When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him - Chapter 38: Towards the Final Stage

Chapter 38: Towards the Final Stage

From the thin layer of ice on the ground, a human shape began to form.

The once-transparent figure slowly gained color, eventually taking on the form of a familiar boy—

“Sir, Yulis…?”

“Sorry for being late.”

His fist, likely from the impact of his earlier punch, had small cracks running along it.

But with a light wave of his arm, Yulis restored it, his skin returning to its usual smoothness as if nothing had happened.

“There were a lot more pesky bugs than I expected. Not exactly the kind of place fit for a princess to stroll through, right? So, I went ahead and cleaned them all up.”

How many opponents had he faced? What kind of battle had it been?

Fia didn’t know.

But the fact remained—he had appeared before her now.

The overwhelming fear that had gripped her moments ago vanished in an instant.

Relieved, Fia’s eyes filled with tears, and her knees gave out, causing her to collapse to the ground.

Seeing this, Yulis lowered his gaze to her and gently extended his hand. 

“Could you keep an eye on Lieselotte for a bit?”

“Huh?”

“In return… you don’t have to worry anymore.”

His hand came to rest on Fia’s small head.

The cool sensation startled her, making her show a slightly surprised expression.

Then Yulis gave her a soft, reassuring smile—

“This time, I’ll keep the promise I made back then.”

Thump.

For some reason, even in this situation, Fia’s heart began pounding furiously.

(‘Back then,’ he says…)

The words that had replayed in Fia’s mind countless times—

“Listen. I’ll protect you, no matter what… I’ll make sure you can smile and enjoy your life at the academy!!!”

As if bringing those words to life, Yulis removed his hand from her head and turned his back to her.

His frame wasn’t particularly large—just slightly bigger than what you’d expect for someone his age.

And yet, to Fia, in that moment, his back seemed impossibly strong and reassuring.

(Ah… I knew it.)

Every time she saw him, this feeling surged within her.

He had appeared before her just as she was ready to accept death.

He had promised to protect her.

He had clenched his fists in her defense.

She knew it was his duty, part of his mission—she understood that clearly.

But even so, her heart raced wildly, and her cheeks flushed with warmth despite the situation.

Could it be that this feeling was—

“Agh… You really didn’t hold back, did you?”

Rustle.

Haku slowly emerged from where he had been thrown.

Despite his words, there wasn’t even a bruise on his cheek. Not a scratch, not a single sign of injury.

Yulis sighed heavily, scratching his head in frustration.

(Damn it, an unscripted character? Just my luck. What’s the point of having the reincarnation advantage if this happens?)

Even so, Yulis took a step forward, moving toward Haku.

“Strange, isn’t it? I sent quite a few people after you.”

“There were plenty of unwelcome guests. I made sure they’re all enjoying their new roles as ice sculptures by the lakeside.”

“Wow, that sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll take a look later?”

“Don’t worry… I’ll make sure you experience the same fate firsthand. That should satisfy your curiosity.”

The fact that Haku was here meant only one thing.

Even if he wasn’t a character from the game Yulis knew, judging by how Lieselotte was taken down, it was safe to assume he was part of the dark guild.

—He was the enemy.

And when facing an enemy, there was only one thing to do.

“Just to check… If you hand over the princess, I won’t bother with unnecessary bloodshed. From what I’ve heard from Ronye, you’re really strong, and honestly, I’d rather not fight you if I don’t have to.”

“Shut your mouth, you fool. Did you actually think I’d agree to that nonsense?”

“Yeah, I figured as much.”

Haku pulled out another knife from his sleeve.

In response, Yulis said—

“Let me state the obvious.”

“Hmm?”

“Theft, assault, murder, kidnapping… Whatever the crime may be, it’s still a crime. You know that, don’t you?”

Haku’s expression briefly showed surprise at Yulis’s words.

But then a smile naturally crept across his face as he locked eyes with Yulis and replied firmly.

“Of course.”

“…”

“I know exactly what I’m doing, and I’m fully aware of the wrongs I’ve committed. There’s no need to dig into my background or try to sympathize… all you’d find is the excuse that you’re ‘too kind.’”

But then—

Haku tightened his grip on his knife and said:

“I have my own reasons why I can’t back down. I made a cool entrance in front of the princess, after all… so let’s cut the chatter and get to it, hero.”

Yulis couldn’t help but snort at Haku’s words.

“Heh! I’m no hero… I’m a villain, through and through.”

If he hadn’t interfered, then according to the original scenario, Fia would have been able to attend the academy—she would have lived a normal life.

Maybe a similar event had played out elsewhere, and the true protagonist had saved her.

Or maybe this entire situation was happening because he hadn’t followed the scenario as it was meant to unfold.

(…It doesn’t matter anymore.)

Now that things had come to this.

Now that he had been cast as the villain.

(If it means making the girl smile, I’ll clench my fists and fight.)

It didn’t matter.

Even if the person before him was a character tied to his own destruction flag.

Even if getting rid of them would secure his own future.

If there was a girl crying right in front of him… whether he was the protagonist or the villain, there was only one thing to do.

“Mob right? You just have to knock them out of the way! That’s all it takes to save the princess (heroine)!”

“Really, what a truly arrogant hero we have here… Not that it changes anything.”

To save the princess (heroine), the villain clenched his fists.

—And so, the climax of this unscripted event reached its final stage.