Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 112



Chapter 112 – Deceit

A sensation akin to an unknown force ignites from the tips of my toes, climbing upward.

Within the palace, drenched in blood-red hues, I ignite my will as I gaze upon the colossal eye, ablaze with malice.

“What are you…?!”

Seris cried out. Never had I felt fear since transcending my limits, yet merely looking into that inscrutable eye made my body feel heavy.

Eriel and Kali also lowered their stances, cold sweat trickling down their brows. It was as if every negative emotion and energy in the world had converged within this space.

[It matters not what you call me. I am the ruler of this world, the sovereign.]

Such an expression could only be deemed arrogant, yet none dared to refute it.

This being was of a caliber far beyond any creature we had encountered thus far. No, could that even be called a living entity?

“Why did you take Venice…?!”

[Hmm… If you ask why, it was merely curiosity at first.]

In response to Eriel’s outcry, the status window—no, what had once been the status window—answered with a mocking tone.

It need not have replied, yet it seemed to extend a semblance of grace, answering as if it were being kind.

[At the moment I looked down upon all things in this world, a being appeared before me as if it had fallen from the sky.]

With the colossal eye now directed at Venice, none could fail to realize that the being the status window spoke of was indeed Venice.

[It was fascinating. To me, who had long lost the thrill of interest, that alien and mysterious being was nothing short of enchanting.]

“What are you trying to say…?!”

[Had that been all, I would have soon lost interest. A being from another dimension was not something I had never seen before.]

I could not grasp the meaning of its words. Another dimension…? Are you saying Venice is a being from another dimension?

[But, but what if that alien being had already existed in this world?]

“…..No way.”

Their eyes widened. They were not so ignorant as to fail to comprehend the implications of those words.

[That being… Venice, was it? In this world, there were already three Venices living. And they all possessed the same soul.]

Does that even make sense? The notion that beings with the same soul existed was utterly absurd.

It was a statement so preposterous that one could dismiss it as the ramblings of an adversary, yet it was a tale that could not be ignored.

[Isn’t it fascinating? Four humans, each with different personalities, abilities, and bodies, yet all possessing the same soul.]

“What do you mean by that….! Then what about the doppelganger that was said to be my ability….!”

Venice shouted, banging against the iron bars. What then of everything that had lived in this empire until now?

What had become of the doppelganger that was said to be my ability?

[It could not be said that it was not your power. You possessed the ability to merge with three different humans, and I merely provided a ‘little’ assistance to help you reach that.]

[I simply wrapped it in the guise of ‘shadow manipulation.’ How about it? Wasn’t it enjoyable, just as you wished?]

“……………”

Was everything I had lived through a lie… merely a puppet dance for that status window?

[I used you, and you used me in turn. Even if you had not interfered with those bodies, the outcome would have been the same.]

“….If nothing I did changed the outcome, then why did you help me?”

[Well… because it was entertaining? The expressions of their fervor, their pain, the despair that stained their faces as seen through your eyes were quite a sight to behold.]

Hearing the response from a being tainted with infinitely pure malice, the expressions of the four people contorted.

All of it… all the times of suffering and despair were the result of that thing’s whims.

[Well, I am grateful to you as well. Thanks to you, I was able to connect with the apostles I saw in the future.]

“….What did you say?!”

“What the hell is this b*stard talking about….!”

“You son of a b*tch…! Who said anything about becoming your apostle!!”

The gaze of the eyes turned toward the women. Understanding the meaning behind that look and those words, they began to seethe with indignation.

[Well then. Let’s end the small talk here. It is time for you to become my apostles. Oh, strongest of this world.]

Splat-! Thud.

“Ugh…”

“Captain….! This b*stard….!”

“How dare you touch Venice….!”

“You son of a b*tch!!!!!!”

As the enormous eyes turned toward Venice in the cage, she lost consciousness and collapsed.

Watching that scene, the bodies of the three women began to surge with magical power. An overwhelming force was summoned forth.

[….Come at me. And try to harm me….!]

-If you can, that is.

Crackle-!

As those words ended, red lightning and red chains began to rain down.

“””………….”””

In that brief moment, the three women looked into each other’s eyes. They were comrades who had all experienced the loss of someone they loved, and that person was the same for all.

Gazing into the eyes that burned with different colors, they knew without speaking what actions they must take.

The resolve that had been directed at one another just moments ago now turned toward the source of all the events that must be vanquished.

Crackle-!

And in that moment, as lightning and chains struck down upon the very spot where they stood, the three figures vanished simultaneously.

“…Slash!”

“Cut…!”

“Die…..!!”

Ceris’s lethal strike, Ariel’s arcane slash, and Kali’s talons unleashed a torrent of magical blades aimed directly at the eye.

Though they had rarely unleashed their true power before, the foe before them demanded nothing less; their lives hung in the balance, and thus they unleashed their utmost assault.

[Hmm… Is this the extent of your strength? Truly.]

Yet, the eye did not blink. It merely observed the earnest attacks of the strongest at this moment, making no attempt to evade.

Crackle-!

And then, a red lightning, beyond the description of mere thunder, descended upon the oncoming magical strikes, obliterating them as they surged forward, only to vanish into nothingness.

[You’d best give it your all… for your lives depend on it. Otherwise….!]

Ssssss-!

Before they even realized it, red chains had ensnared their entire bodies.

“What is this….!”

“Let go….!”

“Shit…! Why… can’t I break free…!”

They struggled against the tightening chains, but the more they fought, the more the bindings constricted around them.

And in that moment, as their bodies were bound and rendered immobile…

[This is how it ends.]

Crackle-!

“Ugh… ugh….!”

“Ugh… cough….”

“A… aaahhh!!”

The red lightning struck their bodies with a ferocity that left them paralyzed, their minds blanked by the sheer shock.

The lightning did not strike just once, but multiple times. The overwhelming force ignited their garments, tearing them asunder.

Fssssss…

From the spot where the bolts had rained down, a dark heat began to rise from their bodies, a power that could only be likened to divine wrath.

“Ugh… ugh…!”

“A… ugh…”

“Hu… u…”

Barely exhaling a ragged breath, her body, numb with pain, struggles to restore the clarity of her mind as she gazes down at them.

[Why don’t they just use a strong attack from the start?]

[Then… surrender now.]

Crackle…!

Once more, the red lightning threatens to strike. Even now, she cannot move; if she endures that attack again… she likely won’t survive.

Yet they remained still. It would take time for her scattered thoughts to return.

Am I… dying? Is this how I must give up?

The commander, the butler, the master are right there. Finally… we could meet again.

From her immobile vantage, she sees the red lightning drawing ever closer.

And in that moment, when hope was fading for all.

“Hold… on…!”

The song of a small bird trapped in a cage begins to pull her fading consciousness back.

“””………!”””

The weak voice, barely able to rise, is so warm. That warmth feels as if it could revive her shattered heart. It brings strength back to her entire being.

Not yet, not yet can I give up. I must save my light.

Life begins to flicker back into her once-empty eyes. The feeble will reignites, burning fiercely once more.

As her will blazes, strength returns to her body.

And in that moment, when the will to burn even her life ignites, there are no limits.

[★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★]

Crackle-!

Where the red lightning had struck multiple times, no one remained.

[….What?]

Her eyes dart quickly, searching for the vanished figures.

When the unnaturally swift red eyes finally spot them, they have already reached right in front of the colossal gaze.

“Dimensional… Slash.”

Eyes burning brighter than the sun. And a blade of light, even more radiant than sunlight, hurtles forth.

“Dimensional Cut.”

Countless cutting spells condense into one, advancing forward. The very space along the path of the strike warps and distorts.

“God Killing.”

The colossal grip of the beast descends. Its razor-sharp claws tear through dimensions, aiming straight for the eye.

Summoning every ounce of strength, an assault is forged that could challenge even the gods.

[This… this cannot be!]

Crackling—!

The eye desperately unleashes bolts of lightning and chains with all its might. Yet, the overwhelming tide of attack slices through, pierces, and rends all defenses as it advances.

[This cannot be… This is madness….!]

Screeching—!

[Graaahhh!!!!!]

A strike imbued with three fervent wishes pierces through every barrier, heading straight for the eye. The eye, having allowed the attack, bleeds profusely and lets out a monstrous wail.

But they did not falter. Instead, they ignited an even fiercer resolve, gathering every last shred of power for one final strike.

“Uaaah!!!”

“Die…!!!”

“I will tear you apart!!!”

Booming—!

The combined might and desires of the strongest converge in one place. Not only the eye but even the fortress behind it is swept away, as dimensions warp and twist.

[Graaahhh—!!]

Kaboom—!

A grotesque voice, as if the very sounds of the world were mixed together, shakes the heavens and the earth. An explosion powerful enough to rattle the world erupts, forming a massive cloud of dust.

“Hah… Hah… Hah…”

“Ugh… Gah…”

“Haa… Haa…!”

They stand, gasping for breath. Having poured all their magical energy and strength into the recent attack, it was a struggle just to remain upright.

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Yet, it was alright. An assault capable of distorting dimensions would surely have obliterated the eye. Even now, not a sound, not a presence could be felt.

“….Everyone…!”

“Captain….!”

“Venice….!”

“Master!!”

They face each other, smiles of joy blooming on their lips. It was all over now. A truly peaceful life awaited…!

Crackling—!

And in that moment of collective relaxation, a massive red lightning bolt, incomparably larger than before, surged forth.

“….No! Avoid it….!”

[It… makes sense.]

Venice, who had been watching the scene up close, shouted in desperation, but their bodies were already beyond the point of evading the attack.

“Ugh… ugh…”

“It… doesn’t make sense…”

“How…?”

They sank to the ground, gazing at the swirling dust clouds. As the dust began to settle, what emerged was a pair of eyes, slightly bloodied yet still vibrant.

[Huh… huh.]

[Hahahahahahahaha!!!!]

Surely, they thought, that attack should have killed it. Yet the eyes remained alive, mocking them.

The women looked up at the eyes with vacant expressions. How… how is it still alive? They had poured everything into that last strike…

Despair surged within them. It felt as if no hope remained. They seemed to lack even the strength to rise…

[Yes…! That’s the expression!! So delicious!!! Despair more!! Suffer more!!!!]

“This… this can’t be… how could this happen…?”

In response to Venice’s hollow question, the eyes answered with a manic glee.

[How could it be?! As the ruler of this world, do you think I could simply perish from such a trivial attack?!]

[Huh… But I cannot deny it was a tremendous assault. Had it not been me… no one would have survived.]

“This is… this isn’t right… how could it withstand that attack…?”

[What can be done? No creature in this world can touch my life. That is all there is to it.]

Soon, even Venice’s eyes began to dim. There was no more hope, no more light left.

[Now. I have enjoyed all that I wished. It is time for you to become my apostle.]

“Ah… no…. Commander…”

“Stop…. I said don’t….!”

“Fuck… don’t do it… don’t do it….!”

Despite their protests, the massive eyes began to extend tendrils toward them.

In a situation where they could only watch, powerless to resist the approaching, repulsive, and hateful appendages.

“Ah…..”

“Ve…nice.”

“Master….”

[Now. Become my thrall. And thus, this world….!]

Tap, tap, tap.

And in that moment when hope vanished, the grand fortress echoed with footsteps.

“Yes. What can be done? This is what they call a ‘certain defeat event.’”

All eyes turn toward the sweet yet mysterious voice that resonates through the air.

Crackle… crackle…

Beneath the massive, closed walls, a sound like the tearing of dimensions fills the space. From that chaotic realm, where unknown symbols and colors swirl, someone steps forth.

The form of this someone begins to shift and change.

Eyes widen in astonishment.

To some, they appear as the librarian of a small village.

To others, as a suspicious old crone.

To yet others, as the head of the academy dormitory.

And to some, as a patron draped in an enigmatic robe.

And finally, the shifting visage settles into a single form.

Hair like the night sky. A dress that seems to wrap around her like the Milky Way.

Eyes and a smile that coexist in emptiness and mystery.

[What… are you?]

The voice within the eyes begins to tremble. The very orbs quiver in unison. A fear grips them, as if gazing upon an unfathomable entity.

“….Me? It matters not what you call me. I am an… ‘error’ that should not exist in this world.”

“….It can’t be…”

And the gaze of the mysterious woman turns toward Venice, who stares blankly at her from within a cage.

“Hello. It’s been a while, my love.”

“Ro…yu? How are you…?”

“I truly… missed you. My love. Have you been well?”