Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The City Gates
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"Even so, for big sis to walk into a city like this on her own two feet. The world really has changed a lot, huh."
"Is that so......"
The city rated as the closest to modern civilization in the game.
The first place I'd set foot in since falling into this world.
"Asrania. Look over there. It's huge."
Esira clutched tightly at the hem of my clothes, her eyes sparkling.
A building loomed in the distance, its grandeur palpable even from afar.
Maybe it was because it had been so long since I'd seen a city. My heart raced for no reason, just like when I was a kid looking up at the gates of an amusement park.
Not long after, we spotted a massive entrance and sign.
[Gate for External Visitors]
"That's the one."
A long line snaked in front of the gate. Uniformed guards were managing the queue, checking people one by one.
It was a far cry from the atmosphere in that backwoods forest, for sure.
"There are so many people......"
Esira shrank back a little, half-hiding behind me, her face tense. Her fingertips gripped tighter.
"Don't be nervous. It's just a routine check."
I patted the back of her hand reassuringly as we shuffled forward in line.
Truth be told, this was my first time dealing with something like this too. Even though it was probably nothing, my pulse quickened anyway.
'Just get through the questions smoothly.'
"Next."
Our turn came up before I knew it.
The guard didn't even look up, just crooked a finger. His face was smeared with utter boredom, strikingly similar to some modern-day bureaucrats.
"I'll ask a few questions."
"Go ahead."
"First, state your place of origin."
"......"
The first question stumped me.
"Don't know."
I lacked the quick wits to spin a believable lie, and I sure as hell couldn't say Earth.
The guard's eyebrow twitched. A flicker of 'Is this guy messing with me?' crossed his face.
Who could blame him? I wouldn't believe it either. Who doesn't know where they're from?
I really had nothing to say.
"......I see."
Thankfully, he moved on without much fuss. In these times, plenty of people had lost their homes or memories, it seemed.
"What's the purpose of your visit?"
"Tourism."
"Good. And do you belong to any organization?"
"Organization, huh."
Beating around the bush here would only make things worse. Better to face it head-on.
"......Axiom."
The guard's face froze like stone.
"......If I heard that right, I might just pass out. Could you say that again?"
"Axiom. You asked for my affiliation."
The guard jumped, glancing around frantically.
He signaled to his buddy in the next line, then stared me down hard.
The boredom was gone, replaced by the wide-eyed look of someone who'd spotted a live bomb.
His eyes darted like he'd overheard something he shouldn't have.
"Don't joke around."
"I'm not."
"Impersonating Axiom in times like these is a huge deal. You know that, right?"
It felt less like a threat and more like a genuine warning.
"There were these mercenaries running around claiming to be Axiom last time. Know what happened to them? They got chopped up like ground meat. Unrecognizable."
High chance I did it.
"If you're caught impersonating, they won't even leave your bones intact. Why throw your young life away?"
I was speechless. Here I was, telling the truth, but the more I said, the more I sounded like a suicidal lunatic.
Was there no way to prove it?
Maybe show him the greatsword on my back. Silver hair and a massive blade were Asrania's trademarks.
Or should I just take off the hood now?
"Your name?"
"Asrania. This child's Esira."
"Uh, oh, wow......"
It was the face of someone who'd swallowed a scream just before it escaped.
"......Of all names."
"What?"
"Of all names to impersonate."
The guard pinched the bridge of his nose. His incredulity deepened.
"That person's got the whole city in an uproar lately. Rumors about a kid, sightings in the south... dark whispers everywhere. And now Asrania? With a child no less?"
What the hell had I done to flip the entire city upside down?
The other guard nearby clicked his tongue.
"The world's ending, man......"
"I'm not impersonating."
My patience snapped, and I yanked off the hood.
The guard who'd seen my hair color now spoke up.
"Making your appearance match too makes it even more dangerous. What if you run into the real one!"
Ah, damn it.
Frustration boiled up my throat.
I am the real one. Why won't they believe me?
Irritation was starting to build.
Normally, I'd have drawn my sword and shown them what I could do.
I was holding back because of the adorable kid beside me.
My grip tightened. If I shoved my blade in their face, they'd get it then. What Axiom was. Who Asrania was.
That was when it happened.
"Hey hey, stop! Stop!"
A man came running from afar.
A garish Hawaiian shirt that ignored all sense of season. Jacket draped over his shoulders like a cape.
'That guy... looks familiar.'
He pushed his sunglasses down his nose and peered at my face, mouth agape.
"Oh my god, it's really her......"
He muttered in shock.
He whipped his head toward the guard, flashing a sly grin.
"Hey, bro. Cut her some slack. Tourists who came a long way."
"Wh-who are you? Don't interfere with duty! Step aside!"
The guard yelled, but the veteran next to him went pale.
"Hey, you idiot! Shut your mouth!"
"Huh? What the—"
"Where are your eyes?! That's Lady Marlboro!"
"......Marlboro?"
Ah, now I remembered.
"Axiom! Axiom number 44. Lady Marlboro!"
"......Eek!"
The rookie's face drained of color. He dropped his pen and stumbled back.
"A-Axiom......?"
The man called Marlboro grinned and pulled a cigarette from his pocket, sticking it in his mouth unlit.
"Aw, is my name that famous? I'm embarrassed."
"S-sorry! I didn't recognize you...!"
"Enough. Just let these guests through, yeah?"
Marlboro waved it off, subtly thumbing toward me.
"Y-you know her?"
"Know her? She's an acquaintance of mine. I'll vouch for her identity. Good?"
"An acquaintance......?"
The guard's eyes bulged as he looked between Marlboro and me.
An acquaintance vouched for by Axiom.
Then this woman must be...
He didn't even think to question further and slammed down the stamp.
"O-of course! Sorry for not recognizing Lady Marlboro's acquaintance! You're cleared! Go right through!"
The guards behind him bowed in unison. Nearly ninety degrees.
From treating me like a criminal moments ago to this—impressive turnaround.
Marlboro winked at me and beckoned.
"Hear that, big sis? Let's go."
I stared at him, dumbfounded.
Big sis?
You look older than me.
Hearing "big sis" from that weathered face felt downright weird.
And why help me?
Camaraderie?
As if.
Axiom didn't have that. Except maybe in rare cases.
Though, from what I knew, Marlboro was in the same faction as the Commander in the original story. Was that it?
Marlboro sidled up beside me.
"If you pulled your sword here, it'd be a real headache."
"......"
"We need to get in without any incidents, right?"
So that's why.
What a load of crap.
Anyone hearing that would think I was about to snap and slaughter the guards.
Esira, arms crossed beside me, chimed in.
"Honestly, the guard was pretty dense. Ignoring what people say like that. Wouldn't even complain if you'd gutted him."
Normally she'd grill Marlboro, but this time she agreed.
As if I'd kill someone.
Pretend I didn't hear that.
Esira was a good kid.
"Marlboro. You've been talking nonsense since earlier."
"I saw your grip tighten just now."
"If I wanted to kill, he'd already be sliced."
"Ah, right. Though back in the day, you wouldn't even think of coming here."
Marlboro flicked the unlit cigarette with his finger, staring at Esira.
"Rumors have been flying lately anyway."
"About what."
"That you've got a hidden kid."
Not wrong, but I hadn't hidden her, and the phrasing felt off. Like I'd given birth and kept it secret.
"Not hidden, but yeah, I've got a kid. Name's Esira."
Esira gave a slight bow.
"Oh, my."
Marlboro let out an exaggerated sigh.
"My bad. Congrats are way overdue. Congrats from the heart, big sis."
"Is this something to congratulate? And we're not close enough for sweet talk."
He didn't drop the sly smile.
"Aw, don't be so harsh. This is an exception, at least."
"......Do we know each other?"
"First time meeting, obviously. If we'd crossed paths before, it'd be a disaster."
True. Meeting past Asrania would've been catastrophic. She'd killed plenty of Axiom.
Yet Marlboro seemed oddly relaxed.
Maybe because of the rumors that Asrania had changed, like the guard mentioned.
"Shut up, Marlboro. You here alone?"
"Caught that, huh? Got company."
A clatter from behind, followed by a familiar voice.
"Commander! Marlboro went ahead! He said it'd be a huge problem if we're late!"
"Hold on, Reina. Calm down. NPCs stay put anyway."
"Marlboro's not an NPC. He's Axiom."
Reina, who'd been sprinting up, spotted us and slammed on the brakes.
Her eyes went ping-pong ball wide as she skidded to a halt.
"Wh...... what?"
Reina gawked, mouth flapping silently.
"A-As......!?"
The Commander strolled up leisurely, sounding surprised.
"Oh ho."
He stroked his chin.
"This is a rare encounter."
"......"
"What's the odds of the final boss spawning at the newbie village entrance? Did the devs balance this with their feet?"
Anyone overhearing would think he was possessed.
He'd always been like that, but now that the tension eased on first meeting, his nonsense ramped up.
"Asrania. That guy's nuts."
Totally agree.
Felt like he was saying what I wanted to.
"We in combat phase? Warn me so I can chug a buff potion."
"Commander, wanna fight me?"
"Hm? Not here to kill me?"
"Want me to?"
"Nah. Not a fan of game overs."
Then Esira grabbed my sleeve tight again, her voice dripping wariness.
"Why's that guy here?"
Fair. No good memories there.
It wasn't yesterday she charged at the Commander, vowing to kill him.
Marlboro wasn't one to miss it. He lowered his sunglasses.
"What. Not strangers? You two know each other?"
I sighed. Explaining would drag this out.
"......Ran into him once by chance before."
"Total surprise story."
"Very memorable meeting."
Marlboro's lip curled in interest.
"World's small, huh?"
He snapped his fingers with a grin.
"No need to waste time on intros then. Makes things quicker."
"Marlboro. One question."
"Shoot, big sis."
"You bringing those two to this meeting?"
Reina flinched.
Marlboro flicked his cigarette nonchalantly.
"I kinda like this guy."
"......Like?"
"Yeah. Got guts, sharp eyes. And most importantly......"
Marlboro glanced at the Commander.
"We click great. Guy's got solid humor. Can't let a fun one rot indoors."
Clicks, huh. Sounds fun from what I've heard. Won't deny it.
We delved deeper, neon signs flashing between buildings.
Thanks to Marlboro's ride, we cruised comfortably to our destination.
"......"
"......"
I sat in the passenger seat with Esira on my lap.
Reina in the back kept stealing glances at me.
The Commander lounged next to her, casually sightseeing.
"I'll protect the Commander, so don't worry."
Reina whispered solemnly, face saying 'What if it happens again?'
"Hmph."
Esira glared daggers at the Commander in the rearview, like lasers might shoot from her eyes.
Why's he here? Will he harm Asrania?
She was like a wary kitten, bristling with caution.
The man himself was utterly chill, admiring the view outside.
"Thought since he called you an acquaintance, you were close. Complicated history, huh?"
Marlboro tilted his head while driving.
Esira pursed her lips.
"If you knew what that Commander guy spouted, you'd faint too."
"Oh ho. Princess. What'd he say?"
I cut in.
"Quiet. Focus on driving."
"Aye aye, big sis."
Marlboro's chatter wouldn't quit.
"Even so, for big sis to walk into a city like this on her own two feet. The world really has changed a lot, huh."
He tapped a rhythm on the wheel as he rambled.
"You used to hide your identity so tight. Who'd imagine you showing up for tourism—with a kid?"
Most folks didn't even know if "big sis" was real.
'Treating me like some hermit recluse.'
Not wrong, so no comeback.
"Honestly thought you wouldn't show for this meetup. When the others brought up your name, I was like, 'Dream on. She probably used the invite as kindling.'"
Kindling, really.
"Might actually be fun this time. Same old dour faces, then bam—new wildcard."
"Wildcard."
I stroked Esira's hair, gazing out the window.
Wildcard for sure.
Me and the Commander in one place. Something was bound to blow up. If it ended quietly, that'd be the weird part.
"Here we are."
Marlboro hit the brakes.
A colossal tower spearing the sky.
Its black metal exterior devoured light rather than reflecting it.
Like a tombstone carved from opaque obsidian, or a fang thrust toward the heavens.
Reina gaped.
"That's the meeting spot?"
Marlboro grinned.
Truly majestic.
Marlboro killed the engine and replied.
"It's an Axiom building too."