Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 127 – Fate

“Eriel… my daughter…”

“Father…?”

What is this situation? Suddenly, someone smashed through the door of the room we were in, and upon closer inspection, it was someone I recognized.

The Grand Duke of the North. The Heart of Steel, the Frozen Blade, and so on. The Lord of Frost had appeared before us.

“…The Grand Duke of the North? Why are you here…?”

“This person is the Grand Duke of the North?”

“Yes. This is indeed the Grand Duke.”

“…Hiccup.”

Everyone was taken aback by the sudden appearance. I was no exception, and I was so startled that I couldn’t stop hiccuping…

“Father. How did you… Ah. Was it my uncle who told you?”

“Th-That is—!”

“Setting that aside, why have you come to find me?”

“My daughter…! You have been missing for days, with no word at all. How could a father not search for you…!”

“That’s… I’m sorry. I had something urgent to attend to.”

Oh… what is this? It feels like I’m watching a drama unfold. I tried hard to suppress my hiccups as I watched the thrilling scene.

“Your safety is what matters, but… who are these people here?”

“Long time no see, Grand Duke of the North.”

“…Seris, the Deputy Commander? Why are you…”

After a brief exchange with Seris, the Grand Duke turned his gaze to everyone in the room, but when it landed on me, he froze.

His eyes blinked as if he had seen a ghost, shaking his head, his complexion turning pale.

“…A maid? No… that can’t be.”

“Father. That person… it’s true.”

“Eriel. That’s simply impossible…”

The Grand Duke tried to deny reality, but he couldn’t continue his words. Eriel wore a smile devoid of worry, and that was enough to silence him.

I think I understand the reason… Eriel had said she hadn’t smiled even once since I left, that she had lived on in a state of half-death.

She had suffered daily, blamed herself, and lived in ruin. For the Grand Duke, gazing at his beloved daughter, this must be an unbelievable reality.

“…Is it really… you?”

“Yes. The savior who rescued me… my maid. It is Venice. Though she appears smaller now… I am certain.”

“…..You.”

“Uh… hello…?”

The Grand Duke’s eyes began to tremble violently. The pillar that upheld the Empire, the master of the North, was shaking like this…

He seemed to be in deep turmoil, and then, he did something that left everyone present utterly astonished.

“….I am sorry. Truly… I am sorry.”

“Eh…? W-why are you suddenly acting like this….!”

In this land, aside from the Emperor, the one holding the highest position bowed his head and apologized to me, a mere ordinary person!

“I did not understand your sacrifice… I only blamed you. Truly… I am so very sorry.”

“N-no! P-please stop…!”

“Father…”

“……”

“What is this? What on earth is happening?”

“Ho… I have never seen anything like this before?”

While everyone else stood in shock, I alone had to struggle to stop him, who seemed resolute in bowing his head, not even considering lifting it.

*

“….So, such things have happened…”

We spoke of those we had encountered thus far.

The Duke of the North wore a face of disbelief throughout, yet with five witnesses, he seemed to accept it.

He sat slumped in his chair, his hands covering his face as he let out a deep sigh. It seemed many thoughts were swirling in his mind.

“Still… it is truly a relief that you are alive. I will say it once more. I am truly… sorry, and I thank you.”

“Yes… I am fine.”

The last time I had seen his face, it had been as steadfast as an unyielding shield, but now he appeared so very human.

Yet… much of the worry and concern that had filled his face had faded away. Was that not enough?

“…Venice. May I ask just one thing…?”

“Yes…? If it is something I can do…?”

“Please visit our territory… just once. I will use all my strength to host you.”

“Ah… no, there is no need for that…”

“I am… just so very sorry. You are the hero who saved Ariel, and our territory, are you not? I beg of you.”

It was such a sudden request, yet his face was so sincere that it felt difficult to refuse.

Well, I didn’t mind, but shouldn’t I ask the others for their thoughts?

“Um….”

“I am fine anywhere, as long as I am with the commander.”

“I don’t care, I’m heading home anyway.”

“…As long as you are there.”

“Ha ha…”

Yet, it seemed they had already made their judgment before I could utter a word.

It felt like they were granting me too much power… but given how earnestly they were asking, there was no reason to refuse.

“Yes… I will go to the Frost Domain.”

“Truly, truly thank you. Is the time… right now, possible?”

“Y-yes…”

It was sudden, but there’s a saying that one should seize the moment. It would be nice to return quickly.

We began to follow the benevolent smile of the Northern Duke as we exited the dining hall.

“….Ugh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Well… it’s just that I feel so reluctant to leave this place…”

A sigh escaped me without my realizing. I had never had such a delicious meal in my life, nor had I ever been so moved by food that it brought tears to my eyes.

The very thought of leaving this restaurant filled me with sorrow… I felt a little, no, a lot, regretful.

“….Director! If you wish, you can dine here every day, for the rest of your life…!”

“Ha ha… You can always come back whenever you want, so don’t worry.”

“Such nonsense… Ahem.”

“It seems you quite enjoyed it, huh?”

Though I was pouting a bit, they filled me with hope again, saying I could return.

…Yes! I could come again next time…! Even if not here, there must be countless amazing restaurants in this world!

-…Wait, isn’t that the Duke of Frost?!

-Oh my…! Do you think he’ll give autographs if I ask?!

-I… I can’t believe it! The Northern Duke, Deputy Director Ceris, and even Ariel Frost are here!

Murmurs filled the air—

As soon as we stepped out of the restaurant, we were greeted by two gleaming, enormous automaton carriages and a crowd of people gaping at us, their mouths agape in astonishment.

Ah, by the way, the Northern Duke had taken care of the bill. I had heard in passing that the value of the meal we had consumed exceeded a hundred gold coins, which made my head spin.

“Everyone, please get in. This old man… will discreetly slip away.”

“Wow… this is amazing! So this is an automaton carriage!”

“Hmm… this seems quite nice.”

“Come on, get in, Venice. Here. Take my hand.”

“Y-yes…”

“Hmm… You certainly have experience, don’t you?”

We were all crammed into a large automaton carriage, while the Grand Duke of the North boarded another.

Vroom—!

Was the driver starting the engine? The rumbling sound echoed, and the carriage began to race forward swiftly.

Curiously, despite its speed being akin to that of a car, there was hardly any vibration felt.

The automaton carriage sped out of the imperial city and onto the plains. The scenery outside the window shifted rapidly.

“Home. It hasn’t been long, but it feels like ages.”

“I’ve never been to Frost Citadel, not even once.”

“Wow… The heart of the North that I’ve only heard about, we’re actually going there?”

“….The North. It’s been a while.”

For me too… It had been a long time since I had set foot in the North. Not since the time I roamed as my second avatar had I visited.

The North… it was a good place. Bitterly cold, making one shiver, yet it was so beautiful, a fitting reward for the harsh chill.

To be honest, it might be because winter is my favorite season among the four that I feel this way.

Spring, summer, and autumn are filled with the very insects I despise, which makes them less appealing. The notion that only summer is swarming with bugs is now an old tale, isn’t it?

In winter, not only are there no insects, but standing in the cold, watching your breath mist in the air, then lying down in warmth or savoring hot food is pure bliss.

“…Venice. You’ll probably meet Kael and Priya too. Are you okay with that?”

“Y-yes… It’s not their fault. It’s all my doing…”

…Kael and Priya. It had been quite a while since I last saw them.

Honestly… I felt a twinge of fear. What if, upon meeting them again, the words that had once pierced my heart returned to haunt me?

I couldn’t blame them. The circumstances had been dire, and every choice was mine. Yet… since becoming this body, I had been plagued by many fears.

“…Don’t say that. Do you not see how your expression looks?”

“Commander… please don’t. Just please…”

“Don’t. It’s just… so sad.”

“………”

Their reactions were unsettling. Watching them mourn as if they were seeing a dying patient, I turned my head to gaze out the window.

My reflection flickered in the gleaming glass. My face… it was unmistakably one of resignation and sorrow.

“Wh-why am I making this face… I-I’m sorry! Please don’t mind me… Hehe…”

I forced a smile, trying to shift the damp atmosphere as if we were in a mourning house.

“You really… sniff.”

“Please… don’t. It feels like my heart has been pierced…”

“Ugh…”

“….Don’t. Please…”

Perhaps it was poison instead, for the moment they laid eyes on my face, they scrunched their features and could not hold back their tears.

In the end, the refined automaton carriage became a sea of sorrow, and I devoted my entire being to soothe them…