Side: Aslin
Today again, I worked hard together with Onii-chan. As a reward, Onii-chan gave me my favorite strawberry ice cream for dessert after dinner.
"It's so yummy~ Right, Labyris-chan?"
"It is."
"It's delicious, Nii-sama!"
Yesterday Labyris-chan suddenly slapped Eris-oneechan's cheek and surprised everyone, but I'm sure there was a reason for it. Because right now, the Labyris-chan eating strawberry ice cream looks so gentle.
Eris-oneechan also apologized to us, though I'm not really sure why. I don't think she did anything bad.
But everyone is getting along now, so I guess it's okay. They all look like they're enjoying their dinner.
Everyone is happily eating dinner.
Yes! All the effort I put into cooking dinner was worth it!!
Over the past few days, Onii-chan has been teaching me how to use the "kitchen," and I've been studying hard to make tasty food!!
But from now on, I also have to study things like math... it sounds hard, but I'll do my best.
Onii-chan and everyone will be happy, right?
While I was thinking about that, Rurua-sama started speaking in a loud voice so everyone could hear.
"Everyone, may I have your attention?"
At her voice, everyone's eyes gathered on Rurua-sama.
"I... wish to return to the Rithea Holy Kingdom. I know it is terribly rude of me after selfishly asking for protection and having all of you accept me. But I realized something. I am still a citizen of Rithea. And I was a Saint. Even if it costs me my life, I must correct the mistakes of the Holy Kingdom. Please, allow me to leave this place."
I don't really understand the difficult stuff, but Rurua-sama wants to go back to Rithea, right? Then I think she should go. Unlike us, she has a place to go back to, so that must be better.
But everyone stayed silent. Milly-san had a very scary look on her face. I wonder why?
"Hey, Onii-chan. Rurua-sama has a home to go back to, right? If she can go back, she should, right? I'm sure everyone is worried about her."
I said that while tugging on Onii-chan's sleeve.
"You're right. It's just as Aslin says. What does everyone else think?"
Onii-chan asked the others while stroking my head.
"Well~ if she wants to go, we have no reason to stop her."
"If that is the answer she is satisfied with."
"...I'll be glad to be rid of the extra baggage."
"Rurua-sama's face shows her resolve. It would be tactless to stop her."
"I won't stop her. A person's own will is what matters."
"...No objections here."
Everyone agreed to let Rurua-sama go back. But Elju-oneechan, who had become close friends with her, looked a little lonely.
"Rurua-sama. But if you do that..."
"Elju-sama, you mustn't. Rurua-sama has her own path to live."
"Elju-sama. The probability of my death is high. However, it must be done. I cannot leave this to just anyone. I believe the reason I became a Saintess is for this very moment. It's alright. I won't go without a plan."
"Eh!? Rurua-sama, are you going to die?! You can't! We just became friends! Onii-chan, can't you help her?!"
Hearing the word "die" from Rurua-sama made tears flood my eyes.
"I suppose so. It would be a waste if you died so easily after I went through the trouble of saving you. How about this? If you accept my proposal, I wouldn't mind lending a hand."
"Onii-chan! Don't be mean to Rurua-sama!"
"Aslin, it's okay. Yuki is talking like that so he can protect Rurua-sama."
"Really?"
I looked at Onii-chan's face after Labyris-chan told me that.
He could just help her normally, but Onii-chan likes to say mean things.
"...Sigh, since Aslin is like this, I'll be blunt. If you succeed in regaining power, you stop any invasion of this dungeon. And you'll provide solid diplomatic support. Actually, if you die, my plans go up in smoke, so take some guards and a trump card with you."
Onii-chan raised his hands like he was surrendering and said he'd help Rurua-sama.
"...Yes, if I can regain power, that goes without saying. But who would be my guards? And this situation won't be easily overturned, no matter what methods are used."
Rurua-sama's eyes went wide, like she couldn't believe what Onii-chan was saying.
"Don't be so surprised. My goal isn't just to guard you. There's a lot to it."
Onii-chan got a look on his face like he was thinking of a prank. I really like this face. Onii-chan's pranks are the kind that make everyone smile. It's the same look he had when he gave us ice cream for the first time.
"First, for the guards, I'll have Mobu, Raiya, and Kurse go with you. They can gather information at the same time."
"Yeah, leave it to us."
"A long trip after all this time, huh?"
"Understood."
When Onii-chan called out to them, Uncle Mobu and the others answered. The uncles are very strong. Rurua-sama will be safe with them!
"And for the trump card... well, I'll introduce someone who holds several cards."
"Eh?"
Rurua-sama looked confused.
I didn't get it either... There are only humans here, right?
So, is it one of those strong and kind Goblins? Or a squishy Slime? Ah, I bet it's that really strong-looking Blood Minotaur, Mino-chan!
"Hello, nice to meet you."
The door opened, and a man walked in. He looked younger than Onii-chan. He was shorter, too. He had blonde hair. But somehow, he looked like Onii-chan?
...Wait?
"That's... Onii-chan, right? That man."
Everyone else was on guard against the stranger, but they looked shocked when I said that. Because, well, that man's movements and his vibe were exactly like Onii-chan's.
"Whoops. Not Labyris, but Aslin saw through it, huh?"
The other Onii-chan in front of us stroked my head as he said that. Yep, this way of stroking is definitely Onii-chan!
"...What is the meaning of this?"
Rurua-sama glared at the real Onii-chan. But the real Onii-chan just sat there with his eyes closed, not moving.
"Ah, could it be a Doppelganger!?"
Elju-oneechan cried out as if she just remembered.
"Correct."
Onii-chan clapped his hands as if praising her. I clapped, too.
"Elju-oneechan, you're amazing!"
"Yes, yes. Your Big sister is amazing~!"
Elju-oneechan hugged me and spun me around. Lately, I've been sleeping with Elju-oneechan or with Onii-chan; it changes a lot.
"Now then, shall I explain? First, about Doppelgangers. Mobu and his crew probably know the most about monsters, right? Can you tell us what you know?"
"Ah, yeah. So you really are Yuki. Fine. A Doppelganger is a troublesome monster that lives in special regions or dungeons above a certain difficulty. Usually, they swap places with someone when a party gets separated by a trap and pull off a nasty surprise attack. However, a Doppelganger only mimics appearance; it can't copy memories. Usually, anyone diving there would notice something 'off' about their partner, and that's how they deal with it. As for combat ability, they can mimic the movements of the original person to some extent, but that's about it. Their Guild subjugation rank was... about 4, I think?"
"Yeah, that's right. I've fought a Doppelganger before too. They aren't that strong as monsters."
I see, Doppelganger-sans are monsters that are good at mimicking. Wait, but Onii-chan's Doppelganger doesn't look like him at all?
"I see, so that's the common knowledge here. Then let me tell you about the traits I've researched. To put it simply, as long as the level catches up, perfect imitation and transformation are possible. In other words, memories can be fully replicated. However, they usually choose not to. If you replicate individual memories, they almost always betray you. Or rather, because the replication is perfect, they even forget they're a monster. That's why I think they're normally kept from copying memories. Let's say, by some chance, a fake was created with a higher level than Mobu, and it worked perfectly—what do you think would happen?"
"Well, wouldn't it be convenient?"
Uncle Mobu said it would be convenient. I think so, too! If someone is stronger than me and helps out, it'll be easier and fun!
"Mobu, on the other hand, what if there was a useless fake with a lower level than you?"
"Well, if it gets in the way, I'd dispose of it... Ah, I see."
"Exactly. The fake would try to replace the original. Well, even if it's a 'fake,' it's a version of the 'original' with better specs. There's no reason to stay subordinate forever, and not much reason to cooperate either. Have you ever heard a story about someone living happily with a Doppelganger?"
"No, never."
"Thought so. In the case of your fake, the real you would have taken Raiya and Kurse away from it. Even as a fake, it's a perfect imitation. Unless it has incredible mental strength, it wouldn't be able to stand it. Being pointed at as a 'fake' by the people you think are your comrades is just too painful."
"I see."
"Well, that's why they don't do perfect imitation. Excluding the memory imitation on purpose and giving a single command is the convenient way to use them. Like Mobu said: 'Replace them and eliminate intruders.' It's not impossible to keep them under command even after perfect imitation, but with the original memories present, things would get unstable."
I don't really get it, but if there was a fake me stronger than me, would she say, "You're not good enough for Onii-chan!" and try to push me aside? Hmm~, I think I could get along with her, though~
"And as for another function, a Doppelganger allows for 'consciousness possession'... well, basically direct control. However, while I'm controlling it, the real me can't move, as you can see. The fake Elju also 'acted' like this."
"I see, I understand. But what about that appearance? It's completely different from yours, Yuki-san."
"That's simple if you think about it. A Doppelganger can mimic anything. In other words, I can transform its parts however I like. Though, it's easier to move without feeling weird if the body is exactly the same. This body is a bit smaller than mine, so I had a hard time during the level grinding."
Wow, Onii-chan can move a different body! That's amazing! Wait, but if this different Onii-chan is here, that means...
"C-Could it be... that Yuki-san is the trump card?"
Rurua-sama's eyes went wide with surprise.
"No, no. This body is just one card in my hand. A 'trump card' is a card whose effect changes depending on when you play it. With this body, it's fine if it gets killed. And it won't be traced back to the dungeon. Mobu and the others are basically just for info gathering. I'll be the main guard while Rurua is moving in Rithea."
"Wait!? But if you're found out to be a monster in a holy place, my position will be in danger!"
"Well, I know that, so I'll be acting from the shadows. Let's test it—is there some holy magic technique that reveals monsters?"
"There is, but..."
"Try it. If I'm exposed, I'll stay in the shadows. If not, I'll be your direct guard."
"Don't blame me! O Holy Light, reveal the form of evil! Light Shower!"
When Rurua-sama chanted the spell, a beautiful light filled the entire room.
"Hmm, no problem at all."
"What!?"
"Well, there are several reasons, but the first one is probably the level difference."
"Level? Just what is your level?! Even I am a Level 44 Arch-Bishop! I'm the third highest in all of Rithea!"
"Ah... yeah. Sorry about all that."
Onii-chan said that and showed us the Doppelganger-san's stats.
Name: Yuki
Race: Doppelganger
Status: Monster (Possessed)
Gender: Male
Class: The One Who Satisfies Curiosity
Age: 0
Lv. 238
HP: 6020
MP: 23200
STR: 2740
DEF: 1400
INT: 6920
AGI: 3032
LUK: 120
Skills:
(Various things, whatever)
"O-O-Onii-chan, you're amazing desu! You're like a legendary Hero!"
"Whoa, those numbers are insane. As expected of a Dungeon Master. I wonder how humans managed to beat other Dungeon Masters before Yuki."
"H-How... how did you reach such a legendary level..."
"Well, I had some free time before meeting up with everyone. I tried conquering my own dungeon using the Doppelganger. Of course, it was a serious battle without traps. I didn't use the members I'd raised, obviously. I wanted to see how the levels went up. I just fought Goblins normally, or killed defenseless Dragons with high-powered weapons, and it ended up like this. Honestly, levels go up a lot easier than I thought. It feels like you absorb something from the monsters you defeat. So, I could raise Labyris and the others' levels to the extreme too, though they wouldn't have the experience to go with it."
Wow! Then could I become strong and reach Level 100 right away too?
"......What has my life even been for..."
For some reason, Rurua-sama looks really depressed. I wonder why?
