Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 100



Chapter 100 – Two with Problems but Unmatched Strength

The morning of the next day dawned. Many were preparing for battle, stretching their bodies and engaging in light conversations with those around them to steady their minds.

“Aren’t you nervous? I… feel a bit on edge.”

“Hah, nervous? Have you ever seen me scared? Huh?!”

“Haha… no, I suppose not.”

The sounds of conversation drifted from a long-time acquaintance, the confident tone of a mercenary contrasting sharply with the cold sweat trickling down his back, which he could not hide.

-…Oh. There are quite a few strong ones here.

– Can we truly fight and win against those people?

From noble mtl dot com

– Indeed… it seems the elite gathered here are of royal decree.

Before setting out, the individuals and groups convened compare their combat prowess, running countless simulations in their minds.

It is no wonder, for it is a rare sight to witness such exceptional beings gathered in one place.

The ‘Green Butcher,’ rumored to have collected the heads of goblins and orcs.

The ‘Barbarian Warrior,’ muscles bulging, proudly displaying his form despite the cold, without a single outer garment.

The ‘Ashen Wolf,’ a wolf beastman toying with a gauntlet so massive it rivals his own body, and many more.

As these renowned figures from across the continent converge, a gaze of awe and determination settles among them.

Given that this is a matter of grave importance, directly commissioned by the imperial court, it would not be an exaggeration to say only the most seasoned veterans have gathered.

Step by step.

“”…………..””

And when two figures of striking presence emerge, the chatter fades into a silence so profound it feels as if a mouse had died.

The Barbarian Warrior, who has never bowed his head in his life, lowers it to the ground, while the Green Butcher averts his gaze.

Fear begins to rise in the eyes of all who stand there.

Hair the color of the sky, whiter than the purest snow, dances in the biting wind.

Countless comparisons have been made between beautiful women and flowers, yet the beauty of the two women before them was beyond such trivialities.

However, none present dared to meet their gaze, nor entertain any vile thoughts.

Just looking into their hollow eyes felt like death was looming right before them.

That endless darkness was a chasm so unfathomable that even the veterans who had danced on the edge of death could not begin to comprehend it.

It was as if they had become prey, trembling in place, hoping the predator would not notice them and simply pass by.

The thought of fleeing or resisting never even crossed their minds. Such actions would only be possible under the assumption of ‘survival.’

At this moment, the vice-captain of the ‘Sky Mercenaries,’ Ceris, was deemed the most powerful.

The tales of her cleaving the sky in a single strike and slaying a dragon single-handedly ignited a fire in everyone’s hearts.

Ariel Frost of the Frost family, with overwhelming magical power unmatched by any sorcerer, was said to wield the ‘Weather Change Magic’ that only legendary dragons could perform.

She seemed to gaze upon something not quite human.

Surely, they must be our allies. Their attacks would never be directed at us.

Tremble, tremble, tremble…

The veterans, faced with a living calamity and a legend, could only sweat coldly, praying for this moment to pass.

*

“Alright! Just follow me! I’ll take care of my own safety, so don’t worry about that!”

Unlike the lively voice of the attendant, the atmosphere of those heading toward the ancient castle had grown considerably somber.

The reason need not be explained. It was surely due to the two women at the forefront, walking silently in the wake of the attendant’s footsteps.

The mercenary, who had heard threats of having his mouth sewn shut for not stopping his chatter even for a moment, seemed to have sealed his lips tight.

They were strong, after all, and given the combative and cheerful nature typical of their profession, one would expect rough and candid tales to emerge during such a tedious march.

“………….”

At this moment, not a single sound could be heard.

Everyone was merely watching the two women ahead, with only the bright voice of the attendant and the sound of footsteps on the ground breaking the silence.

Thus, all who participated in the hunt for the dark sorcerer would forever hold in their minds the moment of ‘the most boring and terrifying march of their lives.’

It did not take long to reach the ancient castle. The very reason they had gathered in a village not far from the castle was that.

For those with a name to uphold on the continent, a brisk walk was hardly a warm-up.

“Alright! This is the place of the request! It’s quite old, but still a beautiful castle, isn’t it?!”

It was a mystery to everyone how this attendant, surely an ordinary person, could lead veterans without faltering at the front.

In any case, they had arrived at the site of the request. The temporary hunting party for the dark sorcerer halted, lifting their heads to gaze at the imposing black castle.

“Ho…”

“….Indeed.”

For a moment, those who beheld it forgot their fear, merely letting out gasps of admiration.

One could understand why the attendant had been so animated; the castle was ancient, yet its dignity and beauty had not faded but rather grown stronger through the ravages of time.

Most of them were not from the north, and this place, located at the very northernmost point, was seldom visited even by those who lived in the north.

Even the hardened veterans felt a flicker of childlike wonder and purity return to their eyes. They too had once gazed in awe at the magnificent and beautiful things of their youth.

“…Inside there. That dark sorcerer is present.”

“If you won’t lead, I’ll go ahead.”

However, unlike the others who had come to a halt, the two women began to advance toward the castle with an emotionless determination.

In their hearts, there was no space for such a building; they were simply fulfilling the duty they had to perform.

“Eh? Yes… I will wait here. Then, I wish you good fortune!”

“Wait… let’s go together!”

“Truly… how cold-hearted you are.”

Once again feeling an inexplicable kinship, Seris and Ariel exchanged silent glances and moved their feet toward the castle.

The attendant wished them luck, and belatedly, the rest of the party began to follow them.

Those two were indeed the strongest, but they were also a bit peculiar… no, disturbingly submerged in their own thoughts.

It did not take long for them to reach the front of the beautiful castle.

Though they paused for a moment, staring blankly at its grandeur, they quickly followed the two who pressed ahead, tongues clicking in exasperation, ignoring the castle entirely.

Then, in that moment, from the castle adorned in black, an unknown black haze began to rise.

At first glance, it resembled black smoke, or perhaps shadows unfurling, yet the unsettling and nauseating aura of that darkness was unmistakable to all.

The members of the temporary black sorcerer suppression squad lowered their stances, drawing forth the weapons they had stowed away. For these veterans, understanding the situation unfolding before them was not difficult.

Though many had never witnessed black magic before, none were foolish enough to remain oblivious to the change they now beheld.

If they had been, they would not have earned their place among the veterans here.

“……..”

“….You little bug…!”

In that tense moment, as everyone crouched low, Seris continued to gaze at the black magic with hollow eyes, while a deep, unfathomable rage began to seep into Ariel’s vacant stare.

And then, in that instant.

KWA-BOOM—!

The front of the towering castle exploded, shattering into debris that rained down upon the ground like a storm.

Some were momentarily deafened by the thunderous roar, while others grimaced, bracing themselves for the impending threat.

WHOOSH—!

From the gaping hole in the castle, someone emerged, cloaked in dark, malicious energy, with wings forged from black magic.

Though it was too high to see clearly, it appeared to be an old man draped in a black robe.

“Are you the ones trying to hinder me—?!”

The voice that erupted from the old man, who looked to be well over eighty, reverberated through the ancient castle grounds.

“Ha… is this the level of a five-star monster…?”

“Shit… if I were alone, I’d be dead meat.”

A chilling aura that made their bodies tingle, coupled with an overwhelming presence, caused the suppression squad to break into a cold sweat.

Indeed, this was a formidable foe, strong enough to warrant a direct request from the royal family, one that must be eradicated.

If that force were to turn against the common folk, or the Empire itself, the outcome would be predictably horrific.

And in that moment, as everyone hesitated under the weight of that overwhelming presence.

“Attitude, slash.”

“….Sever.”

SLAASH—!

In an instant, a white light formed a long blade, striking with a speed and precision that even the eyes of seasoned veterans could scarcely perceive.

And though they could not even sense the movement of magic, the force of that strike began to soar toward the dark sorcerer, a magical blow of unimaginable power.

“What… what—!”

Swoosh—!

The blade of magic severed one of the dark sorcerer’s wings, swiftly followed by the arcane strike.

The dark sorcerer barely managed to react, evading the full severance of his torso, yet he could not escape the rising tide of terror.

“…Do not interfere. That one… I will kill.”

“You are quite skilled, aren’t you? You’ve only split the innocent sky.”

“…Ha, who are you?”

“Who are you, really? Do you think you amount to anything?”

From far below, the woman with sky-blue hair and the one with white hair glared at each other, beginning to growl as if ready to kill.

The dark sorcerer, Gel, felt a sense of something amiss; he was meant to engulf the continent through a flawless plan.