"Don't... lose your fighting spirit so easily!"
Illya's adorable face turned stern. With an imposing air, she walked up to Ritsuka, raised her Magic Staff, and struck Ritsuka hard on the head. As Ritsuka cried out in pain, she then spoke in the tone of an older sister.
"Even if Sister Rin... no, even if Ishtar is our enemy, we can choose to... make Ishtar no longer an enemy. This world... isn't limited to only two choices. We can also be greedy and choose to have everything!"
"...Can we... really have everything?"
Aozaki Ritsuka rubbed her forehead and asked uncertainly.
Everything she had experienced since childhood told her that humans could never obtain everything they wanted. If they tried to have it all... they might end up with nothing. That was the lesson her mother had taught her about life.
And her own experiences had confirmed... that lesson.
"...Of course we can!" Illya planted her hands on her tiny waist and stared firmly at her confused little sister. "All the unfavorable situations in this world are caused by the people involved lacking ability. As long as we have the ability... choosing to have everything is only natural, isn't it?"
She waved her little fist and continued comforting her younger sister.
"If Ishtar... refuses to cooperate, we can also make her cooperate with us 'unwillingly.' Aunt Aoko and I will both help you."
"...Thank you, Sister Illya."
Aozaki Ritsuka was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help smiling as she thanked her. After Sister Illya's encouragement, the confusion in her heart had truly vanished, and she had decided how to continue forward.
"Don't worry. Ishtar... may not necessarily be our enemy."
Aozaki Aoko swept a strand of red hair behind her ear, her pleasant voice full of easy confidence.
"Although I