Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 116



Chapter 116 – Where there is an end, there is also a beginning

The sun has fully set, and now the veil of night has draped over the world. Stars rise in the sky, and they awaken in the eyes of those who gaze upon them.

But…

“What… should we do now…?”

“Um… that’s true, Venice.”

“Y-Yeah, it is…”

“Hmm… Hmm.”

“Is that so…?”

We still stand upon this cliff…

Now that everything has come to an end, I cannot even fathom what to do or where to begin.

I never thought it would come to this. No, it would be more accurate to say I couldn’t even imagine it.

By the way, it seems Royu has decided to call me ‘Venice.’ Since we are starting anew in this new world, she thought it would be nice to have a fresh feeling.

—

If she was alright, then I had no concerns, so I naturally granted permission.

Whiiing—

As the daylight faded and night crept in, a chill settled over the air.

With no warm sunlight to bathe us, and perched upon a cliff facing the sea, the wind swept through unimpeded.

Tremble, tremble, tremble…

“Ugh… ugh…”

I found myself shivering slightly. For an ordinary person, the temperature might have been bearable, but I was anything but ordinary…

Sigh. Why am I so weak…?

“Ah, are you cold? Come here. I’ll hold you…”

“Uh… uh?! I-I’ll hold you! Please, let me embrace you…!”

“N-No? Come to me. I’ll warm you up!”

“P-Please come to me…! I’ve already warmed my body…!”

Suddenly, four women approached me, casting fierce glances, and they began to speak in unison, their eyes sparking with tension as they regarded one another.

It was as if they were all eyeing the same prey… Huh? Why does that thought cross my mind?

“…I’m sorry, my love… Venice will be the coziest in my arms. So please, yield to me.”

Breaking the heavy silence was Royu, reaching out a hand as she drew near. Normally, I would have dashed into her warm embrace without hesitation, but…

“…Huh? Venice?”

For some reason, Royu suddenly felt intimidating, and I couldn’t approach her carelessly. Why…? This had never happened before…

As I hesitated, I heard a sharp click of the tongue from Royu. Surely, I must have misheard? She had never done such a thing…

Pfft—puh.

Then, from behind Royu, a mocking sound echoed. I looked at them, puzzled, but seeing no change in their demeanor, I figured I must have misheard after all.

“Hehe..! It seems the commander favors my embrace! Then come to me…!”

With a smile gracing her lips, Seris began to walk past the frozen Royu, heading straight for me.

Though there were other ways to warm up than simply hugging me, it seemed that was the only method that came to their minds.

“Y-yes…”

My body trembled even more violently against the cold, and I found myself compelled to seek refuge in Seris’s arms.

“Hah… huff… huff…! T-the commander is…!”

…I intended to, but suddenly Seris made a strange sound, her gaze shifting in a way that made her seem distant.

W-what on earth? My instincts screamed at me to stay away… And Seris felt frighteningly different all of a sudden.

“Pfft. Step aside. It seems you all do not please Venice’s heart.”

—

—

Passing by Seris, who had become as rigid as a statue, was Ariel, her lips curled into a mocking smile.

When I last saw Ariel, she had been a touch colder, yet now I felt a strange relief that she expressed emotions like an ordinary person.

“Come… closer. I will warm you…”

Anxiety surged within me once more. A fear unlike any I had ever known gripped my heart.

“Heh… hehehe… heh…”

And in that moment, as she took another step closer, the suspicious laughter that echoed was so chilling it sent shivers down my spine.

“I… I’m sorry…”

“…..Huh?”

I uttered my apology, compelled to take another step back. Ariel’s smile remained sinister, her eyes devoid of life.

“Ha… Hahaha!!”

At that moment, Kali burst into a hearty laugh. Her laughter, as if mocking, resonated across the coastal cliffs.

“Ah… so this is how it ends! Truly, my master found my warm embrace the most comforting!”

Kali passed by three statues, glancing back at each with derision. Then, as she passed the last statue, wearing a grim smile, she turned her gaze toward me.

“Come… come to me, my master… My body… is warm.”

Tremble, tremble, tremble…

Now, I could no longer bear the cold, feeling as if I might catch a chill at any moment, so I took a step closer to Kali.

But.

“Heh… heh… heh… my master… it’s you…! I will never let you go…!”

The moment I looked at Kali’s face, her eyes glinting with something sinister, drool dripping from her lips, I knew I had to flee.

“I… I’m so… sorry—!!”

Run! It felt as if someone within me urged me to escape. I began to flee from them, my frail body trembling against the cold.

“…..Catch her!”

And, of course, within less than a second, I was caught.

The chasm between me and them was insurmountable, far beyond my will… even Royu seemed similar.

*

Softly, softly—

“”……….””

A heavy silence enveloped the four women surrounding Venis, who lay curled up in her dress like a blanket, seeking sleep.

Though they had managed to catch the fleeing Venis, she still trembled from the cold, prompting Ariel to conjure magic that raised the earth, forming a small hut.

Tap-tap—

—

As she stepped into the small earthen house, the wind ceased its biting chill, leaving her feeling less cold than before. Yet, the frail Venice still appeared to shiver against the lingering cold, prompting her once more to conjure a small fire with Ariel’s magic.

“Yawn…”

Perhaps wearied from the day, Venice nestled into the warm glow, her eyelids drooping as she succumbed to sleep, encircled by her companions.

In that moment, she lay vulnerable, akin to prey before four predatory beasts.

“”……….””

Naturally, the eyes of the four beasts glimmered with mischief, but soon they all exhaled a sigh, gazing down at Venice with a fondness that was almost tender.

“Ah… she was certainly dependable. But here, she’s just too adorable. I feel an urge to take care of her.”

Royu spoke, draping an unwieldy black dress over Venice.

Though she was undeniably a rival, there was no denying the truth in her words.

“Um… ahem. I must concede. The captain was indeed strong and impressive… but now… gulp.”

In her days as captain, Venice had towered above average, her muscles formidable. Yet, Seris found herself preferring this current form. So cute, it stirred a primal urge to devour…

“….I cannot deny it. Hm, hm.”

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Venice had been striking while vanquishing dark sorcerers, but memories of her endearing moments flickered in Seris’s mind.

Yet… this sight now was beyond comparison. Ariel licked her lips.

“Master… you’re just too cute…!”

Though her master was weaker than herself, she was tall and her hands warm.

But in this state… it was as if she were too precious to let go of.

…Could I now be called master…?

“Call me… master…? Hah… hah… hah…!”

As Kalia’s fantasies took flight, her breath quickened, drawing icy glares of disdain upon her.

“”………..””

Time passed, yet conversation remained stagnant. They had saved each other’s lives, forged a bond of assistance, but…

That was one thing, and this was another. It was undeniably an awkward relationship.

Royu, sensing that they might spend the night in silence until Venice awoke, sighed and broke the stillness.

“Well… we all like Venice, right? Isn’t that so?”

“Of course!”

“Naturally. More precious than my own life.”

“….If my master were to command me to die, I would!”

Her will was truth. Venice was now an entity that could never be cast aside again, a light that shone brightly.

If Venice were to sincerely command death, they could weep and embrace it without hesitation.

Surely, they were rivals vying for the position of the favored one… but the love they held for Venice was likely to be similar.

They gazed at each other with expressions and emotions that were inscrutable.

“…In this world, polygamy is possible. Isn’t that right? That means Venice will never abandon us or leave.”

Loyu’s words were precise. This world, mad as it was with its allowance for multiple partners, brought them a sense of relief.

Yet, the real trouble was just beginning.

“You all… are aiming for it, aren’t you? The ‘favored one.’”

“……..!”

At Loyu’s words, everyone’s eyes sharpened.

The favored one. For those who yearned for Venice, it was the goal of their lives, something they must achieve.

That meant they had to demonstrate actions worthy of capturing Venice’s heart, surpassing the women before them…!

Unpleasant imaginings began to swirl in their minds.

What if Venice… does not choose me as the favored one? What if… she doesn’t even take me as a concubine?

Surely, kind and gentle Venice would not do such a thing… but if, by any chance, that were to happen, they could very well lose their minds.

And… the thought of killing the b*tches who took their place…!

Creeeak—

As those thoughts took root, the sound of grinding teeth echoed within the earthen house. The crackling of firewood was drowned out by the overwhelming noise, and they glared at one another.

If it comes to that… what will I do to these people…?!

“Um… uhmm…”

But suddenly, as Venice stirred at the sound, the women’s fierce demeanor diminished, as if a mouse had died.

“Haah… you all have such fierce expressions. I can see exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Cough…”

“W-what are you saying…?”

“Have we been found out?”

For a moment, emotions surged, threatening to spill over, but for now, they could do nothing.

“I don’t know what will happen from here on out… but at least for a while, let’s live for Venice.”

Loyu’s gaze darkened slightly. As she stroked the sleeping Venice’s head, it felt as if she were gazing into something from the past.

“As you know, Venice has a painful history. Though she seems endlessly kind and gentle… she is a fragile child. If she gets hurt, she cries alone every night.”

The expressions of the three women darkened in response to those words.

—

Indeed… Venice’s life was so wretched, so pitiful. That kind and gentle soul, how much pain had they endured in silence?

Yet… before others, you always wore a smile. So utterly lovable.

“…I understand. It cannot be helped.”

“Hmm… I see. If it’s for Venice, then.”

“….It’s not because I like you.”

They were women for whom his happiness mattered more than their own selfish desires.

Having forged a small pact unknown to Venice, they could only gaze at the peacefully sleeping figure, smiles gracing their lips.