NOVEL NEXT Chapter 453
Sure.
It’s okay that I came back to this world.
I did want to come back once, and truthfully, I was a little curious about how the story in the game’s sequel would unfold.
I was definitely planning to go back to Azernar, so I thought that it wouldn’t be bad to drop by like this once—at least that’s what I was thinking.
And I didn’t mind that my sisters came over too.
Claire was the type who would cross worlds to look for me.
Honestly, it was a bit touching that I could think of her like that.
And I could understand Alice following Claire as well. Alice truly cared for me, so it wouldn’t be strange at all if she tagged along to reach me, even if it was a bit forced.
Both of them were precious sisters to me.
But…
But here’s the thing.
“…How on earth did that person get here?”
“It’s a bit disappointing to hear that from someone who’s related to your father.”
No, that’s not a disappointing voice at all!
“Even if you lose a war, isn’t it wise to capture the next opportunity, my daughter?”
“Oh, so you really ran away to this world, is that it?”
I pressed my throbbing forehead.
In my hands were still the fresh vegetables I had just bought and the marinated pork stir-fry ingredients I had in a plastic bag on sale.
After all, I had to live in this world, so I bought ingredients for about a day or two’s worth of food.
Although it looked like they would be gone in no time tonight.
“…Sorry, sis. I didn’t think that person would suddenly jump in.”
“No, it’s my fault. I should’ve been more aware and jumped in first.”
Claire and Alice each apologized in turn.
I carefully set the plastic bag down on the floor and sat down.
With my index finger pressing against my forehead, I said, “…Understood. But could you at least take off your shoes inside?”
Everyone was still wearing dust-covered shoes as if they had just come from a battlefield.
As a Korean, I just can’t allow that, you know.
*
The three of us were sitting around the jibo.
By the way, there were four people in the room, but I expressed it as three because there were three people surrounding it.
The remaining one could very well be deemed… my father…
In reality, I’ve never thought of him as a father. The Emperor may have thought of me as his daughter, but that was only because he was under the impression that his blood flowed through me.
But still, the other two were definitely his daughters.
“So, does that mean that using the jibo allows us to return to that world?”
Claire nodded at my question.
“But the light has decreased now…”
“Probably because it was used already once.”
Our heads turned sharply in the direction the voice came from.
“The power of the jibo is not infinite. It was created by the First Emperor to counter the Goddess’s powers, so naturally, conditions must be met for its power to activate.”
“…Would you care to tell us about those conditions?”
“Well, the more the Goddess uses her power, the stronger the jibo will become. The Goddess of Order will do anything to maintain her order; wouldn’t it be fun to see how the order of this world collapses?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just like I did.”
Are they suggesting we cause a terror attack?
“Sorry, but this world has its own level of chaos, and even for minor reasons, violence can lead to conclusions like ‘that’s plausible.’”
“What if we step in ourselves?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This isn’t the world we lived in. I don’t know how you manage to act like you’ve adapted after coming to this world, but if outsiders like us act too conspicuously, the Goddess will rush to settle things. She might reveal that we came from another world.”
Hmm.
Honestly, that was quite a valid point.
Because they resembled characters straight out of a game too much.
Not just in appearance, but their voices were identical too. The only difference was the language they used.
“Sorry, but I have no intention of using such violent methods.”
I stated firmly.
I’m from this world.
Surely, my parents and siblings are still living back in my hometown. I wouldn’t even want to consider dragging such a world into chaos. What do they think of someone else’s hometown?
Although I haven’t informed them that it’s my hometown yet.
“Do you want to come all the way here and do that?”
Alice shot a glare at me, but the Emperor merely shrugged.
“I just mentioned that it was a possibility.”
How annoying!
“Anyway, so there is a way to go back, right?”
Alice turned her head again, speaking. Claire nodded her head.
Okay, knowing that there’s a way back lessened the burden a bit.
I sighed in relief.
*
Even after living a few years in another world, my taste still matched that of Korea.
Well, it was the world I lived in for over 30 years.
It’s not that I didn’t want to eat Korean food in Azernar; it was simply because I had no way to do that.
At the supermarket, I seriously pondered whether to buy ramen or try cooking after a long time, but I decided to cook first and brought home the pork stir-fry ingredients.
Somehow, what I’d prepared for two days alone turned into an amount to share among four people.
“This is what they call chopsticks? I heard they use this in the East, but it’s my first time holding them.”
Why is that old man so happy about this?
Just act cold like usual! The two daughters sitting next to him are feeling super awkward!
To make matters worse, the only table we could spread out was just large enough for four people—it made things even more uncomfortable. At least Claire and Alice were sitting across from each other, but I was facing the Emperor.
“Wouldn’t it be better to just use a spoon and not spill the meat?”
I said as I set the hardened pork onto his plate.
“Hmm? But shouldn’t I be trying to adapt now that I’m here?”
“……”
I was at a loss for words.
“This is a bit spicy! But still delicious!”
To dispel the awkwardness, Claire said that as she earnestly munched on the meat.
“Right? It’s a flavor we could hardly find back in our place. The spiciness here is different from curry.”
Hearing both of their voices lifted my mood a bit.
…
But what should I do now?
Should I look for a job right away tomorrow?
If it were just me, I could have taken two weeks off without a problem. I might even be fine for a month if I’m lucky? After that, I’d feel a bit uneasy.
But now, there are four of us living in this small house.
The Emperor is some old dude, so even if he eats a bit less, it shouldn’t be a huge issue. People’s metabolism tends to slow down as they age, so a little food could last longer.
But the other two people in this house are fifteen years old.
That’s the age when they eat a lot.
“Is this house the only room? If we’re all going to live here, it could get a bit inconvenient.”
Hearing such remarks made me a bit irritated since I had found this place myself.
“Your Majesty, you know?”
I couldn’t hold back and opened my mouth.
“Your Majesty has made a hole in my body not too long ago. It may feel like a day has passed for me, but for you, it was mere moments ago. How can you speak like that while being in the house of someone you hurt?”
‘Your Majesty’s’ lips closed immediately.
Does he have any sense of shame?
“This house is currently in my name. I hope you keep in mind that I can throw you out whenever I please.”
“Oh? So you mean you have the means for forcible eviction?”
…Why is he seeing a possibility for administrative power within a threat?
I tried holding back a sigh and ignored that comment.
“But I’ll assure you that the two of you will never be thrown out, so don’t worry.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
The two answered in turn like that.
“Is this how it feels to be ignored by your daughter as a father?”
“……”
He probably said that jokingly, but why does it make me so angry?
It must be because he got stabbed just recently and is feeling sensitive.
I understand a bit since we fought over everything. Not to the full extent though.
But still—
…If I threw these chopsticks, would they stick? They are steel chopsticks, after all.
If I could turn back time, I would certainly have thrown them at least once.