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 31

“Brother Cain, first, we must escape this situation,” Lady Selvia urged.

As she raised her hand, enormous lotus leaves emerged beneath the soldiers’ feet one after another.

“Alright! Now we can fight!”
“Lady Selvia, you’ve saved us!”

Thanks to her magic, they no longer had to wade through the poisonous swamp. With solid ground beneath them, they could engage in battle properly.

The Schwarz Brigade erupted in cheers as they launched a fierce counterattack.

One by one, the skeletal warriors—the Skeleton Warriors—were annihilated.

“Lady Selvia, you’re pushing yourself too hard.”
“…Brother, of all people, are you really the one to say that?”

Lady Selvia was visibly exhausted, her complexion pale.

“But thanks to you, we’re saved. Now, we all have a chance to return alive.”
“Yes!”

Just as Cain thought they had finally secured a moment of relief—

The thunderous sound of hooves reverberated across the battlefield.

Turning to see the source of the noise, he spotted a cavalry unit charging forth from the burning ruins of the city of the dead.

“…No way, could it be the [Death Knights]!?”

Illuminated by the flickering flames, an undead cavalry force exuding foul miasma advanced toward them.

Riding atop Bone Horses, animated skeletal steeds, were Undead Knights—a legion of about five hundred.

These knights were B-rank undead monsters, warriors who had been turned into revenants, each estimated to be at level 30 or higher, making them more than ten levels superior to the Schwarz Brigade.

Leading them at the front was a Dullahan.

“This… This can’t be real… What the hell is that cavalry!?”
“Ah… Ahhh… We’re doomed!”
“They were hiding such a force!?”
“We’ve already used up our last batch of [healing potions]!”
“D-damn it! If I have to die, I just wish I could kiss Elise at least once before I go!”

Even Lancelot, usually fearless, was stunned by the overwhelming threat before them. The exhausted Schwarz Brigade was rapidly succumbing to despair.

At that moment, Cain was certain of the enemy’s identity.

There was only one boss in the latter half of the game known for commanding the Death Knights—a formidable Necromancer.

Raising his voice, he called out:

“Princess Angela Atlas! If your goal is to bring destruction and chaos to the kingdom, wouldn’t it be wiser to join forces with me instead?”

If they didn’t lure out the enemy commander and take her down, there was no way to escape this dire situation.

Undead creatures controlled by a Necromancer would cease to function once their master was defeated.

“Angela Atlas…?”

Lady Selvia blinked in confusion, not recognizing the name.

The other soldiers were just as bewildered, but Cain paid them no mind and pressed on.

“My goal is to rally behind the [Holy Maiden of the World Tree], Lady Selvia, and lead a rebellion against the Kingdom of Albion! I propose a negotiation!”

It was a complete bluff.

But would it be enough to lure Angela out of hiding?

Cain held his breath, waiting for the outcome.

“…I must say, I’m surprised. Are you being serious?”

Just as the Death Knights were about to trample them, they came to a sudden halt.

Cain nearly gasped in admiration.

The air shimmered before them, and a girl—no older than fourteen, dressed in an elegant black gown—emerged.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, a vision of delicate grace.

This was Angela Atlas, the ruler of the Death Knights, bearing the infamous title of the “Death Princess.”

In the game, after Lady Selvia, Angela had been Cain’s favorite character.

But right now, she was an enemy. He needed to stay focused.

“A pleasure to finally meet you, Sir Cain Schwarz. You seem quite different from the rumors. I am Angela, Third Princess of the Atlas Empire.”

Lifting the hem of her dress with practiced grace, she curtsied as though she had arrived at a grand ball.

The Schwarz Brigade stood frozen in shock.

“An honor to make your acquaintance, Princess Angela. I am Cain Schwarz, a noble of Albion. I must say, Your Highness’s unique style of hospitality this evening has left quite an impression.”

“Fufu, I’m pleased to hear that. If this were truly a ballroom, I’d be tempted to invite you for a dance. However—” her expression darkened slightly, “I despise unreliable men. If you’re willing to swear fealty to me through a [slave contract], I just might consider sparing your life. What do you say?”

She’s coming at me head-on…

“…Did you say a princess of the Atlas Empire? Why would someone of such status be here?”

Lancelot voiced the obvious question.

Cain gave a measured response, stalling for time.

“She’s an imperial princess by bl00d, but in name only. As an illegitimate child, her true worth to the empire lies in her exceptional talent as a [Necromancer]. The emperor has tasked her with covert operations.”

The longer he could delay, the better his chances of finding a way out.

Angela furrowed her brows in displeasure.

“…I see. I can understand why a man with ambitions would try to exploit the [Holy Maiden of the World Tree] for his own gain. It seems you are quite well-informed.”

In her hands appeared a massive scythe, far taller than herself—the Death Scythe, a weapon fit for the grim reaper.

Cain couldn’t help but admire the sight.

There was something incredibly striking about a beautiful girl wielding an oversized weapon. It was the kind of moment only possible in a fantasy world.

“Now, kneel. Tell me where and how you learned about me. That is an order from your future master.”

Angela’s voice was cold, her piercing gaze filled with deadly intent.

She had infiltrated the Kingdom of Albion in secret, working as an imperial saboteur.

If her identity had been exposed, it would be a matter of life and death for her.

“Perhaps, there is a traitor close to Princess Angela. Would it not be wise to cleanse your inner circle once?”

“…Are you mocking me?”

Angela’s expression darkened with fury.

The mere suggestion of a traitor in her ranks would have undoubtedly shaken her.

Angela was desperate for recognition from her father, the Emperor. If she were to be betrayed by her own subordinates, she would be branded as incompetent—an unforgivable disgrace in the Emperor’s eyes.

Good. She was falling right into Cain’s pace.

“Come forth, Reaper!”

The space before Angela distorted, and a skeleton wielding a massive scythe emerged. Its body was semi-transparent, like that of a ghost.

“Master Cain! That thing is a swordsman’s worst nightmare!”

Lancelot exclaimed in alarm.

“Fufufu, exactly. You seem quite confident in your swordsmanship, but how naive. You probably thought you could brute-force your way out of this situation if needed. Unfortunately, this one is beyond your reach.”

The Reaper was an Astral-type S-rank monster, immune to physical attacks. Estimated level: 50.

It had been a troublesome enemy even in the game. Aside from holy magic used by the Hero, most other magic barely inflicted damage.

Angela smirked.

“This is your final warning. Kneel before me and swear loyalty. I must admit, your skill in defeating my forces was impressive. As a reward, I offer you the honor of becoming my knight while still alive. Or… would you prefer to become an undead?”

“Brother Cain…!”

Lady Selvia gasped, looking at him anxiously.

Cain took a breath and spoke calmly.

“Before that, may I ask one thing, Princess Angela? Your mother… she is still alive. And I know where she is.”

“W-what…?”

Angela’s mouth hung open in shock.

Cain had been spouting supposedly unknown information about Angela this whole time. She could no longer dismiss it as nonsense.

With this, her focus was effectively diverted.

“Your mother, the Elf Chieftess who cherishes peace… If she were to see you now, would she not weep in sorrow?”

“H-how do you…!”

Just then, a rain of arrows descended upon the Death Knights from the flanks.

Angela quickly raised her Death Scythe to defend herself.

“Lord Cain! I, Viscount Edward Fernando, have arrived!”

The Fernando Viscount Army, consisting of about 500 foot soldiers, had launched a surprise attack.

From the darkness, they unleashed a synchronized volley of arrows. Cain had sensed their presence earlier.

“The Fernando Viscount Army!? Hah! Do you truly believe mere arrows can bring down my Death Knights—wait, what!?”

Angela’s eyes widened.

The Death Knights struck by the arrows let out agonized wails.

They weren’t normal arrows.

They were not poisoned but rather infused with healing magic.

The arrows had arrowheads soaked in [Healing Potions], a specialized countermeasure against the undead.

“It’s working! As expected of Lord Cain’s ingenious weapon!”

The Fernando soldiers cheered.

Cain had initially hoped that Lord Edward wouldn’t need to enter the battlefield, but—

Edward had promised that if Cain’s side was ever at a disadvantage, he would come to their aid without fail.

This was why Cain had feigned negotiations with Angela—to buy time.

“Now it is our turn to assist Lord Cain! Let us show them the pride of Fernando!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Father, thank you!”

Lady Selvia shouted in gratitude.

“Everyone, the battle is not over! Stand up and fight!”

Cain’s battle cry reignited the morale of the Schwarz Brigade.

“Haha! Leave that Dullahan to me, Lancelot!”

“We might survive!? I might actually survive!? Hell yeah! I’ll burn the rest of my magic reserves!”

“This is my last shot! [Albides Fire]!”

“Uoooohhh! Schwarz Brigade, CHARGE!”

The soldiers launched their final assault on the Death Knights.

The undead had already suffered damage from the flames, and now, caught in a pincer attack with the Fernando Viscount Army, victory was within reach.

“Princess, step back—!”

The Dullahan moved forward to shield Angela.

“Gawain. Do you think I, of all people, would fall behind a mere swordsman? Focus on Lancelot. A warrior renowned as a ‘Legendary Knight’ should prove a worthy opponent for you.”

“Haha…! As you wish!”

Cain smirked. It had worked.

Angela insisted on taking Cain down herself.

Her unique skill, [Death Princess], was the reason for her obsession—anyone she killed would automatically be resurrected as an undead under her command.

She was determined to claim Cain for herself.

“You’ve intrigued me, Cain Schwarz. Now, I want you for myself! [Hellfire Barrage]!”

Dark fireballs materialized around Angela and shot toward Cain in waves. It was a cursed flame that consumed life itself.

Cain kicked off the ground, evading every single one.

“Go forth, Reaper!”

The grim reaper, brandishing its massive scythe, lunged at Cain.

However—

Cain now had [Undead Buster], his trump card.

“GYAAAAH!?”

“W-what!?”

The Reaper was sliced cleanly in half and vanished into the void with a deathly shriek.

Cain’s [Undead Buster] skill completely nullified all resistances and abilities possessed by the undead.

Even the Reaper’s “Immunity to Physical Attacks” was rendered useless.

“D-did he just… cut down the Reaper… with a sword…?”

Angela stared at Cain in disbelief.

Cain grinned.

“Sorry, Angela. But the one who will be made a slave… is you. Because I want you too!”

『Reaper defeated! Level up! You are now level 48!』