Chapter 60
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Escape (2)
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Viola had come out to tour the big city, using Roin as her excuse.
She already had to go home with Gillion, which was uncomfortable enough.
Now with Viola tagging along, the discomfort piled on even more.
There was at least one silver lining.
You said you had to pick up Viola, right?
Yes, Young Master Roin.
Got it. I have some business nearby too. How about we meet in two hours at the fountain over there?
A stone statue with three lion heads attached.
Powerful jets of water sprayed from each mouth.
It was the Fountain of Jekyllion, one of the capital Endlas famous landmarks.
Gillion nodded vigorously at Roins suggestion.
Understood. Give me your luggage. I borrowed a horse, so Ill load your things here ahead of time.
Thanks.
As he handed his personal belongings to Gillion, Roin carefully held onto something.
Something wrapped in a black handkerchief.
Gillion pointed at it and asked.
Arent you loading that too?
Nah. Ill carry it myself.
Gillion didnt know what was inside.
Roin didnt seem inclined to show him either, quickly stuffing it into his pocket.
Roin was entering adolescence now.
If he meddled too much in what Roin wanted to do, it could backfire.
Knowing that well, Gillion decided to stop prying into Roins actions.
Please come back safely, Young Master Roin.
Yeah. See you in two hours.
Savoring his rare free time.
Roin quickened his pace.
Roin arrived at one of Rodris birthplaces in Endla.
The guards blocking the way stopped him.
This is private property from here on.
Roin silently showed them something to the guards denying entry.
It was the access permit Helond had given him separately.
With this permit, Roin could freely enter and exit Rodris mansions scattered across the world.
Originally, only the homeowner Rodri, Helond, and Dian had them.
Now Rodri was out, and Roin had joined the list.
The guards crossed spears in an X, but upon confirming Roins permit, they lowered them.
Before passing through the entrance, Roin asked the lead guard.
Is Mr. Helond here already?
A mere boy like Roin casually calling Helond by name could ruffle the guards feathers.
The permit was just proof allowing free access to Rodris private lands.
It didnt extend to forgiving those who looked down on or insulted Rodris legal representative, Helond.
Even Roin had to watch his words and actions.
Even if he was Rodri himself.
The lead guard slowly nodded.
Yes. Hes been here for about an hour.
I see. Oh, and I think Mr. Helond would have mentioned this already
Roin pointed at himself toward the guards.
And emphasized.
Forget you saw me here. Got it?
Yes. Lord Helond already instructed us on that. No need to worry.
Okay. Have a good shift.
Roin strode into Rodris private grounds.
Having to show a permit every time, even on his own land.
What a pain.
For the first time in a while, Roins fine brows furrowed.
As soon as Roin entered the mansion, Helond greeted him.
Youve arrived, Young Master Roin.
What about Dian? I heard he was coming too.
He said he had urgent business and couldnt make it today.
I see? Well, doesnt matter if Dians not here.
The reason Roin wanted to meet Helond today wasnt deeply tied to Dian.
Hows the investigation on Nut going? Any results?
Some progress, though slim.
Really? What? Tell me.
Shall I tell you here? If its alright, may I offer you some tea?
The talk might drag on.
But Roin flatly rejected Helonds offer.
The Leyden family sent someone to pick me up.
Gillion?
Yeah. And one more. Viola, this willful little big sister of mine. They showed up together. Headache.
Haha, I see.
For all his words, Roins tone carried a faint excitement.
Family.
A word that had no place in Roins life when he was Rodri.
But after reincarnating as Roin.
He gained a family.
He called her willful, but deep down, Roin didnt seem to mind his sister coming to pick him up.
Helond, who had served Rodri for so long, could tell.
Then Ill condense the report as briefly as possible.
Yeah. Please do.
Yes, Young Master Roin.
Helond started with the most crucial findings.
Theres a Meister named Aker. His movements are highly suspicious.
Aker?
Yes. Hes the one who directly hired the assassins that attacked you in Scream Valley this time. And this isnt confirmed yet, but
Helond trailed off, scanning the surroundings.
Then.
He dropped a vital piece of information to Roin.
The mage who wields gold-seal magic seems connected to Aker.
Really?
Yes. But as I said earlier, its just circumstantial evidence from various sources. No solid proof yet.
Still, the odds are high, right?
Yes. Quite.
If it were mere speculation with slim chances, Helond wouldnt have reported it to Roin in the first place.
Even hunches needed reasonable probability to warrant mention or value.
Then we investigate this Aker.
What about Bartler Whisli?
Him too. Just in case, dispatch investigators discreetly. But tell them to be careful. That Bartler Whisli guys no pushover.
Not just his personality.
Bartler Whisli was known as a powerhouse far exceeding average senior knights.
The one who told him was Remina herself.
Twisted personality or not, as Billion Whislis son, his skills were the real deal.
Better not let my guard down.
For something this important, caution was key.
That wrapped up the Nut investigation report.
Time to finish the next errand.
Belb?
Ill call him right away.
Helond sent for Belb, who was waiting outside.
Belb appeared before Roin after a long while, looking haggard.
Congratulations on passing the mid knight exam, Young Master Roin.
Results arent out yet.
Oh, really? Sorry. My heads been fuzzy lately
Eh, youve always been like that.
Roin brushed it off, already used to it.
More importantly, I was thinking of giving you a gift.
To me?
Yeah.
Roin pulled out the item Gillion had eyed.
He tossed the small object wrapped in the black handkerchief lightly to Belb.
Belb barely caught it with both hands.
Not all mages were like this, but Belb was particularly clumsy with physical coordination.
Even from close range, he barely managed to grab it.
Whats this?
Check it out yourself.
The moment he unwrapped the black handkerchief,
Belb freaked out.
Th-th-th-this! Isnt this a fragment of the Demon God?!
Yep, thats right.
Y-Young Master Roin! Y-you just tossed it to me! What if I dropped it and shattered the glass case?! Wh-what were you planning to do?!
If it falls, just pick it up.
With bare hands?
Roin looked at the shocked Belb and said.
Yep.
Even after reincarnating, that constitution of yours is still in effect?
Seems so. I held this one bare-handed, and its fine.
Belb knew Roin was unaffected by Demon God fragments.
As Belb began examining the fragment.
This doesnt look like the Demon God fragments we know.
You noticed quick.
But why give it to me?
Research it. You like that stuff, right?
Roin generally trusted few people, only those he truly believed in.
So he planned to entrust Belb with independent research on the Demon God fragment.
And who knows.
It might become the worlds one-of-a-kind beauty product ingredient.
Roin unwittingly licked his lips.
If it helped skin care, Roin would chase it to the ends of the earth.
Helond and Belb could only smile at the sight.
Having finished all his business, Roin rejoined Gillion and the others exactly two hours later.
Viola, waiting with Gillion, waved her hand vigorously.
Roin! Over here, over here!
She seemed to have finished a ton of shopping, her horse loaded with an absurd amount of luggage.
Roin gave a wry smile at the sight.
Whatd you buy so much of?
Wandering around, I just saw so many things I wanted.
That made sense.
This was the capital of a nation, after all.
Plenty to see.
Gillion checked the time and urged them on.
We should head out now.
Got it.
As he moved to mount his horse.
A man called Roins name.
Roin Leyden.
A middle-aged mans voice.
Roin, Gillion, and Viola turned their heads in unison.
!
Their expressions stiffened.
As if theyd seen something they shouldnt have.
The man before them was simply unbelievable.
Kern Tayla.
He approached Roins group first, leading a crowd.
Gillion and Viola hurriedly bowed their heads.
Roin did the same.
Long time no see, Duke.
Indeed. I was on my way to pick up Jerka and didnt expect to run into you.
Kern patted Roins small shoulder lightly with his thick hand.
Ive heard many tales of your exploits. Seeing you reminds me of someone.
He didnt name the person.
But Roin had a hunch.
Rodri.
My past self, probably.
Try as he might to hide it, Roin occasionally slipped into old habits.
Perhaps thats why Kern always recalled Rodri when seeing Roin.
I hope you become an excellent knight going forward.
Yes, Duke. Safe travels.
You too.
With that, Kern led his group away.
Viola immediately made a fuss.
Oh my god! Roin, you know Duke Kern?!
Not that close.
My dad would faint if he knew. Gotta see our baby bro in a new light!
Whatever.
Roin didnt particularly care.
Roins group prepared to leave Endla on horseback too.
Before that, Roin gazed in the direction Kern had gone, lost in old thoughts for a moment.
If Kern found out Im Rodri. What would he do?
He was curious deep down.
But no trouble. Too annoying.
He chose to stay quiet.