I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 41 - The Study Room

Chapter 41 – The Study Room

Nina, an acquaintance with white hair and blue eyes. And her older sister with the same hair and eye color—Marie, whose face was as good as the duchess Lyfia’s.

Before these two girls, the man remained silent. Not only him, but the two girls in front of him also maintained silence. Silence had taken over the place.

If one were just to whisper, their voice would be heard.

And under such a circumstance,

I really don’t understand…

Sitting in his study with his armor on, the man was sweating coldly while muttering hastily to himself.

I just said something normal, right…? I only said you can feel at ease…?

The initial greeting went smoothly, thanks to careful simulation.

It went so well that one could call it perfect, and then, just as the man said, “You can feel at ease,” this situation arose.

Even though he was just trying to be considerate, for some reason, the girls seemed surprised or taken aback.

No, I’m not being rude by any stretch of the imagination… It’s them that are reacting strangely…

One plan went wrong.

Should the man get in trouble, he intended to throw everything at Nina, but that person was even more startled than Marie.

“…I am very sorry, but I would like to ask you just one question. How far off in the future can you perceive, Sir Jet-black…?”

“Hmm?”

“My response from now on… Umm… How should I put it…”

Marie said, her well-toned eyebrows furrowed, her neat face troubled.

She asked without losing her elegant air and refined behavior, but the man had no idea what she was talking about.

“Perceive?”

“Yes.”

“…In the future?”

“Y-Yes.”

“…………”

What does that ‘Yes’ mean…?

Though he tried to convey this thought wordlessly, it didn’t seem to get through.

“……”

“……”

“……”

With her mouth shut, Marie was just waiting for a reaction.

When the man looked at Nina, who was his spiritual pillar, and asked her for a little help, she slowly looked away.

No, wait. What does she mean by “perceive in the future”…? Since Marie-san is here as the representative of the Ansage family, does that mean everything about her approach will change…?

The man thought it meant even though Marie exuded an atmosphere of tranquility and goodwill, making everyone feel at ease, but if she perceived something hidden, she would have no choice but to adjust their approach accordingly.

The moment this possibility came to mind, his heart chilled. 

It would be the worst thing that could happen if one of the three most powerful families set their eyes on him. 

“You’ve got it all wrong. I don’t see anything.”

It was evident from the flow of the situation that insisting on “perceiving the future” is a mistake.

“—However, I simply wished, quite literally, to be at ease. Isn’t it easier that way? We still have more important matters to discuss.”

“……”

“……”

The man went to great lengths to emphasize this, but the reaction was the same. In fact, Marie seemed to be more cornered than before.

“Sister, I think it’s time to stop pretending…”

“……”

When Nina said this, for some reason Marie’s face fell.

“Hmm?”

She seemed to be struggling, as if she was troubled about something. There was a sense of hesitation, as if she hadn’t made up her mind about something.

If they continued like this, the atmosphere would only get worse.

The atmosphere would only get worse if this were to continue.

In situations like this, it’s up to a man to be considerate.

“Well, if it’s related to that, then probably yes.”

“!”

The man didn’t know what he was getting at.

In fact, the man only vaguely understood what Nina meant, but the moment he agreed with Nina, her face, which had been drooping, suddenly brightened up.

It felt like she was directing a facial expression that could be perceived as “really eerie,” but staring at that face intently, there was determination in it.

“Haa… Nobody ever found out about it, but seriously how…”

“Fufu, I guess I win the bet.”

“……”

E-Eh? Marie-san?

The man was currently so shocked that he could brag to himself that he did not speak out.

Where is Marie who was there earlier, and Marie now was a different person.

The atmosphere, demeanor, and tone all seem to break down, revealing a sense of mischievousness.

“T-Then, Sir Jet-black. I’ll take your word for it and feel at ease, okay? But please don’t call me disrespectful…”

“Y-Yeah…”

The man got goosebumps under the armor. He was terrified.

He finally understood.

That Marie had interpreted the words ‘feel at ease’ in a different way. She was wearing a thick mask.

Is it possible for people to disguise themselves to such an extent?

It was information overload. The man couldn’t think about anything else, to the point that his brain went haywire.

Perhaps, if they were aiming for this all along… then the man was simply manipulated like a puppet in the palm of their hand.

“Then let’s get to the main subject… Anyway, I think I’ve been asked to thank you—”

“—W-Wait.”

If the man went on with the subject with his head jumbled up, he might end up receiving excessive material.

Naturally, it would be a problem if he comes off as “greedy” to those in power.

Worst case scenario, he might end up stepping on a landmine.

Now he needed time to cool his head.

“Let me talk about something more important than that.”

“More important?”

“R-Right.  I think there’s a new religious group that seems to be picking fights with the Holy Church. Are you guys okay with that?”

“Ah! Are you sure you don’t mind if we talk about that one first!?”

“Y-Yeah…”

For some reason, Nina came vigorously in between, and the man nodded in a withdrawn manner. 

“Um, to be honest, I would be happier to hear about that too. You can save the talks of gratitude for later, so I’d like to hear the details first.”

“T-Thank you very much!!”

“Hmm?”

Why are you thanking me…?

“……”

As the man tilted his head at the young girl, he heard a small voice.

“How far can you really see…”

The man looked at the source of the small voice and saw Marie looking at him with a stunned expression on her face.