30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 130

“So, what brings you here? You’re not exactly the type to visit just to exchange pleasantries, are you?”

The sharp remark came without giving him a moment to catch his breath, making him flinch.

“...I feel your assessment of me is rather harsh.”

“You don’t exactly have the look of someone who respects their elders, do you?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by ‘look,’ but judging from your tone, I can guess.”

“Go on, then. What do you think I mean?”

“Judging people by appearances, perhaps?”

“Exactly right. This is why it’s easy to talk to smart folks like you.”

“...Is this what they call giving someone a disease and offering the cure?”

Roen Dmitry de Lionel.

The Northern Young Lord maintained his characteristic poker face, making it difficult to read his expressions.

In general, his face rarely betrayed his emotions, but at this moment, his displeasure was clear. Ihan, noticing this, chuckled shamelessly.

“So, am I wrong?”

“...Annoyingly enough, you’re not. I suppose that’s the irony.”

“Aristocratic brats like you are always impudent to adults, anyway.”

“...I really don’t understand why you always seem to breathe discrimination against nobles like it’s second nature.”

“You should be glad it’s just discrimination. If a mage had looked at me the way you do, I’d have gouged their eyes out first.”

“Hmm...”

Roen typically maintained a calm demeanor, his emotions rarely surfacing. It was partly due to his natural temperament, but also his elevated social standing.

He had been pampered his entire life, with people either addressing him respectfully or, at worst, veiling their criticisms in formalities. Dealing with someone who spoke so bluntly and treated him so casually was challenging.

Still, if asked whether it offended him—

For some reason, it doesn’t.

There was no malice in the words, and the tone felt more like that of an older sibling scolding a younger one.

It was unfamiliar, but...

Not bad... really.

He was surprised by how unoffended he felt.

“I heard you sparred with my uncle.”

Just as Ihan had predicted, Roen hadn’t come for idle chit-chat. Without preamble, he brought up the topic directly.

“...Let’s eat first, shall we?”

Still, Ihan appreciated the gesture of bringing an extravagant fruit set and cakes crafted by a renowned patissier.

Gulp.

As he devoured a slice of cake topped with a rich almond-flavored custard cream, he muttered:

“I don’t even like sweets much, but there’s nothing to criticize here.”

“It should be worth the conversation. Even with money, this dessert isn’t easy to come by.”

“...Fair enough.”

The flavor was superb, justifying Roen’s confident claim. Ihan, reluctantly impressed, conceded:

“...If by ‘uncle’ you mean that monstrous man, then yes, I did.”

“Then it must be true.”

“He’s absurdly strong... Not a bad person, but not a particularly good one either.”

“...That does sound like him. I can imagine what happened. Allow me to apologize on his behalf.”

“No need for apologies. Just tell him next time you see him: ‘It doesn’t add up. If you stole my technique, you owe me the rest of what it’s worth.’”

“...I’ll be sure to relay the message.”

At the mention of his duel with Maximus, Roen gave a bitter smile, as if he already had a good idea of what transpired.

Ihan glanced at Roen out of the corner of his eye, confident that he had come to ask about the recent underground incident. At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel exasperated.

Why’s he asking me?

It would’ve been faster to ask his father.

Judging by their relationship last time, things aren’t exactly positive between them.

The strained—or outright hostile—dynamic between father and son was apparent. Ihan had no intention of prying into family matters, but still—

Every world has its share of dysfunctional families.

Ihan found some comfort in the fact that this kingdom didn’t have a culture of family visits.

At least he didn’t have to witness other people’s family feuds.

Ihan wasn’t stingy with his information.

“The cultists in the tunnels, the breeding of half-demons, and the rearing of giant worms... Ha! Each of these alone could destabilize the kingdom.”

The intel he had gathered hadn’t come easily. While some might scoff at the idea of trading it for a few slices of cake, Ihan knew Roen wasn’t a fool.

“—Incidentally, I’ve come across something similar. Recently, I dismantled a slave trade ring, and it seems they were linked to the cultists. Particularly, the vast number of prisoners used to summon that demonic being—‘the Devil King’—were likely transported by that ring.”

“...What an incredible coincidence.”

“Yes, I was very fortunate.”

See? This was a prime example of give-and-take.

The valuable insights Roen offered made Ihan feel that his openness had been well rewarded.

“Hmm... Here’s what we can deduce. Their collaborators have likely controlled the shadows of the Southern Continent for decades. Without such influence, coordination between the tunnels and the slavers would’ve been impossible.”

“Who could create such a network?”

Tsk.

Forget it. Why should I stress over this? My sister will handle it.

Looks like Roen has some history with Goldie, huh?

Goldie probably got beaten up a few times.