2 Riley is... (1/2)
Chapter 3 - Riley
The boy yawned, lying against an apple tree in the mansion grounds. To him, it was just another bed.
”...Ah, I want some Coke.”
He was the third son of the Iphelleta House, Riley.
”It's becoming more frequent. My dreams of the past.”
A world with concrete floors and skyscrapers...
It was a reflection of his past life.
Since the day he unintentionally pulled the holy sword from the ground, there were only battles. To prevent the destruction of the world with the coming of the demon lord, he had to slay countless monsters.
Instead of being able to attend school with his friends, he had to force his way through numerous battles.
He sighed as he remembered his past life from his dreams.
”It always comes back right when I'm about to forget.”
He scratched his head, remembering his phrase, 'I want to have some Coke.'
”Coke, huh...”
It was his favorite drink back in the 'past.'
Sadly, he did not know how to make it.
”Tsk.”
'How I long for the burning sensation of the carbonated liquid pouring down my throat, but that's impossible now…'
As he thought to himself, he locked his fingers and stretched out his arms.
”Well, there's no need to repeat my past.”
'I will live this life in peace.'
With his memories still intact, that was what he had thought upon being reincarnated into this world.
To fight with a blade, to save the world...
To become idolised, to be relied upon...
It was unneeded.
He would avoid any obstacles in his path.
Thankfully, he was now the third son of an important noble family.
Perfect for a lazy and carefree life.
”...Young master, young master!”
If only there weren't any obstacles.
”Dear lord! Are you sleeping again?”
'Christ.'
Although he had just woken up from a nap, he closed his eyes again to avoid this situation.
It was to appeal for his sleep to not be disturbed.
”It is already past noon and the sun is starting to set! How are you supposed to sleep at night?”
If a man tries, he can sleep all day.
Almost like a vegetable, although not quite.
'Being drowsy at day and sleepy at night are two different things.'
As he made his answer in his mind, he snored loudly.
An act to show the butler that he was still in the land of dreams.
”Time may have taken much from me, but I can still tell between truth and lies.”
”...”
”I have been serving you for almost 20 years. You should stop that act of yours and get up.”
He may have talked like that, but Ian had a way of discerning the truth. At this point, he was just pleading for Riley to get up.
”Haah. It is almost dinner time.”
Ian shook Riley's shoulders.
”Ahh, is that so?”
Riley stood up, unable to resist the sad voice.
He didn't want the old man to cry.
”It seems...you did not train today, either.”
Riley did not respond to Ian.
”I am sure you will see your potential, if you would just try.”
The nagging began.
Again.
Riley began to doubt whether waking up was the right action.
”Just, what is the reason?”
”Hey, what do you think today's dinner will be?”
”In terms of wisdom, you would easily surpass both of your brothers!”
Ian once evaluated Riley to be 'too mature for his age'.
In a good way.
As a baby, he acted in a way which did not fit his age, due to his old memories.
”Others may be oblivious, but I know! That young master is...”
”...Lazy?”
Riley responded with a smile.
”No! Not at all!”
Ian's face was dyed red, with steam coming out of his ears.
”Ha...honestly! Do you know how angry I was at those bastards in Iffa village!”
Ian closed his eyes, and pounded his chest in anger, only to realise Riley had already distanced himself from him.
Ian followed, mumbling foul words as he did.
***