Overpowered Reincarnation Perks! - Chapter 19.1 - Like a Thorn on the Fingertip

When I came to my senses, it was already morning.

I had been moved to a clean room, not the underground altar. The soft touch of the bed against my back felt unfamiliar.

There was a curtain on the bed, but one side was drawn, so it wasn’t dark. Sunlight coming through the window illuminated the room.

“Ugh…”

I raised my upper body, pressing my slightly throbbing temples. As I recognized the unfamiliar space, the acts of last night came to mind before I wondered where this place was.

‘This is crazy.’

I came to become a lord, but to suddenly tear my clothes and do such things… I even said I liked it. Am I not insane?

Damn trash system, damn trash quest, damn trash commander!

‘This is a violation of human rights. You know?’

I inwardly shouted while hitting the innocent pillow. Even adult games would have their CS department explode if they proceeded with such a story without a warning.

‘Oh. But these aren’t my clothes?’

Looking at my attire, a thin fabric was wrapped around my body. The clothes made of semi-transparent chiffon material were soft without any roughness, probably due to the use of good fibers. The collar part had wide frills around it, making it look just like pajamas.

Although it was comfortable to wear and luxurious, there was a problem. I don’t have such pajamas. I don’t even remember receiving clothes and changing into them.

‘Did Dienes change my clothes?’

That man didn’t seem like he would serve anyone.

‘Or was it someone else?’

That’s even more problematic. This castle is full of men except for the dead lord.

I quickly shook my head, getting goosebumps. Let’s not wonder who changed my clothes. There’s nothing good about knowing.

‘But where is this?’

Didn’t he say the underground altar was where I would stay? I awkwardly rubbed around my neck as I got off the bed.

Perhaps because of last night’s act, I still felt like something was inside between my legs, but when I touched down there, I couldn’t feel anything.

‘Even if humans are tool-using animals.’

Feeling a bit of a hangover from climaxing so much from a device, I covered my face with both hands and sighed.

“Ah, Ju-in. Are you awake?”

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, I raised my head to see a boy standing at the doorway rushing towards me.

No, he’s a bit too big to be called a boy. Although his face looked young, he was a young man at least half a span taller than me.

The man with ash-gray hair and red eyes had a cute appearance, but due to his unfocused eyes, he gave off a slightly eerie feeling.

“Wh-Who are you?”

“I’m Lupe, ordered by the commander to serve Ju-in.”

Serve? Why is a man serving me?

Moreover, why ‘Ju-in’ and not ‘Lord’?

I covered my body with both arms and stepped back.

“Um, I’m still in my nightwear. Please don’t look at me like that.”

Aren’t all the soldiers in this castle not quite right in the head? Moreover, having undergone such ‘education’ from Dienes as soon as I arrived made me wary.

‘This one might be crazy too.’

His face is cute, but his eyes are unfocused. I can’t feel at ease. Noticing that I was retreating as if to secure a safe distance, Lupe tilted his head with a strange expression and then quickly bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, Ju-in. It’s because I can’t see. Please forgive my mistake.”

“…You can’t see?”

I thought his focus was off, but he’s blind?

Come to think of it, his eyes are open, but his pupils aren’t directed at me. I waved my hand slightly in front of Lupe. The red pupils didn’t move at all.

When I moved my steps to the side, his head turned slightly as if he had perceived the sound of footsteps. It seemed true that he couldn’t see.

I understand why they assigned Lupe as my attendant. Other soldiers know the face of the ‘intruder’. Even if they hadn’t seen my face, they would quickly recognize me if they heard a description. But Lupe is blind, so at least there’s no worry about my identity being discovered.

“But why do you call me ‘Ju-in’?”

“The commander said you’re a very precious guest, so we should call you that. He said you’re like a master to us.”

I thought they weren’t going to reveal that I’m the lord, but isn’t this basically saying I am? Is this wordplay?

It’s not exactly wrong to call me Ju-in since my name is Ju-in, but… it feels really strange to be called Ju-in by an unfamiliar man.

“I’ll serve you so that you have no discomfort.”

You’d think they’d find it strange if the commander suddenly brought a guest, but he didn’t seem particularly suspicious. Did Dienes brainwash him or something?

It was a spacious bedroom. Perhaps because it would be difficult for Dienes himself to move if he kept me hidden only in the basement, it seems he intends to make me stay in this room with an attendant to make it look like I’m a guest.

“The meal is ready, would you like to eat first if you’re okay with it?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

I followed Lupe out, answering reflexively. Two pillars in the center of the room separated the bedroom from the resting area, and the resting area was further divided into a dining area and a tea-drinking area.

“It’s incredibly splendid…”

The table was laden with luxurious dishes.

Cake topped with fresh fruit, a baguette stuffed with potatoes and cheese, turkey dish drizzled with lemon and honey, and even walnut pie. Moreover, they were not just glossy but sparkling to the point of shining. What kind of coating could make them shine like this?

“How did they coat it with oil to make it shine translucently like jewels?”

Hearing my muttering, Lupe explained with a bright face.

“It’s because they ground magic stones into it.”

“Magic stones?”

Weren’t those rocks?

I mean, they’re similar to magic stones, but can you eat them?

“Dishes containing magic stones are the rarest food in the castle. Usually, they’re only served to the lord and the commander, but the commander said Ju-in is a special guest, so we should treat you. That’s why we prepared this.”

Just because something is rare doesn’t mean it’s good. Is this like eating gold sprinkles?

“Eating magic stones prevents aging.”

“…What?”

The castle can’t be maintained if the lord dies quickly. Firstly, to extend lifespan, and secondly, to overcome diseases, it’s necessary to prevent aging.

Arvan said that. The lord lives much longer than ordinary people.

So I thought the lord was some kind of different species or a messenger of god born with special abilities, but it was the power of magic stones.

“You say aging doesn’t occur, does the magic stone have some kind of power to stop time?”

“To be precise, it’s not the power to stop time, but the power to dramatically amplify regenerative abilities.”

Monsters don’t die even if their heads are pierced through until their core stone is broken. Since magic stones are processed from core stones, they must contain tremendous regenerative power.

Aging, to be exact, occurs as cells’ regenerative power decreases and waste accumulates in the body, so by consuming dishes with magic stones, one can maintain youth as bodily functions become vigorous.

‘It’s interesting… but it’s useless to me anyway.’

My lifespan is not due to aging but forced by the system. At most, I live for 60 days. How much aging could occur?

‘Besides, eating core stones that move monsters is a bit…’

It’s creepy.

It’s a bit sorry since rare magic stones are used and it looks like the chef put a lot of effort into it, but isn’t it too heavy to eat for breakfast originally? There were enough reasons not to eat it.

“Ju-in?”

Perhaps because he didn’t sense me sitting down, Lupe approached with a puzzled look.

“Lupe. Please clear all of these away.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t eat breakfast.”

“Ah, but these dishes were prepared for Ju-in!”