Regressor, Possessor, Reincarnator

Chapter 22

What did you say?

Allen couldnt understand the news hed just heard.

Baron Fern escaped?

Yes, sir! That is the news circulating amongst the maids right now.

Linbelle replied, batting her sparkling purple eyes, comfortable in her bed. Allen looked at Inellia, who silently nodded in agreement. 

There was no reason for them to be lying. Even more so if it was a lie that could be quickly found out.

No, ha. It cant be

It was said that one was left speechless when overly shocked, and now was proof of that.

Baron Ferns place of imprisonment was only an annex away from the main building. He was meant to be kept there until tried by Duke Gaielle, his master.

So how?

The crippled Baron Fern, from a solitary cell without sunlight, defeating the soldier guarding the door? In a way where nobody saw it? All while avoiding the attention of all of the servants within the manor?

He escaped?

Dumbfounded, Allen burst into a fit of laughter.

Was the level of security at the manor so lax?

Because Inellia and Linbelle hadn't been properly trained yet, their behavior was awkward, but having them there was still faster than changing his clothes alone.

I should go to my father.

Allen took a deep breath. He could guess that his father had had a hand in this. So it would backfire on him to act emotionally. As such, he took a moment to calm down while standing in front of the door to his fathers study and raised his hand.

Knock, knock.

He knocked with a touch of aristocratic grace, incongruent with his impatient intentions. 

Father, its Allen. May I come in?

With the same stiff tone as usual, Gaielle allowed his visit.

Come in.

His father stared at him with his usual cold face.

Struggling to suppress the doubts plaguing him, Allen asked, Father, have you heard the news of Baron Ferns escape?

Yes, I was told early this morning as well.

His fathers expression remained unchanged, suggesting that he had indeed already heard the news. Not needing to say anything else, Allen stated his intentions directly.

I will set up a search party to find him.

Theres no need.

Father.

Weve already sent a search party after him, so theres no need.

His father answered without hesitation, as if hed expected it. Allen couldnt understand what it was he wanted.

What the fuck was he thinking? Everything in the manor was under his control. Yet nobody saw Baron Fern escaping?

In that case, where is Sorcerer Prindal? If hes with them, theyll catch him in no time.

Was it even possible to safely evade a Rank 5 sorcerer? He was lucky enough to have escaped at all, but hed surely be caught quickly now. 

Did he not return to the house with Julius at all? Even though I clearly saw Francisca go to meet with him?

If he were in the manor, theres no chance he wouldnt have noticed.

Sir Prindal had something urgent come up right after his return. He left together with Miss Francisca. 

Is that so?

What a coincidence.

The night that Baron Fern escaped, the Rank 5 sorcererthe one who could detect his escape faster than anyone elsehad to leave town for something urgent?

What was Baron Ferns true identity? What was Gaielle scheming? No, was it even right to call it scheming?

A feeling of discomfort of unknown origin wrapped around Allens body, making him feel stuffy, as if walking through a thick fog. This time, too, his black book and his memories from before the regression were of no use.

But what was even the point of knowing the future?

Only the biased information from Allen and Juliuss memories were of value.

However, it was impossible to find information about the distant future from the book, so the frustration returned twofold.

There isnt enough information.

He took a deep breath.

In any case, his father had no intention of revealing the truth. Wasnt it clear that this was then the only way to proceed?

If I cant find out anything about Baron Fern

Please swear on mana, Father.

Gaielle just watched him quietly with his deep eyes.

I shall graciously pay the price of my disrespect. Please forgive me.

Their gazes met. His father was always like that. Back then, now, and in the future too.

Swear on mana that you were not involved in Baron Ferns escape.

How long must they have simply stared at each other?

Just after the clock had ticked in that quiet room thirty times, his father began to speak.

Now, I must know of your disrespect towards me.

Could his heir even call on him, the duke, to take an oath? Yet he couldnt help but confirm this.

Maybe it was all a coincidence? Maybe it was his father's will, or there was someone behind the scenes manipulating it all. If not, what else couldve been involved?

I will take responsibility for my actions.

He had to know for sure. That was the only reason why Allen had acted out so rudely, something hed normally never even think of doing. That kind of behavior that hed detestedunaristocratic behavior. Acting without logic or reason.

He felt uncomfortable, but it couldnt be helped. There was no other option.

I shall graciously pay the price of my disrespect. Please forgive me.

Gaielle stared at Allen for a while before speaking quietly. The words came out slowly.

I never helped Baron Fern escape. I swear on mana itself.

Mana rushed and winded around his body.

And

Are you satisfied now?

Nothing happened.

Gaielle spoke to him with a calm face.

This time, Allen, I will accept this as a behavioral outlier made in fear that Juliuss successes might be tainted by Baron Ferns escape.

Allen knew what he really meant.

Everyone here knows how you think so much of your brother, so Im sure theyll understand this as such.

It was just an excuse. Gaielle would help him save face so that Allen wouldnt have to run away.

So, go relax in your room. Got it?

Yes, I understand.

At that, Allen firmly nodded. In any case, the actions he just witnessed had decisively proven who had taken the lead and assisted with the escape.

As he walked out of the study, Linbellewho had been waiting in front of the studywhispered softly, likely worried about Allen who had entered with a much more optimistic expression.

Are you okay, sir?

Yeah.

Why dont you take a little break?

Allen shook his head at her words. He didnt have enough time to rest in his room. Even if he couldnt pursue Baron Fern, there was more work to be done.

I need to go see my mother to introduce you all. And I should greet her after not seeing her for a long time.

He thought it would be good to get done what he had been planning to do while getting them trained as maids at the same time.

It was upsetting that he wasnt able to learn anything about Baron Fern, but it was also comforting that he was able to talk with his father and get some information.

Allen led them to the front terrace of the main building where his mother frequented.

* * *

* * * 

She who had glossy purple hair, a youthful appearance unbefitting of her true age, and extraordinary dignity and grace was Eliza, the lady of the house and Allens mother.

Allen. I havent seen you at all lately.

She smiled brightly until Allen had come to her, changing her expression instantly and rolling her eyes in disappointment.

Haha Ill come more often from now on.

How many times?

What?

Shouldnt you be coming here four, no, just at least three times a week?

Allen gave a troubled smile and nodded. It was clear to him that his mother and her stubborn personality wouldnt let him say no.

Yes. Ill certainly come to visit you four times a week.

At Allen's reluctant reply, Eliza smiled again and sat opposite him.

Yes, as you should. You used to follow me around all the time when you were young. Do you know why Im so upset these days? You and Julius, youre both always working! Its so lonely.

His mother was speaking playfully, but it was clear that her words were sincere. That was just the kind of person she was.

So you two

His mother, who'd been talking about him for quite a while now, looked behind him. Linbelles head kept nodding, as if greatly fatigued, and Inellia stood there, quietly trying to wake her up.

Are you two the new maids Ive heard of?

Yes, maam.

When we suggested you to pick some yourself, you refused. But then you changed your mind all of a sudden.

I suppose. Isnt it strange to be at this age and not have a maid?

She laughed softly and asked him if he really meant it.

I dont know I dont know what the other aristocrats would think. Maybe youd be laughed at a little for being cheap?

Allen smiled bitterly at her, using teasing language on purpose. However, she was definitely right.

Why didnt he have a maid before the regression? Because he didnt have money? Yes. However, if he really wanted one, wouldnt the family have surely provided one for him? Whether it was a young girl from a small aristocratic family with no real estate or a thoroughly trained top-tier slave, it wouldve been possible to get it if he really wanted it.

However, he didnt want one in his previous life.

Because I didnt find any maids suitable to serve the duke.

The Reinhart family was in decline, but it was still a large estate ruling the duchery. How could he keep an average maid around?

That was what he had thought then

Do we really have to care about what others think?

But not anymore.

Hm? Allen, I didnt expect that from you. You mustve gone through a lot in Hibelle, huh?

Well, yes. Not so much as to change my values, though. But it gave me an opportunity to change my behavior.

Because Julius was more important to him than other peoples opinions.

It was an opportunity to recruit talented people who have potential to become one of the top eight on the continent in the future, as well as those who displayed exceptional strength, if even for a moment.

Did the opinions of others matter?

Thats great. I always wanted you to have a maid, but

His mother put her finger on her lips, as if shed seen something entertaining, and then poked her finger into Linbelles smooth cheek.

Ack!

She raised her head in surprise, saw Eliza, and stopped in her tracks. The lady, still fiddling with Linbelles soft cheeks, began to speak.

Shes cute. She hasnt lost her baby fat yet.

Linbelle stayed still while being played around with.

Theres a reason why you chose her. Shes pure. Haha.

Inellia watched Linbelle with anxious eyes since the first moment Eliza had been touching her. Allen, eventually unable to resist her desperate eyes, opened his mouth to speak.

Mother, why dont you stop. Arent you a little tired?

Shes my sons maid. She has to listen. Thats how it is. So

His mother, whod been fiddling with Linbelles cheeks for so long, finally returned to her seat and narrowed her eyes.

What is your real reason for coming here?

I wanted to see you, of course

Are you here to ask that they get trained?

She turned to Linbelle and Inellia as if she knew everything.

No

No, I dont think youre going to be lying to your mother, Allen.

How many years had she raised him? Eliza ignored Allen's awkward smile and looked away. And the atmosphere changed in an instant. 

We are of different walks of life, and youre writing off the work of being a maid. They can't even understand their masters intentions properly. You just thought you were Allens plaything at first, didn't you?"

Eliza laughed cynically. She opened and squinted her eyes, carefully examining them.

Linbelle remained stiff, realizing her mistake, while Inellia had become uneased with a troubled look on her face.

Even while being put down, they dont show any resistance, and they dont hide their feelings. This is an advantage, but

Eliza slowly continued analyzing and evaluating them.

Her skin is so elastic, you wouldnt believe she was a commoner. Could she be of mixed race? She doesnt seem to be too unmannered either, but

She launched a few more questions at them before coming to her final conclusion. Allen wasnt too upset by her actions, since he was used to having her as a mother. But it was inevitable for a certain question to come to mind.

Did such a thorough mother really not notice that Julius had changed?

Truthfully, the most unbelievable thing was that his mother had changed even more than his father, indulging in luxury far more than she had before. 

And Julius had been helping his father with some of his administrative work, so shouldnt it have been apparent to him that hed changed so suddenly?

I suppose theyre both pretty alright. They arent bad kids.

After finishing her examination of the two, she smiled brightly again, and Linbelle and Inellia sighed with relief. 

However, Ill have you both trained for a few days since you don't quite seem to have the hang of it yet. After all, thats why you came, right?

Eliza smiled at him with a knowing look. Hearing this, Allen nodded. 

Yes, youre right. But it is true that I was worried about you after hearing that youd been lonely.

Hm? Of course, I know.

As she nodded as if it were obvious, she continued, Be careful. You tend to strain your jaw when you're telling the truth.

Allen smiled bitterly as the girls jaws dropped in surprise.

Well, thank you.

Of course! Dont forget to come visit four times a week!

Yes.

Allen turned away from Linbelles gaze and started back towards the house.

There was somewhere he needed to go.

While being trained, they needed to be ready to get that.