I Was Reincarnated as the Villain Who Confines the Heroine in an Eroge World, But for Some Reason I'm the One Getting Confined by the Heroine Instead

Chapter 33: The Night Before the Decisive Battle

After that, I was occasionally confined, but overall I spent peaceful school days.

No assassins came after me, and I never ran into Lavanda either. They were truly calm, ordinary days.

And now, tomorrow had finally arrived.

We were scheduled to leave the academy and head to the grape farm that Safira was developing.

The distance was about three hours by carriage from here. We’d be staying for roughly a week.

It wasn’t especially long or short, so it felt a lot like Golden Week.

But whether I’d actually get to enjoy an elegant holiday was questionable. Somehow I had the strong feeling it was going to turn into a complete rollercoaster.

“Everything is prepared. The plan’s success is practically guaranteed.”

That was because the attack event was going to happen.

It happened while Safira was back at the ducal territory preparing for tomorrow.

In her place, Lavanda appeared in front of me as if it were perfectly natural, carrying a small handbag and climbing in through the window like it was nothing.

Then, with the moonlight behind her, she spoke in a flat, uninflected voice.

“Everyone who will accompany Milady as her escort tomorrow is a member of the organization. In other words, there will be no one on Milady’s side.”

“For real?”

Just how rotten is the ducal family?

Even though Safira’s siblings have been getting assassinated one after another, they still haven’t rooted out the spies inside.

Where on earth did all that talk about tight security go?

It was so terrible that they really ought to just purge the staff.

Maybe it’d be better to dissolve the whole household at this point?

“Lord Masquerade will join us on-site. There is a manor at the farm, so we will carry out the attack during the stay. The plan is flawless.”

“What about the people at the manor there?”

“They are merely ordinary grape farmers. They have zero combat ability. They are not worth being cautious about.”

“So you’re saying Safira has absolutely no allies?”

“Yes. Therefore, the success of the operation is certain. You might not even get a turn.”

“…I see.”

This is completely checkmate.

In the original story, the situation never got this bad. The organization’s level of seriousness is honestly insane.

The only differences from the original are probably my existence and the fact that Safira is developing a grape farm, but I doubt either of those matters.

There’s no way a grape farm would be connected to an attack. That much is absolutely impossible.

Still, one way or another, I had the distinct feeling my Golden Week was going to end up dyed bright red.

“…Guess I should stock up on drinks while I can.”

I’d just enjoy as much grape juice as possible before the battle.

That was what I meant by the comment, but—

“Yes. That’s why I came today for a pre-celebration.”

Apparently misunderstanding something, Lavanda pulled a beer bottle out of her bag.

“Huh?”

“Today we should toast with beer to celebrate our victory.”

“Are you serious?”

What in the world was she talking about?

All I wanted was to savor some grape juice before the decisive battle.

Why did I have to toast with beer?

That would be torture. It’s practically harassment.

“Is there a problem? This is an organization custom, but…”

My dissatisfied attitude must have rubbed her the wrong way.

Lavanda narrowed her eyes and glared at me suspiciously.

“Are you saying you refuse to drink my alcohol?”

“No, that’s not it…”

Lavanda was starting to get clingy in that classic drunk way.

When I looked closer, her face seemed a little redder than usual.

Could she have already toasted with someone else?

“I’m still a minor, you know.”

“So?”

“And anyway, I’m a wine guy. If I’m going to drink, I’d at least prefer wine over beer.”

The moment I muttered my true feelings—

“—!?”

A knife slid out from under her skirt, and before I knew it, the blade was pressed against my throat.

“There are things you should say and things you shouldn’t.”

“What?!”

“Even for a collaborator, that remark cannot be overlooked. Withdraw it immediately.”

“I can’t do that.”

Because I really am a wine person.

But because of that remark, the situation seemed to have gotten worse.

A tense, explosive atmosphere filled the room.

If I moved even slightly, the tip of that knife would surely slice into my throat.

“……………………”

There was no way I could just let myself get killed like this, so I started channeling mana to prepare for combat, when—

“…Could it be that you’re warning me not to let my guard down?”

An unexpected reply came back.

“Huh?”

“It is foolish to be certain of victory. Even on the eve of battle, maintaining self-discipline… I see. That’s admirable.”

“Uh…?”

I honestly had no idea what she was talking about, but since she seemed to have interpreted it in a way that was convenient for me, I just nodded for the time being.

“Yeah, that’s exactly it.”

“I see! As expected of a comrade.”

Lavanda nodded with her usual blank expression, then sheathed the knife.

—Phew. Thank goodness she’s so dense.

Or maybe just an idiot.

Either way, I was glad I didn’t have to fight her.

Taking her down here wouldn’t accomplish anything. If I was going to do it, I needed to take them all out at once or it’d be inefficient.

“I’ll go cool my head for a bit. Let’s raise the toast another day.”

“Sure. But not with beer—with wine, okay?”

“Always with the jokes.”

Lavanda gave a thin smile, placed her hand on the window frame.

“See you tomorrow.”