I got Reincarnated but My Wife is Now My Mother!

The path forward was now evident in my mind. Our next destination had to be Rosaniya's village, the location of the much-discussed relic. The memory of Rosaniya's initial quest for a relic surfaced in my thoughts. 'Could it be that she was in search of a different relic altogether?' Regardless, our current trajectory was set. Understanding Duke Villanueva's interest in this particular artifact was imperative.

 

With the Rowe sisters now in our custody, the likelihood of the Royal Scouts tracking us or our allies had significantly diminished. This meant that the sisters would be accompanying us on our journey. I found myself unable to view them solely as adversaries. Circumstances, after all, play a crucial role in shaping actions and decisions. They were, in essence, merely executing orders, much like the members of the Royal Army and Royal Knights. However, this acknowledgment didn't equate to blind trust.

 

This realization set the cogs of strategy turning in my head. 'If I could somehow sway House Rowe to our side, perhaps it would open the door to forging alliances with other Houses among the Northeastern oligarchs.' The potential of such a shift in allegiances could be a game-changer, altering the balance of power and giving us much-needed leverage.

 

The prospect of turning foes into allies, particularly those with the influence and standing of House Rowe, was a tantalizing one. It held the promise of not just a tactical advantage but also a strategic one, potentially tipping the scales in our favor in the broader conflict at hand.

 

As these thoughts whirled through my mind, I observed the Rowe sisters. Their posture and expressions, even in captivity, spoke of their upbringing - poised, dignified, and undeniably noble. The idea of leveraging their status and influence became increasingly compelling.

 

The journey to Rosaniya's village would not just be a physical trek but also a diplomatic endeavor, a delicate dance of negotiation and persuasion. It was a challenge I was prepared to take on, aware of the potential risks but also the immense rewards.

 

The forest around us seemed to echo with the possibilities of this new strategy, its depths holding both peril and promise. As we moved forward, the landscape around us serving as a silent witness to our plans, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.

 

This venture was not just about retrieving a relic or uncovering Duke Villanueva's motives; it was about forging alliances and transforming the chessboard of power dynamics. The Rowe sisters, unwittingly, had become central figures in this unfolding drama.

 

Our steps were measured, our minds alert, as we navigated the path ahead. The journey to Rosaniya's village was more than a mere geographical shift; it was a strategic maneuver in a much larger game, a game that we were now playing with heightened stakes and new players.

 

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows that stretched out before us as if pointing the way to our new destination and the new possibilities that awaited us there.

 

The urgency in Rosaniya's steps was palpable as she led us toward her village, her anxiety about its safety evident in her every movement. I shared her urgency but was acutely aware of the need for caution. Rosaniya's guidance through these lands did not guarantee a warm reception from her kin, especially with human strangers in tow. The decision to bring the Rowe sisters along added another layer of complexity to our journey. Trusting in honor of the Rowe sisters and their noble house, as well as in Rosaniya and her kin, was a leap of faith I found myself reluctantly taking.

 

Sensing the need to moderate our pace, I called out to Rosaniya, "We need to slow down."

 

Her response was immediate and firm. "No, I must reach my village before it's too late," she insisted.

 

I tried to reason with her. "We can't just rush in blindly. What if we encounter more scouts, others like the Rowe sisters?"

 

At this moment, Wynnefreede, weary and distressed, voiced her discomfort. "Wynnefreede is tired. The treatment of prisoners of war should be more humane. Wynnefreede feels intimidated," she lamented.

 

Elizabethe, bristling with indignation, joined in. "Elizabethe agrees with Wynnefreede, sister. Elizabethe is appalled by your treatment of nobles," she snapped, her voice sharp.

 

Orzella, ever the pragmatist, retorted dismissively. "Hush, little girl. Your treatment here is far more civil than what you would accord to those you deem commoners," she pointed out.

 

Katheryne, with a mixture of hurt and resentment in her whisper, expressed her feelings. "Katheryne is bothered and resentful of your statement. We are not little girls anymore. Mommy dearest and Daddy dearest said so," she murmured.

 

"We have to keep moving!" Rosaniya urged, her voice laced with impatience.

 

Orzella quickly agreed, "I'm with Rosaniya on this. The scouts might already be at the village."

 

"I understand, Orzella," I replied. "But we need a well-thought-out plan. Even with your strength, facing all the scouts single-handedly isn't feasible."

 

"Wynnefreede is so tired," Wynnefreede interjected wearily.

 

Orzella, unsympathetic, retorted, "Little girl, it's not our fault you got caught. What were you doing here all alone without backup?"

 

Katheryne then quietly offered an explanation. "Elizabethe, sister wanted to redeem ourselves for losing track of our targets at the ruins," she whispered.

 

Elizabethe, not one to miss a chance to assert herself, added with a hint of pride, "And Elizabethe was right. We found them, just as Elizabethe predicted."

 

Leia, with a touch of sarcasm, questioned their pride. "Is that really something to brag about?"

 

Wynnefreede, showing a hint of doubt, conceded, "Wynnefreede thinks we might have miscalculated."

 

Rosaniya, growing increasingly frustrated, cut in. "This is all irrelevant now. We need to move. All this chatter is just delaying us."

 

Elizabethe then shared a crucial piece of information. "Elizabethe wonders why the elf is so eager. We are the only sense users in this division of the Royal Scouts," she disclosed.

 

I realized the significance of her words. "That's an advantage for us. We can afford to rest for now. Everyone knows that elves are hard to track," I reasoned.

 

But Rosaniya's response was filled with urgency. "You don't understand, Asa; I need to get there quickly," she said, her tone more worried than before.

 

It was Leia who ultimately offered a practical solution. "Asa, we should make camp for the night. I understand your eagerness to reach Rosaniya's village, but we all need to stop and rest," she suggested wisely.

 

Rosaniya halted in her tracks, a look of deep concern etching her features. "Then let's stop for the night," she suggested her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Her anxious demeanor struck a chord within me, highlighting her impatience. I addressed her gently, understanding the gravity of her fears. "Listen, Rosaniya... I understand your feelings. Your loved ones are in that village. But we must consider the reality of our situation. The warriors pursuing us will not hesitate to ransack your village in their search for the relic. I wish things were different, but I, too, have experienced loss," I paused, memories of my own city's attack and the last time I saw my father flooding back.

 

Even though my persona in this world had its flaws, being arrogant and indolent, there was an undeniable care for family. This life, with all its conflicting memories and emotions from a past existence, was still mine to live.

 

Determined, I reassured her, "I promise to help protect your village, the relic, and assist in any way I can. You've been an invaluable ally in such a short time. I will never leave you to face this alone," I affirmed.

 

Rosaniya's expression softened, a sense of reassurance washing over her. "Okay, let's make camp, Asa," she agreed, her voice a quiet echo of resolve.

 

The decision to halt for the night, while challenging, was necessary. It would give us time to regroup and plan our approach to Rosaniya's village more carefully. It also provided an opportunity to reassess our situation with the Rowe sisters and consider the dynamics of our group.

 

As the sky darkened and the first stars began to twinkle overhead, we set up camp in a clearing. The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow on our weary faces. Around it, we sat in a tense yet respectful circle, each of us lost in our thoughts, pondering the complexities of the journey ahead.

 

The night air was filled with the sounds of the wilderness, a reminder of the natural world that surrounded us, indifferent to the dramas of humans. In this moment of respite, the lines between captors and captives, guides and guests, seemed to blur, if only slightly.

 

The journey to Rosaniya's village was more than a mere physical trek; it was a delicate balancing act of diplomacy, strategy, and survival. As we settled in for the night, I couldn't help but wonder what challenges and revelations the next day would bring.

 

I entrusted the care of the Rowe sisters to Leia and Orzella, observing as Leia tended to their needs with an unexpected gentleness, quite the contrast to her usual brusque manner towards them. Orzella even showed more kindness than I thought she would. Almost like Orzella was treating them like the typical annoying younger sisters. 'Perhaps they harbors some sympathy for their situation?' I mused. I certainly felt a pang of empathy for them myself, but my current priority was to assist Rosaniya. She seemed lost in thought, visibly burdened by stress. It was evident to me that there were layers to Rosaniya's story that we had yet to uncover, hidden depths that perhaps held vital insights into our current predicament.