The Villainess in the Romance Fantasy Is Strange - Chapter 69



69. Nineteen, the time to become an adult (5)

──Boom, boom!

The sword that had been floating in the air with a loud noise flew for a long time before colliding with the ground. This was the result of only three clashes between my sword and my final opponent’s sword.

“Wow. Seriously… This monster.”

The first and second attacks were somehow held out with skill, but the third attack, where their swords clashed head-on, was not able to be held out, and the opponent dropped his weapon and shook his head. There was no clear expression of intent, but it was clear that he had no intention of resisting and no follow-up actions, so it was essentially surrender.

“surrender!”

─Ah, the declaration of surrender that comes out the moment I say it! The winner of this special duel is the 3rd year second place student who was considered a strong candidate to win. Cain Reinhardt!

As soon as the host declared the winner, everyone in the dome-shaped arena gave a thunderous applause. I waved to a random number of people and then approached my final opponent to shake his hand.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“What a pain, it ended in three rounds. … … Ah, what a pity. In the end, I couldn’t win even once until the end.”

The opponent who let out a self-deprecating sigh was one of the top five third-year male students, but because of me, he had to stop at the threshold of the top tier every time. This special was no exception. Perhaps, if I hadn’t been there, he might have been able to shine.

Thinking about it like that, I felt a little sorry, so I unconsciously withdrew my hand and hesitated. The other person snickered and grabbed my hand.

“Just kidding, just kidding. Congratulations on your win, Cain.”

“… … Mr. Dreg is so skilled that if you had focused on that and made a strategy, it would have been difficult for me too.”

“Hmm… Really? I was thinking the same thing, and it seems you felt the same way. Yeah, thanks for the advice. I’ll take it to heart.”

His attitude was cooler than I expected, so I felt a little relieved. Only then did I feel relieved, and I shook hands with Dreck. After letting go of his hand, I started walking back the way I came in. Then I saw a man approaching me.

“Congratulations on your win, Cain Reinhardt.”

That man is none other than Edwin von Edward, former student council president and current crown prince.

I wondered why this gentleman who graduated last year was here. Many members of the imperial family attend the Bern Academy’s coming-of-age ceremony. Without going far, didn’t the third princess, Iris, come to see Leah?

So, it wouldn’t be strange for Edwin von Edward, the heir to the Empire, who is busy with construction work, to be here. As I thought about that, I belatedly changed my expression and bowed my head.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Oh, Crown Prince? What are you talking about? Just call me Chairman like you did last year.”

“… … Ah, yes, Mr. Chairman.”

Now I don’t know why they want me to call you President when I’m not even the student body president, but if they have to, they have to. It’s not that hard, so let’s do as they say.

“Yes, Cain. You won the special duel. Is there a prize you want?”

“Well, you mean a reward?”

“You have come here today as the successor to the empire, so speak comfortably and without any pressure.”

‘Anything.’ Are you really saying that you’ll give me anything I ask for?

I thought about it for a moment, then just shook my head.

“it’s okay.”

“What? Are you saying there’s no need for a reward?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“… … ?”

A rare look of bewilderment crossed Edwin’s face. Perhaps it was because my words were inconsistent.

“I plan to receive the award from someone else.”

“Someone else? Who is that… … .”

Edwin, who had been muttering as if he was dumbfounded, glanced at my face, then let out a small exclamation of ‘Ah… ‘ as if he had noticed something.

Finally, Edwin nodded with an expression that seemed to indicate that he understood what was going on.

“I see. So you would rather receive a reward from your woman than one given by a man like me?”

“Yes, well. I won’t deny it.”

“Huh, so it’s the Cain Reinhardt I know. To be honest, it’s really nice to see him.”

Edwin, with a small smile, added one more word.

“Yes, as a man, it is my top priority to give the glory of victory to my woman. I understand. I will decide the prize for winning this match appropriately and send it to the Reinhard family’s territory.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I really don’t have to do that, but if you insist, then do it. I didn’t decline and bent my waist at a 90-degree angle.

“Oh, by the way. Cain Reinhard?”

“yes.”

“Do you by any chance have any intention of formally joining the Imperial Knights?”

“… … Me, to the Imperial Knights?”

What kind of out-of-the-blue, absurd suggestion is this?

When I asked again, wondering if I had heard correctly, Edwin crossed his arms and shook his head.

“Well, don’t worry. This is also part of my reward.”

“Ah, a reward. A reward… … .”

“What do you think? Cain Reinhardt, if you like it, I’ll let you join without any tests.”

“… … .”

It’s a really good suggestion. However, I can’t make a decision right now because I have another plan of my own. I want to join the Black Lion Knights, led by our older brother and acting head of the household, Ruin Reinhardt, and gain recognition for my skills.

“I think it’s a pretty radical proposal, but are you worried about it?”

“… … Yes, I apologize for being presumptuous. I have my own plans, so I don’t think I can give you an answer right away.”

“You’re asking for time. Okay, I’ll give you just one week. Do you think that’ll be enough?”

I thought it would take a day or two, but a week would be too much. I quickly replied.

“Yes, I will think it over carefully and then give you an answer.”

“Okay, once you’ve made up your mind, use this magical tool to contact me.”

Edwin took out a magical communication tool from his bosom and handed it to me. Its design was a little different from the usual ones. It was probably because it was a magical tool that directly connected to Edwin.

I accepted it reluctantly and expressed my gratitude. Edwin reached out his hand to me.

From noble mtl dot com

“Well then, please take care of me. Cain Reinhardt.”

I haven’t decided to join yet, but in Edwin’s mind, I’m already a member of the Imperial Knights.

“… … Yes, thank you.”

* * *

“… … Really? Edwin told you, Cain, to join the Imperial Knights?”

Fifteen minutes later, Leah, who was sitting in the waiting room and listening to the whole story, opened her eyes wide in surprise, even more than I was. She tapped my shoulder and asked me back.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wow, that’s quite an unusual award for a winner? Last year, they just gave us a mediocre sword.”

That’s right. As Leah said, it was a very unusual offer for a prize for winning a special duel. To be honest, I was a little taken aback.

“Cain, what are you going to do? Are you going to join the Black Lion Knights like you originally planned, or are you going to join the Imperial Knights?”

“Well… …. Both have their pros and cons, so I think we should think about it carefully.”

“First of all, my recommendation is the Imperial Knights.”

Leah, who had cut off her horse’s tail, came close to me.

“It might be hard because it’s an unfamiliar place, but the rewards are great, right? If you do really well, you could even become the commander of the knights and one of the next emperor’s closest associates.”

“Hmm, no matter what. Someone like me being the commander of the knights is a bit… … .”

The conditions for joining the Imperial Knights are difficult, but becoming the Knight Commander is hundreds of times more difficult.

Natural swordsmanship talent, the ability to never stop training, superior physical condition, and the full support of the family are the basics. The leader of the knights has to do a lot of external activities, so they look at everything from appearance to knowledge, experience, and worldly skills.

The position of Commander of the Imperial Knights is one that can only be held by someone who is close to perfection, both literary and martial.

I don’t know about the Academy, but out in society, there must be many people who are better than me. It would be absurd for me to aim for the position of Knight Commander.

When I trailed off with that thought, Leah tilted her head.

“Why, what’s wrong with Cain? I actually think Cain is the perfect person to be the commander of the knights.”

“yes?”

“He’s in good shape, handsome, good at swordsmanship, and works really hard.”

“As for the support from the poor family, it’s okay since I’m here,” Leah added, staring at me.

“I appreciate your kind words, but if you keep saying such empty words….”

“Huh? I’m not just saying that. I really think Cain is the coolest and most handsome guy in the world.”

Is this the bean pod or something?

At the same time that Leah had the feeling that she was wearing a hat that was tightly wrapped around her, the realization suddenly occurred to me that I wasn’t much different from her.

It’s not that I don’t, but these days, whenever I see another woman, I sometimes get the feeling that she’s not as good as Leah. Of course, if I say something like that, you might think that I’m being rude or that I’m bending my arms inward. But still.

“… … Yes, well. Me too.”

“huh?”

“I also think that Leah is the most beautiful person in the world.”

“Ah… … . Th, is that so?”

“yes.”

“──Ahem! Yeah, thank you for saying that.”

“I’m not just saying this in vain. I really think so. Leah is the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“… … Foot.”

“… … ?”

Why are you laughing?

I was about to add a comment, wondering if she had taken it as a joke, when Leah reached out and gently pinched my cheek.

“Our Cain, you’ve gotten a lot more clever, haven’t you? Did you happen to learn some lines that make women tick?”

“… … Yes, no.”

“Yeah, right. I guess so. … … Heh, cute.”

Leah, who had been poking my cheek as if it were her own toy, suddenly coughed in vain.

“You know, Cain. I told you earlier that I’d give you anything if you won.”

“yes.”

You may say that anything is okay, but if you really demand anything like an unbridled calf, you are likely to be hated.

So I was determined to keep a reasonable level and ask for general things.

“That’s not just empty words.”

“yes?”

“Seriously, I’ll listen to anything Cain says.”

… … Are you saying that I can really ask for anything?

As soon as I heard Leah’s meaningful words, harsh thoughts started to come to my mind one after another. Is it because I’m a bad person who usually fantasizes about bad things? Is that so?

As I was trying to seriously think about my own moral values, Leah came closer to me and linked arms with me.

“That, is something a little dirty okay… …?”

“… … .”

“Of course, there are also more obscene things… … .”

─Bam!

“Leah, are you here? The banquet is about to start, and I… … .”

At exquisite timing, the door opened and Iris came in.

Iris quietly looked at Leah and me, who were arm in arm, then smiled meaningfully, just like her brother. She chuckled and closed the door.

“Oh, sorry. You can do what you were doing, Leah.”

thud-.

“… … .”

“… … .”

We sat there feeling embarrassed, and then, without saying a word, we uncrossed our arms and awkwardly separated.

“That, Cain? I’ll stay with Iris for now. If we leave her alone, she’ll get lost again.”

“Oh, yes. I see.”

Leah jumped up and walked briskly toward the door.

“Oh, Cain?”

Then he stopped, opened the door, and turned to me right before going out. He just moved his lips and said to me with the shape of his lips.

‘… … Think about what you want me to do, okay?’

“… … .”

In this situation.

Am I a bad person for having such high expectations?