Reincarnated User Manual

Chapter 293: Yoru (4)

The Silleya that Lucia remembered were hunters who lived by a lake surrounded by winter mountains.

They ate the meat of the beasts they hunted and endured the harsh cold with oil squeezed from their skins.

Now, 500 years later, Lucia walked down a strange forest path.

The forest was lush, defying the season of winter. While the famously livable Rien had soft snow falling, here, the leaves had barely turned.

“Isn’t it hot in the summer?”

“Then we just move to a cooler place. It’s winter now, so we’ve come south.”

Yoru, saying this, cut down a black figure along with the dense bushes. It was a beast that had been planning to ambush the group. With one swing, it became minced meat, so there was no need to know its name.

Yoru muttered while shaking off her sword.

“These beasts are fearless. Before we left, they rarely attacked on purpose…”

“…That won’t be the case. There aren’t enough warriors in the tribe to move through beasts like these. This group of warriors brought for the attack is probably the limit. The few adults left are barely able to protect the village.”

“I don’t know what that grand elder was thinking!”

Lucia snorted and looked back. There was a long line of wagons, and while Seira and Siriel were handling the beasts that kept coming, Shiron was leisurely absorbed in a book.

‘…I don’t know what Shiron is thinking either.’

It had taken them a month to reach here from the capital, across the border. Even though teleportation wasn’t possible, it was a distance that could be covered in just a few days on foot, but Shiron insisted on bringing a cumbersome caravan.

Of course, Lucia knew that Shiron wasn’t acting thoughtlessly.

The wagons they led were empty, and there were no additional escorts except for the five of them, so it seemed likely that he planned to take Yoru’s people somewhere.

“Do you have something to say?”

Thwack— Shiron, sensing her gaze, closed his book and stood up.

“If you need to use the bathroom, you don’t need permission.”

“Ugh, no! That’s not it!”

“Then what is it?”

“…These wagons, they’re prepared to carry the people of Silleya, right?”

“Yes.”

Shiron jumped down from the wagon and smirked toward Yoru, who was leading the group.

“We’re going to settle the Silleya people and integrate them into the Empire. If this goes well, they won’t be called savages anymore. And the Empire won’t have to face any more friction either.”

“Isn’t that a bit too optimistic?”

Yoru, who was sensitive about the subject of her kin, abruptly joined the conversation. Shiron patted the seat next to him, gesturing for a chat.

“You’re not fully reformed yet, are you, arguing with me.”

“…I’m not trying to refute your opinion. Of course, taking my people will be hard, but since we’re pushed to the brink, it’s not an impossible task if given time…”

Yoru declined Shiron’s gesture with a shake of her hand. Just as Lucia no longer called her “blackie,” Shiron had also reduced the beatings he gave Yoru.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“The Empire… Can it really accept Silleya?”

However, the lessons ingrained in her bones were not easily erased. Yoru spoke with difficulty, fearing a smack would fly her way at any moment.

“I know there’s strong resentment since we caused a terror attack. But that was only a hundred years ago. Before that, we were always scorned as savages. Can true integration even happen?”

Yoru glanced at Lucia with half-lidded eyes.

“…I don’t mind being called ‘blackie’ or being beaten like a dog. But at least treat the children like human beings.”

“Why are you only complaining to me?”

“Both of you, stop with the nonsense. We’ve arrived.”

A village nestled deep within the mountains.

As soon as they emerged from the forest, they saw a large river, with tents erected on a rocky island in the middle.

‘So, this is where they’ve been living.’

The tents made of beast skins resembled those from 500 years ago. Lucia marveled at the village seemingly floating on the river and looked around.

There was no bridge connecting the shore to the island.

“Do we have to take a boat?”

“There used to be a bridge. I don’t see any rowboats either.”

Yoru sensed something was off. The village on the rocky island seemed precariously positioned, as if it would be swept away by the river if it flooded. However, since it wasn’t the rainy season, it wasn’t likely that the bridge had been washed away.

Could it have been a beast attack? That wasn’t the case either. This river carried a faint divine aura, making it difficult for unclean things to approach.

“They deliberately removed it.”

Shiron narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the rocky island. Although the inhabitants were hiding their presence as much as they could, they couldn’t fully conceal their hostility. While the elders and remaining warriors were skilled at masking their presence, the inexperienced children were not.

“Not that it matters, we can still cross.”

Without delay, Shiron took a step forward.

Crack—

The surface of the water froze under his feet. An icy path formed wherever he stepped, and Shiron walked leisurely across the river as if on solid ground.

“Wow…”

Lucia’s eyes sparkled as she watched Shiron’s display of skill.

She could also walk on water, and Yoru, who followed behind Shiron, did so too, but Shiron’s long legs and confident stride made his movements even more impressive.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Just as Lucia was about to follow Shiron, Seira grabbed her by the back of the neck.

“If you go, who will guard these wagons?”

“Shiron can protect himself too.”

“With magic like that, he doesn’t need protection.”

“But numbers can overwhelm anyone, right? And you and Siriel can guard the wagons just fine…”

Annoyed by Seira’s glare, Lucia quickly turned her attention to Siriel, who was still following behind.

“Idiot. At least come up with a better excuse. Like, ‘I want to see how my distant descendants are living,’ or ‘I’m upset about Shiron hanging out with that Yoru kid.’ Got it?”

“Then let’s go with that! I’m counting on you!”

Lucia, having slipped out of Seira’s grasp, ran across the river, waving her hand.

The village of Silleya could be summed up as a ‘shantytown.’

It barely deserved to be called a village, with so few households and the state of the buildings being quite miserable.

“Didn’t you say the warriors of the tribe were guarding it? Why is no one here?”

As they reached the rocky island, Shiron leisurely looked around. Even at the village entrance, there were no guards in sight; only a pair of totemic wooden poles, exuding a primitive atmosphere, greeted him.

“It seems they’re being cautious of you.”

“I’m harmless~ I just want to talk, so anyone, please come out~”

‘This is giving me chills…’

Yoru was horrified by the kind tone Lucia had never used before.

“It’s no use. Hardly anyone in the village speaks the Empire’s language anymore.”

“…You could’ve told me that earlier.”

Feeling awkward, Lucia strained her ears for any sound.

[Mother, I’m scared.]

[It’s okay. They’ll come out soon… they said.]

‘I feel like a villain…’

Shiron felt a pang of guilt as he rubbed the back of his neck. Even without the translation from Latera, it was clear the villagers were terrified, but understanding their exact words made it feel even worse.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Is conversation off the table?”

“Not necessarily. Since the village is still standing, the elders must be around. Follow me.”

Yoru led the group deeper into the village.

The destination was practically the only wooden building in the village. It was a three-story structure, and Shiron couldn’t help but wonder how it had been built on the rocky island. He figured it was probably the house of the Grand Elder.

“You’ve returned, Yoru.”

Whether it was due to the presence of Shiron and Lucia or not, the voice that greeted them as they entered the building spoke in the Empire’s language.

An old man, resting his wrinkled hand on a cane, sat alone on a chair, while other elders, who looked a little less aged, lined up around him.

“We thought you were dead, but it’s good to see you alive again.”

“…Yes, [Chief Priest Arim]. Yoru has returned.”

“Shameless! Is that all you have to say?”

The one who shouted wasn’t Chief Priest Arim . It was one of the elders standing behind, a man who hadn’t hidden his hostility from the start and wore round glasses.

“You’ve no conscience! You bring outsiders to the village?! Even if you gave your life like your father to declare the cause, what is that disgraceful appearance of yours?!”

“…Uncle, please be quiet. I’m talking to Chief Priest Arim .”

Yoru glared at the glasses-wearing elder with a cold gaze. But the man, perhaps knowing his death was near, showed no sign of backing down despite being called ‘uncle.’

“Oh really?! So, it’s just because I’m a powerless old man who never earned the title of elder, is it? Your precious father became an elder only because my brother died! If he were still alive, none of this would have happened!”

Shiron, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.

“Yelling like that, yet you still speak the Empire’s language fluently. How considerate.”

“I’m saying it so you can understand!”

“Shiron, should I kill him?”

“You insolent…!”

“We didn’t come here to fight.”

Shiron grabbed Lucia by the back of her neck to stop her.

“Chief Priest Arim, was it? We came for a serious conversation. We don’t have time to indulge a senile old man’s ranting.”

“…Akju, that’s enough. No matter how much anger you harbor, it will only hasten your death. The living must go on.”

Arim, the Chief Priest, lifted his cane to calm the elder named Akju. Though this gesture didn’t fully break the elder’s spirit, it at least made him clench his mouth shut.

“Now we can have a proper conversation.”

“Indeed, we came to talk. But what kind of conversation would drive you to travel all the way out here?”

The Chief Priest looked at Shiron with narrowed eyes.

“Surely you’re not here to ask us to surrender? This village is bound to fall into ruin, and its lineage will soon end. If that’s all, you’ve wasted your time.”

“No, that’s exactly right.”

Shiron pulled out a piece of paper from his coat. It was a surrender document bearing the Emperor’s seal. A pen rolled on the table and came to a neat stop in front of the Chief Priest.

They had come to talk, but not for a long discussion.

“Sign it and surrender. Then this village will be spared.”

“…Is that all?”

The Chief Priest rubbed his tired eyes and scanned the document, but it contained no elaborate terms. Only two simple lines were written: surrender and follow the Empire’s laws.

“I’ve lived a long time, but this is the simplest letter I’ve ever seen. It’s suspiciously straightforward.”

“Won’t you sign? I’ll leave if you don’t.”

“Get out of here!”

“…What do you want?”

The Chief Priest raised his cane and focused on Shiron.

“Don’t think you can fool this old man. There must be a reason you’re offering such a hand.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Are you senile?”

“Think of it as the rambling of an old man.”

“It’s not like you have any other options. It would be wise not to listen.”

“I only seek to know the truth. The Elder Council is ready to surrender anyway, especially with the Grand Elder gone.”

“Then act first.”

The Chief Priest nodded and picked up the pen. He trusted that Shiron wouldn’t lie in such a situation.

As Shiron pocketed the signed document, a satisfied smile spread across his face.

“What I want is the complete integration of Silleya and the Empire.”

“More.”

“In the future, a great earthquake will occur. An earthquake that will split the world in two. A disaster that will sink the mountains dividing the world.”

“What are you talking about?”

Lucia looked up at Shiron in shock, but he continued speaking, ignoring her reaction.

“When that happens, the beasts in the Demon Realm, who will no longer need to cross the mountains, will spread across the continent. When that happens… wouldn’t the world be doomed, even without an evil god?”

“…Are you asking us to stop those beasts?”

All the elders, except the Chief Priest, showed signs of anger. Shiron clicked his tongue and chuckled.

“What, and expect you elderly folks to do it? Even your warriors have had their energy cores shattered.”

“Then what?”

“As I said, the Empire wants full integration.”

Shiron shifted his gaze from Lucia, who was standing like a screen, to Yoru.

“Do you remember?”

“…What do you mean?”

Yoru’s shoulders trembled under Shiron’s sly gaze. Suddenly, a dirty and vile memory floated into Yoru’s mind.

-Kill as many as you give birth to.

‘No way…’

Shiron shrugged as he watched Yoru’s confusion.

“It wouldn’t be fair for only you to be told to give birth to as many as you killed, would it?”

The idea was too revolutionary for the elders to comprehend.

“Your people should give birth as well, don’t you think?”

Thud!

Several elders clutched their necks and collapsed.