Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: The Beast King's Challenge
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Nobles consider many things before taking a single action.
Immediate gains, the consequences of their actions, the resulting impact, and how it will manifest in the future.
They are educated from childhood to think of all these things, trained so that such considerations become a natural part of their daily lives.
This is the education of a ruler for the nobility.
It is the driving force that widens the gap between commoners and nobles with each passing generation, ensuring that any heir can assume the role of the Head of the Family upon reaching maturity.
As technology advanced and the times changed, the importance of commoners grew, and they could be put to other uses, but they had not yet reached a point where they could raise their voices.
As an heir to the Reinhardt family, Allen had also received this education.
That was why he always strove to handle multiple matters simultaneously whenever he planned a single course of action.
This tendency had only intensified in his second life, right after he regressed.
Things that would happen in a few months, things that would be accomplished in a few years.
He planned not in units of days or weeks, but in months and years, striving to prepare for the future, not the present.
This time was no different.
From the moment he planned to come to the academy, Allen couldn't help but think about what would come after.
Until now, the gap between him and Julius wasn't that significant. In fact, Allen held a clear advantage.
But what about in a few more years?
‘I’ll fall behind.’
He could say that with certainty.
Allen knew his own talent well. The result of dedicating his entire life, and in the end, even his life force as a sacrifice, solely to magic was eight Circles.
And even that was an 8th-Circle attainment that was less than a half-measure, abnormally skewed to one side.
He was in a position where he couldn't guarantee victory in a direct confrontation with someone one or two Circles below him.
He knew because he had already struggled once, pushing past the limits of his talent—no, beyond them.
On the other hand, what about Julius?
‘He grows endlessly.’
It was the same during the dungeon practicum this time.
He had acquired an unforeseen ability called the Stigma of the Stars and run rampant.
To stop the boy’s growth, Allen had stolen as many rewards as he could, taking away various opportunities, including Vestla, to obtain the Dragon's Heart and the Giant's Body.
Even now, if he went all out, he could probably defeat those who had just reached the 7th Circle.
‘But what about an ordinary 7th-Circle mage?’
If he could somehow get close, his chances of winning were fifty-fifty. If he couldn't, aiming for a draw was the best he could do.
From the 7th Circle onwards, one entered the realm of true superhumans.
It was a world for those who, born as mere living beings, shattered the inherent limitations of life itself.
Unless one possessed the same 7th-Circle abilities, it was difficult to set foot in that world.
Of course, the future was unknown.
The Giant's Body might grow stronger than it was now, and he had no idea how powerful the advanced secret arts of the Giant's Sword Style, which Vestla would teach him, would be.
‘Even so.’
Allen had no choice but to prepare for the what-ifs.
His true purpose was not only to kill Julius but also to find the real Julius's soul.
Since there was no progress on the latter, he had to widen the gap with Julius to buy time.
And so, the plan he had formulated while still at the estate was this.
‘Have Linbelle build a friendship with the Beast King's granddaughter.’
Due to a past incident, she was in a frail state, with no aptitude for either aura or mana.
What if he had Linbelle approach her, build a friendship, then made contact with the Cycle Cult and used their abilities to cure her condition?
Forging a connection with the Beast King that way would be good, but it would be the best outcome if she went a step further and became his disciple.
At the same time, he would acquire the status of an Apostle of the Cycle Cult and gain control over a portion of their power.
‘If I succeed, I can widen the gap and buy that much more time. But if I fail… I'll only make more enemies.’
That was why it was a gamble.
Iliana watched Allen with her lips pressed firmly together until Linbelle finished styling his hair and brought out refreshments.
“…Is there something you wish to say?”
“No, I was just curious.”
After observing him for a while, she tilted her head as if she still didn't understand.
“Because I simply can't understand why you sent Linbelle to me.”
*Flinch.*
At those words, Linbelle, who was preparing the tea, flinched.
She had an unconsciously startled expression before quickly schooling her features, but that reaction alone was enough for Iliana to know she was right.
“Why do you think that?”
Unlike Linbelle, Allen wasn't flustered by her words.
He had considered that she might notice. It would be nice if she didn't, but it didn't matter if she did.
He had never expected it to remain a secret, knowing Linbelle's clumsy nature.
“It's simple. There's no benefit for you.”
“No benefit?”
She nodded as if it were obvious. Iliana pointed a finger at herself and spoke.
“First, you—no, my lord…”
“Speak comfortably.”
“My lord must have had Linbelle approach me knowing I was the Beast King's granddaughter. Am I wrong?”
Allen nodded. In fact, besides him, the vice president and other truly high-ranking figures knew her identity.
“I apologize if it was unpleasant.”
“No, it's not particularly unpleasant. This isn't the first time, and… we got along quite well while spending time together.”
As she said this, she glanced at Linbelle. Having been caught, Linbelle was too busy watching Allen to notice her gaze.
‘Did they really become friends?’
This was something even he hadn't expected.
“But why do you say it's not a benefit?”
“My grandfather—no, the Beast King—has no interest in me whatsoever.”
Her face was tinged with a deep sense of self-mockery as she spoke.
“A half-breed of beastkin and human, a half-measure with no aptitude for either mana or aura and poor physical abilities. On top of that, we hold completely opposing ideologies.”
She quickly composed her expression and continued her explanation.
“The Beast King isn't someone who will grant a favor just because you're close to me. In fact, he probably couldn't care less what I do.”
As she spoke, a faint anger toward something flickered in her eyes.
‘I heard there were differing opinions within the Beastkin Alliance, but is it the same within the family?’
Or was it a rebellion against not being valued?
One side advocated for preserving traditional values and living the life of the plains, while the other argued for embracing the wave of change, using tools, and advancing.
Usually, those who followed the latter were not the ones who used aura or possessed great strength, but the weak.
She had naturally been forced to choose the latter.
“And it's impossible to harm me, either. Did you know there was a family that was destroyed for trying to take me hostage?”
Iliana scoffed, saying that because of that, even those few who approached her had completely disappeared.
“So you should give up any idea that you can get what you want from me—no, from the Beast King.”
With that, Iliana lifted her teacup as if her throat was parched. Allen waited until she had quenched her thirst before speaking.
“That doesn't matter. Because my interest is in you.”
My lady… She narrowed her eyes, thinking it had been a long time since she'd heard that title.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
She studied him as if to discern the true meaning of his words, then blurted out.
“Are you romantically interested in me?”
“No.”
“I’m asking because you don't seem to be joking.”
“I have a fiancée.”
“I know that.”
She fell into thought with a look of someone seeing something strange, then began to sort things out one by one.
“You approached me because you wanted something from my grandfather, and now that forming a relationship has become difficult, you're interested in me? But it's not a romantic interest?”
“No, from the very beginning, I was more interested in you than the Beast King. To be precise, in your talent as an engineer.”
Even at Allen's words, Iliana did not let go of her suspicious expression.
“Hmm… that's even stranger. So, you're approaching me even though you know you won't get the Beast King's attention? Because of my engineering talent?”
A faint sneer appeared on her lips as she shook her head.
“It would sound more plausible if you said you wanted to become related to my grandfather through marriage to me, you know?”
It was a rude remark that showed no consideration for Allen's dignity.
However, he did not react strongly to her provocative words. He had noticed that she had said it deliberately to test his reaction.
Therefore, Allen faced her without a single change in his expression.
“I'm not so sure about that. Is the Beast King truly not interested in you?”
“I can guarantee it.”
“Well, we don't know that. No matter how little interest he has, I doubt he'd have no reaction if his granddaughter's constitution were to be cured, would he?”
“…What?”
Allen spoke as if to ensure someone else who might be listening could hear him.
“I wonder if he would remain silent even after his only granddaughter's body has been healed.”
As if she understood Allen's words, her eyes widened, and her mouth slowly fell open.
The grip on the tongs she was using to move a sugar cube slackened.
Allen caught the falling sugar cube with a thread of mana and dropped it into her teacup.
*Plop.*
His own calmly smiling face was reflected in her yellow pupils.
“Let me ask you again.”
Allen savored her expression of pure shock as he spoke.
“Can you really guarantee it?”
She pressed her lips firmly together.
That was answer enough.
***
Allen said it was late and sent them away, promising to schedule another meeting.
Linbelle and Iliana both seemed reluctant to leave, each for different reasons, but Allen couldn't help it.
「…Allen, you're not really going out, are you?」
‘How can I not, after being directly provoked?’ Allen slung Vestla onto his hip and grabbed his coat.
The presence he had felt since Iliana entered had not disappeared even after she left the room; instead, it had grown more and more blatant.
‘How savage.’
Just as expected of the Beast King.
It would have been easier if he had just called him, but to summon him like this…
Allen left the dormitory and walked toward the place that was guiding him.
“This is…”
The place he arrived at was, coincidentally, the cemetery park he had visited during the day. He paused for a moment before continuing on.
The sky, now turned black, did not show the same spectacle he had seen before.
There was only the twinkling of starlight, as always.
Even in its usual state, it was captivating enough to draw one's gaze. But Allen couldn't focus on such a sight.
In the center of the cemetery park, beneath the Milky Way.
A man exuding a presence more overwhelming than the night sky itself had captured his attention.
When Allen had gotten reasonably close, the man spoke.
“You said something interesting.”
Ferocious yellow pupils met Allen's gaze.
“Even knowing I was listening.”
Although the man reeked of alcohol, Allen could not let his guard down for a second.
He was someone who commanded such caution.
One of the Eight Strongest—a title held by only eight people in the world—and a powerhouse ranked within the top three among them; a being capable of shattering mountains and confronting nations with his martial prowess alone.
A living legend who had reached beyond the physical into the conceptual realm.
The Beast King, Gaion.
He was the one who had summoned Allen, the one who had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Iliana.
“It was not my intention to trouble the Beast King's heart. I apologize for causing you concern…”
“No, enough of that. More importantly, are you confident?”
He cut Allen off with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Allen knew what he was asking, but it was difficult to answer easily. One could never be certain of anything with absolute probability.
“I asked if you are confident.”
But perhaps his silence was not to the Beast King's liking, for he spoke again. This time, accompanied by a savage, seeping killing intent.
Gaion's face twisted fiercely.
「Allen, even with my help, you can't win this.」
Vestla, who had been silent since they first encountered him, declared.
Allen made an instant decision.
“Yes. I am confident.”
“Then that's settled. If you fail later, we can see then. It's not something to discuss now.”
With those words, the presence pressing down on Allen subsided. Gaion's expression also became placid, as if it had never been so ferocious.
Allen realized he had acted that way on purpose.
‘Was the smell of alcohol also deliberate? Or is it a real hobby?’
Allen recalled the rumors circulating about him.
“Then what is the reason you have summoned me now?”
“Your sword.”
“Pardon?”
Gaion tapped his hip, as if telling him not to ask twice.
“Before we talk, draw your sword. Let's see what you've got.”
“What in the…”
Allen tried to speak, but Gaion was faster. As his figure vanished from sight, his voice rang out.
“For your information, if you can't last more than five minutes, this meeting is over.”
A chilling sensation instantly sounded an alarm in his mind. With no time to draw his sword, he wrapped an arm around his side.
*CRASH—*
Allen's body was sent skidding back several steps.
His eyes filled with astonishment at the pain, a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time, not since acquiring the Giant's Body.
“Hmm, tougher than I thought. In that case…”
Allen gritted his teeth and drew his sword. There was no time to argue with him.
Whatever he had to say, the battle before him came first.
“A little harder, then.”
*BOOM—*
His consciousness flickered for a moment.
With no time to check his body, he instinctively twisted his shoulders. A fist grazed his shoulder, causing his body to spin and dissipate the impact.
“Your reaction speed is pretty good, too.”
Another attack flew at him.
This was the first true moment of crisis he had faced since obtaining this body.