RGS Volume 5 Part 2

“Huff, huff, I think, I think we’ve lost them now.”

Abel, bending over, panted as he looked back. There was no sign of movement from the direction he and Kin had run to, but Abel remained on guard for a long time. Though not as much as Abel, Kin also panted heavily, leaning one hand against a tree.

However, he was not worried about Norhox’s soldiers who had been chasing them unlike Abel. He could simply cut down the guys chasing them with his sword. What surprised him now was Abel.

No, how could he run so well?

Wasn’t he so fragile that during the journey to the capital, he was under the meticulous protection of the butler and Melmond?

At first, he frowned at their excessive protection. However, during the journey, he sympathized with the two instead when he saw Abel fainting at the slightest touch. Then, Abel, like himself, no, at some point, ran faster than him.

Moreover, he was fine!

“Whew, whew, could it be that they thought they didn’t have to chase after us since it’s just the two of us?”

“…….”

“Major Captain Battalion Commander, are you okay?”

The shock about Abel was pushed aside when he heard the lengthy title.

“That’s what I should be saying. Are you okay?”

Abel blinked and nodded his head.

“Yes. I’m not hurt.”

“No, it’s not that! How are you fine after running at full speed…?”

Kin’s words trailed off as he looked at Abel’s expression. Abel’s eyes and mouth twisted, and he suddenly burst into a big laugh.

“Hahaha, yes! That’s right! I’m fine! Hahaha— I’m fine this time too! My heart! My lungs! My legs!”

However, he didn’t seem mentally fine.

But Kin quietly watched Abel express all his emotions.

What on earth is going on?

Previously, his weak body was definitely not an act. It was fortunate if he became healthy, but he couldn’t understand it at all. However, there was no more time to ponder it. Kin looked at the sky, where the sun was quite tilted to the west, and came back to his senses.

“More than that, you must return quickly. Do you know how surprised everyone was because of Lord Abel?”

Having already heard from Kin that they thought he was dead, Abel stopped laughing and lowered his eyes.

“I’m sorry. It was a sudden situation for me too.”

“Therefore, you must return quickly and let them know you are alive.”

Kin demanded in a firm voice, as if giving an order, and turned his body first. He wasn’t pleased with Abel’s death, but honestly, he wasn’t pleased with him being alive either. Kin still felt that he saw him as an obstacle, but he tried to stay calm on purpose.

Even if the worst-case scenario happened and Abel met with Karas and ran away together, it didn’t matter anymore. Even if that happened, he intended to raise his sword against the King’s Heart. Firming his resolve, he looked around to gauge where he had hidden his horse.

It seemed to be in the opposite direction of where the horses were, so even if they left now, they would arrive at the camp by midnight. However, he didn’t hear any following sound from behind as he started walking. Turning around just in case, Abel had half-turned his body towards the way they came. When Kin called his name, Abel turned only his head to look back at him.

“They know that His Majesty’s real Regas is alive. And they also know that he is a beautiful person with blond hair and green eyes.”

As Kin raised his eyebrows in interest, Abel turned his gaze back to the direction they came from.

“When I was taken to the Regas’ quarters last night and heard that story, I couldn’t understand it. How do they know that the real Regas is alive? And on top of that, his appearance too,”

“That might be because His Majesty gave the order in advance. When the war ended and we set off for the capital, His Majesty ordered the King’s Heart to prepare a Regas with an appearance similar to yours. So, they might think such an appearance attracts His Majesty’s interest.”

“Even so, that doesn’t prove that the real Regas exists. For the past twelve years, they genuinely believed that the past me was the real Regas.”

It doesn’t make sense to abandon twelve years of belief just because of one order from Karas. Kin couldn’t refute Abel’s opinion.

“Then how do you think they knew it?”

“There was something strange in what Marquis Norhox said. He mentioned that Duke Truyde’s household has been cursed for generations.”

“What curse?”

Abel, finding it difficult to answer immediately, looked at the ground for a moment before raising his eyes.

“A curse of loving the King’s Regas.”

“!”

“I’m certain that twelve years ago, Duke Truyde didn’t love me. Therefore, they must have thought the real one hadn’t appeared yet.”

Kin caught in shock was at a loss for words. Indeed, Truyde’s preference is clearly Abel’s current appearance.

Is this merely a coincidence? Or is it truly an absurd curse?

But how could such a curse exist?

Kin, who was contemplating, suddenly realized that there was an unbelievable existence, which is reincarnation, that is right in front of him. If reincarnation is possible, then a curse might be too.

And if it is indeed a curse?

The fate of Abel, reincarnated with the Duke’s preferred appearance, was truly terrifying.

No, was this reincarnation predetermined from the start?

So, what if this appearance had always been Truyde’s preference?

However, unlike the startled Kin, Abel calmly continued to provide information.

“And it seems there’s one more thing they know. Do you remember what the Lady of that fake while we were in their manor had said? She said Marquis Yan had an object, and only the true Regas could use it to see the past. Marquis Norhox also knew about this.”

“Norhox?”

“Yes. So, he intends to take that object from Marquis Yan, reveal Duke Truyde’s secret, and then take his place.”

Listening to Abel, one question came to Kin’s mind. Both Truyde’s curse and Marquis Yan’s secret, why did they suddenly spread within the King’s Heart? As if an internal conflict had erupted…

The war profiteer!

Kin frowned as he recalled the cause of their split. When he met him last night, Kin didn’t hear anything. As Truyde’s confidant, he must have known something.

Could it be that he deliberately hid it?

How dare he, from me?

Kin narrowed his eyes, glaring at the empty space as Abel’s words continued.

“I don’t know the details, but it seems that within the King’s Heart, they’re probably desperate to find the real Regas which is me. If there’s internal conflict, possessing me would be more important to them than His Majesty. So, they are closely watching His Majesty and are alert to everything he takes an interest in. They must find the real one before the enemy makes use of me. Either they will use me or kill me outright.”

Kin showed a subtle expression at Abel’s words. He spoke of the King’s Heart targeting him as if just discussing the weather.

“If I am caught by them, the events of 12 years ago will repeat again. They will control me with drugs and use me until I die. So, before they catch me, I want to find Marquis Yan’s object first. So please let me stay like this for a while.”

Like this?

Just as Kin felt uneasy, Abel’s calm voice continued.

“I will stay as dead.”

It was strange. Abel’s words ended, but his voice continued to echo in Kin’s head. To stay as dead. Perhaps it was because it was what Kin secretly desired. Even though he concluded that Abel’s existence didn’t matter anymore, deep inside, he was still bothered by him.

But why did his heart feel heavy instead of being happy when the other person said what he wanted to hear first?

It was an embarrassment as if the bad intentions that he had hoped for were malicious and had been discovered. Kin looked at the other person with wavering eyes. The moment he held his breath felt like it blocked out the surroundings, plunging him into darkness.

However, as he looked into the green eyes facing him, his breath naturally returned. He felt relief that the other hadn’t noticed his dark wishes, and at the same time, he felt an indescribable guilt that covered him.

Abel was sincere.

His calm voice and unwavering gaze indicated that his words were not spoken lightly. So, it might be an opportunity for Kin, who hadn’t revealed his true intentions yet.

Okay, please do as you say. He only needed to nod his head, however, the opposite words came out of his mouth.

“No, that’s not possible. That can’t happen.”

Kin took a step toward Abel with a stern face, spilling out his true feelings that he himself hadn’t realized.

“Lord Abel, you are the only one His Majesty has ever responded to. Surely, you know what your presence means to him, don’t you? In all my time serving His Majesty, I have never seen him try to save someone else’s life. I still cannot forget the sight of His Majesty carrying you, Lord Abel, as you collapsed in the forest and disappeared. Nor can I forget that he searched for a doctor to save you. Do you know how many people have died at his hands because they couldn’t give him what he wanted?”

Abel listened to Kin’s words with serious eyes. Meanwhile, Kin, suppressing his agitation, continued in a lowered voice.

“I was bewildered by His Majesty’s behavior. When he disappeared, completely absorbed in one person and forgetting even the King’s Heart, it felt like the sky was falling. So, Lord Abel, your existence was… not welcome to me. To be honest, when I was searching for His Majesty, I hoped you were already dead.”

“……”

“But no matter how I feel, I can’t bear to see it. The sight of His Majesty’s appearance knowing that Lord Abel is dead.”

Kin let out a hollow laugh, finding his own words absurd.

“It’s such a strange thing. Revenge against the King’s Heart was more important to me than His Majesty’s heartbreak, yet looking at your face, all I can think of is all the pain His Majesty would suffer.”

“……”

“So, that can’t happen. At the very least, you must let His Majesty know that you are alive. So that he,”

Kin’s words trailed off, as if he couldn’t say anything else, but he soon spoke firmly.

“Even if it means he will disappear with Lord Abel to a place where no one knows.”

Abel, who had been listening to the story, reacted for the first time. He looked up and briefly remembered Karas’ voice, who had said the same thing.

‘Come with me… to a place where you can lie on the grass and roll around comfortably. Where you can pick fruits and catch fish. A comfortable place where you can sit quietly and listen to the sound of the wind in the forest.”

“Lord Abel.”

Kin’s voice cut into his thoughts. Abel turned his gaze to him and asked slowly.

“Why was I reincarnated?”

Kin raised an eyebrow as if asking what he was talking about. Abel murmured without expecting an answer.

“At first, I thought it would be enough just to see the prince again. Then, I wanted to help him win the war against the King’s Heart, which hasn’t ended yet. I thought it wouldn’t matter if I died once that was accomplished. But now my greed has grown.”

What do you desire now? Kin asked, and Abel smiled.

“I want to live a long time by the prince’s side and lounge around comfortably in the forest. Even if it’s in a place where no one knows.”

“……”

“But if we hide now, the King’s Heart will chase us to the end, right? Even if I stay by the prince’s side, I’ll always be worried unable to sleep about them catching us. I’ll always be anxious that they might secretly poison our food once they find us. To do what I want right now, I’d have to endure this anxiety. However, I’ve learned a lesson from being reincarnated. What’s better than risking your life to overcome immediate danger is surviving, even if it means kneeling, seizing an opportunity and truly get what you really want. Even if it’s difficult right now, it’s best to live through the humiliation now to grasp the chance and achieve what you truly desire.”

Abel smiled faintly again.

“Maybe that’s why I was reincarnated. To learn that there is nothing to gain by risking your life but self-satisfaction. To learn how naive the belief that sacrificing myself will make everything better in the future.”

The indifferent tone and even the smile. It was meant to deceive the listener, however, Kin could tell how deeply Abel regretted his past life. Perhaps, it might have been Abel who wanted to let Karas know he was alive immediately. Yet, he was remarkably patient.

“Alright. Then I will keep your existence a secret for the time being. When do you plan to reveal yourself to His Majesty?”

When Kin asked sharply, Abel looked down, pondering for a moment as if he was worried.

“At least after I find the marquis’s object.”

“Do you have a specific plan for that?”

What on earth exactly are you planning to do alone?

Kin frowned as if he was displeased. However he wouldn’t let him go alone since he knew, he didn’t think Abel, who had no power, could accomplish anything. But Abel, as if it were nothing, just said something strange.

“Well, you see, before, I once accidentally disturbed an otter’s den while looking for bait for fishing by the river. There were cubs inside, and the otter got startled and hid them further inside. I don’t know how much I apologized, even catching fish for the otter.”

What nonsense is this?

Kin thought as he looked at Abel strangely, but Abel continued to explain earnestly, recalling that time.

“I really begged them on my knees and with both hands. Since that place was good for catching fish, I begged every time I went there. But one day, a bear appeared!”

“Ha, now is not the time for such adventure tales.”

Hold on, Abel asked for Kin’s understanding, who just sighed, and then went on about how big the bear was, how he ran up a tree, and how scared he was when the bear chased him up. Only after a long story did he finally get to the conclusion.

“When I finally got down from the tree, I saw the otter couple moving their hidden cubs.”

Abel smiled even wider as if that was the end. As if asking if Kin understood now. Kin, whose eyes couldn’t furrow any further, took another step closer.

“You need to see a doctor immediately.”

He firmly suggested, but the crazy guy just laughed and refused.

“Haha, the wound on my face is fine. It will heal quickly.”

No, it’s your head that’s the problem.

Resisting the urge to say it outright, he forced himself to speak out loud and ask again.