"So, am I weak or strong?" Nessa asked, staring blankly at the ceiling.
[I'd say you're middle range for an elven power level. After all, your mother trained you. Still, you're fairly strong, so don't worry too much.]
"That's good to hear," Nessa sighed in relief.
But before she could close her eyes to rest, a sudden memory slammed into her mind. She sat up abruptly, eyes wide.
"Wait… isn't it next month that a demon is supposed to appear and rewrite the entire continent?"
Cold sweat trickled down her face. She wanted to slap herself for forgetting something so important.
'Should I warn Mother? But… would she even believe me?'
Nessa's mind raced. 'No time to hesitate. The majority of people will die, but if Mother uses this as an opportunity to take charge and save everyone, she could become the country's hero. The real question is… do we have enough resources to pull it off?'
"Well, I have to consult Mother about this," Nessa muttered, lying back down and closing her eyes.
[Won't you change?]
"Oh yeah!" Nessa groaned, sitting up again. "Ugh, how could I sleep in such a thick dress!"
The next day, Nessa strolled through the halls, casually nibbling on a piece of bread.
"Hmm, where's that brother of mine? Ever since that stupid old man and Mother were caught, I haven't seen him around. Well, whatever. I have better things to worry about," she huffed.
She had completely forgotten that her brother had taken a mission in her stead after she fainted.
"Big sister!" Olivia came running down the hall toward her.
"Be careful in the halls. What if you trip?" Nessa scolded lightly, bonking Olivia gently on the head.
Olivia pouted, rubbing the spot with an exaggerated wronged expression. "I'm way sturdier than that, sister!"
"Are the people you freed here yet?" Olivia asked curiously.
"I don't think so, but when they arrive, I'll give them jobs," Nessa assured her, patting the younger girl's head.
'She looks bored. Should I get her a tutor?' Nessa thought, but quickly shook her head. 'At a time like this, it would be useless. Maybe I should help her find some hobbies instead.'
A new idea sparked in her mind. 'Ugh, I need something to do too. I wanted to start a business, but with the demon invasion coming… that would be pointless. The best thing is to train everyone so they can protect themselves, stockpile supplies, and prepare so that even if people get scattered, we'll each have what we need.'
She nodded, liking the plan.
'Though… I can use this situation to my advantage. I could take out loans, buy the freedom of more slaves, and have them train as well. Training exercises for the people living around our dukedom too. After all, the debt collectors might never come asking for the money back… if they're all dead.'
A mischievous grin spread across Nessa's face. "Olivia, I'll be quite busy for the next few days, so it might be hard to see me. I hope you'll be alright and not get too bored. If there's any hobby you'd like to try, just tell me, okay?"
"Well, I want to practice magic!" Olivia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Oh? What kind of magic do you have?" Nessa asked, raising an eyebrow.
Olivia hesitated, shifting uncomfortably under Nessa's gaze. As Nessa stared closely, she noticed a soft glow hiding behind Olivia's neck.
Without thinking, Nessa reached out and grabbed it.
"Let me go, you stupid half-elf!!" a tiny voice yelled.
The glow vanished, revealing a small fairy man.
"Why are you with my sister, you pervert?" Nessa questioned coldly.
"Pervert?! This is slander!" the fairy shouted.
"Why else would a fairy stick so close to my sister? I heard you guys lure children into the woods and let them die!" Nessa yelled. 'Well, that's what I read in the game,' she thought.
"Only mad fairies do that! Most of us don't!" the fairy protested.
"Nessa, please let Esor go!" Olivia pleaded, grabbing Nessa's arm.
"You still have to tell me who he is," Nessa stated calmly, though her grip remained firm.
"He took care of me while I was living with my mother before she died," Olivia explained. "He's like a big brother to me."
"Hmm." Nessa humphed but reluctantly released the fairy. "Esor, was it?"
"How did you even see me? A half-elf shouldn't be able to see fairies," Esor said in a displeased tone, brushing himself off.
"Can humans see fairies?" Nessa asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No," Esor shook his head. He was a strikingly beautiful fairy with long blue hair, vibrant purple eyes, and delicate clothing.
"So how does my sister see you?" Nessa pressed.
"Well… she's special," Esor replied simply.
'Obviously. She's the female lead of this trash world,' Nessa thought with a nod.
"Alright, Olivia. What kind of magic do you have?" Nessa asked, changing the subject.
"Light and spatial magic," Olivia answered proudly.
"Cool. I'll find some books for you, okay? I'll also get you some storybooks. You can ask the maids to take you to the library too, there are tons of books there."
"Alright, sister! Thank you!" Olivia beamed as she watched Nessa walk away.