Reincarnated As A First Rate Villain: I Don't Know How To Play My Role Chapter 12

The soft chi of a small bell echoed above the clothing store's door as Lucien and Knight Rex stepped out into the lively streets of Velebrandt City, now dressed in far more modest attire. Lucien, swathed in his newly tailored clothes—a dark pair of neatly pressed trousers, a cream-colored shirt tucked under a finely crafted gilet, and now hidden beneath a thick, earth-toned cloak—felt oddly liberated. The weight of nobility still hung lightly on his shoulders, but now it blended with the world rather than towering above it. Knight Rex, ever mindful of their surroundings, had also donned a large cloak to obscure the golden embroidery and winged lion sigil of House Velebrandt etched on his armor.

Rex had paid the bill inside the store, a total of twenty-five gold coins for their garnts and the expedited tailoring service. The store's attendants had bowed deeply as they left, their expressions knowing and respectful despite the cloaked anonymity. Gold always spoke, but the aura of power surrounding the S-Rank knight was unmistakable.

Back on foot now, they passed through the bustling central avenues of the city. Lucien's eyes danced from stall to stall, drawn to the kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and aromas that filled the air. The vendors shouted over one another, trying to draw attention to their vibrant fruits, glistening cuts of at, intricate trinkets, polished daggers, and bottled potions lined up like colorful trophies. There were sellers with weathered skin and booming voices hawking bundles of magical herbs; others offered miniature charms said to ward off nightmares or improve luck in love.

At one fruit stand, Lucien stopped and bought a selection of glossy blueberries and crimson-orange citrus fruit with odd glowing specks on the skin. The vendor grinned with crooked teeth, offering the boy a slice.

"Try it, young master. They say the juice of this fruit can make even the dullest mornings feel like springti again."

Lucien bit into the soft segnt, and his eyes widened as a sweet, fizzy tang exploded on his tongue. "Tastes like carbonated fruit punch... but fresh." He chuckled, licking the juice from his fingers. Rex simply shook his head in mild amusent.

Further down, they wandered into a modest bookshop, its front sign etched with old Elyssiran runes. Inside, the sll of ink, parchnt, and aged leather ward Lucien's soul. Tall, wooden shelves curved overhead like cathedral arches, each cramd with everything from spell compendiums and monster bestiaries to fiction tales and moral treatises. He ran a hand along one row, wondering how much of this world's knowledge had been written and how much still remained hidden.

Outside, a group of burly rcenaries clad in worn but durable gear were gathered near a bulletin board plastered with bounties and escort requests. Lucien watched as one tall woman with a longsword strapped to her back laughed heartily at sothing her partner said, slapping him on the back hard enough to make him stumble. They looked dangerous and free—like warriors plucked from a ga nu screen.

Eventually, the growing scent of cooked ats and toasted bread pulled them toward a towering stone-and-wood building with warm amber windows and a grand carved sign: The Wildfire Fork. Patrons laughed and drank inside, the sounds of clinking mugs and hearty conversation spilling into the street.

Inside, the air was thick with the aroma of grilled food, herbs, and a hint of pinewood from the hearthfire. They were seated quickly in a private booth on the second level balcony overlooking the main hall. A waiter, noticing Rex's towering presence and deferential tone, knew better than to ask questions and took their orders with utmost professionalism.

Rex ordered a plate of roasted at marinated in magical herbs and served with baked root vegetables infused with minor enchantnts for better digestion and flavor. Lucien raised a brow.

"Magical herbs? Is this at magical too?"

Rex chuckled, stretching his gloved hands. "No, not this ti. It's regular at, but flavored with magical herbs. Magical at is sothing entirely different."

Lucien tilted his head. "What's the difference?"

Rex leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a sacred truth. "Magical at cos from beasts that possess mana. Unlike regular animals, these creatures channel magic into their flesh. That ans their at is naturally saturated with mana. The taste? Exquisite. Richer, deeper—like comparing a dry crust of bread to a royal feast. But..." he raised a finger, "such at cannot be consud safely by those who haven't awakened their mana core."

Lucien's eyes widened. "Why not?"

"Because your body wouldn't be able to process the mana within. You'd end up vomiting it all out. Possibly fainting. It's why only awakened individuals—mages, knights, adventurers—can truly savor magical at. The herbs, though... those are safe for anyone. Low mana content, mostly surface-level enchantnt."

Lucien let that sink in, looking at his own small hands. So awakening didn't just an gaining power—it ant gaining access to the true luxuries of this world. Magical cuisine, advanced weapons, spells, and more. The pieces were falling into place.

"So why didn't you order magical at for yourself?" Lucien asked.

Rex smirked. "Didn't want to rub it in your face, young master."

Lucien blinked, then broke into laughter. "You really are considerate, huh?"

Rex leaned back in his seat, his cloak draping over the side. "You're the heir to House Velebrandt, Lucien. Born into the richest land in the west. You'll eat magical at soon enough—every day, if you wish. Just wait until you awaken."

Lucien stared down at his empty plate, his expression contemplative. The west was teeming with mana-rich land, magical beasts, and enchanted forests. And his family—the House of the Winged Lion—ruled all of it. A power that made even other nobles bow. How vast, he wondered, was the weight of that legacy?

Their food finally arrived. The ats were seared to perfection, juices glistening in the dim candlelight. The roasted vegetables carried the scent of rosemary and sothing floral—likely fae blossom, a magical herb he vaguely rembered reading about. Lucien took his first bite and felt the warmth of the dish spread across his chest like a comforting fire.

"Mmm..." he murmured, eyes fluttering. "Okay... I get it. I'm eating magic."

Rex grinned as he dug into his own portion. "Told you."

As they ate, the sounds of the tavern humd in the background: a bard tuning his lyre, a waitress arguing good-naturedly with a drunk custor, a pair of elderly rchants debating the rits of mountain spice.

Lucien looked around the room and then up through the arched window, where the sky was beginning to blush with twilight.

So much to explore. So much to learn.

And it was only his first day in the city.

__________________________________________

The warm, spicy aroma of herbs still clung to the air as Lucien placed his spoon down with a satisfied sigh. The sunlight spilling through the arched glass windows of the elegant restaurant cast a golden hue over the table, catching on the silverware and polished plates. He leaned back in his chair, looking far too pleased for soone who had eaten what was considered a "modest" al by Velebrandt standards. His silver hair shimred faintly under the light, and his red and gray eyes still danced with curiosity.

"I want to explore more," Lucien said, his voice hopeful, eyes already glancing toward the streets beyond the window.

Knight Rex took a sip of water before placing the glass down with the finality of a man who had already predicted the next part of the conversation. "No."

Lucien blinked, startled. "Why not?"

"Because, young master," Rex said firmly, standing up and placing a gloved hand gently on Lucien's shoulder, "if we don't return soon, your mother will personally send a battalion to find you. And I, unlike you, have no desire to be skewered by her silver-rimd words or her glare."

Lucien grimaced. He could already imagine Archduchess Seraphina Lysandra Velebrandt standing with arms crossed, golden hair flowing like a waterfall of judgnt, eyes sharp enough to split stone. "That does sound... dangerous."

"Very." Rex's tone was deadpan.

With a dramatic sigh of defeat, Lucien slid off his chair. "Alright, alright. Back to the fortress we go."

Rex held out a hand. Without hesitation, Lucien clasped it. It felt like he was surrendering a part of his newfound freedom, but even he knew there were limits to what he could get away with. They walked together through the bustling streets, hand in hand, the larger man moving with calculated grace while Lucien tried to keep pace.

The city had not slowed down; if anything, it had beco more alive. rchants barked out deals from vibrant stalls, children laughed as they played with wooden swords, and cloaked figures hurried past, likely adventurers or guild mbers on missions. Beastkin with sleek fur and keen eyes maneuvered effortlessly through the crowd, while humans stood in line at potion shops, bookstores, and smithies.

People glanced their way, eyes drawn to the sight of the stern, cloaked man escorting a silver-haired boy who looked noble even beneath his modest clothing. They didn't whisper this ti. They simply watched, curious.

Eventually, they reached the familiar wooden exterior of the tavern with the carved lion insignia. The sign above swayed slightly in the breeze, creaking like it was humming a tune of old tales and wandering souls. Knight Rex walked Lucien to the side, where their horse stood comfortably tethered.

The stable master, a stocky man with broad shoulders and a thick mustache, looked up from brushing a stallion. "Ah, Sir Rex! Back so soon?"

"Duty calls," Rex said, his tone laced with mild annoyance but friendly all the sa.

"Kid give you trouble?"

Lucien puffed his cheeks and folded his arms. "I am right here, you know."

The stable master chuckled. "Feisty one. Takes after his father, I reckon."

Rex handed the man a silver coin. "Thanks for keeping an eye on the horse."

"Anyti. You Velebrandt folk always treat us well."

Lucien was lifted once again onto the saddle with care, Rex mounting behind him. The reins flicked, and they trotted off, leaving behind the cozy scent of stable hay and tavern ale.

As the horse carried them through the winding roads, back toward the imnse forest that separated the city from the mansion, Lucien rested his back against Rex again.

The sky was beginning to tint orange as afternoon leaned toward dusk. Birds cawed gently from the trees, and the breeze had grown cooler. Lucien tilted his head upward and murmured, "I'll co back here soday... on my own."

Rex didn't respond imdiately, but after a few beats, he said quietly, "When that day cos, young master, I'll be proud to see how far you've co."

And with that, they rode back beneath the boughs of towering trees, toward the heart of House Velebrandt—toward ho.