30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 144

“Uhhh...”

A blonde-haired girl wobbled slightly, her head nodding forward as her body tilted to one side.

Her eyes were half-closed, a clear sign that sleep was overtaking her. Her face looked as if she might drift off at any moment.

Perhaps it was the heavy meal causing drowsiness, or maybe she simply had a tendency to nap during the day. However, judging by the hazy look in her eyes, neither seemed to be the case.

Thud.

Before the girl could fully topple over, the waiting maids swiftly and carefully supported her, guiding her away with gentle hands.

“Mnmm...”

[Arina, you’re so embarrassing...]

The girl drooled in her sleep, completely unbothered, while the ghostly figure of another girl nearby covered her face with both hands, as though wishing she could vanish into a hole.

And so, the girl exited the scene, leaving Ihan blinking at the pitiful sight of the beautiful maiden sleeping soundly, drool and all.

What’s up with her acting like she has narcolepsy all of a sudden?

Before long...

“...What did you do?”

He began to suspect what he had eaten.

The duke, showing no inclination to hide it, casually replied.

“I simply gave her a little medicine. No need to worry—it’s an herbal remedy that invigorates the body after a good rest.”

“...I feel like the part about administering medicine might be a little wrong.”

“It couldn’t be helped. I didn’t want her overhearing this conversation.”

“For reference, did I also consume this so-called herbal remedy?”

“In fact, you had an excessive amount. I didn’t expect you to devour an entire cake, but you seem perfectly fine.”

“...So that’s why you didn’t touch it yourself.”

For the record, Ihan had polished off enough dessert for ten people.

One might worry about him developing diabetes, but ever since consuming an elixir, Ihan’s organs—including his heart and liver—had become unusually robust. No matter how much sugar he consumed, diabetes was no longer a concern, and with his incredible detoxification capabilities, even the most potent herbs or poisons were no different from mere weeds to him.

...Though obesity might still be an issue.

“Don’t misunderstand. I had no intention of harming you. If anything, such vitality-enhancing herbs are beneficial for a knight as strong as you.”

“Is it expensive?”

“Nothing of note. Merely one of the ten longevity herbs favored by the Sultan.”

“...You really took the long way around to say it’s priceless.”

“Did it sound that way?”

Already feeling burdened by the lavish hospitality he’d received, Ihan now felt even more weighed down.

But for now, he set that aside.

Because:

‘I’m the one with the leverage here!’

Ihan decided to act confidently. The other party wanted something from him and was treating him well to get it. There was no need to feel intimidated.

...At least, that should have been the case.

“My adopted daughter must not hear what I’m about to say. That’s why I put her to sleep. So I trust you’ll keep this secret.”

“...In that case, I’d rather not listen either.”

“No, you must listen. Only then will you agree to hand over that Inquisitor girl.”

“......”

Hmm...

‘Am I really the one with leverage here?’

Despite his previous resolve, Ihan couldn’t shake the feeling that the balance of power wasn’t in his favor. Sweat trickled down his forehead.

“You’re aware, of course, that my wife has already passed away.”

“......”

“If so, this conversation should be straightforward.”

“Ahem...”

The duke didn’t hold back, starting with a heavy topic right out of the gate.

What is this? Trying to make me choke on what I just ate?

Thanks to his excellent digestion, he managed to keep his composure, but if not for that, his stomach might have turned at the subject. Ihan didn’t want to hear any more, but Duke Blake pressed on.

“Then you must also know that there were many suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.”

“...That part I didn’t know.”

“Then consider yourself informed. My wife was a fairy—a rare kind, one who had taken on a human form.”

“Th-That’s... impressive?”

“It’s uncommon, to say the least.”

Ihan didn’t fully grasp the significance, but fairies of the natural world were akin to spirits and often held power comparable to that of land deities.

Natural fairies were once worshiped as gods and, even in the current era dominated by organized religions, some regions still venerated them.

Particularly in the Pendragon Kingdom, fairies had played a significant role in its founding, making their status in the southern continent considerable.

Marrying such a fairy had been a monumental achievement for Duke Blake, and her death was nothing short of a historic tragedy.

“Fairies have always been prime targets. Their mysteries remain largely unsolved, and many rulers and power-hungry individuals still covet their secrets for immortality or other supernatural benefits. A certain magician, for instance, targeted my wife under the pretense of research.”

“...What happened to that magician?”

“He’s currently enjoying the hospitality of the Galahad family’s dungeon. His resilience is quite remarkable.”

“......”

“As I was saying, there were many suspicious circumstances surrounding my wife’s death.”

“...I’d heard it was an accident?”

“So it was said. But think about it—does it make sense for the mistress of the Galahad household to die in an ‘accident’?”

“......”

“She was guarded by countless protectors, all of whom I personally selected from among the elite. And yet...”

“......”

...Ihan could already guess what the duke was about to say next.

‘And yet, she died. Meaning her death was likely no accident.’

It seemed there was more to the story than what was publicly known.

Sure enough:

“As you’ve likely deduced, my wife was harmed by certain individuals. They incapacitated her guards and... killed her.”

Bang!

“......”

For a moment, the duke’s fury seemed to erupt like an explosion.

Rumble...

The sheer force of his aura rippled outward.

This was a manifestation of pure energy, a level of mastery that only knights of a certain caliber could achieve, akin to bloodlust or killing intent made tangible.

Depending on how such energy was used, it could surpass even the utility of sword resonance and boasted incredible destructive power.

And right now, the duke’s aura...