Chapter 75
“Big sis, I’m the real Allen.”
“No, I’m Allen.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You’re the ridiculous one.”
“Big sis!”
Two Allens—same voice, same body, even the same mannerisms—shouted my name at once.
“Haa…”
I couldn’t help but sigh. It was such a Heinrich thing to do. Of course, one of them was the real Allen and the other was Heinrich, but at a glance, it was impossible to tell them apart. Even in the game, he had been infamous for pranking people by perfectly mimicking their acquaintances through magic.
How serious is he about these jokes, really?
Heinrich had only met Allen less than a day ago, yet he’d already finished analyzing him down to the smallest detail.
He really went all in, huh.
He perfectly copied Allen’s habits and quirks—so well that even I was impressed. At least he’d chosen to transform into Allen instead of Evan or Dan. If it were either of them, I wouldn’t have been able to tell who was real. But since it was Allen, things were easier.
“Do you actually find this kind of prank funny?”
I said that and raised my palm into the air. One Allen immediately ducked his head beneath my hand, while the other simply stood still. It was obvious who the real one was—the Allen who had bowed his head under my hand.
“I didn’t think I’d missed that detail,” said the Allen who had stayed still—Heinrich, obviously—his eyes wide.
“Getting caught this soon is disappointing. You seemed particularly fond of this boy, so I thought taking his form might sway your heart.”
“That’s not happening, so undo the spell right now.”
“I was about to.”
He ran a hand down his face, and his features shimmered back into Heinrich’s usual appearance. The real Allen, still under my hand, let out a low growl like a wild beast ready to pounce. He glared at Heinrich with the intensity of a doberman about to attack, while Heinrich just smiled slyly back at him.
“Allen, don’t bite.”
“He tried to get between us first, big sis.”
“I know. But still, hold it in.”
“For how long?”
His voice was so cold and low that I felt as though I were walking across thin ice. Allen then placed his hand over mine. His grip was firm—much stronger than it had been a month ago. I could tell instantly how much his stats had grown.
“How long do I have to just hold back?”
“You shouldn’t bully the weak.”
“Who’s weak?”
“Look at him—so skinny! Isn’t it obvious? Heinrich’s a total weakling. You could probably break a few bones with just a flick.”
I said it sincerely out of concern for Heinrich. If it were Evan or Dan, maybe things would be different, but Heinrich was a mage—no match for Allen’s physical strength. Even if Heinrich used magic, Allen’s passive skill as a Hero gave him high magic resistance. It wouldn’t work.
“…”
Allen seemed to realize that, and the hostility in his eyes softened. Meanwhile, Heinrich, who’d been grinning smugly just moments ago, suddenly looked deeply wounded.
What’s his problem now?
Before I could figure it out, Heinrich sighed and said, “Even after living for hundreds of years, being called weak to my face still hurts, you know.”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have pulled that prank then?”
“How strange. Are you saying I’m in the wrong here?”
Tilting his head, Heinrich looked genuinely puzzled. Apparently, he didn’t even understand what he’d done wrong. If he did know and still did it, that was infuriating. But if he didn’t know, that was just… exhausting.
Why does it feel like there’s not a single normal guy among them?
Allen was hostile to everyone. Evan was endlessly, embarrassingly affectionate. And Heinrich—he just never knew when to stop joking. The only one without a negative record so far was Dan. I turned to look for him—only to see him sitting calmly in a patch of grass, staring dreamily at butterflies.
…Right.
It was probably better for my mental health to just stop caring.
At that moment, the mansion’s gates opened wide. Evan walked out, while behind him, random objects—like wooden swords and candlesticks—came flying through the doorway. Claude must’ve been throwing them at him.
“To ensure Lady Estelle’s comfort, I’ve summoned a magically engineered carriage. It should arrive shortly—please wait just a moment longer.”
“Isn’t that kind of expensive? A regular carriage would’ve been fine.”
“This is nothing to worry about.”
Evan bowed slightly as he approached.
Magitech carriages were ten times the price of regular ones, but they were worth every coin—spacious inside, smooth, and without the usual rattling discomfort. The ride quality was as good as my mom’s sports car back on Earth.
Of course, the cost still made me flinch, but thankfully, I had a dependable ally. Among players, Evan had been known as the “Master of Saving” and “Frugal Saint.”
His only hobby was praying to the God of Light. As Captain of the Holy Knights, he had earned plenty, yet never wasted a single coin—so he’d accumulated a fortune. Even back in the game, he’d often helped me financially just like now.
“…I can rent one too.”
“What?”
“I said, I can rent a carriage too.”
Allen muttered while looking down at his leather wallet—the one I’d given him, telling him to manage his monster-hunting money himself. It was full right now, but calling for a magitech carriage even once would empty it fast.
“Allen, put it away.”
If I didn’t stop him, he might actually try to summon another one just to compete. Reluctantly, he stuffed the wallet back into his pocket without another word. Why he felt the need to compete over something like this, I had no idea.
Not long after, our carriage arrived, and we all climbed in. Regular carriages felt cramped with even three people, but this one was wide enough for five without feeling tight at all.
“To reach the Imperial Capital will take quite some time,” Heinrich said, resting his arm on the window sill. “Why don’t we all introduce ourselves?”
Now that he mentioned it, we hadn’t actually exchanged names yet. The only one who didn’t know Heinrich’s real name or identity was Allen—and judging by how glued he was to my side, he wasn’t about to start asking.
“Evan Ivnor,” Evan said first, introducing himself politely.
Allen, meanwhile, sat with a sullen look, staring straight at me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Just… feels like there’s one more.”
“One more what?”
“Obstacle.”
What obstacle? We were literally sitting in a moving carriage.
“But it’s fine now,” Allen added before I could ask.
“Why?”
“Because you promised not to leave my side anymore.”
…There it was again.
“That’s enough for me.”
A faint smile touched his lips—strange and unfamiliar, yet soft in a way that made my heart stutter for just a second.
“That’s all I need.”
He leaned his head against my shoulder and quietly closed his eyes. His eyelashes, dark as a raven’s feathers, fluttered once and came to rest against his cheeks.
Over the next two weeks, I truly learned just how vast the Aslan Empire was. Except for brief breaks for food or rest, we spent nearly the entire two weeks inside the carriage. If it hadn’t been for the magitech model, I might’ve gone insane from the cramped space alone.
Finally—after what felt like an eternity—we arrived at the empire’s capital: Grandtown.
True to its grand name, towering stone walls filled my vision the moment I stepped out of the carriage. They were so high that I had to crane my neck back as far as possible just to glimpse the top.
Inside those walls lived only royalty and nobility. They’d built it high on purpose—to visibly separate themselves from the commoners.
Even though this was the capital, ordinary citizens weren’t even allowed to live here. The sheer arrogance of it made me let out a dry laugh.
But sightseeing wasn’t why we’d come. My goal wasn’t political—it was the relic hidden deep within the Imperial Treasury.
Claude was right… the atmosphere really is tense.
Even from a glance, I could tell the gate guards were on edge, their hands never far from their weapons. The last thing I wanted was unnecessary trouble. All that was left was to show the identification pass Claude had given us and get through the gate—
Until a sharp, high-pitched voice rang out from nearby.
“Unhand me this instant, you brutes! Do you not fear the laws of the Empire?!”
There, a small boy—no older than ten—was struggling furiously as two soldiers held him by the arms.
