Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Every Single Strand of Hair is Precious (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Roin had spotted a few beauty salons on his way that he planned to entrust his hair to today.
All of them ended up burned to the ground by Inkra's followers.
It was utterly devastating.
He'd rushed here for nearly half a day.
With Inkra's zealots causing chaos, he couldn't even get a trim and had to head backanyone would be pissed.
'I should have just killed those bastards.'
Regret came flooding in late.
Since things had gone this far, should he just let it grow out?
The thought crossed his mind, but he dismissed it midway.
Lucas would chase him around with scissors, yelling about what the hell he was doing.
'What now.'
He was lost in his own thoughts when Emilia returned to him.
"Young Master Roin. We don't know when another incident might happen, so we should head back to Drin for today."
He had no choice but to heed her words.
Staying here wouldn't magically produce a way to get his hair cut.
And he wanted no more part in these incidents.
Roin climbed aboard the newly acquired cart.
'Ratio, you sons of bitches. I'll wipe you all out someday!'
Vowing secret revenge was just icing on the cake.
Word of Ratio's remnants raiding Preva spread like wildfire.
Roin and his group returned to Drin.
Lucas and Elien could finally breathe easy once they confirmed everyone was safe.
Elien spoke to Emilia, Roin, and Viola.
"Just in case, don't go to Preva for a while. Got it?"
It hit Roin like a bolt from the blue.
He'd planned to wait for the salons to reopen and head back.
Now even that was blocked.
'Trouble.'
Was sneaking off the only option?
He arrived at that conclusion when Viola tapped his shoulder.
"Upset you can't get a haircut?"
Roin, who had been silent, slowly nodded.
Viola let out a hollow chuckle.
From her perspective, Roin was nothing short of fascinating.
Just moments ago, they'd been teetering on the edge of life and death.
Uncertain when or how they'd die.
Yet even after that razor-close crisis, Roin couldn't let go of his attachment to the salons.
So Viola offered him another solution.
"I can cut it for you? You still don't trust me?"
Honestly, yeah.
But.
'No real choices left.'
Better to gamble on her than get forced by Lucas into handing his hair over to some local barber.
'Hair grows back anyway.'
If it turned out bad, he could draw a line upfront: no more touching his hair ever.
"Alright. Give it a try."
"Oh, trusting your big sis now?"
"I'll decide after seeing the results."
Too early to judge.
Viola giggled at her picky little brother's demeanor.
"So prickly."
Roin countered inwardly.
'If you were in my past life's shoes, you'd react the same whether you liked it or not.'
How could someone who hadn't experienced hair loss grasp the sanctity of every strand?
Viola took position behind Roin, seated in a chair.
"Hold on a sec."
With that, she fetched something.
Scissors in various shapes.
Roin's eyebrow twitched.
"When did you buy all these?"
"While you were dorming at the swordsmanship academy. Nothing to do at home. Got bored and secretly learned hair styling. Let's see..."
Left, right, front, back.
Viola meticulously inspected Roin's head and flashed a grin.
"Sir. What style shall I give you?"
Roin had his usual preferred style.
"A Besid cut."
The kind where the bangs were trimmed just long enough to slightly cover the eyebrows.
He'd considered growing it out long, but Lucas existed.
Plus, long hair was a hassle to maintain, so Roin stuck to this cut on purpose.
"Got it, sir."
Her hands moved with impressive skill.
As time passed, his anxiety melted into relief.
'She's actually good.'
Quite the surprise.
Roin had studied not just skincare but hairstyling in detail.
He could tell right away her skills were exceptional.
Midway, he asked.
"How many months since you started learning?"
"Hmm. About six?"
That meant talent.
From what Roin knew, reaching this level took at least two to three years of practice.
Only then did a stylist's form really take shape.
Yet Viola had done it in mere six months.
Even while dodging Lucas's watchful eye without proper lessons.
"You cut Mother's hair too, right?"
"Yeah. But keep it secret from Father."
A wise call.
If Lucas saw, he'd surely complain.
A noble's child cutting hair for others?
That's why Viola hid her talents.
Roin hadn't noticed her gift until now.
'They say everyone has one talent.'
Who knew the fourth child had this.
'World's full of wonders.'
Even in his second life, Roin still couldn't predict life's twists.
Less than two weeks until returning to the swordsmanship academy.
Roin planned to sweep up all the decent beauty products in Drin for the dorm.
'Last time, running out of hand cream was hell... ugh!'
Not this time.
He vowed it dozens of times.
'Money's running low though.'
Dian's funds were nearly gone.
Who'd have thought he'd worry about cash.
'In my old days, impossible.'
Roin had hoarded nearly every rare item in existence.
Selling them alone would net a fortune.
More than Dian's merchant group, even.
The man Roin, who'd earned vast sums.
'Just reclaim my assets?'
Faster than waiting for House Leyden's revival.
From Dian, he'd heard Helond temporarily held his property rights.
Helond staunchly believed Rodri would return someday and still awaited him.
'That old man's something else. What does he see in me to go that far...'
Deep down, Roin didn't mind.
Rodri was called heartless and tearless often, but he was human.
When someone like Helond showed unwavering loyalty, Rodri couldn't help but take notice.
'First, track Helond's location.'
He needed intel.
But no informants lurking in this tiny village.
'Damn this countryside.'
Whenever he tried anything, rural life blocked his path.
'Think it over slowly at home.'
Like always, he'd find a way.
He'd solved the hair issue, after all.
Ponder long enough, and a solution would come.
With that in mind, Roin headed to his final target: the cosmetics shop.
'Only place importing Netro products.'
He'd buy every famous brand available.
'But this'll leave me broke.'
Didn't matter.
Money wasn't the issue now.
Scrape together every coin for beauty regimen.
Otherwise, he'd end up with Lucas's face.
'No way in hell!'
Roin shook his head vigorously.
As he stepped toward the shop entrance.
He bumped right into someone.
An elderly gentleman in a full tuxedo.
Roin's pupils dilated at the sight.
"Helond?"
Rodri's butler, Helond.
Never expected to meet him here.
Meanwhile.
Despite first sight, Helond looked down at the boy who'd named him instantly.
Then knelt on one knee toward Roin.
"I've been waiting, my lord!"
Shockingly, Helond recognized Roin as Rodri on the spot.
How?
Right then, the man who'd tipped him off appeared.
"Rodri. Long time no see."
Dian, met once in Endla, grinned at Roin.
Now Roin knew why Helond was here.
And how he'd learned his identity.
"You told him everything?"
"Yeah. I even brought Helond to Drin."
"Why bother."
"Figured the money I gave you was about tapped out."
"..."
Spot on.
Not for nothing their long friendship.
They synced perfectly now.
Roin found a quiet cafe with Dian and Helond.
There, they held a reunion after ages.
Helond still seemed unadjusted to his master's changed form.
"Never imagined Lord Rodri in such a guise."
"Didn't Dian tell you ahead?"
"Honestly, even hearing it, I half-doubted. Worried if Dian was mistaken or duped by some con artist. But no."
No body found.
Just vanished in a blink, so Helond had searched everywhere for the missing Rodri.
Then he reappeared before Helond.
Appearance altered, sure.
But speech, mannerisms, even his gaze.
All bore Rodri's unmistakable traces.
After nearly thirty years serving him, Helond was certain.
Now reunited with his old master.
"Come home with me now, Lord Rodri."
Just return to his rightful place.
But Roin didn't answer right away.
Helond tilted his head at the silent Roin.
"Lord Rodri? Is something wrong?"
Roin nodded slowly.
Then stated flatly to Helond.
"I've abandoned the name Rodri. From now on, I'm living as Roin Leyden. I'm not going back to the old house."