The Evil Noble Desires A Beautiful Demise - Could It Be That You're Stuck In A Loop? - Episode 29

“Ah, um, sorry. I showed you something unsightly…”

Embarrassed, Endens wipes away her tears.

Well, I was surprised because I didn’t expect to be thanked so much that it would make someone cry, but I don’t really mind. I was quite shocked, though.

“……You did your best, didn’t you?”

Surely, they must have gone through a lot.

That prideful Endens actually expressed gratitude and even shed tears. Perhaps they underwent rapid growth due to the harsh experiences.

“Ah, yeah… a lot has happened.”

The two of us entered the tent and listened to the details.

When I heard the story, it seemed they found the ogre but retreated because it was a much more powerful beast than expected. I thought, as expected of Endens, and at the same time, I was surprised that things were unfolding differently from the game. Well, they probably thought they could win because Krig and Kirisia were there in the game.

Ah, speaking of which.

“……The special students are supposed to come as reinforcements later.”

“What? Is that so?”

“……Yeah. And Professor Garondo too.”

“I see… that is very much appreciated.”

Endens is straightforward.

People can change this much in such a short time, huh?

“The beast invasion shouldn’t be over yet. It’s reassuring to have everyone here. And to think that even A-rank explorer Seeker, Professor Garondo, would come.”

“Yeah, that’s true. If that person is here, I feel pretty safe.”

A Seeker is someone who specializes in exploring the labyrinths and ancient ruins scattered throughout this world. Their rank is determined by their abilities, and Garondo holds the highest rank, A-class. Except for exceptional cases like labyrinth cities, they are the level of a national-level powerhouse.

After that, we continued to discuss information sharing and future policies. As expected, it seems that the training level of the deployed soldiers is low, just like in the game. However, we agreed that considering the reinforcements coming in the future, we should be able to manage somehow.

When the conversation had settled down and I was starting to think it was about time to wrap things up.

“Salifa, I have something to ask you.”

Endens hesitantly broached the subject.

It seems like you’re nervous, but I wonder why.

“Um… would you be willing to be my friend?”

I wonder what really happened to Endens.

Well, as someone who also likes Endens, I’m happy about it.

“I always thought we were friends.”

“Oh, I see… so, that’s how it was…”

Endens is deep in thought.

Ah, since I haven’t had any friends until now, I probably don’t know what it’s like.

“……Endens is not alone.”

Even the special students come to help, so it’s okay to think of them as friends. Given my position as royalty, I think it was difficult to make friends. Thinking about it makes me feel sad.

“Ah, ah, that’s right. Exactly…”

It seems that Endens’s troubles have also cleared up.

At the academy, let’s make some great memories together.

“Well, I’ve talked for quite a while, but Salifa must be tired from the forced march. Take a good rest for now.”

“……Yeah, I’ll take you up on that. Endens, you should rest too, okay?”

“No, I… Ah, don’t look at me like that. Fine, I’ll take a break.”

Yeah, yeah, being honest is a good thing.

If it had always been like this, there wouldn’t have been any haters.

Alright, let’s take a break as Endens suggested.

I’ve been pushing through all night. It seems like I made it just in time, but I’m really exhausted. I think I’ll take it easy for a while.

“I’ve come to reinforce youーーー!!”

The next day, the special students led by Professor Garondo arrived. Much earlier than expected.

“Salifa! Are you safe!?”

Tiarola will come running over immediately.

You must have been worried about me. I’m really happy.

“……Yeah, I’m fine. That was quick, wasn’t it?”

“Thanks to Professor Garondo! A-rank explorers are quite handy, aren’t they!”

“Hey, calling it convenient… You could have phrased that better.”

Professor Garondo said that with a look of distaste.

Well, there’s no doubt that it’s convenient. Many countries have labyrinths and ancient ruins, and the explorers who specialize in them are well-treated. If you’re A-rank, crossing borders would be a piece of cake.

“Thank you for your cooperation. It was a great help that everyone came.”

Endens is bowing its head.

Everyone else who saw it was surprised.

“Hey, did you hit your head or something?”

“Eh, did something go wrong…?”

“Could it be that you’re a fake?”

“This is a major crisisーー!?”

“Shut up!!… No, but I see. I must have had an attitude that made them think that…”

I thought they were making a sharp comeback, but then they suddenly started reflecting on it. I mean, Tiarola’s words are pretty harsh, aren’t they?

“I apologize for that time. I overestimated my own abilities and was arrogant. I don’t expect to be forgiven, but I sincerely apologize.”

Endens bows his head once again.

Everyone was taken aback by the drastic change.

“On that note, I ask for your cooperation, even if it means enduring some shame. Please, fight alongside me.”

Seriously, Endens is so diligent.

It’s good that you’ve become more honest, but you’re not used to relying on others.

“…Of course, I’ll cooperate. That’s why everyone came all this way.”

Since everyone is frozen, I’ll answer on their behalf.

“Thank you! Salifa, Tiarola, Krig, Kirisia, and Professor Garondo.”

An instance of expressing gratitude by mentioning each person’s name.

Really, people do change, don’t they?

On the day the special students arrived, the full-scale invasion of magical beasts began. The main type of magical beast was snake-like, and although they were numerous and troublesome, we somehow managed to succeed in the defense.

The boss of this monster outbreak was a large snake-like creature with the rare ability to become invisible. And there were two of them. There shouldn’t have been such monsters in the game, but thanks to the information sharing from Endens, we were able to defeat them without any damage. One of them was handled by me and Garondo, but Garondo was so strong that it was taken care of quickly. The other one was defeated with the cooperation of other special students and imperial soldiers. Well, as long

It took about three days to exterminate the magical beasts.

It seems that the rampage of the magical beasts is finally calming down.

“Alright, then let’s head home!”

Garondo stretched widely and said that.

Well, since we’ve left the academy, we should probably head back quickly. Garondo said he’d take care of it, but it’s still a pretty serious issue.

“This time, Salifa will be with us too, right?”

“…Yeah, I’m going home too.”

I confirmed with Tiarola, but of course, I’m going home too. Actually, I want to go back quickly because if the Greitz Duke family finds out that I’m in the Empire right now, it could become a hassle.

“That was quite tough, wasn’t it? Well, thanks to me, we won!”

“In the end, all we’ve been doing is fighting… Well, it’s fine now, I guess…”

Everyone was starting to get ready to leave.

There’s no point in being here anymore, obviously.

“Everyone, could you wait a moment?”

The one who said that was Endens.

I should have been busy with the aftermath, but is something wrong?

“Since you have contributed so much, I want to reward your achievements. Please, come to the capital…”

“Oh, that’s not necessary at all!!”

Kirisia interrupts Endens’s proposal.

“This is just a monster subjugation drill! As long as we get our credits from the academy, that’s enough for us!!”

“No, as a member of the royal family…”

Endens is still being difficult.

It seems you still don’t understand.

“…I didn’t come here to help Prince Endens, the second prince.”

Royalty has nothing to do with it.

“I came to help my comrade, Endens.”

Endens’s eyes widen.

And then, he nodded deeply.

“I see, so that’s how it is… Well then, please take this as just words from Endens.”

Once again, I look around here.

“Really, thank you. Thanks to everyone, we were able to avert the crisis. I vow to come to your aid no matter what when you find yourselves in danger.”

Endens’s expression was bright and without any shadow. From now on, he would surely become a wonderful person.

“Well then, let’s meet again at the academy. From now on, I hope to grow and improve alongside everyone.”

And so, we left the empire behind.

The ones who were destined to be lost in the game were saved, and Endens was spared from sinking into despair. It feels almost too good to be true, but this outcome is wonderful.

In the end, I haven’t really done much.