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 42

[Abel the Hero’s Perspective]

“Oh! That cursed spell is gone! The scar on my face has disappeared!”

Prince Leon stared into the mirror with wide eyes, overwhelmed with joy.

I had used a holy light spell, Shine Purification, a magic only a hero can wield, to lift his curse.

“As expected of you, Hero Abel! As promised, I shall grant you the title of Baron! From today, you will serve as my knight—no, as the Vice Captain of the Royal Guards! Work for my sake! This is the highest honor! Hahaha!”

Huh? Work for him?

I had always thought nobles were people who did nothing but impose heavy taxes on commoners while living lavishly with their mistresses. This took me by surprise.

“…Vice Captain of the Royal Guards, you say? Then, in exchange, could I have about ten noble ladies suited to my status?”

“What…?”

Prince Leon’s smile froze.

“My dream is to build a harem of at least a thousand beautiful women and enjoy life to the fullest. What I desire most are elegant and pure noble ladies. If possible, a princess or a saint would be ideal! Oh, since I’m joining the Royal Guards, could you introduce me to Princess Lydia? I hear she’s quite beautiful.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Y-You! Are you really a hero!?”

“Yes, I am. A level 99 hero, to be precise. Is there a problem?”

My confident response seemed to throw Prince Leon off balance.

“You insolent fool! How dare you speak to His Highness like that—gah!”

One of the royal guards grabbed my collar, but I flicked his forehead, sending him flying.

The knight slammed into the wall and fell silent.

“Too weak. Is this the so-called strongest Royal Guard? Hey, you should learn how to show proper respect to your new Vice Captain.”

“Y-Your strength is truly remarkable, Hero Abel…!”

“So, what do you say? I would love to have Princess Lydia as my first harem member, but I understand that might be difficult right away. Instead, could you arrange some noble ladies suited to my status? That is my condition for becoming your knight.”

“Ugh… F-Fine! I’ll arrange it. But from today onward, you are my Royal Guard! Serve me with loyalty!”

“Yes, thank you.”

Now that I had Prince Leon’s permission…

I guess I should start looking for noble ladies right away.

As I gazed out the window, I saw a noblewoman in a wedding dress riding a carriage with her groom, parading in front of the royal palace.

My eyes locked onto her.

S-She’s stunning! Such elegance!

“Who is that young lady?”

“Oh, that is Charlotte, the daughter of the Prime Minister and a Marquis’ daughter. She held her wedding ceremony at the palace today. I even gave my blessings just moments ago.”

“I see… Charlotte, huh? She must still be pure. Yes, I like her.”

I leaped from the third-floor window and dashed toward my beloved Charlotte.

In an instant, I accelerated to nearly the speed of sound.

“Wait! What do you think you’re doing!?”

Prince Leon’s furious voice rang out, but I didn’t care.

The sonic boom from my speed sent shockwaves through the crowd, sending people flying as they had been cheering for the newlyweds.

“Aaaahhh!”

The grand wedding parade instantly turned into chaos.

I jumped onto the carriage.

“Hello, Charlotte. I’m Abel, the Hero. From now on, I’ll protect you.”

“Huh?”

As Charlotte widened her eyes in shock, I took her hand and kissed it.

After all, I do know noble etiquette.

“W-What are you doing to my bride!?”

The enraged groom lunged at me, but I flicked his forehead, sending him crashing into a tree.

“Uwaaahhh!”

“Hahaha! Just like a squashed cockroach!”

“Kyaaah! Lord Alfred!”

“This thing is unnecessary now. Charlotte is officially the first member of my harem!”

I grabbed the wedding ring from Charlotte’s hand and crushed it.

The symbol of eternal love shattered into dust.

“A-Ahhhhh…!”

Charlotte let out a heart-wrenching scream.

“Seize him! Stop this madman!”

“A madman? That’s no way to talk to the Hero who defeated the Demon King. I even have Prince Leon’s permission.”

The knights drew their swords and charged at me.

I fired a barrage of Holy Arrows at them.

The radiant magic arrows pierced them one by one.

“Aaahhh!”

The knights collapsed into pools of bl00d, screaming in agony.

“Hahaha! Do you see now? This is the power of justice, the power of a hero!”

“N-Noooo!”

“Where do you think you’re going, Charlotte? Tonight, you’ll be with me, won’t you? As my harem member, you should keep me entertained.”

I grabbed Charlotte’s wrist as she tried to flee.

Her delicate body trembled. Her ample curves… Ah, perfection.

There was no comparison between her and my childhood friend, Sophie.

“P-Please stop! I have sworn my love to Alfred!”

“What?”

“If you try to defile me, I will take my own life!”

Her words instantly extinguished my passion.

…She would rather die?

Even though I was offering her the honor of joining my harem?

A wave of fury rose within me.

“You would choose that pathetic fool, bleeding over there, over me, a hero!?”

This humiliation was unbearable. Absolutely unforgivable.

“S-Stop! Hero Abel! Charlotte is the Prime Minister’s daughter, a high-ranking noble!”

Prince Leon rushed over, flustered.

“I even liked you, Charlotte!”

“Huh…?”

I grabbed Charlotte’s wedding dress and tore it apart.

“KYAAAHHH!”

“Hahahaha!”

Her pale skin was exposed as she curled up, sobbing.

I did it. I humiliated this arrogant noblewoman in front of everyone.

Now, what should I do next?

She dared to defy me, the hero. I would make sure she never forgot this.

I licked my lips and reached for her.

“NOOOO!”

Charlotte trembled like a frightened animal.

“Stop this! Do you want to be stripped of your title and sentenced to death!?”

Those words made me pause.

A well-dressed man stood nearby, glaring at me with murderous intent.

“Father!”

Charlotte ran to him in tears.

“Father? Tch, the Prime Minister…”

Losing my noble status would be inconvenient for my harem plans.

“Sigh… What a shame. I was in such a good mood. Prince Leon, send ten of the most beautiful noblewomen to my room tonight. That should lift my spirits.”

“Prince Leon! Who is this man!? What is he doing to my beloved daughter!?”

The Prime Minister roared in fury.

How annoying.

“Prime Minister…! A-Abel, do you even realize what you’ve done!? You are the Vice Captain of the Royal Guards!”

Prince Leon glared at me.

“Is there a problem? You did promise me noble ladies, didn’t you?”

“Are you an idiot!? I didn’t mean just anyone!”

“This barbarian is your Vice Captain!? How could you appoint such a man!?”

“Father! Execute him immediately!”

“Oh, my poor Charlotte…! I will make him suffer in the depths of hell!”

The Prime Minister clutched Charlotte, his face twisted with rage.

But I wasn’t afraid.

“Heh. And how do you plan to do that? Not even a thousand knights could capture me, a level 99 hero.”

“You liar! You’re no hero!”

“Wait, Prime Minister! We still need his power against the Empire!”

As they argued, I leisurely walked away to the luxurious inn Prince Leon had provided.

Tonight, my long-awaited harem life would begin.

“Hahahaha!”

As my laughter echoed, the people stared at me with horror and hatred.

“Please, someone… Hero Edward, the Undead Slayer…!”

“What!?”

A voice from the crowd caught my attention.

Who dared to speak that name?

“Holy Arrow!”

“Aaaahhh!”

I fired a spell at the source of the voice, blasting the people away.

“I am the hero who will save you! You should be worshiping me!”

The people cowered in fear.

Soon, my name would be the one they praised.

“I, Abel, am the true hero chosen by the gods!”