Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP. 45 – The Knight Rides Autumn (2)
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"Originally, the marquis permitted me to use the Tristan name, but somehow it just didn't feel right. Even though I'm his adopted daughter, I don't share a drop of Tristan blood, do I? He's already providing me a place to sleep and taking care of my convenience—using his family name on top of that would be too shameless. So I received a different castle instead. Normally, you'd have to get knighted to earn one, but the marquis pulled some strings for me. Oh, it's not without conditions, though. If I fail the knighting ceremony, he'll confiscate the castle and make me use the Tristan name. ...It's such a favorable deal for me that it feels a bit off, right? Hehe."
Levi chattered on like a sparrow at dawn, more talkative than usual and brimming with excitement.
It made sense. This was the first time in her life she had her own castle, a true mark of her existence.
For a girl who had always been toyed with against her will, receiving a castle was pure joy.
That was why Lee Han listened quietly to her words, nodding along solemnly.
It really was a joyous occasion.
However.
"B-but, why Joan Dark specifically? There must be plenty of other castles."
"...It's a rather unique name, isn't it? Does it not suit me?"
"No! Absolutely not! It's a cool name!"
At the girl's faintly embarrassed look, so pitiful, Lee Han shook his head vigorously.
As if there were no issues at all.
Lee Han denied it emphatically, showering praise on her new family name.
"G-good. I was worried it seemed strange..."
Whether due to his sincere praise, Levi visibly relaxed and flashed another bright smile.
She continued.
"It just popped into my head! I was extinguishing a candle and accidentally singed my hand a little, and in that instant, it struck me—like a 'revelation from the heavens'..."
"......"
Reliving that fateful moment, she recounted the origin of the name with lingering wonder on her face.
Truly miraculous, she insisted.
"Hehe, is this what they call inspiration flashing from the subconscious? Strange things do happen."
"Y-yeah..."
"Anyway, call me Levi Joan Dark from now on. ...Master can just stick with Levi or Joan, though."
"Calling a cadet so casually will get you chewed out."
"Is that so?"
"...You know full well and do it anyway. I can tell. Don't try lying anywhere else—it shows."
"...Hehe."
Levi laughed bashfully, and though Lee Han smiled along, endeared by his playful, coquettish disciple, inwardly he felt like he was burning alive.
'This feels insanely ominous...'
The detail about nearly burning her hand on the candle and getting the flash of insight horrified him even more.
Why fire, of all things?
The thought arose unbidden.
'Hey, coincidence?'
'P-probably? ...I think.'
'Why so unsure!?' '...Can't be certain myself. Whoa, is this fate's reversal?' 'Hey, watch it!' 'Eep!'
He didn't buy into superstitions, but this was a world where fairies and mysteries coexisted. A single careless word could take root all too easily. 'Hasn't learned holy arts yet, but the instant she does, she'd be hailed a saint...' Hm... 'Kid's a church assassin.' She could derail the church's schemes in a heartbeat, and entanglement would turn his bed-of-roses life into drudgery. '...Our little bear cub, jeez...' His master's heart desperately wished the name was pure coincidence.
Kaboom!
Not even five minutes after Lee Han sent word, he arrived—and upon doing so, spectacularly obliterated the restaurant door.
The black-haired young noble had burst in kicking the door without bothering to control his strength in his haste, leaving the owner aghast.
"W-what is the meaning of this! To the door of our 200-year-old Maple Tree Restaurant...!"
"My apologies. I'll make it right."
"This isn't about compensation! You...!"
Thud!
"......"
A pouch of gold coins dropped onto the table.
It hit with a heavy clang. Heavy enough to make that sound from a table?
"Grrraaah!!"
But the owner had his pride. Though shocked, he had no intention of forgiving—especially not this money-flinging attitude.
No matter what, he deserved a proper scolding...
Thud!!
Thud thud!!
"-From today, you own this restaurant! Do with it as you will!"
"No interest in ownership. Just keep things quiet around here."
"I'll sweep out every ant and rat, of course!!"
If rejecting gold meant insufficient weight, then...
As if imparting that lesson, pouches twice as heavy as the first slammed down one after another, nearly splitting the table. The owner promptly swore fealty to the black-haired noble, Roan.
It all happened in a flash.
Absurd from a spectator's view.
"You swimming in cash or what...?"
"Indeed, excessively so. Likely only Duke Galahad or the church could match me."
"......Truly drowning."
"I could make it rain diamonds, if you'd like."
"N-no, pass..."
For the first time, Lee Han sensed the dignity of a returner in the boy.
Nothing had fazed him until now, but this bottomless whiff of gold evoked true stature.
'Returner through and through.'
Prime real estate before values soared, futures of booming merchant houses, intel on precious mines—an invincible investor.
Perhaps even in this barbaric medieval world, that investment prowess was the ultimate cheat.
Lee Han marveled anew.
Yet he wore an impassive face, as if mere pocket change(?) wasn't worth bragging over.
...To correct: his face impassive, but his pupils quivered wildly.
Tension and urgency plain as day.
"Lady Levi—no, Lady Levy's new name is Joan Dark, correct?"
"Correct. Ask her yourself; she left moments ago—easy to catch."
"......No need. Instructor has no cause to lie, so it must be."
Though he said that, Roan looked itching to bolt after her right then.
Made sense—he'd be shocked too.
Like a long-dead comrade returned to life.
And simultaneously.
'Suspicion's bound to creep in.'
Wondering if Levy had looped back from the future like him...
A torrent of emotions crossed his face.
Doubt, joy, sorrow, rage, despair, denial.
...Countless feelings flickered past rapidly. Lee Han could tell.
In the end.
'...Gave up on it.'
As expected of such a sharp mind—drawing conclusions came easy.
'If the cub knew the future, she'd have reached out to blackie ages ago. No sign of that, so chalking it to coincidence.'
But he wouldn't dismiss it as pure chance either.
"Instructor, if I may..."
"...Why trail off?"
"It's... hard to voice casually."
"......"
Roan still held back, so Lee Han waited patiently.
Slurp.
Savoring the complimentary waffle and coffee from the delighted owner—overjoyed by the unexpected gold—Lee Han waited leisurely for his turmoil to subside.
Utterly at ease.
Not frustrated at all?
"...You're not pressing."
"Pressing won't yield answers. Speak if you wish. Skip if it's awkward or unpleasant. You have a knack for overcomplicating life."
"......Ha."
Roan let out a short laugh.
Probably the only one in the kingdom who sized him up that way.
He had a way of lightening even the heaviest burdens.
Perhaps that's why.
"Whew!"
Exhaling deeply, refreshed, Roan resolved to unearth his deepest guarded secret.
The sole reason?
For conversation to flow smoothly, unhindered—like well-oiled gears.
"Would you believe me if I said I possess the 'ability to see the future'?"
Of course, not the full truth.
70% honesty, 30% fabrication.
Not an outright lie, either. Roan braced, anticipating his reaction.
He wouldn't buy it outright, but with steady dialogue...
"-Now you ask?"
"?"
"What reaction am I supposed to have here?"
"??"
...The response veered wildly off-script.
If Roan wasn't mistaken, he looked utterly baffled.
And with the next words, Roan had no choice but to understand why.
"You flaunt foreknowledge at every turn, then ask if I'll believe it? What, feign shock?"
"...Was it that obvious?"
"Figured you were dropping hints on purpose."
"Ahem."
"Clumsiest at it, too. If you meant to hide, fine—but you broadcast it everywhere..."
"N-never spread rumors..."
"Oh?"
"......"
...A scoff shut Roan down.
Sometimes silence bridges the gap, they say. Realizing excuses were futile, he smiled bitterly.
......Yet that bitter smile carried a refreshing release from pent-up frustration.
'Unexpected.'
He'd ribbed him, but inwardly, Lee Han was surprised his disciple had opened up.
A wary stray like a wounded alley cat, showing trust for the first time.
...Even a touch of fondness, like the cat finally accepting a pat.
'Blurt it out, and he'll snap.'
Satisfied they'd grown closer, Lee Han decided against prodding sore spots.
Touchy pride and all.
So.
"No questions from you?"
"?"
"Bet you're curious. Like why I summoned you the second I heard the cub's new name... or such?"
"......"
Conversation resumed; Roan's expression hardened.
His gaze.
"...Suspected hints before, but now confirmed. You're like me."
"Haha..."
The boy's eyes locked straight onto Taechang.
Sharp instincts, as expected.
Zeroing in on the intel source.
Then.
"...One question. Did you meet the [Angel] too?"
"......H-ho, Young Master too...?"
"As expected!"
"Whoa..."
...Out-of-left-field info dropped, leaving Lee Han blinking in surprise.
The two bonded instantly, like old classmates reuniting. Lee Han gawked at Taechang.
And rightly so.
'Not a truck?'
Figured at least a Dodge or Leta Nine.
'Sigh, trucks out of style now?'
Lee Han felt a pang of nostalgia, sensing trends had shifted since his reincarnation.
...Back in his era, it was trucks or overwork.
'Easier these days.'
Angels, even...
Who knew.
'Next up: reincarnated via comments, haha!'
Ludicrous, he chuckled inwardly.