I Was Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble and I Want to Be Expelled, but the Yandere Princess Won’t Let It!

Chapter 20: Realize

What on earth is happening?

“Is this a lie…? It can’t be, right?”

Many people, starting with the king, are sweating and looking away from Rino, avoiding eye contact.

“…Could it be…”

As I question the situation, I recall a certain phrase. Rino had said, “I’ll make sure Reno will be fine even if he’s judged as an accomplice”… Could it be that in just two years, Rino has managed to bring all the nobles under her control, including the king?

“Answer me!!!”

“…!?”

But my thoughts are abruptly interrupted by Rino’s scream.

“This can’t be real! Reno-sama, Reno-sama… receiving punishment! Do you even understand what that means?”

In front of many people, Rino screams in rage like I’ve never seen before.

“Eh… no, what? Wh-why are you so angry…?”

I can’t understand why Rino is so furious. I am just bewildered, trembling, and can only raise my voice in confusion.

“Ah… oh, so that’s what it is. Reno-sama would never accept punishment. You’re mocking me, aren’t you?”

“I-I don’t mean it that way… I understand how harsh it is to go abroad. Even so, I’m saying I’ll accept it. I do have the education and skills I’ve developed as a noble… so I think I can manage outside.”

Being expelled to a foreign land in a completely different civilization level from modern Earth, without knowing anyone, is far harsher than I imagined. It would be tough.

“Still, even so, I wish to see this wide world.”

However, my desire to explore the world of my favorite game couldn’t be stopped.

“S-So… what are you saying!? Reno-sama, will you leave me behind and go to another country!? Will you tear apart and throw away other women, repeating betrayal to the fullest!?”

“No… I-I don’t plan to do that. Well, I might engage in some appropriate romance… Ah.”

Confused by Rino’s sudden rage and accusations, I answer honestly what I’m thinking right now…

“…Could it be, did Rino actually like me?”

“~~~!!!”

Finally… finally, at this late moment, I came to realize why Rino in front of me is so incredibly angry.

—

Chapter 21: Love

It was truly a bolt from the blue.

The thought that Rino might like me as a romantic interest was something I hadn’t considered at all.

In the game, Rino didn’t have feelings for Reno, and more importantly, I had always seen Rino as a younger sister since I was three years old, so I hadn’t thought of her as a potential romantic interest.

“W-What did you think of me until now?”

“N-No… um, you were my fiancée, but… I saw you more like a younger sister, I guess.”

“I-I was born first! So… could it really be true up to this point!?”

“N-No…”

Indeed, it seems strange that I see Rino as a younger sister when I am a normal ten-year-old now, even if my mental age might seem like it’s in my thirties.

“Ha-ha-ha… So what? Do you think Reno-sama grew up and became independent during the two years I didn’t visit? That I would leave my fiancée behind and go on a carefree world tour by myself?”

“…Ha-ha-ha.”

I responded with a wry smile to Rino’s words, which seemed to show despair in this world. It was right on target.

“…I see.”

Indeed, Rino has every reason to be furious. Her beloved fiancée hadn’t valued her at all, after all…?

Wait, is it possible that I am being too awful here?

I recall the conversations with Rino that led to this point, which have been terrible, like getting a minus one hundred instead of zero.

“No, wait! That’s not it!?”

In this heated exchange, I finally calm down and regain my sense of reality. I realize just how awful my conversations with her have been and hastily try to explain myself.

“Heh heh heh…”

But before I could continue my explanations, Rino starts smiling as if she’s broken.

“It’s a lie… It must be a lie. Reno-sama doesn’t see me as a younger sister. You like me as a romantic interest. You wouldn’t leave me behind.”

Rino continues with a smile, but her eyes show no sign of happiness; there was no light in them.

“R-Rino?”

“I understand. Reno-sama has been brainwashed by your father, right? I understand… Don’t worry. You’ll definitely be happy with me. Being with me is the best.”

Rino takes a step forward.

“…!?”

In the next moment, Rino, who was supposed to be standing next to the queen, appears right in front of me.

“So, I will immediately break the brainwashing on Reno-sama.”

As I almost instinctively deploy barrier magic, Rino’s hand, which now holds a sword made of shimmering heat, swings down toward me.

—

Chapter 22: Ability

In a public setting where Rino, only a princess, is judging a criminal, she not only speaks out but even takes the drastic step of attacking.

“What on earth have you done in these two years!?”

However, instead of stopping Rino, those around her seem to support her actions. Many knights present as guards set up barriers to protect the building and the nobles, while the king simply prays with his palms together, not trying to stop Rino… Seriously, has she taken control of the country in just two years?

A ten-year-old dictator has been born without anyone noticing…

“…Ugh.”

Her eyes, showing no emotion, locked onto me as she swung down with the sword made from shimmering heat, clashing violently with my barrier.

“Whoa…”

The Sun Priestess, beloved by the gods.

In the game, Rino’s official setting is the Princess of the Shimmering Flames. She possesses one of the four special magic swords in this world, the Sun Sword, from birth.

In other words, what I’m trying to say is…

“Impossible!?”

Rino is incredibly strong.

She wields the Sun Sword, the world’s highest-class magic sword, with ease, enveloped in flames and blessed with extraordinary physical abilities from birth. Even in the game, she is…

“Noooooo!?”

I am a mid-boss.

I stand in the way of the protagonists, commanding many subordinates and using magic to inflict damage, but ultimately, I’m just a mid-boss. Against a heroine who appears as a top-tier character and always ranks at the top in strength rankings, I am utterly inadequate.

“Whoa!?”

Although my barrier is broken, I hastily escape from her with short-distance teleportation and launch attack magic at Rino. However, it is easily blocked by her protective flame armor.

“Th-this is difficult…”

Given the context of the game, it’s clear that I’m outmatched.

However, this world is real, and I am a prodigy who has trained since birth. I pride myself on my abilities, believing they are not inferior to hers… The problem is the environment.

I’m someone who specializes in long-distance magic, and I prefer to avoid close combat. Moreover, this is the royal castle with many nobles as spectators.

I can’t use large-scale magic that could blow up the castle here.

Especially since I’m a criminal.

There’s no way I can use my strongest large-scale magic.

“…Isn’t this impossible?”

In a situation where she excels, I’m at a disadvantage.

Perhaps, it’s a checkmate?

“…You’re even targeting me with attacks. Ah, the brainwashing is indeed deep.”

In response, Rino was not showing any mercy.

“Pl-please forgive me as self-defense.”

“I understand. Reno-sama… You’re just brainwashed, right? Don’t worry. I’m not short-tempered enough to be angry at actions caused by brainwashing.”

“Ha…”

She’s extremely angry and very short-tempered!