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A magic-powered engine—something that could be called the counterpart to the steam engine of my previous world.
That… or perhaps the egg from which such a thing will be born—right now, I hold it in my hands.

“Ekaterina! What’s wrong? You look pale. Are you feeling unwell?”
“No! No, it’s just… this is… an incredible—an incredible study. One that could change the world itself…”

When Ekaterina said that to the worried Aleksei, Aaron gasped.

“My lady—you understand? You grasp the value of this paper, which even the scholars of the Academy could not comprehend, after just a single reading?”
“No, I cannot claim to fully understand its contents. But if it is possible to sustain magic with prismites alone…
Then in lands without water, we could continually summon it to create springs. We could raise wind only where it’s needed, turning windmills endlessly. We could maintain fires without cutting down forests for firewood. We could till the earth with the power of soil magic. If such things were possible… imagine how people’s lives would change.”

Right now, the prismite magic circle is an enormous, unwieldy thing—but surely, soon it will be refined, miniaturized, and diversified.
And eventually, even the initial activation of the spell could be done artificially. I’m sure it will.

Suddenly I remember—the day my brother and I toured the capital, looking out across the city from the temple bell tower. I’d thought of Tokyo from my past life then—how vast it was, and how gray.
Could this paper, perhaps, be the path that turns this imperial capital into another Tokyo?

“Great-Uncle Isaac was truly a genius… a remarkable genius who will be remembered in history.”
“Yes. Professor Isaac Jurnova is the greatest genius in the history of the Empire—this paper proves it. But you, my lady, are truly brilliant as well. To understand this much after a single reading!! Those fools in the Academy said nonsense like, ‘This can hardly be called a paper on mineralogy.’ Those hidebound old scholars aren’t even worthy to stand at your feet.”

Uh, Aaron—maybe you’re just too much in love with Great-Uncle Isaac, so you’re flattering me by comparison to his critics.

“Aaron is correct, Ekaterina. I first learned of this paper while Grandfather was still alive. Great-Uncle Isaac brought it to him himself, saying he had written something like this. At the time, I couldn’t understand its potential at all.”

Well, of course not—you were under ten years old back then!

“But Grandfather understood it immediately. He was overjoyed, saying over and over that Isaac was a genius…. You really take much after our grandfather. Only Jurnova could bring this prismite magic circle to completion. It would require a massive amount of prismites, and the cost would be immense. But if it could be made practical, its effects would be enormous. As you said, it might change the world itself. So I want you to lend me your strength.”

Aleksei’s expression was deadly serious as Ekaterina met his gaze.

To be honest, I wasn’t just hesitant; I was terrified. This isn’t some project-something-level endeavor anymore. This is *“the moment history moves.”* And not just a nation’s history—world history. Human history.

But still, Onii-sama asked for my help.
And who am I?
I’m a hopeless brocon! (clenches fist)

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stupid way to escape from reality—but fine. I’ve made up my mind.
At least we won’t have the same issues as greenhouse gases or global warming from my previous world, since we’re not using fossil fuels.
And because I remember that world, I know it won’t be all good—problems will surely arise too. But there will be plenty of good things as well.
And more than anything, this is what my brother wishes for.

Well then, let’s change the world!

“If we succeed in making the prismite magic circle practical, the name of Jurnova will be etched not just in the Empire, but in all of human history. It would be the honor of our house. And if this was Grandfather’s will, and your desire, Onii-sama, then I will do anything.”
“Thank you. It brings me great joy to have family who share one heart.”

Aleksei smiled.

“But there’s one thing I want you to be careful about. For now, speak of this to no one.”
“You fear another house might get ahead of us?”
“No. I fear that some—no, perhaps most of the nobility will oppose this. They may see it as a threat, since it would mean they can no longer monopolize magic.”

Ah—Ekaterina caught her breath.
Of course. Right now, magic is a symbol of nobility. Possessing magic is a matter of enormous pride.
But with the prismite magic circle, while the initial activation still requires a magic user, after that you only need to keep supplying prismites. Even commoners without magic could enjoy its benefits.
The value of personal magic power would plummet—no, *collapse*.
And then… would the commoners rise? Would the Empire—no, the world—move toward democratization…?

“Some may even resort to violence. But I swear this—no harm shall ever be allowed to come near you. Should anyone ever direct malice toward you, they will suffer a thousandfold retribution. That I promise.”

…Onii-sama’s eyes are glowing neon blue. It reminded me of a phrase from a book I once read in my past life—“Elegant Cruelty.”
But that side of him is so cool, too.

“If anything were ever to happen to me, you will become Duchess of Jurnova. The current imperial law allows a daughter to inherit the title if there are no male heirs. When that time comes, I want you to take up this work and see it through.”

If anything were to happen to him…
That I would inherit the title… means—Onii-sama will…

Wait—hold on—what?
Uhh, hello, me?

“Ekaterina!”

Aleksei cried out and took his sister’s hand.

“What’s wrong? Please—don’t cry. Do you hate the idea of becoming duchess?”
“No… no, it’s just… I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to you…”

Tears streamed down Ekaterina’s face.

Uwaaah~ It won’t stoop~
Get a grip, me! You’re near thirty already! You’re just troubling Onii-sama now.
But it’s not the adult me that’s crying, me. It’s the fifteen-year-old me. It’s the me who’s still much a child, the me who lost her mother and feared all of the world and shut herself in, the me who found nobody else to lean on except her brother—the Villainess Ekaterina.

And how about you, the so-called near thirty me? Just thinking that Onii-sama might leave us like Grandfather did—Yeah, no I’d cry too. Wait, you’re already crying, me!
He had been the one and only for me, ever since I saw him on my smartphone’s screen. He was the only solace in my life, one that was heading straight to death by overwork. I had wished I’d be reborn as his little sister, so that he would always love me absolutely. He was a man who was incredibly capable at work, yet also a child who endured an unimaginable hardship. He was the person who made me feel like I’d be able to do anything for—he was my Onii-sama.
But, but if that Onii-sama were gone? No, not *gone*, gone, but…
Just the thought of it is torturing! I would absolutely lose all reason to live! No, I will! Absolutely will.
WAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
The image of a great social upheaval occurring is already so vivid in my mind, that just the mention that “something ever to happen to Onii-sama” is terrifying!

“Forgive me… It’s my fault. You’re so sensitive, and yet I hadn’t considered my words correctly. Please forget I ever said it.”

Aleksei came to Ekaterina and embraced his little sister.

“When you cry, my heart feels like it’s breaking apart. Please, don’t cry—Making you sad is a sin not even the gods would forgive. If it would grieve you, then I shall never die. Even if I crossed the River of Oblivion, I won’t ever forget you. I will always find my way back to you. So please, don’t cry. I beg you. Don’t cry…”

O…Onii-sama’s beautiful voice whispered in my ear. I could hear his words shivering.
There were myths and legends all over my previous world about a river of oblivion between the living world and the next, and a similar legend had existed in this world too since the time of the Astra Empire. —Come to think of it, since I’m bearing the memories of my previous life, I guess I do still remember about Onii-sama even after actually crossing the River of Oblivion.

I had died, once.
In the days leading to my death from overwork, I was completely numb and unable to perceive things properly. But as the darkness drained my life away, it was still painful and harrowing.
Dying, after all, was something that hurt and agonizing.
I would never want Onii-sama to ever feel it.

“My lady.”

As Ekaterina continued to cry in her brother’s arms, Yvan the valet gently called out to her.

“Please hold your tears. I will protect His Grace myself, so nothing will ever happen to him. Even if my body were to be torn in all eight pieces, I shall return His Grace to your side, my lady. So there’s nothing to worry about.”
“…”

*Hiks,* Ekaterina sniffled, and finally lifted her face to look up at Yvan.
Ah, I see. Much like Mina to me, Yvan also served as Onii-sama’s guard.

“Are you… Strong, Yvan?”
“I have never seen anyone stronger than myself.”

He answered with a carefree air.
Wow. Are you some kind of protagonist, Yvan?

“…you’ll have to come back to me without getting hurt too, Yvan…”
“Understood. If that’s what you wish for, my lady, then I will come back without a single scratch.”

Once again he answered with a crisp, cheerful air.
I had never pegged him to be someone who’d tell a lie so easily.
He said it so casually, but that was why I know—should anything ever happen to Onii-sama, even if he’d be torn to pieces, Yvan would surely protect him. He must be incredibly strong, much beyond the realms of humans.

“…thank you, Yvan.”
“My pleasure, my lady.”

Yvan showed his usual affable smile to Ekaterina, who had finally stopped crying.
Aleksei also smiled with relief, wiping his sister’s tears with his fingertips.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t more considerate.”
“No, Onii-sama… How could I have lost my composure on such a special birthday? I’m terribly ashamed. Please forgive me.”

She looked up in embarrassment, and found Aleksei’s eyes widened.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. You cried for me, if anything, forgive me for my thoughtless words. I promise I will never leave you alone. Thank you for shedding your tears for someone so clueless he didn’t even understand the meaning of celebrating birthdays. The glass pen was a wonderful gift, but nothing is as beautiful and precious as your tears. My beloved Ekaterina.”

…Ugh, you’re so kind. That’s my siscon Onii-sama alright. Forgive me for being such a troublesome little sister.
I guess I’m pretty much a brocon myself, panicking over what might happen to you. But causing you trouble is no good.

Alright! I’ll try harder from now on.
Before my brother starts working on the Prismite Magic Circle, I’ll get the glass pen business off the ground. I’ll put that experience to good use, for Onii-sama!

“As long as you are here with me, Onii-sama, there is nothing I fear. I eagerly await the day we may work together on Grandfather’s legacy. So please, take good care of yourself.”
“Very well. If that is your wish, so be it.”

…My noble and proud Onii-sama, more aristocratic than any other. It is deeply ironic that what you are attempting might just be the catalyst to bring an end to aristocratic society.
Indeed, by having our Ducal house taking the lead, we might achieve a soft landing toward a new system—avoiding the bloody upheaval of a French Revolution.
Though it may sound presumptuous, I shall do my utmost to ensure that outcome.

As long as I have Onii-sama by my side, I’ll have endless energy. I’ll do anything!