The Evil Noble Desires A Beautiful Demise - Could It Be That You're Stuck In A Loop? - Episode 13

Three years have passed since Tiarola set off for the sacred land.

Thick letters from Tiarola arrive every month, and our correspondence continues. At first, I was surprised by the volume of writing, but thinking about how much she wants to share with me, her first friend, made me feel warm inside. As for me, I spend all my time training in swordsmanship and magic without going outside, so there’s not much interesting to write about, and I’m sorry for that.

The training is also progressing smoothly.

Regarding magic, I had somewhat succeeded in manifesting my unique magic. It’s still not at a practical level, though.

“Hmm, this unique magic is quite strange, isn’t it?”

My unique magic seems to be so strange that even that eccentric Zebras finds it odd. Well, it does seem different from the unique magic that appears in games. But I think it suits me, so it’s fine.

Regarding ice magic, I had already mastered up to the fifth tier, considering future events. In upcoming events, there will be opportunities where wide-area annihilation magic will be useful. I also understand the theory behind the sixth tier, so with practice, I should be able to master it soon.

“Well then, is this the last time I will teach you magic?”

I’m surprised that Zebras said something so out of character. He’s not the type to indulge in such emotions.

“It’s a shame to part with such a valuable sample.”

It was like Zebras.

You thought of me as a research sample until the very end, didn’t you?

“I will also be leaving this empire, so we probably won’t see each other for a while. When we meet next time, I expect to have some wonderful data to share with you, okay?”

It’s like this, but this man named Zebras is a genius. He gets involved in the scenario and also influences the protagonists. Well, as an antagonist, though.

I’ve thought many times that it would be better to deal with Zebras here. I owe them for teaching me magic, but that’s a different matter. If they are a source of misfortune for the protagonists, it’s better to handle it here.

However, in the end, I did nothing. While I was worried about the impact on the scenario, fundamentally, I couldn’t envision defeating Zebras. I don’t think Zebras himself has that much combat power. He said so himself, and I think so too from my perspective. But that’s precisely why it makes sense to assume he has multiple contingencies in place. I can’t believe this man would interact with me without any countermeasures.

There may come a time when I regret this choice. I might think that I should have killed him here no matter what. I can only pray that such a future does not come.

“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

Uncharacteristically for this man, he has a genuinely excited expression. A villain so devoted to magic that he even resorts to forbidden techniques. He has no sense of ethics, and all that occupies his mind is magic.

But, they taught me something important.

At least let’s be grateful in the end.

“Thank you, Zebras. Thanks to you, I can fight.”

Bowing politely.

Next time we meet, we might be enemies, but for now, let’s show proper etiquette as a magic teacher.

“Hehehe, it’s the first time I’ve ever been thanked by an experiment subject. You’ve given me a lot of stimulation, you know.”

Saying that, Zebras placed his hand on my shoulder.

“See you again, Salifa.”

“Lady Salifa, there is nothing more for me to teach you.”

With a look of overwhelming emotion, it is Firai, my swordsmanship teacher, who says this. Over the past three years, my swordsmanship has improved even further, and I have become capable of fighting on par or even better than Firai.

I have also become somewhat capable of handling Exceed. I’m not yet at the point where I can activate it instinctively, but I just need to refine it in actual combat.

“Thank you very much.”

As part of the graduation exam, I had a serious mock battle with Firai using magic. The result was…

“Haha, I’ve been utterly defeated!! But I feel prouder than I do frustrated!!”

Yes, I had become stronger than Firai.

All of this is thanks to Firai.

“Lady Salifa will continue to grow more and more. I can’t wait to see it.”

Firai speaks with a refreshing smile.

It’s been about seven years since I started learning swordsmanship from Firai, and I’ve been greatly helped by his character.

The people I’ve met in this world are extremely few, but I think Firai is a wonderful person. That’s why I can’t stay in the Greitz Duke’s family, a family of evil nobles, forever. So I used my only connection.

“Firai, here.”

Saying that, he hands over a small pouch filled with gold coins and a letter.

“Lady Salifa, what is this…?”

Seeing the contents of the small bag, Firai’s eyes widened.

I don’t think it’s such a surprising amount.

“I-I can’t accept this, Salifa-sama! I can’t possibly take this money…”

I was gradually saving my allowance.

Well, that doesn’t matter. What’s important is the letter.

“Look at the letter?”

Without mentioning money, Firai looked at me with a puzzled expression as I urged him to look at the letter. He opened the letter, seemingly not understanding well, and froze after reading its contents.

“A, a recommendation letter for the Holy Knight exam…!?”

Firai is astonished.

That’s true. A recommendation letter for a holy knight is not something you can easily obtain.

When I was exchanging letters with Tiarola, I mentioned my worries about Firai’s future. Then, she suggested that I try taking the Holy Knight exam. She said that if I were my swordsmanship teacher, my skills would be more than sufficient.

“Th-this, um, is this for me!?”

“That’s right?”

Who else is there?

I’m quite flustered.

“The, the Holy Knight is the greatest force that the Shailonue Holy Church takes pride in, you know!? Do you understand?? That Holy Knight, me…??”

“Don’t you want to?”

If you don’t want to become a paladin, it might have been an unnecessary concern. You might have been against religion, and I should have asked beforehand…

“N-no! The holy knight is also my admiration! After all, they’re so beautiful!”

Oh, is that so?

That would be good, but I wonder why you’re hesitating.

“A commoner like me… and besides, my skills…”

“A holy knight’s status doesn’t matter, you know?”

I have properly confirmed that point.

Besides…

“Firai is strong, isn’t she?”

Firai is strong.

Since I’m saying it, there’s no doubt. I don’t know what the standards for a holy knight are, but it should be fine.

Upon hearing my words, Firai freezes.

And then, closing my eyes and exhaling. When I opened them again, there was strength in my gaze.

“I have shown you my embarrassing side. Indeed. It is a shame for Salifa-sama that I, who taught her swordsmanship, would be so timid.”

Firai pressed the letter to her chest.

“Lady Salifa, thank you for your recommendation. I will surely become a holy knight and elevate your reputation.”

No, I don’t really care about my reputation…

Well, I’m glad you got motivated. It seems like I can give Tiarola some good news too.

“However, um, I can’t possibly accept this much money…”

Are you still holding back?

That’s also one of his virtues, but this time I want him to accept it.

“I used it for the travel expenses to the holy land and to gather the equipment.”

“No, no, even so, there’s still quite a lot left…”

Oh, is that so?

Well, I’ve never been outside or done any shopping, so I don’t really understand the prices in this world at all. But it feels strange to get paid back here.

“Use that money to help save people.”

“Lady Salifa…”

If I say it like this, Firai will be fine.

I’m sure they will use it for the right purpose.

“……If it’s Firai, it can be done.”

When I said that, Firai suddenly knelt down.

Huh, what?

“This Firai will never forget the kindness received. Meeting Lady Salifa and becoming a standard of swordsmanship is the pride of my life.”

Really, he’s such a principled person.

The person who has had a tremendous impact on my life in this world. It’s actually me who owes them a debt of gratitude.

“No, thank you.”

I’m looking forward to meeting Firai next time.

Surely, that swordsmanship has become even more beautiful.

“Until we meet again, Lady Salifa.”