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

55: Worries and Resolve

The school being attacked by thieves was the trigger that awakened Julia to her attributeless magic. In other words, the answer was clear. She was the existence that had become the female protagonist.

That explained the doubts I had until now. It made sense that Sterl was by her side and that they shared similar features, like their red hair. Even their names were similar.

That’s why it was troubling. How should I approach Julia from now on?

“Julia is the protagonist, which means she might have the possibility of killing me?”

In the original story, Julia was the one who killed Rex. Thinking about it, it wasn’t an impossible scenario.

“But before that, if I eliminate Julia…”

As I spoke, the image of Julia’s cold and distant expression flashed in my mind. A chill ran down my spine, and my hands trembled.

Just imagining Julia’s death filled me with a strong sense of fear. I understood. It was only natural. Julia was someone who had been kind to me, cooperated with me, and deepened our bond.

It was unbearable to think of someone close to me dying. I realized that my thoughts were heading in a strange direction.

“That’s impossible. A future where Julia dies is meaningless. Don’t be weak, me!”

That’s right. I couldn’t let someone I cared about, someone important to me, die. Even if my life was at stake. Julia had the ability to kill me, but that didn’t matter.

Attributeless magic was a weakness for dark magic, but that was irrelevant. Julia might be stronger than me, but that didn’t mean I could treat her as an enemy.

“After all, there are cases where the protagonist is necessary to solve the incident. Calm down. Don’t rush to judgment.”

The fact that Julia had attributeless magic meant that we could overcome it. There were many scenes where that had been depicted. I had thought that way before.

Now that I knew Julia was the protagonist, did I have a reason to change my approach? As I thought about it, I realized I was confused. If not, I wouldn’t have thought about killing Julia.

What value was there in a future where I sacrificed someone close to me? I had helped Camila, the princess sisters, and Wes. I just needed to continue doing that. I shouldn’t lose myself.

“For me, Julia is an important person. That won’t change, even if she becomes an enemy someday.”

Even if the royal family issued an execution order for me and Julia obeyed, I couldn’t bring myself to kill her. I didn’t want her to die; I wanted to live with her.

Killing her wasn’t even worth considering. The only thing I needed to think about was one thing.

“Then, I should think of a way to get along with her. That’s the constructive approach.”

Just like how I had given her a sword, talked to her, and spent time with her.

What I needed to do with Julia wasn’t to see her as a dangerous opponent but as an important person to spend wonderful time with.

“After all, it’s not like we’ve decided to be enemies. We can even take care of the princess sisters’ relationships. In other words, we can change the original story’s future.”

That’s right. If I just calmed down, my thoughts would deepen. I shouldn’t be too fixated on the original story. After all, I had already taken many actions that would change the future.

So, I didn’t need to think about the possibility of becoming enemies with Julia. I just needed to get along with her, cooperate with her, and work hard.

“Then, let’s take hold of the future together with Julia. We can do that from now on.”

The original story’s protagonist and villain didn’t matter. Our relationship was currently that of a benefactor and student, but eventually, we could become comrades who supported each other. It was a simple thing. At the very least, it was better than killing Julia.

“After all, we were able to work together in the battle against the thieves this time too.”

Julia had awakened to her attributeless magic to protect the students and to help me. It was unthinkable to render her feelings useless.

Julia’s heart, which cared for me, was undoubtedly genuine. So, I just needed to believe in her. We could move forward into the future with that alone. That was how it should be.

“I won’t let Stell die, no matter what. If the original story gets ruined, that’s on them.”

Stell was a being who died before the original story even began. That’s why I won’t allow anyone to say she should die. I’d even kill them for saying that.

I’ll prepare a much brighter future for Stell than I have. Just to see her happy. Along with Julia.

“That means we need to make Julia’s magic stronger, too. The more fighting power we have, the better.”

There are enemies we can’t defeat with non-attribute magic alone. We need to take them down. It’s a shame, but if I had the power, I wouldn’t need Julia to fight.

But if I insist on fighting alone and lose, it’s meaningless. I need to give up on my stupid pride. The future of everyone is at stake, not just mine.

“That being said, relying solely on others is unacceptable. I need to become stronger myself.”

It’s only natural. I can’t just rely on Julia like a kid on its mother’s back. I have talent, talent that even Phyllis and Elina recognize.

I’ve been blessed with that, and yet I’ve had a tough past. It’s too sinful to rely on Julia.

“I need to focus on my own training, deepen my bond with Julia and the others, and become stronger.”

That’s the shortcut to a good future. In the end, there’s no easy way out. Piling up effort is what yields the greatest efficiency.

Of course, it’s not like I can just mindlessly work hard without thinking. I need to think things through, acquire knowledge, and then put in the effort. That’s the right path.

“I won’t give up. I’ll work with everyone to reach a happy ending.”

From now on, I’ll continue training. With sword and magic, and countermeasures against poison and hostages. I’ll protect the school, too.

“And I need to find the mastermind behind it all, no matter what. I won’t let them harm anyone.”

They’re definitely my enemy, and the enemy of everyone. I won’t show them mercy. That would only increase the danger to everyone.

I won’t make the same mistake as with Oliver.

“Killing is unpleasant, and it’s certain to be painful. But this isn’t the time to be talking about that.”

The fact that I killed a thief weighs heavily on my chest, like a big stone. It’s like I’ve swallowed a heavy rock, and it’s weighing me down. But if killing is what it takes to solve the problem, then so be it.

“I should discard my doubts. If I don’t, I’ll just make others suffer.”

If I think killing is unpleasant, then others probably do too. So I’ll take on that responsibility. My duty is clear.

I won’t let Julia, Stell, or anyone else get their hands dirty.

“I’ll do it, no matter what it takes. I’ll make sure everyone survives, even if it means killing.”

Even if it means taking a life. I won’t hesitate anymore. My path is set.