I Have been Reincarnated As a Lazy, Arrogant Noble, but When I Destroyed The Scenario Through Effort, I Became The Most Powerful With Extraordinary Magical Power - 33

033 – Conflict

The scenery changed rapidly, and the wind pressure was tremendous. The magic resistance that covered my body seemed to have worn off, leaving me unable to move due to the strong gusts.

I managed to bestow flight magic on Shari’s body in a split second, but that was my last bit of magic power.

All I could hear was the sound of the wind. Even if I could use magic, it would be impossible to use any levitation spells at this speed.

In other words – death.

Ah… Why did I try to save Shari?

I was supposed to avoid destruction, but why couldn’t I protect it?

… I don’t understand.

Memories and thoughts overflowed like a whirlwind and disappeared.

When Shari Elias died in the original story, even though I knew it was a work of fiction, tears flowed from my eyes.

It was painful, sad, and frustrating that I couldn’t do anything.

Some parts described her as an ignorant fool who deserved to die.

But I didn’t think such a thing at all.

She was lonely. I knew that pain well.

Still, she came to believe in the future. She came to believe in equality.

I swore that I truly wanted to change the world.

But…

I couldn’t save her.

Why, why is this the only route? I was filled with a feeling of helplessness.

So, when I first saw the two of them, I was happy.

At the same time, complex emotions as Weiss sprouted within me, and I was troubled.

When I heard about this test, thoughts of Shari clung to my mind.

Although I decided to defeat everyone head-on, I broke that promise myself.

This must be punishment.

Hey, Weiss…

Wasn’t it too easy for you to steal everything?

But, this should have been for the best.

Weiss dies, and Shari survives.

Is there a happier ending than this?

Isn’t this the best outcome you wished for back then?

“Weiss…”

Huh?

“Wei… ss…”

Ha… Haha. What the hell is this guy doing?

“Weiss!”

Above me, Alan was there.

He reached out his hand desperately, chasing after me.

Ha, what are you doing?

… The protagonist, huh?

“Grab my hand, Weiss!”

Tch, shut up. Why are you here? What can you do?

Why did you come… to save me?

“Hurry, Weiss!!!!”

Ah, that’s right. I am Weiss.

The villain, the trash, the lazy noble, an irredeemable scum.

I want to live!!!!!!!!!

… Dammit.

I slowly reach out my hand…

You’re pretty cool, protagonist.

The sound of clapping can be heard.

It’s warm, comforting.

“Sha…ri…”

I sit up, my eyes opening wide.

Looking around, it seems to be a cave.

I feel the stuffy air, but it’s pleasant thanks to the bonfire.

When I look at my body, my upper body is naked.

… Why?

“Good morning, Weiss.”

At the entrance of the cave, holding something that looks like a snake in one hand, Alan appears.

An innocent smile, a youthful face, and strangely, I don’t feel annoyed right now.

At that moment, memories resurface.

That’s right, I saved Shari… and then…

“You, what did you do–”

“I saw you falling, so I chased after you. Luckily, it turned out to be a river below.”

Saying that, Alan skewered the snake on a stick and started grilling it with clapping sounds.

But…

“Don’t lie. There’s no river below that cliff. Tell me the truth.”

Impossible. How did he find us from that location…

How… Could it be!?

“Alan, when did you learn it?”

“What?”

He sat down and surrounded the fire. A strange feeling.

“Don’t play dumb. Flight magic.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I can’t think of anything else.”

Alan put the wood in the bonfire and quietly spoke.

“Weiss… What are you hiding?”

“…Hiding?”

“The day before the training, I heard Shari telling you to quit. She said that she was in the way and putting pressure on herself to earn points. But I don’t think so. Weiss, I can’t believe you’d do something so cowardly.”

Hah… He looks like he doesn’t know anything but he’s actually thinking quite a bit.

But this is strange. Even if he felt something off, did he really find us at that timing?

“No… Shari’s right. I put pressure on her to earn points efficiently. My points would decrease relatively.”

“I see… Then there’s nothing to it, I just fell into the river.”

“…Hmph.”

Annoying, annoying but…

“…Anyway, want to eat?”

Alan handed me a savory-looking snake.

The smell of grilled meat was enticing, but the appearance was grotesque.

Growl.

“Give it to me.”

“If you don’t say you want to eat, I won’t give it to you.”

… What’s with this guy?

He’s surprisingly quite troublesome…

But…

“It’s too easy to exploit your weakness.”

“Ahh!”

I snatched it swiftly and bit into it.

Chew, chew. I won’t show any weakness to this guy.

…I’ve had enough.

“…Alan.”

“What? Is it bad? But, I didn’t add any seasoning–”

“Thanks.”

“…Haha, you’re welcome.”

The only Shikitari of the Fansent family, expressing gratitude.

Such a bothersome custom.

After finishing the meal, I noticed that the mental announcement didn’t come.

It should be ending soon.

No… Why was I so hungry?

Moreover, why did I want to snatch it away… this much?

“Alan, how long was I asleep?”

“About half a day, it’s almost morning. Your clothes should be almost dry.”

“Damn, is that so…”

I must have missed the announcement while I was unconscious.

But if that’s the case, it’s even more strange.

Why are we still here? Even if that’s the case, why hasn’t anyone come to help?

They wouldn’t just abandon us to die, right? That’s impossible.

If it were me, I’d be desperately searching for Lilith, Cynthia, and the others.

At that moment, Alan spoke up.

“At first, I tried to carry you and move. But I couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t?”

“Yeah, haven’t you noticed? Over there.”

Following Alan’s gaze, I realized my magic power was recovering, and I activated the Observation Eye.

Then, my heart skipped a beat.

… What kind of monster is that?

“It’s impossible, right? Probably, that creature’s magic is interfering, and nobody can pinpoint our location.”

The overwhelming magic power is enough to make your whole body tremble.

I think it’s a magical beast, but even so, the pressure is overwhelming.

If we make any sudden movements, we might be attacked… I’m still unconscious and it’s dangerous…

I see… Tch, this protagonist…

“My physical strength and magic have recovered a bit. It’s okay now, let’s go back.”

“Normally, you should rest more, but… well, you should be fine, Weiss.”

When he said that, Alan smiled.

An innocent smile. A friendly face.

…Hmph.

“So, how did you manage to save me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. I properly thanked you. I have the right to know.”

At that, Alan let out a sigh.

…Is he going to tell me?

He’s still a good guy, this protagonist.

“I have an ability gift–”

At that moment, my entire body shuddered.

A scream I had never heard before echoed in the cave.

An indescribable feeling of fear, my spine tingled, and my brain sent out danger signals to run away.

I looked at Alan.

The monster had awakened.

However, at the same time, I felt a sense of incongruity.

Using the Observation Eye – Dark Eye, I noticed a faint magical movement.

Alan also noticed it, and I could tell from his expression.

And then, almost simultaneously, we headed outside.

“GuaooooooOOOOOOOOO!”

A growl that seemed to be twisting from the depths of its belly, causing vibrations that continued to shake our bodies.

In front of our eyes, a creature covered in scales was literally roaring.

Whether it was out of anger for being disturbed from its slumber or some other emotion, it didn’t matter.

What I could feel was its overwhelming murderous intent.

I could sense the power to destroy everything in this area with magic.

No, that doesn’t matter.

I know. I know about this creature, its status, level, and terror.

“A dragon…”

Alan murmured, his face showing fear, something I had never seen from him before.

But my hands and feet were trembling too.

Because this dragon is like a final boss that appears at the end of a game.

It possesses overwhelming magical and physical resistance, attack power, and magic. But what’s even more terrifying is its ferocious personality, considering everyone else as trash.

We can’t possibly win against it with our current strength.

The main storyline is to train and finally face it.

But…

“Kya, kyaaaaaa!”

“Damn, w-what is this guy!?”

I’ve seen those people before.

They were lower-grade students, boys and girls.

Damn… Did they also get stranded here?

Clearly, they were being targeted with murderous intent.

Once the roar ends, they’ll be attacked, and their bodies will be scattered, disappearing from this world.

It can’t be helped.

But…
“…Alan, what are you doing?”

“I’ll save them.”

This protagonist… He quietly emits magic power and prepares to wield his sword.

What an idiot, he doesn’t understand anything.

No… He understands…

He understands, and he still intends to face it.

“There’s no way we can win. You should be able to sense it.”

“Nothing is impossible. In this world…”

“Without a doubt, we’ll die. We can’t win against it with our current strength.”

I know.

I lack… I lack level. I lack magic power, skills, everything.

Without a doubt, I’ll die.

“But… I won’t run away.”

… Ah… I know.

I know you better than anyone else.

A foolish, kind-hearted protagonist who can only look forward.

… Weiss.

“…I’ll repay the favor. That’s the Fansent family’s rule.”

Before I knew it, I was standing next to Alan.

Even I find it strange.

I know. There’s no way we can win.

But… Everyone must have thought about it at least once.

They want to stand next to the protagonist and bet their lives.

“When the roar ends, move. Create an opening and let them escape.”

“Yeah… Understood.”

Ah… Now I finally understand.

Weiss… You admired the protagonist Alan.

You wanted to become like the protagonist.

That’s why… you couldn’t forgive him.

Now, I might understand.

I feel the same way.

It’s impossible to win against a protagonist like you who’s so straightforward.

I guess… I’m envious.

“Weiss… Now!”

As the dragon’s roar fades away, Alan and I run simultaneously.