Chapter 52

Chapter 52

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (52)

Surprisingly, the lord invited KiJun to stay in the mansion, but KiJun firmly declined.

The best facilities, 24-hour servants, and the safest accommodation in the small town... KiJun had two reasons to refuse such favorable conditions.

Firstly, staying at the lord’s mansion would spread rumors throughout the small town that KiJun, the Flame Human, had replaced Tolchi as Turris’s new knight.

Secondly, staying in the lord’s mansion meant he had to wear his mask all the time.

Despite the comfortable mask, being Jun, the Flame Human, was akin to creating and acting as a fictional character. It wasn't something he could call freedom, let alone rest.

“I want to be free, at least when resting.”

“There would have been no burden... I even thought of assigning my butler to you.”

Ah, there's another reason to decline.

Apparently, the lord overestimated KiJun's abilities and seemed interested in building a good relationship between him and his daughter, the future lord. But KiJun found this rather burdensome.

He also thought his actual abilities fell short of the lord's high estimation, and he planned to leave Turris once the vampire kingdom's invasion-related quest was over.

It’s better not to get too close if you’re bound to part ways. It hurts more when you leave.

‘Especially when I’m pretending to be someone else...’

Relationships built on lies are bound to collapse.

Even interacting with the Orc Five Brothers, with whom he accidentally exchanged contact information, made KiJun ponder for the same reasons.

The more genuine they were towards him, the more he was reminded of his deceit.

But what could he do?

This was something he had prepared for the moment he put on the mask.

His safety and future were more important than his friendship with the Orcs.

With a bitter smile, KiJun reaffirmed his resolve and said to the somewhat disappointed lord,

“I’ll find a suitable place and contact you. We can meet again once we have a plan for that ‘rolling snowball’ project.”

“No, no. Let's do this.”

Despite KiJun's stubbornness, the lord, unwilling to back down, thought of another way.

“There’s a small villa on a scenic hill near this mansion, where my wife and I used to stay. It’s well maintained, suitable for you, and as it’s my property, others won’t easily approach. It’s close enough for us to communicate easily. It would be better for you to stay there.”

“That sounds more special than offering a room in your mansion.”

“I understand your concerns, but showing this level of relationship is good for our future plans.”

Recognizing the lord’s persistence, KiJun sighed and accepted the offer.

He had shared the quest with Turris’s lord, so he was ready to take on this karma.

“Única!”

When KiJun reluctantly nodded, the lord called out joyfully. Naturally, he was summoning the butler waiting outside.

At the sound of her name, Única, the white-haired butler, quickly entered. The lord, smiling broadly, instructed her,

“Guide Jun to the villa on the hill and make arrangements for his stay.”

“The villa was mother’s...? Oh, I understand, my lord.”

Hearing this, she first cried out in shock but quickly bowed, realizing her position.

The lord chuckled at her reaction and stood up first, offering KiJun a farewell.

“It was a pleasant conversation, Jun. Feel free to do as you wish in Turris for the time being. Make the most of the privileges I’ve given you.”

“Privileges... Alright, I get it. See you next time.”

KiJun finished his farewell with the lord and followed Única, who was hurriedly walking ahead. He pondered the lord’s words.

The lord had given him various privileges, notably the exemption from dungeon tolls.

KiJun decided not to delve into the emotions or stories behind it.

Sensing his thoughts, Única lifted her head and smiled faintly.

"Is there anything else you need? If you need someone for cleaning, I could..."

"Ah, right."

While checking the kitchen, KiJun naturally lit the hearth with his Flame Eyes and looked back at her. The only way he knew to cheer someone up was...

"Would you like to join me for a meal?"

The effect was tremendous.

After refilling her homemade ramen and pork fried rice twice each, Única hesitantly asked if she could visit him again.

KiJun, trying hard to suppress a smile, readily nodded in agreement.

―But weren’t you going to keep your distance from her, Contractor?

That night, in his personal room on the second floor, KiJun lay on the bed he brought from the dungeon. As Lucy suddenly piped up, he shrugged and replied,

"It seems we'll be involved in business anyway, so I thought it would be better to be on comfortable terms with her."

―Mmm, comfortable terms, huh? I still think you underestimate your charm, Contractor――

While KiJun smiled at Lucy’s slurred words, he noticed his RetaPhone vibrating and checked it.

It was a message from Viv.

[Partner(Reta): There was an Overflow in Turris?]

[Partner(Reta): Glad to see you’re safe. Why didn’t you contact me about such a huge incident!]

[Partner(Reta): From now on, don’t try to handle tough situations alone. Consult with me, your partner. It feels stupid to have a contract otherwise.]

[Partner(Reta): Are you injured? If anything’s wrong, don’t hide it. Let me know; I can help think it through!]

"Ah."

Realizing he hadn’t shared the quest details with her, KiJun honestly spilled everything. She was furious for not consulting her, but given the situation, she put her anger aside to give him necessary advice.

[Partner(Reta): So you’re really doing that quest? Staying in Turris?]

[Me: That’s the plan. Maybe the lord wants to make me a hero well-known beyond this city.]

[Partner(Reta): Turris, despite being small, is strategically located with a large market for trading and processing products from nearby dungeons. It’s a lucrative territory. Meaning its lord is no ordinary person.]

[Me: Seems so... Did I make the right choice then?]

[Partner(Reta): Well, if you look at the outcome, yes! But it was reckless to kill a knight and then boldly approach his employer...]

KiJun, not wanting to be scolded again, quickly thought of a good idea.

[Me: The lord seems busy with reconstruction efforts. If I introduce you, maybe you can get involved here too?]

[Partner(Reta): I’ll finish up here and come by tomorrow morning.]

Money talks, indeed.

Feeling Viv's anger dissipating, KiJun smirked, but she added a few more words.

[Partner(Reta): Let's also pick some party members when I get there.]

[Me: Huh?]

[Partner(Reta): What's with that reaction? You're forming a party, right? We need to select good people from the applicants. I have a good eye for people; I can help.]

[Me: No, I mean... I’m forming a party, but... applicants? Selecting?]

[Partner(Reta): Ah, right. This is your first quest in the Reta continent.]

[Partner(Reta): Don’t go outside until I get there tomorrow. Understand?]

[Me: ???]

The next morning, KiJun understood why the lord had lent him the secluded villa on the hill and why Viv had told him not to go outside carelessly.

People swarmed at the bottom of the hill like ants.

It was the moment the Great Turris Audition began – to select members for Hero (KiJun)'s party.

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