30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 194

Ihan had long been aware that someone was watching him with malevolent intent.

Still, he had deliberately not captured the spy, suspecting that any overt recognition would scare him into fleeing.

‘Quite impressive.’

Ihan examined the muscles of the man who had emerged from the woods, now lying wounded from his axe. Just by looking at his muscles and skeletal structure, it was evident he was a formidable 'expert.'

Acting had paid off. Had he not pretended, the man would have surely escaped.

“That man is...!” “Do you know him?” “...He is a senior inquisitor who transferred to the [Paladin Order]. Sir Turner is a much greater expert than I am, but why would such a person be hiding? Moreover, how did you down him in one hit...?" “Now paladins are falling down too?”

Ihan pressed his foot down on what's-his-name, the paladin’s abdomen.

Crunch!

“Aaaaah!”

Indeed, a significant expert. Despite the axe wound piercing his stomach, he was still alive—a testament to his robust vitality. Ihan pressed down harder.

“Uuuugh! Stop, please stop...!”

As Turner regained consciousness, he pleaded, but Ihan was unresponsive.

The typical script from these types was all too predictable. They'd start with threats like ‘the temple will not forgive this!’ If that didn’t work, they’d try to bribe, ‘We’ll pay you! Just cooperate with us!’ And when all else failed...

“Do you think the Light will forgive this kind of act?!”

“...Tiresome, really.”

Using the name of God as a bargaining chip...

Ihan was tired of dealing with these madmen. Why did they have to bother him when he was just trying to live quietly?

So.

“Sosim.” “Yes?” “Call some people over.” “Whom do you mean?” “Derek and the Chick’s dad.” “......” “Why?” “...Just thought the peace was over.”

“Peace? When was there ever peace—”

*****

Soon after the call was made, people began to gather around Ihan’s house.

“Good to see you, Sir Ihan.”

Galahad’s shadow.

“Pleased to meet you for the first time, Sir Turtle. I’ve heard much about you. It’s regrettable that our first meeting is under these circumstances.”

A knight from Lionel.

The two most powerful forces from the southern continent were now assembled, and they promptly set to work.

“Is this swine the one who insulted Galahad and the lady?” “The temple dares—!” “You will not die easily. No, let me correct that; you and all associated with you will learn there is a hell in this life...!”

Apparently, Galahad, already resentful towards religious forces, had completely lost their temper over Irene being insulted. Those associated with the unknown priest were about to start a life worse than death.

“I’ve always had many questions about the temple, now I get to resolve them.” “Don’t be too rough. The Duke insisted we bring them back alive.” “That’s true, but just in case they try to escape, let’s cut off their arms and legs. Oh, don’t worry Sir Turtle. There won’t be any bloodshed here.”

While Lionel seemed not too remorseful about the temple’s predicament, following orders with a sense of thoroughness, they were rather mechanical in carrying out their duties.

“Sir Ihan, might you turn over those inquisitors as well? They seem like they could betray us any moment. We could take them off your hands.” “Wouldn’t they be better off with us?” “You snow cats don’t know your place.” “Better than you sinister lot, you colts.” “......” “Stop staring and come at me, I’ll take you on anytime.”

“...If you’re going to fight, go elsewhere.”

Was calling both forces at once a mistake?

The tension was palpable, and Ihan just shrugged.

They're fighting among themselves without him having to give them anything; typical.

“Um, are you really thinking of turning us over?” “Sir Ihan! Please, I beg you, don’t turn us over!” “We didn’t know anything—!”

The inquisitors had been on tenterhooks since the arrival of Galahad and Lionel's knights, now trembling with pallid faces as they struggled to survive.

If Ihan truly handed them over, they might face a fate worse than death.

Thus, they clung to Ihan, their only lifeline.

“Anyone would think I'm about to kill you? Didn’t I just save you? I don’t really plan on killing you.”

“Ah, Sir Ihan!”

“...Well, only if you’re innocent.”

“...Yes?”

“Seems like he’s here.”

“??”

He gestured to a spot ahead, but nothing was visible there.

What had arrived?

“-Ha, excellent. Can you now sense my presence? That’s impressive progress.”

...How long had he been there?

People widened their eyes. It seemed as if a person had suddenly risen from the ground where no presence was felt before. It felt almost ghostly.

Yet, despite the focused attention of the knights, the old butler, dressed in butler’s attire, simply smiled kindly and walked leisurely.

“Long time, Butler.”

“Pleased as well.”

“...I didn’t say I was pleased.”

“Isn’t pleasure expressed not with words but with the look in your eyes? I sense pleasure in your eyes, Sir Ihan.”

“Maybe it’s fear and trembling, not pleasure?”

“You’ve developed a sense of humor, ahaha.”

“...If the Butler says so, then it must be.”

Ihan respectfully bowed his head, as if he had no choice but to submit.

Although Ihan always behaved politely toward adults older than himself (except for those who did not seem human), he was even more courteous than usual, and at some point, sweat began to bead on his brow.

He continued to sweat as if he had been caught in the rain, yet Ihan could not muster the courage to wipe it away and simply kept his head bowed.

...Though he had not realized it before, he seemed to understand a little more now.

This person is truly-

‘[A Superhuman].’