Chapter 27 - Wings (2)

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"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Edwin... Reed... ?"

"Yes, that's right. Why do you keep looking at me like... Ah."

The foolish attitude that Isana was displaying to me right now was a completely opposite reaction to the image she usually presents. And without much thought, I could quickly figure out the reason. Ah, she can't recognize my slimmed face.

Come to think of it, my voice was also different from the usual oily tone. The voice coming out of my throat now has a more solid and trustworthy feel to it.

"Isana, I'm sorry, but if you have a mirror, could you bring it to me? If it's a full-length mirror, even better."

I wonder how much I've changed to be getting that kind of reaction. By this point, even I was finding it very difficult to contain my curiosity.

After a while, the maids of the mansion brought a full-length mirror into the room, and I rushed to stand in front of it.

'Oh my god…'

The mirror reflected the image of a tall man. Originally, due to Edwin's considerable height, even though they brought a high full-length mirror, it wasn't until I stepped back a few strides that his entire figure could be captured at once.

The most noticeable change was, of course, in the face. While the dull hair, somewhat nervous-looking eyes, and gray irises were no different from before, the other parts had undergone a significantly three-dimensional transformation unlike the past.

Now that the bulging cheeks were gone, the bridge of the nose that was buried beneath them had become particularly prominent, and the slightly sunken shadows on the eyelids have added to my masculine appearance. 

The layers of folded chin fat disappeared without a trace, replaced by a slim and sharp jawline extending gracefully from below the ears.

"This is... seems alright..."

The reflection of me in the mirror displayed an appearance that, from my perspective, didn't look too shabby. Of course, this was just my own viewpoint. Considering that when a man admires his face, there's often quite a bit of correction involved, it would be more accurate to get an objective evaluation from others later on. 

However, it's a bit disappointing that there wasn't anyone to objectively tell the story. Father was out of the question, and Adele, being still young and liking the softness of my belly, might be disappointed. Isana and Paine were demons, so their standards might differ from mine...

Anyway, in the end, my gamble paid off again.

The only thing I didn't like is that, apart from the face, the body had lost all its vitality and had become as dry as a small dried fish.

In terms of the standards of my past life, one might argue it's lean muscle, but by the standards of this world, where much was influenced by physical strength, it was quite pathetic.

Well, that didn't change the fact that I got quite satisfactory results.

I acquired the tome of strength in Falana, and now that I have taken the elixir, my constitution must have improved considerably.

As for the muscles, they can be returned to their original state in a short time, no, to a better level than that.

And... Mana Sclerosis. 

I took a seat, and, utilizing the maximum intensity I could muster, began circulating mana throughout my body. Even after more than five minutes of maintaining this circulation, there was no blockage or stuffiness anywhere. Apparently, Mana Sclerosis was also cured by the power of the elixir. 

Alright. This should be more than enough to be satisfied.

After calming down my pounding heart as best I could, I opened the door and stepped into the corridor. Isana was still standing in front of the room, waiting for me.

"Isana, I'm sorry, but can you tell the maids to bring me new clothes? As you can see, this is because the old clothes have grown too big. If I continue like this, I will be rude to Mr. Paine too, so please, I ask of you."

"Huh? Ah, yes... I got it." 

Isana still couldn't fully gather her senses while looking at me. Well, it was quite natural since a person suddenly transformed drastically in half a day; it's somewhat unreasonable to expect her brain to adapt quickly.

Right now, I wasn't in a position to say anything either...

"Really, judging by the way you speak, it seems you really are Edwin Reed. This is unbelievable. Huh, really..."

"Didn't I tell you? The herbs, they're all useful. Now that I've shown you the evidence in front of your eyes, can you believe me now?"

"What...? Herbs? You mean you ate those things I gave you and you turned out like this now? My God, that's the most ridiculous...!"

"Oh, come on. That's it, that's it. I left the leftovers in the corner of the pharmacy, so you can do whatever you want with them."

"Wait... Edwin Reed!! Hey!"

The maids brought the clothes, and I went back into the room to change into a new one. Behind me, Isana was calling my name desperately.

* * * * *

"Unbelievable... Unbelievable..."

After changing into new clothes, I headed to the audience room where I had visited on the first day. It was too late for dinner, so I planned to casually share the events of the past few days with Paine.

And Paine's reaction upon seeing me, much like Isana's earlier, wasn't significantly different.

"You really are Master Edwin... ?"

"If you ask like that, there's no choice but to answer 'yes,' Mr. Paine."

I replied with a smile to Paine, who was sighing repeatedly.

"Even though I haven't lived for many years, this is truly the first time I've experienced something like this. How can a person change so much in such a short time...? Is it really because of those herbs you ate...?"

"Strictly speaking, it wasn't just those herbs I consumed. I added a few more methods I knew. It's not a method that others would easily follow, and it was a gamble that I took risking my life. Fortunately, it succeeded; otherwise, I wouldn't be a person of this world if anything had gone wrong."

"What? My God..." 

"So, I wanted to execute this method when I returned to my territory, but Isana was very concerned about the use of the ingredients, and I had no choice but to proceed here. I apologize for this, and I'm willing to apologize even now."

"No, no. It's okay. Even if the roles were reversed, I would have done the same. Master Edwin, you shouldn't lower your head so much for this."

"And the help of Mr. Paine played a very important role in making all of this possible. Thank you very much. I will engrave today's grace deep into my bones, so if there's anything you need in the future, please don't hesitate to find me. I, too, will help with all my sincerity."

The words I said to her were not just empty words. If I hadn't fortunately met the Demon King and received help, obtaining what I needed would have taken much more time and effort. I only remembered the name of the place where the Relics were hidden, but I didn't know the exact location.

I remembered the names and combinations of the herbs to be used as potion ingredients, but I had no idea how to acquire them. If it weren't for Paine and Isana's help, I might have been dying in the mountains of the Demon Realm by now.

"Hehehe. You know what, Master Edwin? In the last few days, I've been feeling more joy than everything I've had in my life put together. And all of these were gifts from you, Master Edwin. I'm really looking forward to how much more you'll bestow upon me in the future."

Joy? Someone was risking his life and future to do this...

It was said that he was a moderate demon king, but it seems that Paine was not elected as a demon king for nothing. 

It's clear that the position of a Demon King must be held by someone with a slightly eccentric mind. Unable to express my true feelings, I gave Paine a polite response to his words.

"I feel the same way, Mr. Paine. If there is one regret, it is that we have not been able to meet face to face and talk. I hope that such a day will come soon."

"Hehe, that's the same for me. Don't worry too much. Maybe that day will come sooner than Master Edwin thinks. Who can predict the future?"

Did I see it wrong?

The shadow of Paine, who was talking, somehow seemed to be laughing happily.

* * * * *

After that, upon seeing my condition, Paine insisted on me resting for a few more days. However, with tasks still pending, I couldn't delay any longer. After staying for just one more day, I prepared to depart from East Hall around noon the next day.

"Then, go well, Edwin Reed."

Isana, in the absence of Paine, was seeing me off. She still had her habitually gruff and dismissive attitude, but somehow, even that felt endearing now. Perhaps some strange affection had developed during the days we spent together.

"You too, be well. The next time we meet, try to fix that uncouth attitude of yours."

"What are you talking about! I only act like that with you, you know? Anyway, until the end..."

As I playfully threw in a half-serious remark, Isana responded with her usual fiery retort. Seeing her react like that, it seemed like she was not about to change her manners anytime soon.

Shaking my head in amusement, I mounted my horse and set off from East Hall.

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02