Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint - Chapter 538



Just a Feeling

Even when leaving, the mountain lord filled his belly well. If it hadn’t been my food, it wouldn’t have been a problem at all, but thanks to him, I found myself doing delivery work, something I never expected. With a bedridden regressor and a bug-eating dog. Struggling under the weight of food for the two, I made my way back to the mansion.

—

As I stepped into the yard, Aji came running out barefoot.

“Woof! Food! Food!”

“Are you only happy about the food? Am I not worth a greeting?”

“I’m glad you brought the food!”

“Thanks for at least pretending to be glad.”

With Aji spinning around, tongue out, I entered the mansion. Normally, I would toss Aji a piece of meat and eat at the table, but now I had to tend to the bedridden returnee who couldn’t get up on their own.

I simply grabbed some dishes and headed to the bedroom where the returnee lay.

“Do you want to eat? Or not? Just so you know, if you miss this meal, you’ll have to wait until the next one. Aji won’t leave anything behind.”

“…I’ll eat.”

What a surprise that this commoner’s food would be accepted so readily? Well, the returnee’s insistence on a full meal isn’t about being picky; it’s just that it’s convenient and safe. Still, seeing them so compliant is a first.

As I tossed a piece of meat to Aji and took out the food, the returnee stared at me, lost in thought.

‘…Huz likes me?’

Huh? What? What kind of strange and sudden nonsense is this? Stunned, I almost shot a look of disdain at the returnee but held back. They were only thinking, and if I couldn’t manage my expression and locked eyes with them, my thoughts would be laid bare.

‘Of course, it’s not in that sense that they like me… but I haven’t really felt it. They’ve been helpful, but that was all mutual benefit or something I pushed for.’

Huh? Whether it’s in that sense or not, how about doubting the very premise that I would like you in the first place? And the reason I’m cooperative is that you’re a returnee, you know? I can’t afford to get on the bad side of a character who can rewind time. If I can’t win, I have to join.

‘…But. Tirkanjaka, who was friendly to me last time, has turned hostile this time. Did Tirkanjaka change a lot before the end? Or are they pinning their hopes on my return?’

I revealed my return to Tir last time. Well, even Tirkanjaka, no matter how formidable, would want to take a chance if there’s hope in the form of a return.

‘In contrast, Huz is cooperative even without knowing that I’m a returnee. Well, it seems they tried to ostracize me at times.’

I know! I know! They’re cooperative because they know! They’re trying to ostracize me because they know!

‘Yeah. It’s absurd. Aji must have misread things. I’m not as kind as Aji said.’

At least their self-assessment is objective, so that’s a relief. If they believed they were kind, there would be no way to deal with it.

Wait a minute. What did Aji say in my absence? What? They like me because I’m kind?

This is why beasts are no good. They only judge based on the presence or absence of my goodwill, completely oblivious to my true feelings. Even if I fatten them up to eventually boil them for soup, they’ll be happy just because I feed them well.

Right now, I’m preparing the returnee’s meal as it’s the only connection I have to the royal court. I’m helping to use them.

I ladled a thick soup made with seasoned meat broth, onions, carrots, and cabbage onto a plate. It’s cliché, but surviving in the culinary world for thousands of years proves its worth. I placed the nutrient-rich, filling soup in front of the returnee.

“Ugh. Thanks… Ugh!”

The returnee tried to sit up but grimaced and collapsed back down. Despite having consumed precious potions like water and receiving Aji’s treatment, the injuries inflicted by the mountain lord still lingered in the returnee’s body.

Aji, with their head buried in the plate, approached with concern.

“Woof? Are you hurt?”

“Ugh, I think I’ll feel better in a bit….”

“Eat! You need to eat to get better!”

“I want to, but….”

The prince has certainly given a thorough etiquette lesson. I’ve never seen a regressor so weakened before. They say pain brings a flurry of thoughts, and today, unlike usual, my mind was filled with unnecessary worries.

No, wait a minute. Let’s think differently.

Whatever the reason, it’s better for me to be on good terms with the regressor. Since I can’t read the memories from before their regression, if the regressor doesn’t reveal the fact of their regression themselves, I have no way to actively gather information.

Fortunately, the regressor is currently quite open with me. Kindness, like a product, should be stockpiled when it’s on sale. Especially with that picky and suspicious regressor, if I miss this chance, I won’t have another opportunity to connect properly.

I tore the meat with my spoon, piled it with various vegetables, and then scooped it all into one bite. Carefully supporting it with my hand, I offered it out.

“Here, Ms. Shea.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, go ahead.”

“Ah…?”

I extended the spoon toward her open mouth. The regressor, taken by surprise, was about to accept the food but suddenly snapped her mouth shut in shock.

“What, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I’m personally serving you, Ms. Shea, who can’t move a hand or foot.”

“Why the sudden serving? It doesn’t suit you!”

“It’s not a big deal. If someone is sick and in pain, it’s only natural to help a little. Even a dog will share its food if it sees its sick friend struggling.”

“Wha, what?”

The startled Aji kept glancing back and forth between the meat and the regressor. Approaching cautiously like a guilty puppy, Aji squeezed his eyes shut as if reluctant to part with the food and pushed the plate of meat toward the regressor. He seemed to think he was offering up his own arm.

“No! Aji, it’s okay.”

“Woof? It’s okay? Then I won’t hold back!”

You should hold back a little. Do you really just eat it in front of me when I refuse?

“Anyway, look. To regain your strength, you need to eat. That’s basic common sense.”

“That’s true, but….”

‘They say if a person does something they don’t usually do, it could be fatal… What’s going on? Why are you suddenly being so kind?’

“Ugh. Chattering away. When someone shows kindness, you should graciously accept it. After all, once you’re better, there’s nothing more I can do for you.”

“Ugh!”

I forced the spoon into her mouth. The regressor seemed momentarily flustered, but ultimately gave in and accepted the food. It looked a bit painful for her to chew, and she frowned, but she wasn’t injured to the point of being unable to swallow, so she chewed with a sullen expression.

“Keep chewing steadily. You’re going to finish this bowl.”

“Gulp… No, there’s really no need for that. Ugh.”

“Seeing you talk means your mouth is empty.”

—

As I scooped spoonful after spoonful, the bowl was nearly empty before I knew it.

“No, I’m really full now. Let’s stop.”

“That’s just an illusion. It’s a fake fullness tricking you. Come on.”

“Ugh….”

‘This is really strange. He’s not usually this kind…? Or am I just seeing Hughes too negatively?’

So, I finally reached that thought.

‘Hughes is extreme. To put it precisely, he’s barbaric. But in truth, he’s never committed any overtly evil acts. Not in the military state, not in the empire, not in Ende. Instead of being tainted by sin, he’s helped others. Being barbaric doesn’t mean being evil. It’s as if barbarism isn’t necessarily evil.’

It seems the plan is a success. After all, people are just beasts; when they’re hungry and in pain, they naturally feel gratitude when someone helps them. At this point, it feels rewarding to take care of him.

‘…Could it be that Hughes really likes me?’

Damn it. This is really ruining my mood. Should I just dump the bowl?

‘My goal is to defeat the king of sins and prevent the apocalypse. In the end, since Hughes is also a king of humans, he might want to help me save humanity.’

Then why didn’t you think that way from the start! Don’t make even someone with mind-reading abilities misunderstand!

The actions of a regressor aren’t as quick as one might think. This guy has no pauses. His thoughts and actions are restructured in an instant, following a sudden spark of inspiration. It’s a mindset akin to that of a beast.

He’s practically my natural enemy. Yeah. It’s better to be on the same side than to fight a natural enemy. Endure, endure.

“I’m done eating.”

“How many days do you think it’ll take to recover?”

“I should be able to move in about three days. The rest can be recovered slowly.”

“Three days even with that injury? Are you human?”

“What are you saying? I’m more human than you, who came back to life after being torn apart by a mountain lord.”

That’s true. Now that I’ve realized the true power of the demon, my life is tougher than that of a regressor. Ah, I can’t whine about being weak and take it easy anymore.

“By the way, is it okay for a king of humans to become a vampire?”

“What’s wrong with that? Vampires are still human.”

“But you’ve been refusing the offer to become an Elder all this time, haven’t you?”

“If I become an Elder, all my thoughts and will would be under Tyr’s control. That’s not what either I or Tyr wants. What Tyr truly desires is for me not to die or get hurt in vain; he doesn’t want to turn me into a puppet.”

“It sounds like you’re saying you’re different from a vampire right now.”

“I am different. This isn’t a vampire; it’s a demon.”

“A demon…?”

“Yes. Oh, didn’t I mention? Tyr has ultimately reached the level of a demon. There’s not much difference from now, though.”

The eyes of the regressor, who had been lying down, widened.

“Why are you only saying something so important now!”

“Wait? Did I not say anything?”

“You didn’t! This is the first I’m hearing of it!”

“Well, it’s good that I mentioned it now. Just keep that in mind. Even if I’ve become a demon, vampires already exist, right? So, there might not be any significant changes in the world.”

“No way?! That can’t be true!”

“Really?”

‘What happens if Tirkanjaka becomes a demon? The only good thing is that, like Nebida, he’s still alive, so the power of the demon won’t be unleashed without a will… But there’s one problem. Those two absolutely despise the Holy Court.’

A living demon is less threatening than a dead one. The reason is simple. It’s not that the demon is weak, but because they are still bound to life.

A demon that is already dead, reduced to a mere tool, can unleash all kinds of power according to the user’s will. Even if they are dead, once a demon has been reached, their power does not diminish as they are etched into the world. In contrast, if a demon is still alive, they hesitate to wield that immense power. They risk entangling themselves and those around them in a force that can sway the very world.

Just as the Golden Mirror did, and the Grand Master did. There’s nothing more reckless than a person who has already faced death.

But what if the two demons are willing to face death to destroy the Holy Court? If they possess a clear will and intense rage, the Holy Court would not remain unscathed.

‘Those two would probably refuse the chance to destroy the Holy Court if it came. They’d first have to insult and humiliate the saint or celestial being. And if they’ve become demons… they have the ability to do so. Especially with the Tree of Origin and Blood Art.’

Now that I think about it, the two demons are quite related. What if they end up forming an alliance? Well, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for me if they did.

‘Ugh. If that happens later… what should I do? If the Great River occurs, the Empire and the Holy Court will completely form battle lines… War will break out immediately.’

Great River? Battle lines? Sigh. Here we go again, thinking only of oneself.

I decided to stop reading and analyzing the thoughts of the reincarnator. No matter how hard I try to piece it together, if they come up with a different thought a few days later, it’s all for nothing. I might as well just feed them and apply some ointment to build rapport. That’s the quickest way.

Reading the anxious thoughts of the reincarnator, I took out my share of food. I’ve fed them enough, so it’s time for me to fill my own belly.

I scooped up the food repeatedly, filling my growling stomach. The warm broth seeped into my body, bringing an unparalleled sense of satisfaction. Even though I had become immortal, it seemed I still felt hunger.

A demon etches its unique magic into the world. Thanks to Tir’s will, I am now etched into the world as ‘Huz.’ Somehow, I don’t feel like I’d die from starvation… Hmm. There’s no need to test that. It would be painful and uncomfortable.

They say a ghost that has eaten looks good too. Let’s eat first. Just as I was scraping the bowl with my spoon.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

The reincarnator suddenly shouted. Almost dropping my spoon, I wiped my mouth and replied.

“Whoa, you scared me. What’s with the sudden outburst? No one bothers a dog while it’s eating!”

“Woof? I’m a dog, and you’re bothering me!”

“Really? You made a saying and didn’t even follow it? It clearly shows how lacking humans are in manners. I’ll apologize on behalf of all humans.”

“Woof! It’s okay! Just give me food, and you can bother me as much as you want!”

While I reached a dramatic compromise with the dog, the neglected reincarnator shouted.

“Not that…! That’s my spoon!”

“Why? It’s only natural to use a spoon when eating.”

“Use a different one! There are plenty of spoons! Why are you putting the one I used straight into your mouth?”

“Oh, was that the problem? Seriously. It’s just a spoon.”

—

I’ve seen a lot of dirty things, but you’re talking about hygiene over a spoon. This kid is really unpredictable. It seems like they’ve been through a lot, but they have a weak resistance to strange things.

“If you’re going to complain about a little bit of saliva, then is Aji, who drools everywhere, a walking plague? You’re being picky over nothing.”

“It feels bad to use something that’s been used!”

“Shay, you shouldn’t feel bad. The spoon was clean when it went into your mouth. If anyone should feel uncomfortable, it should be me. Why are you making a fuss? And it’s weird to make a big deal out of a little saliva. Does it cause any problems? Oh no! Someone else’s bodily fluids are in my body! I might get pregnant!”

The regressor’s face turned red as they shouted.

“P-Pregnant…? Are you crazy?!”

“No, I’m being sarcastic. It was a joke, and besides, I’m a man, so I can’t get pregnant.”

“There’s a limit to jokes!”

“Shay, your reaction is excessive. Ordinary animals don’t care. Look. Here, Aji.”

To show an example, I scooped some meat and offered it to Aji. Having already emptied his bowl and licking his lips, Aji eagerly took the spoon. He didn’t care whose spoon it was.

Chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp.

His long tongue covered the spoon several times. Aji chewed, sucked, tasted, and enjoyed the spoon as if he wouldn’t leave a single drop of soup.

…You should care about who uses the spoon. This is too much. The spoon is wet. I stared at the spoon soaked in Aji’s saliva.

The regressor noticed my distress and sneered.

“Hmph. You said you didn’t care about a little saliva. Why don’t you try it?”

“…I think you’re right, Shay. The thought of eating it makes me feel as if I might get pregnant.”

“Why do you have to use that analogy?! There are other ways to put it!”

“I’ll get another spoon.”

Tsk. I never thought I’d agree with the regressor. But don’t think this is over.

I’ll keep this spoon and use it to feed you tomorrow. Let’s see if you can tell the difference between a spoon with saliva and one without.

And the next day. After feeding the regressor and eating my meal, I remembered that I had kept the spoon with saliva. I realized I had brought it.

I never figured out which spoon had saliva, but it became even clearer.

It’s a matter of feeling. I shared this precious feeling of being 50% disgusted with the regressor.