Ch.255-12. Reina (1)

# 12. Reina (1)

Unlike the somewhat harmonious family, the atmosphere in the bar was gloomy.

Inside were people troubled by various matters.

Despite having just arrived at the bar, Reina’s face was already bright red, with empty bottles lined up beside her.

“Ah… the alcohol tastes sweet. Don’t you think?”

Chris, who was drinking after a long time, asked with a grimace.

“What are you talking about? It’s fucking bitter.”

“You can say that because your life is going well…”

“Don’t exaggerate. You’re living just fine.”

Reina let out a heavy sigh drawn from deep within.

She must have been through quite a lot until now.

“Of course I’m living well… but…! Is this right?”

“If you’re talking about being single at your age, then I guess that makes sense.”

“Why…? What’s wrong with me…?”

“What do you… mean by that?”

That statement could be interpreted in two ways.

First, “Why don’t people like me when I have nothing lacking?”

But that didn’t make sense.

Dozens, even hundreds of men had already approached her, and even without that, there would be plenty of people who liked her.

So then…

“You mean why won’t he accept you?”

“Yes! That woman gets accepted just fine, so why not me? Does that make any sense? I’ve liked him for much longer…”

“That’s just how life is.”

Reina buried her head on the table and tapped it lightly with her fist.

She seemed quite drunk.

Raicle scolded her upon seeing that unsightly appearance.

“It’s a reunion after so long, can’t you drink a bit slower?”

“Shut up… I’m not in a good mood right now…”

“Was your way of speaking always like this?”

“Not at all.”

It seemed her speech and personality had changed somewhat after weathering the storms of time.

Well, that was natural.

Almost seven years had passed since their school days.

“Anyway, when is he coming?”

Unlike everyone else who had arrived on time, one person was late.

Moreover, that person was the cause of Reina’s unusually irritable condition.

“Yeah, I wish he’d come quickly and deal with this.”

“Hey! Raichel and Luna! Aren’t you annoyed?”

“Here we go again…”

“No…!! Back in school, he’d put up walls no matter what we did, but after getting married, he cheats… that trash…”

“That’s why I’m asking why you like such trash.”

Thinking about it, it was strange.

They always called him a cheating piece of trash whenever they met, yet they themselves never gave up.

I wondered what great reason they had for holding on, but the answer was simpler than expected.

“He’s amazing…”

“That’s your reason?”

“What more do you need? If being better than any other man in this world is the reason, isn’t that enough to like him? It’s the same principle as you liking pretty women with good figures!”

“Alright, just don’t get so worked up…”

She seemed like she would truly explode if provoked further.

However, compared to her, Luna and Rachel showed relatively calm reactions.

“It’s definitely annoying, but what can we do? Right?”

“That’s true…”

The two, who seemed to be at this reunion just for the meal, were enjoying the food while setting aside the conversation.

Reina spoke up, seeing this oddly mismatched response.

“Really? I understand Luna, but shouldn’t you be more urgent? We’re almost thirty…”

“We’re still in our mid-twenties, twenty-six. Still young and fresh.”

“…”

At a loss for words, Reina gave up and once again slammed her head on the table.

Behind her appeared a fine young man.

Holding the hand of a little girl who looked exactly like him, he placed his free hand on Reina’s head.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Though it had been a long time since she heard that voice, her heart still raced at the sound.

She raised her head, trying to hide her flushed ears.

“Oh… oh! You’re here? Bellian came too?”

“Yes, hello, Auntie.”

“Auntie…”

“Should I call you Big Sister instead?”

“That… would be nice…”

Bellian spoke with a familiar smile that reminded one of someone.

“Yes, understood. Big. Sister.”

Seeing that smile that seemed so familiar, she looked at Albert.

Albert casually replied:

“I didn’t teach her that.”

“But really… she looks so much like you.”

“I look like Daddy!? Really!?”

Bellian was extremely pleased at being told she resembled him, showing yet another new side of herself.

People had always said they looked alike, but not directly to her face.

“I see… you do look alike…”

“She really likes that, huh?”

“Somehow. Anyway, what have you all been up to lately?”

When there’s nothing to talk about, catching up on recent events is always perfect.

But Albert seemed genuinely curious.

After all…

“I don’t really do much.”

His daily life hadn’t changed at all from when he was training intensively.

But for the others, it was different.

Naturally, Reina was the first to speak up.

“I don’t do much different either… just clearing dungeons every day.”

“Come to think of it, your operation has grown quite large, hasn’t it? It’s impressive.”

Reina’s mega-party, Chronos, which she led.

Its scale could rival even a nation’s army without falling short.

“It used to be really small, but somehow you’ve built it up to that level… truly amazing.”

“It’s nothing… really…”

Bellian watched the scene while eating the remaining side dishes.

‘She’s so happy…’

It was just one compliment, but she was extremely pleased.

Moreover, the compliment also revealed that he had been keeping an eye on her all this time, which made her even happier.

“What about the others?”

Since he already knew about Chris and Raicle, they didn’t speak up.

Instead, the two who were actively working in the Orion Kingdom rather than the Kainis Empire spoke.

“We’re working at the Academy, as professors.”

“Ah~ I think I heard about that before. Luna too?”

“Yes, together. Come visit sometime. The kids would love it.”

“Academy…”

When Bellian murmured that, Albert asked:

“Do you want to go?”

“Maybe once? But I don’t want to attend.”

“Why?”

“Then I’d have to be away from Daddy, and besides, I don’t need that sort of thing.”

It might seem like an arrogant answer, but no one thought of it that way.

At least in Bellian and Albert’s case, attending the Academy would be meaningless. At most, it would be like experiencing life as a commoner.

Everyone assumed they would be at that level, being the children of Albert and Elizabeth.

However, since they hadn’t actually seen it, they couldn’t be certain.

Raicle asked Bellian:

“By the way, how strong are you?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you and Albert.”

“He’s not that strong.”

That confident tone carried absolute certainty.

Raicle looked at Albert and asked:

“How is she?”

“Well… she’s definitely strong, unbelievably so.”

If Albert said that much, she must truly be powerful.

As her father, his assessment would be strict…

“She could probably beat the middle school division there.”

“Isn’t that… underestimating her too much?”

“I really think so.”

It wasn’t underestimation.

What was certain was that Bellian was already at that level.

Despite being only five years old.

“We could just try it out, but more importantly, have a drink. You rarely drink except at times like this.”

“Should I…?”

“Yes, don’t worry since I won’t be drinking.”

Bellian suddenly looked at Reina and winked as if giving her a signal.

At first, no one understood what it meant, but as the atmosphere warmed up and everyone became more intoxicated, it became clear.

“Don’t you have any troubles these days? We’re really struggling…”

“How could he have any? Always clearing dungeons alone and training day and night…”

“Troubles… well…”

Albert was pondering his concerns.

The fact that he didn’t immediately deny having any suggested there was something.

“What is it?”

“I feel like I’m not doing anything these days…”

“…? Are you bragging now?”

“No… it’s not that… Sometimes I wonder why I’m living like this, because I’m not doing anything.”

“That’s a good thing! Enjoy it! Enjoy it while you can!”

One might think such a carefree statement comes from someone with a full stomach, but for Albert, who wasn’t used to such peace, it was a natural reaction.

Until now, he had never really rested.

Except before meeting Elizabeth…

‘It feels like I’ve gone back to that time…’

Thinking about it that way, it could certainly be considered a concern.

He had almost hated his former self… Of course, such thoughts might seem strange to others.

But it couldn’t be helped.

“Ah… my head is spinning… I’ll step outside for a moment.”

Albert frowned and touched his forehead.

“Bellian, stay here…”

“Yes, I’ll stay put, so go ahead.”

“Thanks.”

Albert, apparently weak to alcohol, went outside for some fresh air.

As soon as he left the restaurant, Bellian said to Reina:

“Big Sister, what are you doing? Not following him?”

“Huh…?”

“You seem too drunk to make proper judgments, so go quickly.”

“Is that okay…?”

A rather foolish question.

Though inwardly frustrated, Bellian didn’t show it.

She had seen this many times before, and she thought that this was why Reina kept waiting endlessly.

So instead of giving sharp advice, Bellian gently pushed her back.

“Of course. I’m always rooting for you.”