Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 120



Chapter 120 – The Imperial Court

“P-please, follow me…!”

The guard’s sharp expression dulled as he broke into a cold sweat, calling for someone. A middle-aged man appeared, equally drenched in sweat, bowing to us at a full ninety degrees.

– Who are those people…?

– Hey. Isn’t that Deputy Celis? From the Skar Mercenary Group?

– No way… And next to him is Ariel Frost!!

– Who’s the kid standing beside them? They look… kind of cute.

The overly respectful treatment seemed to draw murmurs from the surrounding crowd, their eyes fixed on us.

“…How dare you!”

“Not a chance.”

“Growl…”

“Heh… that won’t do, no.”

Suddenly, the women turned around, muttering something, and when I asked what was going on, they all just shook their heads and smiled at me, so I simply followed the middle-aged man out.

“Ah… I shall guide you to the Emperor. His Majesty has commanded that you be brought forth immediately…”

“Uncle, really.”

“Sigh… not again.”

“What is it? What’s going on?”

As the middle-aged man spoke, drenched in sweat, Ariel and Seris sighed as if they had anticipated this moment, while Kali, like me, simply followed along, bewildered.

Of course, Royu looked at me with an inscrutable smile, and I turned my head away.

It did not take long to reach the entrance of the palace.

Ariel had cast a spell, propelling us forward at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary folk.

“Enter through here, and just keep going straight…! May fortune be with you all!”

The middle-aged man who had escorted us to the palace bowed deeply—no, a full 100 degrees—and did not lift his head until we had passed.

Feeling pity for him as sweat poured down like a waterfall, I promptly led the others inside.

“Venice. This is the palace. The very heart of the continent, where the Emperor who rules it resides.”

“It is indeed a magnificent place. Though my experiences here have not been particularly pleasant, my eyes have always been delighted each time I visit.”

“Wow…”

“How much do you think all of this costs?”

“Heh heh…”

I followed Ariel and Seris, my mouth agape in awe at the resplendent interior of the palace.

A corridor made entirely of gold, decorations that clearly bore the mark of master artisans, and paintings that seemed to have been crafted by a genius artist adorned the walls.

It felt as if the very image of ‘royalty’ I had only ever seen in films or webtoons had come to life, and I could not help but feel my heart swell with emotion.

Step by step.

And then, at that moment, someone was approaching us from directly across the corridor.

“Greetings. Lady Ariel Frost, and Lady Seris.”

A man clad in splendid armor, a sword that looked expensive hanging at his waist, offered us a courteous greeting.

“From now on, I shall be your guide. Please, follow me.”

I looked up at Seris and Ariel, but they merely shrugged their shoulders and took the lead, so I began to trustingly follow along.

‘But that person… is really impressive.’

“Um… who is that person…?”

“That person? He is the captain of the knight order. The leader of the royal knights who stand right beside the Emperor.”

“He is incredibly strong. Probably… the strongest swordsman, aside from me.”

“That makes sense. His aura and magical energy are off the charts.”

“Is that so…”

A handsome visage, an immense stature. And a diction that pierces the ear. With a stride that moves forward boldly, without hesitation.

And… he must be incredibly strong as well. Standing next to such a magnificent figure, I felt so small and insignificant that I couldn’t help but sink into a gloomy silence.

“Venice. Are you going to make that cute face again?”

“Ah… no. It’s just… I feel like I look so pathetic compared to him…”

“…………..”

As I answered Royu’s question with a heavy heart, the footsteps of the four women came to a simultaneous halt, and they quietly looked down at me.

Yet, upon seeing the man who seemed to embody the ideal I longed for, my self-esteem plummeted further, and I continued to speak as if in protest.

“I’m not tall… I’m not strong… I have no confidence… compared to him—”

“Enough, my lord. Look into my eyes.”

“….”

I lowered my gaze to meet Kali’s. Her eyes were so intense, burning with a fervor that seemed to consume me.

And that gaze was not just Kali’s; it was the same from all of them.

“It doesn’t matter if you are strong or weak. Whether you are tall or short. None of it matters. Just… being you. That alone is enough for me, for us.”

“……….”

“And I… I truly love this version of you..! I could just devour you right now— ugh! Mmm!”

“Th-That! It’s nothing, Captain!”

As Kali began to say something, Seris hurriedly covered her mouth and pulled her away.

It sounded like a playful remark, but the way they looked at me was so serious, so aflame with intensity.

“…Thank you.”

“Thank you? No, it’s us who should be grateful to you.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay? Every time you do… wham!”

“Mmm..! Ugh!!”

“Please, just stay still…!”

Right. They were looking at me like this, and for me to wallow in self-pity alone would be to disregard them.

I would not crumble any longer. There was still so much time left for me, for us.

*

“The sun of the Empire awaits. Now then.”

After walking and walking, we had climbed to an astonishing height, standing before a colossal door.

The commander of the knights bowed his head to us, and the door began to open grandly.

A radiant light shone upon us, and we walked onward, unceasing, following the glow into the depths.

As we crossed the colossal threshold, a grand audience chamber unfolded before us.

At the far end, upon a magnificent throne, sat a middle-aged man, and along the path to him, countless maids, butlers, and knights bowed their heads in reverence.

“Venis. Let us proceed.”

“Y-yes…”

Eriel, who had pushed me forward, sensing my sudden unease amidst the throng of people. I smiled at her and together we approached the Emperor.

“….Welcome. Seris of the illustrious Skaar Mercenaries. And… Eriel.”

“We greet the Sun of the Empire.”

“…We greet the Sun of the Empire.”

I watched as Eriel and Seris bowed respectfully. In that moment, I felt the weight of disdainful gazes from the side, whispering, ‘Who is that brat who doesn’t even bow?’

“I-I greet the Sun of the Empire…!”

“…Indeed.”

“Ha ha…”

I hurriedly followed Eriel and Seris in their greeting, while Kalli merely mumbled a half-hearted response, and Royu just smiled.

The atmosphere felt thick enough to choke on, as if someone might shout in outrage at our insolence, yet, thankfully, no one scolded us.

“Maids, butlers, knights. All of you, leave the room.”

“”We shall heed the words of the Great Sun of the Empire.””

In fact, the Emperor sent everyone else out, leaving only us behind.

Without a single refusal, they exited the chamber with mechanical precision, and soon, only the Emperor and we remained in the vast audience hall.

“…Let us dispense with the pretense. Eriel.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“….I have worried much. Both I and Breed. As for where you vanished to… let us not dwell on it.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

The Emperor’s gaze turned toward us, and the worry etched upon his face melted away, leaving only warmth in its wake.

“It has been a while since Seris, the Vice Captain, has graced us.”

“….Yes.”

“Indeed. Cold as ever, just as in days past. Yet now… warmth lingers upon your face.”

Is that so? In truth, I could hardly imagine Seris as anything but cold.

Though she had grown a bit distant toward the end of her time as the leader of the Skaar Mercenaries, she had always been kind and warm-hearted.

“Eriel. I ask this with caution… may I inquire about the boy beside you, and the other women?”

“Is this person? It’s simple. They are to be my husband.”

“”……….””

In an instant, the atmosphere fell silent.

“…Huh? Huh?”

I was left dazed by the sudden declaration. Wasn’t it just… a matter of liking each other?

“…Ahem. Then, those beside you…”

“Are you trying to get ahead? This wasn’t part of our agreement.”

“What are you talking about? My lord is to be my husband.”

“Oh my… Is this how we’re doing it now?”

“Hmph. If you had complaints, you should have spoken up sooner.”

The emperor, caught off guard, coughed repeatedly before asking again, but perhaps he didn’t hear, as the women began to glare at Ariel, even with the emperor right in front of them.

…Other women too? All of them…?

“Oh dear… oh dear…”

The emperor listened intently to their bickering, then clutched his neck and closed his eyes.

For someone called the center of the world, the torchbearer of the empire, he seemed far too ordinary—a mere ‘uncle.’

Even as time dragged on, their quarrel showed no signs of stopping, and the emperor’s wailing only grew louder.

*

The emperor guided us to our lodgings, saying, “Stay as long as you wish, until you desire to leave,” and we followed the head maid into a building.

“This is the accommodation for Lady Venice.”

“Wow…”

As soon as I laid eyes on the revealed room, my mouth fell agape. The facilities were beyond description.

A plush bed that looked inviting, decorations that seemed too extravagant to be for guests.

This could easily be called a five-star… no, a ten-star hotel.

“…Wait. This is Venice’s accommodation? Then what about me?”

“”………””

Just as I was exploring the room alone, a despondent voice from behind caught my attention. At the same moment, all eyes turned to the head maid.

“Th-That is… the accommodation for you all is right next door…”

“Venice! I’m coming in…! Just the two of us…!”

“Madam! Excuse me! Please, just step aside for a moment…!”

“I must protect my lord. Just wait a moment!”

“Just a moment~?”

They glared at me with fierce eyes, as if they would send the maid blocking the doorway flying at any moment.

“Th…that! I’m sorry…!”

Creeeak—bang.

I slammed the door shut. My instincts warned me that if I didn’t close it now, an ‘immense threat’ would come crashing in…

But what is it? What kind of threat could make their eyes turn so fearsome, causing my instincts to scream?

I still don’t know. For now, I suppose I can breathe a little easier…

From noble mtl dot com

Though some time has passed, it was still daylight, and the moment I stepped outside my room to quell my hunger.

“”…………””

I faced the four pairs of eyes still waiting outside the door.

Thud.

I had no choice but to collapse right there.