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 34

Phew… I somehow managed to get Angela to sign the slave contract.

With this, I should have successfully avoided Angela’s doomed fate.

In the game, there was a deeply traumatic event where Angela, after dedicating her life to serving her father, was labeled as incompetent and executed. That scene alone was enough to make me bawl my eyes out.

But now, I had taken her away from the root of the problem—her father. As long as she remained under my control, she would no longer be forced to commit atrocities, like killing innocent people.

If I could guide her onto the right path from here on out, she wouldn’t grow into a major villain.

“Alright, Angela. Your first order—capture all the remaining Atlas Empire operatives hiding in the kingdom and bring them to me.”

After giving Angela my command, I made my way to where I had imprisoned Prince Leon’s assassins.

Most of the assassins had already defected to my side and signed slave contracts.

Those who had pledged loyalty were spared and repurposed as my operatives, and by yesterday, I had already dispersed them throughout various regions of the kingdom.

For the stubborn ones who still refused to sign, I had a simple solution—threaten them with undeath. They’d agree soon enough.

Now, it was time to use these assets and launch my counterattack against Prince Leon…

“Cain! I interpret your order as one that endangers my family! That means my slave contract is null and void, correct!?”

Angela suddenly clung to my arm, looking desperate.

“Huh?”

“If you’re telling me to capture Atlas Empire operatives, then that’s a direct attack on the emperor—on my father! And if you truly know where my mother is, then stop dragging it out and tell me right now!”

“Hey, hey… What you’re doing isn’t interpreting, it’s grasping at straws. Besides, I still have things to take care of. Just be patient—I will take you to your mother.”

“Ughhhh!”

Angela bit her lip in frustration.

“F-Fine! I’ll do it! Ughhh! This is it… I’ve officially become a traitor to the Empire! What kind of absurd order is this to give me right off the bat!?”

The famed necromancer was now practically in tears as she shouted.

In that moment, she looked less like a fearsome enemy and more like an ordinary, frustrated girl. It was oddly endearing.

“Don’t worry. The captured Atlas Empire operatives will all be freed after signing slave contracts. That way, you won’t immediately be labeled a traitor.”

“Huh…? Wait… Are you trying to create double agents!?”

“Exactly. With this, we’ll be able to gain valuable insight into the Atlas Empire’s inner workings.”

In the game, winning the war scenarios required thorough intelligence gathering beforehand.

That’s why I needed to plant spies within the Empire. I had to prepare for the inevitable threat from Atlas.

“The spies I send back to Atlas will report to Emperor Siegfried that, ‘Cain Schwarz shows signs of rebellion. Princess Angela appears to be aiding him.’ This way, you won’t be immediately disinherited.”

Angela’s status as an Imperial Princess was too valuable to discard just yet.

“Ughhh! How are you able to plan so many moves ahead at once!? Just where did you learn such military strategy!?”

…Obviously, I couldn’t tell her the truth.

This was just standard gameplay meta—capture enemies, enslave them, and use them efficiently. That was the key to winning.

In online discussions, I was often jokingly referred to as the “Hero of Justice (lol), More Ruthless Than the Emperor”.

At that moment, a grumbling sound echoed through the tent.

Angela’s stomach had let out an adorably loud growl.

Her entire face turned bright red.

“Anyway, let’s grab a bite to eat. I don’t know if it suits your tastes, but I have some smoked meat, cheese, and hard bread.”

“That sounds—wait a second! Answer my questions first!”

Despite her protests, she followed me, still glaring.

She probably wasn’t used to people ignoring her demands.

How arrogant. But honestly, that’s what makes her great.

Even in the game, Angela made a grand, villainous entrance—only to get repeatedly defeated by the protagonist, leaving her a teary-eyed mess.

That was what made her so likable.

“Ah, Lord Cain! I have just returned from the royal palace!”

As I stepped out of the tent, a familiar figure rushed toward me.

Edward, the Viscount of Fernando, was grinning from ear to ear.

“The Chancellor was absolutely delighted by the eradication of the undead army and has bestowed upon you great rewards! All of this is yours!”

Edward kneeled before me and gestured behind him.

I turned my gaze and saw a procession of soldiers, each struggling to carry chests overflowing with gold and silver treasures.

“I appreciate the gesture, but this reward was meant for you, Lord Edward. I cannot accept it. Please use it for the development of Fernando Viscounty instead.”

“What are you saying!? This victory was entirely thanks to you, Lord Cain! The Chancellor even bestowed upon me the title ‘Hero Who Slays the Undead’, but the truth is, this honor and reward rightfully belong to you!”

“I didn’t win this battle alone. Selvia played a crucial role, as did Lancelot, Gordon, and the Schwarz Battalion. And of course, your reinforcements were invaluable. This victory belongs to all of us.”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

With this, Selvia had become the daughter of a hero.

No one could call her a “false saint” anymore.

Prince Leon would now find it much more difficult to move against the Fernando family, who were now national heroes.

To me, that was the greatest reward.

“You are too humble! When you defeated the Imperial Princess Angela in single combat, I was so overwhelmed with excitement that my very soul trembled! And to think, you even saw through the Empire’s deceitful schemes! I, Viscount Edward of Fernando, am truly in awe!”

“Hmph. How gracious of you…”

Angela, who had been standing behind me, finally revealed herself.

Edward’s eyes widened in absolute shock.

“A-Ah! M-My sincerest apologies! You must be—!”

“Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Angela Atlas, commander of the Death Knights, and the Third Imperial Princess of Atlas.

However, as of now, I swear fealty to Lord Cain Schwarz. Please, remember my name.”

Angela gracefully curtsied.

“W-What!? Then… Does this mean Lord Cain has taken Princess Angela as his slave?”

“Indeed. Angela’s power will be a key asset in my plans. By the way, did you inform the Chancellor that the undead attack was not orchestrated by Atlas?”

“Yes, of course, my lord!”

Edward answered with the utmost respect.

I wanted to keep Angela’s allegiance a secret, so I had fed false information to the Chancellor, who was effectively running the government in the king’s stead.

“Hehe… Lord Cain, a man of your caliber, so passionately desiring me—how could I possibly refuse?”

Angela suddenly pressed herself against me, her voice dripping with seduction.

W-Wait… What the hell is she doing?

Why is she pushing her chest against me!?

“…Cain, what is the meaning of this?”

“S-Selvia!? No, this isn’t what it looks like!”

Selvia suddenly appeared, her expression icy cold.

“H-Hey, Angela! That’s taking things too far!”

“Oh, but Lord Cain, I shall never forget your tender promise to make me happy. Tell me, when shall we hold our wedding?”

“W-Wait! I never proposed to you!”

I tried to push Angela away, but she clung to me even tighter.

“Why, Cain… You restrained me and forcibly declared your desire for me—demanding I become yours. Didn’t you?”

A wave of murmurs swept through the surrounding soldiers.

“Wha—!? That’s NOT what happened! Stop twisting the truth!”

“It’s the absolute truth!”

I wrestled with Angela, trying to shake her off.

“Cain… I am your fiancée. And yet…”

A blaze of flames erupted around Selvia.

“Cain is mine! We even bathed together!”