Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 140 – The Child of the Raul Family

“Hello, nice to meet you. This is… our first encounter, isn’t it?”

“Indeed.”

“It’s quite… fascinating, really. How can this be?”

Well-groomed, jet-black hair slicked back. And through the narrowed slits of his eyes, faintly glimmering red irises.

As the final ‘I’ slowly steps out, he speaks. Indeed… a face I have seen countless times, yet no matter how I look, I cannot shake the impression of a hidden darkness.

“Hmm… There’s really no need for further introductions. You’ve likely had the same experience twice already.”

“Then let us proceed quickly! A considerable amount of time has already passed!”

“That would be wise.”

The third ‘me’ seemed to have no intention of offering further explanations. Instead, he merely gazed at me, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

“I never thought a day like this would come. Yet… it was something that had to happen.”

He wore a smile so wicked and malevolent that it could send shivers down the spine of anyone seeing it for the first time.

But I knew, ‘we’ knew, that beneath that smile lay no malice, only a pure expression of intent. I could only watch in silence.

“Well, it won’t be anything grand. So then.”

Snap—!

Without embellishment, he flicked his fingers. The sound that erupted, like the beginning of a hypnotic trance, reverberated through the darkened space.

At that moment, the world began to shatter and break apart once more. Simultaneously, I felt as if my mind was drifting away.

Yet, having experienced this twice before, I no longer felt panic. I merely steeled myself against the wave of memories that threatened to crash over me.

*

My childhood memories were filled with nothing but endless happiness.

The Raul family. A noble house that had made quite a name for itself in the East. That was the lineage into which I was born and raised.

There was not a single deficiency. Exquisite meals and treats graced our table every day. A butler and maids who attended to my family with utmost devotion.

And… my father and mother, who always showered me with love. I must have been the happiest child in the world.

My father was truly an extraordinary man, even to my own eyes. Born a commoner, he had clawed his way up to nobility through relentless effort, a true self-made man.

Now, he had risen to a position so esteemed that everyone recognized him, yet he never once used his power or status for personal gain.

He believed that if one had the means to help others, it was only right to do so.

He performed countless acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. In my memories, my father never once told a lie in his life.

Perhaps it was this unwavering integrity that drew my mother, a noblewoman, to him, leading to my own birth.

My mother was also a kind soul, and my father needed no further praise. Thus, it seemed that everyone around us was of good character.

The butler and maids who tirelessly served our family were all incredibly kind and good-hearted individuals.

The Raul family prospered more with each passing day. Those whom my father had helped through his selfless deeds eventually achieved success and offered our family nearly boundless support in return.

Surrounded by such wonderful people, I grew up to be a decent child. I often heard others remark on my maturity.

To carry on the family legacy, I dedicated myself to great efforts. I wanted to uphold the honor and achievements my father had built without letting them crumble.

Time flowed on, and I came of age. My transformed appearance might have resembled that of a villain, yet it only fueled my resolve to become an even better person.

That day was no different. I was riding in a carriage with my father and mother, heading toward a city far from our home.

Our family resided in a rather secluded mansion nestled in a quiet valley, so traveling to the city required a carriage ride.

“Venice… you have truly grown up well.”

“Yes. Our son… I can’t believe how much he has grown.”

“It must be all thanks to you, dear parents. Though, I suppose the impression is quite different now.”

On that day, when thunder crashed and raindrops fell like daggers, the carriage we rode in felt warm and snug, a stark contrast to the cold, fierce air outside.

But was that the reason? Was it because our happiness was so pure, unmarred by any filth?

Clunk-!

A jarring sound echoed, as if the wheels of the carriage had rolled over something immense. And then—

“Uh… what?!”

Screech-!!

The startled shout of the driver pierced the air, followed by a sound far more dreadful than the pounding rain against the window.

I saw my parents’ bodies lift from their seats, their faces painted with confusion, yet I found myself frozen, unable to act.

In that moment, as the realization struck that our carriage was slipping, plummeting over the edge of a cliff, my father and mother looked at me with urgent expressions, shouting something I could not comprehend.

KWAAM-!!

A distant shockwave hit my entire being, and in an instant, I lost consciousness.

I have no sense of how much time has passed, nor do I grasp the situation I find myself in now.

My head spins, a ringing fills my ears… I cannot muster the strength to move even a finger.

Through the coldness of the ground beneath me and the raindrops that strike my skin, I can only discern that I am lying on the floor.

Rumble-!

The thunder reverberates. The shock feels like it strikes my eardrums, and I suddenly open my eyes wide.

“…Ah, ugh…”

My body… it hurts so much. Have I ever felt such pain in my life? Even after being kicked by thugs for hours, it could not compare to this.

Yet, the ache throughout my body pales in comparison to the heart-wrenching sorrow that feels as if it might tear me apart.

“…”

Beyond my blurred vision, I could see our shattered carriage in the distance, and my parents, lifeless, sprawled on the ground.

The driver… was nowhere to be seen. Only the twisted bodies of the horses, lifeless, and the pool of blood staining the earth. They must have been crushed beneath the wreckage.

Slowly… very slowly, I moved forward. No, I should say I crawled. I could barely stand, feeling the pain coursing through me, yet I managed to stumble onward.

It felt as if a hole had been ripped through my chest, leaving me hollow. I could not tell if I was crying or if the heavy raindrops were simply streaming down my face.

It seemed an eternity had passed. My movements, as slow as an ant’s, eventually brought my broken body to the side of my fallen parents.

“Cough… cough…”

My mother… she seemed to have already drawn her last breath. But my father, leaning against the wreckage of the carriage, barely exhaled a faint breath.

“Ah… Father.”

“Venice…”

My gaze met my father’s. His eyes, always vibrant, filled with a sense of justice, were so bright that I could believe they were alive.

But now, those eyes… they seemed to dim, as if they might flicker out at any moment.

My heart… it ached too much. I wanted to scream, to wail, but I could not bring myself to do it.

When a person suffers so deeply, when the pain resides in the heart… even tears refuse to fall.

“The world… it seems it has grown to despise us, who were once so happy.”

“Father…”

“Venice. It seems this father must… go to the side of your mother, who has departed first.”

I hated this. I loathed the situation I found myself in, and I despised this world. Yet, I uttered no complaints, no grievances. No, I could not.

I instinctively knew that this moment, this conversation with my father, would be the last.

“Venice. You must… live. Live and carve out your own life.”

“Ugh, hhh…”

“I’m sorry. That you must see me like this…”

“Father…”

“May I ask just one thing…?”

I leaned in, focusing on his words. I understood. This would be the final message he would leave me.

“Do not forget your beliefs… I love you, my son…”

“……..”

With those words, my father turned his gaze to the ground, his eyes now devoid of light, no longer looking at me.

I screamed. Was it a cry of hatred for this world, or a child’s lament for lost parents?

But my cries were drowned out by the sound of heavy raindrops and the rumble of thunder, reaching no one.

And my consciousness began to fade. Is this… what it means to die?

My body felt heavy, devoid of strength, and my head spun increasingly.

‘…Father.’

I’m sorry. Perhaps I too… will soon follow you and mother into death.

My eyes began to close. All my senses started to blur.

As the last remnants of strength that held my body upright vanished, I collapsed to the ground.

And in that moment, my fading vision began to perceive something unreal. Figures of people, yet somehow, they were different.

“…Human?”

“…What a horrific tragedy.”

“Chief. This child is… alive.”

“First, take them away.”

It was then, as voices echoed in my ears, muffled by a ringing that dulled my senses, that I lost consciousness.