I Was Reincarnated As The Older Brother Of A Villainess Destined to Die, So I Want To Change The Future By Raising My Younger Sister With My Own Hands. I Am The Strongest In The World, But My Little Sister Must Be The Cutest In The World - Volume 3 Chapter 2.5
“What changed your mindset, Nina?”
“Well…”
Nina hesitated for a moment, then took a slow breath and spoke.
“I think it’s because of Lady Caroline… probably.”
“Lady Caroline, huh?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing her answer, I couldn’t help but deeply understand and agree.
Throughout our mission, whenever there was an opportunity, we engaged in conversations. If someone had influenced Nina, other than me, it could only be Caroline.
Initially, Nina was anxious about getting along with Caroline, a noble. Considering Nina’s circumstances as a former slave and her sister being the heroine of a story, it was easy to assume she harbored resentment towards nobility.
But it turned out to be needless worry. Though Caroline was the one who mostly initiated the interactions, Nina didn’t seem displeased. Perhaps she was happy to have a peer of the same age to talk to.
I was momentarily surprised by Caroline’s actions, but it turned out to be for the best. It was great that Caroline made a new friend, and it was a significant progress for Nina to trust someone other than me.
Satisfied, I nodded, but then Nina gave me a half-hearted look.
“There’s something I want to correct.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t really hold any grudges against nobles.”
“Huh?”
She suddenly revealed this in the course of our conversation, catching me off guard.
In response, Nina seemed to deflate.
“I’ve had a feeling about it for a while, but I guess I misunderstood.”
“Huh, so you’re saying you don’t actually resent them?”
I couldn’t help but be surprised. After all she went through, being involved in the power struggles among nobles, facing the degradation of being a slave, and even the possibility of death… and she doesn’t hold any grudges?
When I questioned her about it, she nodded.
“I do feel like I want to knock out the slave trader who hit me, but that anger doesn’t extend to the nobles. In the end, it was just the Harnes family losing in a political struggle.”
“Don’t you think you’re rationalizing it too much?”
“Do I? I think that’s just how noble children are.”
No, no, no, no. I can’t reach that level of acceptance! What kind of education does it take to have such transcendent thinking? I started to feel a headache from all the surprises.
It seemed I had a quite fatal misunderstanding. I had assumed that since Nina’s sister, the heroine, was consumed by intense revenge, Nina must feel the same way. But despite being twins, they seemed to only share physical resemblance.
Seeing my agitation, Nina flashed a self-deprecating smile.
“Well, I understand that I’m strange. Given my circumstances, I’m not normal.”
“What do you mean?”
The gloomy atmosphere emanating from her was abnormal. In the face of such extraordinary presence, I couldn’t help but ask.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have intruded so rudely. Perhaps my thoughts were still in disarray.
And Nina wasn’t her usual self either. Engaging in unfamiliar small talk seemed to have loosened her tongue more than usual.
What followed was the revelation of Nina’s memories from her days as a viscountess. It was the dark side of the Harnes family that was not revealed in the game—something the heroine could never have known.
In short, Nina was mistreated by her parents and servants. For the first few years of her life, she was raised normally, but as soon as it was discovered that her sister had magical talent while she had none, her treatment deteriorated.
“Basically, I was confined to my room. It was common for meals not to be brought to me.”
It was a given that her personal belongings were all hand-me-downs from her sister. She had to take care of everything by herself.
The only one who treated her normally was her sister. Though somewhat clumsy, her sister didn’t seem to fully grasp the extent of Nina’s situation and always visited her room with a smile.
“Nina…”
Unexpectedly, I was lost for words upon hearing Nina’s past.
In the game, the heroine had only expressed admiration for Nina, so I never dreamed that she had been mistreated.
Certainly, if she had been so thoroughly neglected, I could understand Nina’s reaction. It’s often said that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. She didn’t harbor any sentiments towards the nobles.
Nina shook her head.
“No need for sympathy. I like my current life. It provides me with the excitement I never had as a noble, and I met Sis. I also learned that there are people like Lady Caroline.”
Above all, she continued.
“It’s especially satisfying to learn how to survive. It makes me feel like I’m growing stronger. I’ll prove that I won’t lose helplessly again, not anymore.”
Nina’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. It was the same vibrant gaze I saw during training, filled with vitality.
Ah, so that’s it.
I understood.
She didn’t harbor anger or resentment. It was pure fighting spirit and survival instinct. Having experienced civil war and learned her own powerlessness, Nina is dedicating herself to avoid repeating the same mistakes. She’s struggling not to be subjected to injustice again.
It was a truly beast-like motivation. At the same time, I couldn’t help but think what an innocent child she was. Despite her past circumstances, I admired her for remaining unwavering.
I am convinced. If you have such a strong spirit, then you can surely obtain the power to overcome the unjust.
So, with conviction, I assert:
“You will become strong, Nina.”
“Oh, really? Stronger than my sister?”
“Of course. I would even dare say you’ll be among the top in the world.”
“That’s too much.”
Nina shrugged her shoulders, perhaps thinking it was a joke.
No, it’s not an exaggeration. With my knowledge and the guidance of my master Akatsuki, we can easily reach the pinnacle of the world.
“It’s not an overstatement. If you put my teachings into practice, you will undoubtedly reach great heights. So, what do you say?”
“There’s no need to say it.”
Nina immediately responded to the question, as if it was obvious. If there’s a chance to truly stand at the top, there’s no reason not to strive for it.
She had a determined look in her eyes.
With such sparkling eyes, this girl should be able to overcome the fate of death that awaits her in the future. I have confidence in her ability to break through her own destiny, even with my assistance.
Under the faint light of the campfire in the dark night, we converse about the strength we can obtain in the future.