Why Is My Little Sister Suddenly Showing Up Here?
"……."
Evelyn's eyes lost focus, spinning blankly. I had no clue what had suddenly broken her like that.
But it didn't last. Snap. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again, instantly swapping out her expression. Gone was the demure, hesitant daughter-in-law mode from moments ago—she'd switched right back to her usual icy, razor-sharp mother-in-law vibe.
"……Don't get the wrong idea."
"Pardon?"
"I was just worried because if you collapsed, it'd be a loss to the empire's manpower. As a princess who truly cares for her people, I felt pity for a key societal leader. Nothing more, nothing less."
Her voice regained its strength.
"I'll forgive your impertinent remark this once—implying I was watching your mood or whatever—considering today's accomplishments. But from now on, you'd better watch that rude tongue of yours, regardless of any free-spirited comments."
Does she have bipolar or something? What the hell was that just now? You're confusing people.
"Ah, sure. Whatever you say."
I decided not to dig deeper. Whether it was bipolar, a bad meal short-circuiting her brain, or whatever—I wasn't getting involved. Probing with "What was that about earlier?" would just backfire.
"Well, I'll be off then."
"Where to?"
"Gonna check on the village. It's my mess, so I should make sure it's wrapping up okay."
Evelyn nodded solemnly at that.
"I see. I commend your sense of responsibility."
"Thanks."
"I'll come too."
"……Pardon?"
No, why are you coming? Go rest or something.
Reading my dubious look, Evelyn cleared her throat and added, "As a princess, checking on the people's welfare is my duty. I can't let you take all the credit alone."
Her words said one thing, but her eyes had this weird, persistent glint.
Well, no real reason to stop her. I hadn't rented out the road or the village.
"Suit yourself, then."
I stepped aside and gestured. "After you."
"Oh, no need! …Actually, yes. Let's do that."
"……?"
I shrugged and followed behind Evelyn, who'd taken the lead.
Step, step.
Was it my imagination? Her cautious footsteps sounded oddly deferential.
* * *
The moment we entered the village entrance, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Whoa."
A gasp escaped me naturally. Just a few hours ago, this place had been pure hell. The nose-assaulting stench, the squelching filth, the dead-eyed stares of people hiding in their homes.
But now…
Bustle, bustle.
"Make sure to coat this spot thoroughly! If there's any gap, we redo it!"
"Got it!"
Lively shouts rang out. Kals and the other noble students were sweating buckets, finishing up the groundwork. Wherever their hands had passed, the ground gleamed smoothly, like a noble estate's garden path. No more worries about mud on shoes.
But the biggest change was the air.
Bubble, bubble.
"Mom! I ate both bowls! I'm so full!"
A hearty aroma wafted from somewhere. In one corner of the square, massive pots lined up, steam rising invitingly. Kids dashed around them, laughing merrily.
"My god……."
Even Evelyn, leading the way, let out a soft exclamation.
Hell to heaven in just half a day.
"There, eat slowly! Chew thoroughly so you don't choke! If it's not enough, we'll make more!"
That familiar voice came from afar. It was Lily. Apron tied on, she was handing out bread and soup. Her face was smudged with soot, but her expression shone brighter than ever.
"Thank you, truly thank you!"
"Aigoo, how can we ever repay this kindness……."
Elders clutched her hands, eyes misty. Lily gripped theirs back with a warm smile. The sight was so saintly, it looked like a halo glowed behind her.
True saintess right there.
I watched the scene contentedly.
"Nice."
"It's the mage!"
"Nah, it's an angel!"
My eardrums nearly burst. Kids freshly scrubbed of grime swarmed me, yelling chaotically.
"Whoa! Real angel! Whoa!"
Instantly, one latched onto my waist, another clung to my legs, another yanked my cloak. This must be what a cat tree feels like. Wait, why aren't these kids scared of me? This is weird as hell.
The adults nearby stopped work, gazing at me with awe. So embarrassing.
Then, a bearish figure pushed through the crowd.
"Looks like things are settling down now?"
Professor Wilhelm. He checked my complexion, nodding in satisfaction.
I shook off the kids roughly and replied, "Better, yeah. But it wrapped up faster than I thought?"
"Everyone was going at it like their lives depended on it."
Wilhelm jerked his chin at the road. Glossy-coated pavement, with sweat-drenched noble students sprawled atop it. Squint, and they looked like piles of white ash.
I chuckled. "Bet you're pleased."
"Hahaha!"
Wilhelm's booming laugh shook the air—enough to startle the clinging kids loose.
"Thanks to someone stoking them hard, we got results way beyond the plan. Indeed!"
He slapped my shoulder. Ow, old man.
As he licked his lips for some grand speech, I preempted with a preemptive strike.
"No rewards needed. Just grant my request."
"What?"
"End the Region Tour early."
"Hmm?"
His brows twitched. He eyed me with keen interest.
What?
Moments later, he slapped his knee and nodded.
"You pity these people with your compassion, yet you don't want to linger here long?"
Obviously. Feeling bad for folks rolling in shit-piles is separate from me rolling in them too.
Sure, I'd plowed most of the village land into clean roads myself. But decades of stench and pollution had seeped deep into homes—and the whole neighborhood.
I replied solemnly. "Hate's hate, like's like."
Sleeping here would rot my lungs.
"That's why I pity folks stuck in environments I'd never tolerate. And why I feel the urgent need to improve their homes."
What I hate, others hate too. Empathy 101. Perfect logic.
Wilhelm nodded gravely, deeply moved.
"Understood. We planned a full overhaul post-Region Tour anyway, with a support team incoming. No issue pulling out now."
Makes sense. That's why they brought all those supplies.
I'd prioritized roads knowing pros would handle housing.
Wilhelm declared crisply. "Done. Plan was a week here, but we'll advance: camp in the forest tonight, monster combat drills tomorrow."
In the original story, they'd spent a week here causing chaos. Despite Wilhelm's initial "These noble brats won't do shit, but shock therapy"—Lily dove into relief work, winning hearts.
But I'm not Lily. Saint cosplay's good for a day.
Forest camping? Thank god.
No shit-stink there. Wash in the stream, change clothes, sleep to bug chirps. Pure healing.
……Huh?
Something felt off.
Fuck, I left home to suffer anyway—dodging shit-piles for forest camping feels like a win? Does that make sense?
Normally, I'd whine "Book me a hotel!" Relief at outdoor sleeping? Creepy.
Is this my inner slave DNA kicking in? Shit.
Suddenly teary-eyed, I looked pitiful. Wilhelm misinterpreted, gazing warmly.
"Never lose that compassion. The more you suffer, the happier the people."
What bullshit? My suffering's just my shitty life.
No point arguing. Play along.
"……I'll keep it in mind."
I bowed vaguely.
Then, Evelyn—who'd watched quietly—muttered low.
"So different……."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Forest, right? Let's prepare."
She nodded at me, face oddly flushed.
She's acting weird. Everyone around here's lost their minds.
* * *
Rumble, rumble.
Carriage wheels rolled over dirt paths. Lush green from dense trees filled our view. The two-and-a-half-horse carriage air felt different—everyone gulped forest freshness like magic elixir, windows flung wide.
"Ha. Fresh air's no freebie."
"Yeah. Didn't know it'd feel this invigorating."
Lines straight out of a cheesy anion seller ad. But I got it. Fresh off stench-hell, the forest air hit perfect.
I savored the deep phytoncide inhale and turned. Beside me, Lucius scribbled furiously in his notebook.
Scratch, scratch.
Pen flew like a shady loan shark auditing receipts.
I prodded casually. "Tallying expenses?"
"How'd you know?"
Lucius paused, eyes wide.
I smirked. "You seem the dry, calculating type."
"Ouch. Harsh on an alchemist who took massive losses."
"Joking."
"I know. Best played straight-faced."
Simpleton.
He resumed coolly. But I hadn't chatted for lame jokes. His smile grated annoyingly.
"Why so happy calculating losses?"
Normal folks frown at wallet hits. He grinned like a lotto winner.
Lucius snapped his notebook shut. "Can just bill it as meal costs, right?"
"……."
Fuck. Scary.
That smile hid razor edges. My "one meal" brag boomeranging.
"……And?"
"It's too huge for one meal."
He looked troubled. "You wouldn't wanna eat with me daily for a year. I ain't into daily dude dinners either."
What're you getting at?
I eyed him suspiciously. Lucius whispered slyly.
"If the dinner companion's someone else—not me—I'll cut a sweet deal."
"Who?"
"My little sister."
"Pardon?"
I doubted my ears.
Little sister? Why's she popping up here?