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

Chapter 75: The Conference of the Apostles

The night after the first day of the tournament.

Rofus, Abel, and Riruka were gathered together.

They were in the large room of the airship.

The other members of the “Crimson Wind” were absent, leaving only the three of them around a round table.

Riruka wore a smile, Rofus had a sullen look, and Abel’s face was tense, making it clear that this wasn’t an atmosphere conducive to friendly conversation.

Incidentally, Abel had safely passed the morning’s preliminary battle royale but had been disqualified for the main afternoon tournament because he left the venue to search for Asteria and missed his first match.

Rofus, on the other hand, had ignored repeated requests from a familiar to attend a meeting of the apostles until Riruka had to personally visit his dorm room to drag him out.

This was the context for Riruka’s apostle gathering.

Though they had gathered, the air was thick with tension between Rofus and Abel, as if they might start fighting at any moment.

Usually, Riruka would be the first to make tea, but sensing that it would be dangerous to leave the two alone, she asked Hawk to handle the drinks.

Expecting Hawk to bring the drinks at the right time, Riruka clapped her hands and began to speak.

“Okay, let’s talk about various things. Come on, you two, stop being so tense. Smile, smile.”

Riruka smiled brightly at the two of them.

Abel responded with an “Ah, ah,” but his expression remained stiff, and Rofus completely ignored her.

The atmosphere was as heavy as lead.

However, given that they had almost fought to the death earlier that day, it was no surprise that things were tense.

With a slightly strained face, Riruka continued.

“Um, let’s start by sharing information. I’ve already shared some with Rofus, so let’s hear Abel’s story. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine with me. I’ll talk about what’s happened so far.”

Abel agreed readily to the proposal.

Riruka quietly looked at the still-silent Rofus.

“Rofus, is that okay with you?”

“…”

Again, silence.

Rofus sat with his arms crossed, looking away irritably.

Seeing Rofus refuse to even make eye contact, a vein popped on Riruka’s forehead.

Quietly, Riruka moved behind Rofus and suddenly hugged him with a shout.

“Enough already!!”

“Wha…!? What are you doing!?”

Rofus, startled by Riruka’s sudden move, tried to force her off.

But Riruka clung to him, refusing to let go.

“Why are you ignoring me!? You could at least respond!”

“Let go of me! I never agreed to come to this meeting! You forced me to come! You and that guy can share information without me!”

“Why are you so cold even though we haven’t seen each other in so long? Are you treating me like just a former lover?”

“It was just a cover! Stop saying misleading things!”

The argument between Rofus and Riruka quickly turned into something resembling a lovers’ quarrel.

Abel watched in stunned silence, then began shaking his shoulders and finally slammed his fist on the table.

Abel glared at Rofus and Riruka.

“I’m fine with telling my story. But first, I want to know what happened between you two.”

Under Abel’s angry gaze, Riruka slowly released Rofus.

With a slightly awkward expression, Riruka began to speak.

“Um… I guess you’re curious. Rofus, can I tell him everything?”

“Do as you like.”

With Rofus’s permission, Riruka started explaining what had happened.

***

“——And that’s how Rofus and I ended up pretending to be lovers. Those were good times; every day seemed so bright and shiny…”

“L-lovers!? Riruka and Rofus!?”

“I told you it was a cover! Riruka, stop saying misleading things!”

Abel reacted to Riruka’s deliberate choice of words, and Rofus quickly corrected her with irritation.

Amidst such lively interjections, Riruka recounted the story from their encounter, through the incident in Asteria, to their journey to the Sky City.

When Abel finished listening to the story, he lowered his eyes and muttered, “I see…”

He understood the story.

Rofus had saved Riruka’s family.

Given that context, it wasn’t unnatural for them to have developed a close relationship.

And while the question of whether they had been lovers lingered, Abel concluded from Rofus’s reactions that it had likely been just a cover.

Riruka tended to be physically affectionate with those she trusted, as Abel had experienced himself. The closeness between Riruka and Rofus wasn’t particularly strange.

Despite being an enemy last time, Rofus had saved Riruka’s family this time, making it understandable for her to trust him.

But for Abel, Rofus was still the “Shadow Wolf” of the Four Heavenly Kings, who had wielded black monsters to nearly destroy the kingdom, making it hard to reconcile with the Rofus Riruka described.

“It’s not that I doubt you, but it’s hard to believe. That Rofus…”

“Abel. I know it’s hard to see it that way, but the Rofus here now is different from the ‘Shadow Wolf’ Rofus of the Four Heavenly Kings.”

“You’re saying he’s reformed? I understand that he saved you, Riruka. But many soldiers died because of those black monsters. That fact won’t change.”

Still unable to accept it, Abel glared at Rofus.

Rofus didn’t respond, merely looking away with a bored expression.

As Abel seemed about to berate Rofus for his past crimes, Riruka hurriedly intervened.

“No, no! It’s not like that. Unlike us, Rofus doesn’t have memories of the last time! The Rofus here isn’t the same one who tried to overthrow the kingdom or killed those soldiers.”

“Doesn’t have memories…? But he knows about last time. How does that work?”

“That’s…”

As Riruka struggled to find the words to explain to a skeptical Abel, Rofus, seemingly fed up, stood up.

“R-Rofus…?”

“That’s enough. I have no intention of cooperating with this man.”

Rofus’s intimidating glare made Abel bristle.

“We’re up against the ‘Dark God’ who destroyed the world last time… We have to cooperate as apostles…”

“Did the Wind God tell you that? That cooperation among apostles is essential?”

“Well, no…”

Riruka hesitated.

The Wind God had only said that defeating the “Dark God” required all the apostles and that none could be missing.

Rofus shrugged.

“I’ve never trusted the Six Gods. So I have no intention of acting according to their plans.”

“Are you saying you don’t care if the world ends again, Rofus?”

“Of course not. If the ‘Dark God’ does something that inconveniences me, I’ll personally take care of it.”

With that declaration, Rofus turned and left the room.

“Wait, Rofus!”

Riruka stood to follow him just as the door banged open.

Hawk entered, carrying bottles of liquor and mugs.

Rofus frowned at the sight of the alcohol.

“Hawk…? What’s that?”

Hawk smiled brightly.

“Hey, long time no see, Rofus! I heard it was a reunion of old friends, so I brought some drinks. I mean, it’s basically a reunion, right? And what’s a reunion without drinks? Let’s toast to a reunion across time!”

“What…?”

Rofus glanced at Riruka, who averted her eyes with an “Ah…”

“You see, I used a pretty large-scale spell in the Sky City, right? Hawk probably sensed I was hiding something. Considering the future, I thought it was best to explain everything. Everyone knows now.”

“We heard some of the details! We’ll back you up however we can, so let us know! We don’t want the world to end, either!”

Hawk’s round sunglasses glinted as he gave a thumbs-up.

Rofus, unable to close his open mouth, stared at Hawk.

“You believe such a preposterous story…?”

“Well, it was surprising at first. But the more I listened, the more it made sense. And more importantly, it’s Riruka’s story. Why wouldn’t we believe it?”

Hawk said this matter-of-factly, causing Rofus to look at him in disbelief before muttering, “I see.”

“Still as carefree as ever… You’ve been lucky.”

Muttering this, Rofus walked out alone.

“Hey, wait, Rofus?”

Hawk called after him, confused, and looked at Riruka.

“Uh, sorry. Did I have bad timing?”

“…No, it’s fine. But we didn’t need alcohol.”

Tea would have sufficed, Riruka added with a sigh.

***

With Rofus gone, only Riruka and Abel remained in the large room.

Hawk had made tea for Riruka and Abel, which now sat before them.

Riruka sipped her tea and muttered, “It’s weak…”

As Riruka reflected on whether she had asked too much of Hawk, Abel spoke up with determination.

“I’m sorry… for how I acted towards Rofus.”

Riruka responded with a “Hmm.”

“…I’m sorry too. I didn’t expect things to get so tense.”

Riruka reflected that she had been too optimistic.

Because she was close to Rofus and he didn’t remember the past, she had underestimated the tension with Abel.

She should have taken the fact that they almost fought earlier more seriously.

As Riruka thought of another apology, Abel looked at her seriously.

“Riruka. I understand that Rofus is the one who saved your family. And I get that he’s different from the ‘Shadow Wolf’ Rofus. But still… you’re too trusting of him.”

“What do you mean, suddenly?”

“Even if this Rofus doesn’t remember, he’s still Rofus. He has the same capabilities and personality. Do you know what Rofus is thinking or what his goals are?”

“…”

Riruka was at a loss for words.

She couldn’t deny Abel’s point.

Because Rofus had saved her family and because she could tell that this Rofus was different from the “Shadow Wolf” Rofus, she hadn’t doubted him at all.

But thinking about it, she didn’t know Rofus’s true intentions.

If Rofus intended to harm Abel, she wouldn’t be able to stop him.

Seeing Riruka’s silence, Abel spoke more gently.

“Riruka. It’s fine if you believe in Rofus. But you should be cautious. You can’t trust him unconditionally.”

“…Yeah. I understand. Thanks, Abel.”

As Abel smiled faintly and relaxed his shoulders, Riruka quietly spoke up.

“…But, Abel. I want to ask you for a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Even if Rofus has ulterior motives, I think he’s on our side in the end. After all, he saved me and my family. So…”

Looking at Riruka’s worried face, Abel answered with a serious look.

“Yeah, I’ll be careful too. I understand. But still, we need to keep an eye on Rofus.”

“Yeah… Thanks, Abel.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

The air between the two relaxed, and the heavy tension dissipated.

As they sipped their tea, Abel asked Riruka with a smile.

“By the way, Riruka, what’s your relationship with Hawk?”

“Huh? With Hawk?”

“Well, Hawk’s so casual around you, and you seemed really close. I thought it was strange since Hawk’s usually so aloof with everyone else.”

“Oh… Right. Hawk’s a good guy. He cares about his friends, and he’s always been supportive of me.”

“Hmm… So, it’s not like Rofus? There’s no… romantic relationship?”

“What!? No! Hawk and I are just friends! You and Rofus are the only ones I’ve been romantically involved with.”

“Huh… That’s… good to know.”

Abel’s face turned slightly red, and he avoided eye contact with Riruka.

Seeing his reaction, Riruka smiled mischievously and leaned forward.

“Oh? What’s this, Abel? Are you jealous?”

“N-no! I’m just curious, that’s all!”

“Heh, you’re so easy to read.”

As Riruka laughed, Abel’s face turned even redder, and he grumbled something under his breath.

Their conversation became lighter, and they spent the rest of the evening talking about the tournament and other topics, letting the tension from earlier melt away.

“…What are you trying to say?”

“I’m worried about you, Riruka…”

“What does Abel know about Ro? What do you even know about him? If you keep saying irresponsible things, I won’t forgive you, even if you’re Abel.”

Riruka glared at him, but Abel didn’t back down and continued speaking.

“Riruka, calm down a bit. I’m just… —Stop!”

Suddenly, Abel shouted loudly and then slapped his own cheek hard.

The sound echoed crisply through the large room.

Riruka’s eyes widened in surprise at Abel’s sudden strange behavior.

“Ouch! Ah, so noisy! Seriously, stop it. I can’t listen to this anymore. And let me tell you, Abel, you look really lame right now as a man!”

Abel, with a tearful face, rubbed his reddened cheek and shouted angrily at the empty air.

His demeanor and tone were completely unlike the usual Abel.

Riruka, unable to understand what was happening, just stared at him in bewilderment.

“Abel…?”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. Did I surprise you with the sudden switch?”

The moment Riruka looked into Abel’s eyes, she immediately realized that the man in front of her was not Abel.

Riruka stepped back cautiously.

“…What is this? You’re not Abel, are you?”

“Oh, you figured it out, huh? Well, as expected of one of the heroines.”

“I don’t get it.”

Riruka, with sharp eyes, put her hand on the short sword at her waist.

Seeing this, Abel hurriedly raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

“Wait, wait! I’m not an enemy! —And you, shut up already! Of course, I’m not going to switch! Don’t lower the protagonist’s dignity any further, damn it!”

Again, Abel shouted at the empty space.

Riruka furrowed her brows and focused on that spot.

Though nothing was visible, Riruka sensed some kind of magical fluctuation.

“…No way, is Abel… there?”

“Oh, amazing! You figured it out! Yeah, the real Abel… is here. And I guess I’m… a substitute? A partner? The other me?”

“…What?”

“Well, my introduction can wait. There’s something more important right now.”

Abel moved his face closer to Riruka.

Instinctively, Riruka backed away and gripped her short sword again.

But Abel, ignoring this, stared into Riruka’s golden eyes.

“Riruka, your attitude towards Rofus seems really suspicious. It looks like you have feelings for him.”

“…What? That’s none of your business.”

“Maybe not, but still. So, tell me, do you?”

“Shut up…”

“Do you like Rofus?”

“…”

Abel’s repeated intrusive questioning struck a nerve with Riruka.

“Hey, just be honest—”

“Shut up already!”

As if something snapped, Riruka pushed Abel away and glared at him with an angry expression.

Her face looked like she was about to cry.

“I don’t even know myself! So what if I like Rofus? If I do, what then? What does it have to do with you? You’re not even Abel! You don’t know anything about me!”

As if her suppressed emotions were bursting out, Riruka rapidly spoke.

Abel, although pushed away and stumbling, listened quietly and finally shrugged with a smile.

“I do know a bit about you, Riruka. Just a little.”

Abel straightened his slightly disheveled clothes and tilted his head slightly.

“Well, whatever. If that’s how it is, you should go to Rofus quickly.”

“…What?”

“You like him, right? Then go after him. You don’t have time to deal with someone like Abel.”

Riruka, confused by Abel’s unexpected words, couldn’t understand his intentions.

“…I don’t get it. What’s your goal?”

“My goal is a perfect happy ending. A grand finale for all characters. Riruka, do you really want things to end poorly with Rofus?”

“Of course not, but…!”

“You already know the answer. Go on.”