30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 20

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"...It's not too bad."

A yard that isn't vast but still decently spacious.

Lush grass and insects.

A wooden cabin overgrown with moss and vines.

It almost feels like a ghost might pop out at any moment, but even so, it's quite a fortunate find.

After all, this is an academy famous for having the most expensive land, and yet I’ve managed to get a house this cheap.

Though...

‘There are rumors of ghosts, a few murders, and stories that criminals used it as a hideout, but, well, that doesn’t matter.’

It’s a cabin with a lot of ominous rumors, but such things don't bother Ihan.

If a ghost shows up, I'll just beat it up.

If a murderer comes, I’ll beat them up too.

Criminals? I'll beat them up as well.

That’s all there is to it.

So, for Ihan, this place is a rare gem.

More importantly...

“A cliff in the back hills... is this paradise?”

He could climb cliffs here!

That thought alone made Ihan feel more content than ever.

This was a successful move.

Suddenly, after three years, Ihan had to move.

There was no other choice.

Being hired as an instructor meant he had to commute to the Royal Academy instead of the knights' division.

Even if he wanted to continue commuting from his previous residence, the 25-kilometer distance made moving a necessity.

...Although, if he felt like it, he could run that distance for exercise.

But why bother?

‘It's easier to just move.’

Sure, there were other transportation options like trains and carriages.

As mentioned before, this world might not have gone through an industrial revolution, but there are some oddly advanced technologies.

However, transportation here is incredibly expensive.

If a commoner took the train for a month, they’d go bankrupt.

So, moving is the better deal.

Of course, it was a hassle and a waste to spend his precious one-week break, meant for course adjustments, house-hunting. But having found a house that was so perfect, the trouble felt worth it.

Thunk.

“Phew, is this the last of it?”

“Sir Knight, where should I put this?”

“Just leave it anywhere. I’ll organize it later.”

“Okay!”

The helper had successfully moved everything except the fragile items without any mistakes. Despite being clumsy, Leira had impressive strength and health.

‘...Was that wardrobe always so light?’

She lifted something meant for two people with ease. God certainly is fair.

She may have been blessed with beauty and health, but her intelligence was left quite low.

“She’d be a hit at a construction site.”

Especially with the supervisors.

There’s no better worker than her. Though, she might not be paid fairly, so it's best not to take her there.

Thunk!

“Wow, Sir Knight! You’re so strong! The tree just came right out!”

“I didn’t pull it out; I just broke it.”

“But why are you breaking perfectly fine trees?”

“This tree is dead. If left alone, it'll attract bugs.”

“I see! But can you really break a tree with your bare hands?”

“If you train enough, anyone can do it.”

“Wow! Can I do it too?”

“Hmm, follow me for about half a year, no, maybe a year, and you might...”

Given her natural build, if she trained for a year, she might even be on par with some of the weaker knights.

‘She’d be perfect as a martial artist.’

Though lacking in brains, she might be a talent fit for dominating the world of women's boxing.

Just as these greedy thoughts crossed his mind, like a boxing coach discovering a prodigy...

“—What the hell are you talking about? Can you have a normal conversation, please?”

Someone interrupted their nonsense.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“Yeah, I’m here, you lunatic.”

“Why are you picking a fight the moment you see me?”

“Because you give me reasons to.”

“??”

“...Never mind, what am I even saying to a half-troll.”

“Who are you calling a half-troll?!”

...He has a surprisingly sharp sense.

Jake Palmer.

Ihan’s only friend, shaking his head in exasperation with a sigh.

Unfortunately, the warm housewarming culture of celebrating a friend’s move does not exist in the Kingdom of Pendragon.

Instead, people go to the church affiliated with the temple to request blessings, offering donations. Would you believe it?

There are countless people who’ve gone bankrupt making those donations in the capital. It’s terrifying.

That’s why Ihan remained an atheist in this life, just as he was in his previous one.

He didn't want to go bankrupt, after all.

“That’s an extreme example. Donations to the temple are just a token of sincerity. It’s more about wishing for a peaceful journey to Avalon in the afterlife.”

“Enough, don’t try to preach to me here.”

“...You unbeliever.”

Jake recited part of a scripture, holding up a cross symbolizing the kingdom’s only religion, The Light of Radiance.

“All-powerful Light of Radiance, and the Seven Archangels who follow its light, forgive this blasphemous sinner and grant them your blessing, Amen.”

“Am I the blasphemous sinner you’re talking about?”

“Who else could it be?”

“...Well, thanks.”

Half was sarcasm, but half was genuine gratitude.

After all, how many people would read scripture for a friend who moved?

He was a grateful friend.

“If you’re really grateful, buy this cross.”

“You scam artist...?”

“I’d love to just give it to you, but they say if you give too much, misfortune follows.”

“......”

Forget it. He’s not that grateful.

He’s like those shady vendors who force amulets on you while you wait at the subway.

Though he grumbled, Ihan eventually tossed Jake two silver coins.

Not because he was a sucker, but because presenting the silver-plated cross at the temple could get him cheaper divine healing later on.

It was a rare-grade item, in a way.

“Since it's from a mid-level priest, you might get up to a 30% discount.”

“Enough, just give me what you brought.”

“Always in a hurry.”

Jake grumbled about not being offered tea, but still quietly handed over the letter.

Information he had commissioned from the guild.

Though Ihan could have bought it himself, he preferred this indirect method just in case.

“They’ve hidden the information on the Grand Duke quite thoroughly, so there isn’t much. The same goes for the Duke. What’s written here is probably just what everyone else knows.”

“That’s more than enough.”

He wasn’t expecting detailed information.

Whoosh.