Sorry, Oniisama

Fourth Year

---

A number of flame pillars engulfed the father’s flames and blazed stronger.
Just how high level a technique it was to overwrite other people’s magic to make it your own, was something that he himself knew quite well.
If it was just using magic then anybody could do it, but overwriting the control of the magic was proof that your skill exceeded the other’s.
Despite the fact that it was a difficult magic even at the best of times, this was a magic used by somebody famed for being the most talented.
Everybody watched the scene in stunned silence.

“――――We don’t even need to fight… is it. I surrender, Origa.”

His beautiful features curved into what could be taken as sincere smile, a sneer, or a wry smile, and the present clan head of the Ruzil raised his hand.

“At this moment, I transfer the seat of the current clan leader to you. It was my complete defeat.”

The higher-ups of the clan that had served as the witnesses bowed deeply, and pledged their allegiance to the wise new clan leader of the Ruzil.
The roaring flame pillars swayed violently, reflected in the daughter’s emotionless eyes.

And thus, the naturally talented Origa Emelda Ruzil, despite being only ten years of age, became the head of the clan.

…*

＊

…*

I finally did it! I gave it my all!
I won the seat of clan head six years earlier than in the novel.
With this, I’ve succeeded in shortening Gilford-sama’s unfortunate childhood as much as possible.
Aahh, what a long road it’s been.
While keeping malicious hands from attacking Gil-sama, I’ve been training every, single, day, staying indoors like a shut-in for an entire four years!
Finally, in this clan-, no, in this country, I’ve risen to the top as the number one fire magician.

“Origa-sama. What will you do with the former clan head?”

…And so without even time to savour the fruition of my hard work, I was forced to deal with the duties of the clan head.
I couldn’t help but feel gloomy about what my future held, but it wouldn’t have been exaggerating to say that this was what I had desperately lived for these last four years.

Normally, a fallen clan head would be consigned to death on the spot to preserve the meritocracy.
This tradition wasn’t something that could be changed even by the order of the new clan head.
countless, countless people had been sacrificed to this tradition, down to my generation.
Even if I tried to force my way with power, now that I’d used all my power a few moments ago, even I couldn’t win against my entire clan.
However, this time alone, things were fortunate.

“I will have Otousama live. ―――As the husband of my mother the princess, in order to demonstrate our allegiance to the throne, we cannot harm him.”

I just would slowly consider his treatment later on.

“More importantly,” I started.

Overlooking the people who had started to become noisy, I acted like I was glaring at somebody who wasn’t there.
Forcefully moving my throat that had become dry from the tension, as the clan head, as the 【Princess of the Inferno】, I gave my first order.

“There is somebody else that we must be rid of. ――Bring Oniisama here.”

…*

Having been brought here by men, Oniisama looked troubled as he was made to kneel.
However, despite being scared by the higher-ups lined up nearby, Oniisama looked my body up and down, before giving a sigh as though relieved.
Although only a few members of the clan were allowed to watch the scene unfold, everybody knew that I had challenged Otousama to a duel in the Rite of Succession.
However, no matter how praised I was for being a genius, I was still only ten.
An age where if I left the mansion and went to town, I would be nothing more than a child to be protected.
My body was small, my strength was weak, and with my build being terrifyingly fragile, I was a child to be protected.
To Oniisama who had been brought up normally until he had been brought to the clan, I’m sure that impression was even stronger.

“Congratulations on your Rite of succession.”

“Thank you. The reason I had you come here was to inform you of what we will be doing with you.”

Even the first words of congratulation that Oniisama had ever given me didn’t move my heart.
It only deepened the feelings of guilt for what I was about to do.
Those green eyes that I could feel love from now wavered in turmoil. It took everything I had not to look away.

“We have waited plenty long enough. It would have been fine had you even a little talent for fire. However, you were so weak… that we cannot allow you the name Ruzil.”

It’s been four years since Oniisama had been brought here.
I singlemindedly improved my skills, and finally the preparations are complete.
That weakness is sin, and that something that must be removed is something that was common sense of the clan.
Because of that, during succession ceremonies, the new head would kill the fallen head as a show of power.
It wasn’t an abuse due to hatred for the former head, but simply tradition.
If it was just a ceremony about removing the weak and showing one’s strength, then instead of killing Otousama―――――

“Because of that, we will brand you so that you can never call yourself a Ruzil again, and then we will banish you.”

Although the wide-eyed Gil-sama was kneeling less than five steps away, he felt much too far.
Today, right this very moment, our paths decisively parted.
My chest felt unbearably restless, but this too was according to the events of the novels.
In the novels, Gil-sama had his life targeted by 【Origa】, but because of the help of a friend, things ended with just being banished and disowned.
In the end, it’s ended up with me choosing to banish him myself, but that’s as far as the changes go.
No matter how 【I】 feel, no matter what methods I use, as long as Oniisama is the protagonist, this is something that will surely happen.

“Origa-sama. Is this not too light a measure? We are a clan that respects magic. Just being weak is in itself a sin.”

“…Oniisama was not somebody born and raised in the Ruzil. He is nothing more than a normal, incompetent child, born from a superior seed. Acknowledging him as a member of our clan would besmirch the honour of our ancestors.”

How somebody is raised in their infancy has an enormous influence on them; this is something that all magicians know.
If I declare that Oniisama’s talent as a magician never budded because he had been raised by a nobody with no contact with magic, everyone should assent.
Executing somebody who didn’t even know the ‘ma’ in ‘magic’ as a member of the important Ruzil family was the same as acknowledging that he was a magician.
Once I tried lamenting about how shameful it was, nobody else raised any further objections.

After after if there were any other objections, and scanning the surroundings, I had Oniisama held down by the men, and ordered them to gag him.
Oniisama was held face-up against the ground, unable to even resist. Kneeling down next to him, I slowly undid his collar.
Drawing an ancient character in the air that meant ‘severing connections’, it burned red and turned into a brand.

“Let your heart―――no, let your soul be branded with this mark.”
『So that your body burns, and burns, until not even the garbage remains――』

A scene I had once seen flashed through my mind.
My voice, my face, my flame flickered in distant memories.

I don’t, want to do this.

I wasn’t thinking about the consequences. This emotion just rose through my body.
So that I could deny the future that would one day come to me, quickly so that nobody would see, I modified the brand,
―――and seared the emblem at my fingertips into his skin.

“――――-!!-―――-!!!”

The sound of sizzling skin, and Oniisama’s mute screams.
Although the scream of pain, the smell of burning, and the sensation of branding him all served to point out just how cruel I was, I couldn’t avert my eyes.
After all, this was a sin that I had committed.

「――――-gah, ―――…」

I continued to push my finger down on his convulsing body―――when I checked to make sure that the brand was on properly, the surroundings had grown silent.
Everybody here confirmed that Gilford Ruzil was forever disowned from the Clan of Fire.
There was no longer any reason for anybody to give a glance to the boy who had fainted from pain.
There was no longer any reason to kill somebody like this, nor was there any value in dirtying their hands.

“…Keika, send donation money to the knights training school. Once Oniisama awakens, send him on his way after preparing him the necessary equipment.”

“And what is to be done of his surname?”

“Write his mother’s surname on the application. Tell him as well that from now on he is to use that name.”

Around the time that Oniisama was being carried out by some youths, people who hadn’t been present at the ceremony rushed in to give their congratulations.
As though drunk on power, and as though unable to understand what had happened, satisfied looking people surrounded me and gave their congratulations one by one.
Not a single person raised a complaint about my actions.
Not a single person looked towards the one who was burnt.
Although it was such an abnormal scene, not a single person noticed the abnormality.
Everything about this was terrifying.
I told my maid Keika that I would be returning to my room, so I would be leaving the cleanup to her, and Keika nodded with elation in her eyes.
From today onwards, she was the close aide of the clan head.
Seemingly moved by this, she congratulated me and declared her loyalty to me.
However, I didn’t listen to a single word.
At the moment I just wanted to be alone.
I didn’t want to see anyone else.
As though running away from the crushing pressure, I turned around and returned to the mansion.

My footsteps ringing out, I returned to my room by myself.
My steps were sound, and anybody looking in would see that I looked just as always.

With this, I had finished everything that needed to be done.
Gil-sama is going to meet some friends, choose his own path, and then gain power.
This was the tale of the ‘protagonist'[hero] who removed himself from a bloodstained destiny, defeated all evil, and founded a kingdom that brought joy to everyone.
This was not something that ‘I'[the villain] ought to take part in.
From now on, until the moment that I appeared onstage again, my life would just be a side story.
――――――A story of cruelty upon cruelty.

When I gripped the doorknob to the mansion, for some reason my hands were trembling and I couldn’t draw out any power from them.
During training, we used an anti-fire magic film to protect from fireballs, so this was the first time burning somebody with my magic.
That it stank that much,
That he’d scream that much,
That the touch was that raw,
That it burnt that fast,
That humans were that fragile,
was something I hadn’t thought.

I’ll probably attack countless people with this magic.
Somebody’s family, somebody’s lover, somebody’s friend,
I’ll burn them, and burn them, and burn them.
The only thing I can use is fire magic――――just like Gil-sama once said, it’ll only give birth to hatred, and won’t be able to save a single person.

What appeared in my mind was a scene that I had once read over and over again.
A witch who stood alone upon a burnt field and thousands of corpses―――――【Origa Emelda Ruzil】.

I did as I wished, and got my results.
These were the results that I had wished for myself.
However, no matter how long I waited, the shaking wouldn’t stop.

…*

＊

…*

A character with an ego had resisted things just a little, and created just a tiny distortion.
This gave birth to emotions that should never have been born, and allowed those who should have disappeared to survive.
This denied somebody the future they should have had, and was a guide to re-doing the past.

The characters had begun to move away from the arranged story, and groped for a new path.
And thus, the ‘fate'[story] determined by god had been warped.

..*

..*

..*

..*

..*

..*

..*

---

Tl note: So anyway, this is the story of why you shouldn’t reincarnate bed-ridden lolis with no love or social contact. As villains in their favourites novels at least.

Don’t worry, Oniisama!

Third Year

---

With her hair tied up as always, the servant’s young lord met her gaze through the mirror.
This little lord had a habit of quietly looking people in the eyes when asking them a question.
Those copper eyes of hers were still, as though devoid of any light of emotion.
When the servant stopped moving and tilted her head in wait, the question that came to her was beyond expectation.

“Hey, Keika. Between my father and I, who do you think will achieve more for the Ruzil?”

The small lord who had just turned nine, questioned her with a perfect smile.
The copper hair and eyes served to make the calm girl appear older than she was.

Her, and the clan head; just whom did Keika hold allegiance to? ―――Indeed, the girl was instigating betrayal.

Keika’s lord had suddenly matured over the last two years.
In the past she was already a girl brimming with talent, but ever since she took over responsibility for her deadweight brother, she had become completely absorbed in her magic studies.
Her vigour for studies seemed almost mad; enough that even the more power worshipping members of the clan drew away from her, to say nothing of her mother.
In terms of technique, she still had a long way to go.
However, even compared to the current clan head who was extolled as the most talented in history, it was clear that the girl was by far more promising.

Keika was a true daughter of the Ruzil, as well as a magician.
Her lord was the head of the Ruzil clan, and could be nobody else.
However, as though overturning such a taboo, the girl solicited Keika, as her copper eyes brimmed with dark emotions.
This was despite knowing that the close aides of the current head were set in stone, as well as knowing that Keika did not hope to walk a path above a maid’s.
The girl asked Keika. Would Keika betray the head and become her first retainer, or would Keika content herself to a lifetime of mediocrity?

Keika knew full well that she was not such a talented magician that she could afford to overlook this crossroad in life; this chance*.
Excited, Keika could dimly feel the blood rushing away from her arms and legs.

“…I-, I… swear a lifetime of allegiance to you.”

“Thank you, my dear Keika. There is something that I would like you to investigate―――”

With a smile, the small lord whispered a plan into the maid’s ear.
Trembling with fear and joy, the maid accepted her order as though in a dream.

…*

＊

…*

Finishing my early morning training, after wiping down my sweat, as I was about to return to my room and was walking down the outdoors corridor, I found Gil-sama’s hand beckoning me over from the shadow of a pillar.
I wonder what he wants.
Even though he always avoids me because he’s scared of me or something. How rare.
I could just act normally and leave for my room after a glare, but I just happened to have needed a word with him as well, so while secretly feeling pretty elated inside, I accepted his invitated and headed over to the pavilion.

When I sat down, Oniisama who was sitting opposite me stared right at me, and frowned while looking a little troubled.
It’s cute, but I wonder what’s up.
Making such a cute troubled face, are you trying to kill me through moe!?
It’s fine to tell your esteemed little sister about your troubles, you know. If there are any guys that you have a problem with, I’ll burn them to cinders.
Thinking all this while waiting for Gil-sama to talk, what came out of his mouth next overturned my expectations.

“Origa, I don’t think overworking yourself like this is…”

“There is no need to hear this from *you, Oniisama. I am properly taking care of my body.”

“Your complexion didn’t look very good. If I was wrong, I’m sorry.”

“…My.”

I’m a little surprised.
Geez, so he’s advanced in the water element enough that he can tell this much about me.
Water magic is the magic of healing.
I’ve heard that just by looking at somebody’s face, a skilled practitioner can tell things like what ails them, or how much longer they have to live.
If this is what’s happening with Gil-sama, then although I haven’t noticed it myself, I probably am a little tired.
There’s the fact that I’ve gotten a healthy body after reincarnating as well, and since I don’t know what my limit is, I often overuse magic, or study for too long and hurt my body. I’d better be careful.

“…Understood. I shall take a rest later. Is there anything else?”

“Anything else?”

“Did you call me all the way over here only to say just that?”

Seeing him blink blankly, I accidentally muttered “How rare.”.
It’s not just that he knows that he’s bad at dealing with me, but there’s also the fact that there would be a high chance that he would be targeted by other clan members, which is why he normally stays away from me, but…
Speaking of which, I get the feeling that he’s been a little assertive lately.
As I thought, he’s probably getting along with his swordsmanship teacher just like in the novel, or so I was deeply pondering.
His face slightly flushed, he dropped me a bombshell question.

“Ahh… Ummm, hey. For a break, how about you come with me to the festival in the city?”

――――Sorry?
Huh. But I’m pretty sure that not once in the novel did Gil-sama invite Origa anywhere.
Then, is this an event that appeared because I pushed ‘fate'[the story] forward?
Or rather, being able to go on a date with the protagonist… If there were any fans in this world, they’d definitely strangle me.
That’s just how crazed his fans were.

“…”

“I had tried visiting town, and heard that there would apparently be a festival soon. You’ve never been there before, right? So since it was a good opportunity, I was wondering if you were interes… ted…?”

Is that okay? It’s okay right? Isn’t it okay?
Including the preparation period, I’ve been playing the Princess of the Inferno for five years now, so wouldn’t it be fine to be rewarded at least this much?
Even leaving out questions like, ‘Why is such an event occurring, even though his impression of my should be as bad as it gets?’, there shouldn’t be a problem.
I’m pretty sure that it’s an event that never occurred in the novels after all, and even if I take it as a side benefit for my position, I should be able to cover over an event *this trivial.
Even if I can’t hold hands with Oniisama, if it’s just accidentally doing something like saying ‘Open your mouth. Ahhhn.’, it wouldn’t be a problem, right!?

“…”

“…Origa?”

Because I suddenly started screaming in my mind as I leapt into delusions, I spaced out for a little.
Seeing his little sister suddenly fall into silence and cycling through various facial expressions, I’m sure he felt nothing but fear.
Because in front of me, Gil-sama’s face was a little cramped.
Anyway, while I was opening my mouth to try my best to reply, ―――unfortunately, I felt a signal being lit.

…Ah. This conversation is also being watched by one of Otousama’s subordinates.
It’s been happening more and more since that incident the other day, but lately it’s just been too bold.
Is this also a trap to test and check out thoughts?
With my head suddenly changing gears, being a little more conscious about it, I replied in a cold voice.
“No.” that is.

“…Are you failing to comprehend it, Oniisama? At present, war could erupt with the neighbouring nation at any time. One of the cornerstones of the nation wasting her time precious instead of improving her magic? Just what are you trying to say?”

Both the fact that war is coming, as well as the fact that the Clan of Fire will be necessary, is according to ‘history fact'[the setting].
There’s no way to change this.
That’s why there’s no denying that I need to become strong, even a moment sooner. I wasn’t lying.
As long as I recite 【Origa】’s lines according to memory, there won’t be a problem.

“You’re going to improve your skills and, burn, people?”

“Yes. If the Clan of Fire fails to burn away the enemies, the citizens of our nation will be trampled upon.”

Unlike the future saviour of the country who was now making a troubled expression, that’s the only thing I can do.
Fire magic is not something used to save people.
When I silently stood up and made to leave, my arm was caught.
When I slowly looked him in the eyes, I found that determination blazed in those eyes that pained my heart.

“Origa. I really do think that we should visit town. The people of this family are strong. But you need to get to know what normal people are like as well.”

“Get to know them, and learn the preciousness of their frail lives? Ridiculous.”

To show a sheltered girl a new world, and even if only a little, change this unfeeling family full of bloodthirsty power-worshippers.
The only one in this family that he could be face to face with was me, his little sister, which is why he called out to me.
I’m sure that’s the reason for his unusual behaviour.
But 【Origa】 will not be swayed―――that’s how the story goes.

“Enough. I will not humour your blather. It is a waste of time.”

“Killing people will give birth to hatred. That’ll just cause a cycle-”

“Oniisama. If you do not desire scars that will accompany you for a lifetime, then shut your mouth this instant.”

With a snap, I created a small ball of flames by my fingertips and held it to his nose, causing him to widen his eyes and stiffen.
He knew quite well the pain of these red flames.
He knew that this flame, this magic, could give birth to nothing but hatred and pain.

Hating, and being hated. History repeating itself.
I personally feel that prioritising lives is the right way of thinking.
In the novels, Gil-sama also took a stand under that belief.
I feel the same way, and it’s because he stuck to this belief that I admired Gil-sama.
However. Agreeing and fighting alongside him is not my role.

“If you hate to see blood running, then please become strong enough to stop it, before saying such things to me.”

“Origa, wait.”

“Our clan, no, our *country, has no other way but this. It is our best hand.”

I repeated this. To let the people in the distance hear, and to remind myself once again.

“As long as this is our best hand, Otousama and myself as well, will continue to light the other nations in flames.”

To signify that we had nothing left to discuss, I shook off Oniisama’s arm when I once again felt a signal being lit.
The meaning of that mild and quiet flame was, ‘capture’.
The signal from the maid that I had convinced to become my arms and legs.

To determine which of these people were listening in for Otousama, and to remove them from the stage―――this was my first act of resistance towards Otousama.

She joined me in training a few times and was a little whimsical, but Keika had enough magical ability to be chosen as Origa’s maid.
Since she sent a signal, identifying Otousama’s loyal follower was probably a success.
A success in identifying that little crow that was listening to things it wasn’t supposed to, trying its best to think, and quietly whispering to the clan head.

It’s terribly irritating having no choice but to do things reactively, but it can’t be helped.
If somebody powerful unconditionally spoiled the weak Oniisama, the other members of the clan would hurt him.
My maid Keika is a good example; this clan’s complex regarding power is really much too strong.

In this age, of the families once extolled as the Five Great Magic Clans, only the Fire, Wind, and Tree clans are left.
This trend of weakening blood and ability over the generations is something harsh to those who live for nothing but magic.
That’s why a boy who inherited exceptional talent but not a smidgen of the fire element was a strong symbol of decay to such people.
Because of that, everybody was overly conscious of Oniisama, wanted to get rid of him, and wished to forget about him completely.

There were only two ways to protect him.
The first was to declare that I was fond of Oniisama, and protect him with my own power.
――However, on top of this being terribly difficult, it wouldn’t be any good for his independence.
That’s why I took the other method, where I thrust him away and instead took the initiative to show my rejection of him.
So as to avoid stimulating their complexes about him, and so that things wouldn’t escalate beyond a certain point.
Mysteriously, this meant that I would be doing the same things as 【Origa】, but that was my best hand.

“Ah, I know. ―――If I hear nothing but nonsense, the ‘one who gave you this useless knowledge'[your teacher in swordsmanship] may find himself in a crisis as well, you know?”

‘Please watch your words’, I threatened him.
While hearing the sound of him collapsing onto the bench, I turned to the building and *this time made my way there.
I’ll probably be quite busy from now on, even with Keika at my disposal.
Gil-sama is beginning to hold his own beliefs, so I can take it to mean that the story is beginning to move.
It’s a few years earlier than planned, but as long as I make things fit together with 【Origa】’s actions, I can say for sure that I know what the future holds.
Although I know the setting and the story, I had better begin seriously dealing with anyone who might try to kill ‘outsiders’.

When I glanced backwards, I found Oniisama slumped lifelessly.

Once I think of the future path that Oniisama needs to tread, having a bad impression of me suits things just fine.
I was feeling ecstatic so I hadn’t noticed, but although this was set to happen later in time, it was part of the novels that we would face each other with opposing ideologies.
It would be fine to think of the events today as falling under that.
With this as the start, we’ll begin to grow further and further apart.
Just like in those books.

I can’t imagine just how wonderful it would be if I could help him directly.
However, Gil-sama is much too kind, so I’m sure it would pain him when it comes time to kill and abandon me.
That’s why it might be better this way.

…*

＊

…*

It was two days prior that the girl had collapsed from anaemia, as a result of continuing to train in disregard of her growth-related mana imbalances.
Her room overflowed with get-well presents, and although the girl could see how important she was to the clan, she herself held no interest in this.
The feelings behind those gifts were not pure thoughts of consideration for her, and so there was no need to go out of her way to think of ways to thank them.
Just showing her healthy self would be plenty thanks, after all.

Upon forcing her still sluggish body to the terrace window, she found that something was lightly fluttering outside.
In wonder, the girl opened to window to find a get-well card and a ribboned bouquet.

The bouquet in her hand was made from field flowers and was terribly simple, yet she could feel from it a kindness that exceeded any other, no matter how gorgeous they might be.
The girl only knew of one person who would give her such a bouquet.
The girl couldn’t thank him directly.
Because if those around her witnessed such a thing, they would surely abuse the one who had sent these flowers.
Still, it meant that even when she forced herself to act well, there was still somebody who had noticed that she hadn’t recovered.
Because of that, the girl had no need to show her thanks.

Sinking into thought for just a while, she pulled out just one flower, and after glancing at the contents, she threw the card into the fireplace along with the bouquet.
Pressing the flower between the pages of a diary that nobody would read, the girl muttered something with a troubled smile, before walking towards the door.

---

Don’t worry, Oniisama!
―――I’ll give my best tomorrow as well!