REINCARNATED AS VILLAIN NOBLE IN A GAME (CHAPTER 1-17)

The sun began to rise, casting its gentle glow across the room.

"Yawn..."

I woke up and stretched my body, rubbing my sleepy eyes.

"Inhale... exhale... inhale..."

As I emerged from my slumber, I noticed a maid in a maid outfit sound asleep next to me. She had a striking appearance, with sleek black and blue mesh hair that cascaded down to her shoulders and cool, beautiful breasts.

"Fully awake now."

Without hesitation, I reached out and gently caressed the maid, with my hands.

"Hmm."

"So soft."

I nodded appreciatively at the supple feel of her chest, giving it a thorough massage before rising from the bed.

"Ahh..."

True to the expectations of being the eldest son of the Duke, my room surpassed the size of a typical one-room house. The bed was large and inviting, and various furnishings like a table and chairs were meticulously arranged—a testament to their top-notch quality.

Each corner of the room boasted luxurious decorations.

"...Restlessness is creeping in."

Recalling the memories of my past life, when I led a humble existence, I took a seat on a chair, feeling a sense of unease in my lavish surroundings. Opening the notebook on the table, I grabbed a quill pen.

This notebook served as my diary, where I recorded my thoughts and events from the previous day.

"...I think I'll start writing in Japanese from now on."

Memories are incredibly fleeting.

To ensure I didn't forget any crucial information about the game world, I meticulously documented it in my diary.

"Oh, wait. Is this...?"

An overview of the storyline, significant events, descriptions of key characters, and details about formidable adversaries—everything found its place within the pages.

Once I finished jotting down all the important details, I closed the diary as the ink in my quill pen ran dry.

"Yawn..."

Just as I finished writing, the maid woke up and rose from the bed.

"Ah, you're awake."

I shifted my gaze from the diary to the maid and spoke.

"Ah, I'm sorry! I overslept... I didn't expect Noah-sama to wake up so early..."

"Punishment. Report back tonight."

"Yes..."

The maid nodded at my words, swiftly getting out of bed. She tidied herself up and positioned herself beside me.

"Very well. It's time for breakfast. Let's make our way to the dining room."

"Understood."

I rose from my chair and headed towards the door.

"Oh... by the way, what is your name?"

In that moment, I paused and turned my attention back to the maid.

"Huh? Ah... well, my name is Saria."

"I see. Saria... I'll remember it. Saria, continue serving me."

"Yes, of course!"

The maid, who fervently nodded in response, accompanied me once again as we made our way to the dining room.

After finishing breakfast, I made up my mind to go outside.

Yesterday, as I regained the memories of my past life, I was also assessing my fighting abilities. This way, I could handle the slum thugs and be sure of my victory. If there was someone I couldn't defeat, I would escape with all my might.

"Oh, I forgot to ask for permission to go out."

As the eldest son of a duke, I always received special treatment. I needed my father's permission to leave, and even if I obtained it, escorts and servants would accompany me. Not good. I wouldn't be able to engage with the slum thugs, and above all, it would be troublesome.

"Well, should I sneak out then?"

I opened the window in the corridor and jumped from the second-floor landing.

-----

It was my first time going out since regaining my memories of my past life.

"Hehehe..."

I hadn't lost the memories of my previous life, so the cityscape itself wasn't entirely new to me. However, the scenery here was completely different from Japan, and it naturally uplifted my 

spirits.

"Hey! You, the boy with plenty of money! Why not buy some skewers?"

"Sounds good!  but I just had breakfast!"

"Really? Then come by at noon!"

"Sure!"

I currently disguised my appearance using magic to change the color of my hair and eyes, and I dressed in plainer clothes. However, this plainer outfit only appeared as such within the Duke's household. To the eyes of commoners, I looked like a wealthy man, perhaps even a merchant's son. As I walked, I was often approached by people asking if I wanted to buy something.

"Hehehe..."

The bustling city surrounding Duke Reinhardt's residence was vibrant. Numerous stalls lined the main street, and diverse individuals populated the town. It wasn't just humans; there were also beastmen living here. This was another world! I strolled along the main street, thoroughly enjoying the cityscape.

"...Excuse me?"

Nevertheless, darkness can be found in any city. Even in this town, there were parts that could be considered as such, including the slums. My attention was drawn to a girl who was being dragged towards that area.

"Kukuku... Thank you, little girl. I feel an urge to confront those rough individuals in the slums. I'll help you."

Ultimately, people are the best judge of character. No one wants to get involved with dangerous individuals in the slums, even if someone is in distress. A girl dragged into the slums would have no one to assist her, and her life would be shrouded in darkness... if I weren't there.

"Let's go."

I kicked off the ground and leaped, landing on the roof of a building. From there, I made my way toward the man who was running through the slums while carrying the girl.

"It's closed to traffic," I muttered as I stepped down from the roof of the building, just in time to see three grimy men running away with a girl in their arms.

"What?! Who's this kid!?"

"Where the hell did you come from!?"

"...!?"

As the three of them grew agitated, I suddenly appeared before them.

"No, no! What can a kid like you do? Bring it on!"

One of the men shouted, pulling out a concealed dagger and pointing it at me.

"That's right!"

"Nothing will change even if an unarmed kid intervenes!"

With those words, the other two joined in, sporting fearless grins and causing a commotion.

"Hehehe... So, you too, driven by your twisted sense of justice, decided to stand in our way, huh? Do you want to die?"

"Bring it on!"

"No! Take a good look at the girl you're holding!"

"Hah! I can handle beating up one kid while holding onto her!"

"Well, that's true too! Gahahahaha!"

"That's it... that's good."

As the men continued their banter, I kicked the ground and let their words flow, then I raised my fist.

"Huh."

And with a straight punch, I struck the man holding the girl in the stomach.

"Gufu?!"

The man crumpled under the impact, dropping the girl from his grasp.

"ahhh"

I caught the girl just before she hit the ground.

The girl's face was concealed by a large hood, hiding her features beneath the ragged clothes she wore, making it difficult to see her clearly.

...She looks so pitiful. She's still so young.

"Are you okay?"

"Uh... Oh! I'm fine!"

"That's good... Just wait. I'll take care of the other two quickly."

I'm supposed to be a street kid right now, so I can't act as bossy as usual, can I?

"...Eh?"

I glimpsed the girl's true face hidden by the hood, and I froze.

"Huh? Hey... huh?"

In my hands, I held a girl who had been captured by the men in the slums.

Her face was incredibly familiar to me. It was shockingly familiar.

"Um, what's wrong?"

"No, no... it's nothing, really."

Why... why... why is a princess here?! This is a huge incident!

The girl in my hands... It was Lalatina von Ferjanne, the second princess of this country, and she was the same age as me.

"..."

What should I do? This is quite a predicament.

Why has the princess been captured by slum dwellers within our territory?

"Hey, don't get carried away just because you managed to defeat one by surprise!"

No, I need to take some time to think about this... Or rather, I can't afford not to think about it.

For now, let's focus on defeating the enemies in front of us.

"Huh!"

A man yelled as he swung a knife at me.

"What?"

He froze in disbelief as his knife, upon contact with my skin, broke in half.

"It's outrageous to think you can harm me with such a cheap weapon..."

I delivered a knee kick to the man who stood frozen before me, rendering him unconscious.

"One more person."

I shifted my gaze to the sole remaining individual.

"Hi, hi!?"

The last one seemed to have completely lost his nerve, letting out a pitiful scream at the mere sight of me.

"Who the hell are you?!"

...Considering the presence of the princess, it's better to reveal my true identity.

"Who am I? Kukuku... It's unlikely that someone as ordinary as you would have the audacity to ask, but I'm feeling generous today. I shall grant you the privilege of knowing my name."

I released the transformation magic that had concealed my appearance, displaying my true hair and eye color.

"What?!"

"I am Noah Reinhardt, the eldest son of Duke Reinhardt himself!"

As I declared, I approached the remaining man, placing my foot on his head and slamming him into the ground, asserting dominance.

"You're quite tall."

"Gu, guff..."

"Don't worry, ordinary man. There are many questions you must have. I won't kill you, so relax."

After saying that, I kicked the man's neck, causing him to lose consciousness.

"Well, then..."

I shifted my gaze away from the man and approached Her Highness Princess Lalatina, who was seated.

"Are you alright, Her Highness Princess Lalatina?"

I removed the hood covering her and spoke while gazing upon her precious face.

"Eh, ah, yes. I'm fine."

That's good to hear.

For now, it's fortunate that she can answer that she's okay... Nothing improper has happened, right?

"There are many matters I would like to inquire about, but it would be impolite to discuss them in this place. I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit my residence, the Duke's estate."

I reached out my hand to Her Highness Princess Lalatina.

"Would you please take my hand?"

"Yes, of course!"

Her Highness Princess Lalatina took hold of my outstretched hand and stood up.

"Very well. Shall we proceed then?"

Holding Princess Lalatina's hand, I led the way towards my home.

I returned to the Reinhard Duke's mansion.

"I am Gorton. I request permission to enter the room."

"Apologies. You may enter."

"Excuse me."

Currently, I was summoning an elderly man named Gorton, who held a position of utmost importance in Duke Reinhardt's mansion, to my room.

The matter at hand, of course, pertained to Her Highness Princess Lalatina, whom I had brought back home. She was currently staying in one of the guest rooms.

"...Noah-sama, please refrain from going out without permission."

I was still young at eight years old and held an important position as the duke's eldest son. I needed my father's consent to leave the premises. However, my father was currently away, heading towards the royal capital, and thus not present. Obtaining permission to go out had taken a long time, and I found it troublesome, but it was true that I had broken the rules. I should be angry at myself.

However, now was not the time to dwell on such matters.

"Noise. Now is not the time... Why is there a princess in our territory?"

"I do not know. It appears to be the work of an underworld organization with influence in our territory."

"What about the princess coming near our territory?"

"I have not heard anything. There is no mention of Her Highness Princess Lalatina leaving the royal capital."

"Tch... I see."

I nodded in response to Gorton's account and pondered the situation. However, I lacked the necessary information and authority to draw any conclusions. There were limits to what I could do.

"Very well. Prepare our knight order and family crest to strengthen our defenses against the clandestine organization. Also, secure the territory. No one should be allowed to leave. I myself cannot even leave..."

"I understand."

Gorton nodded in agreement with my words. Dealing with a case involving Her Royal Highness Princess Lalatina... It was not something I could handle at my own discretion.

"Prepare the carriage and the knights. I will escort Her Highness Princess Lalatina to the capital."

"What!?"

Upon hearing that I intended to go to the royal capital, Gorton's eyes widened in surprise.

"Please wait!"

"I will not wait. You have not been given the authority to reprimand me. This is my decision. Carry it out without further questions. I am heading to the room where Her Highness Princess Lalatina is staying."

"I understand..."

Gorton had much to say, but I possessed greater authority. All the important figures who held the power to reprimand me were in the royal capital alongside my father. Moreover, considering the current circumstances, it would be best for me to bring Her Highness Princess Lalatina to the capital. Gorton couldn't prevent me from making decisions that weren't obviously wrong.

"Clear the way."

I issued a unilateral order, passed by Gorton, left my room, and made my way to the room where Princess Lalatina resided.

A magnificent carriage moved forward, guarded by a contingent of knights.

"Excuse me... Please bear the inconvenience of carrying me to the royal capital."

Inside the carriage, Her Highness Princess Lalatina and I sat facing each other.

"No, it's only natural. This incident occurred within our territory... It is a sin that must be atoned for with one's life."

The princess had been kidnapped. If the Duke's family was implicated, the entire household could face execution. It's... too late, but was there a kidnapping of Princess Lalatina in the game?

Ever since I started causing significant trouble, the Reinhardt family had been thrown into turmoil.

"No! That's not right! Everything you've done so far is enough! You not only saved me from those ruffians and escorted me back to your house like a true gentleman, but you will also accompany me to the capital. What more could I ask for?"

"I'm glad you feel that way."

I let out a sigh of relief.

It would take approximately three days to reach the royal capital, during which we would visit several towns and meet various nobles. And by my side was Her Highness Princess Lalatina, who was only eight years old.

Even now, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. The nobles would likely try to extract information or stories that served their convenience from us. Seeing my expression, her highness suddenly asked

"How are you holding up?"

Faced with a sudden question, I quickly replied,

"Oh, it's nothing. It's going to be a long journey. Is the carriage to your liking ?"

"No problems at all. It's a splendid carriage, as comfortable as our royal carriages."

"Is that so? The craftsmen who built this carriage would be delighted to hear that, Your Highness."

"Hehe, that's good."

I hoped that nothing untoward would happen, but...

With that in mind, I used magic to snipe and defeat the men attempting to attack our carriage as we continued our journey.

After meeting with the two noble heads who governed the town they were staying in, they embarked on a three-day carriage journey, using magic to fend off any attackers along the way.

Finally, our group arrived at the royal capital.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the castle walls surrounding the capital—a grand gate reserved exclusively for nobles at its center.

"Why is the eldest son of Duke Reinhardt here...?"

The gatekeeper who halted our carriage seemed perplexed by my unexpected presence and appeared unsure of how to handle the situation.

Typically, when a prominent noble visits the royal capital, advanced notice should be given.

However, due to our urgency, I neglected to report our arrival... The gatekeeper before me seemed ill-equipped to handle such an irregular circumstance.

"What's the situation with Princess Lalatina?"

I addressed him with a question.

"What?"

"You, as the gatekeeper responsible for our noble gate, belong to the same nobility as us... Naturally, you must be aware of her disappearance, correct?"

"W-Why would you...?"

"Merely observing your reaction is sufficient. Allow me to clarify. I sheltered Her Highness Princess Lalatina within my territory and have brought her to the capital."

"What!?"

"Even though I am the rightful heir, I am still young and lack authority. I implore you to—"

"Hah! H-Hold on! I must report this! It's overwhelming for me!"

"Wait a minute."

Upon hearing my words, I interjected to halt the gatekeeper who was about to rush off.

"Are you planning to leave us like this? Will you keep the frightened Princess Lalatina waiting here?"

"Haa!"

The gatekeeper spoke up.

Simultaneously, the gatekeepers within the gate began to move, opening the massive gate.

"Thank you... now, proceed."

I issued an instruction to the driver on the carriage's seat... The driver, upon receiving the command, guided the horses through the open gate and into the royal capital.

We finally arrived at the royal castle.

"Huh?"

Inside the castle, chaos ensued upon the sudden return of Princess Lalatina. I was instructed to stay in a suitable room for the time being.

"I was nervous."

Exhausted, I lay on the bed in my room. Princess Lalatina had fallen into the clutches of thugs within his own territory—a significant incident. It wouldn't be surprising if I lost my head, but for now, it was still intact.

I had successfully brought Princess Lalatina to the capital, ensuring her safety. At least, for the time being, we could consider it a small victory.

Next, my father should be able to handle the situation. Far from being incompetent, he was the most skilled negotiator among all the nobles. I was confident that he would resolve everything smoothly. Even if it seemed impossible, Princess Lalatina would plead for my life to be spared.

"Coming in, my son!"

My father's booming voice echoed, startling me out of my thoughts. Without hesitation, the door to the room swung open.

"...At least knock."

"It's an urgent matter that can't wait!"

Geist Reinhardt.

He was the current head of the Reinhardt Dukedom, my father, and held positions as both the head of diplomats and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"So? What's the situation?"

"First of all, I discovered Princess Lalatina under attack by a thug in her territory and protected her. I've ordered the city where we found her to be placed under blockade."

"hmm."

"We faced no significant issues on our way here. We encountered the heads of the Listinus Marquisate and the Burgundy family, but no fists were exchanged. We encountered six attacks, one assailant was captured, and the rest were eliminated. I've instructed my knights to hand over the captured prisoner to my father later. That's the general summary."

"Umu... Truly impressive. Your response was perfect. You made the decision independently and brought Princess Lalatina to the royal capital. The importance of the situation increases with each passing moment. Your quick reaction is worthy of gratitude. From here on, leave it to me, my son."

"I trust you, father."

"Umu."

"Thank you, father."

I received permission to leave... This wasn't just permission to wander the royal capital, but rather, permission granted a few days ago, right?

---------

Once a year.

In the Kingdom of Ferjeanne, where I reside, the king, ministers, heads of marquis and above... the key figures essential for governing the country gather for meetings.

During one such meeting, it was revealed that the kidnapped princess was found in the territory of the Duke of Reinhardt, and the duke's eight-year-old eldest son brought back the princess.

The entire royal palace was thrown into chaos, with the nobles opposing the Duke of Reinhardt and my father started to blame the duke.

The Royal Lineage Councils, which hold significant importance, were in a state of extreme disarray...

Meanwhile, with my father's permission, I took a stroll around the royal capital.

"Hmm.

Lulucia, where the Duke of Reinhardt resides, is the largest city in the duchy's territory.

Interestingly, this royal capital appeared livelier than our proud Lulucia.

"Gununu.

It's peculiar that the city within the duke's territory is more vibrant than the royal capital, but there are still many things to ponder.

"Well, it would be nice if it grows and flourishes in due time... for now, let's enjoy sightseeing in the royal capital."

I walked through the bustling streets of the royal capital.

Indeed, sightseeing in the royal capital meant indulging in shopping and dining.

"Uncle, one cheese skewer, please."

I approached a stall emanating the aroma of cheese and called out to the elderly man selling skewers topped with cheese.

"Aiyo!"

"I apologize, uncle. Could you change the order to two?"

An interruption came from a young girl while the food stall's old man was responding to my request.

"...!?"

The girl who blocked my path... I directed my gaze towards her, and upon seeing her, my body trembled in surprise, and I blurted out without thinking.

"Lalate..."

"No."

However, my bewildering words were cut off by the girl's slender, pale index finger, gently pressing against my lips.

"Lala. Call me that. Noah-kun."

The girl who interrupted the conversation at the food stall... Her Highness Princess Lalatina, also known as Lala, flashed mischievous smile at me.

Confused by the sudden appearance of an unfamiliar person in front of me, I quickly scanned my surroundings.

"...There are one, two, three... fourteen people in total. Are they all escorts from the kingdom?"

I didn't sense any hostility.

Silence hung in the air.

I directed my gaze towards one of the 14 individuals who appeared to be an escort.

"...!? ...Guh."

The person who caught my eye seemed surprised, but they displayed the royal crest and gave me a thumbs-up gesture in my direction, a wide smile on their face. Their intention was clear—to entertain Her Highness Princess Lalatina.

Hmmm... So I have permission from the kingdom.

Is this some kind of trap?

Well, I suppose it doesn't matter.

"What's going on?"

"Ah, it's nothing."

"Aiyo! You two seem to be getting along!"

"Yes!"

"...Yes."

Lara and I nodded in response to the stall vendor's comment, each taking the cheese skewers he offered us.

"Then, let's go, Lala."

"Eh?"

Lala and I strolled through the town, munching on our cheese skewers.

"I was just planning to explore a city I haven't been to in a long time, so I don't have any particular destination in mind. Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"Hmm... Anywhere is fine!"

"Yeah, maybe."

I nodded in agreement with Lala's words.

"Hmmm. How about checking out some clothes and accessories? I thought so."

"Lala is a girl too... Well, let's head over there. Does that sound okay?"

At the moment, I was using magic to disguise myself and wearing plain, unassuming clothes. and the princess lala was also disguising herself with plain clothes.

Even if a pair of children with such appearances visited a clothing or jewelry store typically frequented by royalty and aristocrats, they would likely be turned away at the door.

"No, if it's a problem, let's buy something that commoners would purchase in this form! Isn't it the duty of the royal family to understand the lives of commoners?"

"Lala, don't refer to youreslf as royalty so casually. If your true identity is revealed, it will cause a major panic."

After all, the commoners in this country rarely catch a glimpse of His Majesty the King, who governs their land, and very few have ever seen Her Highness, who is only eight years old.

However, it's an entirely different story if you start claiming to be royalty... There's no commoner pretending to be a member of the royal family.

"Yes."

"Then let's go... Do you know where the stores are?"

"I'm not sure. But if we walk around, we'll find them."

"Is that so?"

Lara and I continued our journey through the town, making our way towards the clothing and jewelry stores.

-------

I, the eldest son of a duke, and Her Highness Princess Lalatina, the second princess of this country, were exploring the city.

"Doesn't this look good on Lala?"

"Oh, really? If Noah-kun recommends it, I might buy it."

The two of us, were enjoying ourselves by shopping at an ordinary clothing store, blending in with the commoners.

"It's fun to touch things you don't usually get to touch!"

"The thrill of a new experience is always exciting."

"Yeah!"

Lala nodded at my words, her face lighting up with a joyful smile.

...It's nice to challenge yourself, but I don't think it's commendable for a princess to try to dress like a commoner.

I'm sure the adults will scold me later. Well, whatever.

"This is the first time I've been able to shop freely like this."

"Hmm? Is it your first time?"

"Yeah, my first time."

"Don't you ever leave the royal castle and go out into the city like this?"

"I don't... I mean, I never thought of going to the city alone, and there's no need to escape from the royal castle! It was quite a surprise, you know?"

"Really?"

Even before I regained the memories of my previous life, I often sneaked out to play in the city without anyone's knowledge.

"Even when I first met Lala, it was when I went to town without my dad's permission."

"I-Is that so... you go to town so often... aren't you scared?"

"It's not scary. I take pride in being in the strong category."

Even before I regained my memories, I was a prodigious child, hailed as a genius. Even at a young age, I had the ability to defeat an adult knight with ease.

"It's amazing, isn't it?"

"Of course. Because it's me."

"What kind of reason is that? It doesn't make sense!"

"Hmm... I think it's a valid reason. Have you decided to go out together?"

Suddenly, in the midst of our conversation, I asked Lara a question that had crossed my mind.

"Well... I wanted to stroll around the city with Noah-kun, so it's settled."

"Mmm."

As Lara said this, she blushed and used the clothes I had picked for her to hide her reddened cheeks. Unconsciously, I found myself freezing up.

"..."

Could it be... no, maybe, just maybe, could there be a love flag with Lara?

Lalatina von Ferjeanne.

She is the main heroine in the game "Stuffy" and portrays a cool and serious princess.

I'm determined to live my life independent of the main character's faction. I initially thought that interacting with her wouldn't bring me happiness, but as the main heroine, I believed that the love flag could only be triggered by the main character of the game. Nonetheless, there is still time before the main part of the game begins.

I'd like to believe that even if we have some interaction at this stage, it wouldn't be a problem if we were to grow distant. However, I feel hesitant to say that if a romance flag is raised between me and Lala.

My goal is to meddle with various girls and live my life as I please, without getting involved with the main characters' camp.

Am I deceiving myself?

Or rather, should falling in love with the opposite sex at the age of eight be a more innocent image? Is it strange for a high school student like me, who doesn't have a girlfriend, to feel this way about age?

"What's wrong...?"

Lala, with flushed cheeks, asks me with a concerned expression.

"No, it's nothing. I'm grateful to have you by my side."

No, I can't afford to react coldly to Lala at this moment. Not when considering my own feelings.

"Oh, right! Ehehe..."

Lala smiled happily and playfully.

...What should I really do?

"Fufu! I bought some clothes. Next is the accessories store! Let's go!"

"Uh, yeah... that's right."

Anyway, once the main part of the game starts, even Lala will have a love flag with the main character and probably pursue that path. If I return to my own territory as soon as possible and keep my distance, there shouldn't be any problems, right?

After all, I saved her... She is only attracted to me due to the suspension bridge effect, so she willl eventually forget about me. I'm sure of it.

"Ah, before that, let's grab something to eat... It's already lunchtime, isn't it?"

"Has Lala received permission to eat in the royal capital?"

"No? Actually, I escaped from the royal castle without permission in the first place..."

"I see."

I glance at the men who are observing me from a distance. The expressions they show me seem positive. It appears that there are no issues.

"Well then, it's settled. Let's find a place to eat."

"I prefer the shopping and eating style!"

"Hmm?"

Lala and I began walking towards the shop to have lunch.

---------

Me and Lala walked around the city, enjoying the food we bought together.

"Hmm. The delicate dishes prepared by the chefs are delicious, but I must say, street food with its bold flavors and abundant seasonings is also delightful."

"Yeah."

In this world, magic exists as a miraculous force. Thanks to magic, farmland is easily nourished. The food situation in this world far surpasses that of Earth. Science has succumbed to the power of magic.

"Oh, I want to try some crepes."

"Is that so? They aren't popular in our territory... but if they're popular here, we should give them a try."

Surprised that crepes exist in this world, I purchase some with Lala from a nearby stall.

"Mmm! Sweet treats are always delicious!"

"I agree... they lift the weariness from my mind."

"Hey, Noah-kun."

"Yeah?"

"Stare"

Lara points to the half-eaten crepe in her hand, directing my attention towards it.

"...Yeah?"

Though I understand what she intends, I tilt my head, feigning ignorance.

"Mou! Look! Let's exchange! Try mine too!"

"Ah, I see. Alright, then."

I grab the crepe from Lara's hand with my left hand and offer her mine in return.

"That's not what I meant!"

"Aren't you going to eat it?"

I play along, pretending not to understand, while wearing a smirk.

By the way, I've already taken a bite of Lara's crepe... it's delicious too.

"Already! ...Mmm, mumu."

Lala observes the crepe in her hand and pauses.

"Hmm? What's the matter?"

Confused by her sudden halt, I tilt my head and direct my gaze at her.

"N-nothing!"

Lala places my crepe near her mouth and begins devouring it... Wait, she's not taking just one bite?

As I witness Lala enthusiastically munching away, my body freezes, overwhelmed by a sense of realization.

"...?"(Eerie feeling)

I had a feeling, and now my already rigid body stiffens even more.

"...Hmm? What's wrong?"

Lala looks at me with a puzzled expression, her gaze filled with curiosity.

"No... this is..."

Certainty.

With my knowledge of the game and my understanding of Noah Reinhardt's future, I am convinced that I must act now, in this very moment.

"I'm sorry."

I briefly glance at the onlookers and press the crepe in my hand against Lala.

"Ah! Hold on!"

"Sorry! But I can't back down!"

After apologizing to Lala, who protests with a raised voice, I lead myself into the back alley of the royal capital.

Noah Reinhardt.

A boy once hailed as a child prodigy, possessing supernatural abilities, but who became addicted to his talents, obsessed with women, and behaved tyrannically, earning a reputation as a troublemaker.

Noah, driven by his own selfishness and power, faced condemnation at the hands of a commoner referred to as a genius and ultimately hailed as a hero.

However, Noah Reinhardt's story doesn't end there.

His talent did not fade away; it was merely hidden.

At the age of ten, he was saved by a certain girl who had intended to kill him. Instead of taking the center stage, he was thrust into an organization that fought for their homeland, even though he had been forgotten like a mere rice field laborer.

"Hey... Are you alright?"

I extended my hand to the girl who will assist me.

"... Huh?"

I halt as I pass through a back alley.

A young girl lies there, clothed only in tattered rags.

"Do you want me to help you?"

"... Who?"

Her body lies motionless.

Her face, revealed to me, appeared to have been corroded and disfigured.

"Well, I asked if you want me to help you, but it seems I have no choice."

I gently lift the girl, who is larger than my own body.

"Oh... no, if you touch me..."

The girl, being held by me, displays a slight resistance, but I persist.

"It's alright, don't worry."

I then place my hand on the girl's forehead, channeling my own magical power into her.

"Ah... warm..."

"That's good... It's going to be alright. You have me."

Noah Reinhardt is seen as a villain.

He razed the royal capital, destroyed the royal castle, and assumed the role of the boss who killed His Majesty the King.

"Don't worry. I will protect you."

However, I... Renya Akagi, having cleared all the games of "Stuffy," swear that I will not succumb to evil.

For my sake. Obeying my desires... let's protect me.

This child who saved Noah Reinhardt was my favorite character.

Is there an otaku who wouldn't try to protect their favorite character? No, there isn't.

I recall the image of this child, bleeding, resting on Noah Reinhardt's lap with her eyes closed.

"Hey, are you watching? Those whose names have been forgotten Do you know them?"

As I gently hold the girl, I turn my gaze backward and speak.

"It's a password. The shadows are our allies. His Excellency the Duke is returning home, gentlemen."

Well, let's fulfill the purpose of coming to the royal capital.

----------

The Kingdom of Ferjeanne, shrouded in the depths of darkness.

"Rub, rub..."

"Ah... hey, um... that's not appropriate!"

"Isn't it? Isn't it?"

I rubbed my face against the girl's face on my lap, relishing the closeness.

"Well, it's a heartwarming sight and all, but could you focus on this side for a moment?"

In the past, the "Shadow of the Sword" played a crucial role behind the scenes in the Kingdom of Ferjeanne, supporting the kingdom from the shadows.

They were indispensable to the kingdom, but that was about 200 years ago.

Following the bloody battle for the throne that commenced with the assassination of the King, even other countries became involved. As a result, the existence of the protective shadow was forgotten by the people of Ferjeanne.

However, the proud and unyielding shadow continued to protect the kingdom in secret, solely for the sake of Ferjeanne.

A proud organization shrouded in mystery, not answerable to anyone... If I can bring them under my command, the benefits would be immense.

"What?"

In the basement lies the headquarters of the Shadow of the Sword Guard.

Seated on a chair in that room is Garred, a towering black man with a shaved head, standing over 2 meters tall.

I shift my gaze to Garred, the leader of the shadow guard, and speak.

"Why us?"

"I am one of your masters, from a noble bloodline. Is that so surprising?"

"It's rather unexpected. Our existence has been forgotten for many years."

"Kukuku... You dare speak to your master in such a manner? Well, it's fine. I am generous."

I retort with a less than respectful attitude.

"If you delve into history a bit, you'll see that this country has had its fair share of luck. Through a series of fortunate events that cannot be dismissed as mere coincidences, the Kingdom of Ferjeanne has risen to become a major power and has maintained its position. And it wouldn't be possible without beings like you. I quickly realized that there were entities like you, gathered information, and found you."

Of course, I only knew this from the knowledge of my previous life... but there's no need to reveal that.

"W-What did you notice? About us... on your own?"

"Ah, indeed. Your dedication was not in vain. Your thoughts and efforts have undoubtedly reached me. You hold significance."

"..."

"Rejoice, for you have made the greatest contribution to the kingdom. From now on, let us ascend to the pinnacle and witness the path ahead."

This proposition wouldn't be accepted by an ordinary individual.

"Yes, naturally, we shall be your shadows!"

However, I knew from my previous life that they would accept it.

The fortress of the Shadow of the Guardian Sword was quite expansive.

I entered a luxurious room that had been unoccupied for a long time but was kept clean, and I jumped into bed with the girl I had assisted.

"I-I... I-I'm dirty! In a bed like this..."

"You're not dirty at all, so there's no need to worry."

"By the way, Master Noah... How much do you know about that girl?" Gared, who was in the same room, asked.

"Is she cute?"

"Ah, so cute!"

"If you weren't cute, you wouldn't be in my heart right now."

I responded to the blushing girl with my charming words.

"... Noah sama."

"Of course. I know she has a condition called magical runaway."

"...! Did you also know about that?"

"I've been investigating you guys."

Magical runaway is a genetic condition that occurs only in those who inherit a certain 'blood of the clan.' It causes the sudden loss of control over magical powers, resulting in bruises all over the body and eventual loss of energy to move, leading to death. The whole body can become irritated and disfigured, and those who suffer from magical runaway syndrome are isolated from others, often spending their final moments alone.

This girl was also expelled from her family because they believed she would develop the debilitating disease if she stayed with them. In the game, Gared rescued a girl who was starving and homeless, but I intervened and altered the game's storyline. The exact date and time of Gared's rescue were not detailed in the game, so I never expected to find the girl, who was on the brink of starvation, the very day she arrived in the capital.

"Magical runaway disease?"

"You don't have to worry about it... I've resolved the issue plaguing your body."

"Oh, thank you so much!"

"I don't really care. I was simply protecting what is mine."

"Hahyun!?"

"So, you know the solution... You truly are an amazing person."

Magical runaway can be easily cured by suppressing the out-of-control magical power. I swiftly intervened with the girl's powers and cured her.

"Oh... By the way, I forgot to ask your name. What's your name?"

"Uh... Ah! Yes! My name is Rei."

"Rei, right. Yeah, it's a nice name. Nice to meet you, Rei."

"Yes!!, thank you very much."

"Hehe, that's a good response. You don't have the option to refuse, but I'll take care of you, so don't worry."

Through a fortunate coincidence and my own abilities, I managed to obtain my favorite character, Rei.

"Now then... if I'm being honest, I'd like to take it easy here while admiring Rei, but I'm also a busy person.

"Ah..."

For a while, I lounged on the bed with Rei, but then I got up and let go of her.

"Sure, with the princess..."

Gared, who hadn't moved from the room, spoke up.

"Yeah.

From my perspective, it would be best if she lost interest and love for me, formed the worst impression possible, and forgot about my existence as a man.

"If anything happens to Lord Noah, we'll take care of it."

"Don't speak of rebelling against the royal family, you guys."

"I apologize."

"Well, a mere princess doesn't have the power to do anything to me. My father will do his best to protect me now that I've made a name for myself as a child prodigy.

Noah continued,

"I will handle things here. You guys should continue investigating the organization that kidnapped the princess."

"...D-Do you even know what we're currently working on!? ...how?"

"It's a trade secret. See you later."

I don't think the sword's shadow will betray me... but there's always a possibility.

It would be convenient to create some discord like this.

"Oh, about that!"

"Yeah?"

As I was about to leave the room, Rei called out to me.

"A-Are you not going to abandon me?"

"Huh. Isn't it obvious? You've earned the privilege of receiving my favor. Even if you dislike it, you can't escape from me. We'll be together until the day we die."

"...! Yes!"

At my words, Rei smiled broadly and nodded... wow, that smile is quite captivating.

"Well, then... ah, when I return to the territory, Rei will accompany me, so please make the necessary preparations, okay?"

"Understood."

After conveying that much to Gared, I finally left the room this time.

After leaving the room, I enjoyed my time with Rei and returned to the royal castle from the home of the Shadow of the Sword.

The escort, who seemed to have been observing me the entire time, informed me that I couldn't leave a woman behind there as a man.

Furthermore, I hadn't been contacted by anyone else, especially Princess Lalatina. I remained optimistic, thinking that I had been caught.

"On the next day..."

I found myself facing a smiling Princess Lalatina sitting in front of me, with her father, also smiling, seated beside me.

"What? Was it too shocking for you to comprehend? Then let me reiterate: the topic of your engagement with Princess Lalatina was brought up."

Indeed, my father, who was genuinely happy, relayed the news with 100% good intentions.

Despite his laissez-faire attitude, my father still poured his affection onto me. I don't believe this suggestion was meant to offend me.

"D-does that have anything to do with the kidnapping of Her Highness Princess Lalatina in my territory...?"

"No, it doesn't matter. I denied and dismissed all the suspicions placed upon us as of yesterday, along with the inquiries from each noble. Our family will no longer be blamed for that matter, right?"

As expected of my father. He's trying to resolve that particular issue... Huh?

"Then why did you suddenly bring up my engagement with Princess Lalatina...? Didn't you consider that my engagement could be used as a diplomatic card with other countries?"

"W-why did you know that...?"

"That's my reason."

The one who responded to my question was not my father, but Her Highness Princess Lalatina, who had been smiling silently all this time.

"P-Princess Lalatina...?"

I stammer as I open my mouth.

"Yes... the day when fate rescued me! Ever since the days you kindly escorted me to the royal capital, you've never left my thoughts. Let me be clear. You have stolen my heart."

Her Highness Princess Lalatina expressed her love for me unequivocally, her cheeks blushing.

"Ha... ha..."

I shift my gaze towards my father.

"... hmm"

Father appears to be deep in thought and remains silent.

"..."

Wh-what should I do... if I speak honestly, I want to refuse.

But is it acceptable to say no? This is...

"Wh-For what...?"

Concerned about my next move, I opened my mouth with a puzzled expression on my face. It wouldn't do any good to remain silent.

"For what purpose...? Does Master Noah dislike being engaged to me?"

"No, no... It's not that I dislike it, but rather, why? That's my bigger question. My aunt has already become the wife of His Majesty the King, so why do we need to establish an engagement between the royal family and the Duke of Reinhardt and strengthen the connection?"

The royal family and the Duke of Reinhardt already have a strong connection. After all this time, the significance of Princess Lalatina and me getting engaged seems rather low.

"That's not something we should be concerned about, is it?"

"I am concerned... I will inherit the throne of Duke Reinhardt someday."

"Hmm. It's Noah."

As the interaction between Princess Lalatina and me continues, Father interrupts.

"Do you like Her Highness Princess Lalatina?"

"I like her... but does that matter?"

"Hmm. Do you like me? Do you love your mother?" (Its the same as raw even i was confused lol)

.... what the.

"Yes, of course, I like you, but..."

"Is there a difference between the love you feel for Her Highness Princess Lalatina and the love you feel for our family?"

...

I simply don't understand what my father is trying to say, so I respond with a confused expression.

"Kuckakka! I see. I thought you were mature, but it seems you haven't experienced your first love yet, Your Highness Princess Lalatina. I apologize, but let's pretend this engagement never happened."

"What!?"

Princess Lalatina is shocked to hear those words. Kukuku... It was a clever strategy, but quite naive!

Certainly, it takes a lot of courage to reject the engagement proposed by Princess Lalatina and my father. There are even signs of escorts monitoring this place!

But they underestimated the bond between my father and me!

"As Noah mentioned, this engagement lacks significance. I thought it would be nice if both parties truly desired it... but it doesn't matter. My son doesn't seem particularly enthusiastic about it."

Alright! Here we go!

Great job, Father! Truly outstanding! If it were up to him, I wanted him to refuse. I thought he would notice my true feelings!

An engagement without any real impact... There's no point in forcing it, and I hoped he would reject it if he sensed my immense distaste for it!

"However, if my son becomes interested, the situation may change. We still have a long time until the wedding."

...Father?

"Yes!"

Are you betraying me?

Princess Lalatina's eyes gleam with anticipation.

Her Highness Princess Lalatina left the room, her expression somewhat satisfied. My father and I remained inside.

"..."

I gave my father a quizzical look.

"You knew about my intentions, didn't you?"

"Ah!"

"Hey!?"

The escorts who were still monitoring the room were concealed in the ceiling, so we shouldn't discuss it in such a loud voice.

"You don't need to worry. I have cast illusions to conceal ourselves."

"Huh..."

"It's an essential skill for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, isn't it? Someday, you'll learn it too."

"Eh..."

It's bothersome, Father. What are you going to do with your genjutsu during diplomacy?

"...If you're aware of the implications, why not just refuse completely?"

"Hmm. Didn't you say the same thing? The connection between our clan and the royal family runs deep. It would be disrespectful to dismiss a passionate Princess who is experiencing her first love. Besides, you might fall in love with her for the first time. Who knows?"

"It's not like I don't know what love is or what it means..."

Even in my previous life, I had a girlfriend and experienced genuine love through confession and reciprocation.

"But rather than settling for one love, I want to gather a variety of charming girls and create a harem."

"...oh, oh."

"For that reason, maids come first. Maids who can easily come and go. Some maids have already been summoned to my room."

"Wait a minute! What are you doing?"

"You don't mind, do you?"

"Well, there's nothing inherently wrong with it, but... it might have a negative impact on your engagement..."

"There's no problem since it's a political marriage."

"...I-I see. M-Maybe I made a mistake in raising  you... No, did I rely too much on others?"

"Don't dwell on it now, alright? Well, it' will be difficult for me to stay here because you didn't take my side."

I voiced my dissatisfaction.

"If I remain in the royal capital, Princess Lalatina will undoubtedly reach out to me, and it will be challenging to refuse... I'll be returning to my territory shortly after this. Is that alright?"

"...Indeed."

"Escape is a victory. Well then, that settles it."

I stood up from my seat and left the room.

--------

"Huh?"

How did this happen?

While pondering such matters, I let out a deep sigh in my room at the Duke's residence in Reinhardt.

After Her Highness Princess Lalatina brought up the topic of engagement, I hastily returned to my territory with the men I had brought along. 

After that I returned to my room and lied down on my bed.

"Good job."

Saria, who was sitting upright on the bed as a pillow, expressed her gratitude.

Since I travelled to the royal capital swiftly, I didn't bring anyone along with me. neither the maids or the butler. That's why she didn't went to the royal capital with me.

As soon as I returned to my territory, I summoned Saria to my room.

"Umu."

I nod as proudly as I can. Here I am boasting with the demeanour of a king.

"...annoying."

I frown and mutter the words.

It would be too pathetic to say I ran away from a woman.

"I got entangled in more trouble than I could have imagined."

So, to handle this unforeseen situation, I decided to feign returning to the territory.

"The enemy was stronger than I had imagined."

Fortunately, I had an inkling about the organization that kidnapped Princess Lalatina.

Or rather, I can only think of a certain organization with enough power to abduct a princess.

"...huh."

If that organization is involved, resolving it will be difficult.

Moreover, the kidnapping of Princess Lalatina shouldn't have occurred in the game... Why is such an incident happening?I'll have to find out what's going on.

"I'm going to be busy from now on."

"Should Noah sama take action too?"

"Yes, I should"

"Huh!? Weren't you enforcing a blockade of the city?"

"I was Indeed"

"From now on, I will have to investigate various things on my own."

"Huh!?"

There's no problem. It's easy to dismiss the words of a single maid as nonsense.

"Besides, I trust you implicitly."

Without a doubt, I said to the maid who was astonished at me that I uttered something not meant for mere maids to hear.

Before informing Saria that I would be occupied upon my return to my own territory, I couldn't simply idle and do nothing.

"Hmm. I wonder if there's anything particularly noteworthy."

I visited the remains of the hideout where my knights had tracked down and apprehended numerous criminals affiliated with the syndicate.

"... I believe it would be nice if you paid a little more attention to the documents."

The knights must have used fire magic recklessly, resorting to repair magic afterward to salvage and restore the charred scraps of the documents.

"Well, it seems there isn't much useful information."

I skimmed through the contents of the document, sharing my honest impressions. I didn't think I could effectively utilize what was written in it, but it was still better to gather it than to discard it. It might come in handy at some point.

"A clue . Somewhere around here."

I collected everything I could hold, my hands full, and shifted my gaze towards returning home.

"I've got it, Lord Noah!"

A girl's voice called out to me.

...

Before I knew it, Rei stood beside me, despite the fact that she was supposed to have come here alone. She had a wide smile on her face, flushed cheeks, and shining eyes.

"Since when have you been here?"

"A little while ago!"

Rei cheerfully replied... How long ago was it? I had no idea, but she must have caught a glimpse of what I was searching for.

"I didn't notice you at all, did I? How have you been?"

"Oh, nothing special. Anyway, let me have it."

"Sure."

I handed over most of what I was carrying to Rei, keeping only a single document in my hand.

"I can hold all of them!"

Rei exclaimed, despite being older and taller than me, she was still just a child. She assured me that she could manage despite having as much as I did.

"These won't be of any use."

"Thanks to Gared-san's efforts."

"I see. That person is truly unreliable... Well, I had intended to return home quickly, but since you're here, I'll change my plans. Let's head in that direction. Did you leave the directions for me, Rei?"

"Yes! Leave it to me!"

Rei started walking with great enthusiasm. As for me, who was unaware of the location of the Shadow of the Sword's hideout, I followed her while pretending to be nonchalant.

......

Hideout of the Shadow of the Sword Guard within the territory of Duke Reinhardt.

"funsufunsu"

"Hmm... Ah. Huh, it's tickling."

In a room with a large sofa, I held Rei close, savoring her scent.

Knock knock knock

At that moment, there was a knock on the door of our room.

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

The door opened, and a woman entered, carrying a large stack of documents.

"Have you finished gathering, Rin?"

The girl who entered the room was named Rin. She is in charge of overseeing this hideout.

"Yes."

"Hmm. Thank you."

I expressed my gratitude to Rin and scanned through the documents.

...

For a while, the only sound in the room was the rustling of papers.

A village with a lifestyle that doesn't match its income... No progress in the peddler's development or the tax collector's way of life.

...Let's start here.

So, this place is supposedly a facade, and the other thing that seems to be involved is... I wonder if it's the forest in the middle of the village around here...

Apart from that...

"Hmm... a map."

"Here it is."

I instructed Rin to spread out the map on the table.

"Thoroughly investigate this village."

"Understood."

Rin nodded in response to my words and instructed her subordinates to carry out my order.

"I appreciate your cooperation."

The loyalty of the Shadow of the Sword Guard to the nobility is astonishing. If it were my orders, they would unquestioningly carry them out, no matter how incomprehensible they may be.

It's truly convenient and amazing to be able to give orders without hiding the original knowledge I shouldn't possess and do as I please.

Well, this order doesn't have much to do with the original knowledge.

"Well, it would be nice if we could find ourselves in a tough spot..."

The game "Stufty," which is the origin of this world, is divided into two parts: the first part, which begins when the main character enters the academy, and the second part, which starts when the Demon King's army, led by the Demon King, invades human society.

From now on, I will be dealing with "Unknown," the organization that appears in "Stuffy" and serves as the final boss of the first part.

It's not an opponent you can fight in a timeline where the main part of the game hasn't even started yet... but I can't just stand by and do nothing.

As I anticipate the upcoming fierce battle, my body trembles.

"... Fufufu. Noah seems to be enjoying himself."

Looks fun?

Is there a reason for that? I'm Renya Akagi, a high school student who lived a life unrelated to war in a peaceful country, you know?

Despite the fact that I'm engaged in a fight against the most influential criminal organization in human history, the Unknown, it doesn't mean that I'll direct all my attention and efforts towards it non-stop.

There is a lot to consider. I think it would be great if the Duke of Reinhardt appointed Lady Mary as the next head of their household.

The contents include mathematics, science, history, geopolitics, religious studies, literature, art, etc., which are familiar to people on Earth, as well as magical studies, imperial studies, ballroom dancing, psychology based on the premise of diplomacy, etc. I even learned what I would have to do if I hadn't been born as the next head of the family.

"Ah, that Noah-sama...a notebook."

I was taking private lessons from one of the best teachers in this country, so I didn't take any notes and just listened to what the teacher had to say.

Sensei couldn't help but open his mouth timidly and apologetically.

"I don't mind. I will remember it."

My answer to that was quite simple.

Noah Reinhardt's physical specs are abnormal, and you can remember the contents to some extent just by hearing it once.Just listening without jotting down notes can be sufficient..

In this world, the rarity of paper isn't that high, but it's still rarer than it is in modern Japan, and notebooks are reasonably priced.It's not a waste of money.

"Is that so..."

"You don't have to worry about me. Just do what you're told. Just tell me what you need to teach me."

"……yes"

The teacher nodded obediently at my words and resumed the class.

He is one of the best educators in this country, but not a man of power.

There is no way you can resist me.

　■■■■■

"……you're kidding?"

A villa of Duke Reinhardt's residence.

There was a large room where the teachers of each subject teaching Noah Reinhardt worked.

"Is it a perfect score ..."

One of the teachers, who was marking the test regularly, leaked a surprised voice when he saw Noah's perfect answer.

"I don't know how to say it, I get perfect marks every time, and I'm crazy about various things... 

I can't say that I'm serious about my class attitude, but I really understand.I wonder if this is what a genius is."

"... I was beaten by him. He understands geopolitics and applies it more than I do."

"Is that really an eight-year-old?"

All the teachers shared a feeling of disbelief in Noah, who gave out grades that could only be thought of as monsters.

“Anyway, does that mean that Duke Reinhardt’s family will be safe in the future?”

"If only I could do something about that personality..."

"Hey..."

 Every night, the teachers called the maid to the room, massaged her breasts without hesitation, and imagined the selfish and truly arrogant Noah, and sighed deeply.

The Swordsman's Shadow, entrusted with exploring the Unknown, delved into various subjects to secure the position of the family's leader for me , finding solace in the abode of Duke Reinhardt.

I led a remarkably tranquil life.

"hehehehe"

but it was short lived 

"......W-What's this?"

"It's from a letter I received from Her Highness Princess Lalatina."

This letter was dispatched with the spell of the highest rank.

"A letter...? Isn't it more like a book?"

Saria presented it as a missive from Her Highness Princess Lalatina. However, it was conspicuously thicker than an ordinary letter—more akin to a hefty tome. Was it some kind of dictionary?

At first glance, it was undoubtedly not a mere letter.

"But Her Highness Princess Lalatina insisted it was a letter."

"... Oh."

A mere maid couldn't possibly refute the words of the princess.

"Hmm... private matters? Regarding that letter?"

"I was informed that it was intended for you."

"Is that so? Then read it and provide a summary."

"Huh...?"

Taken aback by my request, Saria let out a startled voice.

"I-Is it permissible for me to read it...?"

"I don't mind. As long as it remains personal. Simply follow my instructions. You may read it at the table and chairs over there."

I gestured toward the furniture in my room.

"Understood..."

Meekly nodding in response to my command, Saria timidly began reading Princess Lalatina's letter.

"Very well."

In front of Saria, engrossed in reading Princess Lalatina's missive, I gave an approving nod. The room fell silent, filled only with the sound of turning pages.

■■■■■

Meanwhile, Saria diligently read through the contents and provided a summary.

It appears that Her Highness Princess Lalatina expressed her fondness for me and expressed a desire to exchange letters going forward. It was overflowing with words of affection.

...What kind of love letter spans the length of a book? It's rather daunting, but I implore the adults around her, including His Majesty the King residing in the royal capital, to ensure the safety of Her Highness Princess Lalatina...!!! 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                             NOTICE !!!!!!   

It is to notify that the 1st volume of this novel has concluded with this chapter. For your convenience H&R Group has decided not to prolong this page any further rather publish volume 2 to another page altogether. "Reincarnated as a villain" has been put in the menu bar as well. Other novels on this website will also be published in the same manner. Thank you supporting and look forward towards immersing yourself in the world of novels. 

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