Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings - Chapter 97: Cheating

Chapter 97: Cheating

Rofus frowned.

“Role, you say…?”

“…Yes. In a dream, the god who sent me to this world appeared and told me that. They said if I didn’t do anything extra, it would lead to the ending I wanted.”

“What do you mean by ‘role’? Which god are you referring to? Is it not one of the Six Gods?”

Rofus leaned in close, causing the reincarnated person to blush slightly and look away as he answered.

“I don’t really know what the role is… it’s just that it’s over. The Six Gods…? I don’t think so. At least, it wasn’t the Fire God…”

“What did this god look like?”

“…Hmm… I don’t really remember. I can’t seem to recall.”

Rofus narrowed his eyes at the vague response from the reincarnated person.

“Why did you think it was a god?”

“Now that you mention it, I don’t really know. I guess because they said they could reincarnate me, I assumed they were a god.”

“Hmm…”

There was a sense of dissonance.

Rofus had only a broad understanding of the reincarnated person’s existence through information from Riruka.

Original work, game, another world.

These concepts were beyond Rofus’ common sense.

An entity with the means to observe the events of this world, possibly something akin to a god—this was Rofus’ perception of the reincarnated person.

At the very least, the reincarnated person had extensive knowledge of this world, especially about magic tools, possibly the best in the world.

Such a being casually mentioning a god—likely something beyond the Six Gods.

“A contract has been fulfilled.”

Suddenly, Rofus recalled these words.

It was a message for Rofus from the ‘Will of the World’ conveyed by Saintess Fran.

A chilling sensation traced Rofus’ spine.

Fragmentary information and mysteries—scattered puzzle pieces seemed to momentarily fit together, making everything feel connected.

Rofus didn’t understand what this connected feeling was.

He pushed back the ‘Wind God’s Pouch’ that had been offered—something that had conveniently come into his hands, feeling it was an overly convenient development, as if directed by something incomprehensible.

He felt an intense aversion and rejection from the bottom of his heart.

“Um… Rofus?”

“I don’t need your charity.”

“What!? No, it’s not charity…”

“I don’t need it. If I want it, I’ll get it by any means, but I don’t need it now.”

“Eh…”

Rofus forcefully pushed the ‘Wind God’s Pouch’ back to the confused reincarnated person.

“You spent three years collecting these magic tools. To easily give them up because of something a god said is beyond my understanding.”

“I’ll do anything for a happy ending.”

“A grand happy ending? You want to end in a comedy, not a tragedy? That’s quite an unrealistic goal.”

“There’s nothing better than ending happily, right?”

Rofus stared directly at the slightly miffed reincarnated person.

“That’s quite abstract. Personal happiness is built on the misfortune of others. Whose happiness are you talking about?”

The reincarnated person looked back at Rofus and answered directly.

“Abel and the story’s heroines—Asteria, Faratiana, Riruka, Meilin, and Titania. And now, Rofus too.”

Rofus squinted upon hearing the six names and his own.

“I see. You wish for the happiness of others, not yourself. Other people’s happiness is your happiness. That’s quite noble, to the point of being sickening.”

“Is that bad?”

“No. But now I understand. Your goal—a grand happy ending—doesn’t include you. Because you’re not included, you can easily put even your life on the line. Just like you tried to offer your life to me before.”

Rofus brought his face closer to the reincarnated person.

“Uh, wait…”

Surprised, the reincarnated person tried to pull away.

Rofus grabbed his collar, pulling him close so he couldn’t escape.

“I value you. Your strong will to push through, no matter how many times you die—it’s something ordinary fools who just enjoy life can’t mimic.”

“That’s not true… In the end, I couldn’t do anything, and at the last moment…”

“You don’t need to belittle yourself. Compared to repeated deaths, any hell in this world is lukewarm. Before continuous death, even gods would weep like children.”

Repeating himself, Rofus continued.

“I value you. That’s why it’s frustrating. Why do you value others so much? Why can’t you value yourself? Why aren’t you in the grand happy ending?”

“Rofus… you’re too close…”

“Answer me.”

With Rofus pressing him, the reincarnated person blushed deeply, and his blue eyes turned crimson.

“I’m sorry, but please stop there, Rofus.”

“…Abel?”

“And please, step back a little… I beg you.”

Abel, who had taken over the reincarnated person’s personality, gently released Rofus’ grip and turned away.

Fanning his flushed face with one hand, he repeatedly hit his chest with the other.

“…What’s going on with this strange reaction… Could it be that this guy… no, no, that’s impossible… there was never any sign…”

Abel muttered to himself, his back to Rofus, blushing and repeatedly hitting his chest.

Rofus frowned suspiciously at this odd behavior.

“What are you doing? I thought your face was red, but were you feeling unwell?”

“No… maybe? Honestly, I don’t quite understand it myself…”

“What?”

“Anyway, he can’t talk right now. Let’s discuss the handling of the magic tools another time.”

“…You also put effort into collecting the magic tools, didn’t you, Abel? He’s trying to give them to me so easily, but are you okay with that?”

Even though it was under the reincarnated person’s direction, it was Abel’s body that spent three years collecting the magic tools. He was the one who explored dungeons and ruins, fought monsters, and effectively gathered the magic tools. Abel had every right to claim ownership, but he quietly shook his head.

“He said it too, but I can’t handle them properly. I’ve heard the explanations, but I don’t understand them. If he wants to give the magic tools to Rofus, I won’t stop him.”

Besides, Abel continued.

“I know it’s selfish, but I now think of you as an ally.”

“…You attacked me out of nowhere, thinking I was an enemy, and now you consider me an ally? You’re truly selfish.”

“That was… I truly apologize for that.”

Rofus snorted as Abel bowed his head.

“Well, fine. At least you didn’t call me a comrade.”

“We haven’t acted together enough to be called comrades, and… right now, I don’t have the strength to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. If I’m just leaning on you, I can’t be called a comrade.”

“So, you’re aware of your lack of ability.”

“Don’t casually say something so harsh. Though, it’s true.”

Rofus widened his eyes in surprise, and Abel gave a wry smile.

“Anyway, I’m not strong enough now. So, I’m thinking of leaving the royal capital for a while.”

“For training?”

“Sort of. I’m going to Mount Helas to receive the Fire God’s blessing. You know, the place where one of the Four Demon Beasts…”

“Where the ‘Eruption Beast Helas’ rampaged—the volcanic area.”

“Yes.”

Abel nodded with a slight smile.

The shrine where you could receive the Fire God’s blessing was at the top of the volcano where the ‘Eruption Beast Helas,’ the last of the Four Demon Beasts, who was also known as living magma, had appeared.

Abel lowered his eyes, looking slightly hesitant.

“So, Mount Helas is far, right? So, um…”

“What is it?”

“I’m thinking of asking Riruka—the ‘Crimson Wind’—for help…”

“Ah, an airship. Well, aside from teleportation, that’s reasonable. But why are you telling me this?”

“Well… since you and Riruka are dating, I thought you might not like me traveling with her…”

“…”

Did that idiot tell Abel? And did she call me her boyfriend? Rofus rubbed his temple.

“I see. So, you’re asking for my permission. How considerate. But… I won’t restrict her actions. However, the ‘Crimson Wind’ group must have their own schedule. It’s up to you to negotiate.”

“Oh, I see. You’re surprisingly dry. According to Riruka, you were more…”

Rofus glared half-eyed at Abel, who had stopped mid-sentence.

“More what? What did she say?”

“Well… she said you two were lovey-dovey…”

“…”

Rofus took a long sip of his coffee, his expression indescribable.

“Forget it. And what kind of feeling did you have when you heard that?”

“Well, as long as Riruka is happy, that’s all that matters to me…”

“…I see.”

Rofus sighed at Abel, who scratched his cheek, looking slightly embarrassed.

He decided to tell Riruka not to talk too much in the future.

Suddenly, Abel looked up with a determined expression and looked straight at Rofus.

“And also! About Faratiana… I’ve heard some of the story from Riruka…”

Abel continued with a slight tremor in his voice.

“About Faratiana… please… don’t make her cry…”

Abel spoke haltingly, his voice trembling. Finally, his face twisted as if he was about to cry, and he ran out of Rofus’ room.

Rofus, watching the running Abel with a bewildered expression, propped his chin on his hand, his face indescribable.

“…Well—it’s not something that can be easily resolved.”

The words, mixed with a sigh, melted into the silence of the room.

＊

Just after Abel left, the door to the room burst open.

Striding in with loud footsteps into Rofus’ room was Annegelt.

“—Annegelt…? This is the boys’ dormitory, and girls are not allowed…”

“That doesn’t matter right now—Rofus.”

Rofus braced himself as Annegelt glared at him with an angry expression.

This level of anger was unusual—what had happened?

“The one who just left crying was Abel, right? That commoner boy.”

“Oh, yes.”

So she saw that, Rofus sighed lightly.

Annegelt’s eyes widened, and she raised her voice.

“Rofus, you have Raymond, don’t you? So what are you doing bringing other men into your room!?”

“It’s cheating! Cheating!” Annegelt’s voice grew hysterical.

Rofus wearily covered his eyes with his hand and looked up at the ceiling.

Incidentally, that night, as a thank-you for the magic stone donated by the Lightless family, Rofus was taken to a high-class restaurant by Annegelt for dinner, but that’s another story.