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 44

Towering wooden giants—Wood Golems—emerged from both sides of the path, charging toward us in unison.

They had been disguised as trees, lying in wait. Their massive arms were equipped with repeating crossbows.

“I’m sorry, Brother Cain! The barrier was interfering, and I couldn’t hear the spirits properly!”

“No, you did well, Selvia!”

The illusion barrier didn’t just distort the senses; it also disrupted magical perception.

Looking around, I realized all the surrounding trees were actually camouflaged Wood Golems. This place was a deadly ambush zone designed to eliminate intruders.

“Come forth, Death Knights!”

“Yes!”

Angela immediately summoned her undead warriors.

The headless knight, Gawain, delivered a powerful slash to one of the Wood Golems.

But—

“What!?”

The Wood Golem instantly regenerated, as if nothing had happened, and swung its massive fist down at Gawain.

“The Wood Golems have high defense and regeneration! Only fire attacks are effective against them!”

“Then it’s time for Albidus Fire!”

“If it’s fire you want, then Hellfire Barrage it is!”

The two girls immediately followed my orders.

Flames erupted, engulfing the Wood Golems. Their massive bodies burned away with surprising ease.

As long as we knew their weakness, they weren’t a threat.

“HAAAAAH!”

I dashed through the battlefield, cutting down Wood Golems one after another.

Skill Combo Activated:
Death Bringer × Death Bringer × Black Moon Blade

The quadruple attack power from Death Bringer stacked onto the dark energy of Black Moon Blade, causing the Wood Golems to disintegrate in black flames with a single strike.

“Cain! Your HP is down to 1! That’s reckless!”

Angela, well-versed in dark magic, looked at me in disbelief.

“Brother! Please take this Advanced Healing Potion!”

“Thanks, but I don’t need it!”

Ignoring Selvia’s concern, I continued slicing through the enemy.

The Wood Golems were about level 30, but their movements were slow. With my agility-enhanced level 48 body, their attacks couldn’t even touch me.

And if I kept this up…

“You have defeated over 50 enemies while maintaining HP at 1.”

“Congratulations!”

New Skill Unlocked: Last Stand
When HP is reduced to 1, agility increases by 100%!

Just as I planned!

With my new skill, Last Stand, my speed surged like lightning, and I cut down the remaining Wood Golems in an unstoppable frenzy.

“Level Up!”
Level 49 → Level 50 → Level 51

Perfect.

These sluggish enemies were excellent for farming experience.

If I kept going, I’d eventually reach the strength needed to defeat the level 99 hero.

“Brother Cain! This is too dangerous! You’ll die!”

Selvia pleaded desperately.

At that moment—

“You dare invade our land again, humans!?”

A group of elves emerged, arrows drawn.

They must have realized the Wood Golems weren’t enough and decided to take matters into their own hands.

“Wait! I am Cain Schwarz, a noble of the Albion Kingdom! I have no intention of fighting the elves!”

I immediately sheathed my sword and raised both hands, stepping back to shield Selvia.

“Your identity doesn’t matter! Trespassers will be executed!”

The elves were filled with killing intent.

“Wait! Look at this path in the forest! This power… it belongs to the Saint of the World Tree!”

A strikingly beautiful elf stepped forward, commanding the others to halt.

I recognized her immediately.

“Lady Celine, the chieftain?! I have brought your daughter, Angela, whom Emperor Siegfried took from you fourteen years ago!”

“What!?”

Gasps erupted from both sides.

“W-Wait a second! Are you saying she is my mother?!”

“Your eyes are the same shade of violet, Angela. Violet eyes are rare among both elves and humans. This isn’t just a coincidence.”

“No… way…”

Angela’s breath hitched as her eyes widened in disbelief.

“You claim I am Celine, the chieftain?! And that Siegfried willingly gave up Angela?! Nonsense!”

Celine raised her bow, glaring at me.

“Are you trying to use Angela to lure us into a trap!? Prove that you are not Siegfried’s pawn!”

Damn…

I thought bringing Angela here would be enough to make Celine believe me, but it wasn’t that simple.

At that moment—

Vines and flowers suddenly sprouted, wrapping around the elves’ bows.

“What!? T-This power… Could it really be—?!”

Shock rippled through the elven ranks.

“Please, listen! I am Selvia, the Saint of the World Tree! Brother Cain is my fiancé and the hero who saved the Albion Kingdom! He has nothing to do with the emperor’s schemes, and he means you no harm!”