The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 39

Episode 39

“Ah, that’s right. The damage from a stampede is tremendous. …If it turns out the same as in my dream, the town will be in a state of destruction. I don’t want to hurt even a single person from this town.”

Even the servants have families. I’ve made many acquaintances through adventuring.

…The townscape is beautiful too. And there are many things I like.

I could possibly abandon all of that and run away — but I want to avoid not just my own destruction, but all possible ruin.

“…Understood. I’ll also call upon as many acquaintances as I can and gather fighting power.”

The moment he heard my words, Garing straightened his back and bowed deeply.

…W-What? Garing was suddenly full of motivation. He left the room. Zangell then gave me a small bow.

“…Thank you.”

“W-What’s wrong?”

“The fact that you are taking the lead and giving commands under us. …Thanks to that, the current Validor army can be maintained.”

“…Is that so? Anyway, sorry for talking about dreams and such.”

“No, I’m glad you consulted with us. …Even if a stampede doesn’t happen on the day Princess Fylia arrives, just knowing that something might happen soon is valuable information.”

Zangell received my words with a smile.

…Good, I’m glad I consulted them.

Until now, I had thought everything through and acted alone.

…But before I realized it, I had gained many comrades around me.

As we left the barracks, Reem murmured softly.

“I’ll also consult with my father and see if we can free up even a little more fighting power.”

“…I see. …Reem.”

“What is it?”

“Thanks.”

When I told her that directly again, she widened her eyes in surprise. She then blushed shyly.

“…R-Really? I-It’s not like I did anything special.”

“…Why are you getting embarrassed?”

“B-Because… I didn’t expect to suddenly be thanked like that… D-Don’t look at me.”

She turned my face to the side by pressing her hand against my cheek.

…Even though I think she usually says more embarrassing things, it seems this is different.

“I am… your fiancée, after all… So wanting to help you is only natural, right?”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

That might be… the thing that changed the most since I was reincarnated into this world.

This… I don’t want to lose it now.

That’s what I was strongly thinking.

“And also,”

Reem tightly held my hand and gently brought it close to her face. Then, with a slightly happy expression, she whispered softly:

“—I don’t want to lose your scent.”

“…You just ruined the entire moment, you know?”

“This is just like me, right?”

She smiled as she said that.

…Yeah, well, it is like her.

—

—Deep within the “Forest of Rebellion.”

Even though it was daytime, no sunlight shined through that place. It was as if pitch-black darkness spread all around. In that place stood a monster wearing black armor.

Ominous miasma drifted in the air around him. The atmosphere was heavy and stagnant.

The black-armored knight—he was a being given a soul by the demons. He had been waiting deep in the forest for a long time.

The innermost part of the “Forest of Rebellion,” where no one ever comes.

There, he steadily built up his power and waited for the time to come.

His mission was only one—assassinate those who hold holy power.

In other words, his mission was to kill the royal family of this country.

That was the only mission given to him, and the greatest mission.

Until now, the black-armored knight had remained still. But now, he slowly stood up.

With a slight shake of his somewhat rusted and dirty armor, an eerie sound spread through the forest. It broke the silence.

Black miasma rose from his whole body. His figure looked like darkness itself.

A cold light dwelled inside his helmet. And no trace of mercy could be seen in his eyes.

Following the voice in his mind whispering “Kill, kill,” he began to walk through the “Forest of Rebellion.”

When he reached the third layer, Ulfen Beasts attacked him.

There were three of them. But he swung his spear and instantly defeated them.

Then—when he touched their corpses, the Ulfen Beasts rose again. They began to follow behind the black-armored knight like subordinates.

As the black-armored knight waved his hand, monsters appeared from his black miasma.

All of them were former monsters he had already defeated and turned into subordinates.

The black-armored knight gave them a glance and let them move freely within the “Forest of Rebellion.” …Screams of monsters echoed throughout. And soon, the number of subordinates increased rapidly.

Eventually, the black-armored knight and his group reached the entrance of the “Forest of Rebellion.”

There, humans were present.

A group of A-rank adventurers had happened to visit the forest for investigation.

However, by the time they noticed, it was already too late.

“What is this miasma…?”

The moment one of the adventurers muttered that, the black-armored knight appeared. His movements were silent and smooth like a shadow. In the next instant, he attacked the adventurers.

“Wha!?”

One adventurer shouted in surprise and raised his sword. But it was easily cut down. The spear slashed it apart. His body was bisected. The light faded from his eyes.

Another adventurer quickly counterattacked. But it was too late.

“R-Run!”

The leader shouted. But before they could act on those words, the black-armored knight’s sword was swung down.

A sharp slash tore through the darkness. And one adventurer fell.

Bl00d spread across the ground. Fear appeared on the faces of the remaining adventurers.

“W-What is this thing…!”

The remaining adventurers desperately tried to resist. But the black-armored knight moved quickly and accurately.

His sword missed no opening and continued cutting down the adventurers one after another.

Their screams echoed through the forest. And eventually, everything was wrapped in silence.

The black-armored knight stood silently at the scene.

—He began walking toward the direction where he could sense the power of the holy.

The mission given to the black-armored knight was not yet complete.

He began to move again. He was aiming for the one with holy power—Princess Fylia.

Because of the black-armored knight, the “Forest of Rebellion” was wrapped in silence.

But all the monsters in that forest were now under his control. And they would soon pour out from the forest.

Step by step, the future of destruction approached.