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 - Chapter 8 : Interlude [Crisis]

Alba in the game was without a doubt the most talented character within the game.

Indeed, he easily surpassed the protagonist and heroine, to the extent that one could confidently assert he was someone who should be admired by anyone.

However, how did he end up being ridiculed by those around him? In simple terms, it was due to his personality and habit of laziness.

If one doesn’t make an effort to improve oneself, growth becomes impossible.

Naturally, those who put in effort will easily surpass him, and even if he tries to catch up, he won’t be able to.

As a result, Alba either died due to the heroines’ revenge, or he would not have become a threat if he didn’t fall into darkness.

However, what would happen if someone with overwhelming talent put in effort?

For example, if he struggled desperately with the single-minded intention of not wanting to die—

“Are you okay? Are you injured anywhere?”

Before Alba stood a young lady with mithril silver hair, her fine attire now dirtied.

She stared at him, seemingly unharmed.

“…Y-yes. I’m fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Now, what should he do next?

By instinctively helping her, the attention of those around had turned towards him.

Fortunately, his hood covered his face, shielding him from the spectators’ gazes.

However, he was worried about the girl in front of him.

“Um, excuse me!”

“Hmm?”

“I feel like I’ve seen your face somewhere… But, I’m sorry if I’m mistaken…”

If she were a noble’s daughter, she would likely recognize Alba’s face.

However, many had observed from a distance without getting involved, so the girl probably had a vague memory of Alba from before.

That’s probably why she sounded uncertain.

“Maybe it’s just your imagination.”

“But still…!”

“Anyway, I’ll be here for a while. So, don’t worry about thanking me.”

Even if he thought he might stand out at school, he didn’t want to draw attention here intentionally.

Luckily, he couldn’t be connected to Alba even if the girl of similar age saw him.

Perhaps he could deceive them at school too.

With a glimmer of hope, he had to make sure not to reveal that he was Alba right here.

“At least… Can I know your name?”

Ignoring the girl’s protest, Alba stood up from the horse’s corpse, intending to leave the scene—

“What’s all this commotion?”

Suddenly, Alba’s shoulder twitched when he heard the voice.

The gallery buzzed with voices, and footsteps echoed as if a path was being cleared.

Surely, some guards had arrived in the vicinity, and people were making way for them.

However, Alba’s shoulder twitch wasn’t due to someone’s arrival.

‘Danger… danger… danger… danger!!!’

Alba’s body turned cold and started sweating profusely.

After all, the voice that had suddenly appeared was so familiar, even though it should have been the voice related to his reincarnated self—

“Du-Duke Iresia…?!”

The girl in front of him hurriedly lowered her head.

Ah, as expected. Alba discreetly wiped a tear away and glanced back to confirm.

Bright, slightly longer golden hair. Tall stature, a handsome young man by all means.

With the same clear eyes as Alba, his mere presence exuded dignity and elegance.

He was none other than Roy Iresia.

Alba’s older brother, who recently inherited the family estate.

‘Why! Why! Why!… Why is my older brother here!?’

A voice I’ve heard often since my reincarnation, a voice that was all too familiar.

I grasped who Roy was in a short span of time; I understand he’s strict and values the family’s honor.

Likely, Roy’s thinking was involved in making Alba’s disappearance seem like death.

‘He despised the blemish on the family, he despised me! This is bad, what will happen if it’s found out I’m alive…?!’

Kill me to make it seem like a real death? Yeah, that’s quite possible.

Perhaps sensing Alba’s anxiety, the girl beside him attempted to reassure him.

“Um, are you alright—”

However, Roy spoke up in the midst of it.

“What in the world is all this commotion?”

“Umm… my carriage’s horses got agitated…”

“I see…”

Roy surveyed the surroundings.

He was probably confirming whether the girl’s statement held any falsehood.

In truth, clear evidence of the horses’ unrest was visible all around.

And the cause of that unrest, the horse itself, lay dead on the ground—

“You there, young man.”

“Wha—!?”

Roy’s gaze landed on Alba atop the horse.

‘Should I flee from the scene?’ The thought crossed Alba’s mind, but he was currently staying in the capital so he couldn’t run away too far from the current place.

If he were to escape recklessly here, and a search request were to be issued in the capital, his life with Sheria would be in jeopardy.

Hence, he was in a situation where he wanted to escape but couldn’t.

Without turning back and while readjusting his hood, Alba replied, “Yes, the horse was agitated, and to prevent further damage—”

“Hm…?”

However, Roy’s reaction was odd for a simple question.

‘Wait…Could it be…?’ Alba’s cold sweat accelerated even further.

Unfortunately, that ominous feeling turned out to be accurate.

“…You, are you Alba?”

A murmur spread through the surroundings.

Even the young lady beside him looked at him with an incredulous expression, eventually grasping the situation and covering her mouth with her hand.

In hindsight, it was obvious. He wouldn’t forget the voice of a close relative even from before his reincarnation.

‘But I have to say something in this situation!’

Alongside his cold sweat, Alba’s tears began to flow faster.

‘Why do I have to go through this? It’s the second time I’ve experienced a situation like this.’

“Umm… I guess you are mistaking me for someone else…?”

“In that case, look this way.”

“But showing my lowly commoner face to the Duke…”

“I will be the judge of that.”

Gradually… The footsteps were drawing closer.

‘What should I do?’ Alba desperately racked his brain to escape from Roy’s approaching presence.

And then…

“Oh my, you’re here, Al.”

Standing before Roy and Alba, a girl appeared as if blocking their way.

With fiery red hair flowing, she stood confidently before members of the Duke’s family.

“…What’s the meaning of this, Ireina?”

“Long time no see, Lord Roy─ I mean, Your Grace.”

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

Why would Ireina, one of the capture targets, appear here of all places?

As the situation grew increasingly dire, Alba couldn’t hide his trepidation.

How could he overcome this situation? The capture target and her own brother. With two people who knew Alba well now in front of him, what actions should he take?

‘…It’s over.’

Furthermore, they were in public view.

If rumors spread that Alba was alive… he would be unable to withdraw from the stage altogether.

However, faced with the inescapable circumstances, Alba began to sink into despair, abandoning his thoughts.

But…

“I came looking because an acquaintance of mine was idling around. Yes, this novice holy knight is with me.”

“What—!?”

Alba couldn’t help but turn his head in confusion.

Ireina’s gaze met his, and she subtly moved her lips.

She didn’t make a sound, but Alba could read the movement which said “stay silent.”

“Oh? Ireina, are you saying this person is a novice holy knight? His voice was quite similar to my foolish brother’s voice though?”

“It must be your imagination, right? If that’s the case, there’s no way I wouldn’t notice.”

“But Ireina also referred to him as ‘Al,’ didn’t she?”

“It’s just a coincidence that the names match. When I refer to Alba, I use ‘this guy’ or ‘Alba.’ We don’t have the kind of relationship where we use nicknames.”

“…I see.”

Roy directed his gaze at Alba for a while.

Desperately avoiding his eyes, he eventually turned his back as if retreating.

“Then I’ll take my leave here. If he is really an acquaintance, then I trust Ireina to manage this situation.”

“Understood.”

And Roy’s figure grew distant after he said those words.

Silence permeated around, and Alba, who felt like he wasn’t really alive, unexpectedly let out a deep breath as Roy’s figure vanished into the crowd.

“Haaah! Seriously, that was close! I’m so glad I’m alive!”

Alba collapsed onto the ground with an attitude unbecoming of a noble.

However, soon after, he seemed to remember something and approached Ireina, taking her hand.

“Haah… haah… seriously, thank you! If it weren’t for you, I have no idea what would’ve happened!”

“…..”

“I’ll repay this favor someday at the academy, okay? See you soon then….? Ghwack—?!”

However, as Alba extended his hand towards her, Ireina grabbed him by the collar.

Well, what was this about? Why was her response so rough? Alba harbored a question that was akin to escaping reality.

“Young miss…?”

“I wouldn’t just help you without any ulterior motives.”

And then, her piercing eyes were fixed upon him.

For some reason, the cold sweat that Alba had thought had stopped returned once more.

And then…

“This time, you’ll tell me the whole story.”

“Oh…”

How harsh could the world of games be, he wondered.

Alba, who thought he had done something good, shed tears for what might have been the umpteenth time.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120