Was she going insane?
Did she hear that voice correctly?
[You're not going insane. It's me, Lina. ]
("...")
Anna's mind became blank.
(How... how is this possible?)
[I don't know what that witch did but whatever happened, I can hear your thoughts now that I'm back in my own body.]
(What?)
[I was in your own body earlier.]
Qing Anna was even more confused. Was it similar to how whenever she goes to sleep she ends up seeing things through her older sister's eyes? Still... she's never been able to control her sister's physical body. She could only block her sister using... magic or whatever this ability of hers is.
[To think that all this time you've been with me, and I didn't realize it. I had taken it for granted. I'm sorry Anna.]
(You never came back home, how did you die? Where did you go?!) Qing Anna had a lot of questions.
She just heard her sister's voice sigh.
[What does it matter now? We're both in the same boat now.]
(So?)
[So what?]
(I've finally found you again, and all you do is apologize, you don't want to talk and explain to me what happened?)
[... I extracted the information, but the getaway car I stole exploded. Happy?]
Qing Anna smiled to herself.
(Yes.)
[More importantly where are you?]
(Why?)
[This world is dangerous-
(You're not going to say something along the lines of that you'll come to get me or something right? No offense Sis, but you're life is far more dangerous than mine.)
[Eh...urgh. It's true that my situation isn't good but all of my soldiers are quite capable!]
(...)
[What is it? Why are you so quiet?]
(I was wary at first but I think studying under Madam Ting might actually benefit me. She was able to join us together like this, and there might not be many people who know about the Song Sister's origin.)
[She's an annoying woman but she's useful yeah.]
(I've also been using this power without thinking much of it this whole time. But this world isn't like a game. It's real. Everyone is already so crazily strong. And I'm not good at martial arts. So... I'll try my best to be your support sis, if I live a safe life and am able to support you to the best of my ability... then, even though we may never be able to meet. So long as you're alive, you're fine.)
Song Lina was speechless.
[Who...who says we'll never be able to meet? We'll definitely meet some day! Don't talk as if things are futile! We can live together like back then! Tell me where you are, I can protect you!]
Twang.
The following line plucked at a string that shouldn't have been plucked.
(Who... said I wanted to be protected?)
[ Huh?]
(Why can't we just protect each other like this from a distance?)
[...]
(You don't deserve to say those words to me. You're the one always charging into battlefields and making enemies! The current life I live is much more peaceful! )
[But you're alone! The people in this world are unkind to those without a family, please don't misunderstand! I'm not looking down on you, I'm saying this because I know. All the women in this world are capable of living freely, they're still expected to fit certain gender norms! If you're not careful, you could get sold as a slave-
(Sis you disappeared for years! I've already grown in a world without you, even if I'm alone, I can live by myself! So stop trying to coddle me!)
[...I wasn't... ]
(Even if I'm alone. I'm not completely, because now we're connected. Now, we can protect each other!)
[... you're ...right.]
Both sisters smiled. Anna's was teary and Lina's bitter.
[Then, one day... we'll meet again. I promise, when everything is clear on my end...I'll come and find you!]
(You don't need to find me, I'm... already here.)
[But I still want to find you. I still want to see you again. I promised Mother and Father that I would take good care of you! ]
(... It's okay Sis, there's nothing wrong with living your own life. I will also live my own. The truth is that if we meet I'm afraid, I'll become dependent on you. I don't want that, I don't want to be your burden or responsibility sis.)
[ . . .]
(. . .)
[...It's not easy to survive in this world, especially as a commoner.]
(I'll manage somehow.)
[...Hmph. Suit yourself. I don't know anymore. You're not the same Anna you used to be.]
(Well, get used to the new me. )
[Fine!]
In a small room, a young woman sighed.
She didn't mind having responsibility. Having a burden is something that everyone needs to live so they can keep their balance. But that feeling itself of being a burden or someone's weak link can't be pleasant.
Song Lina never considered it till now. She never considered how Anna felt. She sighed again.
The door to the small room opened.
And the person that found her seemed startled.
"C-captain?! So you were here? The maids and the doctor were in a panic looking for you." One of the servants said.
She sighed for a third time.
Anna was still young. With time she would come to understand the importance of a burden, it shouldn't be seen as something so bad as her being a weakness, but a reason to live.
Up till that point, she couldn't come to terms with the reality of her situation. She had died and reincarnated into the body of the wicked granddaughter of an old general.
Life had been tough, because she had been placed in a video game that was already set on the highest difficulty. She lived as she pleased, following her whims. If she died. She died. Even when that person had nearly cut off her arm she was nearly ready to die after dealing him a deathly blow. She didn't think twice about calling a doctor to cut off her arm, no matter how many people objected.
As she left the small linen closet she stepped out into the courtyard to witness the sight of maids and guards scattering around the estate in search for their master.
"Young Miss?"
"Young Miss?!"
"First young Miss?!"
"What if she was abducted?!"
"Ah!"
Heads turned at the sight of her.
"First young miss!"
"Where have you been?!"
"Your arm..." The doctor hurried at once to see her purple arm was now a reddish grey color.
"What is this? It got better? But just a while ago-"
Song Lina nodded.
"I had a weird dream and when I woke up it was like this. I... don't need to cut it off now do I?"
"The percentage of recovery is still low but it's also a lot higher than before. If the young lady is willing to try..."
Song Lina nodded.
"I'll do it."
Maids and guards sighed in relief. If the Miss maimed herself her marriage prospects would get damaged.
Song Lina lead the way back to her room, a small smile sprawling across her lips. Before she did not care but all of a sudden she wanted to live. This was the power of having a burden. Song Anna, there's nothing wrong with that! Hmph!