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 2.9

“Uh, um…”

Maria opened her mouth to answer my question.

“I have a bit of a history with that person… A while ago, we had a match at the academy, and I ended up winning… I kind of humiliated them. And since my family is affiliated with their faction, well… my situation is pretty bad.”

“Hmm… In that case, wouldn’t it be easier if your family joined the Reinhardt Ducal House’s faction?”

There are three major factions in this kingdom:

1. 1. The Royalist Faction, which upholds the king’s absolute authority.

1. 1. The Noble Faction, which limits the king’s power and believes in noble autonomy.

1. 1. The Neutral Faction, which remains independent of both.

Within these broad factions, there are numerous smaller factions, typically led by dukes or marquises.

While switching factions is generally frowned upon, lower-ranking nobles—such as barons or knighted nobles—have some flexibility in changing allegiances.

If Maria’s family can no longer remain comfortably in their current faction, joining the Reinhardt faction would solve the problem.

With me as her backing, that guy wouldn’t be able to harass Maria any further.

“W-Wait, are you serious!?”

“Of course. I’m the head of the Reinhardt Ducal House, and compared to other ducal houses, we stand a cut above the rest. To maintain the power balance among the noble factions, my faction has to remain relatively small. That means I have quite a bit of freedom in how I manage it.”

The Reinhardt Ducal House belongs to the Noble Faction, but its faction is relatively minor in size.

Since the house essentially operates under a one-man leadership, I can bring in new members at my discretion without opposition from within.

“Heh… You’ll be my faction’s only knighted noble, you know? You should be honored.”

“H-Huh? Oh… um, thank you? Wait, are you really sure about this?”

“Yeah, absolutely. I don’t have any reason to refuse. Besides, protecting a friend is what friends do, right?”

“T-Thank you…”

“By the way…”

“W-What is it?”

“Where are you staying? The academy doesn’t have dormitories, does it?”

“N-No, it doesn’t. Since my family is poor, I rent a cheap place in town.”

“Well then, as a ‘friend privilege,’ can I stay over at your place? I kind of wandered into the imperial capital alone in search of freedom, and I don’t have anywhere to stay tonight.”

My funds were in shambles.

I barely had enough to buy three skewers of grilled meat.

“…Huh?”

Maria stared at me, mouth agape.