S33 Brother and Sister

Onii-sama!

The voice that came at me contained so much fawning that I could practically hear a heart mark at the end. She came rushing towards me, her whole face lit up with a smile like a flower in full bloom. She only shows this expression and voice to me, while for people in general her expression doesnt change that much and when she responds she uses a disinterested tone with little intonation. Until a while ago, thats how she naturally behaved around me.

However, there was now a big difference between the past and present in that she now clasped a weapon in her hand and came towards me in order to kill me.

Ugh!?

Onii-sama! Onii-sama!!

I stopped the consecutive attacks with my sword. Why? Just how did things end up like this?

We went our separate ways in a foul mood. Our former classmates who had been pent up in the elf village. Tagawa and Kushitani-san, the two who had been adventurers outside. Sensei the elf. Yuri, who had been brainwashed by Yuugo and had come to attack the elf village together with the Imperial Army. And finally, Katia and I.

We had no idea what would happen to us from now on. Everything depended upon Wakaba-san and her side. As we were prisoners, depending on how Wakaba-sans side treated us from now on, our situation would change. If we accept at face value what was said at the discussion just earlier, it seems we wont be treated badly though At any rate, theres basically nothing that I can do is there..

Until now, I had always tried to do my very best at the things I could do. However, the result of that, is all this. I wasnt able to stop Yuugo and let him die, I had intended to protect the elf village but the elves were annihilated and Wakaba-sans side have gained the power of life-and-death over the reincarnators. In my own way, I had tried to do my best. Yet, the result was the worst. No, since I now know about the contents of Taboo, I understand that the end result was not the worst. Because the elves who I had tried to protect were in fact the source of all the evil acts that were leading the world to its ruin.

However, just because I understand that, so what. In the end, that hasnt changed the fact that theres nothing I can do. Inside the huge storm that is reshaping the world, wasnt I basically like a leaf being pathetically blown around in my ignorance? Its so absurd that I cant laugh.

Perhaps at some point I might have gotten conceited. No, not might have. I have gotten conceited. After becoming the Hero, I had been convinced that only I could stop Yuugo. I had firmly believed that with my strength that I would surely be able to do something. Like Julius-nii-sama had done, I had been convinced that I could become a person who could influence the world. Despite the fact that Julius-nii-sama had been carrying out his duties as the Hero since he was a child its precisely because he had been active for so long that he became a great man who could influence the world. Simply by having inherited the Heros title, I had felt that I was standing in the same ring as Julius-nii-sama.

That arrogant thinking was just earlier, completely beaten down. Sophia made me realise just how insignificant my existence was, to the extent that I felt is that all I am?. I couldnt do anything. I couldnt respond to anything. I couldnt even gain the opportunity to respond. Even if I had raised my voice into a scream, that probably wouldnt have reached Sophia. She would have snorted in derision, and then it would have been over. And that was all I could do.

In me, a power capable of moving the world, doesnt exist. No power, no fame, no nothing. Ive simply been toyed with by those who are truly moving the world, and used, no, more like ignored? Potimas might have tried to make use of me, but Wakaba-sans side didnt take the slightest bit of notice of me. They only looked at me like I was a mob character, as if it made no difference whether I was there or not. The ones who are moving the world, are Wakaba-sans side, not me.

That by itself, might be fine. From the start, its not like I had these grand ideas about what to do with the world. Id only had the vague thought of being a helpful person like Julius-nii-sama in the future. Then Julius-nii-sama died, I became the Hero and everything started to go wrong. From that point, I thought that I simply had to do something about Yuugo and reckless rushed in, but this time it might be better if I stand still for a while and carefully think about what I want to do from now on. About what I can do and what I cant do. Theres so much that I cant do. However, if I properly accept that, then maybe I can just try to figure out what I can do bit by bit. I dont even know what it is that I can do though. Even so, I gotta do whatever it is that I can do. I dont want there to be any more victims like Julius-nii-sama at least.

Katia.

Hm?

I want to talk for a bit. Is that okay?

Ah, of course.

I decided that Katia and I should discuss what were going to do from now on. We returned to the room where I had been sleeping earlier, and then sat down.

Are Anna and Hyrinth-san okay?

What I asked about first, was about my two companions who I hadnt seen any sign of since I woke up. Particularly Anna, since she had lost her life once during the battle. Due to my Kindness skill she should have just barely survived, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I had successfully resurrected her, but I dont know what happened afterwards since I lost consciousness as a result of gaining Taboo.

They should both be okay. I was told they had been isolated in a separate place. Were linked to Hyrinth-san with Telepathy, so if youre concerned you can just confirm that later.

I see. Hyrinth-san has the Telepathy skill. So even if were separated a short distance away, its still possible to keep in contact huh.

In that case, does that mean Hyrinth-san is also aware of the situation here?

Yeah. Ive reported all the details of the situation that I could. Although they are also presently being confined, theyre properly being provided with food and so on so theyre not in discomfort, apparently. Anna has also woken up and is healthy, he said.

Thats great. If theres one other person who Im concerned about

Katia. Have you heard anything about Sue?

My little sister Sue was brainwashed by Yuugo and taken away. The last time I saw Sue was when she had murdered our father after being brainwashed by Yuugo. Id heard afterwards that shed been taken by Yuugo to the Empire, but I dont know anything following that. I didnt see Sue during the battle either.

I dont know what happened to her. Ive heard nothing.

I see. However, since Yuugo has died, that should mean that Sues brainwashing has also been removed, right?

That should be the case.

Can she return to normal I wonder?

My voice was filled with anxiety since I didnt know myself. While she was brainwashed by Yuugo, Sue had murdered her own father. No matter that she brainwashed, its still the case that she killed her own father by her own actions. Even when the brainwashing has been removed, the memories do not vanish. For that reason, Yuri has apparently become emotionally unstable, having been similarly brainwashed. Id heard that at the moment when the brainwashing had been removed, shed seemed likely to commit suicide then and there. Shes apparently been forcibly put to sleep for now to stop that, but afterwards shell definitely need some kind of mental care. If shes in a similar situation to Yuri, then Sue is also in danger.

Besides, even if she can overcome that, I dont know if we can return to our previous relationship. No matter that she was brainwashed, far too much has happened. I dont believe that itll be possible for us to completely return to our previous relationship of brother and sister.

Theres nothing for me to say there. Thats between you and Sue, Shun. What do you want to do? How will Sue respond? I think itll depend upon that.

I nodded my head to Katias serious reply. It might be such a time, but I feel that Katia sure is reliable for being able to properly consider our situation and express her thoughts.

Thank you.

Youre welcome.

In response to my frank appreciation, Katia had put on an embarrassed and trembling smile.

Lets see. In my case, I hope that we can return to being close as brother and sister. That being said, I guess it will be impossible for us to completely return to how we were before. If we can at least reconcile then that would be a good start. Ideally, I think it would be good to use this opportunity for her to take some distance from me as her brother. At any rate, I guess nobody knows what will happen unless we can actually meet.

Distance from her brother

Katia reacts to my words about Sue taking some distance. On her face is blatantly written the words wouldnt that be impossible? I think so too. Sue has an extreme brother-complex. She doesnt look at me as her brother but as someone of the opposite sex. In that regard, I can only see Sue as my sister, as being my family. Responding to Sues feelings is not something that I can do. However, if shes unable to take some distance from me as her brother, then I dont think that anything can be done about that.

Its no lie that I wish for her to take some distance from me as her brother. However, Id rather us return to our old relationship than for us to break apart on bad terms due to this incident. While I cant see her as a member of the opposite sex, I love her as my sister and a precious member of my family after all.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. When I replied, the one who opened the door and walked in, was Wakaba-san.

Do you want to meet your sister?

Then she asked me that with incredible timing.

I can meet her!?

Indeed.

Of course I want to meet her. Please let me!

In response to my spirited request, Wakaba-san held out a hand. There was no explanation, but what will happen if I take her hand? I took her hand even though I was confused. The next moment, the scenery had changed.

Where am I?

Onii-sama!

When I spoke my question, what arrived first was not Wakaba-sans response but Sues voice. When I turned around, Sue was there. Theres nothing in her attitude showing something like fear or feeling awkward and wanting to avoid me. She runs towards me with a smile on her face.

Onii-sama!

While calling out to me in a fawning voice, she readied a weapon.

Huh?

A stupid sounding response leaked out from my mouth. I was able to react properly thanks to my daily training. As Sue aimed her sword at my heart and swung down without hesitation, at once I drew the sword at my hip and responded.

Sue!? Are you still brainwashed!?

No! Im completely sane!

Sue doesnt stop her attacks. While defending against that, I reached the pinnacle of confusion. Shes saying that shes sane, but I dont think anybody who would consider her sane!

Sue! Stop that!

I have realised it! That this is the only way for me to obtain onii-sama!

Sues strikes are all focused on my vital points. Theres no leniency in her attacks. Shes seriously trying to kill me.

By using thisConquestskill, I will be able obtain everything of onii-sama! Even onii-samas heart and soul! Of course I will preserve your body once its empty!

My spine froze. I cant comprehend Sues words. I dont want to comprehend them. I can feel a madness that Ive never felt before from Sue. Either way, its clear that Yuugos brainwashing has had a negative influence upon her.

At any rate, Im uneasy about thisConquestskill. When I use Appraisal on Sue, I see that she now has theGreedskill. Thats one of the Seven Deadly Sins skills that Yuugo had possessed.

Sue, when did you get that?

I had already satisfied the conditions before I had been brainwashed by him. But because he owned it I couldnt my hands on it. Once he died, not only did I become free, I was able to get my hands upon Greed!

Sue doesnt stop her attacks while she talks. While also talking, I check the effects of theConquestskill that Sue has.

Conquest: When Greed is active, absorbs everything from the targets soul.

So, what does this mean exactly? Greed has the effect of being able to take over the skills and status of a defeated opponent. Does thisConquestskill supplement that, making it possible to take everything from the opponent? However, if that is possible, then I dont understand the reason why Yuugo didnt use it. Ah, its the Ruler Authority huh! One of the pieces of information I had gained from Taboo was regarding Ruler Authority. It grants the authority to interfere with the System and is only accessible from those who own the Seven Deadly Sins skills or the Seven Virtues skills. It shouldnt be possible to activate the related skill unless the Ruler Authority has been established. Even though Yuugo had a Ruler skill, since he hadnt established his Ruler Authority, he couldnt useConquest. In that case, does this mean that Sue has been able to establish her Ruler Authority? No, Sue isnt at level 10 in the Taboo skill. It shouldnt be possible for her to establish her Ruler Authority. In which case, she cant useConquest.

Sue! Its meaningless to do this!

Onii-sama! This is the only way left for me!

Its no good. She wont listen to me at all. What should I do?

Get away from Shun!

Fire rushes towards Sue. At the other end of that fire is Katia.

Katia!!

Come get me, Sue.

And so, Sue shifts her target from me to Katia, and attacks. Why did all this happen? What should I do?