When I Cleared the Death Game World, I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Even if They Talk About Doom Flags, I'm Actually Immortal. - Chapter 25

“I guess I’ll sit next to you too.”

“Oh, um, sure.”

Ren, who had just spoken, sat down beside Lior.

A gentle, sweet scent tickled his nose.

But what did she want?

As Lior puzzled over it, Ren lightly patted his head.

“What’s got you so down?”

“I-It’s nothing… I’m not feeling down…”

“Really? Are you trying to act tough, Lior-kun? It’s easier if you talk about what’s bothering you, you know?”

“It’s not that I’m acting tough…”

She wasn’t wrong—he was feeling down.

He had hoped to bond with the swordsmen, only to be betrayed, and things at the Adventurers’ Guild had gone terribly.

Lior might be immortal, but he had little experience dealing with people. His emotions were just as vulnerable as anyone else’s.

But still, saying he was acting tough didn’t quite fit.

(If I tell her what happened at the guild, Ren might think I’m a liar too…)

That thought alone was terrifying.

If he told her what had happened at the guild, what if she thought he was lying—just like everyone else?

The sharp glares from the adventurers at the guild resurfaced in his mind.

What if Ren—this kind and gentle girl—looked at him the same way?

That fear clouded his heart with doubt.

“…Is it something hard to talk about?”

“…Yes.”

“I see.”

Ren muttered nonchalantly and looked up at the sky.

Following her gaze, Lior saw the deep red sun about to set. It would be dark soon.

“Would you mind listening to a little story of mine?”

“Oh, sure. I don’t mind.”

“I may be an ‘A-rank adventurer!’ now, all praised and admired, but I used to be just like you—a rookie adventurer.”

Lior listened, wondering what she was getting at.

“The first time I went out to slay a monster was a disaster. I had never even held a sword before, so I clutched a short sword and went to hunt Giant Rats.”

Giant Rats were exactly what their name implied—oversized rodents.

They lurked in sewers beneath large cities or hid in caves.

Not particularly strong monsters, they were often the first real challenge for rookie adventurers, alongside goblins.

“Did you defeat them easily?”

“No way! Quite the opposite, actually. I managed to take down the first two, but I got exhausted fast and ended up being tackled to the ground by a Giant Rat.”

“What?! W-Were you okay?”

“Somehow. Luckily, another adventurer was also hunting them and saved me from the one pinning me down.”

“Th-That’s good to hear…”

“Yeah, I was really lucky… Though it was a little embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing?”

“Well… when the Giant Rat knocked me down, I was so scared I, um… had an accident… I totally soaked my underwear on the way back…”

“I-I see…”

That was… an awkward thing to hear.

But why was she telling him this now?

As Lior pondered that, Ren poked his cheek with her finger.

Her face was faintly red—maybe she was embarrassed and trying to cover it up.

“D-Don’t you dare tell anyone! This is my most embarrassing story, got it?!”

“Y-Yes. I’ll take it to the grave… or at least until the world ends.”

“That’s way too dramatic…”

Well, he wasn’t planning on dying, so that wasn’t an issue.

At the very least, he’d keep her secret safe as long as this world existed.

“Now then, Lior-kun. I just shared something super embarrassing.”

“Uh… yeah.”

“So don’t you think you should tell me your story too?”

“…”

Ren grinned mischievously, like a child whose prank had just worked perfectly.

This had been her plan all along.

By sharing something humiliating, she had cleverly set things up so Lior would feel comfortable confiding in her.

It was a bit of a sneaky tactic… but a very kind one.

Ren had no real reason to care about his troubles.

She could have just left him alone.

But she didn’t.

She had willingly exposed her own embarrassing past just to encourage him to open up.

That was her kindness.

(…Maybe it’s okay to tell her.)

He couldn’t be sure she would believe him.

But he felt like, at the very least, she wouldn’t turn her back on him.

“Come on, tell your big sis all about it.”

“…Actually, I got into some trouble at the guild—”

Lior slowly began to recount his story.

How he had gone to fight monsters, ended up helping some adventurers, and was then betrayed by them.

They had stolen the credit for the monster kill.

When he tried to report the truth, they had evidence and credibility on their side, while Lior was dismissed as a liar.

Having lost the argument, he had tried to book a room at an inn—only to find his wallet stolen.

Now, he was stranded.

As he finished his story, Ren suddenly shot up to her feet.

“What?! That’s unbelievable! I know those adventurers, and there’s no way they could have taken down a Land Wolf! We have to go to the guild and protest!!”

Her face was flushed red with anger.

She looked like she was about to storm off immediately.

“B-But… they have proof on their side…”

“Then we’ll beat them up until they confess to lying!”

“Wouldn’t that just cause more problems…? Um, Ren-san, I appreciate you being angry on my behalf, but… it’s okay now.”

“How? Are you not mad about this?”

“I was the one who got tricked. If I had been more careful, I could have avoided this. This loss is my responsibility… and next time, I won’t lose.”

“…Lior-kun, you’re weirdly serious about stuff like this, huh?”

“Am I?”

Having fought countless battles in Drag Machina, Lior’s mindset was simple.

He had lost this time. It was frustrating.

Next time, he would win.

Of course, it would be better if something like this never happened again… but if it did, he wouldn’t lose.

“Besides… just having you listen, and getting mad on my behalf… I feel a lot better now. I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Huh? I didn’t really do anything, though. Feels kinda weird getting thanked…”

Lior bowed his head deeply.

Ren fidgeted, clearly a little embarrassed.

“Oh yeah, Lior-kun, you don’t have a place to stay tonight, right?”

“W-Well, yeah… It’s embarrassing, but I was planning to sleep outside…”

“In that case, come stay at my place.”

“Huh?”

“I live with my little sister, but I’m sure she won’t mind.”

“N-No, no! I can’t trouble you any more than I already have!”

Ren’s unexpected offer was an invitation for a sleepover.

Even though there was an age gap between them, staying at a woman’s house still felt like a bad idea.

Lior shook his head vigorously.

“Huh? I wouldn’t mind at all, though… Oh! Don’t tell me you’re planning to do something weird to your big sis?”

“N-No way!!”

“Hmm, sounds suspicious. I guess I’ll just have to take you home and find out for myself.”

“N-No, absolutely not! Please don’t grab my arm!!”

“Alright, one guest, coming right up~♪”

“W-Wait, what?!”

And just like that, Lior was taken home by Ren.