Chapter 22/23: The Obvious Truth/  What Lies Ahead

“…Yes, that’s what I was looking for. I need it to cast the spell, so if you could give it back, I’d appreciate it.”

I worked hard to keep my voice calm and steady, concealing the turmoil in my heart as I addressed Hecate.

But… how well was I truly hiding it?

Perhaps my words had an edge to them.

I no longer had the luxury of objectively assessing myself.

“No,” Hecate said firmly. “This time, I can’t grant your request, no matter what, Woolgear Nee-san. I can’t let you use something as dangerous as the amethyst crystal that converts souls into magic. Istos Nee-san, destroy it.”

“Roger that,” Istos replied with a sigh. “Ah, so it’s really come to this, huh? I thought things would be business as usual.”

With a chillingly composed voice, Hecate tossed the crystal to Istos, who slashed it with her sword, shattering it into pieces.

At that moment, it became clear—I couldn’t use the amethyst crystal anymore.

And without it, I couldn’t cast the spell to change the concept of witches.

Resigning myself, I spoke.

“How much do you know?”

“Everything. I started noticing something was off with you from the moment we first discussed this plan. But I didn’t expect it would go this far,” Hecate admitted as she pulled a folded piece of paper from her pocket and opened it.

It was my will, the one I had hidden in my room.

“The crystal? I had a fairy I summoned steal it. And as for this will, Demeter Nee-san found it when I asked her to search your room while you weren’t around,” Hecate explained.

“I see… so you know everything,” I said quietly.

“Yes. So, can you tell me why? Why would you go this far? Was our wish—to live together with you—so hard to accept?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why—”

“Because, to me, nothing is more important than your peaceful lives. To ensure that, I decided to use my own life,” I said with finality.

At my words, the stoic expressions on my sisters’ faces began to crumble.

Ah… this was why I hid everything and tried to shoulder it alone—because I didn’t want to see them hurt, didn’t want to cause them pain.

“…Nee-chan, you’ve got it all wrong,” Demeter said, her voice breaking. “I read your will, and it doesn’t matter to us that you were a man in your past life or that you’re a reincarnated soul. We were raised by you, inspired by you, loved by you. You’re our family, our savior, and the most important person to us. What do you think your life means to us?! Don’t you dare throw it away so easily… don’t demean yourself like that!”

“Demeter…”

After pouring her heart out, Demeter broke down into quiet sobs, her shoulders shaking.

Istos and Hecate looked on the verge of tears themselves, and I could feel my worldview—the convictions I had held so tightly—beginning to waver.

“Istos and Demeter have already said most of what I wanted to, so I’ll keep it short,” Istos said, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. “Have you changed your mind, Nee-san? If not, I’ll just have to make you see reason. I love our family, all of us together, and that includes you. Without you, I can’t be happy.”

Despite her trembling voice, Istos stood firm.

I… I was at my limit.

If I didn’t voice the ugly thoughts swirling in my mind—if I didn’t expose this part of myself to them—I wouldn’t even be able to think straight anymore.

“…I’ve always been someone who couldn’t meet expectations. In my past life, and even in this one. I couldn’t save our parents, couldn’t stop the discrimination against witches, couldn’t avoid worrying you after being hit by that rock… I’ve always let people down. I’m a witch, a reincarnated soul, your older sister, and yet I’ve done nothing but fail. This time, I thought I had to get it right. I was desperate because, in my past life, everything fell apart because I couldn’t meet expectations.”

Once I started speaking, the words flowed out effortlessly.

And for the first time, I truly understood.

Even though I knew how much my sisters cared for me—even though I understood that my death would hurt them—I had still been willing to throw my life away.

“Ah… I see now. I was afraid. Afraid that if I couldn’t meet expectations, the peace we’ve enjoyed would crumble because of me. The trauma of watching a happy life fall apart due to my inadequacy… it was unbearable. So much so that I was willing to sacrifice myself. Istos, Demeter, Hecate… I’m inadequate, a misfit reincarnated soul, and full of flaws, but… do I have the right to treasure my life and keep living?”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and my voice trembled as I asked.

My sisters smiled through their tears, and one by one, they spoke.

“Of course, you do, you idiot Nee-san.”
“Of course, you do, Onee-chan.”
“Of course, you do, Woolgear Nee-san.”

Then, they embraced me, and together, we cried and laughed until we couldn’t anymore.

At last, I had learned something so simple, so obvious: that I deserved to cherish my own life.

And with that realization, the overwhelming guilt and compulsion that had plagued me for so long seemed to dissolve, carried away with my tears.

◆　◇　◆

“…By the way, how did you figure out what I was planning? I don’t recall leaving any obvious clues.”

“I noticed because there was something off about your behavior, Nee-san. Demeter Nee-san, well, she seems to have figured it out with her usual intuition. As for Istos Nee-san…”

“During the family meeting we held without you, Woolgear Onee-chan, Hecate had to explain it to me before I caught on!”

“Demeter! You promised not to tell her that!”

After my plans had fallen apart and the family gathering had calmed down, I posed the question, and my sisters immediately responded.

What followed was Istos and Demeter bickering like children.

What had been a casual inquiry seemed to have struck a nerve with Istos.

Watching the two playfully argue, I felt oddly relaxed, as though I had returned to our usual, peaceful life.

But in truth, the world was unchanged.

The discrimination against witches and the famine still persisted, and nothing fundamental had improved.

“Still, what should we do next? Honestly, I can’t imagine continuing to live in this country if we can’t resolve the witch discrimination. Perhaps we should just escape somewhere far away, where witches don’t exist.”

“There’s no need for that, Woolgear Nee-san,” Hecate said firmly. “We anticipated this might happen, so we’ve already prepared an alternative plan to resolve the discrimination against witches. We can’t let you carry all the burdens alone anymore.”

“Is that so… Then I’ll have to help as well, just as all of you have been helping me,” I said with a smile, walking over to Hecate and leaning in close to her.

“Ne-Nee-san? What are you doing?”

“You have tear stains on your face. I thought I’d wipe them for you. Or do you not want me to?”

“No, I don’t mind. Please go ahead. We can talk about the plan later,” she replied, flustered.

“Is that so? I wouldn’t have minded talking while I cleaned them,” I teased, pulling a handkerchief from my pocket and gently wiping the corners of her eyes.

Hecate, who had been so serious moments ago, visibly relaxed, letting me take care of her.

Ah, yes. Smiles truly suit my sisters best.

As I finished with Hecate, I noticed Istos and Demeter, who had somehow ended their squabble, watching us with envious expressions.

“Onee-chan! Can you do that for me too?”

“Of course. Istos, you wait your turn like a good girl, okay?” I said, motioning for Istos to hold back as I walked toward Demeter, whose tear stains were worse from all her crying.

But as I moved, my vision blurred, and my legs gave out beneath me.

Was it magical exhaustion? Fatigue? Perhaps both.

I fell backward onto the grass, staring up at the sky. Through my hazy vision, I saw my sisters rushing toward me, their faces filled with worry.

“Nee-san!”

“…I’m fine. Just a little tired. I’ll rest for a bit… Just sleep…”

Though my body felt weak, I was strangely at peace.

Unable to fight the heaviness in my eyelids, I let them close. I felt myself being lifted—someone carrying me effortlessly.

It had to be Istos. Who else would have the strength to carry me like this?

“Goodnight, Nee-san. Sweet dreams,” she whispered.

Goodnight, Istos. Thank you, I thought to myself as I drifted into unconsciousness.

When I woke, I saw the familiar ceiling of my room.

Judging by the light outside, it seemed to be midday.

To think I’d lost consciousness and had to be carried back twice in just one week—how embarrassing.

“Mm? You’re awake, Onee-chan?”

“Yes. Good morning, Demeter. How long was I out this time?”

“About a full day. We had a doctor check on you too, and it seems it was just magical exhaustion, as we thought,” Demeter replied.

She lay beside me, clearly having enjoyed snuggling while I was unconscious.

So, it was indeed the magic from the spell to change the concept of witches that had drained me.

“Oh, right! Hecate told me to call her when you woke up. She’s probably in the dining room. Once you’re ready, go meet her. I made sure to let her know you’re awake!”

With that, Demeter left my room.

Considering how things had been left, I couldn’t keep Hecate waiting any longer. I quickly got dressed and headed out.

Descending the stairs, I walked into the dining room and found Hecate deep in conversation with someone sitting across from her.

It was Efnor—the town guard.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Hecate. And it’s been a while, Efnor-san. Is there another incident you’re here to report?”

“It’s good to see you again, Woolgear-sama,” Efnor replied. “As for today’s matter… would you mind if Hecate-sama explained?”

“Yes, Efnor-sama. You’ve come at just the right time, Woolgear Nee-san. We were just about to discuss the plan to resolve the witch discrimination I mentioned yesterday—with none other than the fourth prince himself.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I apologize for keeping it a secret,” Efnor said, bowing. “I am Efnor von Vasilio, the fourth prince of the Kingdom of Vasilio. Please continue to call me Efnor as before.”

“Hecate? I think I’m going to need a bit more of an explanation,” I said, utterly dumbfounded.

Still reeling from the revelation, I sat beside Hecate, preparing to interrogate her thoroughly about this shocking development.