The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 41

Episode 41

“…That’s quite some skill.”

“…Yes, it is. Among the kingdom’s knight order, it might even be top class.”

“Fufufu! Of course! Our Validor Corps is—”

“…I see.”

Lady Fylia didn’t seem very interested in the family boasting so proudly.

…Could it be that, through Ael, she’s been hearing various things about me?

Well, I don’t really mind if her evaluation of me becomes higher.

“Such splendid skill, isn’t it.”

“Fufufu, thank you very much…!”

Lady Fylia muttered quietly while looking at me. That praise—did she take it as referring to me?

…No, well, maybe I’m just overreacting self-consciously.

“Reis, do you usually train here?”

Lady Fylia asked me a question. Of course, my brothers looked at me with irritation.

“Yes. Zangell, Garing, and the other soldiers train me.”

“I see. Well then, I’m curious about Lord Reis’ skill! Yes! Let’s have a mock battle here…!”

She said this while snorting with enthusiasm. And my cheeks twitched unintentionally.

Th-this person, just how much does she want to fight? To be honest, her expression when she said ‘mock battle’ was not something that could be shown to others.

It was then. The one who stepped forward was Life.

“Then, I’ll do it.”

Life looked at me with some irritation.

…Probably, he doesn’t like how Lady Fylia is so interested in me.

Lady Fylia turned her smiling gaze toward Life.

“You also learn swordsmanship?”

“No, I haven’t studied it. But I do train in magic. In terms of combat ability, we’re above him. Besides, Reis is the child born from a concubine, a dropout child.”

“…Oh, I see.”

Lady Fylia smiled mischievously at that.

…Somehow, it felt like a strange smile. But Lady Fylia quickly spoke again.

“Then, please show me a fight once. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

At those words, I felt a little fear.

…Because it was as if she could see through everything.

In her attitude, there was a hint of cruelty mixed in… as if she made that suggestion already knowing what the outcome would be.

Life didn’t seem to care at all. He gave a bow with a smile. He then looked at me mockingly. His mouth was curling into a grin.

…He’s clearly full of confidence that he’ll win.

I stood to face my brother. I held short swords with blunted blades in both hands.

Life showed a few gestures as if preparing to use magic. Looks like he specializes in fire magic.

He might indeed have talent in magic… but it looked like he had hardly trained.

…Even so, just like a rusted sword is useless, neglected talent didn’t appear as any threat to me.

After I swung my sword a few times, Zangell spoke to me.

“…I think it’s fine if you go a little freely.”

“…Is that because you’ve put in a word for me through Ael?”

Well, he seemed to have connections with the knight captain.

At my words, he nodded.

“…In this patrol, we intended to have Lady Fylia see the various problems of the Validor family. Among them… we also asked her to consider Lord Reis.”

“Me?”

“Yes. …We were hoping there might be a place that would welcome you with better treatment. It would be a waste if you were just crushed by this Validor family… I’m sorry.”

…So that’s why Lady Fylia came to this mansion.

In the main storyline of the game, Zangell probably purely spoke of the Validor family’s problems.

Then, Lady Fylia came to see. And in the end, she was killed. But the Validor family also lost their title.

While I was thinking about that, Life glared at me.

“Hurry up and get ready, you incompetent.”

“…Yes, my apologies.”

I gave a brief glance, then faced Life. I had short swords in both hands.

“With such meager weapons, you think you can win against me?”

“…”

…Words aren’t needed.

Life was preparing his magic. So I just kept my gaze fixed on him.

…So full of openings. Right now, Life was nothing but openings wherever you looked… as if he was asking to be killed.

Zangell stepped between us and took control as the referee.

“Then, both sides ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Hurry up and start.”

“…Then, begin.”

At Zangell’s words, Life kicked off the ground like a spring.

As he approached, he readied his fist. …Even from facing him, I could tell the body strengthening through magic was clumsy.

Above all… so slow.

The way he came toward me, it looked almost like slow motion.

He raised his fist. He then swung it down toward me.

…I waited until the last moment, then swiftly dodged.

Life’s fist cut through the air. And his eyes widened in shock at the unexpected evasion.

“What!? My attack didn’t hit…!”

Life was indeed using body strengthening magic. But its precision was terrible.