Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings - Chapter 64.1: The Ending of the Settlement

Note: The following 7 chapters are only an interchapter before chapter 64, which is the start of the story after the prequel. Which is basically their time at the academy.

Chapter 63.1: The Ending of the Settlement

In the remote fishing village of Rougvelt, on the outskirts of the Lightless territory, the tavern adjacent to the inn bustles with life at night, transforming into a lively bar filled with sailors returning from their daily fishing expeditions. Just two years ago, this village was on the brink of becoming a ghost town, but now it is vibrant and full of energy.

In a corner of this bustling tavern, a man lay sprawled over a table, surrounded by numerous empty bottles of alcohol. This man, with his sun-kissed skin and well-built physique, was Dyne, a man dispatched by the trade guild to explore the perilous seas. Over the past two years, Dyne had successfully accomplished his daunting mission of securing a trade route between Rogbelt and the Steria territory, a feat that required navigating through treacherous waters teeming with dangerous creatures.

The exploration of these uncharted waters had progressed remarkably well, with nearly eighty percent of the region mapped out. Dyne had discovered more islands than he could count on his fingers, and among the sea monsters he had slain during his expeditions were some classified as catastrophic-level threats. Naturally, it was Fol who had defeated these formidable monsters. Over the past two years, Fol’s combat skills had improved to a terrifying degree, aided by the water spirit Lunamare who had joined her midway through their journey. With Lunamare’s power, Fol had honed her abilities to the point where she could single-handedly defeat catastrophic-level monsters.

Having achieved the goal of securing the trade route and completed most of the exploration, Dyne had decided to leave the expedition team. He had intended to stay on the ship until the very last moment of the exploration, but a summons from Mild, the director of the trade guild, had forced him to return to Rougvelt, where he now drowned his sorrows in alcohol. However, his excessive drinking was not due to being unwillingly removed from the expedition team.

As he lay there drunk and sprawled over the table, a young girl with red hair and a brand-new sword strapped to her back sat down beside him. This girl, Carla, looked at Dyne with disinterest and spoke up.

“You got rejected, didn’t you?”

Dyne’s shoulders trembled at Carla’s words, and he responded without lifting his head.

“…How do you know?”

“I was watching.”

“Go to hell.”

Carla smiled mischievously at Dyne’s pathetic response.

“You’re lucky you got rejected. If things had gone differently, you might have been killed.”

“…Just kill me already.”

“I’m not going to kill you. You were somewhat useful during the exploration. Killing you would be disrespectful to Director Mild, who sent you. Though, I did consider it a few times. I did warn you, didn’t I? Not to make eyes at Lady Fol.”

“I couldn’t help it. I fell for him.”

“…Well, I can’t deny that Lady Fol is enchanting. Your taste is understandable.”

Carla, who usually would have threatened him, seemed unusually tolerant, likely pleased with Dyne’s rejection. Dyne glared at her with half-closed eyes.

“So, who does Fol fancy then?”

“Did Lady Fol not tell you?”

“…She didn’t. If it turns out to be some childhood friend, I might actually cry.”

“Then cry. Regardless, you were ‘not chosen.'”

“Ugh.”

Carla’s sharp words hit Dyne hard, and he slumped over the table again. After a moment, he raised his head and stared at Carla.

“…I’ll say it now, Carla. You’re a dark knight of Lightless, aren’t you?”

Carla did not show any particular reaction to Dyne’s question, merely tilting her head in curiosity.

“…Why do you think that?”

“You sometimes give off a really dangerous vibe. It’s like an enraged high-level dragon. The dark knights of Lightless are known to be a highly skilled group that handles dirty work that regular knights can’t. It’s a well-known story.”

“A dangerous vibe…and that makes me a dark knight?”

“Out of everyone I’ve met, you’re by far the most dangerous.”

“And I’m the most dangerous…you’ve lived a rather sheltered life, haven’t you?”

“Huh?”

Carla’s indifferent mutter made Dyne raise his voice.

“…Well, the fact that a dark knight like you is always with Fol is odd, isn’t it?”

“…”

Carla remained silent, and Dyne continued.

“Fol may have magic power, but she’s a commoner. And yet, she was made the leader of this expedition into uncharted territory. And you were assigned to watch over her…”

Dyne clenched his well-trained fist and slammed it on the table, drawing the attention of the sailors around them. Understanding that he stood no chance, Dyne still glared sharply at Carla.

“What do the Lightless family intend to do with Fol? What are they planning to use her for? Depending on the answer…”

“What will you do? What can someone like you do? Do you understand that suggesting rebellion makes you a target for elimination?”

Despite Carla’s cold gaze, Dyne did not back down. After a tense standoff, Carla sighed.

“Is she really worth all this? A woman who rejected you?”

“Just because she rejected me doesn’t mean I stopped loving her. If the woman I love is getting entangled in noble politics, I can’t just stand by and watch. Besides, it’s not like I’ve given up…”

“How bold. You’re the type to die young.”

Carla muttered in exasperation and placed a book on the table.

“What’s this…?”

“This is the answer. Oh, if you dirty it even slightly, I’ll cut off your fingers.”

“What the hell…”

Despite his complaints, Dyne picked up the book and looked at the cover.

“‘The Dark Noble and the Sailor Girl’…a romance novel? Why something like this…”

“Read it, and you’ll understand.”

Prompted by Carla, Dyne began reading the book. After finishing it, he closed the book with a resigned expression.

Dyne looked up at the ceiling, then spoke.

“I see…this exploration was a stepping stone for Fol to rise to nobility—a kind of ritual.”

Satisfied with his understanding, Dyne directed his gaze at Carla.

“So, you’re Fol’s guardian sent by the Lightless family. You hid your power to let Fol take the credit.”

“This exploration had to be accomplished by Lady Fol’s own strength. That was his wish as well.”

“…So, I fell in love with the fiancée of the heir to the Marquis of Lightless, and even confessed to her. This is bad. I’m not going to be killed, am I?”

As Dyne’s face contorted with fear, Carla picked up the book and stood up.

“Lady Fol did not choose you. In the sequel to this book, you’re just one of the nameless sailors who harbored a faint affection for the beautiful Lady Fol. And that’s where it ends.”

Carla turned her back on the dumbfounded Dyne.

“Thank you for your contributions to the exploration. I wish you the best in your future endeavors. Goodbye.”

With those insincere words of farewell, Carla left the tavern. Left alone, Dyne ordered more alcohol from a young waitress.

The young waitress, Lilia, brought the bottle and spoke to the dejected Dyne.

“Aren’t you drinking a bit too much?”

“It’s heartbreak drinking. Leave me be.”

“Oh, what a shame for such a good man to be turned down. That girl must have poor taste.”

“Her taste was better than mine.”

Taking the bottle from Lilia, Dyne drank it in one go. Lilia watched him intently as he did so.

“…Do you already have a place to stay, sir?”

“No, not yet…”

Lilia looked up at Dyne with big, hopeful eyes.

“Then, why don’t you stay at my place?”

“Huh?”

Surprised by Lilia’s sudden offer, Dyne nearly dropped his bottle but managed to straighten up.

“Are… are you serious?”

“Only if you want to.”

“Well, I have no objections…”

“Great, it’s settled then!”

Clapping her hands cheerfully, Lilia called out loudly enough for everyone in the back of the establishment to hear.

“Dad! We have another guest! Prepare our best room!”

“Wait… what?”

Confused, Dyne froze. Lilia gave him a playful wink.

“Don’t worry, we’ll charge you the same as a regular room. We don’t get many guests, so this is a special service.”

Lilia skipped back to the back of the inn, leaving Dyne to notice a sign that read “Inn next door.”

“Oh, I see how it is…”

Realizing the situation, Dyne collapsed onto the table, feeling drained.

The Roguebelt inn and tavern were always ready for business.

＊

After parting ways with Dyne, the exploration team’s ship returned to the treacherous seas. During these two years, Dyne’s contributions were invaluable.

From meticulous and feasible planning to leadership skills and combat prowess against monsters, Dyne was exceptional in every aspect. Without him, the exploration wouldn’t have progressed as efficiently.

Many team members expressed regret over his departure. His send-off was a grand affair, held onboard on their way back to Roguebelt, celebrating throughout the night.

Dyne confessed his feelings to Fol after the send-off.

“Damn it, Dyne…”

Fol muttered as she stood on the deck, feeling the night breeze. She never disliked Dyne. Despite occasional conflicts, she regarded him as a valued comrade and a good friend after two years of shared hardships.

She felt a twinge of guilt for not being able to reciprocate his feelings.

Beside her, a glowing blue seahorse— the water spirit Luna Marl— floated nearby. Luna Marl extended her coiled tail and slapped Fol’s back.

“Ouch! Luna! What was that for—”

『——』

Fol started to protest but was interrupted by Luna Marl’s incomprehensible words. They were in the spirit language, a precursor to magical incantations.

While understanding the spirit language was difficult for even wizards, Fol, as a “spirit-bound” individual favored by spirits, could grasp the gist. Luna Marl’s words seemed to convey “cheer up” and “cheater.”

“I told you, I turned him down! It’s not cheating! I still love Rofus—”

『——』

“Stop teasing me.”

Fol’s cheeks turned red. Lunamare’s words loosely translated to “yeah, yeah, you’re gushing again.”

Two years ago, when she and Rofus were stranded in the dangerous seas, they met Lunamare. The spirit had mostly remained hidden until about a year ago when a disastrous encounter with a three-headed sea dragon, the Seaserpent, brought her back. Since then, Lunamare hadn’t left Fol’s side.

Although she roamed freely aboard the ship and in the sea, catching fish and dealing with pests, the crew had grown fond of her as a substitute for a cat.

“Thinking back, we survived thanks to you, Luna.”

Fol said, her voice filled with gratitude. Lunamare responded softly.

『——』

“Huh? Guided by the Water God? And a Dark God too?”

Fol tilted her head, not quite understanding.

“Sometimes you say the weirdest things.”

『——』

“Ah, the Twin-Headed Dragon… Carlos’s message was good news.”

Fol grinned. They had defeated the Seaserpent with its formidable regenerative abilities. The magic stone they recovered was sent to Carlos, who confirmed the recognition of the kill and submitted Fol’s noble recommendation to the Lightrus House. All that remained was the royal approval.

Fol lay down on the deck, reaching out to the crescent moon in the night sky, seeing it as a symbol of hope.

“…Soon, I’ll reach you. We won’t be in different worlds anymore. Wait for me, Rofus.”

Fol’s words dissolved into the night, and Lunamare gently teased again in the spirit language, “yeah, yeah, you’re gushing again.”