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

Reika, curious, nodded in agreement. Just then, Sylva raised her hand, signaling her to wait.

"Oh! But before we go, we'll wait for them to finish tidying up the carcasses. Is that alright?" Sylva asked.

"Sure, I don't mind," Reika replied.

As Reika continued to observe the workers, Sylva noticed that she hadn’t had dinner yet. Without a word, Sylva walked off to get two cups of stew.

Staring at the men working on the dragon’s corpse, Reika suddenly felt her stomach grumble. She realized she had forgotten about dinner.

Oh shoot, I haven’t eaten yet...!

She glanced around, planning to excuse herself from Sylva, but noticed that she was nowhere to be found.

Where did she go?

Reika scanned the crowd and spotted Sylva ahead, carrying two cups with spoons. As Sylva approached, she handed one of the cups to Reika.

"You didn’t have dinner yet, right? Here you go."

Reika took the cup with both hands and smiled.

"T-Thanks."

In the distance, Soru noticed Reika engaged in conversation with someone else. He didn’t want to interrupt, so he turned his attention back to the line of people leading to the cook who was serving stew for dinner. As he waited for his turn, he suddenly heard someone calling his name from behind.

"Soru! You don’t need to line up. I already have a stew for you."

Soru turned around to see the old man, Silas, holding a bowl of stew in his hands.

Without hesitation, Soru stepped out of the line and walked toward the old man, who was standing a few meters away from him.

When Soru reached the old man, Silas handed him the wooden bowl filled with stew.

"Fill your belly with this hot stew and find a spot to eat," Silas said. "I’ll take care of the others who haven’t had dinner yet, so I won’t be able to join you for a while."

Soru gave a small nod in response. Silas smiled warmly and then walked off, heading toward the village men working with the dragon’s corpse.

Soru glanced back at the bowl, observing the steam rising from it and the faint fragrance that drifted up. It was filled with vegetables—potatoes and carrots—and a piece of meat. He couldn't quite tell what kind of meat it was, so he decided to try it.

The moment he tasted it, he recognized it as lamb meat based on its flavor and texture. After that, he scanned the area for a quiet spot to eat.

His eyes landed on a figure sitting by a healthy tree—a familiar face. It was the same guard from the entrance gate, the one who had tried to end his life with a hatchet earlier.

The guard saw Soru approach but didn’t react, merely continuing to sulk in silence. Despite the recognition, he gave no sign of acknowledgment or interest.

Soru sat quietly beside the guard, continuing to eat his stew. The silence between them was broken by a deep sigh from the guard. Out of the corner of his eye, Soru noticed the guard’s gaze drifting upwards at the night sky, a tear slowly trailing down his cheek.

Soru glanced up as well, drawn by the beauty of the night. The stars sparkled brightly, stretching across the clear sky, with no clouds to disrupt the peaceful view. It was mesmerizing, a serene sight that felt almost surreal.

To the right, two moons hovered in the sky— the larger one positioned higher, with the smaller moon beneath it, forming an extremely rare binary moon system. It added an otherworldly touch to the tranquil scene.

Despite the peacefulness surrounding him, Soru felt nothing. He continued eating his stew, silently committing the view to memory while the guard, lost in his own thoughts, remained beside him.

Meanwhile, Reika was finishing her stew alongside Sylva. As she ate, she noticed that Sylva had already finished her portion. Sylva, noticing that Reika was still eating, patiently waited for her to finish.

"After you're done, we'll head out to guide the village men to the forest," Sylva said with a smile.

Reika nodded and continued eating at her own pace.

"You don't need to rush, by the way," Sylva added. "Those men are still eating too."

Reika slowed down, taking her time. A few minutes later, she finished the last of her stew.

"Give that to me; I'll return it along with my cup," Sylva offered.

Reika handed over her cup and spoon, and Sylva took them with a smile before walking off to the washers.

The village men who had helped with the dragon’s carcass were finishing their meals as well. They began preparing for the journey to the forest, making sure they were ready for the task ahead. Once they completed their preparations, they gathered near the wagons that were loaded with the dragon’s remains, waiting to head out.

Reika saw Sylva heading toward the wagons and, as she turned back, called to her.

"Come, we've got to go!"

Reika followed Sylva, along with the men pulling the wagons, as they made their way toward the forest. They passed through the village entrance and walked across the wheat fields, the path leading them further into the woods.

With Sylva guiding the group, Reika kept a quiet pace behind her. As she observed the surroundings, she noticed the bright moonlight casting shadows on the ground.

Is it a full moon tonight?

Reika glanced up at the sky, where the two moons hung above, one larger than the other, surrounded by a blanket of stars. The peaceful beauty of it all settled over her, a feeling of tranquility filling her as she looked at the serene night.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?"

Reika looked to her side and saw Sylva walking beside her, her gaze also fixed on the sky.

"According to the legend, there was only a single moon many eras ago," Sylva continued. "It was mesmerizing, drawing the gaze of all who saw it. With its massive size, it bathed the entire continent in light, shining through the darkness of night."

She paused for a moment, as if recalling the tale. "At that time, a powerful entity grew envious of the moon. It resented how the moon commanded attention, yet its own existence went unnoticed. Consumed by jealousy, the entity decided to destroy the moon, hoping to divert the people's focus toward itself and finally gain the recognition it craved."

Sylva's voice took on a more serious tone. "On one peaceful evening, the moon rose as usual, casting its gentle light over the land. The people admired its beauty, unaware of the entity’s malicious plan. With all its power, the entity unleashed a mighty attack, hoping to shatter the moon into pieces."

Reika listened in silence as they walked along the path to the forest, skeptical but intrigued by the story.

"Luckily," Sylva continued, "the moon wasn’t completely destroyed. The attack only chipped away a third of it, and that chunk became a second moon, lingering in the sky beside the first. The entity’s plan failed, and in shame, it fled from the continent, never to return."

Reika raised an eyebrow, her expression one of disbelief. The story seemed far-fetched to her, but she didn't say anything, letting Sylva finish.

"That doesn't make sense at all..." Reika muttered, her gaze still fixed on the two moons above.

"You see, there are no signs of a dent around the moons, and their shape is perfectly round, which indicates they were formed billions of years ago—"

Reika paused, realizing that she might have said too much. She glanced at Sylva, who was puzzled by what Reika had just blurted out.

Oh. They don't know how the moon was formed at all... Reika thought immediately.

Before she could say anything more, Sylva suddenly giggled.

"Fufufu~ You have the same reaction as Fumeirō!" Sylva said, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at the moons.

"Whether the legend makes sense or not, the fact that we can see their beauty is a gift sent from the heavens. Whenever we look at them, all our worries seem to fade away in an instant..."

Reika fell silent, absorbing Sylva's words. She glanced back at the night sky, the moons glowing softly. She sighed, feeling a sense of calm wash over her.

"Sigh... You're right," Reika murmured, her voice quiet but sincere.

After half an hour of walking, they finally reached the edge of the forest. The village entrance came into view in the distance, faintly glowing from the torches on either side. Sylva scanned the area before signaling to the first man on the wagon.

"@#&#-#*!"

"@&#$."

At Sylva's command, the village men began unloading the chopped dragon carcasses onto the ground. Reika observed, captivated by the way they handled the remains, as the pieces were carefully scattered in the forest. After several minutes, the task was completed, and the men were ready to head back to the village.

Sylva gave the order to return.

"@&#@#!"

As the men started to pull their wagons back, Sylva turned and noticed Reika still watching them in silence.

"You've been staring at us this whole time! I'm sure you're bored now..." Sylva remarked with a lighthearted tone.

Sylva picked up the torch that had been pierced into the ground by one of the men. "Let's head back to the village."

Reika nodded, but just as she was about to take another step, she froze, hearing a voice calling her from behind.

Come here...

She turned, scanning the area for the source of the mysterious voice. All she could see was the dark outline of the trees and the scattered remains of the dragon’s corpse. Confused, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Are you okay...?"

Reika jolted, startled by the sudden touch. She turned quickly and saw that it was Sylva.

Oh. It was Sylva...

"You seem off. Is everything alright?"

Reika glanced around again, her thoughts still scattered, while Sylva looked at her with concern.

"D-Did you hear someone calling us? That voice..."

Sylva looked around, but all she could hear were the sounds of crickets hidden in the grass and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

"What are you talking about? All I can hear are the crickets and the swaying leaves..."

"It's—"

Reika sighed, her words trailing off.

"Well, nevermind. You go ahead; I'll stay here for a little longer." Reika said.

Sylva hesitated, then tried to block her path.

"No can do! There might be monsters lurking around here!"

Reika smiled reassuringly at her.

"Don't worry. I won't be long. Just a quick look around!"

Sylva sighed, realizing she couldn't convince her otherwise.

"Just follow us afterward, alright? And be careful. The monsters might be drawn to the dragon’s corpse, and they could attack you too."

Just then, Sylva handed Reika the torch she had been holding earlier.

"Here’s the torch. You can use it to see in the dark and to ward off any monsters, just in case they come after you."

Reika took the torch, gripping it firmly.

"Thank you..."

Sylva walked away, her concern for Reika still evident as she approached the village men waiting nearby. She spoke briefly with them and glanced back at Reika.

Reika paid them no mind, her attention still focused on her surroundings. She scanned the area for anything unusual, but all she could see was the quiet forest around her.

"That’s strange... I’m sure I heard it clearly this time..."

Suddenly, the voice called out again. This time, it was more vivid and close.

"Come a little closer..."

At that moment, Reika froze. Slowly, she turned her head and saw it—a faint, pulsating glow coming from the dragon's chest. Her curiosity stirred, compelling her to move closer.

Is that...?

She hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, her gaze locked on the glow. Then, a strong gust of wind rushed through the area, snuffing out the flame of her torch. The darkness around her deepened, leaving only the faint glow as a guide.

Even without the light, Reika pressed on, drawn to the mysterious glow. As she got closer, the voice echoed again, clearer now, almost as if it were speaking directly to her.

"You... Do you want to acquire immense power?"

Reika jolted, the torch slipping from her hand and landing on the ground with a dull thud. She looked around, her breathing unsteady, before her focus returned to the glow.

I-Is that strange glow on the dragon’s body... the one that’s been calling me?

Reika stood before the pulsating glow, her eyes fixed on its steady rhythm. The faint light flickered softly, illuminating the dragon’s chest as she hesitated.

"What do you want from me?" she asked cautiously.

A soft, eerie laugh filled the air.

"Fufufufu..."

The glow pulsed stronger, casting faint shadows around her.

"I can offer you something humans crave above all else: power."

Reika remained silent, her unease growing as she listened.

"You humans are weak and fragile. To overcome that frailty, you seek something greater—a power that can reshape the world and fulfill your deepest desires. Is that not what you long for?"

Reika remained still, her thoughts swirling as she debated the mysterious voice’s offer. The offer dangled before her like forbidden fruit. She bit her lip, weighing the risks and the consequences.

This feels suspicious… Who would offer something like this for nothing in return? Only a fool would believe that...

Yet, another thought gnawed at her, sharper and harder to ignore.

I don’t crave power for myself, but there were times… Times I stood by, powerless, unable to do anything. Watching others suffer, watching them…

Her fists tightened as memories she didn’t want to recall pushed their way forward.

Soru… He has the strength to protect others. He saved me so many times, but I can’t rely on him forever. I have to be able to do something too....

As Reika lingered in indecision, the faint light in the dragon’s chest pulsed steadily, its presence growing heavier with every passing moment.

She’s hesitating too long...

The glow flared slightly, shimmering with impatience. Then, as if it could no longer wait for her response, it surged forward with purpose.

In an instant, the mysterious light entered Reika’s body. She noticed it, but it was too late to react. Immediately, a sharp pain surged in her chest, causing her to fall to the ground. She gripped her chest, struggling to breathe.

"W-What did you do to me!?" Reika gasped, her voice filled with distress.

The voice spoke, amused.

"Ha! Hesitation won’t get you anywhere, human. Seizing your body by force is the best choice."

Reika felt helpless, realizing that she fell right into the mysterious entity's deliberate trap.

"Is this w-what you truly want...?" Reika gasped through the intense pain. "In exchange for giving me power, you want to s-seize my body?"

The mysterious voice laughed cruelly.

"HA! Isn't that obvious? The exchange was inequitable to begin with!"

Reika groaned as the pain intensified, growing stronger with each passing second.

"Now... This may hurt a little, but it will be over soon once I wipe out your mind and take control of your body. Sleep well, mortal..."

Unable to endure the agony, Reika screamed out at the top of her lungs.

"AAARRGGGHHHHHHH!"

In the distance, Sylva heard the scream and turned toward the source. She noticed the area where Reika had been standing was now completely dark, the light of the torch gone.

"Oh no... What happened to her?" Sylva thought, panic rising in her chest.

Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the place where she had left Reika. But just as she neared the edge of the forest, a firm hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back. She turned to see one of the village men who had accompanied her.

"It's too dangerous to go there," the man said urgently. "Better report it to the old man Silas first. We'll handle the situation here."

Sylva hesitated, torn between her worry for Reika and the man's warning. After a moment of indecision, she knew there was no choice. She nodded, turned, and ran toward the village as fast as she could.

After a while, Sylva finally reached the village, her breath coming in heavy gasps from her hurried run. She quickly looked around and spotted the old man, Silas, speaking with a woman near the tree.

"Mister Silas...!" she called out urgently.

The old man looked up at the sound of his name, recognizing Sylva’s voice. He turned his attention toward her as she came to a stop in front of him, still panting from her sprint.

"What happened?" Silas asked, his concern evident.

"Hahh... R-Reika... The guest from before... seems to be in trouble!"