Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 104



Chapter 104 – The Longed-for Scent

In the empire, a place deemed the most tranquil, where the appearance of monsters was rare and safety could be claimed, lay the East.

And in the East, the most bustling, or rather, once the most bustling city—Espilia—welcomed summer.

The cries of cicadas resonated throughout Espilia, and the scorching sunlight beat down relentlessly.

Yet, that alone could not quench the fervor of the Espilian people.

On the day the ruler who governed Espilia lost his life, the city began to crumble.

It was true that metaphorically, it had fallen apart, but Espilia was also collapsing in a very physical sense.

On that fateful day when Espilia first began to fall, the noble faction led by Ronan reached into both the upper and lower echelons of the city.

If the energy supply, akin to human sacrifice, were to vanish, the entire city was designed to collapse.

Fortunately, as Espilia had begun to crumble slowly over a long period, there were no casualties from the collapse—except for the criminals of the underground city.

The areas inhabited by the underground city’s criminals also crumbled, yet those who stubbornly refused to step into the world above remained buried beneath the earth.

Well, it was almost a shame to use the term ‘casualties’ for those who had caused all manner of inhumane issues; it was almost satisfying to think of it that way, so it was not something to be overly concerned about.

“”………….””

In any case, both the upper and lower classes fell on the same day, at the same hour. Everyone silently watched as their homeland, their very foundation, crumbled away.

The upper class and the lower class struggled to turn away from one another, but the crude line that had separated them had vanished along with Espilia.

No one dared to step forward; only an awkward tension lingered in the air. Beastfolk and humans eyed each other warily, casting each other aside.

Perhaps it was only natural. It is not easy for a belief that has endured for so long to collapse overnight.

Thus, on a day when they had set up makeshift shelters in the forest, still wary of one another, a beastfolk stepped forward.

Without hesitation, trampling the line drawn between both sides, the beastfolk shouted.

“…Will we continue to live like this?!”

Our foundation has already crumbled, yet we still live. Would we maintain the same situation as before?

No one dared to step forward. As everyone exchanged glances, waiting for someone else to act, the beastfolk shouted even louder.

“We will rebuild our Espilia!”

Let us recreate our fallen homeland from the ground up. Not by rejecting one another, nor by hating without reason.

Like the glorious past of Espilia, let us help one another and find joy even in the lightest of happiness.

Some opposed, others protested vehemently. However, the path to unity unfolded more swiftly and simply than anyone had anticipated.

“…So, you too have suffered at the hands of those noble scoundrels?”

“Indeed… Not a single day passed in peace as I roamed the streets. I trembled, wondering when I would be seized, when I would fall within their gaze.”

For they shared a common enemy. In the upper echelons, forced obedience and fear were imposed, while in the lower tiers, blatant discrimination reigned.

The beastfolk of the lower class and the humans of the upper class began to communicate. They exchanged words, shared their pains, and found empathy in one another.

And yet, no matter how much time flowed, the kind hearts of the people of Espilia did not fade. They had merely lost their way for a time.

No longer did beastfolk and humans harbor hatred or rejection for one another.

They were comrades, both having lost their homelands, and they had to move forward together.

Though the technologies of the past had vanished, and they had to start anew with wooden homes and simple tools.

The people of Espilia laughed. With hearts more pure and joyful than in the days of their bondage.

Unity blossomed among them, each contributing to the other’s shortcomings.

In such a backdrop, Espilia was reborn. The small, humble village of the past, once happy, had come back to life.

Step by step.

“Ah, Chief! A fine morning once more!”

“Indeed. Truly… a beautiful day it is.”

Hudi, the newly born chief of Espilia, strolled slowly through the village.

No longer were there grand structures built with advanced technology, but simple wooden buildings, and resources that felt a bit scarce.

Yet, all of Espilia felt it. This meager life was far happier than before.

Rather, it was the very lack that made this moment and the small joys within it feel all the more precious.

A pause.

As Chief Hudi wandered the village in search of Rania, he halted abruptly upon encountering a beastfolk.

“…Kali.”

“………”

*

Seated in the small tea house of Espilia, Hudi and Kali gazed at one another. The moment Hudi met Kali’s eyes, an instinctive sense of submission surged within him.

Yet the sorrow and emptiness reflected in her gaze were boundless, stirring a pang of compassion in his heart.

“…Kali. Did he… pass on well?”

“…..Yes.”

“…Hoo.”

Hudi exhaled, overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion. What was he to do with this strong yet fragile beastgirl?

Each time they met, Kali had borne the weight of the late Lord Venice upon her back.

He had not yet departed, for he firmly believed there was a way to bring him back to life.

Hudi and Rania had pleaded with her time and again, but the weight of her pain and sorrow was too profound, too heavy, and they had no choice but to relent.

On her back… the figure of Venice was no longer visible. As Kali had said when she let him go, it seemed she had come to accept it now.

“….Grandfather.”

“Speak. Anything… I will listen.”

After gazing at Kali’s trembling face, tears welling in her eyes, Hudi spoke with a bitter expression.

“What… am I to do now?”

Drip… drip.

How was she to live on, now that even Venice, who had been her everything, had slipped away?

She had come to realize that there was no longer a way to meet him again.

It hurt so much… she still felt empty and sorrowful. It was unbearably painful…

Hudi listened quietly as Kali wept, her words spilling forth like a broken dam.

Little by little, her tears flowed, showing no signs of stopping.

How could there be such a… pitiful girl?

Kali’s tale was one he had heard before. Half in a daze, she had confided everything to Hudi, the one she had trusted the most.

A village once filled with happiness. A village now reduced to ashes. Since then, she had sacrificed everything to protect her younger sibling.

The story of her sister, kidnapped by Ronan, and the savior who had rescued her. And in the end, the revelation that she had lost everyone.

At that time, Hudi’s eyes had trembled mercilessly as he listened to Kali’s tale, her spirit adrift.

For Hudi, who had wandered through the depths of despair, Kali’s story was unbearably sorrowful and painful.

“I… it’s so hard. I want to die right now… but then I wouldn’t be able to remember my master. There’s no one left to remind me of him…”

The girl before him was strong. Perhaps among the entire Empire, she could be counted on one hand.

Yet, she was still human. She was one who had lost hope in life. As she wept, she appeared so fragile and delicate.

“……..”

Pat, pat.

Without a word, Hudi gently patted Kali’s back. He felt utterly powerless to alleviate her pain and sorrow.

Her frail form reminded him of Rania. She felt like his own granddaughter, and his touch was as warm as a grandfather comforting his grieving granddaughter.

“Ugh… hick… hwaaa…”

Kali sobbed, confronted with the harsh reality of no longer being able to look upon her master. The wretched outcome of having taken his life with her own hands haunted her.

“…I think I’ll go now, Grandfather.”

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“Yes. Go well. Whenever… if you wish to return, you may.”

A moment later. Kali, appearing somewhat calmed, cast a hollow gaze before stepping out of the teahouse.

“…May you travel safely, our king…”

To call him the king of all beastfolk seemed a mockery, for he bore the weight of despair upon his slumped shoulders. Yet still, the crimson aura of dominion radiated from him, undeniable.

His subordinate, Hudi, could only bow his head in silent reverence.

*

As Kali wandered the newly birthed streets of Espilia, she gazed up at the statue erected in the heart of the village.

Its form was achingly familiar, warming her heart with a gentle glow.

Warmth shone through her half-closed eyes. A smile, crafted without the need for pretense, graced the statue’s face. And the hair, slicked back with care.

It was the statue of Venice. Built to honor him, who had guided the lives of the villagers with his benevolent influence, both highborn and low.

As she beheld the statue, memories of him began to surface unbidden.

“What’s this? You were inside. Why don’t you answer?”

“…The bodyguard?”

The recollection of their first meeting flooded back. At that time… blinded by greed, she had seen nothing else.

The expression on her master’s face then… a mix of confusion and surprise. Back then, all she felt was suspicion. But looking back now, it was a rather endearing expression.

“…Puhuh.”

A smile, however faint, crept onto her lips for the first time in ages.

“Kuh… kuhuk… kHAHAHA-!”

Gazing at that smile, it felt as if his peculiar laughter echoed in her mind. Initially met with resistance and extreme wariness, that laughter now seemed so innocent.

– Venice… I hope you have found a good place.

– …I hope so.

– The heavens are indifferent… always taking those like him first…

As she passed by, she noticed villagers pausing to speak a word or two to the statue, offering their silent prayers.

Each one of them had surely sought counsel from him, receiving food and guidance.

…Indeed. Even now, it seemed absurd how good-hearted he was. To spend his time and money on counseling and providing sustenance.

Honestly, at first, she thought it was all a show. But… when she looked into his earnest eyes, she realized her mistake.

And the moment she was certain she had fallen for him… was undoubtedly when he saved Kalea.

“Mind your words. Kali is my dear friend. And I trust my friend.”

She remembered the seriousness of his expression, tinged with anger, as her stomach churned and her heart raced.

Yes. It was from that day on. That she had come to love her master.

At that time, I tried so hard to deny it. But now I feel it. In that moment, I had fallen for my own master.

Happy memories lingered. The streets of the night market where we strolled together. The delicious skewers… and this little doll he had given me.

The dance of shooting stars adorning the night sky, and his face, which was infinitely more beautiful and lovely.

…Even now, recalling it makes my heart race with joy. It feels as if I have returned to that time. As if my master is still by my side…

Drip… drip… drip.

Tears began to flow down Kali’s cheeks. The moment was so blissful and glorious, so radiant and beautiful.

It made the present, where my master had departed, feel unbearably wretched.

“Ugh… hwaah…”

Once the tears began to flow, the melancholy that started as a small dot would not cease, cascading down endlessly.

…Master. I miss you so much.

Still… I remember how you used to stroke my head with those large hands… that warm touch lingers in my mind.

The reality that I can no longer gaze upon that charming smile, which I once doubted, pains me deeply…

Thud—thud.

Kali struck her chest with her hand. Yet, the overwhelming body remained unscathed by even that.

The discomfort tightening around her heart did not fade; instead, it only grew.

“Ugh… aah…”

Why… why did I do that?

If only I had approached my master just once. If only I had confirmed that he was alive…

Like a fool, like a madwoman, I drove my master to his death.

…If it hadn’t been for me, my master would still be by my side.

He would have called my name with that soft voice, would have stroked my hair. He would have smiled at me, a smile that could melt anyone…

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Kneeling before the frozen statue, Kali offered her apologies.

You saved my life, guiding me toward a direction I longed for in a life that had never looked my way.

But this foolish slave of yours rejected even that salvation, leading to your demise.

…Master. Just once, please call my name and stroke my head.

I would give you everything. Just once would be enough… So please…

“Master… I miss you…”

Now, everything you left behind is fading away. Your scent, which was so intoxicating that I could never tire of it, is growing faint.

Clutching the small, tattered wolf doll tightly, the slave who had been saved by her master howled in despair.

As time flowed, the scent that grew fainter lingered in memory, a struggle to recall it.