Reincarnated User Manual

Chapter 22: A Sense Of Age

Lucia had always felt that Shiron possessed a certain maturity beyond his age.

It wasnt just about his age; he seemed more adult-like than he should be. The glimpses of his serious demeanor made it impossible to see him as a mere child. Was it his assertiveness? The aura he exuded suggested so.

This wasnt simply because he read a lot of books. If it was the superficial knowledge one got from reading, Lucia would have easily distinguished it since she had seen it all too often in her past life. There wasnt a chance she would fail to recognize it.

It seemed more like wisdom emanating from experience. To give an analogy, it felt like the composure of a seasoned old man navigating through situations based on vast experiences.

Although she hadnt known Shiron for very long, there were times when he seemed even more worldly-wise than her, a reincarnated soul.

Only two days ago, Shiron had shown such a side. The way he tightly grasped her trembling hand emitted a light so intense that it seemed unbreakable.

That memory was vivid and unforgettable.

The image of Shiron approaching Lucia, who was shivering and clutching her cloak, was still clear. Despite being up all night, there wasnt a hint of fatigue on his face.

Even though he was still at an age needing care, despite being much younger than Lucia mentally, Shiron tried to muster the frightened Lucias spirits.

The touch from that moment still felt tangible on her skin. At what point did it start? Lucia began to view Shiron not just as a mere child.

What did I just hear?

Because of that, Lucia couldnt easily brush off Bertas words.

Bertas fair nakedness came into Lucias view. The toned, fat-free body crowned with the symbol of motherhood was appealing even to another woman.

Visit him at night?

Why?

She pretended not to know, but deep inside, she had a good guess.

Although she had no romantic experience across both her lives, let alone any intimate encounters with men, Lucia was no fool to not understand the implication of being asked to bathe and visit at night.

After all, the place where Kyrie and her comrades often were was a battlefield where one never knew when death might strike.

In such extreme situations, some moral boundaries tended to blur. Additionally, it was a place where ones true nature was most clearly exposed.

Regardless of the era, battlefields have always had more men than women, so it was natural that they exuded a macho atmosphere.

Men who had their first-night experiences bragged about it as if they were sharing some grand tale. So blushing from the indecent jokes that sometimes flowed during drinking sessions was something even nuns, fresh out of monasteries, wouldnt do.

However, there was one factor due to which Lucia couldnt easily overlook Bertas comment.

Lucia bowed her head, pondering Shirons age.

Wasnt he only eleven years old?

Shiron was too young to be insinuating such nighttime activities. This realization made Lucias pupils tremble.

If she had calculated the dates right, he would need at least three more years to hit puberty.

Lucia slowly lifted her head, looking forward. Contrary to her jumbled thoughts, the image of the woman before her was crystal clear.

Had the awkwardness between them vanished due to their conversation? Berta seemed more relaxed than before.

With her back fully against the wall, her confident posture made Lucia realize how alluring Berta was.

As expected

Do you have something to say? Youve been staring at me for quite a while.

Suddenly, Berta shifted her gaze and scratched her cheek. It wasnt surprising. Berta wasnt so oblivious as to not notice the intense gaze on her for such a long time.

Lucia thought the timing was perfect. Could she have misunderstood? Lucia bit her trembling lip before speaking.

Um you know,

Yes, tell me.

Why do you think Shiron called you?

Lucia never asked such direct questions. She believed that even such a question was impolite to ask.

Did I ask something too inappropriate? What if she evades the answer?

Contrary to Lucias concerns, Berta answered straightforwardly.

Well? Maybe the Young Master wants to make me his person?

Shirons person?

Yes, I cant think of anything else. Im more comfortable using my body than my mind.

Berta finished speaking and laughed bitterly.

Even though Shiron could have killed Berta, he didnt. She had pondered the reason for this throughout the night and couldnt think of any other possibility.

Especially when considering that he was a Prient.

Considering Shirons background, no matter how much leverage he had, it would never be enough.

Bertas expression was one of half resignation. In truth, the conditions werent all that bad. In roughly ten years, Shiron would surely become the head of the Prient family. Establishing a connection now wouldnt be detrimental.

Deep contemplation wasnt her style, so Berta chose to accept the situation with equanimity. Thinking this way, a part of her heart felt lighter.

On the other hand, Lucia felt more confused than ever. No, it would be more accurate to say her suspicions solidified into certainty.

What?

Comfortable using her body?

Whose person?

Lucia moistened her parched lips.

Is that something you say in front of someone? Why is she so indifferent?

Berta would become Shirons woman tonight. As soon as Lucia realized this, her face flushed.

Kids these days they mature so early.

To cool her head, Lucia plunged it into the water. But it wouldnt cool down because she was in a hot bath.

Puhaha-

Suddenly, Lucia remembered that the era she lived in was different from the current one.

Indeed, even in my time, people said kids these days matured quickly.

Lucia felt the difference in eras she hadnt noticed until now. It had been a long time, 500 years, since she defeated the demon lord and passed away.

Yura once said that even the rivers and mountains will change in ten years. In five hundred years, thats fifty times the change.

Thinking about it, expecting the common sense of then and now to be the same seemed foolish.

Both common sense and culture would have naturally evolved.

And then

Lucia glimpsed Berta through her wet, dripping hair. Bertas expression carried a hint of levity.

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Come to think of it, Shiron was the young master of the prestigious Prient household.

To Lucia, even after 500 years, the reputation of the Sword Saint Kyrie remained well known. Considering the caliber of individuals like Hugo that emerged from it, the familys dominance seemed unbroken.

Becoming affiliated with such a prestigious family would certainly come with countless benefits. The trivial tasks of advancing a mere bureaucrats career seemed effortlessly achievable.

There had been tales in the past of people offering themselves for the sake of climbing the social ladder.

Now that I recall, that guy did have a penchant for crude jokes with the underlings.

Lucia slowly rose, her eyes vacant.

Are you leaving?

Yes.

Lucia staggered out of the bathtub. Her head spun too much to stay any longer.

Lucia shuffled through the corridor. Even when she tried to lie down and sleep, every time she closed her eyes, Shiron came to mind.

Ive become an outdated relic, unable to keep up with the times

It was a day her convictions shattered. Her weakened steps seemed devoid of strength, not from soaking in the tub for too long but from the shock of her realization.

Modern people theyre so open-minded. I wonder how I ended up like this.

Lucia chided herself, thinking her thoughts sounded old-fashioned.

She was briefly haunted by an image of a devious-looking Shiron, appearing as though mocking her for being old.

To begin with, expecting someone from my era to understand the current world is a mistake. What would others think? The generation gap oh my, 500 years.

She let out a cynical laugh. For her, unable to accept the flow of 500 years, she needed something to lean on now.

I thought he was a comrade

In this mansion, the only other human, Shiron, wasnt her ally either. Books, holding records of the past, became Lucias sole confidants and friends.

Right. Ill read. Clearing my mind and cooling my head might help.

Lost in her thoughts, she found herself in the library. Lucia rested her hand on the library door handle and slowly entered.

Without much thought, she moved to a particular section.

Huh?

But the Chronicles of Kyrie, which had always been present, were missing.

Why is it gone?

No matter how much she looked or considered if she had remembered the location wrongly, she couldnt find the book.

In this mansion, apart from her, the only one who might read such a fairy tale was Shiron. But since Shiron often criticized Kyries tale for being exaggerated, Lucia ruled him out.

Suddenly, her gaze fixated on a desk in the library.

Found it?

The well-worn fairy tale book that she had read countless times was now in the possession of an unfamiliar young girl.