REAPER SCANS
Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan
[Translator – Mr.Ghost]
[Proofreader – Harley]
Chapter 102 - The 6th Candidate (2)
After asking Cecilia and his friends to wait for him, Theo stepped aside with Navan.
“I didn’t think you’d already be here,” said Theo.
Navan crossed his arms and scoffed in response, “Are you sure you didn’t just forget about little old me?”
“Of course not,” Theo flinched for a moment, but he tried to act as nonchalant as possible.
He was far too busy figuring out the two relics and the black marble, but he knew giving such an excuse would only further draw Navan’s ire.
“Looks like you haven’t heard of the aftermath yet. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It has yet to be made public,” said Navan.
He seemed to have caught on that Theo was distracted with other matters, yet he didn’t try to quibble over it.
“The Navan Clan has been ruined. The clan head and central members of the clan were all dragged to Wintera on charges of treason. Thanks to that, the rest of the clan has been clinging on to me, which is a real hassle,” Navan explained.
“For how much of a hassle it is, you seem to be enjoying it.”
Navan smirked, “Is it that obvious?”
“Very much so.”
“Well, I have no intentions of hiding how much of a shitshow my clan was,” Navan scoffed. “But I’ve almost been cleared of any suspicions against me. They will likely seat me as the new head of the Bacchus Clan soon—with a few restrictions.”
Navan looked Theo straight in his eyes, “Did everything go the way you wanted?”
Theo gave a silent smile.
Navan’s brows furrowed, “Even though I did switch over to your side midway through the battle, people say that Ragnar never takes the suspicion of rebellion lightly, and the terror of an interrogation from the Black Snow is widely known. Despite this, I was let go so easily. It’s as if someone from high up gave an order.”
“......”
“You had a part in it, didn’t you?”
“If that’s what it looked like to you, perhaps you’re right.”
“You won’t reveal your intentions so easily, I see,” Navan clicked his tongue. “Well, that’s fine. Whatever the case may be, I managed to knock my father and those damn geezers down. I don’t think there’s a better revenge than a lowly bastard seizing control of the clan. However…”
Theo knew what Navan was leading into.
“...It won’t mean much if I die young. So, when will you be keeping your promise?”
The promise he was referring to was the promise to treat his incurable ailment.
Theo’s eyes became tranquil.
Navan was a natural-born fighter. This moment would be crucial in winning over his heart.
Fwip!
Theo pulled something out of his grasp and tossed it over to Navan.
Navan caught it, surprised.
It was a potion.
“What is this…?”
“It’s your cure. I’ve also written down how to make it. Though, a word of warning. It tastes absolutely awful.”
“......!” Navan’s eyes widened reading the paper wrapped around the bottle.
On it, there was a detailed recipe using easily obtainable herbs.
‘The Bloody Sword Emperor’s special celery juice. That elixir, which supplements one’s vitality, should be able to treat Navan’s illness.’
The main trait of Navan’s illness was how it gnawed away at someone’s vitality until eventually draining them of their life. Because of that, it was possible to overcome the illness by supplementing one’s vitality and rebuilding one’s constitution.
Theo—no, the Black Snow in his past life only discovered this fact after Navan’s death and the appearance of the Bloody Sword Emperor.
Meanwhile…
‘He gave it to me just like that?’ Navan was in shock.
He had readied himself for a fate where he’d be used and manipulated while being drip-fed the treatment. However, his expectations had been shattered.
“...What are you thinking? I don’t think someone as clever as you would be so naive as to believe you can buy my favor with this.”
“But that also means that you wouldn’t work for me whole-heartedly if I held your treatment as ransom.”
“......”
“Or worse, you might have said screw the treatment and tried to backstab me.”
‘This kid. He knows me too well,’ thought Navan.
He could have sworn that they met only for the first time at the Seres headquarters.
‘Has he been keeping tabs on me for a while? Or did he manage to look through me the moment we met?’
Whatever the case was, it didn’t change the fact that there was something truly terrifying about Theo.
“I don’t want to keep you on a leash, Navan. I want you to follow me on your own accord by demonstrating that I’m someone worthy of your service.”
“Someone worthy of my service, you say… And how will you prove that?”
“Continue watching me.”
“......”
“You can decide for yourself whether you will follow me or not. While you do that…” Theo’s gaze intensified. “Restore the crumbling Bacchus Clan to its former glory. Make it worthy of my guidance.”
“......!”
Ba-bump! Ba-bump!
Navan’s heart began to drum.
His heart had been withering away like a man on his deathbed. It had been a long time since it felt revitalized, ready to jump into action.
Navan felt a sudden clarity in his mind. ‘He wants me to prove my usefulness… If I can’t, he’ll be the one to cut me off first.’
Navan liked Theo’s attitude, the brazen confidence in his ability.
“Fine. I will hold the Bacchus Clan firmly in my grasp. Make you desire it, my liege.”
“That will do just fine.”
Theo and Navan laughed together. The smile they shared as liege and vassal was a kindred look.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – Mr.Ghost]
[Proofreader – Harley]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
“Head Councilor, you’re too drunk. You should call it for today—!”
“What was that? Are you also treating me as a fool?”
Wolfgang, the Head Councilor and Elder Dragon, froze while pouring himself another glass to stare at the other councilor stopping him.
“O-o-of course not! How could I dare to…!”
“Then stop bothering me and scram!”
“Y-yes, sir…” the councilor stepped back, deflated.
Wolfgang scoffed as he watched, “Hmph! You and everyone else. You’re all vultures waiting to tear me apart! Just you wait. I won’t go down so easily.”
The people that used to crowd around Wolfgang were nowhere to be seen. This was a result of suspicion also falling on Wolfgang after the Troivan incident, as he had a close relationship with Ed.
Though there was no official summons or announcements from the Black Snow, it felt inevitable due to his track record of opposing the Black Dragon.
Wolfgang was incredibly frustrated by this situation. He had dedicated his entire life to the glory of the Ragnar Clan. He had even taken down the Mad Dragon Emperor, his elder brother, with his own two hands.
It did not sit right with him to receive such suspicion, but there was no one he could share these sentiments with as no one was willing to listen to him.
‘This is all because of Theo, that lowly illegitimate child…!’
Rather than resenting Ed, Wolfgang despised Theo for causing such a commotion within his clan. He would love nothing more than to take his head right now, but he was now under the protection of not just Commander Julius and Lady Plum Blossom, but now even the Black Dragon.
And so, he had to face the frustration of having nothing he could do.
‘You vermin. Make even the slightest mistake, and it will be your funeral,’ a sinister bloodthirst lingered around Wolfgang’s eyes.
That was when he noticed someone near the entrance.
“Isn’t that…?”
Though she was wearing thick makeup and an unfitting fancy dress, her uncouth face was recognizable anywhere.
‘What good timing. I’ll be able to vent some of my frustrations at least,’ Wolfgang thought while putting on a cold smile.
* * *
‘Is it okay for me to attend dressed like this…?’
At the entrance of the banquet, Evelyn stood for a good while in front of a full-body mirror placed near the entrance for people to fix their outfits before entering the banquet.
She was wearing a dress, one that had a black shimmer, as if crafted from the night sky. The dress complimented her physique perfectly. Cecilia had gifted it to her, saying she would look stunning in it.
However, Evelyn could not get used to how she looked in it. It was only natural that she felt awkward in it after a lifetime of only wearing armor and training uniforms.
After donning various accessories and makeup, she felt that she had gone overboard. But what really made her nervous wasn’t the dress or the makeup.
‘I worked up the courage since she said that I shouldn’t be afraid to show it, but…’
Evelyn fidgeted with her exposed prosthetic arm. The sleeves of her dress only descended halfway down her forearms.
After multiple rounds of maintenance, it now felt like a real arm. However, she had yet to get used to the cold touch of the metal. It felt especially out of place in an extravagant banquet like this.
‘I should just go home.’
Thinking she didn’t belong at such an event, she was about to turn around and go train instead.
“I’ve told you multiple times now, but you need to recognize how beautiful you are, Miss Evelyn. Be more proud of yourself. You need to treat yourself with dignity to be dignified by others.”
But she remembered what Cecilia had told her. To treat herself with dignity.
As her advice echoed in her mind, she turned back toward the entrance.
‘Yeah. I’m already here. I should at least say hi to Theo and the commander before I go.’
Click clack—
With a boost in morale, she entered the banquet.
“Entering Captain of Platoon 5 of the White-Armored Dragon Cavalry, High-rank swordsman Evelyn Nerevil!”
The announcement shifted the attention of many towards her.
“Evelyn?”
“Why does that name sound familiar?”
“That’s the sword instructor who taught Theo Ragnar.”
“Ah…! The one that caused a conflict between the head councilor and Commander Julius?”
Though she heard some unpleasant whispering, Evelyn carried herself with confidence and dignity.
“Oh, Miss Evelyn! You’re absolutely gorgeous,” Cecilia ran towards her and grabbed both her hands. “You’re wearing the dress I gave you. Didn’t I tell you? It suits you perfectly. My eyes never deceive me.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to wear something this elegant.”
“You need to dress up more. I, Cecilia, will help whenever you want.”
Erika chimed in, “I almost didn’t recognize you, Captain. Isn’t that right, Hulkus?”
“H-huh?” Hulkus responded in a daze.
「Get your act together, dummy!」 Erika elbowed her stupid little brother.
Finally snapping back to reality, Hulkus spoke, “Y-you’re right! I think we need to photograph this moment! I bet the platoon would love to see this!”
「Loosen your face and smile.」 Erika instructed him.
「L-like this…?」
Hulkus’s mind was still preoccupied with Navan calling Theo ‘his liege’ when the spot of first sword should be rightfully his.
However, he tried to pretend everything was okay, forcing a smile, “S-should I go grab a camera?”
“Erika. Hulkus. Don’t do something stupid. Never speak about this, especially to Selford and Erin,” Evelyn warned the siblings.
She knew that Selford would tease her about this. Erin… She was kind of dangerous. No, very, very dangerous.
‘Maybe I should still sneak a picture. I know I’ll be able to sell it to Erin at a premium,’ thought Erika.
Recently, while becoming close with Erin, Erika found out that one of her hobbies was collecting Evelyn memorabilia.
“So, where is Theo?” asked Evelyn.
“Oh! My son went to—!”
As Cecilia was answering her question…
“I should warn the butler. How dare he let in a one-armed fool and muddy the waters at an important high society event? Tsk tsk!”
Evelyn turned her head towards the source of the voice, only to freeze. The trauma that she thought she had long buried suddenly resurfaced.
“Hey, bitch. You really think your commander will protect you?”
“Don’t make me laugh. The world is going to believe me over you.”
“Go ahead. Feel free to do that if you want to live as a one-armed clown.”
“I guess this is only natural for someone of lowly blood.”
The face of Wolfgang laughing sinisterly in the darkness overlapped over Wolfgang’s present face.
“A useless one-armed stumpy should stay home. Who do you think you are, coming to such a fine event? And what is that thing on your arm?” Wolfgang mocked, reaching for her prosthetic.
However, a hand came out of nowhere, snatching Wolfgang’s wrist.
“Seems like the beating I gave you wasn’t enough. I thought I warned you that if you ever laid hands on one of my children again, I would not let you off so easily. Or do you not remember? Did you finally go senile?”
Wolfgang and Evelyn quickly turned their gaze toward Julius, who was standing with a cold glare in his eyes.
“Are you really that eager to get beaten to death, Head Councilor?”
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