The Reincarnated Eldest Witch Sister Embraces Self-Sacrifice

The peaceful days passed in the blink of an eye, and the dreaded autumn finally arrived.

Frankly, the situation was far from good.

As I had feared, a heatwave and lack of rain had led to a drought.

This caused the Vasilio Kingdom to suffer from unprecedented water shortages and wildfires.

The reduction in crop yields was inevitable, and coupled with the wildfires, the food situation became critical.

However, we managed to get through the first year.

People had prepared emergency food supplies for such crises, so except for the very poor, most could survive the winter.

The problem was the second year.

The heatwave and drought continued, causing a second year of hardship.

The effects extended beyond agriculture.

Reduced water levels in rivers and lakes made fishing difficult, and the prolonged heatwave caused livestock to fall ill, hindering farming and reducing meat and dairy production.

Hunger was no longer just a problem for the poor.

Almost everyone was struggling with food shortages.

Thus, I started distributing the grain I had stored from the second autumn.

I planned to sell this grain to local shops through Defelos Trading Company.

I hoped this would alleviate the food shortage somewhat, but it was still being determined.

Humans fear the unknown, and witches in this world possess immense power that is mysterious to ordinary humans.

I knew witches could face discrimination anytime, but perhaps I had underestimated this reality.

One day, during a casual conversation with a jeweler, I heard that a witch had been sentenced to death, and it felt like the world went dark before my eyes.

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Here’s what happened.

In a certain Vasilio Kingdom village, cattle began falling ill with a contagious disease.

The villagers speculated that witchcraft might be the cause.

A few days before the outbreak, a witch specializing in medicinal magic visited the village.

The villagers suspected she had poisoned the cattle.

Consequently, the witch was tried and sentenced to death.

However, I believe she was innocent.

Poison couldn’t cause an infectious disease.

The cause was likely a virus or bacteria, perhaps due to weakened immunity from the prolonged heatwave.

It’s more plausible that the cattle naturally contracted the disease.

Besides, a witch who could make a decent living selling medicine had no reason to harm cattle in a village.

Unfortunately, from my previous life memories, my knowledge of viruses and bacteria couldn’t prove anything in this world.

Despite likely being innocent, I could do nothing to help the condemned witch.

…And now, I am riding a carriage, heading towards the capital of the Vasilio Kingdom.

I am going to witness the execution of a witch in the central square of the capital.

As a witch myself, I must see the outcome of this witch trial in this world.

Upon disembarking the carriage and entering the capital, I’m greeted by the towering castle and brick-built streets at its center.

The capital, usually bustling, was visibly less crowded – likely due to the drought reducing trade.

Walking along the capital’s main streets, the central square, the site of the execution, comes into view.

Due to the execution day, the square is crowded.

Like in my previous life in medieval Europe, executions here also have an aspect of public spectacle.

Reaching the square, I see the guillotine in the center, surrounded by soldiers in armor, ensuring the crowd doesn’t intrude.

The executioner and the witch are yet to appear, indicating some time remains before the execution.

After waiting a while, figures like priests and the executioner gather in the square.

Finally, the witch, escorted by soldiers, appears before the guillotine, causing a stir among the onlookers.

The witch, a young woman with black hair and shackled hands, wears a face marked by tears and a look of despair. I almost want to look away, unable to bear it as entertainment like many in the crowd.

Despite this, I keep watching the guillotine when suddenly someone taps my shoulder from behind.

Turning around, I see a familiar witch with dull golden hair under a hood – Bronte, waving at me.