Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 141 – The Revolutionary of the East (Revised)

Am I… dead? I cannot tell how much time has passed, nor if I am truly alive.

Yet, there was something strange about being dead. If I were truly gone, I should feel nothing at all, yet here I am, enveloped in warmth.

It was not the plush comfort of my bed, where I always sought sleep, but there was enough softness behind me to suggest I was resting.

And the chill that had gripped my body before I lost consciousness had vanished, replaced by a gentle air that wrapped around me.

“…!”

In that moment of realization, that I was indeed alive, I opened my eyes wide, gasping for breath as if I had just awoken from a nightmare.

…What is this? Where am I?

A scene unfolded before me, a house I had never seen in my life. Constructed entirely of wood, it exuded the scent of nature, a space that felt almost serene.

I had been sleeping in a place unknown to me. Time had surely passed, for I did not feel as if my body were breaking apart, though a dull ache still throbbed throughout.

So then, who brought me to this house?

“…You’re awake?”

As I pondered this, someone entered through the door. Surely, this was the person who had saved my life, and I should express my gratitude, yet I found myself unable to do so.

For the figure standing at the door bore ears like those of a cat.

“…A beastkin?”

The words slipped from my lips before I could stop them. Yes. The person before me was not an ordinary human, but a beastkin.

“Yes, human. Are you finally coming to your senses?”

“Oh. I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine. You’re better than most.”

She was undoubtedly the one who had rescued me, yet the first thing I blurted out was ‘beastkin?’ It must have been a grave offense, and I hurried to apologize, but she merely snorted dismissively, setting down the belongings she had brought into the house.

“So, can you move a bit? When I brought you here, you looked like you could die at any moment.”

“Yes. It must be thanks to your treatment… Truly, I am grateful. You are my savior.”

“…”

I bowed my head in thanks, feeling her words carry a hint of sarcasm, yet she said nothing in return.

Worried that something was amiss, I lifted my gaze to meet her eyes, but she stood there, seemingly stunned, staring blankly at my face.

“…Is there a problem…?”

“No, no. That’s not it… You’re the first human I’ve ever met like you.”

After that, we exchanged a few brief words. She introduced herself as ‘Kar,’ and I shared my name in return.

The reason for her surprise was simple. It was because I, a human, had genuinely thanked her, a beastfolk.

I couldn’t understand why she was astonished; I merely acted as any person would. I looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“The humans I’ve seen until now… most of them were selfish. They forget quickly even when they help, and they look down on us.”

…Ah. I understood what her words meant. The negative perceptions of beastfolk in the world had not vanished.

Even through the stories I heard from my father, and those I followed him to listen to, it was hard to find positive tales about beastfolk. Most people rejected and despised them for no reason other than their very nature.

I simply could not comprehend it. What crime had they committed? Was it for the deeds of their ancestors, so long ago that they had become mere legends, that they were still punished in the present?

I voiced this question to my father. He responded, as always, with a gentle smile.

“Venice. Hold onto your beliefs. Just because many people shout out loud, it doesn’t mean they are always right.”

At the time, being young, I found it hard to understand, but as time passed, I began to grasp my father’s words.

He had helped beastfolk even in a world where most people rejected and despised them. The kindness my father showed was not limited to humans alone.

“I don’t think beastfolk and humans are different.”

Thus, I could speak boldly. Humans and beastfolk are not different. There are merely slight differences; they are all beings deserving of love.

“…Hah. You’re a strange human, truly.”

Kar laughed as if in disbelief, but soon wore a smile.

“You can move, right? Then follow me.”

“…Huh? Where are we going?”

“Just come quietly. I mean you no harm.”

I slowly rose from the bed, stretching my stiff body as I followed Kar. I quietly observed her.

Following Kar’s lead, I watched as she conversed with the villagers of a small town. When I expressed my gratitude, the villagers, except for Kar, were taken aback. Kar laughed, as if she had expected this.

As I watched these scenes unfold, the one beside me, arms crossed, spoke up.

“They are truly grateful people. That’s why I still… hold onto my gratitude for them.”

Snap-!

As he smiled and snapped his fingers, the world shattered like a broken mirror, and we returned to the dark space where we had stood.

“…So, you decided to help beastfolk because you received help from them?”

“Well… you could say that. And following my father’s words, I’ve tried to do my own good deeds.”

“Do I not need to see the memories that follow…?”

“Right. You’ll find out everything anyway. Compared to the two memories you just saw, it’s nothing much.”

As I grasped his offered handshake, his memories began to flood in like a tide. From the memories I had just witnessed to those that lay in the gaps of my awakening.

After taking sufficient rest in the village of Karr, I departed, embraced by their farewells, and returned to the Raoul mansion.

Within the mansion, I encountered the butlers and maids, their faces etched with despair, and I recounted to them the entirety of the events that had transpired.

Following that, I sought out those who had deep ties to my father and mother, sharing my tale, etching their words of condolence deep within my heart.

For some, it was a matter that could break the spirit amidst sorrow and despair. But not for me.

My father and mother would always be watching over me. And… I had resolved to follow my father’s convictions.

I decided to head towards a place that seemed in dire need of assistance. Of course, I did not intend to demolish the Raoul mansion or dismiss the butlers and maids.

As always, I requested that they take good care of the mansion. It might be seen as a waste of money, but the wealth before me was such that I could never exhaust it in a lifetime, so it mattered little.

While wandering the city to handle the affairs my father left behind, I happened upon a certain tale.

“…They say the city of Espilia has become the most developed city in the Empire now!”

…The most developed city. Where there is always light, there must also be shadow. A thought arose within me to help those who dwelled in the shadow of the title of the Empire’s most developed city.

Without hesitation, I set my course for Espilia. As I expected, it was indeed a city of great advancement, yet it seemed that many were in need of help.

I sought to soothe the burning hearts of those in the upper echelons, while sharing my bounty with the beastfolk of the lower tiers who required aid.

And then, one day, as my vision shifted, a single beastfolk appeared before me.

A cat-like beastfolk, seemingly angry and displeased.

“…So that’s how it is. Now my story is all but finished.”

“Phew. It certainly was long, wasn’t it?”

“Indeed, it was.”

“…………”

I watched them converse as if they were close friends. No, they were looking at ‘me.’ And then, they too gazed back at me.

The compassion etched in their eyes. And when I beheld the sense of kinship, I understood.

Just as I had grasped their hands and learned their memories and emotions, they too had received my memories and feelings.

“…You must have had a hard time as well. It must have been even more miserable in a peaceful world.”

Some might call it pity, but the comfort I offered myself was nothing but sincere.

“We all… have truly lived through hardship.”

Each faced different circumstances, yet all endured a difficult life to stand here together.

“Do not worry. We will always be with you.”

Though it was but a brief statement, it felt more comforting than any other words. A sentiment that genuinely empathized with all the days that had come before.

And then, at that moment.

“Uh… huh?”

My body began to shine brightly. No, it would be more accurate to say that the entire space began to glow with radiance.

I could sense it. This signal marked the time for us to part ways. And perhaps they felt it too, each revealing their own emotions.

“It seems the time has come. There may never be a day when we face each other and speak again.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope for your continued kindness!”

“Let us all… strive to live well. In the days that were once shrouded in darkness, blessings and light shall accompany us from now on.”

The space began to brighten gradually, shining so brilliantly that it became difficult to keep my eyes open.

At last, I cast a final glance at them as they transformed into particles of light, vanishing into the radiant glow.

They faced one another, and then each uttered their last words.

Seris, the deputy commander.

Lady Ariel.

Kali.

And your love. Asking for your care.

I felt my body begin to fade. I looked at them, smiling brightly. They returned my gaze with their own radiant smiles.

Wishing for a future filled only with blessings and light, we gradually disappeared into the brilliant light that reflected each other and ourselves.