I Was Reincarnated as the Villain in an Eroge, but I’ll Live Honestly ~Because the Protagonist Was Useless, I Ended Up Making the Heroines Smile and Somehow Built a Harem~ - 9

Chapter 9: Noah Meets the Second Heroine

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“Noah-sama, it’s almost time for practice. Walter-sama will be arriving shortly. Are you prepared?”

“Yeah, thanks, Layla. I’m fine. I’ll start warming up first.”

“Understood. The knight qualification exam is coming up soon. Please do your best.”

After replying with his thanks, Noah headed straight for the garden. This was where his sword training took place. After discussing it with Layla, they had decided that his immediate goal would be to obtain a knight qualification. In the world Noah lived in, swordsmanship was considered a noble’s basic accomplishment.

In short, having a knight qualification meant people wouldn’t look down on him. And if he could earn a higher rank, he would even gain the respect of those around him. Knight qualifications started at Rank Ten at the lowest, with Rank One at the top. Most nobles entered the academy at fifteen, so they aimed to reach Rank Eight by then, and while attending the academy, they would usually obtain Rank Seven or Six.

For nobles who would one day inherit their lands, anything beyond that was unnecessary. Rank Five and above were only required for those aiming to join the knight order. And so Noah, who wanted to change himself, also began working toward earning a knight qualification. His goal was Rank Six.

Layla watched Noah from a second-floor window as he swung his wooden sword, sweat pouring down his body, a gentle smile on her face.

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Clack—the dry sound of wooden swords colliding echoed through the air. Then one of the wooden swords spun through the air as if slicing it apart before forcefully embedding itself into the ground.

“U-unbelievable… N-Noah-sama… Is it truly true that you have never received formal sword instruction until today?”

“Y-yes… Ahaha.”

“That can’t be… All the swordsmanship I’ve built up…”

The one who widened his eyes and spoke with a trembling voice was Walter, the swordsmanship instructor.

The sight of him collapsing on all fours while staring at the ground, was something no one would normally imagine from him. Walter was a man who perfectly fit the description of a kindly old gentleman. And yet, his legs and hips were still strong, and he had once served in the Kingdom’s knight order. Given that Noah had defeated such a man so effortlessly, it was no surprise that Walter was left dumbfounded.

Terrifying, a villain’s cheat abilities are terrifying after all…

Facing Walter, Noah could only give a wry smile. The reason Noah was this strong was simple. The game’s settings had given him those specs. He could master most things without much effort. He was, in essence, a bundle of raw talent.

In that sense, it’s impressive Abel managed to defeat me…

Noah didn’t remember the details clearly, but in a certain route, Abel defeated Noah, the villain.

Well, now that I’ve become Noah, there’s no way I’ll ever fight Abel…

As if waiting for the right moment, Layla approached. She must have been standing by nearby. She held a drink and a towel, and Noah accepted the towel from her.

“Good work, Noah-sama. You were really cool today as well.”

“Ah, thank you…”

Since it wasn’t something he had earned through effort but something he had possessed from the start, he felt slightly conflicted.

It kind of feels like I got this by cheating…

There was another reason for this uneasy feeling.

“I might be good at swinging a sword, but when it comes to actual sword techniques… I’m nowhere near Walter-san… Hey, why are you taking the towel?!”

“Mm… No. Stay still, Noah-sama. I’ll wipe your sweat!”

“H-huh…? Layla? Are you…A little angry?”

With her cheeks puffed out, Layla left Noah no choice but to tilt his head in confusion. In response to Noah’s reaction, Layla pursed her lips. Still, she quickly changed her expression and faced him again. As she gently and carefully wiped away his sweat, she spoke with a reluctant tone.

“It’s true that I love that earnest side of you, Noah-sama. I love you. Enough that I wouldn’t mind drowning in it. But please, try to acknowledge yourself a little more.”

“Layla…”

He almost stumbled at her opening words, but realizing she was serious by the latter half, he listened carefully.

“Noah-sama, you are admirable. I guarantee that.”

Layla met his gaze and smiled brightly, tapping his nose lightly with her finger.

“Please take more pride in that earnest side of yours. Promise, okay?”

“Y-yeah… I understand…”

He hadn’t expected to be praised, and Noah’s face turned so red it looked like steam might come out. Layla’s eyes, as she gazed at him, were filled with affection.

“Nope! I can’t hear you! Say it again!”

“Hey! You can hear me just fine! And besides, Walter-sensei is watching!”

Noah waved his arms wildly, shaking Layla’s hands off. Beside them, Walter watched the two with a warm smile.

“Noah-sama, you have truly grown splendidly. And earlier, I apologize for that unsightly display. It was a bit embarrassing to do that at my age.”

“N-no, it’s fine…”

“Starting tomorrow, I will need to visit other estates, but if you continue training like this, Rank One will certainly be no problem.”

“Th-thank you. Well, I’m a little worried about practicing alone, but I’ll manage somehow… Ahaha.”

Noah scratched his cheek as he smiled awkwardly. Walter briefly looked puzzled, but his expression soon softened.

“What are you saying? It’s impossible to handle everything on your own.”

Not understanding what the sword instructor meant, Noah tilted his head.

“Noah-sama, I currently hold a position where I instruct nobles in swordsmanship. That is thanks to recommendations from my former colleagues. Noah-sama, perhaps you should also try relying on those around you.”

Walter glanced to the side. Layla stood there.

“Someone like you, Noah-sama, can likely handle most things alone. Even so, there are limits to what one person can do.”

As if reminiscing about the past, Walter continued.

“Noah-sama, please remember this. It is easy to offer help to others, but asking for help yourself is far more difficult.”

Walter continued speaking, his eyes gently narrowing.

“Noah-sama, you will one day inherit your land. You must also learn how to rely on others.”

“I-I’ll remember that!”

“Well, perhaps I sounded a bit preachy.”

Stroking his white beard, Walter concluded.

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“Noah-sama, I apologize for disturbing you while you are busy. May I have a moment?”

This happened after Noah had finished breakfast. While Layla was clearing the dishes, one of the maids—Canaria—approached Noah with an apologetic expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“A commoner woman has suddenly come asking to work at this estate…”

“Huh? At our place?”

Canaria nodded at Noah, who had asked back without thinking. When he looked toward Layla, she also had her eyes widened in shock. This was a rare surprise given she was normally so calm and composed. 

She must know the rumors about me being a trash noble… I mean, everyone does. Does she have some kind of situation?

“Yes. We initially turned her away, but she insisted, saying she would do anything if only we would hire her. She was adamant about wanting to meet you, Noah-sama… She claims to have worked at another noble’s estate before, but to be honest, that part is questionable.”

Canaria furrowed her brows and bowed her head not only to Noah but also to Layla. She likely felt guilty for creating extra work for them.

“She said her family fell ill due to an epidemic, and she urgently needs money.”

“I see… That’s concerning. By the way, what’s her name?”

Huh…? A heroine who works to support her family, who’s stricken by an epidemic… That sounds familiar…

Something caught in Noah’s mind.

“Her name is Flora Fioret…”

“Flora Fioret…”

Noah repeated her name.

I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere…

As Noah lowered his head and desperately traced the threads of his memory, he suddenly looked up in realization.

Another capture target, Flora Fioret!

“C-Canaria…? Her name really is Flora, right?”

“Y-yes… That is correct.”

“W-why… Why is this happening…”

For Noah, there was one fact he simply couldn’t accept. That was…

No, no, no, this makes no sense! Flora coming to my estate is wrong! She’s only supposed to get involved with Noah after enrolling in the academy!

According to the original story, Flora was supposed to be working at Abel’s estate.

What in the world happened to Flora in this version of the world…?

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