Chapter 93
“Vivi! Vivi’s coming here! Can you believe this?!”
I shouted at Raymond, furious — like a neighborhood elder reporting a runaway kid to their parents.
Come on, you’re her big brother, hopelessly obsessed with her safety! Do something! Stop Vivi!
I really liked Vivi.
Unlike the original Titania, who was consumed by inferiority and self-loathing when comparing herself to Vivi and ultimately destroyed herself, Vivi knew how to love.
She cared for the people around her and gave back as much as she received. Not everyone changes just because they return to the past. But Vivi did — she overcame a miserable history, the limitations of a child’s body, and still achieved so much. That’s not something just anyone can do.
Even toward a would-be murderer who tried to poison her, she could say, “Don’t kill him.” That kind of mercy.
Some might call it cheap hypocrisy — but not me. When you’ve been crushed by someone else’s malice, it’s not easy to still be compassionate and understanding toward others’ weaknesses.
When I first regained my memories of my past life, I cried over my wretched fate — but when I thought of Vivi, I felt a faint sense of relief.
Vivi would save the world.
If it were Vivi, she’d make sure the world didn’t fall apart. She’d protect the Empire, and the Kastrein family who gave everything to protect it.
As long as that child existed… maybe I could live without worrying about the original story.
Even in this world that would be fine without me.
That’s why I saved her without hesitation. I even revealed the secret of my birth mother — something Titania couldn’t say aloud even at her death. Maybe that’s why Vivi always treats me kindly, with that guilty look in her eyes… and every time she does, I feel a dull, guilty ache inside.
I saved you because I knew your secret — because I knew that even though you’re small now, you’ll grow into someone incredible, someone who will save this world.
I’m not some noble soul who risks her life for anyone.
I’m not as good as you think I am — I’m a coward, hiding behind excuses. Saving you was just a way to justify giving up on everything else.
I couldn’t even say that out loud. So every time Vivi worried about me, I just grew weak. Because I knew her feelings for me were real.
But still—Vivi has family she can’t live without. People to protect!
And yet she risked her life to come here because she was worried about me? That’s insane!
I stared desperately at Raymond.
Do you hear me? I’m speaking straight to your heart.
Protect Vivi. No matter what.
Without a word, Raymond slowly turned his head.
Ilian, the High Priest, was sitting leisurely like he was sightseeing, sipping tea.
Barbara kept refilling the tea and snacks but clearly had no intention of helping.
Lixianthus was gesturing at Vivi’s image in the air, like tattling about my behavior.
And Debbie stood back, watching the chaos like it was a play.
A complete disaster.
I had expected Lixianthus to jump up and say, “What?! What nonsense is our little girl talking about?!” — but instead, he just narrowed his eyes, gauging the situation with a strange expression. Raymond, too, stayed silent.
I grew uneasy.
What’s wrong with these idiots? You’re supposed to be her family—her brothers! Why aren’t you panicking?! You guys are always obsessed with her safety — why pick now of all times to act calm?!
If this were a proper doting-brother story, they’d be ready to wager the whole universe on their little sister’s safety!
“Vivi,” Raymond finally spoke.
On the other side of the image, the girl smiled brightly.
<Yeah, big brother!>
“You say you’re coming here. Do you understand what that means?”
<Hehe, well, my second brother’s running around like a dog with its tail on fire, my oldest brother stormed out like an avalanche, and my youngest brother said he’s busy with research at the library, so he’s fine!>
Her tone wasn’t exactly innocent — it was sharp, almost teasing.
…That’s just my imagination, right?
Our sweet angelic Vivi couldn’t possibly be saying, “You guys are all running around doing whatever you want, so don’t you dare lecture me,” with that smug little smile, right?
Then Vivi said clearly:
<I’m not stupid. The southern barrier may be outside the Kastrein family’s direct influence, but still—Papa told me this: ‘The Kastrein family exists to protect the Empire and its people from monsters. As a member of this family, you must inherit that purpose.’ And I’m a daughter of that family.>
Her blue eyes glowed.
<If my eldest brother had stayed safely in the capital, I wouldn’t have even thought about coming. But he ran off. The second brother ran off. And there were monster attacks! Even if the High Priest saved everyone, Titania almost died! How could I just stay behind and watch that from afar?>
“Vivi Lutein el Kastrein,” Raymond said, his voice firm. “You have no means to protect yourself.”
His tone was so rigid that I couldn’t even interrupt, though I wanted to. My grip on his arm tightened unconsciously.
“Even if it weren’t you—even if it were Rasfer saying he wanted to come here to study the monsters—I’d still forbid it. Charging into danger without a way to defend yourself only burdens your allies. It can lead to unnecessary loss and sacrifice for everyone.”
<I know,> Vivi said softly.
<When Titania almost died because of me, I learned that.>
My body froze.
<What could I possibly do with these hands? Sure, I’m cute, I’m lovable—if saving the world took cuteness, I’d practice my charm all day long! But monsters won’t split their meal into ten bites just because I’m adorable.>
Vivi, that joke is terrifying! It doesn’t sound like a joke when you say it! My back went cold.
<Still, if I stay locked up in fear, I’ll never accomplish anything. And I’m not going alone. I have my own amazing knight, you see!>
Vivi proudly placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.
Lixianthus’ expression instantly changed.
“You—you didn’t…! Vivi, don’t tell me you actually made that slave-market boy your official knight?!”
Popcorn.
I needed popcorn.
My eyes sparkled.
Oh, I know this part!
Vivi, like any proper heroine, gathers many companions around her.
One of them is the former prince of a fallen kingdom—sold into slavery and later saved by Vivi. He becomes one of the main male leads!
Vivi had rescued that boy, who’d lost all will to live, and cared for him devotedly.
Later, he grows into a Swordmaster-tier warrior who cuts down monsters like slicing fish heads.
But being an exiled prince sold into slavery—what a tragic backstory.
Someone like that could easily develop complicated feelings for Vivi… or resentment toward his own fate.
That’s why the Kastrein family, though they allowed Vivi to train him, never wanted him as her official guard. But eventually, he does become her personal knight — that’s how the story goes.
And now I get to watch Vivi’s overprotective brothers lose their minds in real time!
Lixianthus roared like he was about to breathe fire.
“Vivi! I told you before — just because someone can swing a sword doesn’t make them useful! How could you make some street rat your knight?!”
…Wait, him saying that? The irony!
Vivi looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
<Uh-huh… I think my second brother has a real talent for insulting himself indirectly…>
“Vivi, Lixianthus doesn’t just use swords—he uses fire too.”
<Big brother, you don’t have to remind him that sword and fire are literally the only things he can use…>
Anyway, Vivi murmured that she’d be fine since her knight was competent — then looked at Raymond and Lixianthus… and finally, at me.
Her gaze softened.
<I’m sorry, sister.>
“…Huh?”
<I’m just… sorry for everything.>
“…What?”
I tilted my head, puzzled, and Vivi sighed deeply before speaking with a resolute look.
<This time, I got permission from Papa to take the Emblem of Gloriana out.>
My eyes widened at her unexpected words.
