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 - 38.1

038 – Billford Tucker (1)

Billford Tucker is one of the most memorable characters among the Noblesse Oblige. He is in his twenties and is male.

Born into a Count’s family, he possessed exceptional intelligence and moral conduct, promising a bright future just by living as he was. However, he pursued the path of a knight to fully utilize his outstanding magical abilities and eventually became the leader of the knights.

He achieved numerous feats on the battlefield.

His nickname is “Flash,” but it’s not about speed.

In an instant, he can use magic buffs that slow down the flow of time, making him the world’s strongest both in offense and defense.

For his opponents, they don’t understand why his attacks hit or how he evades their attacks.

However, one day, he committed a grave sin.

Regicide.
An act not to be forgiven in noble society.

He killed not only the king present at the scene but also his fellow soldiers.

In the middle of the story, the protagonist, Alan, confronts Tucker.

A battle with a criminal, a thrilling moment.

The difficulty is extremely high.

In the “Noblesse” known as a “death game,” it’s normal to die around 10 times.

As for Tucker, it is said that the average is 100 times.

A frustrating game, but the best game.

This is the Tucker Arc.

◇

“Cynthia, Lillith. Even if you find him, promise me you won’t get involved with him.”

After finishing the meal, I strongly told the two of them.

Of course, they replied that they couldn’t do that.

But I repeated my request many times until they reluctantly agreed.

As long as they don’t interfere, he probably won’t come after them.

“If Weiss-sama says so, is he really that strong?”

Yeah, if we talk about just moments, he might be on par with Eva.

…Are you okay with this?

Cynthia worries about me, and her expression is both sad and beautiful.

Yeah, and that kind of strength will make a good training partner.

That’s a fact. There’s no meaning in hunting weaklings all the time.

Then, Lillith tilted her head.

“But why do you know so much? Didn’t you just learn about Tucker the other day?”

…It’s complicated. I’m good at gathering information, that’s all.

I can’t say I’m cheating, right? But well, it’s nice to look smart, isn’t it?

…I feel like I’m a small person.

“I’ll stop you forcibly if I judge Weiss is in danger.”

…Yeah, that’s good.

I like that way of saying it.

Now then, should we investigate places where Tucker might be?

“We don’t know.”

“We have no idea.”

“Who knows?”

We walked around all day, but we couldn’t find Tucker’s whereabouts.

But he’s human too. If he’s hungry, he’ll eat. If he’s tired, he’ll rest somewhere.

He probably came to this town because there are few tattletales here.

When there are many villains, naturally, people become tight-lipped.

That’s the secret to living a long life in this town.

“Come to think of it, is he even in this town? He’s wanted for regicide, so I’d spend my time in the forest until things cool down.”

Lillith’s words make sense. However, it’s different for Tucker.

He’s looking for a ship.

“If Tucker was just running away, that might be true. But he’s not.”

“Not?”

Well, I can say this much.

“Yeah, he is—”

At that moment, we noticed a strong magical clash in a place not too far away.

…Damn, did someone beat us to it?

As expected of the protagonist, it seems he has much better luck than I do.

“…Weiss, isn’t that Alan?”

“Yeah.”

“What do we do?”

It seems Cynthia and Lillith have also noticed.

Naturally, they call out, relying on their magic, and run toward the source of the clash.

They arrived at an old abandoned inn that probably hasn’t been used for a while.

The entrance door is broken.

So, he found this place and took refuge here, huh?

“Cynthia, Lillith, wait for me in the forest to the north. Go about 500 meters ahead, and you’ll reach an open area. Wait there.”

“What do you mean? Why would we be in such a place—”

“Never mind. I’ll lead him away. If Tucker comes, stall him. Cynthia, I’m counting on you too.”

“…Understood.”

Cynthia is obedient. That’s helpful.

The two look at each other and leave without questioning me about the reason.

It’s definitely weird, but I can’t raise my head in front of them.

But… let’s switch gears.

I look up and jump on the spot.

An unnatural wall, an unnatural presence.

Creating some invisible footholds, I run up to the second floor from outside.

Breaking through the boarded-up windows, I find Alan and Tucker facing each other.

Blood is flowing from both of their bodies.

Well, Alan is covered in wounds.

Ah, there’s no way you can win against him.

No, you can’t win this event, Alan.

Duke and Shari are not here. Maybe they went separately, or… were they killed?

“Did I make it to the climax?”

“…You’re such a kid again.”

…Again… huh.

That means both of them… Geez, even if small fry like you gather together, it’s still useless.

Now, what should I do?

“There are pursuers coming from below, Tucker.”

“…What?”

“Weiss, don’t get in the way. I’m the one who found him.”

“Huh, this is a competition, isn’t it? What about you two, idiots?”

“We’re safe. But we’re injured.”

I see, well, I’m glad you’re alive.

That’s why he’s angry, huh, Alan?

You’re so easy to read, Alan.

Now then, Tucker, what will you do?

There’s no way for you to confirm if I’m lying or not.

You have something to do. You can’t get caught here.

“…Hmph.”

Tucker’s expression changes.

I release more magic as if to give him another blow.

But it seems Alan has become much stronger.

To injure Tucker’s body… I must say, well done.

But leave the rest to me.

“…See ya.”

The next moment, Tucker kicks through the wall and disappears.

He must have judged that it’s impossible to face both me and Alan.

Especially after hearing that pursuers are coming.

But what an exceptional magical technique.

Even though the wall is old, he increases the destructive power by instantly putting magic on the soles of his feet to break through it.

Impressive.

“Damn it, wait, Tucker!”

“Alan, don’t get involved. Besides, you’re bleeding too much.”

“Shut up! He hurt Duke and Shari. I’m stopping him!”

At that moment, Duke and Shari appear from the stairs.

Both of them are injured but have received treatment.

I see, so Shari has learned recovery magic. They’re all putting in effort.

“Weiss?! Why are you here too?”

“Duke, Shari, stop Alan. He can’t win against Flash as he is now… He’ll die.”

“You can’t know that!”

No, I do know. But this is the one thing I can’t be certain about.

“Alan…”

“If he follows, I’ll kill you all. I’m serious.”

They feel the murderous intent surging from me; the atmosphere changes.

You guys shouldn’t fight Tucker.

“Goodbye. Go back home and heal your injuries.”

Leaving Alan and the others behind, I chase after Tucker.

Using Observation Eye Dark, I find traces leading to the forest as I expected.

And then…

“Yo, Flash.”

Cynthia and Lillith held Tucker back as I commanded.

I was a bit worried, but as expected of my fiancée and maid.

“Cynthia, Lillith, stay back.”

As I warned them not to interfere, they took a step back.

…Don’t move, alright?

Tucker glared at me while healing his wounds.

With his brown short hair, just like in the original work.

“What are you guys after? Do you want my head for the reward money?”

“Well, something like that. Tucker, fight me. If you win, I’ll let you go.”

“Hah, saying something so obvious. Don’t act cool, kid. I won’t hold back.”

“Yeah, I know. You have… something to do, right?”

Tucker’s cheek twitches.

I know about you. What you’ve done, and what you want.

“…Stop with the lies.”

“It’s not a lie. Tucker, you want to go to Grudge, don’t you?”

“…Where did you find that out?”

“I know everything. But let me tell you something. Your sister is alive.”

“W-What did you say? What does that mean!?”

Ah, great.

You’re still a good guy, huh?

“If you defeat me, I’ll tell you. I’ll even provide a ship. I think that’s all you want.”

“…I don’t know what you’re after. But if that’s the case, be prepared to lose an arm or two.”

“Yeah, it won’t mean anything if it’s not that much.”

Alright, this tense atmosphere carries the anticipation of death.

This is what makes it practical, this is what gives it meaning.

I won’t be kind to you.

Seize it—if you want it.

Show me a fight worthy of the name “Flash.”

A silent time flows.

I slowly draw a whip with my left hand and hold a sword with my right.

I fill the blade with magic, covering it in black mana.

Conversely, the whip glows with light. It’s my improved version of Shari’s mana attachment magic—Weiss Version.

Well then, shall we have a debut of the new technique?

“Sorry.”

Flash starts moving. It’s slow, but there’s no hesitation in his movements.

He’s a genius. Different from me and Alan, he’s naturally gifted with innate abilities.

His movements are by no means fast, but the flow of his mana is just too beautiful.

He aims for my arm.

I can see it, I understand. But when I try to take evasive action, it appears in slow motion from his perspective.

From his point of view, there’s no one scarier than him.

Slow, yet impossible to evade.

If I take one or two fatal attacks, I won’t be able to avoid his attacks or land mine anymore.

But he’s not perfect either. If his mana runs out, he won’t be able to use his abilities, and it’s not like his attacks are completely unblockable.

As Tucker’s attack is about to hit me, I gently move the whip.

He’s being careless. He probably thought that a slight touch from the whip wouldn’t cause much damage.

But it’s not that simple.

As Tucker’s sword is about to cut my arm, I boost the mana of my continuous defense barrier covering my body to the limit.

It’s a convenient defense magic, but the moment it blocks an attack, it consumes a significant amount of mana.

Ideally, I wouldn’t want to use it, but this time, just blocking this one strike means I win…