When the Mid-Boss Villainous Noble Recalls Memories of a Past Life and Gains Game Knowledge. I Will Never Accept a Future Where I'm Called the Jealous Earl - Chapter 2

Let’s organize my thoughts.

Since the memories of one man merged with my own, my consciousness is now a blend—about eighty percent my original self, and twenty percent the personality and experiences of the memories. Other than that, there seem to be no immediate changes, though I might experience complications down the line.

(To think that I would come to be known as the Jealous Count…)

I desperately search through the memories to find out why that fate awaits me. Every detail of the man’s memories is fascinating, but knowledge related to the game is my top priority.

The game I find myself in is a fantasy RPG called “With You All: Wrath.”

Originally a novel, its hallmark was a deep and intricate story. The game’s structure was straightforward, offering both a harem route and individual heroine paths, rich in romantic elements, making it highly popular with all genders.

(Thank goodness I was a fan of the “Seven Sins Series.”)

As the name implies, aside from Wrath, the series included Jealousy, Pride, Sloth, Lust, Greed, and Gluttony, each inspired by one of the seven deadly sins. Luckily, the man whose memories I now hold was an avid fan of the series, knowledgeable about every aspect.

For convenience, I regard him as my past self.

(Haha… So the cause of the Red Stone Disease wasn’t some contagious illness, but a dungeon.)

I laughed internally, barely keeping it from showing on my face, as the true cause of the ailment that had plagued my father’s generation and beyond was revealed so simply.

“…” “…”

It took time to sift through this newfound knowledge and get my thoughts in order. I was grateful for the frigid nature of my relationship with her; had she spoken to me now, I doubt I could have mustered a coherent reply.

(But…)

Even that gratitude began to fade swiftly.

“I apologize, but something urgent has come up. Please feel free to stay in the manor.”

“…Can I leave?”

“…Yes, I don’t mind.”

“Alright, then I’ll go.”

The moment she realized she could leave, a soft smile blossomed on her face.

(Had I not known the truth, I might have found myself enchanted by that smile.)

But that expression was directed solely at one man—the descendant of a hero, who was the game’s protagonist. He gathered allies to stand against the corrupt nobility ruling the kingdom.

And she, Nora Ewell, was one of the heroines—a tragic young lady trapped in an unwanted engagement, who would later discover true love and join the protagonist to slay me, the villain.

A classic tale of a prince rescuing the princess from evil.
“Is it really alright?” a hesitant maid from the ducal house inquired.

“I have the count’s permission. Let’s hurry and leave.”
With an anxious maid in tow, she hastily departed the room, pausing only to offer a fleeting, apologetic nod as she passed through the doorway.

I had anticipated this reaction. To be honest, I didn’t fully trust the memories that surfaced within me. If she simply disliked me, there was no reason for that smile. It made sense if it was joy at seeing the protagonist.

(It seems the information checks out.)

Now, for confirmation.

“Just as I thought.”

“!”

“Tell me, Mina, how do you perceive my relationship with her?”
The count’s maid, Mina, hesitated before answering.

“Well…”

“Promise me that what we discuss here will never leave this room. I want you to answer honestly.”

“In that case—”

As expected, Mina revealed that not only was our relationship cold, but any efforts to bridge the gap came solely from me, appearing one-sided.

Mina spoke candidly, even raising her voice at times. She confessed that although the count had failed to find a cure, he dedicated himself to seeking one daily, while she, as a duchess’s daughter, showed no inclination to understand, driven solely by emotion. I gently admonished her for her final, sharp words.

“Thank you for your honesty.”

“I’m always here if you need anything like this. I’m sorry for speaking so harshly—it frustrated me to see how badly the count was treated.”

“Think nothing of it. I asked for your candor.”

I concluded the conversation and stepped out of the room. My destination was the study; there were things I needed to do without delay.

“Bosco! I need to speak with you urgently. Clear the area.”

“Understood, sir.”

I had the maid who had been standing behind me remain outside the room, locked the door, closed the curtains, and activated a lantern-like magical tool to ensure we couldn’t be overheard.

“Eavesdropping countermeasures are in place.”

“Good.”

Though prepared, deciding where to begin was difficult. Even with someone as trusted as Bosco, explaining all these memories was risky. If this information proved wrong, the count’s household would suffer greatly.

For now, I needed to confirm the accuracy of my knowledge. I would tell Bosco about the potential cure for the Red Stone Disease and that I intended to delve into the dungeon within my territory.

“I may have found a way to cure the Red Stone Disease.”

“What?!”

The hope in Bosco’s eyes was unmistakable, a rare break in his usual stoicism.

I picked up a gold coin from the desk.

“Purchase about fifty magic-sealing stones of this size.”

“Magic-sealing stones, sir?”

“Yes. If no medicine in the count’s arsenal has proven more than an extension of life, it suggests that Red Stone Disease isn’t infectious. Only magic could cause such peculiar symptoms.”

According to my acquired knowledge, the Red Stone Disease was caused by the magic emanating from a dungeon that appeared in the ducal domain. While most dungeons posed no problem, this one, linked to necromancy, was where the misfortune began.
The magic released by such dungeons interacted poorly with living beings, especially humans, and caused physical and mental disruptions, leading to the disease.

The treatment? Extracting the magic from the body using magic-sealing stones.

“Magic-sealing stones… I’m sorry, sir, but acquiring fifty on short notice will be difficult.”

“I know. For now, get ten and place them near the patients.”
“Understood, my lord.”

Yet, whether the stones would work remained uncertain.