I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble, Nothing More Than the Hero’s Foil: Since the Hero Can Only Bring Misery to My Favorite Heroine, I’ll Use My Game Knowledge and Over-the-Top Effort to Rewrite the Scenario and Make Her Happy. - Chapter 15

The system voice announced the acquisition of a new skill and a significant level-up. My level had skyrocketed from 7 to 15 in a single battle.

In Apocalypse, defeating high-level enemies awarded massive experience points, while taking down weaker foes yielded almost nothing.

To grow stronger, I had to continuously face tougher opponents. This made my new skill, Giant Killing, an invaluable asset.

I wiped the sweat from my brow and opened my status screen to check my progress.

Cain Schwarz

Level 15

Unique Skill
Blade of the Black Moon

• • • • Adds dark elemental damage to sword techniques.

Skills
Swordsmanship Level 3

• • • • Increases accuracy and attack power of sword techniques by 30%.

Projectile Deflection

• • • • Increases the success rate of deflecting ranged attacks by 50%.

Giant Killing (NEW!)

• • • • Boosts attack power and agility by 100% when fighting higher-level enemies and HP drops below 50%.

My Overcoming Stronger Enemies Build was coming together beautifully.

In this world, attack power was everything.

The synergy between Blade of the Black Moon, Swordsmanship Level 3, and Giant Killing significantly increased my ability to take down stronger foes. With Projectile Deflection, I could close the gap on ranged attackers, ensuring I could strike when needed.

By continuing to refine my swordsmanship and acquiring more attack-enhancing skills, I would be able to level up quickly by defeating high-level enemies.

“Cain-niisama, thank goodness! Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, thanks to your support, Selvia. You were incredible!”

Selvia threw her arms around me, and I gently patted her head.

In the game, Selvia had been my lifeline, but in this world, her support felt even more profound.

“I’m so happy I could be of help to you, Cain-niisama!”

However, there wasn’t much time to savor our victory. Another pressing issue had emerged.

“A-are you… the Saint of the World Tree?”

Ash, who was helping his sister drink the High-Potency Healing Potion (Ex-Potion), stared at Selvia with wide eyes.

“It’s Selvia, not ‘you,’” she corrected, her face tight with discomfort.

She had revealed her true identity to protect me, and now the consequences of that choice loomed heavily.

“Ash,” I began, stepping forward, “if Selvia’s identity is discovered, she’ll be torn away from me and forced into a political marriage with Prince Leon. Can you promise to keep this a secret?”

“Please,” Selvia added, her voice trembling. “Prince Leon intends to use the power of the Saint of the World Tree as a weapon of war. I don’t want to be separated from Cain-niisama ever again.”

If Selvia were taken back to the royal palace, she’d be forced to use her abilities to starve and destroy the Atlas Empire—an act of cruelty I couldn’t allow her to endure.

If necessary, I was prepared to imprison Ash for a year to ensure this secret stayed safe.

“Don’t underestimate me!” Ash exclaimed, his voice sharp with indignation.

“I’d never betray the people who saved me and my sister. Never!”

His sincerity shone through, his earlier bravado replaced by earnest determination.

“Besides, the Saint of the World Tree is sacred to us elves. Meeting you is an honor, Selvia-sama!”

Ash’s demeanor shifted entirely as he dropped to one knee, gazing at Selvia with reverence.

To elves, the Saint of the World Tree was a figure of worship, revered as the embodiment of the tree that sustained the world.

“You won’t tell your fellow elves, will you?” I asked cautiously.

“Never!” Ash vowed. “Our tribe was destroyed, and we’ve been wandering rootless ever since. We don’t have anyone to tell, not even other elves.”

I nodded, understanding his plight.

Elves typically lived in large, closed-off communities in the forests. While they allowed travelers to pass through, they were rarely open to outsiders joining their communities.

This explained why Ash and his sister were wandering alone.

“I swear, not even my sister will hear about Selvia-sama’s identity,” Ash said solemnly.

“Thank you, Ash,” Selvia replied, her voice soft but firm.

“Of course, Selvia-sama!”

Ash knelt again, his sincerity clear.

“In that case,” I said, “if you don’t have anywhere to go, why not join the Schwarz estate as our resident apothecaries?”

“R-really? Are you serious?”

As apothecaries, Ash and his sister would pair perfectly with Selvia’s abilities.

With Selvia’s power to summon rare plants, they could produce high-quality potions in abundance. Keeping them close also ensured their loyalty and maintained the secrecy of Selvia’s identity.

Before Ash could respond, his sister stirred. The High-Potency Healing Potion had worked its magic, bringing her back to consciousness.

Her sapphire-blue eyes fluttered open as she looked around.

“I’m so glad you’re awake,” Selvia said gently.

“Who… who are you?”

“Cain-sama and Selvia-sama saved us,” Ash explained, his voice brimming with admiration. “Cain-sama even defeated the Bl00d Bear!”

“What? Cain-sama and Selvia-sama? The lord’s son?” The girl’s face flushed, and she quickly bowed deeply. “Thank you so much! I’m Lill.”

Lill’s demeanor was polite and reserved, starkly contrasting Ash’s brashness.

“Cain-sama even offered to hire us as apothecaries!” Ash added excitedly.

“Really? That’s… thank you so much!”

At that moment, Lill’s stomach growled loudly. Her face turned bright red with embarrassment.

“I-I’m so sorry!”

“Let’s head back,” I said with a chuckle. “We’ll have a meal and a celebration to welcome you both properly.”

“Really? That’s amazing, Cain-sama!” Ash cheered.

Selvia sighed. “Honestly, how opportunistic. But if you’ve come to understand Cain-niisama’s greatness, I’ll forgive your earlier behavior.”

“Y-yes, Selvia-sama! Of course!”

Ash’s quick turnaround was amusing, but his loyalty seemed genuine.

Before returning, I harvested valuable materials from the Bl00d Bear: its fangs, claws, and hide. These would fetch a high price at market.

Earning money was just as critical as leveling up. I needed funds to prepare for whatever schemes Prince Leon might throw at Selvia in the future.

“Cain-sama,” Lill said, her voice trembling slightly. “Thank you again for your generosity. My brother and I will do our best to repay your kindness as your apothecaries.”

“Thank you, Lill,” I said, shaking her hand. “And Apothecary Level 5? That’s amazing!”

“A-ah, um, yes, but I’m not skilled at anything else…” she stammered, blushing furiously.

“Could you teach me some apothecary skills, Lill-san?” Selvia asked. “According to Ash, my potions are… less than ideal.”

“Wait… that potion was made by Selvia-sama?!” Ash exclaimed, shocked.

It seemed life at the Schwarz estate was about to become a lot more lively.