haven't heard anything."

"Right. But if Yugo is dead, the brainwashing should have broken, right?"

"Should have."

"Will she return to who she was?"

My voice betrayed my unease.

Sue was brainwashed by Yugo and killed Father with her own hands.

Even if she was under brainwashing, she still killed her father.

The memories won't vanish, even if the brainwashing ends.

That’s why Julius, who was also brainwashed, has become emotionally unstable.

Heard that right after the brainwashing ended, he was on the verge of suicide.

Now they’re keeping him unconscious by force to prevent that, but some form of care is absolutely necessary.

If Sophia is in a situation similar to Yuri’s, she’s in danger too.

And even if she overcomes it, there’s no guarantee the original relationship can be restored.

Too much has happened, even if it was due to brainwashing.

It’s impossible to believe things could return to how they were—just brother and sister, completely back to normal.

“It’s not something I can speak on. It’s a matter between Shun and Sophia. What Shun wants. What Sophia decides. That’s what will determine it.”

I nod in agreement with Katia’s serious reply.

Even now, I feel reassured by her—she’s thinking clearly about us, speaking honestly.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Upon expressing sincere gratitude, Katia offered a self-conscious, flustered smile.

"Indeed. I’d like to return to being the close siblings we once were. That said, I also recognize it’s unlikely we’ll ever be fully restored. Simply reaching an understanding will be enough for now. If I could wish for anything, it’d be for you to finally separate from your brother. But in the end, we won’t know until we meet again."

"Separating from your brother…"

Katia’s response to my words.

Her face clearly read: *That’s impossible.*

… I think so too.

Sophia is an extreme case of brother fixation.

She sees me not as a brother, but as a romantic interest.

I, in turn, see her only as a sister, as family.

I cannot return her feelings.

But if separation isn’t possible, then so be it. There’s no alternative.

There is no falsehood in the desire to distance myself from my elder brother.

Yet, better than growing distant and awkward after this incident, it would be preferable to return to how things were before—her clinging to me as she once did.

I cannot see her as a romantic interest. But as a sister, she is someone I value. Someone important.

At that moment, a knock sounded.

I replied. The door opened, and Leaf entered.

"Will you meet with your younger sister?"

Then, a timely question.

"Can I?!"

"Yes."

"Of course I want to. Take me to her!"

In response to my eager request, Leaf nodded and extended her hand.

No explanation was given. But I understood—she wanted me to take it.

I hesitated, then grasped her hand.

The next instant, the scenery before my eyes shifted.

"Where is this?"

"Brother!"

Before I could voice my question, Leaf's voice reached me—before she could answer.

I turned. There she was.

Nothing awkward, no attempt to avoid me, as anticipated.

Running toward them, a smile lingering on her face.

Elder Brother—

Holding the weapon with a voice that leaned on familiarity.

“Huh?”

A foolish sound escapes my lips.

The proper response was due to daily training.

Soo's sword descended without hesitation toward my heart, and I instinctively drew the blade at my waist to counter.

"Su? Still under the influence!?"

No! I am of sound mind!

Soo did not relent in the attack.

I reached the peak of confusion while trying to prevent it.

Claims to be sane, yet no one can see it as such!

"Stop! Enough!"

I understand now! There’s only one way to secure my elder brother!

Soo's attack targets my vital points with precision.

There is no mercy here.

She has come to kill me with full intent.

"With this 'Conquest' skill, I will take everything from my elder brother! His soul, his heart! Even his lifeless body will be preserved!"

A chill runs down my spine.

I cannot comprehend the meaning of Soo's words.

I do not wish to understand.

A madness unlike anything before radiates from Soo.

Undoubtedly, the influence of Yugo's indoctrination has manifested in the worst possible way.

Regardless, the 'Conquest' skill itself is troubling.

Upon examining Soo, I detect a new skill not seen before: 'Greed.'

It is the same as the Seven Sins skill Yugo once possessed.

"Soo, when did you...?"

I already met the conditions before being brainwashed by him. I couldn’t obtain it only because he possessed it. Now that he’s dead, I’m free—and I’ve acquired this greed!

Her attack continues as she speaks.

I maintain conversation while verifying the effect of the 'Conquest' skill that Sū possesses.

'Conquest: When Greed is activated, absorb the soul of the target entirely.'

What does this mean?

Greed grants partial inheritance of the defeated opponent’s skills and stats.

This 'Conquest' ability supplements that, allowing full acquisition of the opponent’s entire state?

But if that’s possible, why didn’t Yugo use it?

No—authority of dominion!

One of the forbidden knowledge gained through the Taboo was the authority of dominion.

Authority to interface with the system, accessible only to those who possess the Seven Sins skills or the Seven Virtues skills.

Certain skills should not have activated without the establishment of dominion authority.

Yugo possessed the dominion skill, but had not established dominion authority—thus, 'Conquest' could not be used.

Then... had Syrilis established dominion authority?

No. Syrilis’s skill did not include Taboo Level 10.

Dominion authority should not have been established.

Therefore, 'Conquest' should not have been usable.

"Syrilis! This is pointless!"

"Brother! I have nothing else left!"

It was useless.

He would not listen.

What could be done?

"Stay away from Shun!"

Flames surged toward Syrilis.

At the forefront of the flames stood Katia.

"Katia!!"

"Come here, Syrilis."

And Syrilis shifted the target—from me to Katia—and charged forward.

Why has it come to this?

What should I do now?