An Unexpected Companion
The high, crystalline clang of ice colliding with cold steel rang clear enough to jolt my alcohol-hazed consciousness wide awake.
When her spell shattered against the dagger of Muriel, who had stepped forward without a whisper of sound, Weller gnashed her teeth and glared back and forth between the two of us.
She looked like she was itching to murder me on the spot. Is this woman really my sister?
"Sister. Don't get so worked up. Why don't we sit down and have a calm chat?"
"Cut the bullshit! You're dead today! I'm going to beat you half to death until you spit out every single rotten scheme you're cooking up!"
"Hmm..."
Taking a calm look at her, the way she was huffing and fuming didn't seem like an act. If this was acting, it would almost be polite to let myself be fooled.
"..."
Which only made me wonder more. After that cryptic remark she dropped last time, I had even considered the possibility that she'd figured out I wasn't the real Aljen... Did she just not have enough evidence to be sure? Or did she decide that no matter what, since I wore Aljen's face, she would treat me as Aljen?
"Phew..."
If that was the case, it left a rather foul taste in my mouth.
"Muriel. Subdue her."
"...Are you certain that is wise, my lord?"
"..."
When I simply stared at her in silence, Muriel unleashed her aura into her dagger. Her aura flared with an ominous, pitch-black hue that sent chills down the spine just looking at it.
"Oh, so you want to get serious? Fine by me! I'll slaughter master and servant together right—"
"What on earth is this commotion?"
At the very instant their burgeoning auras clashed, both women froze in their tracks as if on cue.
Stepping into the room with an elegant stride and a stern expression was the Duchess, Stanashila Pitra. Vivian was tucked closely behind her, clutching Pitra's waist with an anxious expression.
Oh, so she saw where this was headed and ran to tattle, did she?
Better than me. Smart girl.
When I gave her a firm thumbs-up, Vivian's worry-clouded face cleared instantly, blooming into a bright, beaming smile. Cute little thing, truly.
"What is going on here? Weller, explain yourself."
"Mother, listen! This piece of shit bastard who deserves to be boiled in—"
"Try again."
Pitra's voice was quiet and stern as she unleashed a terrifying wave of mana, pinning Weller under its sheer weight.
"Ugh...!?"
"Weller. How many times have I told you not to use such vulgar language? Now, explain yourself properly."
"...Haaah!"
Weller let out a massive sigh to swallow her fury, slumping onto the sofa with a look of utter disgust and irritation.
"Did you know Aljen is planning a trip, Mother?"
"...I have heard no such thing."
"He's scheming to drag Vivian along with him."
"Hmm, is there anything so wrong with that? It could foster some sibling affection..."
"It's no ordinary trip. It's an expedition to clear a dungeon."
"A dungeon expedition...?"
Pitra tilted her head, her gaze shifting over to me.
"Is this true, Aljen?"
"Yes. It's true."
"Could you tell me which dungeon?"
"It's a dungeon called the Bottom of Rancor. It's mostly populated by vengeful spirits that specialize in psychic attacks."
"Mmm..."
"Wha—whaaaat?! You were planning to take Vivian to a deathtrap like that?! Are you out of your mind?! Have you gone insane?!"
While Pitra hummed in quiet contemplation, Weller shrieked at the top of her lungs. Scowling deeply, I took a swig of liquor and let out a sigh.
"There's no need to worry about Vivian's safety. Not with this."
When I pulled out the Holy Guardian Fortress hanging around my neck, both Pitra's and Weller's eyes went wide.
"That is..."
"Hey! Where did you get that?! Don't tell me you stole it?!"
"Sister, don't hurt my feelings like that. What kind of ability do I have to steal something like this? His Grace the Duke bestowed it upon me himself."
"Bullshit! Father gave that to you?! You expect me to buy that?!"
"Haaah... Look, believe whatever you want, just stop screaming in my ear. Your old maid hysteria is giving me a headache."
"Wha—what...?! You little bastard! Do you want to die—?!"
"Enough, Weller."
Pitra restrained her second daughter, who was turning red and practically having a fit, before turning a grave gaze toward me.
"Aljen. As your mother, I want to believe you, but your past conduct makes it utterly impossible."
"...Is that so? And?"
I spoke flatly, but internally, I clicked my tongue. She probably wouldn't permit Vivian to come along. Well, nothing to be done about it. I'd just have to take only Muriel and Rebecca this time. I could find some other way to build rapport with Vivian later. We lived under the same roof, after all; there would be plenty of chances.
"Therefore, take Weller with you. Ah, and a few escort knights as well. Then I shall grant my permission."
"Whaaaat?! Mother! Weren't you going to stop him?! Entrusting your daughters to a delinquent like him?! This is obviously going to turn into a total clus—"
"Weller. Watch your mouth."
"Eeeek?!"
Pinched sharply in the side, Weller arched her back and let out a shrill yelp.
"Hmm. Are you serious, Mother?"
"Of course I am serious. However, I am trusting you this once, and only this once."
"Is that right... Well, thank you very much. Oh, but there's no need for escort knights. Dragging too many people along will..."
"No. I will not budge on that. No matter what your reasons may be."
"...Hmm. Then one. I'll take exactly one escort knight. Ah, and just so you know, I won't be bringing any attendants. Keep that in mind."
"That is..."
Pitra looked troubled, locked in internal conflict. After pondering for a long while, she finally offered a defeated, gentle smile.
"Very well. Let it be so."
"Oho, much obliged. It will definitely be a great experience for Vivian."
As I grinned and exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke, she frowned slightly and waved her hand like a delicate fan.
"When do you plan to depart?"
"Let's see. Probably... in about three to five days."
Estimating when Rebecca would arrive, I gave my answer. Pitra nodded and rose from her seat.
"Then do as you wish. Take good care of your sisters."
"You don't even have to ask~"
Offering a wry smile at my cheeky tone, Pitra left the room with the same elegant grace with which she had entered.
"Wait, what about my opinion...?"
Weller, who had been pointing at herself in sheer disbelief, brooded with a simmering face before finally resigning herself and glaring at me.
Truly venomous.
"Fine. Since it's come to this, I'll watch your every move and sabotage you at every turn."
"Now, now, Sister. Sabotage? On Vivian's monumental first dungeon expedition? Shouldn't we make it as enjoyable as possible? Let her gain experience and learn a few life lessons."
"Cut the crap. There's no way in hell you're taking Vivian with pure intentions...!"
"..."
Well, to be fair, pure intentions were definitely not on the menu.
"Um, excuse me... Orabeoni. I'm sorry. I ended up telling Weller-unni..."
Just then, Vivian stepped forward with a guilty expression and bowed her head in shame.
"It's fine. Holding out against an old maid viper like her couldn't have been easy. I completely understand."
"Hey!! You keep running your mouth with that?! I'll really kill you—!!"
"Hysterical spinster ajumma."
"Gah! Ack!"
Watching her clutch the back of her neck as if about to keel over from high blood pressure, I burst out laughing.
'Ajumma' was surprisingly effective. I didn't quite understand why she took so much damage from being called an ajumma when she was still so young... but whenever she picked a fight, I'd make sure to use it often.
"Please moderate your provocations, Lord Aljen."
The power of 'ajumma' really was stronger than expected. Even Muriel, who had stayed quiet and uninvolved until now, felt compelled to step in and say something.
"Kuh-kuh. This is way more entertaining than I thought. Anyway, Vivian, you did nothing wrong."
"...B-But still..."
"Rather than wallowing in guilt, wouldn't it be better to think about the journey ahead? Aren't you excited?"
"W-Well... I certainly am excited, but..."
"Heh, see? Then go pack whatever you need with Weller-unni."
"Yes! Ah, but what should I pack?"
"Now, now. Thinking through that problem is where a dungeon expedition truly begins. Figure it out and pack wisely."
"...!! You're right! Understood! Weller-unni, let's go quickly!"
"Ack, ugh...!"
Vivian dragged away Weller, who was still clutching the back of her neck, and only then did the room finally fall quiet.
"Phew... Now I can finally get some rest."
"Lord Aljen."
"Hm? What is it?"
"May I ask the true purpose of this journey?"
"Purpose, you say... Why ask all of a sudden?"
"Of course, it is not strictly necessary for me to know, but having an understanding would allow me to assist you in various ways."
"Hmm... It's building rapport."
"Rapport...? With Lady Vivian?"
"Yeah. I plan to exploit her in the future."
"As expected, do you foresee the future?"
"Nope, don't know a thing. I know absolutely nothing."
Snickering, I gulped down a throat-burning draft of liquor and looked at Muriel. Her steady, deep navy eyes held my reflection like a night sky.
"What? Something you want to know? If you're curious, feel free to ask."
"Mmm... No, it is fine."
"Really? Well, truth be told, I probably couldn't answer whatever you asked anyway. I know a fair bit about the past of the people in the duchy, but when it comes to their future—aside from Vivian's—I don't know a single thing."
"Pardon? Why is..."
Mid-sentence, realization struck her. Her eyes widened, and her long, dense eyelashes fluttered softly.
Seriously, she possessed an unnecessarily gorgeous, sensually charged face.
"I see. Is it because the ducal house was originally destined for ruin?"
"Quick on the uptake, aren't you? Exactly."
"...In that case, Lord Aljen, you could be considered the savior of everyone in the territory—and of my own life as well. To think I realized such an obvious truth so late..."
"Whoa, hold on, you're taking that way too far."
I took a drag from my cigarette and waved a dismissive hand.
"All I did was flap my gums. Don't go having pointless thoughts."
"No. Your achievement is not so trivial, Lord Aljen. At the very least, I will always remember that you are my savior."
"...Guess I ran my mouth too much... Think whatever you want."
It was too annoying to keep arguing about something that didn't matter, so I kept my mouth shut and went back to savoring my alcohol and tobacco. Muriel fell silent as well, dutifully watching over my side without another word.
For the next few days, my routine settled into a remarkably monotonous groove.
Indulging in liquor and cigarettes all day. Entertaining visitors who were now made up almost entirely of commoners. Ignoring and sending back documents addressed to me. And fending off Muriel, who had developed a bizarre habit of clinging to me with sultry seduction. It was a constant loop of those four things.
Ah, and maybe occasionally giving half-assed replies to Vivian whenever she fluttered by, chattering like a little bird.
At any rate, soaking in such a peaceful daily life gradually eroded my already meager motivation. To put it bluntly, moving a single muscle felt like a massive pain in the ass.
I never had any desire to accomplish anything in this body in the first place; I'd only been dragging myself along on the sole hope of reaching the ending. But with this lazy routine dragging on, I just wanted to say screw the ending and dump everything.
"Haaah..."
"Lord Aljen. How about going for a walk?"
"Don't wanna. I'm fusing with this sofa."
"..."
A day or two had been fine, but after five whole days of this, Muriel's gaze was gradually shifting into the look one gives an unbearable sack of dead weight.
Of course, that didn't stop her strange advances in the slightest. I couldn't fathom what was going on in that head of hers, and it was honestly starting to get on my nerves.
"Lord Stanashila Aljen. Lady Rebecca has arrived."
Just then, an unnamed butler announced the arrival of the very person I had been waiting for.
"Haaaaah..."
Her timing was nothing short of exquisite. Seriously, truly, overwhelmingly annoying.
"Lord Aljen. It is time to move."
In contrast, Muriel smiled faintly as if she had finally found the perfect pretext, her hand gently caressing my chest. I swatted her away in annoyance, but undeterred, she slinked right back against me with an infuriating smirk.
"Come now, Lord Aljen."
Looking as though she might plant a kiss on me if I didn't get up right this second, I let out a deep sigh and nodded.
"...Fine. Guess I have to."
Fine, damn it, let's just get it over with. It wasn't like it was impossible, and it was something that needed doing anyway.