Ch.33First Date (4)

The unconscious murmur had clearly reached the man’s ears.

“Hmm? Who are you to know me?”

Irefi answered the man’s question on my behalf.

“The head of the Four Ducal Houses. No noble would fail to recognize the young Duke of Chester.”

“Haha, how flattering, Commander Justitia!”

The man laughed heartily like a jovial person. Only after hearing Irefi’s explanation did I begin to understand the situation.

‘This is unbelievable.’

He was undoubtedly a character from the original story and Zikharun’s reliable ally.

The man’s identity was Bartlant Chester, the second generation.

He was the NPC who provided the greatest assistance to Zikharun when he beheaded Irefi during her raid.

‘I never expected the younger version to be identical to his predecessor, like two peas in a pod.’

In the original timeline, the Empire had already fallen for quite some time. Consequently, his appearance had been that of a middle-aged man with graying hair.

In contrast, his current appearance was so similar to the original Bartlant Chester from the mental world that I could easily believe they were the same person.

Just then, Bartlant turned his attention to me.

“However, my knowledge is limited, and I don’t know the gentleman beside you. Would you introduce us?”

“This is Marquess Nepy Alteon. He received his title relatively recently.”

I bowed my head as a courtesy. Bartlant cheerfully extended his hand in greeting.

“Oh? I’ve heard rumors about you! They say you’re His Majesty’s new favorite. I’m embarrassed to say I’m an unworthy son carrying on my predecessor’s name. Pleased to meet you.”

“Ah… yes. Likewise. Pleased to meet you.”

Bartlant’s hand was large. Even though it was just a simple handshake, I could feel considerable pressure.

At that moment.

As I awkwardly shook his hand, I experienced a strange reaction.

Drip.

“…Huh?”

The man was greatly flustered by my behavior and apologized.

“Marquess Alteon? I-I’m sorry! I’ve often been told I don’t control my strength well, but… this is strange, I’ve never had this happen before…”

“No, Young Duke. This isn’t because of that…”

I restrained the greatly confused Bartlant and wiped my eyes with my sleeve.

Tears flowed endlessly, blurring my vision. A confusing mixture of sorrow and longing churned in my chest.

At that moment, Miren, who had been staring at me intently with her mysterious golden eyes, quietly added:

“These aren’t tears that Nepy is shedding.”

“Miren? You mean…”

“Yes, they’re emotions from the other side.”

She was right.

The sight of someone identical to the first generation must have triggered an uncontrollable emotional storm.

Only after wiping away tears with my sleeve three times was I finally able to calm down enough to look at him directly.

“I’ve shown an unseemly display. It’s not your fault, Young Duke, so please don’t mind it.”

Hearing my words, Bartlant scratched his crown with a perplexed expression.

“Well… I don’t understand what happened, but I’ll take your word for it. It seems I’ve inadvertently interrupted your outing.”

“As Nepy said, it’s not your fault. Please don’t worry about it.”

“If you say so, I understand. I’ll take my leave so you can continue enjoying yourselves. Commander Justitia, I’ll see you at the Imperial Palace soon.”

“Take care, Young Duke.”

Bartlant gave us a brief farewell and turned to leave.

Though we hadn’t wasted much time, it felt as if a storm had swept through.

Only after Bartlant’s figure had completely disappeared did she ask.

“Nepy. Why did you suddenly react that way?”

“…He looked like him. No, he was identical enough to make me believe in reincarnation.”

Though my answer omitted the subject, Irefi understood perfectly.

“There are rumors that he resembles the portrait of the first Duke Chester… but was he really that identical?”

“Yes. He was exactly the same as in Netionphis’s memory.”

It’s understandable that she couldn’t fully grasp it. After all, the portrait was from 500 years ago.

To think that someone who looks identical to the first generation would inherit the name of a founding noble, and ultimately lead the subjugation against Irefi who would destroy the Empire.

What a cruel twist of fate.

‘Well, now that Miren has awakened, such a future will never come to pass.’

I deliberately spoke cheerfully to lighten the mood.

“Let’s stop being gloomy and go eat! Miren, is there anything you want? I’ll get it for you even if I have to raid the Imperial Palace.”

“Hmm. There is something I want.”

Miren smiled mysteriously.

“I’ll get you anything.”

“Then… I want to have dinner at Nepy’s mansion.”

“Huh? Our house?”

I was a bit confused by her unexpected request.

“Is that not okay?”

“Of course it is! Let’s go right away.”

Since I usually skip meals, I rarely dine at the mansion, but I know the chef’s skills are first-class.

Come to think of it, Miren’s choice is quite reasonable.

“Hehe, I’m looking forward to tonight.”

While I was wondering about the meaning behind Miren’s suspicious mutter, we searched for a carriage to return home.

Sitting in the carriage heading home, I absently watched the evening scenery of Eldrion pass by. During this time, a question suddenly occurred to me.

‘But why would the Young Duke of Chester, who rules the border region, come to the capital? I heard Chester supported the capital from the Great Cavern, but…’

It’s difficult to guess Bartlant’s intentions. I couldn’t even recognize him despite him being a character from the original story.

Moreover, my knowledge of the original story’s future has been twisted beyond recognition and is no longer helpful.

In the end, I’ll have to gather information by putting in the legwork.

‘Do I really have to attend social gatherings?’

I really hate that.

Would I have to force myself to make small talk just to get close to people?

What if some villainess from a typical romance fantasy novel picks a fight with me?

Then I twist the villainess’s fate and even get some romance?

I shook my head vigorously.

‘No, that’s going too far.’

With the mindset of a hikikomori that had thoroughly permeated my being, we safely arrived at the mansion.

◇

“This is delicious!”

Miren expressed her delight enthusiastically.

The dishes that were served one after another were fragrant and appetizing.

While Irefi, who could only taste sweetness, probably couldn’t tell the difference between cheap rice and a high-grade steak, Miren was different.

The chef smiled warmly, not knowing where to put himself in response to her adorable compliments.

“You’re only this excited because you’ve been eating nothing but grass at Marquess Justitia’s manor. Why don’t you come live with your brother?”

“That’s absurd, Nepy!”

“Or… could it be that Irefi does the cooking there? If so, I understand why you’re still so thin…”

“Keck! Keck, keck! Cough, cough!”

“Miren?!”

I rushed to Miren, who was coughing violently, and helped her drink some lukewarm water.

Fortunately, it seemed to work, as Miren quickly calmed down and stabilized her breathing.

“Ugh…”

Miren looked at Irefi resentfully with round, teary eyes.

“I… I might actually consider living with Nepy.”

“M-Miren?! What are you saying?!”

Irefi jumped up and interrogated Miren. But Miren’s eyes were still full of complaints about Irefi.

“Ugh, I don’t want to talk about it. It’ll just keep coming back to me.”

Miren expressed her disgust. At this, I scolded Irefi angrily.

“Irefi, you fool!!! What on earth have you been feeding Miren!”

“I’ve only tried to make her rice porridge occasionally!”

“After I went through so much to save her, you’re trying to poison her. This is insane!”

Seriously, people should have some self-awareness.

This woman is diligently paving her own route to becoming the Destroyer.

While I was rolling around getting sliced by swords trying to prevent that.

Is she trying to destroy all the kitchens in the world instead of the Empire?

“Sigh, never mind. Let’s move on to a more substantial topic. What were you talking about at the theater? You mentioned you might no longer be responsible for guarding His Majesty.”

“That’s right.”

Irefi nodded readily.

“Bartlant Chester. You saw him earlier, right? He’s the new candidate to replace me as the commander of the Nelfrugia Knights.”

“That’s sudden. I don’t see why.”

“No, there’s more than enough justification. I’ve made a series of major mistakes.”

“Mistakes?”

How significant could the mistakes of the strongest person in this world be… especially someone like Irefi?

She explained the circumstances calmly.

“Starting with the numerous scandals, the vice-commander’s attempted assassination of a royal, and the crisis in the capital. All of these happened under my command. And ultimately, I fell for the enemy’s trap and abandoned my post.”

She says that while I was tracking Charle, she was forcibly teleported outside the capital by a one-time portal at the Imperial Palace.

In other words, the head of the knights who should have been protecting the Emperor and the capital left the frontline.

The timely helper who appeared then was none other than the Young Duke of Chester.

The Emperor was initially terrified, thinking another ducal house had developed treasonous ambitions, but soon breathed a sigh of relief, according to her story.

“So I’ll be attending a hearing soon due to a vote of no confidence.”

“And who exercised this vote of no confidence?”

“Bartlant Chester exercised it directly. I think it’s reasonable.”

Irefi maintained a composed attitude. I couldn’t understand her demeanor.

“I may not know much, but I do know that honor is one of the most important things in noble society. Aren’t you being too compliant?”

“Even if my reputation suffers, it won’t greatly affect my family’s business. I had a limited social circle to begin with. More importantly, now that Miren has awakened, I no longer have a reason to serve His Majesty.”

Irefi’s tone conveyed a sense of detachment.

‘Is she experiencing burnout?’

Considering Irefi’s inhuman workaholic behavior until now, it’s understandable.

She might want to fill the eight-year gap with her sister.

“I see. Well, being unemployed can be boring, but it’s comfortable.”

“Please don’t put us in the same category.”

“Yes, ma’am…”

I answered halfheartedly and turned my head. She was clearly irritated but suppressed her anger as she moved her utensils.

‘Hmm, if I were the Emperor, I’d protect Irefi by any means necessary.’

After all, he’s receiving bodyguard services from the strongest person in the world. It would make sense to use any power or wealth to keep her in the commander position.

It’s not that Bartlant Chester lacks ability, but Irefi is simply too strong to be compared with.

As I was contemplating various future scenarios, Miren’s cheerful expression of gratitude brought me back to reality.

“Thank you for the meal, Nepy.”

“I think you should eat a bit more…”

“My stomach is already full.”

Miren rose from her seat with a genuinely satisfied expression. Then, covering her mouth, she yawned with an exaggerated gesture.

“Yawn~. I’m so sleepy after walking around so much today.”

“Yes, let’s go home.”

In response to Irefi’s gentle suggestion, Miren shook her head.

“I’m too, too sleepy and want to sleep right now. Nepy, would that be okay?”

“Of course! Feel free to use any room in the mansion as you wish.”

Miren answered as if she had been waiting for this.

“Then I’ll use Nepy’s room.”

“Sure, sleeping together would be nice…”

“What are you saying, Miren? At fourteen, you’re already a young lady!”

As I nodded with a grinning face, Irefi’s strong objection pierced my ears.

Miren, still looking drowsy, spoke sluggishly.

“Then, Elpi can sleep with us too.”

“What?”

“Miren…?”

“Elpi’s original duty was to monitor Nepy… yes, this is just her fulfilling her duty.”

I felt my soul leaving my body at Miren’s incoherent argument.

‘With Irefi… in the same bed?’

Is this right?

Even if it’s Miren’s request, this seems a bit much…

While I was debating internally, Irefi was the first to make a decisive move.

“Sigh, fine. Let’s do that.”

“Huh? Irefi?”

“Eh? Elpi?”

‘Wait, Miren, why are you surprised…?’

Under my suspicious gaze, Miren’s focus blurred again.

It must have been my imagination.

“What are you doing?”

Irefi gestured casually.

“Hmm?”

“Miren said she’s sleepy. We should go to the bedroom. We need to bathe too.”

“Oh, oh. Right. That’s… right.”

I continued to act stupidly in response to Irefi’s surprisingly normal behavior. I was confused by her unusually calm demeanor.

‘What’s going on here?’

I had no choice but to follow them to the bedroom with creaking steps like a broken machine.

By the time I finished using the bathroom and changed into comfortable clothes, Irefi and Miren were already grooming their hair in the bedroom.

Seeing the two sisters’ intimate scene, I froze like a stone for a moment.

Every movement of Irefi gently brushing Miren’s hair had a captivating charm. I forgot the situation and stared at Irefi endlessly.

“If you don’t brush properly, it will become curly.”

“Yes… I understand.”

“…”

Her gentle and calm words and actions created a warm atmosphere around her.

Her slightly damp hair had a moonlit sheen, creating a dreamlike impression.

Only after finishing with Miren’s hair did Irefi notice me standing stiffly by the door.

“Ah, Nepy. You came quickly.”

“Did I…?”

I answered dumbly without realizing it, followed by clicking my lips with an unnatural tone.

“I. I’ll. Just. Sleep. On the sofa. It’s spacious. And comfortable.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I dove onto the sofa as if escaping. I immediately lay down facing the backrest.

“Haah.”

Seeing me like this, Irefi patted the bed.

“Nepy.”

“What?”

“Look here.”

“Hmm.”

When I turned my head, I saw the two sisters sitting on the spacious bed.

Irefi aside, Miren’s expression clearly conveyed her exasperation.

She said:

“Stop pretending to be considerate and come here. Why is the homeowner crouching over there?”

“No, I’m really comfortable here…”

“I won’t say it twice.”

Irefi’s resolute demeanor. It was close to a declaration containing unspoken pressure that was difficult to resist.

I meekly complied in a shrinking voice.

“…Alright.”

Shortly after, darkness enveloped the room except for a single candle-like light.

We lay side by side under the blanket with Miren between us.

Sleep was already just a preference for me. I wondered if I could fall asleep with my heart pounding so hard.

Blink. Blink.

As I vaguely repeated opening and closing my eyes, Irefi whispered to me.

“Nepy.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for today. Miren seems satisfied.”

Irefi gently stroked Miren’s hair with her fingertips.

“Mmm…”

The faint, regular breathing indicated that Miren had boarded the train to dreamland.

With so many events happening in just one day, she must have been exhausted.

“I enjoyed it more.”

“I’m glad.”

Irefi smiled with a “heh.”

She certainly shows a cheerful face more often than before.

It was a positive change.

Suddenly she turned her head toward me.

It was as if a lake reflecting the stars of a clear night sky existed right beside me.

She whispered softly.

“Nepy.”

“Yes.”

“Can’t you sleep?”

“A little.”

“I see.”

“How about you?”

“I’m not sure.”

She ended the conversation ambiguously and fell silent.

After a long moment of quiet darkness weighing down on us.

Irefi’s whisper parted her lips.

“Nepy.”

“Yes.”

“Sleeping beside someone… it’s my first time since I came of age.”

“It might be the same for me.”

“I see.”

Irefi slightly pulled up the corners of her mouth.

We were close enough that our skin would touch with just a slight movement. Facing her in the same bed felt so surreal that it gave me a strange feeling.

Even in this situation, I wanted to read Irefi’s mind, which remained undisturbed.

Does she not care about someone like me at all?

As peculiar emotions began to pool in my chest like a puddle.

She called my name.

“Nepy.”

“Yes.”

“Can I hold your hand?”

She disrupted my heated imagination.

◇

Meanwhile, the central plaza of Eldrion had just struck midnight. A man who had been drinking heavily to celebrate a good day of business was staggering down the street.

“Heya~ Drunk on alcohol~ Drunk on moonlight~”

Splash, splash.

Perhaps due to excessive drinking, he was suddenly overcome by the urge to urinate and hurriedly entered a narrow alleyway.

Checking his surroundings to make sure no one was watching, he lowered his pants halfway.

Trickle, trickle…

The man’s urine formed a parabola, hitting the wall and splashing in various directions.

“Ugh… hmm?”

He thought the area was empty, but there appeared to be some kind of figure.

Even though he had deliberately entered a narrow, dark alley where even vagrants wouldn’t go!

The figure was leaning against the wall, collapsed.

It seemed he hadn’t been seen urinating… The person must have fallen asleep after drinking too much.

The man pulled his pants up to his waist and approached the figure.

“Hey there. It’s getting cold, you’ll freeze to death if you stay here.”

“…”

“Oh my, how much did you drink to end up in a place like this in this weather…”

The man was in a good mood today. Not only had business been good, but he’d also had plenty to drink, putting him in high spirits.

So he decided to show more kindness than usual.

“I’ll move you somewhere warmer.”

Heave.

That would become the most regrettable experience of his life.

“Why is this so stiff… Huh? What’s this slimy, soft thing…”

Just then, a light turned on in a neighboring house, coincidentally illuminating where the man stood.

“Hii, hiiiiiiieeeek!?”

The man threw down the figure he had been supporting and ran for his life without looking back.

It was disgusting. It was terrifying. It was unbearably frightening.

The man’s hands were smeared with pieces of human intestines, and dried blood covered his shoulder, emitting a putrid smell.

“This… damn it, damn it, damn it…!”

The next morning.

The central plaza was gripped with terror at the discovery of a man’s body with its head severed and the entire body brutally mutilated.

A woman testified:

The victim was a pickpocket who had stolen goods from the central plaza.

The woman’s testimony was confirmed as fact by witnesses at the central plaza. The final confirmation of the corpse’s identity came from a man brought in by the guards.

He was another pickpocket who had barely survived after being beaten by his victims.

After seeing the headless, mutilated corpse, he committed suicide a few days later.