I Was Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Who Gets Killed Midway Through the Story but It Looks Like I’ll Be Executed as a Traitor if I Try to Do Good Deeds

37: A Step Forward

I defeated Oliver and handed him over to Father, ending this incident. However, I had left everyone waiting at the palace. I had to go see them soon.

So, I relied on Wes’s reaction and transferred. When I suddenly appeared, Mira and the others didn’t seem surprised. They must have been convinced after seeing me transfer once.

Mira, Reina, Aria, and Wes all smiled at me in their own ways. Seeing their faces made me feel like I was back home. Well, the palace wasn’t my home, but…

It was okay as long as I had people close to me. That was my place.

“Rex, it’s all over now. Let’s say goodbye for now. I’ll miss you.”

“You can come visit me anytime. It might be difficult to come to the palace, though.”

I wanted to visit them many times. The time I spent with the princesses was very enjoyable. However, they were royalty, so it was difficult to visit them casually. I didn’t even have a chance to give them a gift. I needed to make time for that. I was suddenly called to the palace, so I didn’t have time to prepare.

So, next time I visited, I wanted to bring a gift. Through that, I wanted to help the princesses when they were in danger.

“Thank you, master. You saved me.”

“Then, we’ll take care of you on your way back.”

And so, I left the palace. During that time, Wes seemed to be smiling more than usual. I had saved him from Oliver, so our bond must have grown stronger.

I was glad I had saved Wes’s life. When we first met, he was on the verge of being executed, and when Oliver attacked him, I was able to help. Ah, I also needed to make a new Black Bullet. I would need a weapon to protect myself from now on.

And so, I arrived at the Black house. Kamira and Mary were waiting for me. They were like family, and it was wonderful to see them.

“Rex, welcome back. You defeated Oliver, right?”

“Brother, welcome home. Can I hold Mary?”

Both of them were in their usual states, and I felt extremely grateful. It seemed like they had returned to where they belonged.

However, Camila had a softer atmosphere than usual. I could sincerely believe that she was happy about my return. She must have been feeling sentimental towards me.

Mary was being adorable, wanting to be hugged and pampered. Her cuteness was endearing, and I felt a strong sense of trust emanating from her entire being. Being with her made me feel undoubtedly happy.

Just then, Jean arrived, looking delighted. His joyful face was a welcome sight.

“Brother, you’re amazing! You easily took down the traitor!”

As I was warmly welcomed back by my family and headed towards my father’s place, we ended up having a casual conversation.

“You’re back, Rex. I’ve already taken care of Oliver.”

I was shocked to hear that. I had thought Oliver was dead, but it happened so suddenly. I felt a mix of emotions, but I couldn’t afford to lose my composure in front of my father.

“Is that so? You didn’t hand him over to the royal family, then?”

“It was a problem during transport. If we just handed over his head, there wouldn’t be an issue.”

This meant he was completely dead. It was a pity that he died, despite being handed over alive. Was I sad about that? Or was I sad that my efforts had been in vain? I couldn’t quite understand my own feelings.

As I questioned myself, I realized that someone had died because of my involvement. The weight of that responsibility lingered, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling.

“I see. You didn’t kill your son, that’s a relief.”

“If Felicia or Camila were to attack us again, it would be troublesome.”

When I heard that, something flashed through my mind, but I couldn’t quite grasp it. As I left my father’s place with a complicated feeling, my mother approached me.

“Rex, are you alright?”

Her worried face made me feel a little happy. It was ironic, considering she was the one who had killed Aria in the original story. Perhaps, as a family member, I was still emotionally invested in her.

However, if the incident where the elves were killed didn’t occur, there would be no reason to oppose my mother. I wished for a future where that wouldn’t happen. Causing someone’s death was a regrettable thing.

“I’m fine, Mother.”

“You can’t call Oliver your son if you tried to kill my beloved child.”

Those were outrageous words. She was indeed a fitting member of an evil family. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to actively hate her, even without considering the danger of being assassinated. Was I foolish?

It was dangerous to hold sentimental feelings towards someone who could easily discard their own child. Yet, I couldn’t entirely bring myself to dislike her.

If I had been born into a family related to the protagonist from the start, things would have been much easier. But then, I wouldn’t have been able to form connections with Aria, Wes, Camila, and Mary. Other original characters would have been involved with the protagonist if they were nearby.

So, I couldn’t regret my current circumstances. I didn’t want to imagine a possibility where I wouldn’t have met my current friends.

“That’s how it is.”

“I’m grateful to have a son like you, Rex. You’re the only one who thinks of me. And I won’t forgive you for trying to kill Camila-chan and Felicia-chan.”

At least, I did love Camila. It was a relief to acknowledge those feelings, and I felt a sense of joy. Perhaps, from now on, we could maintain a good relationship.

“I understand, I won’t forgive myself either.”

“If the same thing happens again, it’ll be troublesome. Let’s be careful.”

When she said that, I finally understood the sense of discomfort I had during my conversation with my father. That’s right. If I hadn’t killed Oliver, Camila and the others would have been in danger again. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if that had happened.

After parting with my mother, I reflected on my own half-heartedness.

“Indeed, I was too soft. Choosing not to kill Oliver was just a form of weakness.”

This was a crucial matter. I had avoided killing due to my sentimental feelings as a family member or my aversion to taking lives. However, I knew that wasn’t the right choice in this world. After all, this was a game where the villain would be killed.

“I had put Camila and the others at risk again because of my reluctance to kill.”

I didn’t need to think about it. My emotions versus the safety of Camila and the others there was no comparison.

“From now on, I’ll kill when necessary. For everyone’s sake. I’ll abandon my weakness.”

I couldn’t forget that my reluctance to kill could put those around me in danger.

“I’ll protect everyone’s peace, even if it means killing someone. That’s my vow.”

That’s right, I’ll kill. For my own sake, for everyone’s sake. I couldn’t afford to put those around me in danger due to my own weakness.

“I’ll survive together with everyone, both in the original story and in the gaps between. I’ll definitely make it happen.”

No matter how dirty my hands may get, as long as I can be with everyone, I’ll be happy. That’s what I believe.

So from now on, I’ll eliminate my enemies. I won’t let anyone else get their hands dirty for my sake. Ariya, Wes, and the royal sisters must hate killing, after all.

For their sake, I won’t hesitate anymore. I’ll take control of the future, even if it means killing others.

―＊―＊―＊―

From here on, it’s an afterword.

First, this chapter has come to an end. If you’d like, please follow me or give me a star; I’d be delighted.

I’m also serializing other stories simultaneously. If you’d like, please read them; I’d be grateful.

Modern Dungeon RTA Broadcaster’s Heartwarming Exchange Diary: A story about using RTA technology to help everyone