The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 22

Episode 22

(Back to Reis’ Perspective) 

Lately, Inaesia has been acting strange.

She often gives me weird looks. It’s like she wants to say something. But when I ask, she only replies with, “It’s nothing…”

…Did I do something without realizing it?

Honestly, I’ve been feeling really anxious.

The change in Inaesia started after we accepted that escort request for the rookie adventurers like Shizuku.

That day itself wasn’t strange. But since then, whenever we meet, she’s clearly different.

If Inaesia ends up hating me… that could be quite a crisis.

When the main game starts, there’s even the possibility she’ll team up with the protagonist to try to kill me.

If that happens, it’ll be the bad ending. …I never thought I’d have to worry about my life not just as Reis-kun, but as Ryō too…

If it comes to that, then there’s no point in me acting as Ryō anymore.

The reason I’m operating as Ryō is to interact with people outside the mansion, which Reis-kun can’t do. And it was also to raise Ryō’s reputation.

“Well then, shall we go to the guild and accept a request?”

“Alright.”

Inaesia nodded cheerfully with a small nod. And I connected space magic to the guild.

…Even during that preparation, Inaesia kept glancing at me. Even if I tried not to be aware of it, her gaze was sharp enough to stab right through me.

Even with the chatter of the townspeople in my ears, my attention was so focused on Inaesia’s stare that it drowned everything else out.

Did I really do something…?

It seems that when my mind is unsettled, it also affects my control over magic. It took me longer than usual to connect to the guild.

After I went through the portal, Inaesia followed me like it was second nature.

…It doesn’t seem like she hates me.

If she really did, she would’ve disbanded the party in the first place.

…At least, I’m Ryō right now.

If it were as Reis, maybe she wouldn’t be able to refuse because of the noble-commoner relationship. But as adventurers, we’re supposed to be free.

Anyway, if she’s still willing to take requests together… I guess it’s fine.

Maybe I need to be even kinder than usual to avoid being disliked further.

When we stepped into the guild, it was bustling from morning with adventurers and staff.

Numerous request papers were posted on the bulletin board. Adventurers were crowding around them.

At the reception, I could see busy guild staff handling documents.

Just as I was taking in the laughter and conversations echoing through the room—

A guild staff member came running toward us.

“Ah, Ryō-san! Do you have a moment!?”

The guild staff came running over in a panic. Beside them were some young adventurers with faces that looked like they were about to cry.

Inaesia and I realized something was wrong and looked at each other before asking,

“What happened?”

“It seems that Shizuku-san and the others were attacked by monsters that overflowed from near the ‘Forest of Rebellion’…!”

“…What did you say?”

In response to my question, the young adventurers raised their voices while wiping their reddened eyes.

“Sh-Shizuku-san and the others became decoys so we could escape…”

Hearing that, I bit my lip as the adventurers started sobbing.

If Shizuku and the others protected them, then this might partly be my responsibility.

…When we were together before, I told them I wanted them to become the kind of adventurers who help people in need.

While I don’t think saying that was wrong, risking your life because of that is a whole different matter.

…Either way, I’ve done something bad to these girls too.

I immediately spoke to the girls in front of me.

“Don’t worry. We’ll go rescue them right away.”

I gently patted their heads to calm them down. I could feel their tear-stained faces gradually regaining composure.

“Th-thank you so much…!”

“Sorry, Inaesia… but something came up.”

“I’m going too.”

“…I see. That helps.”

Inaesia replied immediately with a smile.

She also seemed to be back to her usual self.

In times like this, Inaesia is really reliable.

Even in the main game, she was the big sister who led the party. And she’s definitely dependable.

“I-I’ll process it as a formal request here. So please go ahead!”

The guild staff quickly bowed their head. So I raised my hand slightly in response and activated space magic to head near the “Forest of Rebellion.”

The Forest of Rebellion.

I had never intentionally visited this place before…

It’s a dungeon where high-level monsters dwell.

The dense trees and the magical power in the area gave off such an overwhelming pressure that my body trembled.

As soon as we arrived near the Forest of Rebellion, we found signs of battle.

On the trampled ground, there were several footprints that seemed to belong to Shizuku and the others.

…the footprints led toward the Forest of Rebellion.

Most likely, they figured it was better to use the trees than to fight out in the open.

“Let’s hurry. They’re probably over there.”

“…Right!”

Following the tracks, we started running.

…In the game, the Forest of Rebellion dungeon was divided into several layers.

From the first layer to fifth layer, the monsters got stronger the higher the number.

Monsters that appear in the fifth layer are tough even for us as we are now.

Pushing through the trees… soon, we saw Shizuku and the others.

…Injured, but somehow still holding out.

They were surrounded by wolf-like monsters and standing their ground. They were barely hanging on.

I’d seen those monsters in the main game too.

“…U-Ulfen Beasts, huh. These guys usually appear in the third layer…?”

We’re probably still around the first layer right now.

The layers are supposed to be separated by barriers created by the Sage.

So if monsters are freely moving between them, that’s proof the barriers are weakening.

…This isn’t a full stampede. But it’s clear the Forest of Rebellion is in a dangerous state.

Ulfen Beasts.

With sharp claws and bl00d-red eyes, their bodies are bear-like in size and shape. But their faces are completely wolf-like.

They’re said to have the strength of both a wolf and a bear.

They act in packs and usually appeared in groups in the game too.

And on top of that, the monster encyclopedia said they have nasty personalities — they like to torment weakened prey.

At the very least, they’re definitely too much for newbie adventurers like Shizuku and the others to handle.