Revenge In Reincarnation: Fated To Rule Over An Eternal Harem

Konrad not only survived the beating, but somehow he'd even become nobility.

And once the healers left, he resembled a mummy, too. Still, whether they wrapped him in bandages or used salves, every inch of his body throbbed with pain.

He wouldn't even notice when that tribal girl healed him.

And that was after talons ripped his lungs open, not some lazy guards' bullying. Now he smelled like menthol, and that was it, zero relief.

Only watching the spearmen get punished made him feel a little better.

Their captain arranged a room, cutting no corners on his treatment. And yet, the difference was huge, and not because of how gorgeous Lily was—

No. Magic was superior to everything in this world. And rare.

He wanted it so bad, and now that they misidentified him as a noble—

"My Lord, the duke, and the mayor of Aset have arrived, wishing to apologize in person."

He was so, so dead.

The duke carried a ceremonial falchion the size of Konrad's thighs. And from his attitude, it was clear he wouldn't take his sudden ennoblement lying down.

"Captain Vargas, are you bringing aristocrats back from the dead now?!"

He was almost seven feet tall and terrifying.

"Your Highness, I'm aware of the Halbergs' demise," the captain shielded him on the bed, where he was shaking. A head shorter than the duke, he still wouldn't budge.

But if his stupidity got Konrad executed—

"I fought in the battle claiming Lord Erwin's life," Vargas boomed, dropping to one knee. "But even if the Halbergs lost their title, we should not offend Kasserlane's noble houses."

Hold the hell on. Did this man know his family? Or, was it even his family in the first place?

"What supports his claim?" the duke demanded.

Claim? Konrad didn't say a damn thing. Which, in a sense, was his fault. He should've told the captain he was wrong before things escalated.

"Does he even know of his so-called father's exploits?" the mayor joined the discussion.

Well, at least that was easy.

"You mean keeping the mountain tribes in line?" Konrad spoke before thinking, and "My Lord" was a mere afterthought. It almost got his head chopped off right away.

"Halberg was a powerful rival, so I have nothing but respect for him," the duke rasped, the light glinting on his blade. "And that is why any impostor will pay with their lives."

Yep, they were definitely about to execute him. Rivals?! Apologizing could've been an option—

"With all due respect, My Lord, but stop offending the boy, and let him prove his identity."

As much as he was thankful to Vargas, he wanted to choke him right now.

"Fine. He has the triad, but that's easy to fake," the duke sneered. "But does he know who Erwin signed his famous pact with? The name of the tribes' High Chieftain?"

Konrad hickupped, but it might have sounded like a scoff. How the hell would he know?

Peddlers were so terrified of the tribes that they'd never even name their ruler. And when he saw the duke's eyes narrow, he realized that he had screwed it up. Again.

It was time for a deep breath and to think about his choices.

He had none. The only way out was to double down and lie his way out with confidence.

"My Lord, please don't insult me with simple questions like this." He couldn't hide his trembling well. "Every villager knows the answer."

Well, he didn't, but the duke raised an eyebrow.

"Ask something less well-known." He unsheathed his sword. "Through my house, I've befriended the sorceress Liliana, and my sword was a gift from a blacksmith, Welf."

The second half wasn't even a lie.

The shock on the duke's face was sure-as-hell real, and the mayor had to snap him out of it.

"Bring the sword here, to verify," he demanded, and the guards borrowed Konrad's blade.

They whispered for a long time before the next question.

"Do you know Maou Midori, too?" the mayor continued the interrogation. This damned name again, had Konrad let out a frustrated sigh before he could stop himself.

"That's a children's story from the far east, what does it have to do with anything?"

"My apologies, boy, we were testing your honesty." The duke lowered his head, surprising him with how calm he sounded. "If you provide us with a House Insignia, I'm willing to—"

"I, um, came here incognito," Konrad interrupted.

His desperate claim confused them long enough that he'd flesh out his next lie.

"I'm here to learn magic from the Green Mage," he stated, anchoring lies in truth. "It has been long arranged, but I wanted to earn his respect without flaunting my heritage."

Because he never had any to begin with.

"So I brought no insignia," Konrad said, eyeing Vargas. "I wouldn't have revealed myself even after the guards' attack. But your vigilant captain still recognized me."

Credit where credit was due. Vargas put him on the spot, but also gave him a great opportunity.

"How did this happen?" the duke paled.

Did namedropping the Green Mage make him almost faint? He had a way to find out.

"The man the guards mistook me for stole something valuable." Konrad didn't give up on that crystal yet. "And he even claimed to be the Mage's apprentice."

If they feared that wizard, and didn't want to offend nobles—

"I'd like you to apprehend him," the boy continued, "for misusing the Great Mage's name."

Of course, it was about the Griphlet crystal he stole, but this sounded more noble.

Vargas cleared his throat.

"Lord Konrad," the start was promising. Him? A lord? But it all went downhill. "I'm afraid that Zoltan Sudberg didn't lie when he claimed to be the Mage's apprentice."

"What?!" And he even made that part up. "He took that scammer as his apprentice?"

He almost forgot where he was and about the duke with the big sword.

The huge man of a noble seemed even paler now.

"We banned him from our streets, but the truth is, he enjoys the Mage's protection," the captain explained. And if that was the case, the guards who attacked him must have been plain stupid.

"You can find the Green Mage in the village of Eytjangard, and sort it out with him," the duke offered. He was so helpful, it scared him. "We'd like to give you a letter of introduction, too."

If it didn't come with five hundred gold, it might have been in vain, but—

As long as he made everyone believe this story, it could've become the truth.

"Speaking of letters," the mayor interjected, "I hope you understand that we must inform the king. Incognito or not, since he has direct control over the Halbergs' lands—"

Why? Why?! Did they have to involve the whole kingdom?

"Indeed, the king must have some records to verify your heritage," the duke nodded. "And while I'm not sure about your goals, getting your titles back should be your priority."

What? He could even gain land?

"Of course, if your claim turns out to be fake," the mayor added. "He'd send the royal executioners instead."

The what? No. Why can't they leave him be?

"Either way, we'll get to the end of this," the duke bowed, leaving him to cook in his sweat.