Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 118



Chapter 118 – A True Contest

For the hyenas, who had been hunting a single prey, news arrived like a much-needed rain in a drought. And it came from the very source itself.

Having spent a long time with Venice, for those who had not shared much time with the current Venice, being granted the opportunity to be together meant one thing.

It was a mission that must be seized by any means necessary.

Moreover, it was a ‘directly proposed opinion’ from Venice, who had never been one to express her thoughts or give orders.

It was only natural that the gazes of the four women, aflame with love, would sharpen at this revelation, but there was an even more significant reason.

Venice proposed, “Let us decide who will stand watch together.” So, what is the act of keeping watch?

To keep watch is to stand guard against ambush during the most vulnerable time when one is deprived of the essential sleep that humans need.

In the moment when humanity stands most vulnerable, it is an essential act to step forward and hold one’s ground; yet, for those who have already transcended humanity, such matters held no significance.

After all, there would be no stronger beast or human than themselves, and they would ensure that Venice, come what may, would not shed a single drop of sweat.

However, when it came to the ‘watch with Venice,’ the matter took a different turn.

To stand watch with Venice alone meant, quite simply, that during this vigil, one could fairly monopolize Venice, excluding all other women.

Everyone yearned for time with Venice, yet their hearts grew heavy with frustration at the sight of other women who showed no signs of ever leaving her side. In truth, they all shared the same thought, but still.

It was also an opportunity to seize overwhelming advantage in a tense standoff where no one dared to budge an inch.

Those who did not stand watch with Venice would be pushed aside, forced to listen with tears of blood as Venice conversed and laughed with the chosen one.

Moreover, Venice was a being that required protection and care, unlike themselves, and thus needed to seek rest.

This meant that even after Venice’s watch ended, they would still be able to share the same space until she fell asleep.

It was a position that must be defended at all costs. The defeated, those not chosen, would have no choice but to acknowledge their loss with tears of blood, a position of bitter defeat.

On a night when the firewood crackled and the sounds of night insects and owls echoed faintly, four pairs of eyes began to blaze with intensity.

All these moments unfolded in their minds in just three seconds after Venice’s proposal.

“Hmm… how should we decide…?”

“”………!””

Oh no. They had only thought of the need to win, never considering what kind of contest it would be.

Venice was certainly the type to ponder her choices, one who followed the voices around her, so if they made a suggestion to her, the likelihood of her agreeing was nearly 99%.

Thus, they strained their minds to think faster than they ever had in their lives, seeking the best contest that would favor them.

“How about this: Venice, you choose one person. Just pick the ‘most comfortable and familiar person’ you’d like to stand watch with. Simple, right?”

And the first contender was Royu. While everyone else was deep in thought, Royu presented the proposal with the highest chance of success.

Indeed, it was a seasoned move befitting Royu, who had now become the ‘most threatening foe’ at this moment.

“What the hell… how can this be…!”

“Cowardly…! This isn’t fair!”

“It’s cheating! It’s cheating!!”

Naturally, the three women erupted in protest. Wasn’t Royu Venice’s girlfriend?

Though Venice understood everyone’s feelings, it did not erase the sins they had committed against her.

Unlike those who had wronged Venice, whether in small or large ways, Royu had only ever given Venice devoted love, which made their opposition all the more fervent.

Of course, all of this was but a timid and small gesture, barely perceptible to Venice.

“Hmm… could it be…?”

In the end, the oblivious Venice fell prey to the most dangerous serpent’s scheme.

The black snake, victory almost assured, clapped its hands and flashed a sly smile, while the soon-to-be losers could only watch in despair, tears of blood staining their cheeks as they beheld that wretched grin.

“Well then, Venice? Choose one! It’s an easy decision if you pick the one who has been by your side the longest, the one who has loved you the most!”

“Um… uh… I…”

The devil’s whisper, urging Venice to decide, drew her gaze increasingly toward Royu, while the eyes of the defeated began to grow emptier still.

Venice’s finger began to rise, pointing toward Royu.

Just before becoming the victor, Royu licked her lips, and within the delusions of the defeated, countless possibilities began to unfold in that space they could not intrude upon.

“I choose Ro—”

“Ugh…”

“Uh… um…”

“Meow… mew…”

“……Huh?”

Venice halted her finger mid-air, turning her head at the pitiful voices that suddenly emerged from beside her.

Women gazed up at her with eyes brimming with tears, like dogs on the verge of abandonment. The more her finger rose, the louder their whimpering cries grew.

Of course, under normal circumstances, they would never have resorted to such cuteness or whining, but this was a situation they could not afford to give up, leaving them with no choice.

“Ugh… ugh…”

In the end, unable to withstand the sorrowful gazes and voices of the three, Venice squeezed her eyes shut and lowered her finger.

“Ah… no!”

“Good!”

“Hehe… just as planned.”

“Nice!”

Joy and despair began to intertwine. The playful antics and tearful expressions from just moments ago seemed to vanish without a trace.

“Captain…! Hurry and choose! Isn’t there someone you’ve always had your back against?”

“Choose quickly, Venice. You’ve spent the whole day with me.”

“I’m the only one who has petted you…! Hurry, pick me…!”

Venice’s gaze shifted to the remaining three women. Each time her eyes landed on one, the atmosphere shifted noticeably, almost comically.

“I… I…”

Ceris? Ariel? Kali??

The eyes of the three women sparkled with hope or emptiness, and just as Venice began to sweat in her indecision…

“Darling… what about me…?”

“……..!”

At the sound of that moist voice, Venice turned around in a hurry.

With tears glistening in her eyes, Royu gazed at herself with a pitiful expression. Such a sight was rare even in her past life, leaving Venice utterly flustered.

“Am I… being discarded?”

“N-no..! That’s not it…!”

“Ugh… it’s just so sad…”

In the end, they found themselves back at square one. Even after several attempts to coax Venice with words and actions, each time it led to the same outcome, with those chosen left behind.

“U-ugh…! I can’t do this…!”

Ultimately, Venice squeezed her eyes shut and declared her surrender. So then, what should she choose as her path?

…But does the choice even matter? If I select one, it feels like I’m neglecting the other three.

She was no fool; she could see the hearts of Royu and the other women clearly.

…Ha. What have I done? There was no need for this at all.

From noble mtl dot com

The very essence of a night watch was to stand guard against ambush during sleep, yet with these women, there was no reason to fear an attack, nor would they ever be harmed if one did occur.

“How about… we all just sleep together…?”

Venice corrected her own words, and the lingering disappointment on their faces faded as they nodded in agreement.

Of course, the time spent alone with Venice was precious, but if that was her choice, there was no arguing against it.

Thus, the incident concluded with all five of them settling down to sleep together.

Naturally, a second war nearly broke out over who would claim the spot right next to Venice, but a startled Venice proposed a fair game of rock-paper-scissors to decide.

In a clean contest devoid of any dirt, the victors were Kali and Seris.

Though, this was only for this round.

Royu, using a loophole to switch places, and Ariel, binding the space with magic to hold her hands steady.

Seris and Kali, relying on their overwhelming physicality, observed their opponents before making their moves.

They even presented scissors while declaring, “There are scissors that can beat rock in this world,” placing their fingers against the fists of their startled opponents, prompting Venice to intervene.

“Ugh… this is uncomfortable…”

“Hehe… Commander…”

“Master… please… pet me quickly…!”

“…..Hah.”

“I’m… fine. Yeah. I’m part of the advance team…”

And so, a day in the West passed by… ordinarily…?

*

The morning of the next day dawned. I moved my feet, taking in the natural landscape of the West.

“Hmm….”

But… to be honest, I’m starting to feel a bit weary of it all. Sure, gazing at the natural surroundings felt healing enough, but it seems like I’m only seeing the same scenery over and over again.

Well, there’s still plenty of time left, I suppose. Still, seeing similar landscapes every day feels a bit much.

I halted my steps and called out to the women trailing behind me.

“Let’s just head to the Empire now…! I think I’m a bit tired of this.”

Fortunately, they granted my wish. We tried to hasten our way toward the Empire, but—

“…Wait. If we’re going to the Empire, we have to bring Venice, at least one of us, right?”

“”……….!””

At Ariel’s murmured words, the expressions of the other three women began to darken.

“Then I’ll pretend to be with Venice?”

“Am I… carrying you, my lady…?”

“Can I hold you like I did back then?”

“Riding on my back, my lord… heh…!”

Thus, the Third ‘Venice War’ began abruptly.