Chapter 114 - Damn Reincarnation

The Forest

“Well, then.”

THUMP!

A huge hand clapped Eugene on the back. It was presumably meant as a gesture of affection, but the absurdly large hand sent him rocking even with a light pat.

“See you next time, my friend.”

“Who says I’m your friend?”

Eugene steadied himself and shot the man a glare. He tried to make it fierce, but his face was hardly intimidating. All his scowling since infancy had done was give him a nasty look around the eyes. Objectively speaking, he was handsome—extremely handsome—and merely furrowing his brow did nothing to faze the man.

That was only natural. The man’s face was truly fearsome. Black tattoos covered his brown skin, and several scars marked his face. No matter how Eugene contorted his expression, he could never compare to the man, even with the broad smile currently on his face.

Nor was it just him. The dozens of natives following behind him all had fierce faces and massive builds.

The Zoran tribe.

They were one of the handful of great tribes in Samar, and the man standing beside Eugene was their young heir. Unbelievable as it was from his appearance, he was nineteen—the same age as Eugene.

“We shared a drink, so we’re friends.”

“I only drank because you were so damn stubborn about making me.”

Grumbling, Eugene turned his head.

He had met the Zoran tribe a month ago, not long after leaving the elves’ village.

After calling down lightning with the Lightning Bow, he had immediately set out with the elves. The dim-witted natives had been terrified by the sudden lightning, but the sight of the mass elven exodus had them salivating and charging in.

He had cleared away many—truly many—natives from their path. He had never intended to kill them, but these were not opponents he could afford to treat gently. They must not attack him. Unless he instilled that fear in them, they would keep coming, and their numbers would only grow.

He had thought it would be a grueling journey.

On the first day alone, he had dealt with nearly a hundred natives. The timing was unfortunate. The area was packed with tribal warriors who had attended the slave market. To them, chasing and hunting more than a hundred elves was no different from a fun afterparty.

He had expected attacks all through the night. Perhaps they should use the World Tree saplings to erect the barrier again and see how things developed... or would it be better to call for reinforcements? While he and Kristina were discussing those options, Ivata, Zoran’s heir, had come to see them. Eugene noticed the other tribes openly watching Ivata’s reactions and, rather than attacking him outright, decided to hear him out.

[“You. You’re strong.”]

After introducing his tribe and giving his name, Ivata had grinned and offered Eugene a handshake.

[“I know what those flames around your body are.”]

[“So what if you do? Planning to take me hostage?”]

[“We’d lose quite a few Zoran warriors trying that.”]

Ivata had shown no hostility.

[“Those elves. Are they your slaves?”]

[“No.”]

[“Then?”]

[“I’m taking them out of this fucking forest.”]

[“Where are you taking them?”]

[“Lionheart.”]

[“Then helping you would mean helping Lionheart.”]

He hadn’t even asked permission. At Ivata’s signal, the Zoran warriors had planted their tribe’s flags around the area.

That had been the end of it. Samar’s natives feared the name Zoran far more than they feared an outsider who called down lightning, raised storms, and fired barrages of something they couldn’t identify.

For the month that followed, Ivata and the Zoran warriors had volunteered to escort them across the Great Forest. Simply traveling in their company had kept the other tribes from attacking again.

“I’ll visit Lionheart someday.”

“I’ve told you this plenty of times, too, but I never asked you for help.”

“But Zoran did help you. That’s a fact.”

Eugene had discussed many things with Ivata on the way here.

Samar’s natives disliked the Kiel Empire. To them, it was nothing more than an invader that entered their forest without permission, ruined it however it pleased, and tried to claim it as its own territory.

Most tribes probably thought that way, but the “great tribes” were different. Those established deep within the vast forest could fairly be called small countries. A tribe of that size had all sorts of interests entangled within it, and Zoran was no exception.

“Eugene Lionheart. Even if you never become family head, Lionheart won’t be able to ignore you or your power.”

When Eugene first met Ivata, his huge, muscular frame and halting use of the common tongue had reminded him of Moron, though their faces looked nothing alike.

“That’s why I want to be your friend. We’re the same age, and we’re both strong. Being my friend wouldn’t hurt you, either.”

That resemblance had only been a first impression. Ivata was smarter than Moron.

“Hasn’t that already proved true? If I hadn’t protected you and the elves, you wouldn’t have reached this place today.”

“Would I have died on the way, then?”

“Haha! You wouldn’t have died. You’re strong, after all. But you, Siknard, and Kristina—the three of you would have struggled to protect a hundred elves without any of them getting hurt.”

Ivata let out a hearty laugh and slapped Eugene on the back.

“It would have been very difficult. Reaching this place would have taken much longer, and you would have been exhausted.”

Eugene didn’t bother denying it. Ivata and the Zoran warriors had indeed made the journey incomparably easier. Without them, he might have had to stop traveling and take shelter inside the barrier. If he had tried to summon reinforcements, traveling back and forth through the forest would have cost even more time.

“I’m not asking for anything material,” Ivata said with a smile. “All I want is for you to welcome me as your guest if I visit the Lionheart estate someday.”

“That much I can do.”

Eugene also saw value in forming a connection with Ivata. He didn’t know how many more times he would visit Samar, but there was nothing to lose by establishing ties with the heir of a great tribe.

‘It would also let me find out what’s happening on their side.’

Helmuth supported the freedom of Samar’s natives. Kiel couldn’t simply send in an army and conquer Samar because several countries, including Helmuth, were keeping it in check to prevent it from taking possession of this enormous forest.

Some tribes in the forest also maintained direct relations with Helmuth’s demons.

The most powerful of these was the Kochilla tribe. They were the largest tribe in the Great Forest and ruled several neighboring tribes.

Despite their size, little was heard about the Kochilla tribe. Part of that was because their territory lay in one of Samar’s remotest regions, but the tribe itself was also excessively insular. They hadn’t attended the slave market in which most tribes participated, and they had no dealings whatsoever with any tribe they did not rule.

Eugene didn’t think Kochilla, or another tribe backed by Helmuth, had hired Barang. Still, their connection to Helmuth meant he had to be wary.

He didn’t share those thoughts with Ivata. There was nothing wrong with forming ties with him and the Zoran tribe, but Eugene did not trust him yet. Even if he had benefited from their help getting here, it was far too early to trust them.

“You’re welcome to visit, but don’t sneak across the border. Follow the proper procedures, and send me a letter before you come.”

“I have that much common sense,” Ivata said with a loud laugh.

* * *

Anisilla Caines.

As the lady of the Lionheart household, her mornings began very early.

She rose before dawn. Though she woke early, she did not immediately leave her room. Even with her husband Gilead, the family head, and her beloved children all absent from the main estate, she wished to maintain the dignity befitting the lady of the illustrious Lionheart family.

She must never appear disheveled. Above all, she could never let the household see her looking shabby after just waking up. So, as soon as she rose, she made all her preparations herself, without even a servant’s assistance.

She bathed, dried and brushed her hair, applied her makeup, and selected her clothes. Even when she had no plans to go out and expected no visitors, she never took shortcuts with her appearance.

Only after those hours of preparation did the sun rise. If the family head and her children were present, they would eat breakfast together, but Anisilla and Gerhard were the only ones currently remaining at the main estate.

She didn’t want any hostility between them, and she had kept their relationship reasonably cordial. Still, eating alone together was... frankly awkward. Gerhard felt the same way, so they rarely sat at the same table.

He ate in the annex, and she ate in the main house.

This morning was no different.

With a servant attending her, Anisilla sat at the table and savored the aroma of her coffee. One cup without so much as a spoonful of sugar. A fresh salad. The “dignity” she sought encompassed her appearance as well, and this simple meal, along with regular exercise and other habits, helped her cultivate the dignity befitting Lionheart’s lady.

She did not concern herself solely with outward appearances. While the family head was away, she managed all the affairs of the main family. Those included the various social parties.

There were many parties at the New Year.

Next week, Marquis Lagos would be hosting one. Ostensibly it was a New Year’s celebration, but in reality, it would be a chance for him to flaunt his influence.

That was nothing unusual. Most New Year’s parties hosted by high-ranking nobles were like that. How lavish was the party, and how distinguished were its guests? Through those displays, they kept other nobles in check from the very start of the year, while reshaping their relationships according to who had declined their invitations and who had attended which parties.

‘Marquis Lagos’s party overlaps with Count Breed’s. How very blatant.’

Anisilla snorted. Both men had sent invitations. As the most prestigious family in Kiel—no, on the entire continent—Lionheart could attend any party it pleased. They were the ones desperately hoping she would grace them with her presence. Which party should she attend...? Enjoying the dilemma, she checked the lists of confirmed guests, then turned the page of the report.

The report contained much more than information about parties. News concerning Lionheart. Rumors about its countless collateral branches. Starting with trivial details, such as who had married or had a child...

“Pfft!”

Anisilla spat out the coffee she had been savoring. The startled servant approached, but she had no attention to spare for either her dignity as the lady of the household or the servant watching her.

“... What is this?!”

She shot to her feet, her shoulders trembling. After reading the coffee-stained report several times, she sank back into her chair, overcome by a dizzying sense of vertigo.

‘What on earth does he think he’s... No, what has he been doing?’

The report concerned Eugene.

Apparently, just yesterday, he had entered Kiel through the southern gateway.

That alone was enough to appall Anisilla. When had he even left Kiel? She had heard that Eugene had left Black Lion Castle. No one had told her exactly where he had gone, but she had assumed he was wandering somewhere within Kiel.

Yet he had come through the southern gateway. The south. The Great Forest of Samar. When—and why—had he gone to Samar? And that wasn’t all. Natives had escorted him right up to the gateway, and not just any natives, but the Zoran tribe, one of Samar’s handful of great tribes.

“Elves?”

She had no idea what he had been doing with Samar’s savages, but apparently he had brought a hundred elves with him.

“Treeees?”

With three trees floating above his head, no less. Wondering whether she was dreaming, Anisilla pinched her thigh.

It hurt. This was no dream. Every word of this nonsensical report was true.

Escorted by natives,

leading a hundred elves,

with three trees floating above his head.

He had passed through the gateway in full view of countless people, spent a night in a southern city, and arrived at the warp gate in the capital, Seyris, this morning... All of that absurd report was true.

Finally recovering her senses, Anisilla first wiped the coffee from around her mouth with a handkerchief.

“A carriage... Get a carriage...”

“Lady Anisilla.”

The estate’s butler hurried toward her.

“We’ve received a message from the warp gate.”

“... What is it...?”

“The warp gate in Seyris is requesting a connection—”

“Who is it?!”

“Young Master Eugene...”

The butler answered with hunched shoulders. Anisilla clutched her spinning head and groaned.

“... What on earth is that boy?”

“Pardon...?”

“I never received a report that he’d gone to Samar. So why is he coming from Samar?”

“Yes...”

“And what are these elves? Not one or two, but a hundred? Where on earth did he find a hundred elves—Samar, obviously! Why did he bring elves from Samar—a hundred of them?!”

“...”

“Why is he going around with trees floating over his head?! He isn’t even doing it discreetly! Why is he making a spectacle of himself?!”

“That... I don’t... really know...”

“Connect it!”

After shrieking the order, Anisilla slumped into her chair.

“... Prepare a carriage.”

“Will you be going to meet him?”

“Should I not? Should I refuse to connect the warp gate and tell him to walk here himself?”

He should never have asked. Without answering, the butler bowed his head.

“How could I possibly do that? That... that little bas—little rascal...!”

Anisilla clenched her fists as she tried to steady her furious breathing.

“Oh my...”

After venting her frustration at the butler,

“This is... quite a surprise.”

She greeted Eugene with a gentle smile as he emerged from the warp gate.

“Are these your friends?”

Inside, she was seething. But she could not let Eugene see that. In the seven years since he had been adopted into the main family, she had never once shown him an unpleasant side of herself.

“One, two... Oh my... You certainly... have a lot of friends.”

“Are you angry?”

Eugene noticed the corners of her eyes twitching.

“Oh my... Honestly... Angry? Why would I be angry? Bringing friends home is hardly a reason to get upset.”

‘She looks angry, though...’

Her tone was excessively sweet. Eugene glanced at the servants and knights standing behind her.

He met the eyes of Hazard, captain of the White Lion Knights’ Second Division. Hazard gave a slight hunch of his shoulders and mouthed the words:

She is very angry.

“Um... They aren’t my friends.”

Eugene spoke with a quick glance behind him.

A hundred elves, including Siknard, stood at his back.

“Then... what are they?”

“Members of the household...?”

“The household...? Eugene, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”

Anisilla raised her feather fan to conceal the trembling corners of her mouth.

“Um... Rather than members of the household... they’re neighbors.”

“... That makes even less sense.”

“The main estate’s forest is pretty big, isn’t it?”

“... The forest... is large, yes. And it has plenty of trees. What are those trees over your head?”

“I’m going to plant them in the forest.”

“... There are already plenty of trees. Was there a reason you had to bring those particular ones floating over your head?”

“These are expensive, rare trees.”

“... How wonderful. So what do those elves have to do with the size of the forest—”

“I’m going to have them live there,” Eugene said with a sheepish smile.

The fan in Anisilla’s hand crumpled.