TAMWSFB 29

Chapter 29

 Determination

I couldn’t help but grin to myself seeing how well the two of them were getting along, but this kind of thing isn’t something you should tease about too much—so I distracted myself by picturing my ever-dignified older brother in my head.

The cool, stoic big brother who appears in novels is wonderful, of course, but the smile he shows in real life—like when we’re having tea together—is even more charming.

In the novel, there were no descriptions of him smiling, and of course, no illustrations either. Even when it was turned into an anime, he never smiled once. The only time he ever showed what could be called a faint smile was at the very end—when the hero struck him down.

That’s why I used to imagine Serios-sama’s smile through fan art… but the real thing is so much more breathtaking. Just seeing it makes my heart feel like it’s going to stop.

Actually, because of my excessive magic power, I really did almost faint from excitement once, and ended up causing my brother a lot of trouble…

But if the licorice candy idea works, maybe those days will finally come to an end.

“Lady Leticia, how are you feeling today?”

“I’ve been doing really well lately.”

Ever since Moko leveled up, I haven’t had a major attack.

As I cuddled the little furball in my arms to show my gratitude, Professor Robert narrowed his eyes in a gentle smile.

“Moko has grown quite a lot, hasn’t he?”

“Yes! His fur’s even softer now.”

When I held Moko out for him to touch, the professor’s large hand stroked him.

Moko absolutely loves being petted like that—his round eyes drooped, looking blissfully content.

“Indeed, so glossy. It must be that your magic power suits his constitution perfectly, Lady Leticia.”

Just as Professor Robert said, Moko—who used to be just an ordinary puffball—had grown into a luxurious, velvety one of the highest quality.

And though others can’t hear it, he’s even learned to talk with me.

(Though he only speaks when something really important happens.)

Even so, for a still-young creature like Moko, communicating with a different species is apparently very difficult.

The ancient holy sword once told me that once Moko grows a little more, he’ll probably be able to talk much more easily.

“Professor, I just had an idea.”

Taking Moko back into my arms, I sat down on the cute white chair placed inside the greenhouse.

Dorothy, ever graceful, began pouring tea.

Today’s blend was my favorite—apple tea.

“I was thinking… what if we boil licorice down, then add sugar, honey, and lemon? Wouldn’t that turn it into candy?”

“Candy, hmm… I had been considering making it into a powder somehow, but candy might indeed be a good idea.”

Maybe it never occurred to him to mix medicine with something like a child’s sweet—he’s an adult, after all.

But cough drops work better as candy, don’t they?
…Oh, right. In this world, magic exists, so there isn’t much demand for medicine at all.

If a child gets sick, a healer can just cure them instantly. So medicine isn’t needed—and that’s probably why research hasn’t developed much.

“Sugar, honey, and lemon, you say…? I’ll have to test whether combining them affects the properties.”

Muttering to himself, Professor Robert suddenly said, “Excuse me,” and hurried off to his laboratory.

Dorothy and I looked at his retreating figure and couldn’t help but smile.

Professor Robert really is passionate about his research.
He must have truly loved his late daughter.

If I had been reincarnated a little earlier, maybe his daughter could have been saved too.

But if that had happened, I wouldn’t have been born as Serios-oniisama’s little sister.

And then… my brother would have remained the same unsmiling man from the novel.

I could never allow that.

If only everyone could have a happy ending.

“Child, what troubles you so?”

(Life’s really complicated…)

“You sound like a philosopher.”

The holy sword spoke in an exasperated tone, then continued quietly.

“You’ve done well. You’ve defied your destined death and saved your brother. That alone is enough.”

(But I might have been able to save even more people…)

Surely Professor Robert’s daughter wasn’t the only one who died from magic overload.
There must have been many others.

“Do not be conceited. You are not a god. Even gods cannot twist fate directly. That is precisely why you were summoned.”

(Summoned… by God?)

So God is also a Serios fan? He reincarnated me into this world just to save my brother?

A wave of emotion welled up from my feet and spread through me.

God!
I’ll do my best to live up to Your hopes!

“Leticia, come to me. Then I shall explain part of the mystery.”

(I can’t come right now?)

“You are not yet my complete master.”

(I see…)

So now, in addition to finding the golden licorice, I had another goal—
to visit the holy sword itself.

Once Professor Robert finishes developing the medicine to suppress my attacks, I’ll go.

To the hero’s village—where the holy sword sleeps.