The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 2: Lilith The Wild God

About five years had passed since I was reincarnated into this world of [Monochrome Sword].

I had grown considerably, now standing over a meter tall, and could run around the entire mansion on my two legs.

“Phew… I worked hard and persevered again today.”

I lowered the wooden sword in my hand.

Currently, I was relentlessly swinging my wooden sword in a corner of the training ground near the mansion. This was a basic training regimen imposed on members of The Salvatore ducal family.

Since I was still only five years old, this was relatively light training. My brother, who was two years older, was already crossing blades with his personal knight.

“I’ve completed today’s training properly, so it’s about time to resume my exploration. It should be time to narrow things down.”

I returned the wooden sword to storage, received a towel from a maid to wipe my sweat, and left the training ground. I told the maid who tried to accompany me “Not necessary” and walked down the long corridor.

It had been several years since I graduated from crawling and became able to walk on the two legs I was born with. During that time, I had walked around this Salvatore Duke mansion countless times.

The servants simply thought it was part of exercise or curiosity, but I actually had a clear purpose.

That was to find the hidden passage to the basement somewhere in this mansion.

In that hidden passage was something that would greatly influence my future life.

“Kukuku. I’ll definitely find you. The game’s final boss—Lilith the Calamity God.”

☆

Evading the eyes of my family and servants, I stepped into the study of the detached building that was no longer in use.

When I opened the door, a large amount of dust danced in the air. There was a terrible smell.

“Cough, cough! What is this place?… Hasn’t anyone bothered to clean it?”

Was it the servants’ negligence? No, I was sure this detached building was scheduled to be demolished eventually.

If it was going to be demolished, there was no need to clean it. The fact that it was uninhabited and unnoticed by anyone was convenient for me.

“However… with this much dirt, finding the hidden passage will be quite difficult.”

I should have seriously read the main scenario back then.

Due to my insufficient memory, I didn’t know the location of the hidden passage leading to the basement where Lilith’s corpse was placed.

I had tried searching all the promising spots at random, but so far I had been striking out continuously.

I wanted to find it quickly if possible. I had to propose a deal to Lilith within the next three years. Otherwise, I wouldn’t make it in time for the first trial.

“Hmm… according to anime and manga conventions, if you knock over a book, a hidden passage opens—”

—Clunk.

“Ah.”

A book really fell over. It stopped before falling completely, and I heard rattling mechanical sounds coming from the other side of the bookshelf.

Could it be? Right before my eyes, the bookshelf moved forward. Then it slid sideways, revealing a small passage.

It was just wide enough for one adult to pass through. I felt a strange coldness emanating from the depths.

“L-lucky… I found it.”

This was what they called good fortune. Having found the long-awaited hidden passage, my heart was pounding loudly enough to be annoying.

Pressing my chest tightly, I slowly headed toward the back of the passage.

After walking for a while, I suddenly arrived at an open plaza. A large black stone and altar were placed in the center.

Thick ropes were wound around the stone as if binding it, and their ends were tied to nails driven in a circular pattern.

I felt an eerie atmosphere.

“This is creepy. Is Lilith really here?”

[—Did you call?]

“Whoa!?”

Suddenly, a black-haired woman appeared before me.

Her jet-black eyes captured my face directly.

“W-who are you?”

[Who? You just said my name yourself a moment ago]

“Don’t tell me… you’re Lilith, the one referred to as Calamity?”

Her appearance looked like nothing more than an ordinary girl. However, she was unmistakably floating in mid-air. Not an ordinary person, I suppose.

[Hmph. That “calamity” is a derogatory term humans arbitrarily gave me, right? I don’t accept it]

“Don’t tell me that.”

Tell it to the person who coined it.

[It means don’t call me that! I’m Lilith. Lilith the Wild God.]

“…I see. Well then, Lilith, I came here because I have business with you. I’d appreciate it if you’d listen.”

[Business? Who are you anyway? Since you’re here, you must definitely be from the Salvatore family.]

“I’m Luca Salvatore. The youngest son of The Salvatore ducal family.”

[Hmm. The youngest son, huh? I don’t know what you know about me, but are you sure it’s okay to give away your information so easily?]

“I don’t mind. You’ll find out soon enough anyway.”

[What do you mean?]

“I told you, I have business with Lilith. Or rather—I want to make a contract.”

‘!’

Lilith showed a strong reaction for the first time.

Her expression, which had been rich with emotions—laughing and getting angry—suddenly turned cold.

[A contract… with me? Do you know what that means?]

“Yeah. I have a reason for wanting to contract with Lilith the Wild God. And there are conditions that would benefit you if you give me your power.”

[Conditions that benefit me?]

She tilted her head while maintaining her cold gaze.

After a beat, I grinned.

“It’s simple. If you give me your aura, I’ll help you with your revenge in return.”