30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 143

Fishing Was Never Ihan’s Thing

Ihan had almost no experience with fishing, whether in his past life or his current one.

‘It was always an expensive hobby.’

Fishing was surprisingly costly. Not just the rod and equipment but renting a boat and covering fuel costs all added up. To Ihan, it was a luxury hobby, and his opinion hadn’t changed in this world. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

If anything, fishing in this world seemed even more extravagant.

“...So, this is a private fishing area... no, an exclusive fish farm?”

“Yes! You see, fishing in regular rivers or lakes often leads to encounters with monsterized fish, which can attack or even eat you. That’s why nobles build their own fish farms. But only the truly wealthy can afford something like this—the maintenance, the upkeep, and the initial construction costs are astronomical.”

“......”

“Is fishing really that fun? I don’t understand why anyone would go to such lengths just to fish.”

“...Neither do I.”

Even as he answered, Ihan was left speechless.

This has to be the pinnacle of extravagance.

‘This is seawater, right?’

The unmistakable scent of the ocean, something even an average person could recognize, wafted through the air. And then...

“...Is that a sea bream?”

He spotted fish species that belonged in the ocean: red sea bream, black sea bream, squid, octopus, and even...

Splash!

“Wow, a shark!”

“......”

...Yes, even sharks.

Ihan quickly realized that this enormous lake was an artificial “ocean,” and the revelation left him utterly dumbfounded.

‘I’d bet anything this is the only artificial sea in existence.’

No matter how extravagant other nobles’ fish farms were, nothing could compare to this.

Not just the artificial sea itself but the sheer variety of marine life—it was clear that many had been directly transported from the ocean.

‘Gold coins must be melting by the second....’

The thought of how much money it would take to maintain this artificial sea, with its extraordinary features, already made Ihan feel drained.

But as if to prove there was more to overwhelm him...

“Welcome, milady.”

“Oh, it’s Elza!”

The fish farm—or rather, the fishing site—was bustling with servants.

There were at least a hundred maids and butlers present, along with knights and soldiers scattered about.

It was reminiscent of the staff aboard a high-end luxury cruise from his previous life, except every single one of them was here for the sake of one person.

“Hm, the number of servants seems a bit low today.”

“His Highness dislikes having too many people moving around unnecessarily.”

“Well, yeah, it does feel excessive to have two or three hundred people every time.”

“Still, considering His Highness’s status, I believe twice that number would be more appropriate.”

“Eh, that’s a bit much.”

“Hoho, is that so?”

“...What is this insane conversation?”

Ihan found this side of Irene unfamiliar.

It was like seeing your next-door neighbor suddenly summon a private jet, claiming it was their personal vehicle.

‘Once again, I’m reminded....’

That life truly wasn’t fair, Ihan thought, shaking his head in resignation.

A Familiar Face

After passing dozens of servants, Ihan was greeted by a familiar face.

“...You’re here.”

“......”

A man whose youthful, handsome appearance made it hard to believe he was in his fifties. Yet behind that facade was a cunning politician and one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom.

That man greeted him warmly.

“It’s been half a year, Sir Ihan.”

“...Why go to the trouble of greeting me personally?”

“Well, as the host, it’s only proper to show some courtesy, don’t you think?”

“...Your ‘courtesy’ has all your men glaring daggers at me.”

“They’re simply overly loyal. Try to understand.”

“......”

The duke’s polite reception caused Ihan to break into a rare cold sweat.

‘Even if I try to understand, I can feel their glares piercing my entire body....’

From the moment the duke greeted him, Ihan was met with the overpowering presence of a hundred knights and soldiers, their sharp gazes fixed on him.

For a fleeting moment, a thought crossed Ihan’s mind:

‘Wouldn’t it be wise to escape now while I still can?’

+++++

Blake Vivian de Galahad, Duke of Galahad

The sole duke of the kingdom. The kingdom’s finest swordsman. The greatest heir of the cursed sword. The most illustrious Galahad in history.

The list of grandiose titles attached to his name was nothing short of dazzling.

He was the noble among nobles—a man so influential that rumors claimed a single conversation with him could change one’s life.

“Some fools go bankrupt just for the chance to speak with this man, don’t they?”

Recalling a rumor he’d learned unintentionally, Ihan scratched his cheek.

True or not, being face-to-face with such a monumental figure felt nothing short of suffocating.

For others, it might be a moment of envy, but for Ihan...

“Hah, I’d rather just go home, eat, and sleep.”

...It was nothing but a tedious waste of time.

The Duke’s Observant Nature

“You seem to be entertaining some irreverent thoughts.”

“...I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Don’t lie. Your expressions are as transparent as glass.”

“......”

“You’re thinking strange thoughts again, aren’t you? Rest assured, I’m not reading your mind.”

“...Did you learn mind-reading, by chance?”

“Haha! If only such a skill existed. Sadly, no—I’m simply telling you that your face is exceptionally easy to read.”

“...I see.”

It seemed like everyone Ihan met had the same comment for him.

That his face was easy to read.

‘Should I start wearing a mask?’

Before his mind could wander too far, the duke personally guided him forward.

“Come, have a seat.”

“...?”

Before Ihan could even question why the duke himself was acting as his host, his attention was stolen by the opulent sight in front of him.

Splash!

Divers—no, pearl divers—were hauling up seafood. Spiny lobsters, clams, shrimp, and other crustaceans filled their baskets, while...

“That’s a big one.”

...a solid gold fishing rod reeled in an enormous tuna, creating a surreal spectacle.

‘If the old man from The Old Man and the Sea saw this, he’d feel utterly cheated.’

Having been moved by the old man’s desperate struggle with a marlin in that book, Ihan found this scene utterly ridiculous.

Tuna, casually fished out of a private lake? In what world did rivers house tuna?

“Tuna, is it? Have you had it before?”

“Well, maybe once?”

“Hoho, it must have been hard to come by in the inland regions. Good to hear you’ve tried it. Then you won’t hesitate to eat it. Steward.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Prepare it for serving.”