The Ability to Shift Anything is Convenient, Even in Another World!

Reika’s eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight of the mysterious woman—the dryad herself.

Woah! Who’s that glowing lady behind him? And she’s a beauty too!

“Ah, Miss Reika!” Alguis called out.

“Uhhh… May I ask what’s going on?”

“We’re in the middle of a discussion,” Silas said. “Would you like to join us?”

Noticing that Soru was part of the discussion, Reika’s curiosity grew. She gave a small nod and took a seat beside him. Veylir, perched casually at the table, observed in silence.

As soon as she sat down, Alguis turned to her.

“Since you just arrived, I’ll go over everything again.”

He repeated everything he had told Silas—the potential monster wave, the existence of two disaster-grade threats, and the looming danger they posed. He also explained the dilemma concerning the villagers and their uncertain future.

Reika remained silent for a moment, processing the heavy news. Then, with a deep sigh, she finally spoke.

“Indeed, this is a difficult decision. We need to weigh both factors carefully.”

Alguis nodded in agreement, unaware that Reika was masking her uncertainty.

I can’t think of any other options beyond what they’ve already mentioned…

Just then, Silas let out a long sigh, drawing their attention.

"Although it’s difficult for me to say… I think we have no choice but to abandon—"

Silas was abruptly cut off as a commotion outside caught his attention. His expression hardened, and without another word, he excused himself and stepped out of the house.

The sight before him made his breath hitch—villagers had gathered outside. He immediately recognized them as the group managing the plantation that day, the same ones who had previously decided to apologize to Reika.

“What are you all doing here?” Silas asked firmly.

One of the villagers stepped forward.

“We heard everything, Mister Silas. If you thought keeping something this serious from us was the right choice, you were mistaken.”

“That’s right!” Another villager spoke up. “Mister Alguis and his companions, Miss Reika, and Mister Soru have already done so much for us—helping us cope with our losses, protecting us, and providing a place to call home.”

“We’ve relied on them this entire time, only able to offer gratitude in return. But now that they’re facing a crisis—one that endangers all our lives—we refuse to sit back and let them shoulder the burden alone again.”

Hearing the voices rising outside, Alguis and Reika stepped out to assess the situation. As soon as the villagers spotted Reika, they immediately turned toward her.

“Miss Reika, we sincerely apologize for our past rudeness!”

Without warning, they all bowed deeply before her.

“Eh? What’s this about?” she asked, flustered.

“We originally came to apologize in person,” one of them admitted. “We treated your guests poorly, and the way we spoke about them was unforgivable.”

“Ahhh… I-Is that so…?” Reika murmured, her face growing warm as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

So they came here just to apologize?

“…But after overhearing that a monster wave is coming, we couldn’t ignore it. Just seeing how serious you all were was terrifying…”

“And then we realized… there has to be a way to repay not just you, but Mister Alguis and his companions as well.”

“That’s why we’ve decided to ease your burden—by letting you all go. You’ve done more than enough for us, but staying here any longer will only put you in danger.”

“She’s right, Miss Reika,” another villager added. “You don’t need to risk your lives for us. This time, we’ll handle things ourselves. No matter how terrifying it is… we’ll protect our home with our lives, even if we… d-die…”

Reika could see the fear in their eyes, but beyond that, there was a fierce determination. They weren’t just saying this to be brave—they genuinely wanted to shield her and the dwarves from the danger ahead.

A soft smile spread across her face.

“I lost my parents when I was young,” she said, her voice steady yet gentle. “Growing up without them was hard, of course. But I faced those challenges with courage and determination, and because of that, I became who I am today.”

“I may still be too young to fully grasp how harsh this world can be, but I’m not ignorant of suffering. I know what it means to struggle. I know what it means to endure.”

As she spoke, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed behind her. Soru and Veylir stepped outside, followed by the dryad and others. None of them interrupted. Instead, they simply stood there, listening in silence.

“That’s why… let me share your burden,” Reika said firmly. “I want to repay you for everything you’ve done for us. Even though we were outsiders, you welcomed us with open arms!”

And we were the ones who brought Veylir to their village… I really should make it up to them!

As she spoke, she noticed a familiar figure emerging from the back of the group—Sylva.

“Are you sure about this, Reika?” Sylva asked. “You’re not obligated to help, yet you’re willing to risk your life for us. Those monsters—they're the real deal, you know?”

Reika paused for a moment, then raised her eyebrows.

“We all live in the same place, don’t we? Of course we’d risk our lives to protect our home, no matter how dangerous the monsters are.”

A stunned silence followed.

Don’t tell me… she’s taking those disaster-grade monsters lightly!?

Then, unexpectedly, Sylva chuckled.

“Pft… You do realize that calling this place your home means you’re one of us now, right?”

Reika blinked, then broke into a warm smile.

“Of course! All of you are like family to me!”

Sylva’s eyes widened, taken aback by Reika’s words. For a moment, she simply stared at her—then, with a grin, she spread her arms wide.

“Well then… Welcome to the family, Miss Reika!”

Reika’s heart swelled at those words. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and hugged Sylva tightly. Laughter and warmth filled the air as the villagers, including Silas, joined in, embracing them both.

In that moment, fear and uncertainty faded away, replaced by the unshakable bond they had formed.

"What a sight, Master. Humans truly are social creatures," the dryad remarked to Veylir.

"Umu. That’s likely the very reason their race has flourished for thousands of years. Their unusually strong bonds make them unique."

Meanwhile, Alguis watched the joyful interaction unfold, quietly impressed by Reika’s presence.

I can see it… She’s a natural-born leader! Her sincerity and kindness draw people to her—qualities of a true leader.

Stepping forward, Alguis lowered his head and placed a hand over his chest.

"As one of her sworn allies, I will support Miss Reika in her ambitions."

I will teach her the art of leadership. She has the potential to become a great one!

Seeing Alguis make such a bold declaration, Veylir suddenly panicked. Frantically, she rushed to Reika’s side, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"O-Of course, that applies to me too!" she stammered. "I will fulfill Miss Reika’s wishes… I—I am her familiar, after all!"

The villagers' eyes widened, their faces lighting up even more.

“Thank you so much! We’ll do whatever we can to help in return for your kindness!” they all shouted in unison.

But the moment of celebration was brief. Völun soon spoke up, his expression turning serious.

"Now, how should we address the problem? Since we’ve chosen to stay, we need to prepare countermeasures… right?"

The atmosphere shifted immediately. The weight of the impending crisis returned to everyone’s minds.

Reika took a step forward, facing them with newfound determination.

"That’s exactly why we need to start discussing it now."

...

Except for the villagers, only Silas, Reika, the dwarves, the dryad, Veylir, and Soru gathered inside the house. Once they took their seats, the discussion began.

“Since we’ve chosen not to abandon this place, our only option is to defend it,” Alguis stated. “With that in mind, I propose training our people to fight the monsters. They may have some basic knowledge, but it isn’t enough.”

He turned to Aeden and Völun. “That’s why you two will be in charge of training them. Teach them how to fight efficiently. I will oversee their progress and assist in fortifying our defenses around the settlement.”

Aeden and Völun immediately stood and lowered their heads.

“We will follow your orders, Sir Alguis!”

Silas spoke next. “I will handle the villagers' affairs. We should pack our essentials in case the worst happens.”

He hesitated for a moment before adding, “…Not that I doubt your skills, Sir Alguis! It’s just—”

“It’s alright,” Alguis reassured him. “A backup plan is necessary to ensure our survival. You did the right thing by suggesting it.”

Silas nodded. “Then I’ll take full responsibility for it.”

“I’ll help Sir Silas and protect the villagers,” Reika added. “I’ll also assist in combat and help strengthen our defenses. And if it comes down to it, we’ll stand with you against those disaster-grade monsters.”

Alguis frowned. “Are you sure, Miss Reika? That’s a heavy burden to take on.”

Not to mention… we don’t have the strength to face those monsters head-on…

“It’s alright. My familiar will help me. With the two of us, we can provide support with ease!” Reika reassured them.

“That’s good to hear, then. I’ll entrust you with that task, Miss Reika,” Alguis said.

He glanced at Soru.

Ah, that’s right… Mister Soru is with us. If we can’t handle those monsters ourselves, he might be able to…

“The dryad can provide us with updates on the monsters’ movements. I assume you can handle that?” Veylir asked.

“The dryads can manage such a task. Leave it to us.” the dryad responded confidently.

“Mhm.” Veylir nodded in approval.

“Now that we’re all assigned to our respective roles, we’ll proceed with the plan immediately,” Alguis declared.

“I suggest we don’t start tonight,” Reika interjected. “We should begin tomorrow instead.”

“But Miss Reika, what if—”

“I understand your concern, Sir Alguis, but we need to conserve our strength. More importantly, we have to consider the mental state of the villagers. They need a moment to breathe before facing what’s to come.”

Alguis lowered his head and sighed. “You’re right, Miss Reika. We’ll begin tomorrow morning.”

With nothing else to discuss, the meeting was dismissed. They stepped outside, where a meal prepared by the villagers awaited them.

During dinner, Silas addressed the settlement, informing them of the impending monster wave. Some villagers panicked, but just like the group from earlier, they ultimately chose to stay and defend their home.

As they ate, the villagers discussed the plans Silas had relayed to them earlier. They listened intently, absorbing every detail without missing a word.

Soru finished his meal before the others and quietly left the gathering. He made his way to the large house and sat on a wooden bench near the main door—the one Alguis had built that morning. From there, he watched the remaining villagers eating, Silas and Alguis among them.

After a few moments, he noticed Reika approaching. He didn’t stare at her for long, instead shifting his gaze back to the children being called inside by their parents.

“Hey, Soru!”

He didn’t respond right away, only glancing at her briefly. Unbothered, Reika sat beside him.

“Remember what I told you a few days ago? About protecting them and all that?”

“Yes, I remember,” Soru replied.

Reika turned her head, watching the distant figures of the villagers.

“You see, I’m striving to become strong. I’ll train hard until I can protect the people I cherish the most. If I want to keep them safe, I have to be strong enough to do it myself!” she declared with confidence.

Soru said nothing, simply listening. A gentle breeze passed through the village, and Reika inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp night air.

“Honestly… I don’t quite understand you,” she admitted. “Most of the time, you don’t even bat an eye on those around you. And yet you'd randomly help others in times of their need...”

She smiled.

“But that’s a good thing. The ability to act on your own, free from anyone’s influence—that’s what defines a person.”

Soru glanced at her.

“And that’s what makes you you.”

Reika then spotted Veylir in the distance. The way she moved suggested she was looking for someone. Taking that as her cue, Reika stood up and turned back to Soru.

“What I’m trying to say is… whether you decide to help these people during the monster wave or not, the choice is yours,” Reika said. “Even if you refuse, I won’t force you. And that’s fine with me.”

She met his gaze with unwavering confidence.

“Because I realized that relying too much on others would only hinder my path to becoming stronger.”

With those words, she turned and walked away, heading toward Veylir.

Soru watched her for a moment before shifting his gaze back to the village.

The sky was clouded, obscuring the stars. After a brief pause, he stood up and moved to the back of the large house, seeking a clearer view. There, away from the noise of the settlement, he lifted his head and gazed at the heavens.

The night was quiet, peaceful. Yet, Reika’s words still echoed in his mind.

As he pondered them, his thoughts drifted elsewhere. A memory from his childhood surfaced—one he hadn’t recalled in a long time.

...

“Why did that chick fall from its nest?” A young Soru pointed at the small, helpless bird chirping on the ground.

Beside him, a woman followed his gaze.

“Ah, it must be practicing how to fly on its own,” she said with a gentle smile. “It’s adorable, isn’t it?”

The woman was Soru’s mother. They sat together on a public bench in the park, where people gathered to enjoy a moment of leisure. Her dark hair matched his, and her warm brown eyes reflected the kindness in her heart.

Soru didn’t respond immediately. His attention had shifted to a large bird that had just landed in the nest above—the chick’s mother, most likely.

That’s probably its mama…

He watched in silence, observing both the large bird and the struggling chick ahead. Despite its small size, the chick was frantically flapping its tiny wings, trying to climb back up.

“What’s it doing?” he asked.

His mother sighed lightly, growing a bit restless from his endless curiosity.

For a four-year-old, he sure asks a lot of questions…

“It’s trying to get back to its nest,” she explained. “And once it does, it’ll try to fly again.”

“Why is the mama bird just staring at her chick? Wouldn’t it be easier if she carried it with her beak?”

“She’s not just staring, you know?” His mother chuckled. “She’s protecting it, making sure nothing harms it while it learns to fly on its own.”

Soru kept asking questions, and his mother patiently answered each one with a warm smile. Their conversation stretched on for minutes, but eventually, he fell silent.

Even though his mother had explained everything, young Soru still couldn’t grasp why the mother bird didn’t simply help her chick every step of the way. To him, carrying it and guiding it directly seemed like a far more efficient and faster method.

Though his face remained neutral, his mother could tell he was still conflicted. She simply smiled and turned her gaze back to the nest.

Then, she pointed toward the chick.

“Hey, Soru. Look over there!”

He followed her finger and saw the chick once again.

This time, its tiny wings flapped faster and stronger than before. Determined to soar, the chick hovered above the nest for a few moments before finally lifting off, flying above the ground.

The mother bird chirped in delight, celebrating her child’s success.

“See?” His mother beamed. “I knew it would fly on its own—even without its mama guiding it every step of the way.”