The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 30

Episode 30

“Thank you, Ryō. Next?”

“……”

Next…? I already struggled desperately to come up with that compliment, and you’re still asking for more?

I was at a loss for words as Vilias looked at me with a pleading gaze. It was as if she was asking for “more.”

I couldn’t think of anything else about blacksmithing. As I hesitated, wondering what to do, what came to mind was her appearance.

“Uh, and also… I think you’re cute, Vilias?”

“……W-what’s with that all of a sudden?”

Vilias widened her eyes. She was looking surprised. Then that surprise gradually turned into an embarrassed expression.

Her cheeks blushed slightly. And she suddenly looked at me.

Inaesia had been resting her eyes and looked comfortable on my lap. She also suddenly opened her eyes wide.

“Hey, Onii-chan? What are you saying all of a sudden? That has nothing to do with blacksmithing, right?”

For some reason, Inaesia seemed angry.

“No, I just didn’t know what else to compliment… I’ve already run out of things to say about blacksmithing…”

“Still…”

“Just be quiet for a bit.”

“Auu… i-if you pat my head roughly like that… that’s… kind of… nice too…”

Vilias forcibly patted Inaesia’s head. Inaesia quietly closed her eyes and looked like she was enjoying it.

“Cute?”

“Y-yeah… you’re cute…”

“Do you wuv me?”

“Uh, not that much, really.”

As a character, I did like her. But seeing her in person… not so much.

Maybe it’s because I still remember the messy room and the smell when we first met.

“…………As I thought, I’m not attractive…”

“N-no, you are attractive! Super attractive! You’re super cute! So come on, focus on your blacksmithing again!”

“……Okay, I’ll try.”

Vilias nodded firmly and then focused. Then, with a slightly nervous expression, she began the blacksmithing.

I could see magic power gathering in front of her. That light gradually took shape.

As if the energy in the air was being drawn in, it gathered at her hands.

Vilias’s eyes stared straight at that magic power.

Her concentration was overwhelming. And the atmosphere around her felt tense.

The light of the magic power began to shine even stronger. And within it, the outline of a weapon emerged.

Slowly, and steadily, the weapon took shape.

…A dagger, perhaps?

The process was truly artistic.

The light condensed. The metallic shine began to appear.

A sharp blade took form. The hilt was intricately decorated.

…In the game, blacksmithing was just pressing a “craft” button. But I didn’t expect it to be this detailed.

No, I guess it’s always been like this. Even the basic training, which used to be handled with a single button, is now all done with my own body.

It may be a game-like world, but it’s not a game. …There’s a real world unfolding here.

Sweat appeared on Vilias’ forehead. Her face showed tension and focus.

Then, with a particularly strong light shining, the dagger was completed.

Vilias picked up the sheathed dagger and looked at me.

“……It’s been a while since I made one.”

“……I see.”

Vilias exhaled. She looked somewhat relieved.

Then, she showed me the dagger.

“Here, try holding it for a bit.”

“Got it.”

I examined the dagger Vilias had made.

…This is probably a Gladius.

As a dagger, it’s one that appears around the mid-game. …Being able to get one at this stage shows how high Vilias’ abilities are.

The moment I held it, I felt my body become lighter.

“……Does this maybe have a skill attached to it?”

“You can tell?”

“Yeah. It feels totally different when I hold it.”

When I gave it a light swing, Vilias stared intently at the dagger. Then she slowly opened her mouth.

“It seems to have agility enhancement.”

“……I see.”

Weapons sometimes come with various skills. But ones that boost basic stats are reliably strong.

In the main game, it was one of the things for hardcore players. Of course, since I can’t save and reload here, it’s probably better not to obsess over selection too much in this real world.

“How is it?”

“……Yeah, it’s seriously amazing. It’s really good.”

“In that case, I’m glad.”

Vilias let out a relieved breath, as if from the bottom of her heart.

Even while blacksmithing, her hands had been trembling.

Earlier, she seemed to be joking a bit. But it’s probably true that she’s been troubled about blacksmithing.

“……Do you think you can keep blacksmithing from now on?”

“……I don’t know… Honestly, I didn’t even think I’d be able to do it this time. I think… it’ll probably be impossible again.”

With a self-deprecating laugh, Vilias said that—and I grabbed her hand.

Since I let go of Inaesia, who I had been patting, she looked dissatisfied and opened her eyes wide. But I ignored it for now.

“……!?”

I peered into Vilias’ confused eyes.

Even through the mask, our eyes met.

“Keep going.”

“……What do you mean?”

“……It’d be a waste for someone with your skills not to do blacksmithing… And besides, you love blacksmithing, don’t you?”

“……Love blacksmithing…?”

“Yeah. How did it feel the first time you did it? You must’ve worked hard to be able to make things like this, right?”

“……That’s… true.”

There was a scene in the main game where Vilias recalled on her own. And in that memory, she was working hard on blacksmithing and enjoying it.

Vilias remembered that… and without being misled by the illusion of her master, she would start to take blacksmithing seriously again.

If I can give her that push… maybe I can keep asking her for blacksmithing from now on.

“But… my weapon… it’s not that great…”

“No, that’s not true. …We’ll go try it out now.”

“Huh?”

“To the Mithril Golem. Originally, we came here to find a weapon capable of defeating it, right? We’re heading there right away.”

…Whether her weapon is excellent or not, it’s faster to test it in actual battle.

Even in the main game, we tested her weapon’s performance against the Mithril Golem.

…We skipped a lot of events in between. But as long as it ends well, all is well.

“……The head-patting’s not done yet, Onii-chan?”

“It’s over. Next time will be after we fight the Mithril Golem.”

“……Well, I suppose it can’t be helped. I guess I’ll allow it.”

Inaesia sat up looking disappointed. While Vilias looked a little uneasy.

“R-really? You’re going to fight… with my weapon?”

“Yeah, we’re going to fight. …If you can still make more, can you try making another dagger for Inaesia and me?”

“B-but…”

“I’ll praise you again, so can you try making it?”

“Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

That was fast.

I began preparing once more to shower Vilias with praise.