The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 29

Episode 29

Maybe Vilias has also had a screw come loose in her head. She was acting a little differently from how she is in the main game.

At the very least, she never said things like this in the main game――no, wait, maybe she did.

Something like, “It feels embarrassing to be seen by someone, since it’s like looking at a part of myself. But I’m getting a little used to it,” might have been said.

……Maybe it’s just that I came too early. And Vilias didn’t have enough time to get used to things.

“Onii-chan, seeing her naked… that’s not good, you know.”

“She’s not naked. And also, stop calling me that in front of people.”

Everyone will completely misunderstand.

At that, Vilias tilted her head in curiosity.

“Onii-chan? You’re siblings? You don’t look alike at all.”

“You haven’t even seen my face. How can you tell?”

“Your clothes.”

“Of course they’re different.”

Seeing Vilias’ genuinely confused face, Inaesia gave a wry smile.

“We’re kind of like siblings, I guess.”

“……‘Kind of’ – is there a complicated reason?”

“It’s not really like that. I just really wanted an older brother. So I asked Ryō to become my big brother.”

Do you get what that means?

“I see.”

You do get it?!

Vilias gave a small nod. My head started to ache.

For now, I put my sword back into its sheath and spoke to Vilias again.

“I think your skill as a blacksmith is very high. Just by looking at this weapon, I’m sure of it.”

“…………Then, what about this weapon?”

Vilias picked up a nearby sword and showed it to me.

……If I remember correctly, this is a weapon made by the master Vilias modeled herself after.

“That one… It’s certainly a fine weapon. But it’s not something you made, right? Your master made it.”

“……You can tell?”

“Just kind of a feeling.”

……It’s only because I had knowledge from the main game that I was able to tell.

At my words, Vilias looked satisfied and then tugged on the hem of my clothes.

“More praise.”

“……You mean, like, ‘Vilias’ blacksmithing is amazing’?”

“……Yeah. I don’t really have much confidence in my own blacksmithing. So if I get showered with praise, maybe I can make even better weapons…”

……What kind of solution is that? It’s a bit different from the main game. But it’s true that Vilias’s problem is connected to her lack of confidence.

Inaesia was beside us. At that moment, she raised her hand.

“Ah, no fair, Vilias. I want to be spoiled too!”

You’re making this more complicated, so shut up!

Just as I was about to speak, Vilias shot a glare at her.

“Being spoiled and being praised are different.”

Yes, yes! Tell her!

“They’re different, sure. But in the end, it’s still about pushing your desires onto someone, right? I want to be praised right now too, Onii-chan!”

“That… might be true.”

Vilias!?

“So, praise me a lot.”

“And I want head pats…!”

Inaesia was now breathing heavily. She began getting overly excited. …She looks like she’s about to activate [Adrenaline Boost].

For now, Inaesia seems satisfied if I just pat her head. So I deal with her using my left hand.

Then, I turn my gaze toward Vilias.

“……Vilias. I’ll praise you, but would it be okay for me to actually see you do some blacksmithing?”

“……Okay. But praise me like crazy.”

“……Got it.”

Wait, is the praise a precondition now?

Well, at least it’s true that Vilias is starting to feel more positive.

Then, we all sat down in chairs. Inaesia sat on my lap. She was now completely acting like a spoiled cat.

Ahh, the dependable Inaesia-neechan from the main game is gone now……

Maybe some game fans would be jealous of this. But personally, I preferred Inaesia-neechan. So it’s a bit of a mixed feeling.

Now then, I turned my gaze toward Vilias. She was sitting across from me. She placed one hand on her chest. Then with a tense expression, she began blacksmithing.

……It’s not the kind of smithing where she uses hammers and iron in a fight-like manner. By activating a skill, it’s immediately completed.

But still, Vilias’ expression was grim.

Apparently, just getting to the point of using the skill is harder than expected. Her hand clenched tightly. It was almost as if she was trying to suppress chest pain.

“…P-please, praise me.”

“……What do you mean?”

“Lately, when I try to use the skill… my heart starts to hurt… But earlier, when I was praised… my heart felt lighter… So just praise me, a lot…!”

……No way, is her ability to use skills really tied to that? At least in the main game, nothing like that ever happened. I was a bit hesitant. But I opened my mouth to praise her.

“Vilias is… um, I think you’re an excellent blacksmith.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. …Even just the weapons I can see from here that you made are amazing. You should be more confident.”

“…Yeah, I think so too.”

Do you have confidence or not, make up your mind.

……I mean, basically, Vilias usually has quite a lot of confidence in herself.

Even in the main game, she understood that her appearance was top-tier. And she even said things like, “Being flat-chested isn’t a weakness, it’s a weapon.”

But when it came to blacksmithing, maybe because no one had ever praised her, she didn’t have that same level of confidence.

“That’s why… anyway. Just try to calm down and make something. If it’s a weapon you made with focus, it’s sure to be something amazing.”

“…I know.”

I could see Vilias’ expression slowly brighten. Her breathing was starting to stabilize.

Are we done now? …Ah, no, not yet. Vilias is still watching me with an expectant gaze. She was waiting for more words.

……Why am I giving mental care to Vilias while patting Inaesia on my lap?

“Amazing weapons like those made by you… are what I’m looking for. …Um, basically, you’re amazing, Vilias. If you made me a dagger, I’d be really happy.”

“You use daggers?”

“Yeah, I do. I’d love to see a dagger made by you, Vilias.”

……I’m starting to not know how I should be praising her anymore.

However, Vilias seemed somewhat satisfied and looked thoughtful.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I could tell she was gradually relaxing.

“…Vilias, your efforts are really turning into strength. The weapons you create aren’t just tools, right? They have power and beauty worthy of being called works of art. …Your craftsmanship is one of a kind in this world. So don’t put yourself down. …It would be an insult to the people who recognize your strength too.”

“You really… believe in my strength that much?”

“Yeah, I do. I… hold your blacksmithing skills in high regard.”

Vilias gave a firm nod.