Volume 3, Chapter 4 – Sister~Mana~

“—[Thorn Bind]!”

As Liti’s shout faded, two brown thorns as thick as an arm suddenly erupted from the ground. Before the Fire-striped Frog in front of her could react, the thorns had bound it tightly to the ground. Even as the frog struggled with all its might, it was no match for the thorns.

Unfortunately, although the thorns had centimeter-long spikes, they failed to harm the Fire-striped Frog because its body was covered in scales. Liti had no choice but to walk towards the frog, which was about ten meters away, intending to deliver a fatal blow with her longsword.

However, as Liti approached the Fire-striped Frog, she continued to chant an incantation. And just as she had anticipated, the frog desperately raised its head and, with a croak full of anger, spat a fist-sized fireball at her.

The spell Liti had prepared in advance came into effect.

“—[Water Bullet].”

As Liti swung the exquisite long staff in her hand, a water ball the size of a human head flew towards the Fire-striped Frog. After colliding with the fireball, the water ball did not stop but instead splashed directly onto the frog. As if doused with strong acid, the Fire-striped Frog began to struggle violently, and a large amount of steam erupted from its body, the hissing sound of liquid evaporating filling the air.

But Liti did not stop because of the frog’s struggles. As if she had done it countless times, she drew the longsword from her waist, plunged the tip straight into the frog’s vulnerable neck, and then twisted the blade, killing it in one move.

After doing all this, Liti looked up at the dense, seemingly endless horde of Fire-striped Frogs outside the “barrier,” and a look of distress and slight despair appeared on her pretty face.

“It’s no good, there are too many of them! Sister, I’m out of mana!”

Liti was naturally speaking to Fia, who was standing near the carriage a dozen meters away. Ever since deciding to have Liti raise her rank, Fia had used her spatial power to form a barrier with a thirty-meter radius, letting only one Fire-striped Frog enter at a time. Only after Liti had dealt with one and taken a short break to drink some water would she let the next one in.

About half an hour had passed since Liti began her training. Although Liti had used low-rank magic as much as possible to reduce mana consumption, the prolonged battle had still exhausted her mana. If Liti hadn’t undergone training to endure dizziness when she was human, the symptoms of mana depletion would have been enough to make her vomit.

Fia, who had been supervising Liti with [Wind of Exploration], walked over to her and nodded lightly.

“Alright, let’s stop here. Liti has worked hard enough.”

As she spoke, Fia handed Liti a handkerchief and a cup of water. Of course, the handkerchief was not the one Claire had given her. Having learned her lesson from the incident with Estelle, Fia now carried several extra handkerchiefs with her.

As for the results of Liti’s training, although it had only been half an hour, Fia could feel through her [Mana Vision] that Liti’s mana capacity had grown significantly. The proof was that the amount of elemental energy surrounding Liti was slightly greater than before. Once Liti’s mana was fully restored, she could get a more accurate value using [Wind of Exploration].

During this time, Liti had killed nearly fifty Fire-striped Frogs, all of which were of the type whose strength was First Rank, nearing Second Rank, let in under Fia’s control. On the World Tree Continent, the higher the level and the greater the number of monsters killed, the faster one’s rank increases. Strangely, no one knew why; people simply accepted this phenomenon as basic common sense, like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

Gulping down the water and wiping the corners of her mouth, Liti said with a sigh.

“The last time my mana was depleted was decades ago when I first started learning magic. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this dizziness.”

“Besides dizziness, are there any other uncomfortable symptoms of mana depletion?”

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It was embarrassing to admit, but Fia had never experienced the feeling of mana depletion, which was why she was curious when Liti mentioned the symptoms.

“Magic casters with weaker constitutions will also feel nauseous and vomit. I can stand here properly because I’ve undergone training to endure mana depletion. If it were a novice magic caster, they would already be on the ground, foaming at the mouth.”

“I see.”

Nodding lightly, Fia took the water cup and the sweat-soaked handkerchief from Liti’s hands.

Liti, in turn, looked at her with a pleading expression, as if wanting to say something. Fia subconsciously asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“I want to recharge on Sister Mana!”

“Sis… Sister Mana?”

Fia’s expression stiffened as she put away the handkerchief. In the few memories she retained, she had a particular understanding of the words “recharge on mana,” and given Liti’s personality, it was hard for her not to think in that direction.

“What is that?”

“This!”

Liti, who had been on the verge of collapse just a moment ago, was suddenly full of energy. She spread her arms and, like a rabbit, jumped up to hug Fia. Her cheek rested on Fia’s shoulder, and her chest pressed tightly against Fia’s. Not only that, Liti also gently wriggled her soft body, causing their clothes to rub against their skin. At first, Fia didn’t understand the reason for Liti’s rubbing, but Liti’s intoxicated expression and tone soon gave Fia the answer.

“Ah~ Sister is covered in my scent… We’re entangled like snakes, inseparable…” ¹ (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)

Is she a puppy? Marking territory with her scent.

Although Liti’s milky fragrance was attractive, Fia only held feelings for Liti as a younger sister. And Liti was covered in sweat, which was not only hot but also made her skin feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Her dear sister was a hopeless sister-con. Fia was once again faced with this reality.

“Are you a pervert, Liti?”

With a disgusted expression, Fia pushed Liti’s shoulders away. But even after being pushed away, Liti still had a blissful look on her face with her eyes closed, happiness overflowing from the corners of her mouth as she giggled foolishly.

“Even if I’m a pervert, I’m a pervert who only loves you, sister! I’m fully satisfied with Sister Mana!”

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“You…”

She still looks like a twelve or thirteen-year-old loli, yet she says such shameless things. Who on earth taught her this?

Fia couldn’t help but turn to Anastasia for an answer, only to find Anastasia biting her lip, her gaze fixed on Fia’s shoulder.

“Anastasia?”

Fia asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

“Ah!”

Anastasia’s eyes widened, and she quickly came to her senses.

“Y-Your Highness, what is it?”

“Nothing, I just saw you spacing out.”

“Your subordinate was thinking… was thinking about something!”

That tone is obviously a lie!

Anastasia’s constantly shifting blue eyes had already revealed the fact that she was looking for an excuse.

“Hmph hmph, does Sister Ana want a hug too?”

On the other side, an overjoyed Liti picked up the conversation, opening her arms in a hugging motion.

Anastasia isn’t a child, why would she want something like that, Fia thought to herself. However, to Fia’s surprise, Anastasia did not immediately refuse. Instead, she looked at Liti’s open arms, her right hand resting on her ample chest, her face full of hesitation.

Could Anastasia and Liti have developed a yuri relationship when I wasn’t looking?!

“There’s still some of sister’s mana left, so it’s fine to share a little with Sister Ana.”

Liti said magnanimously ² in a way that is kind and generous, especially towards an enemy or someone you have defeated .

So that’s why Anastasia was hesitating earlier? If she really wants to recharge on this so-called “Sister Mana” by hugging Liti, that’s just too pitiful.

It was just a hug. Although it was embarrassing, she wasn’t that against it. After all, Anastasia was different from Liti—and even if they were the same, she couldn’t show favoritism.

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Her cheeks turning slightly red, Fia couldn’t help but wrap a strand of black hair around her index finger as she asked hesitantly and in a low voice.

“Um… if Anastasia wishes for it, it’s… it’s not a problem. It’s just a hug.”

“I-is that alright? I am merely a subordinate.”

“There is no hierarchy between you and me, Anastasia. I told you that a long time ago, didn’t I? I don’t like it when you bring up your status.”

As she spoke, Fia opened her arms and looked away bashfully.

“If you don’t want to, Anastasia, then never mind.”

“Then… please forgive my forwardness…”

Almost instantly, as if afraid Fia would change her mind, the wavering in Anastasia’s blue eyes vanished completely, her mature face filled with joy. Compared to Liti’s extremely natural embrace, Anastasia’s hands reaching for Fia were stiff, as if Fia were a fragile object. She carefully and with extremely light force, stepped forward to embrace Fia from behind.

If Liti’s hug was hot and sticky, then Anastasia’s was encompassing and extremely gentle. In the first moment of the hug, Fia felt an overwhelming softness. Anastasia’s fragrance seeped through her clothes, enveloping her whole body. It felt as if she had fallen into a cloud, or was wrapped in cotton. When Liti hugged her, all she felt was heat, but Anastasia’s embrace made Fia unable to resist the comforting thought of “let this last a little longer.”

It felt like a mother’s embrace.

If not for Fia’s self-control being far beyond that of an ordinary person, she felt she might have couldn’t help but hug Anastasia back around the waist.

The moment lasted only a few short seconds before it ended. Anastasia, with considerable restraint, was the one to let go. She seemed to be trying hard to suppress the joy in her heart and maintain a neutral expression, but her lively eyes had already betrayed her inner thoughts. That usually mature face was now filled with nothing but satisfaction.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Is that all? It doesn’t seem like much time has passed.”

Anastasia’s movements were very polite, not wriggling around like Liti, which was very pleasant, so much so that Fia felt time had passed too quickly.

“Ah, Your Highness’s willingness to grant me this blessing is more than I could ask for. How could I dare to ask for more?”

Although Anastasia was bowing as she spoke, Fia could still see the crimson on her profile—Anastasia was actually showing a bashful emotion.

“You’re completely different from how you are with me! Sister, you’re so biased!”

Liti raised her eyebrows in protest, but Fia just waved her hands dismissively.

“Liti, you should first reflect on what you did. Alright, that’s enough idle chat. Let’s head back to the carriage.”

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“But the Fire-striped Frogs around us… With all due respect, Your Highness, there are at least two or three thousand of them, and reinforcements are continuously arriving from the depths of the desert. Although I don’t know what’s going on, I am certain that even for me, it would take a considerable amount of time to deal with them.

The Fire-striped Frogs’ ranged attack options are very limited. We should use the same method as when we crossed the bridge: put the carriage in a Spatial Storage Box and use [Flight] magic. You can carry Princess Liti, and I will carry the horses as we fly over this desert. Once we reach a place without them, the carriage’s speed can leave them far behind.”

While Anastasia was speaking, another wave of Fire-striped Frogs arrived as reinforcements. These were no longer using crude, stone-age weapons, but were clad in simple leather armor and wielded standard-issue longswords and shields like humans. There were even formations of them that fired volleys of arrows at the carriage. Their leader had already reached the Third Rank. The arrows rained down on the barrier formed by the Spatial Hand, creating a clanging sound.

Although they still couldn’t break through the defense Fia had set up, their momentum and the bared-teeth fury they displayed through the barrier were already terrifying. Even an ordinary adventurer with experience in hunting monsters would be scared into collapsing on the ground.

In response to Anastasia’s suggestion, Fia confidently patted her chest.

“It’s fine. Anastasia, just drive the carriage. Monsters of this level are nothing to fear. I’ll clear the way.”

“But with so many Fire-striped Frogs, how do you plan to—”

“Like this.”

As she spoke, Fia manipulated the Spatial Hand to sweep away the Fire-striped Frogs in front of the carriage. As for the two eight-legged horses, they should have been panicking at this moment, but Anastasia had used a calming spell on them, so they remained calm.

“Ugh.”

Seeing the frogs being forcibly pushed aside, Anastasia, who had taken the driver’s seat and held the reins, stiffened and swallowed hard.

“To think Your Highness could do something like this… If it’s space magic, you could indeed clear a path, but isn’t Your Highness’s specialty fire magic? From the magic you’ve displayed so far, it seems you’re more adept with space magic? I have never seen such versatile space magic.”

In response to Anastasia’s question, Fia simply returned a knowing smile. It wasn’t that Fia was unwilling to tell Anastasia the answer, but rather that she didn’t know how to. She couldn’t just boastfully say that she actually only knew two space spells and wasn’t as amazing as Anastasia claimed.

Under Anastasia’s control, the carriage quickly moved forward, and the Fire-striped Frogs naturally gave chase. In response, Fia, who had been in the front passenger seat, slipped into the carriage, letting Liti sit outside in her place. She then leaned half her body out of the carriage, aiming towards the rear.

Angle set to 180 degrees, range set to maximum.

With the settings complete, Fia silently chanted in her mind.

[Mental Shock]

In an instant, with a tsunami-like white shockwave, all the Fire-striped Frogs chasing the carriage collapsed like toppled dominoes. Amid a series of popping sounds of skulls bursting, green blood splattered everywhere, and bodies fell one after another.

In the blink of an eye, only a field of headless corpses remained in the desert.