Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 190

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 190

 

128. That Won’t Happen

 

Mountains are treacherous. This is the conclusion we reached after climbing mountains on Atalia Island in the northern region.

 

That place was even a snow-covered snowy mountain.

 

But now that I look at it, that wasn’t treacherous at all.

 

“What kind of mountain is this?”

 

Priscilla clicked her tongue as if she couldn’t believe it.

 

This is no ordinary mountain.

 

The fact that there’s no separately developed path is manageable enough to climb.

 

But this sticky feeling covering the entire mountain made our minds and bodies tired with just a little movement.

 

While Delward and I are fine, the rest aren’t exactly in great physical condition, so we had to climb for 1 hour and rest for 20 minutes.

 

“Phew. This is no joke. What exactly is this mountain range?”

 

Leila, Ernest, Priscilla, and Dorian each found their spots and were catching their breath.

 

“Nothing’s been revealed. There are rumors that when the demon realm invaded, they scattered a curse here before leaving.”

 

“Then I should be fine. I’m a priest after all.”

 

“Maybe something was scattered throughout the mountain range?”

 

“Could be?”

 

Various speculations went back and forth, but honestly I don’t know well either. Same with Delward.

 

“But you two really don’t get tired.”

 

“No. Only Dane doesn’t get tired. I’m a bit tired too. I’m just pretending not to be.”

 

Delward also let out a light breath.

 

“At least it’s fortunate that no monsters appeared?”

 

“It’s fortunate we haven’t encountered any Rangers.”

 

For reference, we’re currently moving very stealthily.

 

Whether it’s Alteon or Drenik, if we’re discovered by Rangers, things will get complicated.

 

So we packed as lightly as possible, maintained Aura Concealment, and according to the information the Prince gave us…

 

We’ve been taking only treacherous paths that Rangers wouldn’t likely use.

 

This makes us lose even more stamina when it’s already difficult.

 

“Still, taking these paths means no monsters and no Rangers.”

 

“And no particular traps either. It’s good.”

 

Of course, we can’t endure for long.

 

A few days at most.

 

It’s only manageable because Priscilla is supporting our stamina with divine power intermittently.

 

But knowing where what is located, it’s just a matter of time before we get there.

 

However-

 

The problem is that the path gets increasingly treacherous, and it gradually becomes difficult to find our direction.

 

“Nature truly is magnificent.”

 

The already treacherous path became even more treacherous, and one wrong step could send someone tumbling down.

 

I didn’t expect it to be this treacherous.

 

“We should either risk taking a detour on a gentler path… or rest for a while before continuing.”

 

That was Delward’s suggestion.

 

I agreed too.

 

Delward and I are managing fine.

 

So far, at least.

 

But the rest clearly looked like they were struggling.

 

Especially Ernest, who has the weakest stamina among us, was pretending to be fine but was breathing the most heavily.

 

“Let’s rest.”

 

I made the decision without hesitation.

 

If we continue like this, everyone will collapse.

 

Or they’ll tumble down and make the mountain range their grave.

 

“Phew.”

 

“Huff, gasp.”

 

Everyone looked half-dead.

 

They were gulping down water with expressions of finally being alive, and it seemed like we needed some kind of plan.

 

As Delward said, either risk taking a slight detour on a gentler path, or rest for a while before moving.

 

But there are big problems with both the former and the latter.

 

The former obviously has the risk of being discovered by Rangers or monsters.

 

The latter…

 

We don’t know how much more treacherous it will become ahead.

 

“It would be nice if we had a map.”

 

At Ernest’s muttering, I shook my head.

 

“It would have been nice if we could get a map.”

 

Unfortunately, we couldn’t obtain a map.

 

Maps of the Habarosk Mountain Range are important security items.

 

Even His Highness the Prince said there was no way to obtain one.

 

“Unless we capture a Ranger somewhere, knock them out, and steal one.”

 

That’s when Delward said that.

 

“Wait.”

 

I raised my hand.

 

I spread all my fingers.

 

Everyone instantly held their breath.

 

Then we could hear it.

 

“…huff… huff…”

 

Very faint breathing sounds.

 

It’s not the breathing of a dying animal or monster.

 

It’s human breathing.

 

But the direction isn’t certain.

 

Obstacles like trees, leaves, and rocks are interfering with tracking.

 

This isn’t a problem that can be solved with sensing ability alone.

 

So I called Ernest.

 

“Ernest, are you okay right now?”

 

“Uh, yeah. Why?”

 

“Follow me. Everyone else stay on standby.”

 

“What’s going on, Dane?”

 

“I think I hear human breathing. It could be Rangers lying in ambush, so only a small number will move.”

 

Then I said to Leila.

 

“Activate concealment immediately.”

 

“Got it, Dane.”

 

We brought one of Big Sister’s inventions in case we were discovered.

 

Namely, a concealment device.

 

It doesn’t make human bodies completely transparent, but it analyzes the mana of the surrounding environment and covers us with a barrier that looks as ‘similar’ as possible.

 

In other words, it makes us become one with nature.

 

The duration isn’t very long, but there shouldn’t be any immediate discovery by Rangers while Ernest and I are away.

 

For reference, this is a new product born thanks to my ancient magic power, Saul Hanston’s mana concentrate, and the ancient Arcana magical tools we brought from Atalia Island.

 

Anyway.

 

“Ernest, want to try tracking human traces?”

 

“Leave it to me.”

 

Ernest took the lead, and I stayed alert behind him, prepared for any potential threats.

 

“Here it is.”

 

The traces were found more easily than expected. That is, by Ernest’s standards. Honestly, I have no idea. This is supposed to be a footprint?

 

“Look at the leaves. They tried their best to hide it, but the pressed marks aren’t consistent.”

 

There was a time like this before.

 

Big Sister had brought several cosmetics she applied to her lips and asked me which one looked better.

 

To my eyes they were all red, but Big Sister passionately argued they were all different shades of red.

 

I wondered if this was like that.

 

“If that’s how it looks to you.”

 

“It really is.”

 

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just so amazing that it’s hard to believe. That you can notice something like that.”

 

I chuckled and followed Ernest.

 

“But this is impressive. Erasing traces this cleanly is something only professionals can do.”

 

Amid Ernest’s admiration, we slowly moved forward.

 

From then on, casual conversation became difficult.

 

Now even without Ernest’s amazing tracking, the sound of breathing was becoming increasingly clear.

 

“Over there.”

 

I pointed with my finger between the grass.

 

A human form came into view.

 

Though camouflaged, once I identified the location and looked directly with my eyes, it was impossible not to see.

 

“Wait. Hold on.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

I had Ernest wait.

 

Whoever it was, something might come flying the moment we approached.

 

So I quickly rearranged the code and extended my hand toward the grass—

 

“Reveal yourself.”

 

An invisible hand filled with physical force quickly swept away the grass.

 

Not non-chain grade telekinesis, but 1st chain grade telekinetic magic.

 

The grass was swept away in an instant.

 

What appeared was a person, nearly dead, aiming a crossbow in this direction.

 

Ping! Thwack!

 

And at that moment the crossbow fired and a bolt came flying—

 

Clang!

 

I reflexively drew my sword and deflected the bolt.

 

“…!”

 

Good thing I was prepared in advance.

 

Naturally, no second shot came. Among the crossbows I knew, none were capable of continuous fire.

 

Instead, the fellow holding the crossbow dropped it and hung his head.

 

I quickly approached, kicked the crossbow away, and checked his condition.

 

He had fainted.

 

“The wound is deep.”

 

The reason for fainting was simple.

 

A long slashing wound across his chest.

 

It seemed he had tried to stop the bleeding somehow, but the bandages were already soaked with blood.

 

“The injury is severe.”

 

I also examined his clothing.

 

A light jacket and equipment attached all over his body.

 

Definitely not the outfit of a common herb gatherer.

 

Moreover….

 

On one side of the jacket was something I knew well.

 

This is what I think it is, right?

 

“Well I’ll be.”

 

Crossbow.

 

A jacket with various equipment attached.

 

Anyone could see this was a ranger’s outfit….

 

Look at this timing.

 

“Dane, this emblem… could it be… that… thing?”

 

But there was just one thing.

 

Something I didn’t want to see was visible.

 

It was the emblem of the Drenik Empire.

 

* * *

 

Previous life.

 

A time when my talent was recognized but I still lacked experience.

 

I had been drafted for a search mission and found myself in a life-threatening crisis at the foot of a mountain.

 

Then, rangers appeared.

 

As if by appointment.

 

Bolts flying from all directions in the darkness, stealthily approaching and killing enemies with swords painted with black paint—their prowess was truly magnificent.

 

And then they disappeared like shadows into the mountain foothills at night.

 

One of the vivid memories from my previous life.

 

For reference, I was affiliated with the Drenik Imperial Army at that time.

 

And the ranger now receiving treatment from Priscilla before my eyes is also affiliated with the Drenik Imperial Army.

 

More precisely—

 

“Drenik Imperial Army Mountain Ranger Regiment….”

 

That’s his affiliation.

 

“Of all things.”

 

Ernest held his forehead.

 

He seemed to have a headache.

 

I felt the opposite.

 

“It doesn’t matter.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Whether it’s Alteon or Drenik.”

 

Our goal was to avoid being detected by rangers anyway.

 

In that sense, what did it matter what his affiliation was.

 

More importantly, what should we do with this person.

 

“What should we do, Dane?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

After brief consideration, I spoke.

 

“Let’s save him first.”

 

“Save him and see what happens?”

 

That would have been exactly Priscilla’s opinion. She’s a priest, and though her mouth is rough, her heart is warm.

 

But I’m a little different.

 

“First, before that.”

 

I searched through his belongings and found a map.

 

“A, a map.”

 

Delward had said this.

 

It would be perfect to catch a ranger somewhere, knock him unconscious, then steal his map.

 

And now this was exactly that situation.

 

The difference was that we found an already unconscious fellow.

 

“This… is quite detailed?”

 

It was a map with the major terrain features of this place, the Habarosk Mountain Range, well marked.

 

A ranger would naturally carry one around.

 

I didn’t know how he ended up with such wounds and hiding in this grass—

 

“First aid should be sufficient.”

 

Since this kind of wound is almost impossible to treat by oneself, if we give it proper treatment, his colleagues will come and take him away.

 

“Ernest, could you copy this map while I’m treating him?”

 

“Oh, yes! Of course.”

 

Ernest took the map and pulled out a large piece of paper, spread it on the ground, and started drawing.

 

We could just take it all, but if we just take this precious thing, what would happen to this person?

 

Since we have Ernest, a fellow with good handiwork, there’s no need to take it.

 

And…

 

“I should still treat him though.”

 

I’ll have to tell this story when we go back, and if we just left, Priscilla would be furious.

 

But there’s not much time to bring him to where Priscilla is or wait for her to come.

 

“The bleeding is quite severe.”

 

I first tore off the blood-soaked bandages and took out new bandages I found in the ranger’s bag.

 

Then I sprinkled the hemostatic agent I had and simply applied anesthetic to the wound area.

 

“This… the wound is torn quite roughly.”

 

No matter how I look at it, this wasn’t cut by a sword.

 

Rather, it seemed like something was roughly stabbed in and then forcibly torn and ripped out.

 

It felt like a monster’s claws, you could say.

 

I started suturing along with disinfection magic.

 

Swish, swoosh.

 

This feeling of the needle cutting through flesh.

 

It’s been a while.

 

I’ve rolled around on battlefields so much that this level of first aid has become second nature.

 

“Done.”

 

The bleeding stopped quickly, and I wrapped the sutured area with bandages.

 

“Uhhh…”

 

I thought he might wake up, but no.

 

I wonder if he’ll be curious about who treated him when he wakes up later.

 

Still, well, there’s human compassion.

 

It would feel wrong to just cleanly rob him of his map and leave.

 

“I’m done.”

 

In the meantime, Ernest finished copying at a surprisingly fast pace and handed me the map.

 

I carefully folded the map and put it back in the ranger’s chest.

 

“But what happened here? This person is a ranger, right? How did a ranger end up with such wounds…”

 

I don’t know exactly, but rangers don’t move alone.

 

Could he have been betrayed?

 

Or rarely, a solo operation?

 

Or maybe…

 

“Wait a minute.”

 

I searched through his chest just in case.

 

Then something caught in my hand.

 

“Orders.”

 

Orders written in Drenick language.

 

And I can read Drenick.

 

“D-Dane?”

 

It feels like something else is about to happen, but whatever.

 

I opened the orders without hesitation.

 

“Look at this.”

 

And I gained an unexpected harvest.

 

“Don’t tell me you can read Drenick too…”

 

“A little.”

 

That’s a lie.

 

I can read, write, listen, and do everything.

 

So I could understand exactly what was written in these orders.

 

-The situation at the ‘Mountain Range Ruins (tentative name)’ is unusual. Clear vibrations have been detected five times in the past month, and the intensity of mana flowing from there has increased.

 

-However, since there may be Alteon rangers on the path leading there, move alone as secretly as possible to assess the situation.

 

Well now.

 

Indeed, there’s nothing easy in this world.

 

I suppose it was naive to think that we’d just need to get there since we knew the destination, even if the path was rough.

 

Still, well, this worked out well.

 

Now we can prepare in advance.

 

“This is incredibly helpful.”

 

I chuckled while looking at the ranger who was unconscious after receiving my clean first aid.

 

“But won’t he chase after us when he wakes up?”

 

I shook my head at Ernest’s concern.

 

“That won’t happen.”

 

When I administered the anesthetic, I also cast a sleep spell.

 

He’ll probably wake up only after the wound has healed to some extent.

 

I treated him out of moral obligation, but thanks to that treatment, he shouldn’t be able to track us.

 

Though it’s a bit disappointing.

 

I thought I’d get to use some Drenick language after a long time.

 

Sometimes my mouth gets itchy, you know.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Now we’ve obtained the map too.

 

All that’s left for us is to move forward.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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