The Reincarnated Eldest Witch Sister Embraces Self-Sacrifice - Chapter 1: Resolve

In a certain world of swords and magic.

A couple had four daughters in a small farming village in the Vasilio Kingdom.

The eldest, born Ulgiar Marid, is me, a reincarnated individual.

I remember my previous life when I was about three years old.

Memories of a man’s life that ended in his twenties somehow resided in me.

Transformed into a brown-haired girl, my surroundings and life changed significantly, but the influence of over twenty years of experience was profound.

Compared to my younger sisters, I became a much more mature girl.

I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but I’ve been less of a burden to my parents in this life.

Still, parenting seemed incredibly hard for them.

Because we were not ordinary humans.

In this world, there are immortal women born with the ability to use magic and immense magical power.

People call such women witches.

And all four of us sisters were witches.

“Look, Onee-chan! Isn’t it cute?”

“Yes, it is. A lovely flower.”

Inside our simple wooden house, I responded to my green-haired younger sister, Demeter, who conjured a tulip out of thin air.

Witches are born with specific types of magic they can use, and Demeter’s is related to plants.

As for me, I can use magic related to transformation.

While I’m cautious, my younger sisters freely use magic in play, causing quite a struggle for our parents, who are ordinary humans.

Demeter grew plants wildly inside a few months ago, turning our house into a forest.

Lately, thanks to education, there haven’t been major troubles.

So, I thought today would be another peaceful day, but… in the evening, the sound of bells rang throughout the village, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG!

It was the bell signaling an emergency.

“What’s happening? Stay inside, everyone. Dad and I will check.”

Saying this, our parents went outside with grim faces.

The village was enveloped in a tense atmosphere.

An unpleasant feeling.

What could have happened?

“Istos, can you use magic to enhance my hearing? I want to check the situation outside.”

“Okay, I’ll try.”

The second daughter with crimson hair, Istos, is a witch capable of using enhancement magic.

As requested, she casts a spell to strengthen my hearing.

With this, I can hear the villagers shouting in the distance.

“Enemy attack! Armed groups are coming this way!”

“Who are they? Bandits?”

“There are too many of them for mere bandits. This is bad.”

“We need to send someone fast to the nearest city for help. We must hold out until reinforcements arrive!”

Hearing this conversation, I understand the gravity of the situation.

The details are unclear, but it’s a crisis.

Our village is small, with only about a dozen capable fighters.

We need proper defenses and equipment.

We will only last for a short time against a large force.

“Onee-chan… Are we going to be okay…?”

Hearing the anxious voice of Hekate, our white-haired youngest sister, I snap back to reality.

I realize that all my sisters are looking at me with worry.

They must have sensed the tension in me as I grasped the situation.

It was my mistake.

I relax my tense facial muscles and try to put on a cheerful face.

“We’ll be fine. Dad and the others will handle it.”

“Will they be back soon?”

“…Yes, surely.”

I couldn’t immediately affirm Hekate’s words.

I knew the high likelihood of our parents being killed in this situation.

I was not young enough to unquestioningly believe in miracles.

But I needed to lie to reassure my sisters.

…While I was calming my anxious sisters, the battle seemed to have begun outside.

With my enhanced hearing, I could hear the adults’ shouts and metal clashing.

“What’s their motive, these barbarians!”

“Barbarians? We fight for a noble cause.”

“A noble cause in this unjust attack!?”

“Yes. Your village harbors four witches. Witches bring calamity. For the sake of humanity, you all must be eradicated.”

“Nonsense. A cult spreading superstitions!”

Hearing the attackers, I turn pale.

They were after us.

I knew of groups that hated witches in this world, but I never expected them to target young witches like us, especially in the Vasilio Kingdom, which doesn’t permit witch-hunting.

However, now that we’re attacked there’s nothing to do but face it.

They won’t leave until they’ve killed us.

We either hide or fight.

I glance at my sisters again.

Hekate is only six, Demeter is eight, Istos is eleven, and I’m twelve.

All still young girls.

It would be difficult for all four of us to escape unnoticed.

I’ve already died once.

My life is not so precious.

As the eldest sister… no, as their sister, I must protect them.

“Istos, can you use all your enhancement magic on me?”

“Okay, but… what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to help Dad and the others.”

“No! I’ll go too―”

“No. If you’re gone, who will protect Demeter and Hekate?”

With that, I firmly reject Istos’ offer.

I don’t want to involve her in killing or send her to her death.

This is an adult’s responsibility.

Though, I have no experience in killing either.

“Our village is under attack. Everyone must stay inside until help arrives. If the attackers reach our house first, run with all your might. Forget about Dad, Mom, and me. …You’ll follow my instructions, right?”

With a tone that brooked no argument, I said this.

My sisters seemed to want to say something, but I ignored them.

There was no time to waste.

The village adults might be dying as we speak.

“Don’t worry. I said a lot just in case, but I’ll handle it.”

After Istos enhances me, I reassure my sisters and leave the house.

As a reincarnated being, I hope they’ll forget me if I die.