I Was Reincarnated as the Most Wicked Aristocrat Who Rules Over the Kingdom’s Darkness in an R-18 Eroge, but I Don’t Like Abnormal Situations, so I Tried to Live a Normal and Peaceful Life, but I’m Somehow in the Same Situation as the Original Scenario - Chapter 21 - A Friend, but Still a Grim Reaper

Chapter 21 – A Friend, but Still a Grim Reaper

There was no one around.

Could that be considered a small blessing in this situation?

For Cecil, a truth she wanted to keep hidden had been revealed, but only to a single individual.

If she viewed that person as special, a simple “Keep this a secret from everyone, okay?” might have sufficed.

However… I don’t think I’ve established such a position in Cecil’s mind.

And so, this situation is truly a turning point in my second life.

And it’s a matter of life and death.

Having judged the current situation this way, I made up my mind.

I’ll dance wildly with the Grim Reaper as my opponent.

Assuming the worst-case scenario, I calmly began to speak.

“First, let me answer your earlier question. What I meant to say is that I think you might be hiding your true abilities.”

There was no response from Cecil.

She continued to stare in my direction as she used magic to repair her torn uniform.

The smile that was usually plastered on her androgynous beauty was nowhere to be seen.

Her face was cold and impersonal.

“Cecil-kun. I understand that you’re skeptical, but please believe me. All I knew was what I just told you, nothing more and nothing less. I promise you that I will never leak anything about this incident to anyone.”

I tried to stay calm, trying to not show any sign of agitation.

I begged for my life, and at the same time, I threatened the other party.

“However, if you can’t trust me… Then words are no longer necessary.” (T/N: Dem, kakkoi MC…)

Releasing my fighting spirit, I fixed my eyes on Cecil.

Looking only at the information in the original work, I conclude that defeat is imminent.

However, the original scenario had already been destroyed.

If that’s the case, then perhaps it would be possible to defeat my predetermined fate as well.

I would eliminate the Grim Reaper with my own hands and seize the tomorrow that was never supposed to come.

I’m already prepared and ready for this.

And what’s Cecil’s response to my determination?

“——The ideals you spoke of to Elise. Did you mean it?”

I couldn’t read her intentions.

Should I lie?

Should I tell the truth?

After a moment of hesitation, I began to craft my response.

“Cecil-kun. I’ll confess something to you. I hate standing out. That’s why I have no desire for great undertakings like social change.”

I paused here.

Then, before Cecil could respond, I continued,

“However, as the eldest son of a marquis who rules the kingdom from the shadow, I understand that I have been given some kind of mission, as I am of special birth. At the same time, I have no intention of giving up on my ideal of living peacefully without standing out. That’s why——”

The conclusion I came to was a mix of truth and lies.

“I want to elevate Miss Elise, accomplish great things, and put all the credit on her… Then, I would live a quiet life in retirement. That’s what I really think.”

Now then, how would Cecil feel about this answer?

I carefully watched her reaction.

And then——

“——Pfft.”

A small chuckle.

It was a genuine laugh that escaped her lips.

“Honestly, you really are something else…”

I still don’t know if it was an act or not.

The cold air from earlier disappeared.

Her usual gentle smile returned to her beautiful face.

“——Now then, Alvart-kun. Let’s resume our exploration.”

Did I answer correctly?

Or is she looking for an opportunity to sneak up on me?

In any case, I have no choice but to do as Cecil said.

“…Can you please stop standing behind me?”

“Fufu. You look cute when you’re nervous, Alvart-kun.”

After that, the two of us stood side by side, defeating monsters as we went, wandering aimlessly through the dungeon.

We kept silent, but then,

“Hey, Alvart-kun.”

Cecil suddenly called out.

“You know, we’re kind of alike.”

“…Yeah, I guess so.”

This wasn’t just an empty agreement. In truth, there were undeniable similarities between us.

We both have the demon possession.

We spend our lives hiding our true selves from anyone.

And…

“…Cecil-kun. Are you satisfied with your life?”

“No. Not once in my life have I ever felt satisfied.”

Why that is, I don’t know.

But there’s no need to know.

But one thing was clear.

Cecil and I understood each other.

“Hey, Alvart-kun, I think we could become good friends, don’t you think so too?”

“…Yeah. I truly believe so.”

When you feel close to someone, the distance between you naturally closes.

Though there were some unexpected things…

In the end, I decided that this incident had reached a desirable conclusion.

“Ahh~ I’m so happy. You’re my first friend ever, you know?”

Elise doesn’t count? However, I didn’t make that remark.

Because… I wonder if Cecil is truly Elise’s friend or not.

To be honest, I had doubts about that from the beginning.

Even in the original work, Cecil has always been a bundle of suspicion and unease.

After all, his, or rather, her, friendships change constantly depending on the route you take.

If you choose Elise’s route, she will intervene in the story as her best friend.

If you choose Clarice’s route, she will also intervene in the story as her best friend.

Even in the mob route, it’s the same.

In the end, she expresses her anger, saying, “How dare you defile my friend,” and brutally murders Alvart.

But what are her true intentions?

Cecil Imitation is a character that “prompts the user to think.”

At this stage, it’s not at all clear what kind of circumstances she is carrying.

However, there are some things you can kind of understand.

“It’s about time for class to end.”

“Yeah, let’s go back to the entrance.”

The two of us walked side by side, and then, “Hey Cecil-kun.”

“What is it, Alvart-kun?”

“We’re friends, right?”

“Of course we are.”

“Then, let’s support each other from now on.”

In response to these words, she said,

“Haha. What an obvious thing to say.”

She replied with a fake smile.

In that moment, what I had vaguely understood turned into certainty.

There’s no doubt about it…

Cecil Imitation is my friend, but at the same time——

——She is still my Grim Reaper.

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T/N: Dem, MC figured Cecil out from that last question… Does this mean we’ll see them fighting eventually?