After the Fall of the Demon Race, Reincarnated as a Demon Girl - Chapter 33

During a break in her morning routine, Renith moved her fingertips slightly, dispersing the magical particles swirling around her.

She hadn’t slept. Hearing the sound of Vistah’s heavy door slam earlier, she had directed the magical particles to quickly probe Vistah’s current state.

His condition could only be described as not good. A force surrounded him—not aura, not magic. It felt close to divine, yet not quite. In this day and age on the continent, whoever could stir up something like this was almost certainly a Transmigrator.

Renith had no choice but to step in and help Vistah. Otherwise, he would never find his way out. The outcome would likely be… madness.

After finishing her wash, Renith instinctively glanced towards Vistah’s room.

He appeared calm now, gazing at the pocket watch in his palm. That vague, peculiar force clinging to him had gradually dissipated.

Renith withdrew her gaze. Dressed in the black sweatshirt she bought yesterday, she entered the living room. She walked straight to the sofa, sat down gracefully, crossed her legs, rested her hands casually on the armrests, and quietly watched the old repairman struggling to hammer the frame of the metal door.

“Oh, a guest? Never seen you before,” the old repairman said, looking up at Renith without pausing his work. His voice carried a simple, honest tone.

“Yes, I just arrived in Mobis City a few days ago,” Renith replied with a slight, gentle smile, her tone relaxed. “Don’t know my way around yet, so I’m staying with Miss Antina for a few days. Might be back on the road soon.”

She didn’t mind talking with straightforward, honest folks like the old repairman; in fact, it brought her a faint sense of pleasure.

One must understand, a long, long time ago, given her aloof and solitary nature, she would never have associated much with such people.

Perhaps it’s a sign of age?

Doing a quick calculation, she reckoned she was about four hundred and thirty years old now.

“Don’t know what work you do, Miss,” the repairman continued, straining to hold the heavy door while tightly gripping a screwdriver, laboriously driving screws into the newly drilled holes, “but it must be tough, always running around like that…”

“In the beginning, it was truly exhausting,” Renith admitted. “But the weaReniths wasn’t so much physical as it was a toll on the spirit. These days, though, I’ve grown accustomed to this wandering life. Traveling around, seeing new things, broadening my horizons… it’s not so bad.”

As she spoke, Renith subtly hooked a finger. An invisible force gently pressed the door against the wall, making it easier for the old repairman to install it without struggling alone.

Just then, Antina hurried out of her room. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she dashed into the washroom for a quick clean-up, then rushed over to help the repairman steady the door.

“Sorry, I overslept a bit,” Antina said apologetically.

The old repairman waved it off dismissively, straightening up briefly to grab two more screws from his toolbox. “It’s still early,” he said with a hearty chuckle. “Shops on the street aren’t even open yet. I’m the one who came too early. Oh, by the way, that young fellow, Vistah, rushed straight into his room earlier. Not sure what that was about. Miss Antina, if you have a moment, maybe check on him?”

Antina seemed to recall the incident and turned to head towards Vistah’s room, but Renith spoke up at just the right moment.

“I already checked on him. He’s fine. He’s just questioning some of what he’s learned. Best to let him have some quiet time to sort it out himself.”

“Good, good,” the repairman sighed with relief, his face relaxing into a reassured smile as he returned to his work.

It took about two more hours for Rojanie to finally wake up.

By then, the new door was successfully installed. Antina promptly settled the bill and saw the experienced repairman out. She then went into her bedroom to start drafting up some accounts.

Rojanie’s eyes lit up at the sight of the brand-new door. She nodded appreciatively, a quiet admiration in her heart.

“Finally got rid of that shabby, annoying old door. This one opens and closes much more quietly, not nearly as startling…” she murmured to herself. Then, as if remembering something, she changed the subject. “But where’s Vistah? He’s usually an early riser. Strange not to see him around.”

“He’s not feeling well and is resting in his room,” Renith responded softly from nearby.

Rojanie hadn’t noticed anyone sitting on the sofa earlier. Hearing Renith’s voice, she suddenly realized her repeated testing of the new door—opening and closing it, likely looking quite silly—had probably been witnessed entirely by Renith.

A blush instantly spread across her cheeks. She hurriedly turned her head away, avoiding Renith’s gaze.

“Oh… he’s unwell? Then… maybe I should go check on him!” Rojanie said, starting to move away.

But Renith stopped her in time. “Best not to disturb him. Let him be alone with his thoughts. Going now might just interrupt his rest.”

As she spoke, magical particles swirled around Renith’s fingertips. She carefully examined Rojanie’s physical condition. Her investigation revealed that the energy within Rojanie was quite different from Vistah’s. That mysterious force was completely absent in Rojanie.

Since the conflict seemed tied to knowledge and cognition, Renith naturally turned her suspicion towards Brand University.

“Nothing at all?” Renith couldn’t hide her surprise.

Previously, Antina had mentioned that Rojanie and Vistah had been at the university for the past few years. So why wasn’t Rojanie entangled with that strange, mysterious power?

Was it because Rojanie’s father was wealthy, making the mysterious Transmigrator cautious about targeting her?

Or was there some hidden collusion between Rojanie’s family and the Transmigrator, sparing her from its effects?

Renith found both theories unlikely. She must be missing some details.

After Antina’s meeting concluded, Renith decided to visit Brand University herself. Perhaps she could find some clues there.

“Sigh… still no response from Vistah. For lunch, I’ll take you both out,” Antina suggested.

For Renith, eating wasn’t strictly necessary, but she accepted Antina’s kindness graciously. Rojanie, meanwhile, chattered excitedly in Antina’s ear, recommending a restaurant across the street. Antina, however, ignored her suggestions and led the two eastwards.

Across one street, on the opposite side, stood a tastefully decorated restaurant known for its unique flavors—a regular spot for Antina.

Directly opposite the restaurant, right where Renith and the others stood, was a bookstore. Outside, neatly stacked, were the day’s newspapers. For just four copper coins, one could acquire this publication, which contained the hot topics of the last three days.

Without hesitation, Antina bought a copy. Then, she ushered Renith and Rojanie into the noodle shop.

“Owner, one order of thin noodles with pork cutlet, and a glass of water, please. What would you two like?” Antina said, passing the menu to Renith and Rojanie.

Renith gave the menu a quick glance and ordered something similar to Antina. Rojanie, however, was different. She didn’t order much in the way of main dishes, instead focusing on the delicate pastries and ordering several varieties.

“The owner here specifically learned some recipes from a ‘Chosen One’,” Antina explained enthusiastically. “It’s affordable, but the taste rivals big hotels and high-end restaurants.”

But Rojanie, never one to mince words, bluntly stated, “Seems to me you just picked this place to save money.”

Antina’s face darkened instantly. Such comments were fine in private, but saying this in front of their guest, Renith, was downright embarrassing, making her seem stingy.

Antina felt her face grow hot, as if everyone’s eyes were on her. She quickly hid her face behind the newspaper, trying to escape the imagined stares.

“I’ll deal with you later!” Antina muttered under her breath in a low, ‘threatening’ tone, though it carried more helplessness than anger.

Seeing this, Renith shook her head slightly and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

If Antina hoped to grow into the kind of thick-skinned, unflappable person Renith had encountered in her centuries of travel, she still had a long way to go.

“Hmm?” Renith caught sight of a section of the newspaper.

Besides the news Antina had mentioned about the imperial capital sending ‘Chosen Ones’ to Mobis City, there were plenty of other interesting items.

For instance, there were articles on newly developed weapons, plans for chemical plants in certain cities, and, of course, plenty of gossip—which courtesan had been bought out, which singer had debuted, and so on.

Renith’s gaze finally settled on the front-page headline of the Mobis City News: “Kolk Leads the Team.” She frowned slightly, her eyes filled with puzzlement. Tapping the headline with her finger, she turned to Antina and asked,

“Who is this Kolk?”

Hearing this, Antina searched her memory for impressions of Kolk.

“Him? He’s a newly prominent figure from the neighboring city, holds the title of Earl. But he’s only somewhat famous.”

“Hmm… Judging by his actions, he probably isn’t content with just being an Earl and is aiming for the higher title of Marquis. That’s likely why he’s brought his people to Mobis City—probably trying to make a big splash to catch the attention of the powerful figures in the imperial capital.”

“Of course, it’s also possible someone is backing him to become a sort of ‘feudal lord’.”

Renith pointed at the large picture of Kolk’s face in the newspaper.

“Doesn’t that make things even harder for you all?”

Antina just shrugged in response.

“It looks that way. But then again, going against the flow was never going to be easy, was it?”