A Noble in a World of Reversed Roles - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Reincarnator 

The thin smoke rising from the pipe in my hand. I don't particularly like smoking, but I have no other place to focus my mind, so I have no choice. After all, aren't nicotine and caffeine time-honored tools that aid human thought? Just activating my brain significantly alleviates boredom because it gives me more to think about.

I believed there was no afterlife.

At least until I met God.

After meeting God, I came to think it would be better if there were no afterlife. There was no world for true rest; I was just continuously reborn and rolled into different worlds.

Perhaps the only better thing is being born into a noble family with a high status. Thanks to that, I only need to think about survival and hobbies rather than how to make a living.

Survival.

It's not a grand problem. In a place where monsters roam and cosmic beasts that turn people into monsters appear unpredictably, it naturally becomes the main concern of people. It's also a place where wars occasionally occur.

Hobbies.

Thanks to being born into a good family, I don't have to work to survive. However, in this world where entertainment is not well developed, spare time directly leads to boredom. So, I tried various things to pass the time, such as smoking all day, collecting magical weapons, or bringing different women to bed every day.

The last one was quite enjoyable for a while. The world I was reborn into after death is a world of gender role reversal. It was a strange place where concepts of chastity and romantic power were reversed. With noble blood and outstanding looks, life was truly in easy mode. Now, I refrain and behave myself, but it wasn't a situation where I could enjoy pleasure irresponsibly as I had expected.

"Hmm..."

The pale smoke rising from the pipe. Watching it rise thinly and steadily calms my mind a bit. Since ancient times, men have enjoyed gazing at burning flames, haven't they? Coming to a world lacking in sights made me realize this even more. I gently put the pipe in my mouth and took a puff. The bitterness seeping into my lungs. Simultaneously, the tension slightly eased, and drowsiness set in. Enjoying that feeling, I read the letter placed on the table. It was slightly crumpled from being read multiple times.

________________________

 ° To my beloved son °

_

It's already been over 10 years since you left home to chase your dreams. Every time I hear news about you, I can't help but smile. Who in this world could achieve such feats at your young age?

Recently, when I heard the news that you had subdued those despicable monsters again, my heart pounded. But I worry if you were hurt. The temple says you finished without any injuries, and since you hold a high position in the church, what they say must be true. Still, as your father, I wish you would reassure me yourself. Your mother, who was unhappy when you left home to become a knight, now waits for news of you alongside me.

We received the new seasoning and ginger ale concentrate you sent recently. Your mother, though she doesn't show it, seems to like them very much. She puts the ale in the research room in boxes and cools them with magic to drink. I think the taste is beyond reproach. However, it might be better to package the bottles containing the concentrate more luxuriously and elegantly. The royal family has also received your company's products, haven't they? I think it's somewhat unscrupulous to only give you the title of baron while enjoying such benefits. If I could give you a reward, I would give you the whole country.

I really miss you, Rene. By the way, your story came up in a recent gathering with neighboring lords. The daughters of the families around here all seem to want to hear your voice even once. Recently, the daughter of Count Aratio boasted about spending time with you in the capital. It seems that girl wants to share your bed again, but I hope you reject her without giving her any chance. Your mother and Jeanne are also very concerned about finding a suitable marriage for you. Enjoy your nightlife but be careful not to have children. Always make sure not to give the initiative to the other party. It's not too late for a man to completely give himself even after the ceremony. Please take care of yourself. By the way, when are you coming home? It's been two years already. I miss you. Love you.

- Your loving father

---

I put down the letter. On one side of the table, such letters were neatly stacked. The more I read the letter following the flow of consciousness, the more it felt both touching and somewhat awkward. How many times did my father write that he missed me? The more I read, the more I felt that way too. If it weren't for the talk of marriage, I would have gladly done so.

"No matter how much I think about it, no one particular comes to mind..."

In a world of gender reversal, a male from a noble family is a living collateral. A diplomatic document for alliances between noble families. The family I belong to is the renowned Ducal family of Renatus. Therefore, someone like me has an incredibly high value. The list of candidates competing for the position next to me even includes the king's second daughter. Although the first princess's position is secure and the roles between the sisters are clearly divided, making the succession to the throne seem distant, it is indeed one of the best marriage prospects, at least in terms of conditions. But when you start examining the details one by one, it's like stepping into a minefield.

*knock knock knock

Thinking about that made me irritated, and I nervously sucked on the pipe. Marriage and all that, the current situation just felt like a total mess. Actually, aside from that problem, there wasn't anything particularly bothersome, but I was worried that if I married the wrong person, I might end up giving away something precious for nothing.

*Knock knock knock

So, I ended up reacting sensitively even to the small matter of hearing a knock.

"Who is it!"

"S-sorry, my lord. I didn't mean to disturb you while you were resting."

"Ah, it's you. Come in."

The maid entered, looking apologetic. She was my slave, Sherry, dressed in a outfit that revealed much of her chest. Sherry had brought a wheeled tray with a clean ashtray, snacks, and a bottle of wine.

"Excellent."

"It's all for you, my lord."

Sherry replied, her large breasts swaying. She carefully cleaned the side table and set up new items.

"..."

I felt a pleasant mood inside as I admired her fully exposed shoulders and the deep valley between her breasts. In the previous world I lived in, such behavior would have been considered rude, but in this world, it was openly encouraged.

"Lord, perhaps you should smoke a little less."

Sherry advised as she replaced the ashtray with a new one. The used ashtray was full of cigarette ashes. In this world, cigarettes had just been developed and were about to be commercialized. Pipes were still overwhelmingly popular. The items piled up in the ashtray were of that kind.

"Leave it be."

"I can't do that as your slave. Taking care of your health is also my duty. Is something bothering you? I have a slight idea."

Sherry said that and gently came behind to start massaging my shoulders. Thanks to that, Sherry must have seen what I was holding.

"Is that a letter from the Spring Lord?"

"Hmph. Yes, it is."

I gently turned the letter over. I felt a bit embarrassed to show such a letter to Sherry. Sherry averted her eyes from the letter and focused on the massage.

....

*schlrp

Sherry tried hard to hide the saliva forming at the corner of her mouth. No matter how many times she touched them, her master's shoulders were always soft. The gentle line from the nape of the neck made it hard to believe he was a knight engaged in fierce sword fights. Moreover, the touch was exquisite. Sherry couldn't stand seeing her master's shoulders stiffen even a little. She always believed that her most important mission was to take care of him from behind and relieve his fatigue. And Sherry, who was very interested in her master, was also very interested in the worries he carried.

"Excuse me, my lord."

"What."

"I'm also curious about the contents of the letter."

"I don't want to tell you."

"Please tell me, my lord. Maybe talking about it will help you organize your thoughts."

"I said no."

"Is it about marriage again? Or perhaps the usual nagging about missing you and taking care of yourself?"

"..."

"Oh my, your silence confirms my guess. But my lord, it's not like this is something that's happened once or twice, and it's too trivial to be upset about..."

Rene's brow furrowed with annoyance as he silently received the massage. To show his authority as the master, he cut off the impertinent maid's words.

"Sherry."

"Yes."

"That's enough."

"Understood."

Tsk, this mouth is too bold. Sherry scolded herself as she pressed firmly on her master's scalp. Looking back, this was a response too rough and disrespectful for the delicate young master. Fortunately, Sherry knew that she herself was doing it out of concern for Lord Rene, so she stopped at just giving advice... Thinking that far, Sherry felt her affection for her master welling up again.

"My lord, why don't you go out to the street today?"

"The street? Why?"

"Well... because tomorrow is market day?"

"Why go today if tomorrow is market day?"

"Well..."

Sherry was at a loss for words. It was because her master was like this that she had unthinkingly spoken to him as if he were a child of the same age! But Sherry's mind quickly came up with a nice answer.

"Even though tomorrow is market day, many merchants have already come up. Among them... there was the farm that makes the jam you praised, my lord."

"So?"

"If you go now... they might sell us a few more boxes."

*Thump

The effect was excellent. Upon hearing her answer, Rene immediately stood up from his seat. Then, he opened the bottom drawer of the desk beside him with a rumble. The luxury goods he enjoyed the most were revealed.

"This is perfect timing. Let's buy this too."

What Rene was pointing at were pipe tobacco and cigarettes. Thinking of replenishing his stock, Rene's eyes sparkled. Sherry hoped that this reckless master would take a little more care of his body.

___

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