Regressor, Possessor, Reincarnator

Allen recalled the first time he read that worn-out black book.

「Reader Kim Woojin, 21. Possessed the extra character, ‘Julius Reinhart’, of the “The Feast of the Reincarnated Demon King”.」

The contents of the book were shocking in many ways.

Obviously.

‘What does it mean by ? What does its existence mean? And that bastard transmigrated into it?’

Was the world really just a story like the book said? Or could it be a prophetic book telling the story of a future that might truly come? Where did that bastard come from, and who sent him here?

He came to learn many things that he hadn’t known through that black book, and he had even more questions.

However, he couldn’t find the answers. After all, it was all that was written in the book. How could he be sure if it were true or not?

But one thing was clear.

‘He thinks of this world as a story.’

His behavior was really easy to understand. He prioritized solving something called Quests and considered everyone he met to be side characters.

He also showed an interest in one thing in particular.

One of the ‘main characters’ mentioned in the black book.

Heisel Kailus.

The black book mentioned him a lot.

「Julius makes a plan. After building up his strength as quickly as possible, he heads to the academy. Because in the original story, the main character…」

「He needs to meet with him before he goes his own way. Before the story even begins. If he pays attention to their relationship now…」

「It is clear what he is thinking now. He wants to live a quiet life, unlike the one he has lived in the past where he was overthrown by the Demon King…」

The main character of the original story.

The Demon King.

Him.

That man—referred to by many names—was closely tied to every reason why Julius moved.

The ‘Reincarnator’ in the white book’s title must’ve referred to him.

The book said that the devil was reborn as a human, and who would be more likely to have been reincarnated?

As Allen became able to read more things from the book over time, he learned more about the devil. And as a result, he became conflicted as to what to do with him.

He didn’t know much about him.

In the end, all he remembered was fragmented information, so it was hard to judge.

‘I never thought that I would’ve regretted not having looked at Vestla unless it was related to Julius.’

Julius seemed to have been planning to prevent future disasters after having reincarnated.

No, not exactly.

‘...Is that what it said at the end of the story? …Is that what it said?’

Like a person who thought of this world as some form of mere entertainment would, he seemed to want to change the future in whatever direction he so desired.

Allen wasn’t sure what reason it would be for, but…

‘I’m sure he’s trying to draw other reincarnators.’

If that were to happen, there would be a high possibility that Heisel would become an obstacle for Julius.

‘Then what should I do…?’

He raised his head and saw the book wrapped in chains floating in the air.

Unlike the two books that he could freely open, this book was wrapped in thick chains and tied up, as if he didn’t meet the qualifications to read it.

“Maybe…”

Allen recalled the final moments of his last life, when something had gone through his body.

“...If I could untie that chain…”

If only he could read that book.

If he could use that book, wherein the actions of the reincarnated ones were recorded…

He hesitated.

“No, I’m not ready yet.”

He was thinking too far into it. He shook his head. There was no need to cling on so desperately to something he wasn’t certain of yet.

It was urgent to get out of the ruins now.

* * *

Vestla left the ruins, talking to Allen without any breaks.

“Do giants have lifespans too?”

Mythological beings like dragons and giants were said to have no fixed lifespan. It was possible for them to live for tens of thousands of years—or more—but not many do.

⟬Lifespan? Who ever lives to that point? Don’t you all die from boredom?⟭

Most died in battle, and those who had already lived for thousands of years tended to end their lives on their own.

[You’re asking how? A giant who loves the mountains turns itself into a mountain, and a giant who loves another certain race will incorporate its body into their land. Did you not know that?]

She wondered if Allen had no common sense. Yet when he told her that giants were treated as ancient legends in the present day, the sword trembled in rage.

⟬What? Ancient? Hah. Has that much time really passed? My lovely age…⟭

Unlike her lighthearted personality, she boasted about her quite expansive knowledge.

‘Was this information easily accessible to anyone back then?’

From their civilization and culture to the social system of the giants of that time; there was nothing she didn’t know.

⟬Do you know what an Official is? You likely think of giants as savages, but I was a super-super-duper-elite Official back in the day, you know?⟭

She put on airs, talking about positions that he’d never even heard of.

⟬Don’t believe me? You know that this current civilization that you’re talking about is more barbaric, right? Hah, feudalism, when did we get rid of that?⟭

Feudalism. 

He understood the meaning vaguely, but wasn’t sure exactly what it meant.

She answered most of his personal questions, but refused some, keeping her mouth tightly shut.

“So, why were you there?”

⟬……⟭

“Why did the era of the giants and dragons end?”

⟬……⟭

As if she hadn’t heard the question, she didn’t respond.

Allen asked a few more similar questions before giving up.

⟬I’m sorry. I can’t talk about it.⟭

“No, everybody has secrets.”

After all, he hadn’t revealed everything to her either, but still asked for help.

Regressor, Possessor, Reincarnator.

Although it would’ve been worth asking about, she didn’t ask him anything about it. She knew that too. Maybe she wasn’t in the mood to ask yet, considering that their relationship was quite ambiguous at this point.

They hadn’t spent enough time together to form any trust yet. It was just a relationship that had come about in the ancient ruins. Both Allen and she knew. However, there was one thing they were certain of: that she didn’t necessarily need Allen, but…

‘I need her.’

Unaware that there was even a title on the book, he needed her because she might have even more information. So Allen didn’t hide his motivations. Was it even necessary to hide his true purpose from the sword—who was not a human—in the first place?

“Now that you’ve been released from the ruins, is there somewhere you’re going to go?”

⟬Hm… No? There’s nowhere in particular. Why?⟭

“To be honest, I need you.”

⟬What?⟭

Gazing at the light peeking out from the entrance ahead, Allen said calmly, “I need your power. I need your ability to read the titles that even I, the owner of the books, cannot. I hope to gain lots of knowledge and learn swordsmanship from you.”

Julius must’ve learned how to handle swords from Vestla.

What couldn’t he do if he had?

She was quite knowledgeable in that regard. So the fact that he could learn so much lost knowledge from her was enough of a reason to keep her around. Furthermore, she was strong. There was no need to doubt her performance as a weapon.

Surprised by his forward remarks, she paused, leaving the sword floating gracefully in the air.

⟬Ah… Hm, yes. That was quite an embarrassing confession, but, well, alright.⟭

Allen had been pondering what conditions he would have to meet. Yet, unlike what he had expected, she waved her blade side to side in agreement as she immediately accepted his request.

⟬It’s a grown-up’s duty to help a young giant.⟭

Letting out a sigh of relief at her acceptance, Allen grabbed her, who had been flying right in front of him. He replied, “Thank you. Well, then… Do you have any other special abilities?” 

⟬Special abilities? Is being a talking sword not enough? Do you have a conscience?⟭

Allen looked at her, dumbfounded. Vestla wiggled her handle to escape his hand.

⟬I’m too tired, so I can’t do it now. I wanted to go to sleep so badly, but I was afraid you’d leave me behind. But now that we’re out, I… Yawn… Let me close my eyes for just a second.⟭

“Alright, please take care of me.”

⟬Yes… I’m in your care as well…⟭

With those words, she settled quietly into his hands.

Allen turned around for a moment.

The entrance to the ruins was still there, welcoming its invaders with its black jaws wide open.

“I’ve done everything I’d hoped to do.”

A thin arc spread across his lips at the fact that he’d succeeded at everything he’d wished for at the ancient ruins.

Now, it was time to leave.

Julius—that bastard—would be waiting at home.

* * *

* * * 

Allen moved, hiding around the most deserted area he could find.

Because he was naked, left without even a single thread to cover himself.

He moved as quickly as he could, limiting the time he spent eating and sleeping. His new body was able to adjust to its senses after moving for a few days. It was still difficult to control his power finely, but it was safe to say that he wouldn’t have to worry about destroying the ground with one step anymore.

He didn’t forget about the things he’d have to do while he was on the move.

‘First, I’ll meet with Miss Francisca.’

He needed to tell her exactly what he’d given her.

He’d heard from Inellia afterward that the chimera’s spirit, like Allen had guessed, was a devil. But Allen couldn’t feel from the chimera what he’d felt directly from the devil; that particular feeling of reluctance.

If that bastard inside Julius were the devil, then what about the one that Allen had met in his previous life? 

‘Was it not the devil?’

He needed to know what was different and why.

Next was Inellia. There was a contract between them formed through the chimera sorcerer. He didn’t intend to force anything out of her, but he did need to have a conversation with her, at the very least.

‘The chimera sorcerer’s track record is quite questionable.’

It’d be good if she could find a clue about the forces that had followed the chimera sorcerer.

Where did he get them in the first place when he was only sticking around the mountains?

The stone sword. The ancient fairy’s body. And all that magic enhancing techniques.

The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt.

As Allen planned his return to the manor, he heard Vestla’s voice. She came to consciousness a few times a day, saying it was difficult to maintain consciousness for too long.

⟬Where are we? There are a lot of carriages here, huh? Didn’t you say you lived in a secluded place?⟭

“Are you up now? I wouldn’t quite say it’s ‘secluded’, but the reason why there are so many carriages is—Ah.”

Allen realized that it had been more than a month since he’d left the manor.

‘Is it already time for that disaster to happen?’

He remembered the events that Julius was around for in relative detail.

He could hear the details without even needing to listen. His whereabouts after leaving their territory were only rumors, but it wasn’t at all important at the moment.

He was able to get detailed information about it in the black book.

‘The important thing now is…’

The disaster that would arise at the festival.

Thanks to that, his family was humiliated by the surrounding nobles.

Allen sped up. He’d spent more time training than he’d thought.

He answered her question calmly, as if it were nothing.

“...I suppose Thanksgiving is almost over.”

⟬Thanksgiving? What’s that? From just the name, it kinda sounds like an anniversary…⟭

She didn’t know what Thanksgiving was. Did they have lots of food in ancient times? Allen explained the meaning of Thanksgiving in simple terms.

That it was a festival to share the joy of the first harvest of the year.

The biggest festival was held in Elle Round, a city directly owned by his family, which was why there were so many carriages gathered around.

As he explained, she murmured curiously, ⟬That’s so interesting! I can’t believe there’s a festival like that. As expected, things were better back in the day. For there to be a shortage of food…⟭

She said that the food was rotting today as a result of the elves’ disappearance, but, well, Allen couldn’t quite believe it.

‘The amount of food that a giant would eat in a day would be pretty huge, but she’s saying that there was still food left over after taking care of them?’

Even now, the number of people who died of starvation had decreased thanks to elvish imports. However, the number of people was only decreasing; it had not yet disappeared. 

Still, people died. It was natural. 

‘But…’

Their food in storage was on the verge of rotting away.

Apart from the fact that there would’ve been a surplus of dangerous monsters everywhere, ancient times must’ve been more of a paradise for the poor.

Not having been in need of food and having a highly civilized society, being worshiped by other races, possessing forces comparable to that of the dragons. There was no reason it should’ve disappeared into history.

‘Is this situation the same thing as in the ancient empire?’

Why would the era of such a brilliant civilization end so suddenly twice?

Allen continued quickly making his way, recalling the questions that many historians had pondered.

Suddenly—

“Kill them!”

“Take them all!”

—He heard the sounds of iron banging and loud shouting.

Allen’s heart vibrated softly as he extended his sensing range into the direction of the commotion. An overwhelmingly large range compared to before.

He closed his eyes and focused, drawing up a picture of the situation.

A few carriages, mercenaries guarding them, and thieves in numbers twice that of the mercenaries.

It was an everyday raid.

Usually, soldiers would patrol around the city to prevent accidents. However, they were currently occupied with a crowded festival. It was impossible to prevent all of the usual mishaps. But at times like this, it was obvious that more would fall through the cracks than normal.

‘I can’t tell if this is good luck or bad luck…’

What else would this be good for if not a quick haul? 

Unfortunately, there was no chance that the bandits’ surprise attack would be successful.

“This is a chance to test my strength.”

He had no intention of leaving them be.

Allen wrapped a thread around his body. The exponential amount of mana he consumed came together to form a solid thread to cover his naked body.

Temporarily covered, he hit the ground immediately, sprinting.

His aim was simple.

‘They must’ve heard rumors around the county for the last month.’

Merchants were sensitive to trends, as well as rumors.

Also, he had his status as the eldest son of the duke as well as the justification of having just saved them from an attack.

Anybody—even the most profit-driven merchants—would be likely to cooperate smoothly.

‘I tried to find a place to get clothing, but, well…’

He hid as he went. How much further would he have to go in such a shameful way? He approached his destination.

“Please act like an ordinary sword when in front of anyone else.”

⟬Well, hello! I am just an ordinary sword! Is that good?⟭

Allen didn’t answer, rushing back behind the battlefield.

He didn’t use magic. It'd be too much for these little vermins.

A bandit that was standing towards the edge of the battle quickly turned his head to the sight of something approaching him at a high speed.

“...Wh-What?”

The bandit turned back immediately, standing with a sloppy stance. Believing in the capabilities of his slight magic proficiency, his confidence seemed to have inflated.

However—

“Who the fuck are y—Huh?”

Stab.

In an instant, the decapitated bandit’s head rose into the air.

Allen admired the cleanliness of the sword’s work, having felt no resistance. With this, it didn’t matter to him if she didn’t have any other special abilities.

As he broke into the battlefield, the bandits shouted in quick succession.

“What are you?!”

“It’s a new enemy!”

“You take care of him! I’m busy over here!”

“No, fuck! There’s something wrong with this fucker!”

“You do it!”

The bandits seemed to have a different style of command and hierarchy system. It seemed somewhat clumsy, but they seemed a little more threatening than typical bandits in that most of them could use a little bit of magic.

‘But they’re still bandits.’

It seemed as if they had worked very hard to grow stronger to get good hauls, but they would have never imagined that they would meet an opponent like him.

Allen flung himself towards an approaching bandit.

“Kill—”

Stab.

“Ah, fuck—”

There was no blood on the sharp blade. And when he swung his fist about, he felt only its mud-like touch.

Squelch.

The fleshy brain came out of its skull with lots of blood trailing behind.

‘Bunch of insects.’

Allen directed his cold eyes at them.

Parasites that ate away at the county’s citizens. 

The accident that would occur at the festival would also have to do with bandits, so Allen had no mercy to show them.

His sensing range covered the entire battlefield, allowing him to identify each bandit. Now, he’d be able to track every one of them, even if they ran away.

Allen stomped into the earth, expressionless.

“B-Behind you. A monster is… is comi—”

“Call the others again, dammit! Call them again!”

And so, the slaughter began.