Chapter 147

After leaving the side wing, I realized a shocking fact and sat down in a suitable place to sort out my complicated feelings.

First thing that came to mind was Serpina’s successor.

“Serpina almost never died unless it was something extraordinary.”

Indeed, fitting for the final boss of this game, she was rarely captured and ruled as a monarch until only one territory remained.

When I first incarnated into this world, I thought “Serpina probably won’t die from some illness,” and that was because of this very reason. Time and time again, this arrogant blonde ruler fought tooth and nail to block my path.

Moreover, when her nation fell, she’d simply be recruited.

Since unification meant the game’s ending, the downfall of the Serpina Army marked the game’s conclusion, so I never had a chance to properly utilize her. To fully use her potential, one would have to choose and play as the Serpina Army.

But…

In the rarest of cases where she stepped down from her throne, her successors were always different.

Overwhelming legitimacy, youth, and remarkable abilities—normally there wouldn’t even be a need for a successor, so it wasn’t strange that they changed every time.

The problem was—

“They weren’t particularly outstanding individuals.”

Surprisingly, B-tier commanders with long tenures usually took over the throne.

To begin with, the Serpina Army needed its subordinates balanced since their other conditions were overwhelmingly good.

If anything, what stood out was when Jena inherited the position. Even so, being the strategist of the nation, she was one of the more prominent figures in the Serpina Army.

“Given how powerful the nation is, whoever inherits it will likely display above-average strength, but does that mean they’re destined to unify?”

Is there something I still don’t know?

Well, during my 10,000 hours of gameplay, I did come across someone like Irian who I’ve never seen before. Let alone Lunarien Iniyan becoming the unifying ruler—it all feels unfamiliar to me.

Still…

If I could pinpoint exactly who the successor will be, I might be able to prepare accordingly…

I shook my head after focusing deeply, clearing my thoughts.

“That’s enough. No point in thinking about it anymore.”

My goal is to make Lady Luna the unifying ruler. For that, Serpina must not die.

Thus, worrying about her successor is unnecessary while she remains on the throne.

“No matter what happens, I’ll protect Lady Serpina.”

Thinking this way makes me sound like an extremely loyal vassal to any third party. Slowly standing up, I decided to stop dwelling on unsolvable worries and focus on other matters.

“Will I soon move into Miss Iren’s house?”

I needed to initiate the process of leaving my current accommodation, which would take some time. Nevertheless, the prospect of living together again fills me with anticipation. What started as coincidence now feels strange without her presence.

If the manor is spacious enough, will Miss Reika join us too?

It’s not that I’m against it. However, I need to seriously consider the ultimate nature of our relationship.

Although disrupted by Jinoru’s marriage proposal, my stance hasn’t changed: if she doesn’t object, then there’s no need for me to reject it outright. Though marrying two women at once feels awkward from my modern perspective, it doesn’t seem unusual here.

Recalling Miss Reika reminded me of the rapier hanging at my waist.

Ah, this rapier.

Initially thought to be just an ordinary item, it clearly functions as a kind of magic amplifier.

“Miss Reika… having her around would greatly benefit me.”

Of course, I’m not pursuing her solely based on efficiency.

At first, I only cared about efficiency. Knowing nothing about her, I merely assumed meeting the legendary first mage meant I should naturally increase her affinity toward me.

But now…

Seeing her step forward for me even when she shouldn’t, staying by my side until being sold to the Serpina Army—my honest feeling is that I don’t want to drag her along just because I need her. She yearns for freedom, to wander unhindered.

Remembering her bashfully bowing her head after giving me chocolate on Valentine’s Day, I realized—if she desires freedom, I’ll gladly gift it to her. I’ve already received all the help I could from her.

If everyone, including Jinoru, views her only as a mage—

Then at least I want to see her as Reika, a human being. Isn’t a life where she’s only seen as a mage unbearably sad?

“I still have time, so I can think about this slowly.”

With that thought, I arrived at my accommodation. It was truly a tough day despite doing little.

“I should bathe and sleep as soon as possible tonight.”

Just as I opened the door absentmindedly…

“Ahh, aaaah…!”

A startled voice reached my ears. More accurately, it was closer to a suppressed moan that could’ve turned into a scream.

The biggest issue was… the unmistakably female owner of the voice.

I froze, taking in the scene inside my room.

…Jenis-senpai was changing clothes. Her face and features were definitely those of Jenis-senpai.

But… that was odd.

Because Jenis-senpai—Jenis Al Caskey—is male. Men aren’t supposed to have such protruding chests. Nor do they wear lacy panties like that.

Though nothing in this world is absolute, it’s highly probable he wouldn’t wear such underwear.

Besides, her snow-white skin, prominent chest, and curvy hips screamed femininity. Out of a hundred people, anyone would identify her as female.

‘So… what is this? Is Jenis-senpai… a girl?’

A girl who has been hiding it all along?

Even though she had a delicate appearance and mannerisms not entirely masculine, she didn’t seem like a girl…

Is that even possible? At that moment…

“It’s not me!”

“Huh?”

She closed her eyes tightly and pleaded with me.

“I’m not Brother Jenis! So… please, let me explain… don’t chase me away…”

What?

Staring blankly at her—I mean, her—I thought.

‘Brother Jenis?’

Someone identical to Jenis, yet undoubtedly female, referred to him as brother.

Therefore, the conclusion is clear. This isn’t something even Divinity 100-level intellect needs to figure out.

“Twins?”

And since she called him “brother,” which twin became clearer.

“Are you perhaps Mr. Jenis-senpai’s twin sister?”

“Yes, that’s right! I’ll explain everything… Please, just give me a chance!”

She looked pitiful as she pleaded earnestly.

Though confused about the situation—

‘I guess I’ll hear her out. It’s not like it costs anything.’

I have no interest in unnecessarily tormenting someone pleading like this.

“Understood. I won’t drive you out, so calm down.”

“Umm… excuse me, could you maybe turn your head? I’d like to finish getting dressed…”

Ah.

I had been staring blankly at her in lingerie.

Strangely, I felt no particular excitement.

Her well-proportioned, beautiful, and alluring figure paled in comparison to Lady Iren changing into training attire early in the morning—a sight so stunning it instantly woke me up. That image would likely stay with me forever.

“I’ll leave then. Call me when you’re done.”

Click.

Closing the door, I pondered.

“So, there’s a twin sister? But why? Where did Jenis-senpai go?”

As the initial shock subsided, deeper questions arose.

“Why would it be necessary to bring a twin sister, especially a younger one, into a men’s dormitory just because he left somewhere?”

This seemed straightforward.

If he simply vacates his spot, that should suffice. There’s no curfew or roll call here. This isn’t a school dormitory; it’s more like a welfare facility provided by the state for commanders without immediate housing within the castle grounds.

However…

There’s only one situation where such elaborate measures are necessary.

“When you need an alibi.”

Considering what Jenis gains by sneaking his twin sister into a male dormitory, the answer becomes clear. It’s an alibi. If Jenis is actually absent but others believe he’s in the room, then effectively, he was here.

Using twins as a means for an alibi is quite ingenious.

“If he needs an alibi, what could he possibly be up to?”

Lost in thought due to Jenis’s usual demeanor, I couldn’t grasp his intent. Just then…

“…You can come in now.”

A voice similar yet subtly different from Jenis’s came from beyond the door.

Apparently, she had finished changing. Now was the time to hear her story.

Opening the door, I entered the room where she waited.