The Genius and Calamity of the Villainous Noble: A Brilliant Prodigy Unaware of Their Reincarnation as the Game's Antagonist Defies the Scenario and Dominates with Talent and Hard Work - Chapter 2.8

I led the girl into a quiet, deserted alleyway.

“So? Why exactly were you being harassed by those guys?”

To be honest, I had only intervened because I thought playing the hero would be entertaining.

I had no real reason to dig into her circumstances.

But since I had already inserted myself into the situation, it would probably reflect better on me if I saw things through to the end.

“Uh… ah… y-yes!”

Still visibly shaken, the girl nodded almost on instinct, seemingly unable to fully process what had just happened.

“Well, let’s start with introductions.”

“My name is Ark von Reinhardt.

I may be a little young, but I serve as the head of the Reinhardt Ducal House.

And you?”

“H-Hah! My name is Maria Justina! I am the eldest daughter of the Justina Knight Baron family!”

Upon hearing my question, Maria immediately straightened up and gave a textbook-perfect salute, as expected of someone from a knightly house.

“I see. Maria, then. Nice to meet you.”

I nodded, extending a hand toward her.

“…!? I-I could never! Shaking hands with the Duke himself would be far too presumptuous!”

“I told you, didn’t I? As students, our ranks don’t matter. You can treat me like just another third son of a knightly house.”

“T-That’s still too much…!”

“Then let’s make it an order. Treat me as an equal. That’s a command—no objections allowed.”

“O-Okay…!”

“Drop the formal speech.”

“O-Okay… I got it…”

Maria’s entire body trembled as she forced herself to obey, her words noticeably stiff.

“Good.”

Satisfied with her honesty, I gave an approving nod.

…Although, I did come across as a bit too arrogant there.

This didn’t really feel like a relationship between equals.

But oh well. Some people liked to act superior, so I supposed it wasn’t too bad.

“I’m a new student starting this year. What about you, Maria?”

“I’m a second-year. So… ah, I’m actually a year above you, Ark.”

“Oh, so you’re my senior? Maybe I should be the one using formal speech, then.”

“P-Please don’t!? It’s already unbelievably improper for me to be speaking so casually, but if you started using honorifics with me, I’d actually die!”

“You’re still using formal speech, though?”

“A-Ah… s-sorry.”

“Well… I’ve been looking for someone I can talk to casually, so I’ll drop the formalities too.

But if you ever start using formal speech with me, I’ll do the same.”

“Hii—! N-No! I won’t! I swear I won’t use honorifics!”

“…You sound way too pressured for this to feel like an equal relationship. But whatever, I guess.”

“Anyway, back to my question.

Why were those guys harassing you?”

I redirected the conversation, pressing Maria once again for an explanation.