30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 162

Raq de Duron was proving to be far more meticulous than his rough appearance suggested.

That much was clear.

“The important part isn’t the flowing river or the salmon. Focus on the numbers and Morse code written afterward. And you need to interpret the metaphorical meaning of the salmon.”

“...I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Ignorant bastard. Just because you’re good with a sword and spear doesn’t make you a knight. Read a book once in a while.”

“!?”

Raq felt a surge of anger boil up from his chest.

If anyone else had said it, he might have let it slide.

But being called an ignorant bastard by this brute? It was infuriating.

Still, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and listen, given that he needed the information.

Even so, he couldn’t suppress his irritation.

‘So it’s encoded using military ciphers and literary references. Damn.’

Who would’ve thought this guy—who looked like an ogre or troll—would use such a sophisticated encryption method?

“I see now why you shouldn’t judge someone by their appearance.”

“Keep pushing my buttons, and I’ll leave.”

“That’s a shame. I was planning to serve paella for dinner.”

“......”

“Oh? You’re leaving?”

“...You’re better at negotiating than I expected for someone so irritating.”

“...And you’re the last person I want to hear that from.”

Neither was willing to back down.

But then—

“By the way, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Instead of struggling to decode this yourself, why didn’t you just ask me to do it?”

“......”

“Do you enjoy making things harder for yourself?”

“...You would’ve explained it if I asked?”

For the first time, Raq stumbled over his words.

Meanwhile, Ihan just shrugged.

“Our goals are basically the same, aren’t they?”

It was an offer of cooperation.

Raq blinked, then asked cautiously:

“...Didn’t you just follow me here because I offered you food?”

“What kind of lunatic follows someone just for food? I came because I was willing to cooperate.”

“......”

“Man, you’re something else....” freeweɓnøvel.com

“Ahem!”

Embarrassed, Raq let out a loud cough.

*****

To be honest, Ihan had always been open to cooperating with Galahad, Tristan, or any other faction that approached him.

‘They’re more capable than I expected.’

Not only were they efficient, but their skills were impressive.

Such people could be valuable allies.

Of course, Ihan preferred working alone—it was simpler.

But he also understood that taking on both the Sultan and the Magic Tower single-handedly would be... “troublesome.”

So instead—

Slurp.

“Teaming up with others makes sense.”

“A very rational decision.”

“Right? But why doesn’t your brother get that?”

“It can’t be helped. The vice-captain is... well, let’s just say he’s a little simple-minded.”

“Shut up, Luna.”

“Don’t address me by name in formal settings. It’s Sir Brigitte, Vice-Captain.”

“......”

Ihan sipped his tea as he listened to the siblings’ banter.

On the surface, he seemed relaxed.

But internally, he was assessing his condition.

‘That medicinal hot spring was no joke.’

Soaking in a bath filled with rare herbs and potions had healed not only his fatigue but also his hidden injuries.

It even flushed out toxins and impurities, leaving his body in peak condition.

After topping it off with a good meal, Ihan felt ready to move immediately if necessary.

‘Money really does solve most problems.’

Sure, people said money couldn’t fix everything.

But experiences like this made Ihan understand why people questioned that saying.

Just as he was settling into that thought—

“Why didn’t you seek help from the royal family?”

“Huh?”

“I understand the need for allies, but why limit yourself to Galahad and Tristan? Why not Pendragon?”

“......”

Raq’s question left Ihan momentarily stunned.

Was he seriously asking this?

“...Do you really not know?”

“?”

“Would you trust those white cats? I’d rather go solo than team up with them.”

It seemed obvious, so why was this guy acting clueless?

Working with them would be like pouring oil on a fire.

“Hmm... Isn’t the White Lion Order the knightly order you belong to?”

“Exactly. That’s why I know how useless they are. Sure, my friend and junior might be helpful, but they’re too busy babysitting that bratty prince right now.”

“What kind of place is the White Lion Order?”

“It’s worse than you can imagine.”

“......”

“Quit looking at me like that, you bastard.”

“...If you need food, feel free to visit the safehouse anytime.”

“Stop pitying me!”

Ihan felt a pang of frustration.

Both in his past life and this one, his workplaces were disasters.

...What a cursed life.

*****

“Galahad’s purpose hasn’t changed. We will find those zealots, uproot them completely, and burn them to ash. That is the order His Grace has given us.”