I Regressed to My Ruined Family Chapter 188

#When I returned, my family was ruined (189)

It wasn’t a big deal to ask about the human age of the doppelganger. If we simply measure the passage of time, Ilya’s age would be over 100. Of course, if you look at it from the outside, it doesn’t look like that at all…

‘But 100 is a bit…’

Isn’t there a way for each person to have a certain tolerance? Although I had great regrets about not being able to feel love when I was about to die… that was not synonymous with wanting to meet someone older than 80.

That’s why I asked the question. It was only recently that I decided not to completely close out the possibility. So shouldn’t we try to open up that ‘possibility’ as much as possible?

‘If you’re in your early twenties…’

It wasn’t that I had any particular aversion to being older. Shouldn’t you have met someone younger or older in the first place to consider their likes and dislikes? Calculating it in terms of human age, it was well within the acceptable range. Moreover, her appearance… She

was taken aback by the sudden change, but if you were to look at her simply by aesthetic standards, she could be said to be so beautiful that anyone would call her a beauty. If it weren’t for the image of the girl I had met for a long time, it would have immediately taken a place in my heart.

Ilya asked, fidgeting with her hands as if the silence was frustrating.

“You’re in your twenties… don’t you like it?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Then… is there something that’s bothering you?”

“It’s not like there isn’t one. “Isn’t this the first time you’ve shown yourself like this?”

“….”

“I told you earlier. I won’t completely close the possibility. “I plan to keep my word.”

Ilya’s face brightened. He looked so innocent that it was difficult to think of him as an old wizard who had lived for over a hundred years.

“However, this is a time when the family is not completely stable. “I may be interested in those things, but they are not a top priority for me.”

“…Then, after the family is completely stabilized…?”

“Maybe we can consider it a little more then. “It will take some time to get used to the appearance you show.”

Ilya nodded.

Nearly half a year has already passed since I met and spent time with the Duke. As I’ve been living under a different façade for a while, I can fully sympathize with the need for time.

Compared to the fact that I initially thought the duke would not accept it at all, isn’t it a situation where I can’t be thankful enough?

“I understand. “I just want to ask you one thing.”

“Something?”

“What exactly is the concept of a family being completely stable?”

Ardan was quickly regaining its former glory. Of course, this does not mean that it has completely recovered its strength and power from its heyday.

Even though the Dragon Slayer Order was renowned within the kingdom, it would not be an understatement to say that their power was as small as dust compared to the power of the Knights Order that existed in the past.

Even though Ethan’s level was rising rapidly, it was still insufficient compared to what the previous duke had achieved. Duke Zhendae was known to have inflicted a fatal wound on the ‘dragon lord’.

That’s why I was curious about the standards. The length of time to wait would also be determined depending on where the duke’s standards belonged.

“…well.”

Ethan thought for a moment. If I had first arrived here, I would have answered without hesitation.

To restore the power and reputation of the previous Ardan. That is his goal and standard.

But things were a little different now.

“I don’t like all the people in the church. “Every trick I have is extremely dirty.”

“….”

“We cleared them out of Heidern, but in fact, that’s just the tip of the iceberg compared to their strength.”

“…Do you want to avenge your squadron?”

“well. “I’m not trying to act solely on feelings of revenge.”

The influence did not reach Heidern much, but other kingdoms were different.

Six kingdoms, including the Empire, recognized the Naraxus Church as an official religion. In all likelihood, their influence will have infiltrated all over the high-ranking ranks. In order to establish themselves as not just a prosperous family within the Kingdom of Heidern, but as the most prestigious family in the Western Continent like before…

‘There will inevitably be friction with those guys.’

‘Did you say Anna?’

He was believed to be a high-ranking member of the Yongin tribe. Other archbishops must be paying attention to this as well.

I had no intention of avoiding a fight.

If I had that kind of disposition, I would have already succumbed to those guys in my past life. Ilya’s face darkened after hearing the answer.

If the main goal is not to simply increase the power of the family, but to destroy the religious order, then no matter how much of a duke he is, he cannot be completely safe.

It was a difficult road.

“…I will do my best to help. So… don’t even dream of leaving it behind when a battle breaks out like last time.”

“If you want.”

* * *

The week-long journey touring major cities has come to an end. When I returned, I could feel many eyes flocking to me. This was especially true for the lady standing next to Ethan.

The people in the inner city looked at Ilia and tilted their heads. It was definitely a strangely familiar face. His appearance resembles that of a wizard residing in the inner city.

‘…are they sisters?’

I wonder if that fact is the first thing that comes to mind. Elena also had such thoughts.

“Hey Ethan. “Who is next to him…?”

“It’s Ilya.”

“…Ilya? “That Ilya?”

“uh.”

Elena’s eyes widened.

That too for a while.

She nodded in understanding. Ilia Although she appears to be a young girl on the outside, it was already known that she was in essence an archmage. This was the truth that Sylvia told me when she first introduced me.

For such an archmage, it would not be difficult to change his appearance.

However, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Ilya may be much more beautiful now, but unlike in the past, her cuteness has decreased significantly.

‘…If I had known this would happen, I would have patted my head at least once!’

It was something I had firmly resolved in my heart since I first saw it. However, knowing its nature, it was not easy to seize the opportunity.

An archmage who changes his appearance at will has probably lived much longer than he has, no matter how bad he may be. Sooner or later, I would find an excuse to pet him!

The opportunity was lost.

Elena took a sip of her food and looked at the wizard.

It was definitely pretty.

“You look so beautiful, Ilya!”

“Ah… no…”

“If it’s not rude, may I know why you changed your appearance?”

“I thought it was too young… I guess I’ll have to do a lot of external activities in the future… I thought it might be uncomfortable to look like that…”

“I see.”

Certainly, there were a few inconveniences in the past when engaging in external activities.

Who would think that a ten-year-old girl was a seasoned archmage? The same was true for the people currently in the castle.

If you thought of it as a son of a noble family, you wouldn’t know it, but there was almost no one who thought of it as an archmage.

After seeing her in action several times, didn’t I become convinced that she was a very talented magician?

No matter how you look at it, it was his current appearance that was advantageous for his social life.

“That is certainly true. Then, I will notify the staff in advance.”

“I would be grateful if you would…”

If it had been an old woman or a young girl, she would have reacted completely differently. Ilya’s attitude was always shriveled, as if he were a deflated balloon.

The reason was simple.

It was because I was not used to dealing with people like this.

In fact, it might have been a natural reaction, considering how much of the more than 100 years I spent living under the guise of being in my twenties.

Although she didn’t know the details of the situation, Elena also noticed that Ilya’s response had become very timid.

Why?

Could it be that you are not accurately aware of your own appearance?

You say you are very beautiful. So you can have enough confidence. Now was the time when such advice was needed.

“I…”

Ilya grabbed Ethan’s sleeve and squeezed it.

What she wanted now wasn’t much. Instead of talking to others, I hide in a quiet laboratory and control my mind.

That was enough.

Showing this side of me to others was so much more shameful than I thought, and I was so embarrassed that my head felt like it was going to explode. Ethan looked at Elena in silent protest to stop the conversation.

As expected, the duke noticed something…

“Sister.”

“huh.”

“If you’re not busy, how about having a cup of tea with Ilya?”

“Is that so?”

Elena’s expression brightened.

Even though she looks older, she is still just a lady of similar age. Plus, the way he hesitated was a lot cuter than I thought.

“How are you, Ilya? “If only Ilia wasn’t busy…”

“Uh… yeah, not that busy… but…”

The plan to hide inside the room was immediately shattered. She was seen being led by Elena’s hand and entering the office.

‘Good.’

A kind of interpersonal avoidance state.

The fastest way to recover is to overcome such things by facing others. How long can we hide inside? Ethan, who had entrusted Illia to his care, took steps toward his office.

* * *

Everyone was adapting to the changes as quickly as they were rapid.

That was a fact that could be clearly seen just by looking at Ilia.

On the first day it arrived in the duchy, it hid itself from people, but now, two weeks later, it has achieved outstanding growth to the point where it does not avert its eyes even when it encounters people in its inner city.

There was Elena’s dedicated help in the process. Since we talked on the first day, I called her and talked to her every day.

There was probably a lot of comfort and encouragement. It seemed like the queen of social circles who had rocked the capital in her previous life had gone nowhere. Meanwhile, Ethan also completed all preparations to move to the Kingdom of Limedel. There are approximately two weeks left until the competition begins.

The plan was simple.

I planned to move to Fractal Marquis, where the Turian Marquis was located, and use the gate connected to the royal castle from there. After waiting in the royal castle for a while, I planned to use the gate connected to the Kingdom of Limedell.

Normally, the gate would not be activated between the two countries, but it was different now that it was the competition period. Eligibility for participation could not have been more certain as I received a golden invitation.

Himself, Nerian, and even Myers. There were a total of three people participating in this competition. It will be a good experience not only for you but also for the two of you.

The carriage rushed towards the marquis.