Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings

Chapter 30: Frugel

I proceeded down the corridor for a while and reached the innermost cell.

Inside the cell, Vallum was securely bound by chains.

As if he had noticed my footsteps, Vallum raised his head and widened his eyes.

“You… Rofus, is it? Why, how, are you here?”

“You look more pathetic than I expected, Vallum.”

It was the first meeting I’ve had with Vallum in three months.

The first exchange of words in three months.

But seeing Vallum, bound so pathetically, was more unpleasant than I had imagined.

“Why are you just quietly accepting capture? Hurry up and get out of there.”

I spat out impatiently, and Vallum lowered his gaze.

“…It’s impossible. A barrier that blocks magical energy is placed around the cell. The chains are also so sturdy that I can’t even break them with my power.”

“I didn’t come here to listen to your excuses. Just break those chains already, right here and now.”

“Don’t be unreasonable, Rofus.”

I frowned at Vallum’s timid response.

“You…”

“You came to rescue me, didn’t you? But it’s no use anymore.”

“Huh?”

Vallum shook his head quietly.

“You can’t break this prison with your magic. Besides, even if I were to escape from this cell, the current Sword Saint is stationed in this prison to watch over me. No matter how you struggle, I can’t escape. In fact, the Sword Saint was here just a moment ago, but you didn’t cross paths—”

“Stop. Don’t say another word.”

I interrupted Vallum’s words.

What’s this? What’s this resignation? It’s as if he’s truly been defeated.

From the depths of my heart, the same black emotions surged up as before.

It was anger and disappointment towards Vallum, who exposed such a pathetic sight.

I created the Dark Scythe in my hand.

“Stop, with magic, this cell—”

Ignoring Vallum’s attempt to stop me, I forcefully swung the Dark Scythe at the iron bars.

And with it, I tore through the anti-magic barrier and the iron bars.

“What!? How, how did you…?”

Vallum looked at me in astonishment.

But this was an expected outcome.

Although there seemed to be an anti-magic barrier spread throughout the prison, it also had its own strength.

It wasn’t an omnipotent barrier that could deflect any magical energy without question.

It had its limits in dispersing magical spells.

In fact, the dark scythe I released when facing the crimson-haired man earlier had pierced through that barrier and left marks on the wall.

If the Dark Scythe’s power was sufficient, it could pierce through the barrier.

The barrier against magic and physical attacks in the maze-like dungeon was of such high strength that it couldn’t be easily penetrated.

It was nothing more than a mimicry of dungeon barriers, a lower-grade imitation.

Facing Vallum’s surprise, I aimed the blade of the scythe at him.

“Those chains aren’t enchanted with anti-magic spells, right? They seem to be just sturdy magical tools. Can’t you break something like that?”

Vallum simply lowered his gaze and answered in silence.

It was a silent affirmation.

What’s with this guy?

Your sister Sera seemed more spirited and determined.

As the eldest son of the Lightless family, I expected him to have the same spirit when confronting me.

And yet, this was the brother of that Sera, that Vallum.

Naturally, my hand holding the Dark Scythe tightened.

“…Sera said you were strong.”

As I mentioned Sera’s name, Vallum raised his head in surprise.

“You met Sera, my sister! I see, I hope she’s safe…”

Vallum showed a relieved expression.

In response, I raised the Dark Scythe.

“Unfortunately, I have to report bad news to your sister. Your feeble brother has died so disgracefully.”

I then swung the Dark Scythe towards Vallum.

The unleashed dark slash easily tore through the cell’s barrier and gouged the ground and walls.

The resounding roar and impact.

Where Vallum had been, a giant slash mark remained.

Surprisingly, however, Vallum’s figure was not there.

At the edge of the cell, the sound of chains falling echoed.

“I almost died. Are you trying to kill me, Rofus…!”

Vallum protested with his breath barely remaining.

Covered in lightning-like magical energy like armor, Vallum emitted a golden glow.

What, can he use it? — “Thunderclad Armor.”

Vallum’s strongest form from the Four Generals era.

By covering his entire body with lightning, Vallum could enhance his physical strength, agility, and reaction speed to the limit, and possess high resistance to physical and magical attacks.

Moreover, he could unleash high-voltage lightning strikes and paralysis through electric shock on anyone he touched.

Activating the “Thunderclad Armor” while riding a wyvern was truly invincible.

No matter how hard the protagonist forces tried, they couldn’t harm him, only knocking his wyvern out of the sky.

The strongest armor, “Thunderclad Armor,” crafted from ultra-high-density magical power.

If Vallum could use the “Thunderclad Armor,” then there would be even more doubts about his defeat.

“You can do it if you try.”

I smiled and raised the scythe, ignoring Vallum’s bitter glare.

“…This consumes a lot of magical energy. It’s not an easy technique to use.”

“I see. Then there’s no time to waste.”

I poured more magical energy into the Dark Scythe and watched as its dark blade swelled in response.

Then, I aimed the enlarged scythe at Vallum.

Vallum widened his eyes and stepped back.

“Wait, what are you… are you serious…!?”

“Don’t talk. Focus. Sharpen your magical energy to the limit. Don’t remove that thunder armor.”

“Wait—”

Ignoring Vallum’s attempt to stop me, I swung the enlarged scythe downwards.

The dark blade caught Vallum’s torso in an upward swing, and the golden glow of the thunder armor stopped the blade.

The high-density magical powers clashed, sparking and scattering.

Despite pouring considerable magical energy into it, whether due to Vallum’s high magical aptitude or the difference in compatibility, the thunder armor couldn’t be pierced.

I then lifted Vallum towards the ceiling and unleashed all the accumulated magical energy stored in the Dark Scythe at once.

“Fly.”

The huge black slash unleashed from the Dark Scythe swallowed Vallum along with the thunder armor.

[…]

Vallum was struck by the tremendous dark slash all over his body, and after the shock passed, the darkness cleared.

Immediately after, what entered Vallum’s eyes was the dazzling sunlight he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Huh!?”

Vallum realized.

He was now far above the ground, floating in the air and beginning to fall.

Looking down at the ground, he saw the partially destroyed prison tower.

Debris floating up from deep underground, as if propelled.

Vallum looked in astonishment at the unbelievable sight.

—Magic, in one strike…? Ridiculous, this prison tower has anti-magic barriers spread throughout…!

Behind the astonished Vallum—amid the debris floating up alongside Vallum—a figure crawled out like a shadow.

The darkness clinging to the figure dissipated, revealing a belligerent smile on the face of Rofus.

Rofus, who had used shadows for teleportation, appeared suddenly behind Vallum, causing him to panic.

—Shadow-based teleportation!? This is bad, I need to…

Vallum tried to regain his footing, but in this airspace with no foothold, it would take some time to recover.

To wait for that leisurely would be uncharacteristic of Rofus.

“Can you handle the next one? If not, then just die.”

Rofus swung the Dark Scythe mercilessly.

Another black slash descended upon Vallum, and he was slammed down to the ground covered in snow.

Snow billowed up.

“Guah!?”

Despite Vallum’s advantageous compatibility and high magical aptitude, the dark slash couldn’t pierce through the Thunderclad Armor.

But he couldn’t absorb all the impact.

Vallum sustained no cuts to his body, but he experienced a shock he couldn’t mitigate, leaving numerous bruises.

But more seriously, the damage to his internal organs was severe, and Vallum was bleeding from his mouth.

Above, on the palm of a large Dark Hand, Rofus overlooked Vallum, who looked somewhat pathetic.

Rofus, with his unimaginable magical power, saw Vallum with eyes filled with awe.

Rofus looked down at Vallum with a contemptuous expression.

“What’s wrong, Vallum? What’s with that condition? Locked in a sunless prison, unable to eat properly and malnourished? Furthermore, you have no weapons or armor you’re good with, and your trusted wyvern is nowhere to be found. You’re truly defenseless.”

Rofus continued.

“On the other hand, I’m no longer the weakling on the verge of magical exhaustion as before. My magical power is at its peak, in perfect condition. Vallum, I can easily slaughter you now.”

Vallum furrowed his brow slightly, and Rofus deployed magic circles behind him, producing countless dark lances.

All of their tips were aimed at Vallum.

“Congratulations, Vallum. You’ve made a good excuse. Everyone will say there’s no use fighting back, and it’s such a splendid excuse.”

“…I’m not making excuses. I was weak, and you were strong, that’s all there is to it.”

Vallum managed to stand up somehow and looked at Rofus.

“But tell me, why do you want to kill me? Are you angry because I received the Lightless crest but made a mistake on properly using it?”

To Vallum’s question, Rofus narrowed his eyes.

“Such trivial matters don’t matter… Vallum, is it true that you were defeated by the Sword Saint?”

“Y-yes… that’s… what happened.”

Vallum absentmindedly affirmed, and Rofus tilted his head in confusion.

“…Is that so? What’s that…? What’s with that, to accept it as a matter of course…”

Rofus quietly laughed with his head lowered and shoulders shaking.

After laughing for a moment, Rofus widened his eyes and became enraged.

“Don’t mess around, you scum! What defeat are you talking about!?”

In response to Rofus’s emotions, the dark scythe he held in his hand gre even larger, and waves of dark magical energy swept through the surrounding mountains.

From the distant mountain range, as if in fear, a flock of Wyverns took flight.

The guards and prisoners inside the prison tower, most of them were knocked unconscious by Rofus’s wave of magical energy.

Vallum, clad in “Thunderclad Armor,” did not lose consciousness, but he staggered as if overwhelmed by the vast magical energy.

“Why are you so angry about my defeat?”

“It may seem that way from your perspective. However, I will not forgive your defeat. This is not a matter of reason.”

Rofus raised the scythe.

“If you admit defeat—then die here.”

Just as Rofus was about to swing down the scythe, a dragon’s roar echoed from the mountains.

Rofus sensed the approaching magical reaction that seemed to belong to a wyvern approaching at super high speed.

A wyvern clad in darkness on one wing—Vallum’s beloved dragon, Frugel.

Frugel, which suddenly flew in, descended rapidly from the altitude and landed next to Vallum.

Then, as if shielding Vallum, Frugel covered him with one wing and growled up at Rofus.

“Frugel…!? Are you safe…”

Vallum clung to Frugel as if overcome with emotion.

Rofus, on the other hand, looked down on them coldly.

“A touching reunion. But that one wing of yours seems to be on its last legs as well. Go along with your beloved dragon, Dragon Rider.”

With a cold sneer, Rofus was about to swing down the scythe once again… but Yunel appeared in front of Rofus, as if to interrupt him.

Yunel spread out her hands and glared at Rofus with a stern expression.

“What are you doing…! Please, stop…!”

“It’s you this time.”

Yunel, who appeared before Rofus, floated in the air, and hER presence was strangely thin, as if She hardly existed.

HER body seemed so translucent, as if it had no substance at all.

Rofus glared at Yunell

“You’ve been missing all this time, and now you suddenly show up to get in my way. That’s too much.”

“That’s… sorry. But you can’t hurt Vallum.”

“You’re saying that’s too much? If you won’t move, then I’ll deal with you too.”

Rofus tightened his grip on the scythe, and Yunel muttered quietly.

“Vallum… he hasn’t lost.”

Rofus stopped his hand and glared at Yunel.

“…What?”

Yunel repeated.

“He hasn’t lost. Vallum won’t lose.”

“Is that just your cowardice talking? In fact, wasn’t he captured?”

“Vallum was caught because of me… because I held him back…”

Yunel, with his eyes downcast, looked at Rofus with a pleading gaze.

“You should understand. Vallum is strong, he’ll never lose.”

That was something Rofus also thought.

Vallum, who could even handle “Thunderclad Armor,” losing was unimaginable.

That’s why, even more so, Rofus felt frustration towards Vallum, who was now so helpless.

“…Indeed, as you say. He is the strongest, he can’t possibly lose.”

Rofus sighed quietly and dispelled the magic he had been using.

Then, he lowered the dark scythe, Dark Scythe, that he had been holding.

“But, it’s still lacking in explanation. Tell me more, I don’t understand the situation.”

“…I’m sorry. I can’t tell you more… I can’t maintain this form anymore—”

Yunel said only that, and her form dissipated like mist.

“Disappeared again… well, it’s too late anyway.”

It wasn’t the first time Yunel disappeared at a critical moment.

Rofus looked down, and Vallum looked up at him puzzled.

Rofus dispelled the dark arm, Dark Hand, that he was using as a foothold and jumped down.

The impact of the collision with the ground was mitigated by a magic barrier, and although snow was stirred up, Rofus himself landed gently.

“You’re lucky to have survived. You should thank her for that.”

As Rofus spoke with disdain, Vallum, who leaned against Frugel, furrowed his brow.

“Have you changed your mind…? I was prepared to die for real. And who are you talking about? It seemed like you were talking to someone up there…”

“You couldn’t see from below? Well, I guess her presence was thin.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Your friend—it’s Yunel—”

Just as Rofus was about to say Yunel’s name, Frugel barked, drowning out his words.

Interrupted, Rofus glared irritably at Frugel.

Suddenly, Rofus’s eyes met Frugel’s sapphire-like blue eyes.

The color of those eyes, now that he thought about it, was the same as Yunel’s.

Frugel’s blue eyes, which seemed to cling, overlapped with the eyes of Yunell, who had been watching Rofus earlier.

Rofus was slightly shaken as he looked at Vallum.

“…Hey, Vallum, why did you lose to the Sword Saint? No excuses, tell me everything.”

Vallum, slumping against Frugel’s back, unraveled “Thunderclad Armor” and revealed his tattered body.

Vallum lowered his gaze and spoke.

“…Lately, Frugel has been suddenly falling asleep as if fainting. It happened even at the Lord’s mansion where I went to protest. He suddenly fainted, and while the soldiers were distracted by him, I was struck by Master—the Sword Saint Eric, and I lost consciousness.”

Vallum spoke sporadically, then closed his eyes quietly.

“So saying I didn’t lose is wrong. Losing is losing. I wasn’t in a Sword Saint Festival bound by rules.”

Vallum, after speaking a little, slumped as if drained of strength.

“Sorry, I used too much magic… I’ll sleep for a bit.”

With just that, Vallum fell unconscious as if asleep.

Having listened to the story, Rofus tilted his head.

“It’s Yunel’s fault and… but being captured in sleep… “

Rofus stared at Frugel’s blue eyes for a moment and then closed his eyes as if he understood something.

“…I see.”

In response to Rofus’s murmuring, Frugel remained silent.

From the partially destroyed prison tower, there was someone who had been silently observing the whole scene.

A man with long crimson hair, wearing a crimson coat and a white ferret muffler around his neck.