"Who... are you?"
I heard my doppelganger ask me the question with a puzzled expression on his face.
His question was understandable, considering I was just a random nobody who happened to crash upon his happy moment.
But, I had no choice!
'Any further and it would have been bad for my eyes.'
This was the reason why I didn't use [The Hermit] Arcana Spell to look further into the future.
It was just too... weird.
'Jane has always had a kind of image in my head. Seeing her act like this, especially toward a version of me is too strange.'
It got even worse when he changed into a sexier, more manly body.
Seeing Jane get intimate with him just didn't sit right with me. I had to stop them at some point.
As a result, I ended up interrupting the final fight between the Outers and the antagonists of this world.
'I really didn't want to interfere, but...' This was also a good way to end this.
"I believe I asked you a question. Who are you?" Jared, my doppelganger, asked in disdain.
Suspicion glowed within his eyes, and I could see a mix of both caution and bloodlust.
"I am an Outer. I'm here to help out my colleagues, obviously." I replied calmly, floating in the direction of Neron and company.
Their expressions were already lit with excitement and anticipation. I guess they had been waiting for my arrival for some time now.
'Sorry I'm late, everyone. I was watching you all...' My thoughts trailed as I smiled at them.
I also sent them a wink, hoping they wouldn't overreact as a result of my appearance.
"How were you able to deflect that attack just now? It shouldn't be possible by any standard." I heard my evil alternate say as he clutched Jane tighter into his embrace.
'Ngh!' I felt a sharp sensation pierce my heart upon watching the sight, but I controlled myself.
As for his question concerning the attack he sent toward me... it was completely ridiculous.
'That much Miasma wouldn't even pierce my defenses. Besides, there's also Anti Magic, and so many other Interference-based responses I can use.'
In the end, it was never a threat.
The true answer to his question, however, was something else.
"I have a Magic Item on. It automatically negates attacks that fall below a certain threshold." My reply was succinct and honest.
Ever since I began my three-month training regiment with the Outers, I began immersing myself once more into Item Creation.
I was able to develop an Artificial Mana Core for Neron, though we followed his specifications and a blueprint he designed himself.
'That guy is a beast in any dimension. Seriously.'
I was also able to somewhat upgrade Gawain and Hugo—though only a little bit.
In the process, I learned a lot about Magic Engineering in this world and was able to create Magic Items that operated according to this world's wavelength, and could also alternate to my world's frequency.
'I forgot how fun stuff like that could be. Honestly!'
In any case, that was my answer. I used one of my Items—a ring I currently wore on my right finger.
"I see. To think you've advanced that far in Magic Technology. Looks like you've got some serious competition, Jane." Alternate Jared, or maybe I could refer to him as Evil, moved his gaze to Jane.
"Well, maybe. But it still doesn't explain how he was able to negate such a huge amount of Dark Energy." She answered.
I mean, the process was quite simple. Just release a wave of Mana that offset the incoming wave of Miasma.
My item simply calculated the intensity and quantity of the Miasma being directed toward me and sent an equivalent wave of Mana to stop it.
'I guess they still think Dark Energy is the apex of energies, when it's just like the twin of Mana.'
The issue with this world was a.lack of enough in-depth analysis into Magic.
'Original Magic is extremely rare, and even Mage Mode is kept as some sort of secret trump card that others can't know.'
It stunted the growth of Magic greatly.
'That's why arrogant pricks like this guy, who has more knowledge and power than anyone, starts getting ideas on how to rule people with his hidden power.'
Looking at him now, though he no longer possessed my face, I couldn't help but feel a little irritated.
Still, it would be hypocritical to completely blame everything on him.
'In this world, bad people are now good. I suppose it's also understandable that good people are bad.'
They all had different experiences, so who was I to pop out of the blue to judge them?
I just wanted to end the war, restore peace to this place, and then return home.
'I'll leave the administration of justice and stuff to the residents...'
"Where did you come from, stranger? I observed your battle with my Automaton, and I noticed your strength. Where have you been all this time?"
I shrugged once I heard the question. I really didn't have to answer.
"Did you have anything to do with that surge of energy that occured over a month ago?"
He was most likely referring to the moment I arrived in this world, but I ignored the question as well.
"It appears I'm being too lenient with you. I'm not usually this forgiving, you know?"
I didn't know if my doppelganger was trying to look good in front of his lady, but it wasn't really working.
I had a lot on my mind, and it was taking some time to really unpack.
There were so many variables to consider, so I wanted to be careful about what route I should pick
"It's really hard, you know...?" I muttered, staring at the two architects of this world's current state of chaos.
"Trying to pick out which method to use in dealing with you two is just too difficult "
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[A/N]
Here's the link.
