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

Chapter 52: Tea Ceremony

Half a year had passed since Raymond and Rofus made their promise.

The plan to install trains in the Lightless territory had progressed significantly and was taking shape. Surprisingly, the royal family’s approval was granted easily, and a stable supply of coal, the fuel, was also secured.

Publicly, it was presented as the Galleon family supporting the Lightless territory to alleviate some areas of poverty. At a party hosted by the Galleon family, Raymond, moved by Rofus’s concern for the poor, decided to use his own resources to provide support. This narrative was spread by none other than Raymond himself.

This background story led the heads of both the Lightless and Galleon families to formalize the promise made between their heirs as an official treaty between the territories. Although Rudens was somewhat skeptical, he ultimately relented after Rofus strongly advocated for the economic development of the territory.

Construction of the railway was carried out with the full support of the commercial guilds, and the work progressed rapidly thanks to the labor assistance provided by Raymond’s summoned beasts and Rofus’s shadow familiars. In just two short months since the construction began, the railway connected the main territory to major cities scattered across the vast Lightless territory.

Incidentally, the Galleon territory was also considering installing trains, and Raymond had promised to lend the labor of the shadow familiars when that time came.

One afternoon, a week before the train’s first public test run, a large amount of coal was teleported and piled up like a mountain in the courtyard of the Lightless family’s villa. Hovering in the air above the courtyard was a dull-colored sphere—Manifis, a high-ranking spirit of time and space and one of Raymond’s summoned beasts.

“We need to prepare a dedicated warehouse,” Rofus murmured as he gazed at the piled-up coal.

Today was the first day of coal transportation. Since the teleportation magic couldn’t be seen by outsiders, the destination was temporarily set to the courtyard of the villa. However, it was impractical to have the coal transported to the courtyard every time. Moving it out would be troublesome, and it would be suspicious for a large amount of coal to be continuously transported from the Lightless family’s mansion. Since they couldn’t prepare a suitable place in time, Rofus vowed to prepare a large, hidden warehouse.

“Just specify the location, and I can change the teleport destination at any time,” said Raymond, who had teleported along with the large amount of coal.

Rofus made a face of obvious displeasure.

“Thank you for the timely delivery. Since we are both busy, let’s wrap things up for today.”

“Rofus, don’t forget. We have a tea party to deepen our relationship.”

“A tea party for just the two of us?”

This time, only Raymond had come through the teleport.

“I don’t have any preparations ready. I can offer some coffee and snacks in the guest room, but…”

“I invited you to the tea party, so I’ve prepared everything.”

“Huh?”

As Rofus frowned, Raymond smiled confidently and glanced at the maid Yusrica, who stood behind him.

“Excuse me, miss. I need to borrow your master for a moment.”

“Huh?”

Yusrica tilted her head in confusion at the sudden address. Immediately, a band of light descended from Manifis, the high-ranking spirit of time and space, and enveloped Raymond and Rofus.

It was the light of a teleportation spell. However, Rofus’s magical power was extraordinarily vast, and he had high magic resistance. He was exceptionally strong against spells like forced teleportation and status ailments.

Because of this, the teleportation light lacked a sense of coercion and seemed to be seeking Rofus’s permission.

“…Can I refuse?”

“It would be helpful if you didn’t.”

Raymond smiled wryly, and Rofus sighed lightly.

“…Yurika, I’ll be away for a while.”

“Wait, at least let me inform Carlos—”

Before Yurika could finish speaking, the door to the courtyard opened with a bang.

“Master, I won’t stop you, but please take someone with you!”

Carlos, who had been watching the situation without revealing himself, made his plea.

Raymond looked at Rofus with a warm gaze.

“Overprotective… No, it’s more accurate to say you’re loved. I’m envious. My family practices laissez-faire.”

“So does mine. Living in a villa should make that clear.”

“Do you want to bring someone along? There’s room for them in the teleport.”

“Unnecessary. You’re alone, so it wouldn’t be fair if I brought someone.”

Rofus shrugged and looked at Carlos.

“Carlos, it’s just a tea party. Don’t embarrass me too much.”

With those words, Rofus and Raymond were enveloped in light and vanished.

Left behind in the courtyard, Yurika and Carlos looked up at the sky with an expression of resignation, as usual.

＊

The teleportation destination was a hill in the Galleon territory.

The weather was clear with not a cloud in sight.

At the bottom of the hill stretched a vast field of wheat as far as the eye could see.

On top of the lush, grassy hill stood a lone round table.

Five chairs surrounded the table, and three of them were already occupied by earlier arrivals.

“Hello, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Raymond, appearing with Rofus in tow, greeted the three waiting individuals.

Rofus glanced at the three seated at the table and narrowed his eyes.

“Our ‘interaction’… includes these guys too, huh?”

Seated at the table were three individuals known as the Four Heavenly Kings in the story—August Roa Diamante, Annegelt Lu Triandaphyllia, and Vallum Rio Draconis.

“What’s the matter? You were acting all high and mighty before, but you still showed up, Lightless.”

“How long do you plan to keep us waiting, Raymond?”

August provocatively eyed Rofus, while Annegelt pouted and complained.

Meanwhile, Vallum was silently devouring the baked goods laid out in the center of the table. Catching Rofus’s gaze, he retracted his hand from the plate, took a sip of tea, and swallowed the chewed pastry.

“You’re late, Rofus.”

“…What are you enjoying?”

“Have some. These pastries are excellent.”

“I don’t need any.”

Ignoring Vallum’s earnest food recommendation, Rofus responded irritably and sat next to him.

“I’m glad you like it. Those cookies are a popular item in our house. If you want, I can pack some for you to take home.”

“That would be great. Please do.”

Valllum’s eyes sparkled as he responded to Raymond’s smile.

As Rofus clicked his tongue in irritation, he noticed August’s attire. Despite the expensive clothing, it was noticeably dirty, as if he had rolled on the ground. Looking at the hill, there was an unnatural depression that resembled a crater.

Vallum and Annegelt’s clothing showed no signs of dirt.

“What are you staring at, Lightless?”

August noticed Rofus’s gaze and raised his voice aggressively.

Rofus observed the scene indifferently, sniffing as if understanding something.

“How does it feel to lose to Vallum, muscle freak?”

August turned red like a heated kettle at Rofus’s sneer.

“Who are you calling a muscle freak!? And I didn’t lose! It was a draw! How do you even know!?”

August yelled loudly. This tea party was likely Vallum’s first meeting. Raymond had summoned the three to this spot first, then left to handle the coal delivery and pick up Rofus.

As a result, a fight would inevitably break out between Vallum and August.

August had a naturally combative personality and was deeply devoted to Raymond’s absolute power and ideals. It wasn’t surprising that he wanted to test the strength of Vallum, whom Raymond had brought along.

Perhaps he wanted to demonstrate his power and establish his rank.

In any case, August challenged Vallum to a duel.

The crater on the hill was a remnant of their battle.

The outcome was clear from the state of their attire: Vallum’s clothes were spotless, while August was covered in dirt.

“No, no, you totally lost. You were beaten to a pulp.”

Annegelt muttered uninterestedly, having likely watched the entire scene.

August raised his voice in anger.

“I didn’t lose! Sure, my attacks didn’t even scratch him, but I took all of his attacks without getting hurt! We both took no damage! It’s a draw!”

Apparently, August had been on the receiving end of many attacks, yet he insisted it was a draw.

Rofus laughed through his nose at August’s stubbornness.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, August is unusually tough. I didn’t think I won. I was just deflecting his attacks because he suddenly attacked me. Really, why do you and August love testing your strength so much?”

Vallum shrugged and sighed as he responded to Rofus’s gaze.

August laughed triumphantly.

“See? I told you I didn’t lose!”

“You were just ignored.”

“What did you say!? Do you want to go, Lightless!?”

“You, challenge me? Do you not understand the difference in our power? Your brain must be made of muscle.”

August stood up from his chair, swinging his thick arms and shouting.

Rofus stood up in response, grinning provocatively.

Vallum and Annegelt watched their exchange in disbelief.

“That’s enough, August, Rofus.”

It was Raymond, who had been watching with amusement, who stopped the two just before they started fighting.

“Don’t stop me, Raymond!”

“Raymond. I’m about to teach this fool his place. Don’t get in my way.”

Raymond smiled calmly despite the glares from August and Rofus.

“I’m not uninterested in your contests of strength. But Rofus, your magic is too destructive. This is an important wheat field of our domain. If you ignore my warning and rampage here, you’ll have to compensate for the damage.”

Raymond spoke plainly.

Upon hearing the word “compensation,” August and Rofus looked at each other in silence and then sat down, looking embarrassed.

“By the way, Rofus, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. Do you remember Sera?”

“How could I forget? She’s your sister.”

At the tea party, Vallum brought up the topic while holding an extra baked good, and Rofus replied cheerfully, sipping his dark coffee.

“Yes, my sister Sera. She’s a spirited and tomboyish girl, but she used to cling to me, calling me ‘big brother’ all the time. Lately, she’s stopped coming around, and it feels lonely.”

“Sera is ten years old, right? Maybe she’s learned some propriety. She’s growing up mentally and physically. At her age, it’s not strange for her to become independent. I’ve lived away from my family in a separate mansion since I was ten.”

“Your past is interesting, but… the reason Sera distanced herself from me is you, Rofus.”

“What?”

Vallum’s gaze turned sharp as the conversation took a sudden turn.

“Sera keeps mentioning your name. Every time she opens her mouth, it’s ‘Rofus this, Rofus that’… it’s driving me crazy. She keeps asking when you’ll come to Steria territory.”

“Oh?”

Rofus tilted his head, looking puzzled.

Vallum slammed the table with his fist, glaring at Rofus with bloodshot eyes.

“Because of you, my dear sister has drifted away. What are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know! Why is this my fault? I didn’t do anything…”

“Why does Sera only talk about you, whom she’s only met a few times? What happened between you two? Tell me everything, Rofus.”

“Don’t say things that give the wrong idea! We just talked!”

“Sera told me you patted her head! You call that just talking, you womanizer!”

Vallum, now furious, grabbed a spear leaning against the table and stood up.

His body crackled with golden lightning, clearly ready for battle.

Seeing this, Rofus backed away slightly, his face twitching.

Despite all the times Vallum had been attacked by Rofus, facing unreasonable violence, he had never been this enraged.

To Rofus, Vallum now seemed like a fool with a severe sister complex, infuriated by his sister’s detachment.

“Calm down, Vallum. First, lower your magic. This is Raymond’s wheat field. If anything happens, we’ll be held accountable for the damages.”

Rofus’s words made Vallum lower his magic for now.

However, the sharp look in his eyes showed that his anger hadn’t subsided.

“You seduced my sister while I was captured. What were you thinking, Rofus? Sera is only ten years old.”

“Don’t make absurd assumptions. I didn’t seduce her.”

“Then what, Sera fell for you just by talking!?”

“I don’t know about falling in love, but perhaps she sees me as the hero who saved her beloved brother. It’s not surprising she feels affection if that’s the case.”

“You saved me…? Wasn’t it more like you assaulted the prison and kidnapped me, forcing me to participate in the attack on Gillan?”

“In the end, results matter. The process is just one of many factors. Because of that assault, Gillan lost its momentum, and your father was freed and reinstated as a magistrate, right?”

“Well, yes. I am grateful for that.”

“To Sera, I must seem like the hero who saved her father and brother and punished the villain Gillan. Children that age are drawn to such fairy-tale heroes. Her admiration might feel like love to you, but it’s not the same. Besides, Sera is only ten; romance is premature.”

“Indeed, Rofus. Romance is too early for Sera.”

“There you have it. Your belief that she fell for me is a misunderstanding.”

“Yes, I suppose…”

Vallum, convinced by Rofus’s reasoning, put down his spear.

“Sorry, I got a little carried away.”

“It was more than a little. But don’t worry. I understand now that you’re a doting brother.”

Vallum bowed his head sincerely, and Rofus waved it off.

Vallum likely didn’t realize the full implication of being called a doting brother.

Watching this exchange, Raymond, August, and Annegelt reacted differently across the table.

“A severe sister complex and a smooth-talking womanizer… are you sure about having these two as allies, Raymond?”

Annegelt asked in exasperation, and Raymond responded with a smile.

“They are both among the kingdom’s best. And they’re interesting characters. It’s never boring with them around.”

“Well, it certainly won’t be boring.”

Annegelt, resting her chin on her hand, sighed as if she had come to an understanding.

In contrast, August groaned in dissatisfaction.

“That bastard Vallum… He didn’t even reach for his spear when I challenged him, but he’s ready to draw it over his sister…?”

Feeling aggrieved after being thoroughly beaten to the point of creating a crater with his bare hands, Augus grimaced and stood up, stomping over to Vallum and Rofus.

“Hey Vallum, I’m not satisfied with what happened earlier. Let’s go again.”

Displaying a battle-hungry attitude that even rivaled Rofus, Vallum wore a look of annoyance while Rofus narrowed his eyes.

“…Didn’t they say you’d have to pay compensation if you damage anything here? Is your brain really all muscle?”

“Huh?! Shut up! Having a brain made of muscle sounds strong, doesn’t it?!”

August roared like a wild beast at Rofus’s words.

Then, lying down on the ground, August thrust out his hand in an arm-wrestling stance.

“This won’t cause any damage. Come on, let’s do this, Vallum!”

“Might as well, then it’s your turn, Lightless!” he declared, causing both Vallum and Rofus to look exasperated.

“Is there no end to your brainless ideas? Vallum, you don’t need to humor him.”

“No, I’ll take him on. It’ll be troublesome if he keeps pestering us.”

Vallum lay down opposite August, imbuing his arm with dense magical energy, and gripped August’s thick arm.

In the next moment, Vallum was airborne.

With a look of surprise and a dumbfounded expression, Vallum adjusted his posture in midair and landed lightly.

“Ha! I win, Vallum! Now it’s your turn, Lightless!”

Still lying down, August howled triumphantly. This time, Rofus sighed as he faced August.

“You fool. You let your guard down.”

“W-Wait, Rofus, I didn’t let my guard down…”

“Stop, Vallum. Excuses from the defeated are unbecoming.”

Interrupting Vallum, Rofus gripped August’s hand. Compared to August’s tree-trunk-like arm, Rofus’s arm looked like a twig. However, from that thin arm emanated an enormous and dense dark magic, exuding an intimidating aura that more than compensated for the difference in size.

“Don’t call it cheating. I’m playing along with your specialty. You should be grateful—”

In the next moment, Rofus was sent flying and tumbling through the air.

While August, now in a sitting position, roared in triumph with both arms raised.

“Wooo! I am the championnnnn!”

August’s victory in arm-wrestling was complete.

That was to be expected.

Raymond had recognized August for his extraordinary physical toughness and abnormal strength. While he might not stand a chance against Vallum in a general fight, in terms of pure physical power, August was among the kingdom’s best.

August, without a doubt, was a standout talent comparable to Rofus and Vallum.

August’s herculean strength was such that no amount of magical body enhancement could match it.

Rofus, lying on the grass, looked up, then rose, glaring at the roaring August.

“Ah, I see now. I had forgotten you were that type of person.”

Recalling something from his past, Rofus muttered to himself, then released a wave of magical power that shook the surrounding air.

The dark aura cast a shadow over the area.

“Ah!”

Annegelt ducked, almost overwhelmed by the magical pressure, as Raymond stepped forward to shield her.

“Are you alright, Anne?”

“Th-Thank you, Raymond…”

Smiling, Raymond blocked the dark magic with his own, while Annegett, though grateful, couldn’t help but grimace.

Annegett, unlike the other three whom Raymond had recognized, was of ordinary ability. To her, both Rofus, who emitted such an abnormal magical aura, and Raymond, who blocked it effortlessly, were like monsters.

“Raymond, teleport us to an appropriate place. Anywhere is fine, even my territory. I need to teach this musclehead his place.”

Rofus grinned aggressively as he spoke. Raymond glanced at Augus and shook his head silently.

“No, Rofus, that’s not possible.”

“Raymond… you’re not going to interfere, are you?”

Rofus’s threatening gaze shifted to Vallum, who patted him on the shoulder.

“Stop it, Rofus.”

“Vallum, are you siding with him? August, you can’t be satisfied with just arm-wrestling. Let’s have a real contest—”

Rofus saw that August was lying on his back, frothing at the mouth and unconscious.

Apparently, August had fainted from the overwhelming magical pressure Rofus had released at close range.

“He’s already unconscious. Leave it be.”

Vallum advised, and Rofus, looking somewhat dissatisfied, retracted his magical power.

The dark aura faded, restoring the clear view of the hill.