Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers

Chapter 181 - Familiar Feeling

*Cough cough*

Shido and Lakyus, who had been bickering moments earlier, suddenly paused when they heard a soft cough. Turning toward the sound, they saw Princess Renner standing nearby, smiling gracefully at them. Behind her stood the other members of Blue Roses, observing the scene with amused expressions.

Shido remained composed, his expression unchanged. Lakyus, on the other hand, flushed in embarrassment upon realizing that her companions had witnessed her being unusually close and acting chummy with an opposite gender.

Despite her identity as a adamantite adventurer, she was actually still a noble. As such, she knew she shouldn't act so familiarly with a man in public. Yet when she was with Shido, those rules seemed to blur. Unlike the stifling decorum of the noble circle, where everyone wore masks and half-truths, Shido made her feel at ease and true to herself.

"I didn't expect you two to become so close in a short amount of time." Princess Renner said while maintaining her smile.

"Yeah, we're close, right Lakyus?" Shido nodded his head, agreeing to Princess Renner's words.

"We're not!" Lakyus snapped, her voice raised in flustered protest as her face grew visibly redder.

"Fufu, I didn't expect Acheval-san to be so skilled at courting women." Princess Renner said, her smile deepening. "To think you could make the ever-serious Lakyus lose her composure."

"...Princess," Lakyus muttered, her voice caught on a plea, but her embarrassment only made Renner chuckle softly.

Then, Renner's golden eyes shifted, locking onto Shido's. He met her gaze evenly, unflinching. For a brief moment, something sharp and unspoken passed between them.

She had to admit that when she saw him again, she almost couldn't control herself and wanted to lock Shido in her room. Fortunately, she have a really good control of her desire, in addition to her good acting, she hid it flawlessly behind her usual angelic smile. Of course Shido noticed to subtle change in her emotion because of his observation haki but it made his lips twitched.

He wondered when she started to change her twisted desire to him from Climb. Shido didn't really want to have interaction with this crazy princess but it seemed to be difficult to do so when completing his quests.

"Anyway, it's been a while, Acheval-san," Princess Renner greeted him with a graceful motion, her every gesture radiating the elegance befitting royalty.

"Yes, it has, Princess Renner," Shido replied, bowing his head in a show of respect.

Though it was only an act, Shido wouldn't bow his head if it was his father or brothers.

"Mnn, it hasn't even been a month, and you've already stirred up international trouble," Princess Renner sighed, her tone a mix of amusement and exasperation. "I can't tell if it's just coincidence or if you're truly a magnet for chaos."

She hadn't expected that the next time she heard Shido's name, it would be in connection to an incident involving the Eight Fingers.

The eight fingers are the tumor that plague this kingdom and many people and even nobles feared them. But to Shido, they we're just like lamb waiting to be slaughtered, he didn't even put them in his eyes since his true opponents was Ainz and everyone from Nazarick.

And of course, the heroes of the Slane Theocracy were on that list too.

"They we're the one who came to me and caused me trouble. If they leave me alone, I wouldn't do anything to them (for now)." Shido shrugged his shoulder at the words of Princess Renner. Although it could be said that it was a total coincidence for Eight Fingers to move on him, it was also a good chance to wipe them out clean.

"Well, that's true," Princess Renner said with a thoughtful nod. "With your strength, you could easily defeat all the members of Six Arms... even their leader, Zero."

She inwardly scoffed at the Eight Fingers' foolishness. To provoke someone like Shido was nothing short of courting death.

Princess Renner even suspected that Shido's strength was greater than adamantite adventurer and rivaled the heroes.

Princess Renner's gaze lingered on Shido, who remained perfectly composed, showing not the slightest sign of pressure in her presence. Most people, when standing before royalty, would instinctively lower their heads or adopt a deferential posture. But not Shido.

He looked at them without fear or reverence, not as an equal, but from above, as if he were the one standing at the pinnacle of the world.

And yet, objectively speaking, Shido hadn't done anything that would mark him as someone worthy of ruling over all. There was no throne beneath his feet, no empire at his back.

Still... Renner couldn't shake the feeling.

Somehow, she sensed it. That one day, he could reach that peak. That he would dominate the world, not through birthright or title, but by sheer force of will and overwhelming power.

Shido's demeanor might have been considered rude by noble standards, yet Princess Renner didn't find it offensive. On the contrary, there was something thrilling about it. His boldness, his indifference to status and decorum... it stirred something in her.

And somehow, she also wanted him to dominate her body. Thinking of that, her cheeks suddenly blushed slightly then she scold herself for thinking of something perverted.

Unlike Climb who acted honest, kind and righteous, Shido was the complete opposite of him. He showed no emotion when facing an enemy, he would act when an opportunity arises and also a bad man who seduces women. And yet... that only made him more irresistible.

Looking at Princess Renner's slightly flushed face, Shido know that she was thinking of something weird but he didn't bother to ask her. When he happened to look on the side, he could see the members of Blue Roses together with Lakyus observing him talking with Princess Renner. However, Shido noticed that one member of the Blue Roses who wore a mask was looking at him curiously. Even though she had mask, Shido could tell that her eyes was staring at her.

"Is there something?" Shido asked calmly, directing his gaze toward the masked girl who stood at a height the same as a 13 years old girl.

"Huh? You noticed I was staring?" Evileye blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected him to catch on so easily. Realizing her behavior had been rather improper, she quickly composed herself. "My apologies. I didn't mean to be rude."

"What? Don't tell me you've fallen for him too, like Lakyus?" Gagaran said with a booming laugh, clearly amused. It was rare to see Evileye so intrigued by anyone, especially someone already close to Lakyus.

"W-What are you talking about, Gagaran?! I-I don't like him at all!" Lakyus stammered, her face turning red as she hurried to deny the accusation.

She had been quietly observing Shido and Princess Renner's interaction from the side, but something about the way they spoke so comfortably irritated her. There was a strangely natural atmosphere between the two. She didn't know why she felt this way but she was certain she didn't like this feeling.

Now that Gagaran had started teasing her, Lakyus felt the urge to lash out. Her face was already flushed, and when she glanced at Shido from the corner of her eye, she saw him chuckling quietly.

That only made it worse.

She turned away sharply, too embarrassed to say anything else.

"N-No, I just thought... he looked somewhat familiar." Evileye stammered, clearly caught off guard by Gagaran's teasing. She hadn't expected the conversation to take that turn.

But her words drew immediate attention.

"You said he looked familiar?" Tia asked, narrowing her eyes with interest.

"Familiar how?" Tina added, leaning in slightly.

Even Shido's expression changed, his amusement fading into mild curiosity. He turned his gaze toward Evileye, studying her more intently.

What exactly did she recognize?

"Mnn... not in appearance, but in aura," Evileye said slowly, still staring at Shido. "It feels similar to something I've sensed before. But the one I felt back then was... much stronger."

Her crimson eyes, hidden behind the mask, seemed to search him for an answer.

Princess Renner, Lakyus, and the other members of Blue Roses turned to Shido, now just as curious.

"Don't look at me," Shido replied, raising both hands in mock surrender. "This is the first time I've seen you. It's probably someone else."

"I see... That's true." Evileye nodded thoughtfully, but her voice held a hint of disappointment. She had truly hoped it was the same presence—the overwhelming aura of a being she had sensed once before, one whose strength was etched into her memory.

Seeing that she somehow believe him, Shido slowly released a sigh of relief inside. But when he thought of Evileye's, words, Shido then realized that it must be the time when he first arrived at this world and caused havoc in the forest.

'Then, they must be the adventurer's on the vicinity at that time."