“Reincarnation? You really reincarnated? You?”
Erichiton pointed at me, mumbling in disbelief.
I sat on the bed, holding the Hologram Projector.
“Let me formally introduce you. This is the Erosion of Appetite, Erichiton.”
“Ooh, so this is what Erosion looks like. I thought it would look something like a Metamon.”
“You look younger than before.”
“Who’s the one talking about being Erosion? This body is, this body is…”
She struggled to finish her words.
So, I helped her out.
“It’s about Duke Zakario, who committed treason because being a relative of the imperial family wasn’t enough for him—”
“Can you shut your mouth?”
The mini-Erichiton swung her fist, passing right through my body.
She lost her balance in the virtual reality and fell with a thud.
“Your husband is dead, your family lost all their wealth and military, and it’s all gone to waste. What have you managed to protect on your own?”
“You annoying little brat…”
“Seriously, don’t you remember?”
After a long silence, Erichiton reluctantly opened her mouth.
“I kept my name.”
“Hmph.”
“Call me whatever, Erosion or whatever! So how do we get out of here? First, let me out and then we can talk.”
“I can’t let you out.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m the one who reincarnated, not you.”
Right now, there was no way to let her out.
Erosion had such a strong dependency that I could summon her into my Imaginary World anytime I wanted.
“The space you’re in is virtual reality. You can’t die, get hurt, catch a disease, or gain weight there.”
“So it’s basically heaven?”
“Oops.”
Upon hearing Erichiton’s words, Cheon Saetbyeol suddenly flinched beside me.
“Why?”
“Hmm. Looking back, living in virtual reality might have really been fine…”
“Who was it that said they felt like they were going insane and wanted to get out quickly?”
What a thankless thing to say.
Anyway, there’s no way Erichiton will go insane.
Since her mental integrity is far superior to humans, that’s why Ereos can repeat a doppelganger-like existence.
I presented her with two suggestions.
“One is to obediently absorb back into my Aura Heart and share life and death with me.”
“Ugh, I really don’t want that. I choose the second.”
“I haven’t finished speaking. The second is to gain independence like Hibris but lend me your strength only in emergencies.”
“Who’s Hibris?”
“Does she not know Hibris?”
When I asked Luri, she shook her head.
“Since they live at the very ends of the northern and southern continents, she probably wouldn’t know.”
“There’s a dignified child who went out before you. So what will it be?”
Among the seven Erosions, the one I could trust in emergencies was Erichiton’s powers.
The arrogance of manipulating others’ minds has too many limitations, and jealousy always involves murder.
In contrast, Erichiton is a power that can be used universally by burning calories to make one stronger.
“Funny. That ferocious princess has turned into such a mundane little brat. But why? I have no intention of helping you at all!”
Erichiton’s original personality was starting to show.
Once the villainess switch is flipped, no matter what kind of conversation we have later, she’ll be furious.
“Gotta fix that attitude right from the start.”
I knew the easiest way to educate a medieval person.
“Luri. Take a screenshot of the V-tube account and bring it to me.”
“Okay.”
I enlarged Erichiton’s hologram and set it to a 1:1 ratio with the virtual reality.
Then I stood tall in front of her and looked up.
“Hey, the sharp-eyed and clever young lady. Do you think you can oppose me and survive in this world?”
“… What are you?”
“Hmph, of course I’m something. How many people are in the empire? Was it 80 million?”
I showed her the screenshot.
[NoName Official]
[Subscribers: 241 million / Videos: 263]
“Can you see this number? That means I have 240 million supporters around the world.”
It was as if I had taken over three Kaizen Empires.
Erichiton’s eyes widened, and her eyebrows furrowed down.
How’s that for a reaction?
“D-Don’t lie. Do you think I’d believe that deceivable record?”
“Why would I lie to someone like you? What would I gain? Let me show you.”
I quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket.
Then I simply recorded a video on selfie mode.
“Hello, I am NoName, CEO of Wearsoft. The release date for the second Wagal DLC is approaching. Currently, I’m with the heroine Erichiton from ASI. Want to bark, Erichiton?”
You thought I’d completely lifted the language filter, huh?
I had set the Black Cube to respond only to specific commands.
Erichiton squatted down on the floor, raising her hands to her ears like a dog.
“Woof woof! W-What’s going on? My body is moving on its own?”
“Well then, everyone, have a good night! Byeee!”
Her cheeks flushed red as she was frantically trying to catch me.
But regardless of her efforts, we are positioned in different spaces.
I immediately uploaded the video to V-Tube.
Ding–
Ding ding ding–
Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding-
Within minutes, thousands of comments flooded in.
“Look here. I just said goodnight for a second and thousands came to see me.”
“I can’t believe it. Are you an emperor or something? How did you manage that at such a young age…?”
“I reincarnated, so what can’t I do? Give up and come work under me, Erichiton. Here, I’m no longer a rejected entity.”
Erichiton took a step back.
She had always lived comfortably as a member of the imperial family.
Although she had gone through a lot at the end of her life, her overall existence was quite smooth.
‘How does it feel to have our positions swapped?’
Honestly, she used to annoy me a lot in my past life.
Wasn’t she living amidst all the world’s luxuries just because of her birthright?
But…
“You really tried hard, huh?”
Hearing that made her frown.
“What?”
“It’s obvious without looking. You must have worked hard. Wanting to return the suffering you experienced in the past to as many as possible, you probably lived fiercely. The princesses I know are those kind of tough people.”
“…”
“I’m reincarnating, right? I don’t think I could be a crown princess or anything. No, I’ll never do it again. I want to be born as a regular commoner, run a flower shop, live a normal life, and die normally. In that sense, I sincerely respect you, Fourth Princess.”
“Are you mocking me? Is this some kind of socialite sarcasm?”
“No, I’m being serious. It seems I have no choice. I’ll be independent. But I need time and money. This world is too chaotic for me. People suddenly appear from walls, putting on secular plays.”
Hearing her words left me drained.
I was honestly just plain angry… even angrier that I couldn’t get angry.
“Ha… Luri. You explain it to her. I’m too tired and just going to sleep now.”
“Leave it to me.”
I had pulled two all-nighters and slept only 12 hours, completely messing up my sleeping pattern.
Now was truly the time to rest.
I felt like my body was falling apart.
“Saetbyeol.”
“Huh?”
“How’s your entrance exam prep coming along?”
“Oh, well… no derailments; I’m on course!”
“I forgot to mention this, but tomorrow, Ji Bo-hee the actress is coming to our house for lessons. Get ready.”
“Wait, telling me that now! Aaaah! What do I do? I’m not ready at all!”
“You said you’re doing well. Just do it like always.”
“If I do it like always, I’ll fail! This isn’t the time for that. Sister, before you sleep, can you just look over my monologue? Please, just once…!”
“Alright. It’s on the script, right? Let’s go to your room.”
“I ate spicy rice cakes for dinner today. My face is going to swell up tomorrow.”
As I talked with Erichiton, I felt like I kept thinking about the past.
And my tone seemed oddly sharp, too.
I need to soften my heart; I’m the daughter of Seol-Ah after all.
“Don’t worry. You’re really pretty.”
“Really? Ooh, it feels awkward to hear that compliment from you, but I like it, hehe.”
I made sure to take care of Saetbyeol, so I could be more present in the now.
“Wait…! I should at least lift this damn dog curse before I go! Hey, you wicked witch!”
—
[Private Room]
[Mansion of NoName, Adella, and Luri]
Luri rummaged through the inventory slots.
After some slight hesitation, she took out chamomile tea and a tea set.
“I didn’t prepare any dessert separately. Mom said if all your memories have returned, you won’t even want food.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
Slurp–
Erichiton sipped her tea, watching the young girl closely.
“You were once regarded as the second-in-command of the Demon King’s Army… not a human, but a dragon, right?”
Zing–
With a fierce glare, Erichiton snapped her lips shut.
“Ah, oops, that was a slip of the tongue. Black Dragon.”
“Yes, that’s right. Please be more careful next time.”
Luri’s eyes momentarily closed, possibly feeling a bit offended.
‘Her pride is pretty strong.’
For a moment, they enjoyed the fragrant steam of chamomile tea.
“The tea smells nice.”
“Right? Mom chose this too.”
“I thought the Fourth Princess hated me. I guess that’s not strictly true.”
Erichiton suddenly got curious and asked Luri.
Considering the terrible things she had done to the princess, it wouldn’t be strange for her to feel a threat to her life.
The thought of jeopardizing her own life had her speaking far harsher than usual.
‘Still, it’s less tense since she’s a child now.’
It was only normal to be afraid.
She had seen countless knights challenging her only to be defeated in line.
Among them were many noble young ladies left weeping over lost betrothals.
So, it was natural for her to try escaping if possible.
“Mom thinks very highly of you, Erichiton.”
That was the most reassuring statement I could have heard.
In the noble world, if you’re useful, at the very least, you won’t die.
“Especially for leading the refugees from Dukedom Zakario splendidly till the end. Mom probably sees that as commendable. That’s what I think, anyway. Good job.”
“Ha ha…”
Erichiton laughed softly.
It wasn’t a particularly good memory for her, but it was also a relieved smile knowing everything ended well.
“So what’s your current status as the Fourth Princess? Are you seriously an emperor at your age?”
Shake shake–
Luri raised her lips slightly, responding.
“I’m just a merchant. Sometimes I play the clown too.”
