My 5th Reincarnation: I Was Born in Another World as a Demon - TWOB 4

Hempshia was exactly as grandiose as Raegan expected from a capital city, and exactly as awkward as he'd been dreading. The streets were packed with citizens celebrating Princess Aria's return, though Raegan suspected the "PUNISH ME PRINCESS" banner someone was waving might be a bit odd.

[Location Analysis

Crowd Size: Overwhelming

Escape Routes: Limited

Awkward Situations: Imminent]

"Raegan!" Aria called from her carriage. "Wave to the people with me!"

 "I'd rather fight the demon wolves again," Raegan muttered, while his system helpfully noted:

[Princess Interaction #47

Enthusiasm: Excessive

Luna's Eye-Roll Count: 23

Recommendation: Pretend to faint]

Before he could implement this excellent suggestion, the royal guards surrounded their group. Commander Dan, a stern-faced bear-beast with more medals than chest to pin them on, approached with a formal bow to Leo.

 "Sir Leo," he rumbled, "welcome back to—" He paused, sniffing the air around Raegan with military suspicion. "Interesting company you keep."

 'Great,' Raegan thought. 'Enhanced bear nose. Just what I needed.'

 But before Commander Dan could investigate further, a distinguished wolf-beast in ministerial robes swept forward. Minister Lex's golden eyes—similar to Luna's—fixed on Raegan with laser intensity.

 "So," he said slowly, "you're the boy my daughter has been sending me letters about."

[Parental Threat Assessment

Protective Father Level: Maximum

Diplomatic Options: Limited

Note: Subject is both Minister AND Luna's Father

Recommendation: Do NOT mention princess's flirting]

"Father," Luna started, but Lex raised a hand.

 "I understand you've been… protecting my daughter?" His tone suggested that protection was a privilege that could be swiftly revoked, possibly along with Raegan's ability to walk.

 "Actually," Raegan said quickly, "Luna's been protecting me. Her mana-reading abilities are extraordinary."

 Luna's ears perked up in surprise, while her father's narrowed slightly. "Indeed? And yet Princess Aria seems quite focused on you like an archery target."

 "The princess is focused on anything in trousers," Luna muttered, then quickly added, "Not that Raegan wears anything special. Very ordinary trousers. Nothing worth noting."

 Leo's shoulders were doing that suspicious shaking again.

 Before the trouser situation could be further discussed, they were escorted to the palace throne room. Raegan's system went into overdrive:

[Location: Throne Room

Irony Level: Maximum

Present: King who once wanted to dissect subject

Current Situation: Said subject is the daughter's crush

Humor Category: Tragically Cosmic]

King Thundra was nothing like Raegan expected. Instead of a mad scientist eager to experiment on demon babies, he found a composed warrior-king, his bearing speaking of battles won through skill rather than crown-right.

 "Leave us," Thundra commanded. "Except Minister Lex and Sir Leo."

 As the room cleared, Raegan caught Luna's worried glance and Aria's reluctant departure. Then the massive doors closed, and he faced the man who had once hunted him as an infant.

 "So," Thundra said, his voice carrying the weight of a kingdom, "we finally meet, demon child."

Raegan's system flashed:

[Cover Status: Compromised

Threat Level: Unknown

Escape Routes: 3 (All blocked)

Note: Really should have pretended to faint earlier]

"You think I wouldn't notice?" Thundra continued, rising from his throne. "Only the strongest warrior can become King of Barthopia. This throne is earned, not inherited. I didn't gain this crown by missing details like white hair and red eyes identical to a certain demon infant that escaped my researchers."

 Raegan stood very still, aware of Lex's sharp intake of breath and Leo's tension beside him.

 But then Thundra did something completely unexpected—he smiled. "However, I find myself in an interesting position. I can hardly execute my daughter's savior, can I? Especially one who's proven himself against demon wolves." He sat back, looking almost amused. "So let's keep your identity our little secret. Consider it my thanks for protecting Aria."

[Situation Update:

Threat Level: Surprisingly Low

King's Attitude: Unexpectedly Reasonable

Current Status: Awkwardly Accepted

Note: Still less stressful than the princess's flirting]

As Raegan bowed in acknowledgment, he couldn't help but think that between an overprotective wolf-beast father, a flirting princess, a jealous best friend, and a surprisingly understanding king who once wanted to dissect him, this new life was turning out to be far more complicated than simply fighting vampires had ever been.

 "Speaking of gratitude," King Thundra said, his warrior's composure cracking slightly, "how is Chen? That brilliant, infuriating woman… She's the one I've been searching for all these years. The demon child was just an excuse."

 Raegan blinked. His system updated:

[Plot Twist Detected

King's True Objective: Dr. ChenIrony

Level: Astronomical

Note: Mother will find this hilarious]

Before Raegan could process this revelation, the throne room doors burst open. Aria stood there, her usual composed demeanor shattered, tears streaming down her face. "Father! Mother's condition… she's…"

 King Thundra was already moving. "The Queen's healers say there's nothing more they can do."

 Raegan's mind raced. He'd been trained by Chen for seven years, learning both this world's healing arts and secretly incorporating knowledge from his past lives. "I can maybe help," he said firmly. "I'm Dr. Chen's apprentice."

 "You?" Minister Lex's skepticism could have cut glass.

 "The demon child trained by Chen?" Thundra was already striding toward the door. "Come!"

 The Queen's chambers were chaos—healers rushing about, servants wringing their hands, and in the center of it all, a beautiful woman with Aria's silver hair lying still as death. Raegan's system immediately began analysis:

[Medical Scan Initiated

Patient: Queen Elara

Symptoms: Fever, Labored Breathing, Fluid in Lungs

Local Diagnosis: Unknown

Searching Past Life Medical Knowledge…]

ERROR: INCOMPATIBLE MEDICAL SYSTEMS

ERROR: CROSS-WORLD DISEASE MAPPING FAILED

ERROR: ATTEMPTING PATTERN RECOGNITION…

MATCH FOUND: Ancient Shivodaya Medical Texts Diagnosis: Condition similar to "Pneumonia" Recommendation: Adapt treatment to local ingredients]

"Everyone out!" Raegan commanded with an authority that surprised even him. "Except Princess Aria—I need an assistant I can trust."

 "I'll help too," Luna said quickly, eyeing how closely Aria was standing to Raegan.

 "Perfect, I need both of you. Luna can read the mana flows in the Queen's body, and Princess Aria knows the palace resources."

His system began listing requirements:

[Treatment Components Required:

Feverfew (Local Equivalent: Moonblossom), Garlic (Local Equivalent: Garlic), Honey (Local Equivalent: Bee Nectar), Willow Bark (Local Equivalent: Weeping Tree Tears)]

"Princess, I need access to the royal herb gardens. Luna, monitor the Queen's mana channels. Minister Lex, I need permission to use the ministerial alchemy lab."

 "You have everything at your disposal," King Thundra declared.

 As Raegan began preparing the medicine, he found himself giving a running commentary to prevent anyone from getting suspicious of his knowledge:

 "This combination works because… uh, the moonblossom's cooling properties are enhanced by… look, a butterfly!"

[Social Warning: Explanation Getting Suspicious

Note: Butterfly distraction unsuccessful]

"Raegan," Luna whispered as she helped grind herbs, "you're acting weird."

 "Weirder than usual," Aria agreed, actually agreeing with Luna for the first time ever.

 "Less talking, more healing," Raegan deflected, while his system helpfully suggested:

[Recommended Responses:

Fake sneezing fit. Pretend to commune with herbs. Start interpretive healing dance. Blame everything on demon core quirks.]

Hours passed as Raegan combined ingredients, trying to recreate a medicine from another world while making it seem like normal healing practices. His running commentary became increasingly desperate:

 "And then we stir three times clockwise because… um… that's what mother always did. No particular reason. Definitely not because of unknown medical knowledge from anywhere."

 Finally, the medicine was ready. As the Queen drank it, everyone held their breath. Slowly, her breathing eased, color returned to her cheeks in an hour's time.

 "It's working," Luna reported, watching the mana flow. "Her life force is stabilizing."

 Queen Elara's eyes fluttered open, focusing first on her husband and daughter, then on Raegan. "You have your mother's gift," she said softly.

 "Yes," Raegan agreed quickly. "Exactly. My mother's gift. Nothing to do with anything crazy. Just good old-fashioned current-life healing."

[Mission Success

Queen: Saved

Cover: Mostly Maintained

Awkward Explanations: Abundant

Note: Really need to work on lying better]

As the royal family embraced, Raegan felt Luna's tail brush against his hand. "You're hiding something," she whispered.

 "Me? Never. Hey, look, another butterfly!"

 "We're indoors."

 "…A very lost butterfly?"

 Leo smiled at his students' banter behind them and kneeled to their eye level. "I'm very proud of you, Raegan and Luna. Unfortunately, I have been given a secret mission at the Imperial Kingdom, but when I come back, I hope to see immense growth within my pupils. Make me proud," his massive paws gently patted Raegan and Luna.

 He got up and turned around but paused, "Good luck with your nobility, young Raegan. I don't know if I should congratulate you or feel pity, but make good use of this opportunity." He walked away laughing as Raegan and Luna looked at each other, confused.

Next Day... The throne room was packed for the ceremony, though Raegan's system was more concerned with cataloging all the ways this could go hilariously wrong:

[Ceremony Analysis

Current Status: About to be knighted by king who once hunted you

Aria's Swooning Count: 7

Luna's Eye-Roll Count: 12

Probability of Awkward Situation: 100%]

"Kneel, Raegan," King Thundra commanded, trying not to smile at the irony of knighting the demon child he'd once pursued. "For saving both my daughter and the queen…"

 'And for not mentioning how you wanted to dissect me as a baby,' Raegan thought wryly.

 "I hereby grant you the title of Knight of Barthopia, along with the Crystal Lake Manor in The Shadowmist Territory."

[Property Acquisition

Status: Unexpected

Size: Unnecessarily Large

Note: Mother will either love this or hate this]

"The manor," Thundra continued with deliberate casualness, "has an excellent medical wing. Perfect for, say, a retired doctor looking to resume her practice in the capital. Hypothetically speaking, of course."

Raegan's system translated:

[King's Subtle Message

Please get Chen back. Really, please get Chen back. Will bribe with real estate.

Desperation Level: Maximum]

"Your Majesty honors me," Raegan said diplomatically, while wondering how to explain to Chen that the king who once hunted them was now basically trying to be their landlord.

 Princess Aria stepped forward with the ceremonial sword, managing to "accidentally" brush her hand against Raegan's three times in the process. Luna's growl was just barely audible to his enhanced hearing.

 "Sir Raegan," Aria pronounced, batting her eyelashes. "It has such a wonderful ring to it."

 "Yes," Luna muttered. "Almost as wonderful as 'medical apprentice who still hasn't explained how he knew that cure.'"

[Social Tension Rising

Princess: Flirting Intensifies

Luna: Suspicion Increases

Recommendation: Fake fainting spell NOW]

Minister Lex cleared his throat. "Perhaps Sir Raegan would like to tour his new manor? Luna can show him around, WITH PROPER CHAPERONES." The emphasis made several nearby nobles wince.

 "Oh, I'd be happy to give the tour!" Aria volunteered.

 "As the Minister's daughter and fellow student," Luna cut in smoothly, "it would be more appropriate for me to—"

 "As princess, I insist—"

 "As his best friend—"

 "As his future qu—"

 "PROPER CHAPERONES," Minister Lex interrupted, looking like he was developing a stress headache.

 Queen Elara, still recovering but unable to resist the entertainment, suggested, "Why don't you both show him? Along with a small contingent of guards, of course."

[Tour Group Status

One Flirting Princess. One Jealous Best Friend. Multiple Suspicious Guards. One Increasingly Panicked Raegan.

Note: Fighting demon wolves was easier than this]

The Crystal Lake Manor turned out to be less of a manor and more of a small palace next to what looked like a slum. Raegan's system helpfully cataloged the amenities:

[Property Features

Medical Wing (Definitely for Chen). Library (Suspiciously well-stocked with medical texts).

Gardens (Full of healing herbs).

King's Subtle Message Level: Abandoned subtlety entirely]

"This medical wing is impressive," Luna observed. "Almost like it was prepared for someone specific."

 "The herb garden has all your mother's favorites," Aria added innocently. "Father was very particular about that."

As they toured the mansion, Raegan could practically hear his system, Vivaan, laughing at his predicament:

[Current Situation

Title: Knight Of Barthopia - Acquired

Manor: Acquired

King's Approval: Acquired

Mother: Being bribed with real estate

Love Triangle: Intensifying

Secrets: Barely maintained

Butterflies: Still not a convincing distraction]

"Raegan," Luna cornered him in the library while Aria was distracted by the odd view. "You're hiding something. The cure, your skills, this sudden elevation to nobility…"

 "Would you believe it's all just demon luck skill?"

 "No."

 "Butterfly?"

 "Raegan!"

 'Mother, he thought desperately, please come save me from your admirer king and my increasingly complicated social life. I'll even let you experiment with new medicines on me. Anything is better than being caught between a princess's affections and a wolf-girl's suspicions while trying to hide multiple lifetimes of secrets.'

The system's final update seemed to mock him:

[Mission Status

Became knight: Success

Maintained cover: Debatable

Social life: Chaos

Note: Maybe fighting Sasht was the easier option after all]