Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 115



Chapter 115 – The Last Page

“Um… could you let me down for a moment…?”

“N-No… just a little longer…”

“…No.”

“If Master’s scent fades away….”

As the cries and tears of reunion continued, Venice, wearing a perplexed expression, pleaded to be let down.

However, the women, having finally met their beloved, had no intention of releasing their hold; instead, they exchanged electric glances, locked in a silent battle.

“….Let go of the Captain. She seems uncomfortable!”

“Nonsense. Venice has always felt most at ease in my embrace. So you two can let go.”

“Growl… Absolutely not! I can’t let go…! You let go!”

“Um… excuse me…”

Just moments ago, they had fought together, but now they glared at those who were nothing less than rivals in love.

“Ah… what a lovely scene.”

And in that moment, with a gentle voice, Royu spoke. Her voice remained enchanting and elegant, yet for some reason, it seemed to lack strength, drawing all eyes to her.

“Ro… Royu…!”

“….Tch.”

“Ugh.”

“No, no, no….”

As all eyes turned to Royu, Venice seized the opportunity, feeling the grip of the arms around her loosen just enough to escape.

The three women could only watch in disbelief as Venice fled, her back turned to them.

“Royu… it’s been… such a long time…”

“….Yes. It really has… I missed you so much, my love.”

Another reunion of tears occurred, yet the three women could not halt it.

Royura was the woman who had been Venice’s beloved, and it was ultimately her aid and sacrifice that allowed everything to reach this conclusion.

“Ugh… I… I too…”

“…….Kuh.”

“I should have been in your arms, but I…”

In the end, Venice and Royura could only embrace each other tightly, weeping as they watched, their feet shifting restlessly.

“….Thank you, Royu. For saving me… for saving them… It must have been so hard for you…?”

“Sniff… Hic. Yes… it was so hard… so many things happened…”

As Venice, small of stature, gently patted Royura’s back while holding her close, all the emotions that had been building up within Royura erupted uncontrollably.

“…The days I had to just watch you… the days I had to witness your death were unbearably painful.”

“Yes…”

The mysterious and graceful woman had vanished, leaving behind a childlike Royura, nestled in Venice’s embrace, whimpering softly.

Of course, from the perspective of others, it appeared as though Venice was cradling Royura, but the difference was negligible. If there was love between them, it mattered not.

“I see… it must have been so hard for you… I’m sorry…”

“No… why are you apologizing? This was all my choice.”

Venice felt a wave of guilt for the countless hardships and adversities Royura had endured because of her, and her spirit sank.

Yet, Royura embraced Venice tightly, as if to encompass even that sorrow.

“But…”

“Shh. It’s okay. You too, remember? When I was suffering and in pain… you were the first to come to my aid.”

“Ah…! Are you… are you alright?! Are you still in pain or anything…?!”

Suddenly recalling the image of Royura succumbing to illness, Venice frantically examined her body.

“Heh heh. I’m fine… there’s no pain. But… the time given to me is not much.”

“…What? What do you mean…?”

Crackle—crackle.

And then, at that moment, Royura’s body began to crackle once more. Since the ‘bug’ had been injected into the three women, the intervals of Royura’s crackling had grown shorter and shorter.

A new wave of anxiety began to sprout within Venice’s heart. The abnormality of Royura’s body, coupled with her words of having little time left, left no room for calm imaginings.

“…As you can see. I… will soon vanish. As I said before, I am a being that should not exist in this world.”

“What… what do you mean…?!”

“I too… I don’t want to part from you… sniff… hic… But… I have no way.”

—I will soon… be erased from this world. That is the punishment bestowed upon me by the ‘error’…

Tears streamed from Venice’s eyes as she received the news, a thunderclap of despair echoing in her heart.

How… how could the world be this way?

She had finally… finally been able to meet her. She had poured her heart into efforts for me… and now, she was to leave so emptily?

“Ah… ahhh…!”

“I’m sorry, my love… but there was no way to save you…”

“No… please don’t go… I beg you…”

“….Ugh… Huh…”

As Royu gazed at Venice, cradled in her arms, weeping with sorrow, she could no longer hold back the tears that had fought to stay hidden.

…I wanted to spend our last moments in happiness. The thought of never seeing that cute, handsome face again, of not sharing time together, pierced her heart with unbearable pain.

“……..”

“Ugh… Ahhh…!”

“Love… I love you…”

Holding the wailing Venice close, all she could do was gently pat her back.

“…And you all.”

“””……..!”””

Royu’s voice, dampened by emotion, called out to them, her gaze heavy with tears.

The sight of Venice and Royu, weeping and wailing, stirred memories of their own pasts within the women, who found themselves staring blankly at Royu, tears welling in their eyes as they fought to hold back their own sobs.

“Please… take good care of him. If it’s you… I know you will make him happy.”

Royu offered a sad smile. Among the countless cycles they had endured, she could trust these women, who had met and formed bonds with Venice, to look after her.

If they had cried and mourned when the Venices fell and faded away, their sincerity toward Venice would be no different from her own.

“It can’t… be…”

“Ugh… Mmm…”

“…..No…”

As she beheld that painfully wistful smile, the tears she had fought to contain began to flow.

Even though she must have loved Venice far more than they did, how bitter and tragic it was that the only choice left was to leave his side.

The weight of sorrow in Royu’s gaze, knowing she had to part from the one she loved, felt unbearably heavy.

“Is there really… no way…?”

“This… this can’t be right…”

“…How…?”

To the angel who sought to bring them happiness through her own sacrifice, they could only respond with questions of their own.

“…Ugh. Hoo… It’s unfortunate, but I have no way. Reaching this point… this is the first time.”

Royu replies. There is no more time left, and the thought of saving herself never crossed her mind.

“Ro…yu…”

“….I’m sorry. My love…”

In a situation that seems devoid of any remaining hope, the women could only weep silently, while Venice cried out as if the world were crumbling around her.

Crackle—crackle!

“….I suppose it’s time.”

“Ah… no..! Please… please don’t leave… please…”

“I… I’m fine… ugh.. ugh. If you can forget me and live happily, that would be enough…”

“That’s a lie… it’s a lie…!”

“………..”

As soon as Royu hears Venice’s anguished cry, her eyes widen in shock. She then embraces Venice tightly, as if to crush her.

“….I’m sorry… my love. I truly hope… you find happiness. You deserve it…”

“No… no…”

“….Don’t cry, stop.”

“Ugh… ugh…”

Crackle—!

“Ah… aaah..! No… no…!”

“….I love you.”

“””……….”””

“Everyone… please make Venice… happy. If tears flow from her eyes… I will surely come for her..?”

Until the very end, Royu gazes blankly at them, her voice trembling as she hides her smile behind a facade of jokes to comfort them.

Royu’s body begins to crackle, slowly fading away from her toes.

Crackle… crackle…

“….Take care…”

“Uaaah…!!”

Venice’s wails echo. The three women watch as Royu, shedding tears, disappears before them.

And then, as if resolved, they place their hands over their hearts.

“….We won’t let it end like this…!”

“Where do you think… you’re going! You need to find happiness too…!”

“How foolish. So foolishly kind, just like my master…!”

The three women close their eyes, focusing on the lingering, unknown energy still coursing through their bodies. The ‘bug’—the very essence they had wielded to vanquish the future Demon King.

That energy still resided within them, and it felt as if they could harness it once more.

“….What are you planning to do…! If this goes wrong, you could disappear too…!”

Royu cries out in desperation, for she sensed the peril of their intentions.

They gather the ‘bug’ and the residual magical power within their flesh, pulling forth yet another ‘bug.’ Yet this was a method even Royu would not dare attempt.

For if they miscalibrated even the slightest fraction, they would transform into beings that should not exist in this world, vanishing like the fading Royu.

Yet, the women, knowing this all too well, weep even as they smile at Royu.

“….How could we just stand by?”

“Stop with the nonsense. I won’t fall for the same trick twice…!”

“It’s not like we’re doing this because we like you…!”

A surge—

The bug, forcibly tearing through their bodies and magic, causes blood to trickle from their lips. But they do not falter.

This pain was nothing compared to the countless hours of suffering Royu had endured.

And to witness someone sacrifice themselves for them once more was a sight they never wished to see again.

A grin—

A radiant smile blooms. The setting sun casts a light more brilliant than the fading Royu, the weeping Venice, and the bloodied three women.

Whooom—

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At last. A perfect ‘bug’ was born. An ‘error mass’ that allowed not a speck of deviation.

“…Let’s do this fairly—!”

“I won’t resort to dirty tricks.”

“…Hmph! If it’s for my master…!”

This error mass, brighter than any light in this world, began to shimmer and took flight, settling where Royu’s heart still beat.

Royu’s eyes widened, while Venice merely stared blankly at the dazzling light.

Blaaam—!

A light so bright it made everyone squint flickered. The beauty of a star bursting in its final moments felt almost surreal.

A light that spread brighter than the sun that illuminated the world every single day, reaching beyond the western empire where they existed, as if it would envelop the entire realm.

And when the light extinguished, there stood Royu, unscathed, on the lush ground.

“Ha… haha…”

Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at her own body, standing there like an ordinary person of this world, not a mere error.

And that tear-soaked, blissful smile turns toward the women who saved her.

“Thank you… all of you…”

“Royu….!”

Embrace—!

And gazing at the unvanished Royu, Venice and Royu share another hug.

“….I’m so glad… to feel this warm presence again.”

“Royu… Royu!”

“…Yes. I’m here. From now on… I won’t go anywhere.”

As they embrace, three women approach them.

“…I’m feeling a bit jealous.”

“Me too…”

“….Yeah.”

The women, looking at Royu with a hint of jealousy, gently smile. And meeting that smile, Royu smiles back.

“…….”

Embrace—!

“Ugh… huff…! The commander… hugged me…!”

“Heh… heh heh… heh heh heh…”

“My master hugged me, and the scent is driving me mad…!”

Venice pulls all three women into her arms without a word. The three women exhale sharply, looking down at Venice nestled in their embrace.

“Thank… you… truly… thank you…!”

“””………….!”””

At Venice’s heartfelt words, they soon smile and return her embrace.

“Everyone, look over there.”

“Oh… wow.”

“….It’s beautiful.”

“Wow…”

At Royu’s words, the three women gaze beyond the stunning cliff.

The red trails left by the setting sun stretch to the horizon, and the stars scattered across the darkening sky are breathtakingly beautiful.

For a moment, everyone is rendered speechless by the sheer beauty of the scene.

“It’s so beautiful. Doesn’t it remind you so much of that cliff you showed me back then?”

“Yes… that’s right. And I am so very happy in this moment with everyone.”

As Venice turned her head to smile at all, she seemed to have found some calm.

“Oh my…”

“Ugh… Huh! Commander…!”

“Heh… Hehe…”

“Hek… Hek… Hek…!”

Everyone’s eyes shifted dangerously. The beauty of the scene, coupled with the smile of a beloved one, felt almost violently overwhelming.

Yet Venice remained oblivious to that gaze.

“……….”

I smiled and looked again beyond the cliff.

In the setting sun, it felt as if my parents and friends were waving goodbye, wishing me well.

“…I will try to live well. From now on… I will live even more happily.”

Now, around me are those I love dearly, who cherish me. No more pain, no more sadness.

A second chance bestowed upon me. I want to live happily from this moment on.

The memories of hardship and pain have not vanished, of course. Yet, there is a warm embrace even in those memories. I can endure.

Yes. My story… ends here. It was short, perhaps, or long enough to be called so.

As if bidding farewell, I gaze at the setting sun and the twinkling stars that seem to cheer me on.

I turn the final page.