Another World Reincarnation Chronicle

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A month. That was the time it took to reach a place called Jinchun, in a location I didn’t even know.

A land overflowing with energy, where bountiful harvests were constant throughout the year. This was where all the wealth of the land converged—this was the land known as Jinchun.

From the entrance to the region, the impressively long stone-paved road stretched ahead. The absence of even a single weed peeking through the gaps must mean that this stone path is regularly maintained.

As I followed the well-kept road, I discovered towering castle walls and an wide-open castle gate. It seemed that Ch’eong-bin and Ch’aeng-a relaxed their tension, finally feeling relieved.

What should I do…

I hesitated, looking up at the massive castle gate. I had come along to clear up the misunderstanding, but I was not a true descendant of the Dragon’s Blood like them.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, just thinking for a moment…”

“Hmm… no matter how I look at it, you definitely look like a child of the Blood Dragon House…”

“You must be mistaken. I’m not a Bloodline.”

“Ah, you keep saying that. Afraid to go home? Scared your parents will scold you?”

“That’s not it…”

“I get it, everyone around your age goes through this at least once. Even Ch’eong-bin there was like that.”

“I wasn’t!”

At Ch’aeng-a’s words, Ch’eong-bin scowled. The chillness that had subsided flared back up, showing he was quite angry. Ch’aeng-a frowned slightly at Ch’eong-bin’s intensity, shaking her head.

I let out a sigh. Despite insisting that I wasn’t of the Dragon’s Blood, those two didn’t believe me. They seemed to think it was just the lie of a runaway teenager scared to go home.

Yet, I couldn’t just shake them off and run away. If I left the area now, it would likely lead to another ambush where the authority of the Dragon’s Blood wasn’t reached. There’s a saying: when the weight of the situation calls, you must follow. That’s how it was. Like it or not, I had no choice but to head toward Jinchun.

What kind of reaction would the true descendants of the Blood Dragon House show upon seeing me?

Even if they learned the truth, they wouldn’t attack me outright. After all, I held the status of a wizard from the Mage Tower, a disciple of Haiven.

“Let’s go.”

I nodded and pulled the Nightmare’s bridle. Ch’aeng-a and Ch’eong-bin walked beside me in a protective manner.

“Th-those people…”

“Shh… lower your head.”

“The Blue Dragon House…”

As we approached the large main gate, the Beastmen lined up in front began to lower their heads. Ch’aeng-a and Ch’eong-bin nodded, naturally accepting their greetings.

None dared to meet our gaze. This was true for Ch’aeng-a, Ch’eong-bin, and even myself. The Beastmen waited with lowered heads for us to pass.

This was a different reaction than from the Beastmen I had encountered elsewhere.

Then, a group of Beastmen rushed toward us from inside the castle gate.

At their head was a massive warrior, resembling a tiger.

The tiger Beastman halted before us, astonished, as he scanned Ch’aeng-a and Ch’eong-bin. He particularly scrutinized Ch’eong-bin, who was dressed in tattered rags.

“Chief Judge.”

“Ah, Lady… what on earth happened during your absence… Lord has been…!”

Ch’eong-bin scowled and pushed the figure known as Chief Judge away with her hand. He blinked in surprise, allowing himself to be pushed back easily.

“It’s just some flies swarming the child of the Blood Dragon House.”

“The child of the Blood Dragon House…? Could it be the one behind…?”

“Go back first and prepare a change of clothes and a meal. Inform the Blood Dragon House a bit late… we’ll eat over here.”

“Yes, yes!”

The tiger Chief Judge nodded and promptly disappeared, as quickly as he had come. His retreating figure resembled a cat darting away.

Ch’eong-bin and Ch’aeng-a, having sent the Chief Judge away, leisurely walked down the path. The buildings along the wide road appeared to be quite splendid.

Tall structures and golden decorations hung from eaves, adorning the sky. When the wind blew, the gold thread fluttered gently, creating soft waves.

I looked around, my mouth agape in awe. I may not have much experience traveling this land, but I had the confidence to proclaim—it would be hard to find a place as magnificent as this Jinchun, anywhere else.

As we walked along the road, the scene I saw at the city entrance was replicated here. The busy Beastmen paused their activities, lowering their heads toward us.

Even when food fell to the ground, or a pitcher tipped over spilling its contents, they did not raise their heads. The Beastmen living here seemed very accustomed to this behavior.

At the end of the road stood a gigantic mansion. I wondered what kind of power they wielded that prompted everyone to bow like this, and then I realized the mansion was about half the size of the city itself.

Beyond the towering walls, tall buildings captured my sight. Atop those high buildings were dragon decorations, large and small, perched proudly.

Ch’eong-bin and Ch’aeng-a marched confidently toward the massive door. As we approached, the tightly closed door opened without any signal.

The guards standing at the door quietly bowed their heads as they waited for us to pass.

The moment I stepped inside the mansion, numerous people rushed out from all directions, approaching me. Unlike me, who was flustered, Ch’eong-bin and Ch’aeng-a accepted their touches easily.

“It must have felt uncomfortable not being able to bathe, huh? Follow us and you’ll be taken care of.”

“Taken care of…?”

“I’ll see you later.”

Ch’aeng-a waved goodbye to me before being surrounded by a swarm of people, heading into the grand building. Ch’eong-bin did the same, glancing back at me before turning toward where Ch’aeng-a had gone.

“Please hand your luggage to us.”

“Oh, this…?”

“I’ll take care of the speaking.”

“Oh, and you need to give him meat to eat.”

“Meat…?”

Their manner was exceptionally polite. After a moment’s hesitation, I nodded and entrusted my body to their hands. They led me to a large bathhouse. Beautiful flowers floated atop the vast pool.

“Oh…”

Just as I was in awe of the massive bathhouse, women in thin clothing cautiously entered through the now-open door.

“W-what is this?”

Surprised by their sudden appearance, I hid in the pool and asked. The women who entered, tilting their heads at my question, replied.

“We came in to assist with your bath… is there anything uncomfortable…?”

“Bath assist…?”

In both my past and present life, I had never received assistance for a bath before. Blushing, I entrusted my body to the women.

A soft cloth lathered with bubbles caressed my body, and gentle hands combed through my hair. As I received this service, my body grew languid.

From start to finish, I lifted a finger. After my body was thoroughly washed, I was guided into a spacious room and dressed in clean clothes. My luggage was in that room.

Standing before a large mirror, I examined my appearance. Shiny yet light attire. Draped over clothing stripped of cumbersome layers was a red cloak. The golden embroidery depicting dragons was striking. The sleeves of my outfit flowed loosely. It seemed more focused on style than practicality.

I brushed the long, flowing red hair back with my hand. A soft towel dried me off, but I still wasn’t completely dry. I summoned a hot flame to zap away the remaining moisture from my hair.

“The young lord and lady are waiting for you…”

The young lord and lady clearly referred to Ch’eong-bin and Ch’aeng-a. I strapped the sword that was set up in the corner of the room to my waist and followed behind them.

New shoes had even been prepared for me. They appeared to be harmonious with my tiny feet.

Following Ch’aeng-a through the vast estate, I walked along the path decorated with big and small trees, crossing a small bridge leading over a large pond. When I peeked over, I could see big koi swimming in the pond.

“Oh, you’re here.”

It was Ch’aeng-a’s voice. She stood before the wide verandah, looking just as she did when we first met. An appetizing aroma wafted from inside, indicating that a meal was already prepared.

“Was it uncomfortable?”

“No.”

“Um…”

Ch’aeng-a wiggled her eyebrows at my reply. She gestured for the people who had been guiding me to leave.

“Come up. Bin is waiting.”

Following Ch’aeng-a into the room inside the verandah, an incredibly lavish spread awaited me. I was so entranced by the delicious-looking food that it took me a moment to spot Ch’eong-bin.

Cough cough…

Seated in the highest position, Ch’eong-bin was wearing far more extravagant clothes than before. He held a rapier instead of the sword he usually carried, and his disheveled hair was neatly combed back.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

Ch’aeng-a seated me next to her, then began to serve me various dishes. Ch’eong-bin, sitting at the head of the table, flinched at the sight of us, though he didn’t take any further action.

The food was delicious. It had an intense salty, sweet, and spicy flavor, which suited my taste quite well.

Then, in that moment. As I was comfortably munching on food, I sensed a massive energy approaching at a terrifying speed from afar.

Ch’aeng-a and Ch’eong-bin also seemed to feel this energy, putting down their chopsticks and staring at the door.

How much time passed like this? Suddenly, a hot wind burst in. The figure revealed along with the warm breeze was that of a young handsome man.

With flowing red hair like flames, complete with horns on his head and red scales covering the backs of his hands, sharp nails wreathed in white smoke were seen.

“You…”

“Jekrin, you…”

The man called Jekrin strode boldly into the room, approaching me. His actions were overly natural.

The moment he moved closer, Jekrin unleashed flames toward me. Ch’aeng-a gasped and stood up.

Whoosh-!

“You, you… you crazy…!”

Jekrin ignored Ch’aeng-a’s reaction. His gaze was fixed solely on me.

The flames weren’t hot. I blankly looked down at the red flames clinging to my body. As the flames poured over me, I began to transform.

Red scales and sharp nails grew, little fangs poked out of my mouth, and horns sprouted from my head.

Jekrin, looking down at me, spoke in a trembling voice.

“The blood of the Blood Dragon House is certainly present… but…”

“Me…?”

“Whose child are you…?”

Jekrin sank down beside me, his expression filled with confusion.