The Strongest Villain, Who Had Secluded Himself Deep in the Mountains To Avoid the Destruction Flag, Is Forced Onto the Main Stage by the Heroine He Helped

“Al-kun, you’re completely different from the rumors I have heard.”

While enjoying a mouthful and starting to feel satisfied with their current situation, Mina, who was sitting across from him, said those words.

“It’s quite sudden.”

“Yeah… I mean, the rumor is that you’re the former Duke’s son… it’s hard to believe.”

Mina’s impression was gentle, and she was a girl who showed consideration for others, just like this moment.

Even though she was from the Baron’s family, Alba’s rumors and appearance had been seen quite frequently in the noble society.

In the incident with the carriage, if Alba’s name hadn’t come up to the current Duke’s attention, she wouldn’t have realized, but now that she was looking at him properly, she was convinced that it was none other than “Alba.”

However, the Alba she knew didn’t really connect with the worthless and incompetent boy— to the one who had overwhelmed his opponent in the commotion caused by the duel.

“It’s useless to hide it now, but it’s true.”

“Oh, I see…”

‘Well, it wasn’t really me who did it, though’, Alba thought to himself, complaining about the villain he was currently dealing with.

“That’s right… If Mina is found out with me, who is hated by everyone, then people might start spreading strange rumors about us, right? Sheria doesn’t care about appearances, so it can’t be helped, but Mina is going to continue living in this twisted society where people judge others by mere rumors. It was nice talking with you, but it’s probably better if we end this here.”

Alba wanted to be with Mina, who treated him normally like this. However, Mina was a girl who would have to continue living in a noble society where the opinions of those who have less influence hardly matters.

Being from the Baron’s family, a lower noble rank, she was likely in a precarious position where one misstep could lead to her being ostracized.

By being seen with Alba and having strange rumors spread, she could be shunned by other young ladies and might not find a suitable engagement partner in the future.

That’s why Alba felt sorry but also had to bring up the issue with Mina.

“…That’s probably true.”

“Yeah, that’s why—”

“But, isn’t that kind of lonely?”

Alba’s hand stopped midway while he was making dramatic gestures to convince her.

“Kindness in helping someone you don’t even know, the fun of being together, the prospect of becoming friends in the future… I personally think all that, but people around me won’t acknowledge it. It’s like, isn’t that too lonely?”

“I see…”

“Yeah. Why do I have to do what I want to do while worrying about other people’s opinions?”

Alba fell silent, looking into her slightly serious eyes.

From a logical or idealistic standpoint, Mina might be right.

However, the world wasn’t something you could navigate purely with ideals— Alba, who had been forced onto the stage without being able to present ideals, understood that well.

‘She seems like a strong-willed girl.’

Her current appearance was Fragile yet dazzling.

Alba looked at Mina across from him, a smile appeared on his lips.

“Also, if you try really hard, you can come up with some advantages, you know?”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“If you get along with a promising young man, he might help you again!”

“I guess you’re surprisingly a strong-willed girl.”

“Girls are always strong-willed!”

Mina proudly puffed her chest out.

Seeing her like that, the thought of the girl who came to his mind was Sheria.

“If you put it that way, I won’t stop you. Actually, I’m happy that you’d get along with this villain. Heck, if you talk to me for a week, I’ll give you a ‘Helping Ticket’ as a reward.”

“Hehe~, that’s quite an attractive reward.”

“Isn’t it? Well, I guess it sounds weird saying it myself.”

Both of them shared a laugh which caused the mood around them to lighten.

A pleasant atmosphere. Since becoming the villain, Alba never thought he’d be able to have a normal conversation with some other person like this.

This was a time he would never have experienced if he hadn’t been forced onto the stage.

‘I should thank Sheria for this.’ Alba thought, starting to move his hand again.

“Oh, but since we’re in different classes, we might not get to meet often. And, if I want to become friends with Al-kun, I’ll have to talk to both the Saintess and Lady Ireina.”

“Do you really need to stress about it? Sheria doesn’t care about positions and appearances, and she said she wanted more friends.”

“Is that so?”

“Why would I lie? Ireina is also a good woman who looks at a person’s character, not their status and wealth.”

After all, she’s a woman who can interact normally with Alba despite his past.

If Mina was as capable as she seemed, she would surely accept him.

Certainly, Mina’s concerns were valid. She was just a baron’s daughter, while the other two were the Saintess, a symbol of a worldwide religion, and the daughter of a Duke of a prominent nation, the second most influential family after the royal family.

However, they were both heroines of this game, which meant they were capable individuals.

From Alba’s perspective, he couldn’t imagine both of them shunning Mina.

“Do you really think so? I’m a bit anxious.”

“Well… well, I understand your anxiety, but isn’t it a lot better than talking to me? Having a connection with the Saintess and the Duke’s daughter is definitely a plus, right?”

“Well… Even though what Al-kun says makes sense…”

Seemingly unable to dispel her worries, Mina drooped her head with a sigh.

Seeing her like that, Alba quickly devoured his lunch and gave her a thumbs-up.

“This is also a meal of gratitude. I’ll do my best to make this connection happen.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Honestly, I think Mina’s worries are needless, but if it helps, I can talk to them beforehand.”

The girl who had shown him that there was hope even in this game world.

Moreover, she wanted to be friends with him. What use was he if he didn’t lend a hand? A peculiar sense of duty as a man welled up in his chest.

Alba directed a beaming smile toward the kind and cute girl before him.

“So, leave everything to me!”

☆☆☆☆☆☆

When Alba returned back to class and approached Sheria to talk and introduce her to Mina…

“*Sniff* Al-kun’s clothes…*Sniff* I can smell a woman’s scent.”

“……”

“What happened, am I right?”

Upon returning to the classroom, Alba looked at Sheria, the highlights of her eyes fading which resembled that of a deep-dark abyss, and thought inwardly.

‘Sorry, Mina. It might be a bit difficult after all.’

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120