Reincarnated in Another World at the Age of 82!? - Chapter 30, Chapter 31, Chapter 32

Holder of memories from the past life.
---After-dinner tea time.

We moved to the living room.

Though I had resolved to be honest, it still took a lot of courage to confess. Unable to sit on the sofa, I fidgeted by the door.

“What’s wrong, Joan? Come on, let’s go together.”

Brother Gene, noticing my unease, came over and took my hand. That alone reassured me.

Guided by Brother Gene, I sat between my brothers.

Both were sitting close—this spot felt cramped.

“What’s the matter, Joan? You were so lively just a moment ago.”

Even Brother Noel looked concerned as he spoke to me.

I remembered the advice my old boss used to give me: “If something isn’t going well for you, report it early! If you wait until it becomes a bigger issue, no one will be able to help you.”

This was one of those moments.

You can do it, me!

Clenching my hands together on my lap, I spoke:

“There’s something I need to tell you… Please don’t be alarmed and just listen.”

All four of them nodded.

“… When I collapsed during the baptism ceremony… I remembered the memories of my previous life. My past life was in a world different from this one. There was no magic, but there were advanced tools, similar to magic devices here, that made life very convenient. I didn’t tell anyone until now because I thought you’d all find me creepy…”

As I spoke, quiet tears began to fall.

Brother Noel gently wiped them away, while Brother Gene softly patted my back.

“I see… So that’s why you know things we’ve never heard of before. Come here, Joan.”

Father motioned for me to sit between him and Mother.

Mother embraced me warmly, while Father gently patted my head.

“Listen, Joan. As I’ve told you before, no matter what, you’re my beloved daughter.”

“Sniff… Thank you. But… don’t you find it creepy?”

“You wouldn’t know this, Joan, but people with memories of their past lives have existed in this world before.”

“””What?!”

Even my brothers were shocked.

“Some well-known magic craftsmen have used their previous life memories to create convenient tools, and some warriors have defended the country with strategies they recalled. It’s not creepy at all—in fact, people with such knowledge are often revered. Some are even summoned to the royal palace.”

“The royal palace?!”

The palace? Like, the castle?!

“Father, I refuse to let Joan be taken to the palace!”

“I agree with Brother! Why would Joan need to go there?”

Thank you, my brothers.

“Of course, we’ll respect Joan’s wishes. Joan, what do you want to do?”

“I… I don’t want to go to the royal palace. The knowledge I have isn’t anything remarkable. I don’t know how to craft amazing magic tools or wield great strength. In my past life, I worked in retail, had a family, and enjoyed traveling, eating, and cooking. I’m just an ordinary person. I wouldn’t be of any use at the palace.”

“I see, I understand. So the unique dishes you know come from your previous life. Then, would you continue making delicious meals for us?”

“Of course, Father! Thank you so much!”

“”Yay!!””

My brothers high-fived each other.

“Joan… can you share more beauty tips with me, too?”

Mother asked with a grin.

“Hehe, of course, if it’s something I know!”

I was relieved—they had accepted me.

I wish I had confessed earlier.

Still, I couldn’t believe others in this world also had memories of a previous life. Could it mean there’s soy sauce, miso, or even rice here? That would open up so many new culinary possibilities!

But… admitting I was an 82-year-old senior in my past life is a bit much.

I think I’ll keep that a secret for now.

----------

Cheers.
Finally, I was able to reveal my secret.

Everyone seemed to have a refreshed look on their faces, laughing together.

I truly regret causing so much worry, and I want to apologize. From now on, I’ll dedicate myself to making delicious meals for everyone.

“Father, Mother, and Gray, I made a cocktail you.”

“””A cocktail??”””

“Is there one for me as well?”

“Yes, Gray, please come over here. It’s all right, isn’t it, Father?”

“Uh, yes, Gray, come and have a seat.”

“Understood. Excuse me.”

I served gimlets to the three in front of me from the storage and provided non-alcoholic cocktails to my brothers.

“So, Joan, what exactly is a cocktail?”

“A cocktail is a mix of alcoholic drinks and juices. This one is called a gimlet, made from gin and lime juice. The one for my brothers is a non-alcoholic mix of orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.”

“Well then, here’s to the future prosperity of the Lampail territory and to Joan’s bright future. Cheers!”

“””””Cheers!”””””

Gulp. “”””Delicious!!!”””” “”Yum!!””

“Oh, I also prepared some snacks.”

I brought out crispy cheese, a mock version of rum raisins mixed with cream cheese, and hard bread cut into canapés.

“Joan’s storage really is out of this world.”

“Honestly, my Jo can cook, has extraordinary skills, and is the best.”

Brother Noel, are you tipsy from a non-alcoholic drink?

“Mmm, this canapé with grapes and cream cheese is delightful, with a hint of rum aroma.”

“Yes, I soaked the dried fruit in rum.”

“Oh no, Joan, with all these amazing dishes, I’m going to gain weight.”

“Mother, you’re too slim, so you’ll be fine! But if you’re concerned, I can prepare healthier meals too.”

I’ve failed at dieting so many times myself, though.
Not that I’ll say that out loud now.

“I don’t want to go back to the dorm…”

“Me neither…”

“I’ll keep practicing cooking different things until you return next week, so hang in there at the academy. I’ve prepared cookies and dried fruits for you.”

“”Ugh~ Jo…””

They hugged me tightly.

This is…

“It… it’s suffocating, Brother Noel, Brother Gene.”

“”Sorry…””

***

––Stanley’s office.

“She really is exceptional in so many ways. Definitely your daughter.”

“Indeed, she’s clearly her parents’ child.”

“You two… Anyway, I’m counting on you both to take care of Joan. With those skills and memories of her past life, there’s no guarantee strange people won’t approach her. We need to figure out how to protect her.”

“Hey, Stan, I’d like to teach her some self-defense techniques to a certain extent. She doesn’t have an attribute, and her skills aren’t suited for combat. That’s all the more reason for her to learn how to protect herself.”

“You’re right. If we start training her little by little from tomorrow, we should be able to prepare her by the time she enters the academy in five years. Gray, can I leave it to you to find someone suitable for the task?”

“Understood. Nancy is currently teaching Zack the basics, so how about having Joan join in?”

“That sounds good. Zack is the same age as Joan, and Nancy would be strict even with her.”

“Still, that girl’s knowledge is incredible. Be it sweets or cooking, she keeps surprising us. And now cocktails? She even knows about alcoholic drinks and makes great snacks.”

“She did say she had a family in her past life. She must’ve drunk alcohol too.”

“Ah, that explains it. That’s why she had such a longing look when we were sampling that gimlet.”

“Was it that obvious, Abe?”

“Absolutely, Mr. Gray. That’s probably why she came up with the non-alcoholic cocktail. She claimed it was ‘for her brothers,’ but it was partly for herself too.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Hearing Abe’s story, the three exchanged exasperated smiles.

“So she used rum-soaked grapes for the canapé snacks for herself too?”

All four of them chuckled at that.

“Well, aside from her memories of her past life, she was born to parents who love alcohol. It’s inevitable.”

“Ahaha, you’re not wrong.”

“”Gray! Abe!””

Abe, along with Stanley and Gray, was an old acquaintance from their monster-slaying days, and sometimes the three, or four including Margaret, would drink together.

Tonight, over Joan’s snacks and cocktails, they discussed her future.

----------

On the way for a walk.
The Next Morning.

Perhaps it was the slight intake of alcohol—well, the mock rum raisins from the snacks—that worked wonders, but I woke up feeling refreshed for the first time in a while.

The time was half past five.

All right! Let’s take a walk to the kitchen and help with breakfast!

But first, to avoid worrying Sarah again, I need to let someone know where I’m going.

Click.

When I opened the door to my room, Nancy happened to be passing by.

Perfect timing—I’ll ask her to inform Sarah.

“Good morning, Nancy.”

“Good morning, Young lady. You’re up quite early.”

“Yep, I woke up, so I’m heading to the kitchen for a walk and to help with breakfast. Could you let Sarah know?”

“A walk, you say… Hehe, understood. Good luck with your work!”

“Thanks! Oh, by the way, I wanted to give you this.”

I handed her some cookies I made yesterday from my storage.

“These are from yesterday. Oh, and since my storage has a time-freeze function, they’re still freshly baked. Enjoy them with Nathan and Zack!”

“My, thank you so much. Yesterday, I heard you made them, but those boys were crying because they didn’t get to eat any.”

“Really? Oh, then here’s more—dried fruits! Grapes, oranges, and bananas. Oh, wait, you can’t carry all this, can you? How about I bring them to the dining hall after breakfast?”

“Oh, but I couldn’t trouble you with that…”

“It’s fine! I want everyone to enjoy them. Plus, I haven’t seen Zack recently.”

“Thank you very much. We’ll be waiting, then.”

“Okay! I’ll head to the kitchen now!”

Tap, tap, tap…

“I’d heard about it, but… she’s really changed, like something’s been lifted off her shoulders. Still, with her past life memories and extraordinary skill… I’ll have to train her thoroughly.”

[Nancy, Head Maid of the Lampail Household]

The wife of Gray, the steward, and a former member of the monster-slaying corps. A master of dual blades, she uses her agility in combat.

She has two sons, Nathan and Zack, and since Joan is the same age as Zack, she watches over her like a daughter.

This is why she’s always worried about Joan, who has been judged as having the Null attribute. While she’s happy to see Joan’s current state, her concerns have only grown.

Determined to do what she can, she resolved to train both Joan and Zack as she returned to her cleaning.

***

Bang!

“”Whoa!!””

Arthur and Ben jumped at the sudden sound of the door slamming.

“Good morning! I’m here to help!”

“Morning… but Young lady, could you please shut the door quietly? It’s bad for the heart.”

“Ehehe, sorry about that.”

“So, Young lady, you’ve come to help with breakfast?”

“Yep! What were you planning for breakfast?”

“The usual—salad, soup, egg dishes, and bread.”

“Hmm… is there something I can help with?”

“Of course! Or better yet, do you have any ideas for dishes?”

“Hmm, how about mimosa salad, egg and bacon soup, and cheese omelets?”

“Whoa, more dishes I’ve never heard of!”

Ben clutched his head in confusion.

“Can you explain what kind of dishes these are, Young lady?”

“Sure! Mimosa salad is made by layering lettuce and leafy greens with finely chopped boiled eggs and cheese on top, then drizzling mayonnaise over it. The soup uses the saltiness from the bacon for flavor. Cheese omelets are eggs cooked with cheese inside.”

“Uh, got it. I’ll handle the salad and soup.”

“Then I’ll take care of these ‘omelets’ you speak of.”

“By the way, is it that hard bread again?”

“There’s nothing else, is there?”

“I see… The bread might be freshly baked, but is it okay if I try some alterations?”

“”Alterations?””

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