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

Chapter 37: Retribution

In the borderlands of the Steria Territory.

The former Gillan Estate, where Norn, the daughter of Rougvelt, was once confined as a slave.

In the now-abandoned mansion’s grand hall.

The hall was in great disrepair, and in the center, Gillan crouched.

“H-huh! Why here!?”

Gillan, with a swollen red cheek as if he’d been beaten, looked up in terror.

In his line of sight stood a boy in black clothes—Rofus.

Gillan shrank back under the piercing gaze from those black and jade eyes.

“Are you wondering how I found you? The answer is at your feet.”

As Rofus spoke, a dark shadow fish leaped out from Gillan’s shadow.

It was a shadow familiar that Rofus latched into him last night, just in case.

Rofus felt a slight irritation at using the same method as his father.

Incidentally, there was no familiar from his father, Rudens, in Rofus’s shadow currently.

Embedding a familiar in a shadow is a one-time technique, after all.

Even for the high-ranking wizard Rofus, it would be difficult for Rudens to embed another familiar while Rofus was on guard.

“However, to think you’d flee to such a place. You must have hidden a teleportation crystal for escape, you sly dog.”

Using short-range teleportation—Shadow Move—repeatedly, Rofus had reached Gillan’s location, feeling slightly fatigued.

Only someone like Rofus, with his vast, seemingly limitless magical power, could perform the continuous use of high-magic-cost teleportation spells.

However, even Rofus, still recovering from an illness, was showing signs of fatigue.

Yet still, taking down someone like Gillan was as easy as twisting a baby’s arm.

Gillan pressed his head to the floor.

“I-I’ll pay you! Please, please spare me, Lord Lightless!”

Rofus looked down at the prostrating Gillan with eyes as if he were looking at trash and stomped on his head.

“Begging for your life now after all the mockery? You fattened up commoner scum.”

Rofus kicked the prostrated Gillan with his magically enhanced foot.

“Ugh—ow!”

Gillan let out a ridiculous cry as he was flung against a wall, taking a luxurious sofa with him.

His body covered in bruises and blood, Gillan collapsed on the floor, while Rofus slowly approached him.

“Falling asleep already? You did this much to the slaves, didn’t you?”

Looking down coldly, Rofus saw Gillan babbling, “Help… please…”

“Still whining about not wanting to die at this point? Well, I’m not a demon. All living things have one life. A fragile life must be respected.”

Rofus’s lips curled into a wicked smile.

From his shadow emerged a formless darkness with numerous glaring eyes, slowly creeping towards Gillan.

“H-hiiii!? What is that!? Don’t come near, don’t come near!”

Gillan screamed in terror, and Rofus laughed through his nose.

“Don’t worry, it won’t possess the living. Though, if you were fatally wounded, that might be different.”

Rofus created a dark blade in his hand and deeply slashed Gillan’s throat.

“Cah—”

Blood gushed from the deep cut in Gillan’s throat.

Unable to even make a sound, Gillan’s wound was attacked by the formless darkness.

“——!?”

Gillan’s silent scream echoed as the darkness enveloped his entire body.

However, pushed back by Gillan’s living will, the darkness receded, leaving only the neck.

As a secondary effect, Gillan’s physical wounds were also healed.

“W-what…”

Suddenly finding his wounds gone, Gillan was dumbfounded.

“W-what is this…?”

In bewilderment, Gillan looked at Rofus.

Rofus laughed and sliced Gillan’s lower body with the dark scythe he created.

“Hiyaaaah!?”

Gillan’s death throes echoed as his lower half was severed, and blood sprayed everywhere.

Ordinarily, such a wound would cause death from shock, but the darkness clinging to his neck wouldn’t allow Gillan to die.

The darkness quickly spread, forming legs to replace the lost lower body and stopping the bleeding.

“W-what is… happening…”

Twisting his face in pain, Gillan stared at his lower body made of darkness in confusion.

Rofus stomped on the dark legs.

Though not as bad as when his body was cut in half, Gillan’s still face contorted in pain.

Rofus narrowed his eyes in surprise at the evident pain.

“With this, you’ll never satisfy your lust again.”

Rofus grinned and thrust the blade of his dark scythe into Gillan’s mouth.

“Ha—aga!?”

With blood pouring from his mouth, Gillan’s eyes widened as Rofus leaned closer.

“Next, should I tear your cheek or cut out your tongue? Either way, you’ll lose the pleasure of eating.”

Gillan desperately shook his head.

“You’re still alive despite fatal wounds thanks to my magic. If I undo the spell, the darkness filling your wounds will vanish, and your lower body and throat will be torn apart again.”

Gillan looked up at Rofus, terrified.

“Your life or death is in my hands.”

“…”

Silent from overwhelming fear, Gillan trembled and looked up at Rofus.

“Understand, Gillan. From now on, you are to obey me absolutely. If you disobey or anger me, I will kill you. If you want to survive, do everything you can to stay on my good side.”

Before the maliciously smiling Rofus, Gillan prostrated himself on the floor.

“After abandoning everything and devouring everything to get here… what have I… where did I go wrong…”

Rofus stomped on the head of the prostrating Gillan.

“It’s simple. You, a mere commoner, opposed me, a noble. Know your place, livestock.”

“…Please, let me lick your boots.”

“You think I’d let your filthy tongue dirty my boots? Stay groveling on the ground like the livestock you are.”

“Y-yes…”

Unable to do anything but grovel before Rofus’s overwhelming power, Gillan’s spirit was completely broken.

Rofus laughed as he trampled on the weak.

His cold and cruel demeanor evoked the image of the “Shadow Wolf” Rofus, one of the Four Heavenly Kings who stood in the hero’s path in the story.

Rofus Ray Lightless was never a good person.

As evident from his role as a villain in the story, his essence was undeniably evil.

No matter how many times the world is repeated or who he meets and bonds with, that essence never changes.

＊

At the Steria family’s lord’s mansion.

In a lavish room assigned to him as a guest.

Rudens lounged on a sofa, glaring with discontent.

In his line of sight stood Rofus.

The commotion at the Gillan mansion had been subdued by Rudens, and Rofus was promptly invited to the lord’s mansion as a guest, only for Rofus to disappear shortly thereafter.

Rudens had not attached a familiar to him at that point, and although Alba had been keeping an eye on Rofus, the continuous use of short-range teleportation had managed to elude him.

Rofus returned three hours later.

Upon his return, Rudens immediately summoned him.

“It seems you need a collar after all.”

“A collar? If you mean Carlos, I’ve given him some time off.”

Carlos was Rofus’s personal butler and aide.

Rofus had learned through the incident with Rougvelt that Carlos had been reporting various matters to Rudens without his knowledge.

Thus, Carlos, the collar placed by Rofus, was given a long leave.

Additionally, Rofus had increased the pace of his teleportations to shake off Alba’s pursuit.

Alba’s surveillance of Rofus was ordered by Rudens.

But for Rofus, it was quite irritating.

“So now it’s Alba as my watchdog in Carlos’s absence.”

As Rofus glared at him, Alba shrank back, averting his gaze.

Rudens directed a cold stare at Rofus.

“Naturally. Do you realize how many problems you’ve caused? At that merchant’s mansion, you could have died. Do you not understand your responsibility as the heir of the Lightless family?”

Rudens raised his voice, and Rofus turned away.

Here we go with the lectures again, Rofus sighed.

“…If it’s a lecture, could you write it down and send it to me after we return to our territory?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“This kind of discussion should not be held in another territory. More importantly, I have something to discuss with you…”

Rofus tried to change the subject, shrugging his shoulders, as Rudens showed no signs of calming down.

“…Have you spoken with the Marquis of the Steria frontier since then? You seemed to be old acquaintances.”

Rudens narrowed his eyes.

“…No, the meeting is scheduled for a later date. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve just secured Gilan.”

“What?”

Rudens widened his eyes and leaned forward.

“Gilan is essential to the economy of the Steria territory. The Marquis of Steria will surely want to secure him at all costs.”

“…Are you suggesting we use him to gain an advantage in negotiations? However, merchants of his kind can be troublesome if left unchecked. If you’ve captured him, it might be better to eliminate him quietly.”

Rudens spoke coldly, implying assassination.

“That won’t be a problem. Gilan will never defy my orders. I’ve placed a spell on him to ensure he dies if he does. From now on, he will serve as a puppet for the Lightless family within the Steria territory.”

“…”

Rudens fell silent at Rofus’s words.

Rofus frowned at the lack of a positive response.

Rudens pressed his temples, as if suffering from a headache, and looked at Alba.

“What do you think, Alba?”

“Yes, despite being so young, Rofus-sama employs ruthless and intense methods. It’s quite daunting. I’m sure he will become a head of the family whose name will be etched in the kingdom’s history.”

“…Indeed. That’s the kind of person you are.”

Rudens sighed wearily at Alba’s straightforward response.

Rofus glared at Rudens, not understanding the meaning behind his words.

“What are you trying to say?”

“…Despite my previous command to eliminate him, you should act more innocently for your age. Such dark political maneuvers should be the domain of an adult and head of the family, like myself.”

Rudens spoke as if advising him, but Rofus shrugged dismissively.

“That’s quite naive… Besides, I have no intention of being evil. I’m merely considering what is rational for the Lightless family. If you think about it, innocence is just unaware malevolence. By that logic, could I not be considered innocent?”

Rofus concluded, suggesting that calling himself innocent felt chilling.

Rudens glared at Rofus for a moment before looking up to the heavens in resignation.

“…That’s enough. Leave.”

“I see. Then, I shall.”

Rofus reached for the door to leave without hesitation and looked back at Rudens.

“Please make sure that naivety does not show during the negotiations with Steria.”

“…Of course. Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Rudens’s voice was icy and low.

Rofus snorted and left the room.

＊

The lord’s mansion, in the room assigned to Rofus.

Sigil was bowing deeply before Rofus, who was seated on a chair.

“I am truly grateful for your assistance this time. Even after the disrespect I showed you when we last parted, you still helped me. I can’t thank you enough.”

Rofus looked down at Sigil with utter boredom.

“What do you mean, for your sake? Don’t flatter yourself. You’re annoying, so disappear. You’re an eyesore.”

From Rofus’s perspective, rescuing Sigil was merely incidental to crushing Gilan.

Invited by the “Scarlet Wind” and requested to help, he had assisted as a sideshow.

Hawk, having requested Sigil’s rescue, was prepared to pledge lifelong servitude to Rofus in return.

However, Sigil, unaware of the connection between Rofus and Gilan, interpreted it as a personal favor.

“An eyesore…?”

Sigil’s face twitched slightly, taken aback by Rofus’s cold words.

Hawk stepped in, ignoring Sigil.

“So, Rofus-san. What should I do from now on?”

Hawk asked nervously.

Having pledged to serve Rofus for life in return for Sigil’s rescue, Hawk was prepared to leave the “Crimson Wind” and serve Rofus as a slave.

“What do you mean, what should you do?”

However, unaware of these circumstances, Sigil tilted his head in confusion as he looked at Hawk.

Riruka also narrowed her eyes slightly, waiting for Rofus’s response.

Rofus, touching his chin in thought, remembered the conversation. After a brief silence, he spoke up.

“…It doesn’t really matter.”

“It doesn’t… matter?” Hawk furrowed his brows and looked at Rofus.

“You are quite capable for a commoner. However, you’re not someone I particularly want as a subordinate. Frankly, it’s a bit… ambiguous.”

“A-Ambiguous…?”

Rofus’s blunt words made Hawk’s face twitch visibly. Rofus continued without concern.

“As a compromise, why don’t you use the Lightless territory as your base of operations for a while?”

“Base of operations…? You mean stay in the Lightless territory for a while?”

Rofus shook his head at Sigil’s question.

“I won’t restrict the activities of ‘Crimson Wind.’ Continue your explorations of ruins and dungeons in other territories as you have. But each time, return to the Lightless territory and make sure I can contact you whenever needed.”

“But why…?”

Without any suspicion, Sigil tilted his head, purely puzzled. Rofus sighed heavily, as if it was a bother.

“Because Riruka there pleaded with me to help treat Iz’s illness.”

“Riruka…?”

Sigil voiced his confusion, and Hawk looked at Riruka. Until now, Riruka had been silent, but she now moved behind Rofus, laughing.

She wrapped her arms around Rofus’s neck, hugging him from behind for all to see. Rofus frowned noticeably.

“I’ve kept quiet about this, but Rofus and I are in a romantic relationship.”

“What…!?”

“No way…”

Sigil and Hawk’s faces froze in shock at Riruka’s bombshell announcement.

Rofus shot a cold glare at Riruka.

“…Hey.”

There was no truth to Riruka’s claim, and Rofus’s voice was filled with reproach.

Still hugging him from behind, Riruka whispered into his ear.

“Isn’t this more convenient? It’s strange for me to ask for favors and have them listen without reason.”

Rofus narrowed his eyes and whispered back.

“Even so, claiming we’re in a romantic relationship… there were other ways.”

“Come on, it’s fine. I actually quite like you, Rofus. And you don’t dislike me that much, do you?”

“On what basis do you say that…”

Seeing the two whispering closely, Sigil and Hawk frowned.

“Hawk, is this for real?”

“It’s hard to believe, but…”

“But Rofus isn’t rejecting her, is he?”

“By not pushing her away, it seems to be true.”

“No way. What happened while I was captured…?”

“Well, there wasn’t anything that seemed like that, but Riruka has always shown some kind of affection…”

Rofus glared at the two, who were talking with troubled expressions.

“Enough already, you two. And Riruka, stop clinging to me.”

“Oh? Won’t you call me Lily like before, Ro?”

“Who’s Ro? And I’m not calling you that!”

“Come on, call me that again.”

“Just let go of me!”

Rofus shouted at Riruka, who refused to let go.

Sigil and Hawk watched the scene with serious expressions.

The room was filled with lively voices for a while.

Later, as Sigil and the others were about to leave for their airship, Riruka hugged Rofus in front of the mansion.

Rofus tried to push her away, but Riruka, with her face buried in his chest, whispered with a smile.

“Since we’re in a romantic relationship, it’s normal to hug before parting, right?”

Then, Riruka whispered softly.

“Just listen to this one last thing. To follow the guidance of the Wind God and meet you, I secretly guided my brother Sigil to lead the ‘Crimson Wind’ to the Lightless ruins.”

Rofus furrowed his brows, listening intently to Riruka’s words.

Riruka continued.

“But, the trigger for this—the fact that ruins and dungeons were stripped of items, this didn’t happen before. This means that someone with future memories has been raiding the ruins and dungeons.”

“…!”

“I think it’s probably another apostle of the Six Gods, but I honestly don’t know their intentions. I’ll investigate on my end, but you should keep it in mind too, Rofus.”

“…Got it.”

Riruka gently stepped away from Rofus and returned to Sigil and the others.

She turned back and smiled sheepishly.

“Ro… I’m not used to calling you that yet. I’ll practice so it sounds natural by the next time we meet. You should practice calling me Lily too, Ro.”

“Who would do that!”

“Well, see you soon.”

Riruka winked at the shouting Rofus.

Then, Sigil, Hawk, and Riruka returned to their airship Ifrit through teleportation.

As Rofus turned to head back into the mansion with a sigh, he saw Alba standing there.

Rofus was startled, his shoulders jerking slightly, as Alba had been standing there without a sound.

“You seem to have a close relationship with the daughter of the sky pirates.”

“…What you saw is your imagination. Don’t tell Father, understood?”