[Twelve years later.]
That's how long it's been since Jill reincarnated into this new world, obtaining the name, Brunhilda Blackwood.
She spent her entire life in Galister village, growing up with the children around her age, and even the elderly who treated her like their very own granddaughter.
Brunhilda spent her time helping people around the village, just like her father, Roderick, who was the unofficial village head. He always looked out for people and got things done, and so did Brunhilda.
Walking through the village, Brunhilda was finally grown up; 12 years old with glasses, a tunic, and trousers—she ran along the stone road barefooted.
"Good morning everyone!"
It was bright and early as she waved at every villager she ran past.
"Morning Brun!"
"Ah, good morning Brunhilda!"
Brunhilda grinned, adjusting her glasses as her bare feet slapped against the cobblestone.
The sun had barely risen, but the village was already awake with farmers hauling baskets of produce, smiths stoking their forges, and children running after chickens that had escaped their pens.
It was ordinary and peaceful as always, minus the monthly check-ups by the knights.
[Not gonna lie, this is a far cry from the Demon King legends Mom used to read me. Twelve years and not a single shady cultist, dragon attack, or dark lord resurrection. Just chores, and endless backbreaking chores!]
She came to a halt by the well, where an old woman struggled to lift a bucket of water.
Brunhilda jogged over, grabbing the rope with both hands.
"Here, let me help, Granny Tilda."
"Oh, thank you, sweet Brunhilda. My old arms aren't what they used to be."
"No worries, leave it to me!"
Brunhilda took a deep breath as her thin frame strained against the rope, but the bucket finally came free of the well with a satisfying splash.
She set it beside the old woman with a proud little puff of her chest.
[I may have zero Soul Points, but I'm still MVP of Galister Village. Who needs fate when you've got elbow grease and good cardio?]
Tilda chuckled, patting her on the head.
"Your father's raised you well. You're just like him—always helping others."
The compliment warmed her chest, though she waved it off with a grin.
"Ehehe."
After finishing her little errand, Brunhilda ran further into the village, where a group of kids around her age were playing tag.
"Oi, Brun! Wanna join?" One of them called.
"Ha! You're on, Yuno!" She shouted, stomping forward.
The children scattered as Brunhilda launched into the game, running across the dirt with surprising speed.
She darted left, right, then lunged forward, tagging the boy square on the back before taking off again, laughing.
[Not exactly sword fights or magic duels, but hey, tag is basically combat training... right?]
Needless to say, the children loved her.
Unaware that Brunhilda was once a 19-year-old loser back in the other world, this time she was something much more.
Amidst their tag, she caught sight of her father walking down the path with a thoughtful expression.
Villagers stopped to greet him respectfully, and he responded with calm nods and small smiles.
Everyone relied on Roderick Blackwood.
And, in her own way, everyone was starting to rely on her.
Brunhilda slowed her steps, watching him from afar, halting their game momentarily.
[Zero Soul Points or not... maybe this world doesn't need me to be some prophesied hero. Maybe it just needs me to be me with a loving family.]
But as if mocking her thoughts, a strange rumble echoed from the forest beyond the village.
The children froze mid-game as chickens squawked and scattered.
Even dogs barked in alarm as Brunhilda turned with a fading smile.
"...That... wasn't thunder, was it?"
Her father's voice cut across the square.
"I knew something was off. Everyone, inside your homes. Now!"
The villagers obeyed at once as the cheerful peace dissolved into panic.
"Roderick!" Running outside of their abode was Elen, confused about the loud explosion they heard. "What's going on? Where is Brunhilda?"
"I'm here mom!" Hearing her mothers panic from afar, Brunhilda ran up and stood by her side.
"I'm unsure, but it doesn't sound friendly. I'm gonna go check it out."
"W-What?" Shouted Elen. "Don't be a fool!"
"It'll be fine, it's just near the village in the forest. I'll return as soon as possible."
"Don't get yourself hurt..." Said Elen as she grabbed Brun's hand tightly. "Stay close to me, Brunhilda."
[Yeah, Mom, about that... not sure I want to stay too close if whatever made that explosion is about to come stomping into town. Do we even have an evacuation plan?]
Villagers scrambled to shutter windows, herd livestock inside, and bolted their doors.
The usual chatter of Galister was now replaced by silence.
Elen pulled her daughter toward their cottage, but the small child hesitated as her gaze was glued to her father's fading figure in the forest.
"Dad's going alone?" She asked.
Elen closed her eyes, lowering her head as if ashamed.
"He knows the land better than anyone. If anyone can handle this, it's him."
[Yeah, but he's still just Dad. He has no sword, no Soul Points, and no fancy hero stuff. He's just a guy with broad shoulders and a stubborn streak.]
Still, she obeyed, letting her mother pull her inside. Elen bolted the door and guided her to the window, peeking cautiously out at the treeline where Roderick had disappeared.
+
Walking through the forest, Roderick carried nothing with him but his sheer willpower.
Keeping quiet, he eventually heard another explosion and the sound of a high-pitched scream.
"Kyaaaaahhh! Stay away!"
"Huh?" Roderick widened his eyes, hearing a woman desperately run away.
Without hesitation, he ran deeper into the forest until he came across a dirt road, and a broken down carriage. Standing beside it was a tall, beautiful, voluptuous woman wearing a large green witch hat with flowing blonde hair and green eyes.
She carried a long, brown wooden staff, that seemed to be the cause of all of this?! Aiming it at a pack of goblins, she yelled again.
"INFERNO BULLET!"
Summoning a magic circle, out came a massive fireball in the shape of a bullet, colliding with the horde of goblins, detonating.
The explosion shook the area, scattering birds from the trees and leaving the goblins in a smoking heap.
Roderick staggered back, swiping mud off his face.
"By the gods! Are you trying to kill the goblins or me?"
The witch turned around to face Roderick standing there covered in mud.
"O-Oh, my apologies! I didn't see you there!"
A surviving goblin crawled from the smoke, wheezing, but she raised her staff again.
"INFERNO—"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Roderick rushed over and pushed the staff down. "No more spells, please. There is a village nearby, and these explosions are scaring all of them. So if you may..."
"Ah!" She widened her eyes as she didn't know. "I'm very sorry!" She bowed her head, holding her witch hat. "I was unaware of nearby civilization."
Roderick took a deep breath, finally handling the situation.
"I'm assuming you were attacked by goblins, which is why you blasted them away a moment ago?"
The witch nodded frantically, her boobs bouncing each time.
"Yes, yes! They attacked my carriage and ransacked it, scaring off my steed."
Roderick gave a sheepish smile.
"So, to deal with a handful of goblins... you decided to level half the forest?"
The witch winced her face.
"W-Well, I panicked!"
Her voice cracked as she tightened her grip on the staff with red cheeks, avoiding his gaze.
"They were swarming me, and I—well—spell control has never been my strong suit when I'm in a dire situation."
Roderick softened his expression.
She was clearly rattled and not malicious at all, but still, he sighed, glancing at the smoking crater behind them.
"Gods above... if Elen finds out about this, she'll wring my neck. The last thing Galister needs is strangers bringing chaos to our doorstep." He whispered to himself before lowering his head, making up his mind. "Alright." He said, facing her. "Let's head back to the village before more trouble shows up. It isn't safe here."
The witch rapidly blinked at him, surprised.
"You're... inviting me?"
"I'm not leaving you in the woods for the goblins to chew on." Roderick said almost gruffly. "But you'll have to tone down the fireworks. My people don't need heart attacks, and we aren't particularly fond of magic."
She gave a sheepish smile.
"Y-You have my word. No more fireballs!"
Roderick nodded, though he wasn't fully convinced.
He extended a hand to help her step past the wrecked carriage.
She hesitated, then placed her gloved palm in his.
Her hand was soft—far too soft for someone traveling alone.
"You're not from around here, are you?" He asked as they walked down the path.
"No..." She admitted. "I was on my way north to Iridia, the Land of Magic, but... things didn't quite go as planned."
"Clearly."
They walked in silence for a while as the witch gave occasional glances towards her carriage.
She finally spoke again, clearing her throat.
"By the way, I never asked your name. I'm Seraphina. Seraphina Verde."
"...Roderick Blackwood." He replied simply.
"Roderick..." She tested his name like a taste on her tongue, then smiled. "It suits you."
He gave her a wary side-eye.
Compliments weren't going to distract him from the fact she nearly blew him up.
"Yeah, I get that a lot."