Ch.287Impersonation (2)

    The world is vast, and there are many crazy people.

    Places where people live are all the same.

    Therefore, there are many crazy people in this world where I live.

    It’s a ridiculous syllogism, but it’s logic that actually applies. The world is full of all sorts of crazy people.

    Especially in this world, you can often witness people who act strangely by Earth standards.

    The Mayshall territory and Halo Academy have relatively good security, so it’s not noticeable, but if you go to blind spots, you’ll understand what I mean.

    Theft and pickpocketing are common, violence breaks out in taverns almost every other day, and occasionally there are even murders.

    Unlike my previous life, this world has a fantasy setting, meaning unique powers like Mana exist.

    Not everyone can handle Mana, but those who can wield it have greater power than ordinary people.

    Fortunately, it’s almost impossible to freely use force in the face of the massive order called “law,” but since society is society, many cases are overlooked.

    You could say that even when someone with strategic-level power, not just tactical-level, commits a crime, authorities tend to turn a blind eye unless it’s a serious incident.

    Perhaps because of this, people who have made a name for themselves, especially adventurers and mercenaries, often have terrible personalities.

    You might wonder what the difference is between adventurers and mercenaries. Adventurers don’t belong to organizations like guilds, while mercenaries belong to mercenary guilds.

    To put it simply, adventurers are freelancers, and mercenaries are, well, mercenaries.

    Adventurers have more freedom as freelancers, but they earn less than mercenaries for the same request.

    This is because when mercenaries complete a request, it becomes part of their “record,” whereas adventurers’ abilities are judged merely by rumors, making them less trustworthy.

    However, this is just a matter of personal preference. For both adventurers and mercenaries, strength, experience, and knowledge are crucial.

    Even in a world without the internet, related rumors spread quickly. If bad rumors spread… people don’t actually avoid them.

    As long as they do their job well, that’s all that matters. From the client’s perspective, once the request is fulfilled, it’s done, even if the person has a terrible personality.

    Especially compared to my previous life, social culture isn’t very developed in this world, so there are quite a few people lacking morality, except for the upper class.

    That’s why even if bad rumors circulate, if someone can complete requests or tasks, their reputation naturally rises. Particularly if they’re given a “title,” their honor soars.

    Just as my father is called the “Red Lion” and Kate is known by the title “Blue Flame,” many titles circulate.

    At least my father’s and Kate’s titles are cool, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find many strange nicknames. I’d like to mention them, but there are too many, so let’s move on.

    But these titles clearly show a person’s recognition, so they consider it an honor.

    Anyway, because of these cases, adventurers, especially mercenaries, are known as reliable people you wouldn’t want to be close to.

    Someone committed an unbelievable act? It might be a hasty generalization, but it’s usually done by mercenaries.

    [Currently in Alfheim, the number of people claiming to be Kayre’s model and causing disputes and assaults is increasing…]

    [Among them are famous adventurers and mercenaries like Blue Ghost, Hyena, Ghost of Methos, etc.]

    Just like the news I heard recently. Crazy people who claim to be the man who was the model for Kayre, going beyond Alfheim to find Arwen.

    As everyone knows, Elisha’s lover in the Biography of Xenon is a human male named Kayre. A love story between a human and an elf that ends in tragedy.

    Their story is as popular as the main character’s, and it was even made into a film by the Matrix troupe, showing its high popularity.

    In that sense, since Arwen declared herself to be Elisha’s model, it was enough to make people wonder if there might be a human man who was Kayre’s model.

    Cecilly had already opened up the “possibility” by showing her demonization, and Arwen went ahead and stamped it with approval.

    The problem is that while the character based on Cecilly, Lilith’s lover, remains unknown, Elisha clearly has Kayre.

    Rather than targeting someone with an unclear history, they decided to target someone definite. That must be the thinking of the crazy people in the newspaper.

    ‘Now that Magic Engines have been invented too.’

    The reason these impostors… let’s call them impostors, though it’s a bit ambiguous. Anyway, the reason their voices could grow louder is not just because of the model issue, but mainly because of the existence of Magic Engines.

    There’s a clear difference between something that actually exists and something vaguely claimed as a model. While Cecilly and Arwen’s cases are uncertain, Magic Engines actually exist.

    In a state where Magic Engines, which everyone thought impossible, actually exist, Cecilly and Arwen declare themselves to be models for characters.

    If this were Earth, we could analyze it scientifically, but there’s nothing like that here. People just think, “Oh, really?” and believe it.

    Because of this, some of the impostors might genuinely believe they are Kayre. No, most of them probably do.

    What kind of crazy person would claim to be the Elf Queen’s lover just to get a piece of the action? Even scammers know how to cover themselves, but these impostors are serious.

    “There used to be someone who impersonated Issac.”

    “There was such a crazy person?”

    We gathered at a café to discuss the current situation. When Marie mentioned an old incident, Cecilly asked with round eyes.

    Though Cecilly usually speaks elegantly, she was quite surprised and didn’t hesitate to use rough words.

    Meanwhile, Rina already knows about the incident, so she’s leisurely taking a sip of tea.

    Adelia is also sitting quietly, listening attentively with an interested expression.

    “Yes. A year ago, there was someone who went around claiming to be Xenon. He boldly came directly to our family to request sponsorship. Well, we quickly caught on and punished him.”

    “A year ago… that was well before the World Tree root contamination.”

    “Yes. If he had impersonated now instead of then, he would have been dragged away for blasphemy.”

    “Just dragged away? He would deserve divine punishment.”

    I want to say something about the conversation between Marie and Cecilly, but I can’t. Because it really seems like that would happen.

    If someone were to impersonate me, wouldn’t Cecilly take care of them personally?

    Of course, ordinary people might deal with the impostor even before she gives the order. The gods probably wouldn’t turn a blind eye either.

    I smiled weakly as I listened to their conversation, then turned my head. On the side I turned to, Rina was elegantly drinking tea without saying a word.

    I’m curious about how Rina views the current situation, as much as Cecilly.

    “Rina.”

    “Yes?”

    “How do you see the current situation?”

    Clatter-

    As soon as my question came out, Rina put down her teacup. At the same time, everyone’s gaze turned toward her.

    Rina seemed to think for a moment, tapping her cheek with her finger, then smiled and opened her mouth.

    “I think it’s an interesting situation.”

    “You think so too, right?”

    As soon as Rina spoke, Cecilly nodded in agreement.

    Indeed, from a third-party perspective, it is a funny situation.

    The announcement was made to check Helium and Cecilly, but unexpected impostors flocked in droves.

    For Alfheim and Arwen, it’s like having countless warts attached.

    It seems difficult to remove them easily, but accepting them might lead to trouble from people who already have bad reputations.

    “It’ll be hard to shake them off easily. The impostors must have their reasons for claiming to be Kayre’s model.”

    “Wouldn’t it be difficult because of appearance?”

    “Would you like to compare the appearances of Elisha in the Biography of Xenon and Queen Arwen?”

    Hearing Rina’s question, Marie looked up and blinked. Then, as if she understood, she nodded.

    The reason she understood is that Elisha and Arwen look too different.

    According to the setting, Elisha, unlike Arwen, is a pure-blooded elf, and because of that, she’s superior in height and figure.

    On the other hand, Arwen only has an excellent figure (especially her hips), but her height is by no means tall, even as a white lie. Rather, she’s slightly shorter than average.

    While Arwen looks like a cute girl, Elisha is mature and intellectual. They differ even in appearance.

    Nevertheless, Arwen can claim to be Elisha’s model because the situation she faced was so similar.

    “That’s why adventurers and mercenaries with some strength went to her. As you’ve heard, they’re people with at least upper-rank abilities.”

    “Are those people as strong as my father?”

    I’m curious how strong they are since they’re called upper-rank. Roughly among the top ten, so maybe as strong as my father?

    However, as soon as Rina heard my question, she looked at me with one eye squinted, as if she’d heard something crazy.

    Not just Rina, but Marie and Adelia too. They all have expressions asking if I’m serious.

    Cecilly, well, she doesn’t know much about my father, so she’s just staring blankly.

    “Sigh… Issac.”

    “Yes?”

    “Even with the army’s help, the first ‘human’ to subjugate a dragon alone in the history of the Empire of Minerva is your father. Do you understand what that means?”

    “…”

    Honestly, I don’t really get it. From what I hear, unlike dragons in media that get subjugated all the time, dragons in this world are more than a calamity.

    Then how strong is my father? While I was pondering deeply, Marie chimed in from the side.

    “Rina is right. Your father would be more suitable as Kayre’s model than those guys boasting in Alfheim now. If your father had been an adventurer or mercenary, it would have been more credible.”

    “There are no adventurers or mercenaries as strong as my father?”

    “If there were, the state would have moved to recruit them. He’s a force comparable to the Elf Warchief. And the impostors’ ages range from 20s to 50s, very diverse. They probably firmly believe that their future selves will become as strong as Kayre. With the complacent thought of ‘Maybe it’s me?'”

    So arrogance and delusion combined to produce these impostors? Confidence can be a good driving force to advance skills, but arrogance is the opposite.

    The impostors currently hold an unfounded belief in their abilities. Added to that is delusion.

    I can clearly see Arwen holding her head and feeling dizzy. I wonder how she will react.

    “Issac.”

    “Yes?”

    “Are you going to help?”

    While I was anticipating Arwen’s reaction, Cecilly asked me in a subtle voice. Others’ gazes also shifted to me.

    I endured the various gazes and pondered Cecilly’s question.

    To be honest, there’s almost nothing I can do to help. If anything, I could write a letter.

    One letter could solve everything, but there would be problems with the aftermath. If Kayre is false, people might nitpick that Elisha and Lilith are also false.

    Moreover, helping like this every time can’t be good for Arwen. She’s already known for her connection to Xenon.

    If I write a letter, there’s a high possibility that people will say nonsensical things like I lied for Arwen’s sake.

    Above all, Arwen will feel sorry for causing me trouble every time, and it might negatively affect her growth.

    “I’ll just watch for now. I can’t help every time.”

    “Good thinking. This is a bit of a headache, so it’s better to wait until Alfheim says something.”

    “I’ll keep that in mind.”

    About three days after hearing Rina’s words.

    [Alfheim: Queen Arwen is a gift for the Saint, Xenon. Do not even think about taking her.]

    Alfheim took a strong stance.

    “What are you going to do now?”

    “…”

    “They’re saying they’re giving Queen Arwen as a gift?”

    Hearing my question, Rina opened her mouth with trembling eyes.

    “…This isn’t the queen’s personal statement, right? It’s the stance of the entire nation? Including the citizens?”

    “Yes. It says here, ‘From all citizens of Alfheim.'”

    “…Are they collectively insane?”

    They can’t get their heads straight with that elven communism.


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