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

51: Unsettling Shadows

Recently, Felicia and Mary have been getting along with the students at school. If things continue like this, I hope we can build good relationships even after entering the original story.

However, I still can’t be too careless. While it’s true that they’re being friendly, it’s uncertain how things will turn out.

“Does Stel-san want to become Rex-sama’s mistress? This person is really something else.”

Felicia is still saying outrageous things. I think it’s an expression of affection, but it’s making my stomach hurt. If I take it seriously, I don’t know what to do.

Unfortunately, the circumstantial evidence alone is enough to make it hard to deny. If Julia and the others dislike me, I’ll be in trouble.

“I want to return the favor, or rather, it’s cheap if I can repay it that way… If Rex-sama wants it, I won’t refuse.”

Ster’s words were heavy. It’s pleasant to have good intentions, but using one’s life for someone else’s sake is a bit… Well, it’s hard to put into words. It’s not exactly a good thing to be thought of as a commoner who’s mindful of the nobles.

To be honest, I want to convey that I’m taking it seriously, but in the current situation, it’s better to avoid it. In the worst-case scenario, it might even involve Ster.

“Ah, you’re quite the ladies’ man, aren’t you? The people around Rex-sama are all women, after all.”

“Well, isn’t that fine? Nobles do have concubines and mistresses, don’t they? I know that much at least.”

It’s a bit of a stereotypical image, but just because of that, it doesn’t mean I’ll become a concubine or mistress. Besides, who’s the legitimate wife, anyway? That part is unclear.

“What’s with this guy… Lady Lana…”

Crono was saying something, but I couldn’t hear it. I could tell he was making a gloomy face, but the conversation was progressing with just women, so it was a bit difficult.

Julia and Ster seem like childhood friends, so I think we can talk without any issues. But I don’t really understand.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, nothing at all.”

“Brother, just look at Mary for now…”

Mary’s words were clear. Mary is a very important sister, but it’s hard to focus on just one person. With the original story’s influence, I don’t know who might get hurt, and if I take my eyes off them, they might get injured even more. Regret would be pointless.

“Everyone’s saying I’m a womanizer… That’s not light-hearted at all.”

Am I supposed to play the role of a villain who’s a womanizer? It’s difficult. In my previous life’s values, I didn’t like people who were too flirtatious, but in this world, having multiple wives is a possibility. That aspect is affecting me, and it’s undeniable that jealousy exists, so I should be cautious.

“I understand. I like you, but I’m shy and can’t take action…”

That’s a troublesome way of speaking. It might not fit with Rex’s image. As a villainous noble, I shouldn’t be shy.

“Rex-sama, you’re cute… I’ll try my best too…”

“It’s unusual for you to say ‘ore-sama’ like that, but you’re shy, aren’t you?”

“That’s right, you haven’t made a move on me yet, have you?”

“No way! Brother is with Mary!”

Everyone’s completely convinced. How should I respond? As I thought about it, the surroundings suddenly became noisy.

“Someone! Help!”

A childlike voice could be heard. It seems something’s happening at the school. I rushed over in a panic and found people being attacked by monsters. There were slime-like enemies, tiger-like enemies, and rabbit-like enemies. They’re all killable, but for now, there’s no blood or corpses. I don’t think anyone’s dead.

“Monsters!? What are they doing here!? We have to hurry and help!”

“This is nothing. I can handle it myself. Everyone, just watch.”

“Mary will also do her best for brother’s sake!”

Even Felicia and the others could take them down. But maybe I should help too. As I thought about it, the situation progressed.

“There’s no choice. Then, let’s go! Inferno Flame!”

“Mary too! Bullet Storm!”

Felicia created a massive pillar of flame that seemed to reach the sky, and Mary unleashed a whirlwind of rocks. The monsters were either burned to a crisp or crushed by the rocks. Several magic spells were cast, and the monsters’ presence disappeared.

“Amazing… This is what it means to be a mage…”

“I need to be able to do this much to be of use to Rex-sama. I too…”

“We’ll aim for the same level! To repay Rex-sama’s kindness!”

Julia and the others were each impressed in their own way. Magic is incredibly powerful, capable of causing natural disasters. As a normal person, I wouldn’t be able to beat a mage. That’s a believable statement.

After all, they can burn people to a crisp or launch rocks quickly. They can do such things with ease. However, Felicia and Mary are top-notch, even among the nobles. At the very least, they’re far better mages than Lana in the original story, who could only splash water.

“Lady Lana, what’s…”

“Did you say something, Crono?”

“Don’t mind it. Everyone, you’re safe.”

For now, there were no casualties, so that’s a relief. However, I need to understand what happened. If monsters are attacking the land, I’ll need to hire guards as well.

The students returned home, and I decided to move forward with Lana. It would have been better if Felicia were to cooperate, but she was accompanying Julia and the others. Well, we also need to follow up on that. It was a reasonable judgment.

“Lana, we need to investigate further. We chose a place with few monsters, didn’t we?”

“Lexus-sama, this…”

“Smell bag? Is there something in it?”

“I know… This contents, it’s the smell that monsters like…”

Hearing those words, I felt a sensation like my head was about to boil over. In other words, someone might have intentionally caused the school to be attacked. If that’s the case, I won’t forgive the culprit.

“So, someone set a trap?”

“That’s a possibility…”

“However, we don’t have any other information. We can only raise our guard. Or should we interrogate someone?”

“If Lexus-sama wishes, I’ll prepare immediately.”

Honestly, I was surprised that Lana agreed. She must be very angry. Although she appears calm, she must have something simmering inside.

However, if we’re going to interrogate, we’ll need to do it with all the students, including Julia and Ster. Thinking about it, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

“No, let’s not do that. We can protect ourselves. If we start interrogating now, the students will become suspicious and fearful. That’s not a good strategy.”

“I understand. Then, I’ll prepare in that direction.”

Lana left, and I was alone for a moment. That’s the only time I can be honest with myself.

“Whose doing is this? Is it an insider? Or did my father do something? We don’t have enough information… Damn it! There’s no guarantee that we won’t get attacked again.”

If Julia, Ster, or Lana were to get hurt… Just thinking about it makes my chest ache. That’s why I want to take countermeasures, but in our current situation, I don’t know what to prioritize.

“There’s no choice. We’ll prepare to transfer at any moment. But for now, let’s keep an eye out. I’ll definitely find the culprit and kill them.”

No matter who the opponent is, I won’t show mercy. This time, I won’t hesitate.