Baron's Son with -9,999,999 Reputation Point-Chapter 129: The Walk Back

For a few seconds, only the sound of the carriage wheels and the horses’ steps filled the air.

Up front, Liona hummed softly, as if the world stayed simple as long as she held the reins.

Lucas glanced forward slightly.

"So," he said casually, "that Huzz. Still doing okay?"

Liona immediately brightened.

"Mm! He’s a good kid," she replied lightly. "I visit him often. It’s a shame he can’t go anywhere."

She let out a small sigh—not heavy sadness. More like gentle pity.

"But he’s always happy when someone comes to see him."

Lucas let out a short chuckle.

"A good kid, huh? Hahaha... sounds like you’re pretty close to him."

"Of course!" Liona answered without hesitation. "He’s a friend."

Silvara glanced from the side, her expression flat.

"More curious about a horse than your own future?" she said, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Lucas looked back at her, relaxed.

"Still stiff, huh."

He shifted his seat, getting more comfortable.

"And here I thought we were basically best friend back during sparring practice."

Silvara clicked her tongue softly.

"Tsk."

Best friend? she thought coldly.

She watched him for a few seconds longer.

"Then why are you able to stay so calm now?" she finally asked. "After everything that happened."

Lucas shrugged.

"My deadlines back then were worse than this."

Silvara frowned.

"Deadlines?"

She tilted her head slightly.

"You mean the line you crossed before coming to this world?"

Lucas let out a small laugh.

"No, not that. I mean work deadlines."

He raised one hand, gesturing vaguely.

"Like... time limits. If you miss them, you’re screwed. You get yelled at. You can lose your job. You can get penalties. So your whole life is basically being chased by the clock."

Silvara narrowed her eyes.

"So... you were a slave?"

Lucas grimaced.

"Not really."

He looked back at the sky.

"More like... willingly enslaved by money."

Liona giggled quietly up front, not fully understanding but still finding it funny.

Silvara didn’t laugh.

But her shoulders relaxed slightly.

"...Strange world," she muttered.

The carriage began to slow down.

In the distance, the manor towers came into view—large, solid, familiar.

The air felt calmer.

Safer.

Lucas stared at the building for a moment.

Then closed his eyes.

"Finally," he muttered.

The carriage passed through the main gate.

Lucas got off the carriage first.

His shoes touched the manor courtyard ground with a soft sound. He rolled up his coat sleeves slightly, then looked up toward Liona, who was still sitting on the driver’s seat.

"Liona. Later, bring me wet towels and dry ones. And new bandages."

"Alright!" Liona answered quickly.

Silvara, who heard that from behind him, only gave a small smile—thin, almost invisible.

Lucas had already turned around and started walking toward the main building.

Second step—

Third step—

He noticed the sound of another pair of footsteps behind him.

Lucas turned his head.

Silvara.

She was following him, not far behind.

Lucas stopped, then half-turned.

"You can rest," he said casually. "There’s no problem anymore anyway."

Silvara stopped immediately too.

Her expression... changed.

"..."

She looked annoyed. But restrained.

Lucas frowned.

"What?"

Silvara shook her head quickly.

"No."

She immediately turned around—her steps slightly stomping the ground—and walked off in another direction without looking at Lucas again.

Lucas stood still for a few seconds.

Watching her back as she walked away.

"What did I do wrong this time," he muttered quietly.

He let out a breath, then continued walking toward his room and opened the door.

—

Far from there.

The sound of a wooden door opening slowly.

Karska stood inside a small post—temporary, simple, but neat. A small mana lamp glowed on the table.

He took out the paper that had previously been used as the barrier base between the Loticentra and the ground.

His eyes narrowed.

"...Why isn’t the analysis appearing?"

His hand slightly crumpled the paper.

Rough. Unusual for him.

He took a slow breath.

At least... I obtained water from the Loticentra.

He looked at the paper again.

Then crumpled it harder.

His hand clenched into a fist.

He stared at his own clenched hand.

"Even this paper... can’t break down the information of that object."

Silence.

"So he... really is a genius."

The words came out along with a faint smile—one born together with conviction.

The conviction of an older brother... who saw a possibility that his younger sister could be saved.

—

Back at the manor.

Lucas had just closed his room door.

[Ding!]

A transparent panel appeared at the corner of his vision.

[ +10 RP ]

Lucas stared at it blankly.

"...Hmmm."

From who, I wonder?

He clicked his tongue softly.

Ah, whatever.

His negative reputation points were still way higher anyway.

He sat for a moment on the edge of the bed.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Liona entered carrying a tray. Wet towels. Dry towels. New bandages.

Now she said his name directly.

"Lucas."

Lucas raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Yeah?"

"Don’t forget The Huzz, okay? He’s a good kid. It’s pitiful. You’re his original owner."

Lucas let out a long sigh.

"Yeah, yeah. I’ll check on him later."

Liona let out a small giggle.

Lucas turned his head.

"What?"

Liona covered her mouth slightly, still holding back laughter.

"I just imagined... you holding a hoe while riding The Huzz."

She grinned.

"You’d look like a farmer knight. Hahaha..."

Lucas stayed silent.

His modern mind instantly caught the other meaning.

But from Liona’s expression—it was clear she meant it literally.

Lucas just shook his head slightly.

"Get going."

Liona laughed quietly again.

"Okay. Get some rest."

She left.

The door closed softly.

Silence.

Lucas stood up, opened his coat, then took off his upper clothes.

He sat down again.

He removed the old bandages himself, one by one.

He looked at his wounds.

They were already a bit better.

Not wet.

No blood seeping out anymore.

Lucas grabbed a wet towel and began wiping his shoulders and chest slowly. The cold sensation was refreshing after a long day of sweat and tension.

Drops of water from the towel fell lightly onto the floor.

Quiet.

Calm.

Then—

[Ding! ☆(≧▽≦)ﾉ ]

The system panel suddenly appeared in front of his eyes.

[ KINGGGGG! I MISS TALKING TO YOUU (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ ]

Lucas stopped wiping.

Then let out a bright laugh.

"Hah... you’re getting weirder."

The panel blinked happily.

[ RUDE! I AM EVOLVING (￣▽￣)ゞ ]

Lucas shook his head slightly and continued wiping his neck.

"By the way," he said casually, "how can you even call for help?"

The panel paused slightly.

Lucas continued.

"Ferri’el. That magic horse. How does it even know you?"

A few seconds of silence.

Then new text appeared.

[ ERROR: DIVINE-CLASS INFORMATION RESTRICTED (￣ω￣;) ]

[ I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DISCLOSE DIVINE SECRETS ]

Lucas clicked his tongue softly.

"Yeah, yeah ass pull reason again. Whatever."

The panel immediately changed topics.

[ BTW KING (≧ω≦) ]

[ DON’T FORGET — YOU HAVE PP AVAILABLE ♪ ]

Lucas immediately let out a small laugh.

"Oh right."

He tossed the wet towel onto the chair.

"I’ll exchange it later in the Exchange menu."

The panel shimmered in satisfaction.

[ GOOD CHOICE ☆ ]

[ PROGRESSION POINT = LONG TERM STRENGTH (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧ ]

Lucas sat down on the edge of the bed again, picking up the dry towel.

"Yeah... I’ll check it later."

The panel slowly faded.

The room returned to silence.

Leaving only the soft sound of the dry towel brushing against his skin.

----

Meanwhile—

In another part of the manor.

Silvara stood in front of the Baroness’s boudoir door.

Her hand paused on the handle for a moment before she finally knocked softly.

"Come in."

The Baroness’s gentle voice came from inside.

Silvara opened the door and stepped in.

The room was warm. A light floral scent filled the air. The curtains were half-drawn, letting soft afternoon light spill inside.

The Baroness was sitting on a chair near the vanity table.

Her eyes immediately settled on Silvara.

"Come here," she said softly.

Silvara stepped closer.

Unlike Lucas—

Her mind was still tangled.

Still trying to understand how she was supposed to process everything that had happened. About Lucian. About the soul inside that body. About herself.

The Baroness studied her face for a few seconds.

Then asked directly.

"Have you fallen for the soul inside Lucian’s body?"

Silvara immediately stiffened.

"W-What—no!" she answered quickly.

Too quickly.

She immediately realized.

"...I mean—I didn’t—that’s not—"

She stopped herself. Completely fumbling.

The Baroness let out a small laugh.

Not mocking.

Warm.

She raised her hand and gently stroked Silvara’s hair.

"Relax," she said softly. "I have already accepted reality."

Silvara looked at her.

Her eyes softened slightly.

She nodded slowly.

The Baroness then tapped the chair in front of the vanity.

"Sit there."

Silvara obeyed.

She sat in front of the mirror.

The Baroness stood behind her and picked up a comb from the table.

"It’s been a long time since I last combed your hair."

Silvara reflexively replied quietly, "I... haven’t cleaned myself yet, don’t..."

The Baroness didn’t stop.

The comb began moving slowly through Silvara’s hair.

Gentle. Patient.

"What a cute little girl," the Baroness murmured softly.

Silvara blushed.

Her gaze lowered slightly.

For a few seconds, only the sound of the comb moving through hair filled the room.

Then the Baroness spoke again.

Softly.

"Silvara."

Silvara lifted her gaze slightly.

"If you truly are interested in that soul..." the Baroness continued, her voice very calm, "then I ask you to grant me one request."

Silvara blinked.

"A request...?"

The comb continued moving slowly.

The Baroness gently stroked Silvara’s hair after pulling the comb down.

"Just keep my son’s name... away when it is only the two of you."

Silvara froze slightly.

The Baroness continued.

"Do not let his name stand in the way of your happiness."

Her hand remained gentle in Silvara’s hair.

"Let the name you may hate... rest in peace."

Silence filled the room.

Silvara looked at her own reflection in the mirror.

Then nodded.

Slowly.

"Yes, my lady."