The clash of ice and metal rang out high and clear, sharp enough to pierce through the haze of alcohol and clear his foggy mind with a single ding.
Murel stepped forward without a sound, her dagger blocking the magic. Weller ground his teeth furiously, glaring back and forth between me and her.
He's dying to kill me. Is that really my blood sister?
"Sister. Calm down and let's sit and talk this out."
"Shut your bullshit! You're dead today! I'll beat you senseless until you spill every black-hearted scheme in that head of yours!"
"Hmm..."
Looking at her calmly, her heaving anger didn't seem like an act.
If that's acting, it'd be polite to play along.
"..."
That made it even more puzzling.
I'd even considered that she might have caught on because of that meaningful comment last time—that I'm not the real Alzen. But maybe she doesn't have that much certainty?
Or regardless, since I look like Alzen on the outside, she's treating me as such?
"Hoo..."
If that's the case, it pisses me off a bit.
"Murel. Subdue him."
"...Is that alright?"
"..."
I glared silently, and Murel channeled aura into her dagger.
Her aura was an ominously deep black, surging tension just from looking at it.
"Fine. You want to go for real? Great! I'll slaughter you and your entire master-servant duo right here..."
"What in the world is all this commotion?"
The moment their expanded presences collided, the two froze as if receiving some signal, halting mid-charge.
The one who entered with a stern expression and graceful steps was Duchess Starnassila Pitra.
Trailing right behind her was Vivian, clinging tightly to Pitra's waist with an anxious face.
Oh, she predicted the future and reported it quick. You're better than me, smart one.
I stuck out my thumb toward her, and her worried face broke into a bright grin.
Damn, she's cute.
"What is this situation right now? Weller. Explain yourself."
"Well, this filthy dog of a bastard who's begging to be fried..."
"Again."
Pitra recited firmly, unleashing terrifying mana that pressed down on Weller.
"Guh...!?"
"Weller. How many times have I told you not to use such vulgar words? Explain again."
"...Haaah~!"
Weller let out a deep sigh to swallow his rage, then flopped onto the sofa with a face full of annoyance.
"Did you know Alzen is planning a trip, Mother?"
"...I haven't heard of it."
"He was scheming to take Vivian along on that trip."
"Hmm, that's not a big deal, is it? It could strengthen the bond between siblings..."
"It's not a normal trip. It's for conquering a dungeon."
"Dungeon conquering...?"
Pitra tilted her head, her gaze turning to me.
"Is that true, Alzen?"
"Yes. It is."
"Can you tell me which dungeon?"
"It's a dungeon called 'The Abyss of Resentment'. Mostly filled with spirit-type monsters that specialize in mental attacks."
"Hmm..."
"W-What!? You were going to take Vivian to a dangerous dungeon like that!? Are you insane!?"
Pitra murmured thoughtfully while Weller shrieked.
I grimaced, downing my drink and sighing.
"No need to worry about Vivian's safety. Because I have this."
I showed them the Sacred Guardian Fortress around my neck, and Pitra and Weller's eyes widened.
"That's..."
"Hey! Where the hell did you get that!? You stole it, didn't you!?"
"Sister. Don't say such hurtful things. What do you take me for, that I'd have the skill to steal this? His Grace the Duke bestowed it upon me personally."
"Bullshit! Father gave that to you!? You expect me to believe that!?"
"Haa... Everything else is fine, but stop yelling every damn time. My head's ringing from your old maid hysterics."
"W-What...!? You little shit. You wanna die...!"
"That's enough, Weller."
Pitra stopped her second daughter, who was turning red and about to explode, then met my eyes with a serious look.
"Alzen. This mother wants to trust you, but given your past behavior, I simply can't."
"...I see. So?"
I said that, but inwardly I clicked my tongue.
She probably won't allow Vivian to come along.
Can't be helped. This time it'll just be Murel and Rebecca.
I'll find another way to build rapport with Vivian.
We're living in the same house, so opportunities will come.
"So take Weller with you. Oh, and a few escort knights as well. Then I'll allow it."
"What!? Mother! Weren't you supposed to stop this!? Entrusting your daughters to that wastrel! It's obviously going to end in disaster—"
"Weller. Mouth."
"Kyaaak!?"
Weller twisted her back, screeching as Pitra pinched her side.
"Hmm. Are you serious, Mother?"
"Of course I'm serious. But this is me trusting you just this once."
"I see... Thank you. Ah, but no need for escort knights. If we take too many people..."
"No. That's non-negotiable. No matter the circumstances."
"...Hmm, then just one. Exactly one. Oh, and no attendants either, got it?"
"That's..."
Pitra's face twisted in conflict as she wrestled internally.
After agonizing for a while, she finally smiled weakly in defeat.
"Fine. Do it that way."
"Ooh. Much appreciated. It'll surely be a great experience for Vivian."
I grinned, exhaling cigarette smoke, and she wrinkled her nose, fanning it away lightly.
"When do you plan to depart?"
"Let's see... Roughly three to five days from now."
I answered, gauging when Rebecca would arrive, and Pitra nodded, rising from her seat.
"Then it's settled. Take good care of your sisters."
"I'll handle it perfectly~"
Pitra gave a wry smile at my smugness and left the room with the same graceful steps she'd entered.
"What about my opinion...?"
Weller, pointing at herself in disbelief, fumed silently before glaring at me in resignation.
She's got a venomous glare.
"Fine. Now that it's come to this, I'll watch you like a hawk and sabotage everything."
"Hey now, Sister. This is Vivian's monumental first dungeon conquest trip. Sabotage? Why not make it as fun as possible? She'll gain experiences and lessons."
"In your dreams. There's no way you're taking her with pure intentions...!"
"..."
True, my intentions aren't pure.
"Um, Brother... I'm sorry. I told Sister Weller..."
Vivian approached with a guilty look, bowing her head apologetically.
"It's fine. Holding out against that viper of an old maid sister isn't easy. I understand completely."
"Hey—!! Keep calling me that and I'll kill you for real—!!"
"Hysterical spinster auntie."
"Urk! Eurk!"
Laughter burst out at her groaning, clutching her neck like she might collapse.
'Auntie' hits harder than expected.
No idea why it damages her when she's still young... but I'll use it when she picks fights from now on.
"Ease up on the provocations, Alzen."
The power of 'auntie' is stronger than I thought.
Even Murel, who'd stayed silent until now, couldn't stand it and spoke up.
"Kukuku. This is more fun than I expected. Anyway, Vivian. You're blameless."
"...S-Still..."
"Instead of negative feelings, wouldn't it be better to think about the trip ahead? Aren't you excited?"
"W-Well... I am looking forward to it, but..."
"Hehe. Right? Then go pack what you need with Sister Weller."
"Yes! Ah, but what should I pack?"
"Hey. Worrying about that is the start of dungeon prep. Figure it out yourself."
"...!! I see! Got it! Sister Weller! Let's go!"
"Urk, eurk...!"
The room finally quieted a bit as Vivian dragged away Weller, who was still clutching her neck.
"Phew... Now I can rest."
"Alzen."
"Yeah? What?"
"May I ask the purpose of this trip?"
"Purpose...? Why the sudden question?"
"You don't have to tell me, but knowing would let me assist in various ways."
"Hmm... Building rapport."
"Rapport...? With Lady Vivian?"
"Yep. Planning to use her in the future."
"So you do know the future?"
"Nah, I don't. I know nothing."
I cackled, gulping down strong liquor, then looked at Murel.
Her unwavering navy eyes held me like the night sky.
"Why? Got something you want to know? Ask away if you're curious."
"Mm... No. It's fine."
"Yeah? Well, it'd be hard to answer anyway. I know the past of the Duke's people to some extent, but the future? Except for Vivian, zilch."
"Pardon? Why is that..."
Mid-sentence, realization dawned on her. Her eyes widened, long lashes fluttering.
Needlessly beautiful and seductive.
"I see. Because the Duke's family was originally doomed to perish."
"Sharp. Correct."
"...Then, Alzen, you could be called the savior of the entire Duchy—and of me. To realize such an obvious fact so late..."
"No, that's going too far even so."
I waved it off while puffing my cigarette.
"All I did was run my mouth. Don't overthink it."
"No. Your accomplishment isn't so light. At the very least, I'll remember you as my lifesaver."
"...Shouldn't have said anything unnecessary. Do as you like."
It annoyed me to respond to something irrelevant, so I stopped talking and enjoyed my drink and smoke.
Murel, likewise silent, simply stayed faithfully by my side.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A few days passed like that, and I led a rather monotonous daily life.
Drinking and smoking all day.
Dealing with visitors who were now mostly commoners.
Ignoring and returning documents sent my way.
And shaking off Murel's strangely clingy temptations.
Just those four things on repeat.
Ah, occasionally entertaining Vivian's chirping visits like a little bird.
Anyway, basking in that peaceful routine started chipping away at my motivation bit by bit.
Honestly, moving is a huge pain in the ass.
I'd had zero desire to do anything with this body from the start, dragging myself along only on the faint hope of an ending... but this slothful routine made me want to quit everything, ending or not.
"Haa..."
"Alzen. How about a walk?"
"Nah. Gonna merge with the sofa."
"..."
A day or two was fine, but after five whole days, even Murel's gaze shifted to one treating me like a hopeless lump.
Separate from that, her weird seductions continued.
God knows why; I couldn't fathom Murel's thoughts anymore, and it was starting to piss me off.
"Lord Starnassila Alzen. Lady Rebecca has arrived."
At that moment, an unnamed butler announced the long-awaited visitor.
"Haaaaah..."
Her timing is impeccable.
Really, truly, annoyingly perfect.
"Alzen. Time to move."
On the flip side, Murel smiled faintly, as if finally finding an excuse, and began stroking my chest lightly.
I swatted her hand away irritably, but she persisted, pressing close with a cheeky grin.
"Come on, Alzen."
She looked ready to kiss if I didn't budge, so I sighed deeply and nodded.
"...Fine. Guess we have to."
Yeah. Let's just do it.
Not hard, and it's gotta happen anyway.