“Waaah~ Big sis~~”

After walking only a short distance, I spotted Hill and Locke.

So they’d been following me the whole time, worried something might happen to me?

They’re both so kind it’s almost exasperating. They’ll surely be popular when they grow up.

“Come on, let’s go home. It’s all over now!”

Seeing the worry on their faces, I waved to reassure them.

Suddenly, I stumbled and nearly fell.

Was this the aftereffect of pushing my powers too far? I looked down at my legs, trembling slightly.

I sighed inwardly. I really did need to get my identity activated first.

It was so frustrating to have all this power and not be able to use it.

Then I’d have to go to this country’s capital, Orka.

Thanks to that sleazy guy’s map, I knew where I was now.

The map clearly marked the four great human empires, as well as the regions where the various races lived.

I was currently in the northern realm, the Orkara Empire.

It was the largest country by far, with the biggest population and the greatest overall strength.

“Please let me express the gratitude of everyone in the village.”

Hill’s mother kept thanking me over and over.

Who would’ve thought this child, so delicate-looking she could’ve been a vase, would so easily defeat the scoundrel who’d lorded over this place for years?

Surely I was an envoy sent by the gods.

“Please, don’t. I only did what I was supposed to.”

Hill’s whole family is just the same… I smiled wryly as I helped her mother up.

Having an elder kneel and kowtow to me would surely shorten my life.

“Vivi, will you come with me to town to sell berries? The town is really, really big, and I can even buy you an outfit to wear.”

Hill had never felt so happy.

Not only had she met an angelic big sister, but she and the villagers would never have to worry about the local bully again.

“Buy clothes? There’s no need… All right, let’s go buy some clothes.”

I was about to refuse, but then I saw the hurt look on Hill’s face.

So I gave in. Hill had already wanted me to wear a dress.

Who knew what kind of clothes she’d buy once we got to town?

“Yay! Locke, stay here and look after Mom. Vivi and I are heading out!”

Hill made a face at Locke, then ran into the back room to fetch the berries she’d picked yesterday.

“Ugh…”

Locke waved his little fists, looking angry, but in the end he stayed home.

Their mother was growing weaker and weaker.

He had to take on a man’s responsibility and protect his mother properly.

It wasn’t until we’d left the village where it all began that I realized something was wrong.

Back then, just seeing blood used to make me dizzy.

But whether in my earlier fight with the monster or in my fight with that scoundrel,

I not only felt no revulsion toward blood—I even felt a strange excitement. Was it because of this body?

Was this body really mine?

Or had I taken over someone else’s body?

What if there were people in this world who knew me?

There were more and more things to worry about.

If things really were as I suspected, life in this other world might be full of hardships and dangers.

“Vivi, what are you planning to do from now on?”

Hill suddenly turned to ask me.

“Me? I’ll probably keep traveling. I want to see this world properly, after all.”

I’d always imagined what another world would be like.

Now that I’d finally arrived in the place I’d dreamed of, I couldn’t just let this chance go to waste.

But first, I had to go to Orka.

Otherwise, I could run into trouble later because I had no official identity.

“I see…”

Hill lowered her head sadly. She really didn’t want this gentle, beautiful big sister to leave.

“Ah! Let’s not talk about that. What do you want to do, Hill?”

Feeling the mood grow heavier, I hurriedly changed the subject, hoping to cheer things up.

“I want to work hard and earn money, then get Mom treated…”

Hill lowered her head. Her bangs hid her eyes, so I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

“Oh, I see. You’re amazing, Hill. How much does it cost to get your mother treated?”

I hurriedly followed up with another question, trying to lighten the mood.

“T-ten gold coins…”

Hill said weakly. Whenever she thought about how much it would cost, despair overwhelmed her.

This whole basket of fresh berries would only fetch a little over twenty copper coins.

Ten gold coins were an astronomical sum to her.

Her mother’s body couldn’t hold out much longer. The doctor in town had said as much a month ago.

If they didn’t get her treated soon, then…

Hill was furious with herself for being so useless. Why couldn’t she do anything?

“Hill…”

I didn’t know what to do at a time like this.

Just as Hill had said, her mother was like a candle about to burn out.

I wanted to help Hill, but I had no idea how to make money quickly either.

All I could do was hold her close and comfort her softly.

“I’ll do everything I can to help you too, Hill, until your mother makes a full recovery.”

Looking at Hill, who’d begun to recover a little, I spoke softly.

“Okay, it’s a promise! Pinky swear!”

Hill wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and held out her little finger.

Besides, the two of them could earn money much faster if they worked together.

With the help of the kind villagers, there was still hope.

“Okay! It’s a promise.”

I smiled and linked my little finger with Hill’s.