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 - 165

165 Duke’s Resolve and Lilith’s Feelings

“…Do you understand what you’re saying?”

“I do. However, I won’t retract it.”

“Why did it come to this?”

“I can’t explain the reason. But I engaged in an unworthy act for a knight.”

There was clear disappointment in my words. She sighed and silently gazed at me.

“You used to say you wanted to protect the weak. Was that a lie?”

“No. Those feelings haven’t changed. However, the target I should protect has become clear to me.”

“…It was a mistake to send you to Noblesse.”

“No, it was for the best. I’m sorry to disappoint you. Excuse me.”

As I turned to leave, a voice stopped me.

“Even in the long history of the Vilyrian family… you were truly splendid. It’s regrettable, but if you’ve decided, then proceed straight on.”

“Thank you. Father…”

◇

“Eh, whaaaaat!? You quit being a knight candidate!? Why!?”

With my casual remark, Lilith shouted in an expression she didn’t usually show.

“Knights must act for the sake of the country and discard personal desires. But I violated that.”

“But, but quitting…”

After the large-scale invasion of the demon race ended, I gave up on becoming a knight.

Originally, a knight was someone who devoted loyalty to the country. But I realized I couldn’t do that anymore.

When weighing my comrades against each other, I knew which way I leaned.

It went against the code of chivalry.

Normally, I wouldn’t talk about such things with others. I don’t like sympathy, pity, or even admiration.

But Lilith was a peculiar one, and there was a warmth that easily crept into my heart.

So, I ended up talking.

“Don’t tell Alan and Shari. They care about such things. Of course, not to Vice either.”

“Y-Yes. Duke-san is always kind, caring so much about others.”

“Not at all. I always prioritize my own feelings.”

Lilith misunderstood. Entering Noblesse and quitting being a knight were both driven by my own feelings.

I am more selfish than anyone else.

“No, Duke-san is a very good person.”

“Hah, thanks.”

“The way you try to hide it is just like Vice.”

“Is that so?”

I can’t become like him. And— I can’t become like Alan either.

Who am I, really? I’ve started thinking about that a lot.

During training as partners, I was amazed by Lilith’s effort and dedication.

I thought she was a talented type, but behind the scenes, she put in a lot of effort.

I like sweating too.

But since that day… my heart hasn’t been in it.

I am… a piece of crap.

◇

Since partnering with Duke-san, I’ve come to realize that he is a delicate and warm-hearted person.

The path of a knight is truly wonderful, one that everyone in this world would want to aim for.

But he quit.

He cherishes his comrades. He cares for us.

That made me very happy.

And he is very hardworking.

He says he only eats and sleeps well, but that’s probably because he’s moving his body every day.

“Ora!”

“—Kuh.”

While his fighting style is similar to mine, his strength is unparalleled.

In a fair face-to-face battle, he’s probably the best in Noblesse.

But occasionally, I sensed that he was struggling.

Like Vice-sama, hiding something.

“Duke-san, can I ask you something?”

“Hm? What is it?”

It wasn’t a partner test, just a regular class. I had figured it out. I had seen it.

“You’re holding back, aren’t you? From everyone.”

“Holding back? What do you mean?”

“…Since that day, when the demon race attacked us… things have changed, haven’t they?”

The day when Beltony attacked us, the day we faced death. Since then, I had noticed a gradual change in Duke-san’s attitude.

Especially towards Cecil-san.

Without making much eye contact, and not deliberately taking it easy even during exams, I felt something was different.

Duke-san says it’s nothing, but I couldn’t just stand still.

After class, we arranged to meet on the rooftop of Training Facility B, where no one would come.

I tried asking various things, but Duke-san wouldn’t answer.

“It’s nothing to worry about, Lilith.”

“We are partners, right?”

“Yeah, but how does that—”

“Don’t we trust each other? I realized it. Because I realized, I’m asking you, Duke-san. Isn’t it wrong to brush that off?”

With my sincere words, Duke-san finally seemed to understand, sitting down on the spot. He looked down with an expression different from usual.

I waited for a long time for his next words.

And finally, he spoke.

“On that day, I abandoned Cecil. It still haunts me. I dream about it even now.”

—So that’s what it was, and I unintentionally held my breath.

When Cecil-san realized she couldn’t move, she asked Duke-san to take her comrades and escape. He complied, carrying Allen-san and Cynthia-san, trying to distance themselves.

It wasn’t wrong in itself.

But it was so, so painful.

“Duke-san isn’t at fault.”

“Lilith, you were amazing. You faced the enemy and defeated them.”

“I was just desperate. Just, giving it my all. But Duke-san is different. In that situation, he made a calm judgment. What I did was just a result and nothing amazing.”

“No, I abandoned my comrades. Abandoned one life. It’s none other than me. I decided—I made a decision.”

I’m an idiot.

I couldn’t realize.

Despite being by his side all the time, I couldn’t understand Duke-san’s heart.

He was really struggling.

Trying to bear the burden alone.

“Cecil-san was grateful to Duke-san. She asked him to escape with the others after assessing the situation.”

“That’s not true. I’m—weak. You know that too, right? I’m not even second-best. Not third-best. No matter how hard I try, I can’t catch up to Vice or Allen. What I did was wrong.”

His expression pained me.

I gently embraced him.

Words couldn’t convey it.

I couldn’t fully convey it.

I’m grateful. Duke-san is truly kind, just like Vice-sama.

He always says he only thinks about himself, but that’s not true.

“Lilith, what—”

“I won’t blame Duke-san no matter what.”

“…But still.”

“Not ‘but still.’ I understand. Of course, everyone does.”

After that, Duke-san—laughed loudly.

“Hahaha, heh heh.”

“W-Why are you laughing!?”

“Well… because I’m happy. Thank you, Lilith.”

Saying that, Duke-san silently expressed his gratitude.

I don’t know if he understood or not.

But it should have reached him.

However, words alone are meaningless.

I’m sorry, Vice-sama.

In this exam, I want to let Duke-san win.

I want to let him take the first place.

My feelings for Vice-sama haven’t changed at all. They won’t change.

But—I want to see his smile.

And I could sense that from his expression.

“Duke-san, let’s definitely win the next exam. Win and prove it. That you weren’t wrong.”

“…Thanks. I’ll do my best. By the way, this is the first time I heard Lilith not using honorifics.”

“Eh, really?”

“Yeah, but I’m fired up now.”

The content of the exam was advantageous for us.

We can win. We can overcome this.

At that moment, Duke-san spoke up.

His expression was different from before.

“Lilith, by winning this exam, I want to affirm myself. Will you help me with that?”

It was a sincere request.

I answered with a smile.

“Yes, let’s definitely win.”

—We absolutely won’t lose.