Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 134 – …Nightmare?

Clatter—clatter…

After passing through the Empire, we had loaded countless items into the automatic carriage and were now heading westward.

The scenery shifted rapidly. A mundane day. Yet there was something, no, many things, that felt different.

Koooh…

It was that I alone remained awake, while my four companions were lost in a deep slumber, their breaths a colorful symphony of soft sounds.

“…How curious.”

I found myself murmuring, gazing at them, seemingly untouched by the world, as they slept so profoundly.

It was no wonder, for I had never seen them sleep while I was awake.

They had transcended the limits of humanity, standing among the ranks of superhumans, and thus, they could sustain their lives without the need for sleep or food.

Of course, they did eat, but strangely, they did not seek the solace of sleep.

It felt odd that I was the only one who succumbed to slumber, and I had suggested they rest, but they all politely declined, uttering strange words about ‘waiting for that day.’

That day…? What could it possibly be? I had no inkling…

Yet, curiously, it was as if they had all fallen under a spell, drifting into sleep simultaneously.

I couldn’t quite grasp how it happened. I too had slipped into slumber without realizing it, and upon awakening, I found all four of them still lost in dreams.

“Hah… huff… huff…!”

“…You brought this upon yourself.”

“Ugh… I can’t take it anymore!”

“….What the hell.”

At that moment, all four of my companions began to frown and mutter in their sleep, their faces contorted in discomfort.

…It felt like the first time I had witnessed Royu curse. It seemed they were all trapped in some dreadful nightmare.

Yet, there was nothing I could do. Even if I tried to rouse them, my feeble attempts would feel like the touch of an ant against their god-like forms.

And that was the conclusion I had drawn after countless efforts to awaken them.

No matter what I tried, even pinching with all my might, it left no mark.

“….Tch. They’ll wake soon enough.”

In the end, I surrendered, watching them groan softly, and turned my gaze back to the scenery outside.

*

“Mm… uhh…”

Flash.

A faint groan escaped from someone, who suddenly opened their eyes wide and lifted their upper body.

Where… am I?

…Leria? Wait. Why am I in Leria?

With a bewildered expression, Seris slowly rose from her place, tilting her head in confusion.

I was definitely heading west… Wait. Why was I trying to go west? I can’t quite remember.

What was I… Ah.

“…Ah, right! The captain called for me!”

Thinking back, I remember the captain calling for me! Out of countless mercenaries, it was only ‘me’!

“Heh heh… hehehe…!”

Yes… this is how it should be! It was clear that I was the chosen one!

Hani… Viren. And surely, I must have been favored over those wretched girls!

Every day, pretending to dutifully heed the captain’s orders, that girl would cast lewd glances at him!

And at best, she would only… no, it was quite a lot. She would cook delicious meals to lure the captain in…!

And then there were the new recruits. Kali, Ariel, was it? Those girls, despite being mere newcomers, would stop at nothing to catch the captain’s eye!

Even with the countless gazes and advances from other mercenaries, the captain had called only for me…!

It must be certain!

“Heh… hehehe!”

With a spring in her step, Seris began to dash toward the base of the Skar Mercenary Company.

But this town… it must be Leria, right? It seems a bit squished, but… it must be!

As she rushed past faces blurred with madness, Seris soon found herself at the Skar Mercenary Company’s base.

“Damn it… damn it all! Why did the captain choose Seris…!”

“Was my food… not to his liking?”

“Why won’t he choose me…!”

As she entered the base, she saw mercenaries gathered in the open space, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy as they looked at her.

Since the captain took charge here, those b*tches had joined only for his outstanding looks and skills…!

I… have been by the captain’s side from the very beginning. I didn’t come later like you all!

“Sniff… I must have been wrong…”

“Why… why me?”

“Goddammit! Why her!”

And glancing to the side, she saw Ariel, weeping pitifully, Kali slumped in a dejected heap, and Royu, her face twisted in rage, spewing curses.

“…Ha! Isn’t it obvious? The Commander has chosen ‘me’!”

With that confident declaration, the she-wolves seemed to surrender, collapsing into their spots and whimpering softly.

Good… I have vanquished all my foes! Now, it is just a one-on-one meeting with the Commander!

Wait. This… isn’t a date?! Especially since the Commander requested it first…!

Before long, Seris found herself standing before the Commander’s office. She wasn’t quite sure how she had arrived here, but beyond that door, the Commander awaited her…!

Knock, knock, knock—

“C-Commander! This is Seris, I shall enter…!”

Creeeak…

Embracing her wildly racing heart, Seris stepped into the office.

“…Have you finally arrived? You pitiful thing.”

“C-Commander…!”

As she opened the door, the noble and beautiful Commander gazed at her, legs crossed, with an air of regal disdain!

A small yet adorable figure. And though she often spoke in a teasing manner, the warmth within ignited the hearts of all women, including Seris…!

“You know why I called you here today, don’t you, hm?”

“Of… of course, Commander!”

“Hmm. Then go ahead… do as you please.”

“Gah…!”

Seris swallowed hard. The Commander had undone a few buttons of her shirt, revealing the delicate fabric draping over her petite form!

This… this is a given. Right?! Even my father would acknowledge this. He would…!

Seris’s face flushed crimson. Yet, her trembling gaze fixated on one point. It was as if hearts were etched in her pupils…!

“Th-this is unfair! Y-you, Commander, you’re the one who seduced me first…!”

“Ha… ha ha. If you can, then try.”

Pathetic—.

Snap—!

And in that moment, the fragile thread of Seris’s reason snapped.

*

In the cold summer of the North, white snow fell once more today.

For a woman who had spent her entire life in the North, snow held no particular meaning; yet today was different.

“Hahaha…!

That’s right, it was the day she would confront the newly arrived butler, Venice!

—

A visage both adorable and stirring a protective instinct. A demeanor that is delicate yet compels one to care…!

Countless maids were aware of the allure that Venice held. It would be strange for any woman not to be captivated by such a sight.

Even Ariel, who had never wished for a man, found herself ensnared by that angelic presence.

Her sisters, who had devoted their lives to sword and sorcery, trailed after Venice with hearts gleaming in their eyes.

Yet, Venice graciously declined the confessions and goodwill of all.

Thus, she seemed like a flower on the edge of a precipice, igniting a deeper flame within the heart!

But recently, perhaps it was the kindness shown when she helped Venice, who was about to topple while carrying her belongings, that had worked wonders.

The maid who had withstood countless confessions and advances had, astonishingly, asked Ariel out on a date!

And that day was today. A day spent dining with Venice, indulging in pancakes, living a dreamlike existence as if they were truly ‘lovers’!

However, my stroke of fortune did not end there.

“Ah… Tonight. Please come to my room…”

Venice’s words halted Ariel’s thoughts, which were brimming with sorrow at the end of a date she wished would last forever.

With cheeks slightly flushed and a hint of shyness, Venice uttered those words before retreating, as if overwhelmed by her own boldness.

And then, the night arrived.

In just four hours, Ariel had run over twenty thousand simulations in her mind, seeking the optimal outcome.

“Haah… Let’s go. I can do this.”

In the stillness of the night, she exhaled deeply before the door to Venice’s room.

Before knocking, she cast a scornful glance at the three maids who had showered Venice with particularly excessive advances.

Ceris. Pretending to be prim, yet nurturing a monster within.

Carly. Appearing outwardly consumed by lust, but her depths were even more depraved.

Royu. …Simply the most dangerous, for she was an enigma.

Though she wished to wield her power to dismiss them all, Ariel chose to show mercy.

“You may listen in. That much… I will allow.”

“”…….!””

As she spoke with a smile, despair etched itself onto the faces of the three maids.

What do you despair about? Venice was mine from the very beginning.

And if you despair, what can you do?

Knock, knock, knock—

-Yes… Please come in.

Creeeak—

—

The creaking door swings open, and I step inside. Soon enough, this sound will echo from Venice’s bed as well.

“…Oh my.”

“Um… how do you feel?”

The radiant moonlight spills through the window, illuminating the dark room and revealing Venice’s form.

He had always wrapped himself tightly, never revealing much. Yet now, he wore only a thin white short-sleeve shirt and tiny shorts.

The moment I laid eyes on him, all the countless simulations that had danced in my mind vanished, replaced by a singular desire that surged within me.

“Venice. Is this… for real?”

“Uh… um…”

“Speak up. Tell me…!”

At my words, which felt like a storm ready to break, Venice trembled slightly but spoke shyly.

“Even someone as lowly as I… if it pleases you…”

Thud-!

And at that moment, the tether of reason snapped within me. My usually sharp mind, always racing, fixated on one thought alone.

“…You brought this upon yourself. I don’t know…!”

And in that instant, I launched myself at him.

—