When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him - Chapter 41: Villain vs Criminal ①

Chapter 41: Villain vs Criminal ①

The opponent wasn’t like Chloe or Ronye, whose abilities and moves Yulis had prior knowledge of.

That’s precisely why he had no intention of holding back here.

However, rushing in recklessly against an unknown foe could lead to costly mistakes.

For that reason, Yulis chose to force a long-range battle right from the start.

[Rose Garden.]

The ground beneath his feet froze, forming a thin layer of ice.

Slowly, it began to rise, creating a sprawling garden of roses with sharp, unmistakable thorns.

“Oh, now this is… interesting.”

The roses, blooming all around, effectively restricted the opponent’s movements.

Haku wasn’t foolish enough to willingly charge into the sharp thorns.

Taking advantage of this hesitation, Yulis grasped thorned vines in both hands and lashed them toward Haku with force.

“But so what? What difference does this make?”

Haku, undeterred, moved deftly to dodge the vines.

In doing so, he inevitably brushed against the thorny roses nearby, their sharp points poised to pierce his skin.

“…!?”

And yet, something strange happened. Instead of Haku, it was Yulis’s leg that began to bleed.

“All I’ve got is this knife. So stop staying so far away—come a little closer and let’s have some real fun.”

Haku advanced without hesitation, disregarding the thorns around him.

As his steps grew firmer and closer, the sharp thorns stabbed into his legs, arms, and torso.

Yet, inexplicably, Yulis’s body bled in response. Blood seeped out of his wounds, mirroring the damage Haku should have taken.

“Tch, what a hassle.”

“Haha! Being considerate of a guy doesn’t really gain you much, does it?”

Sensing something, Yulis quickly dismantled the beautiful-looking rose garden he had created.

By then, Haku had already slipped into Yulis’s range, closing the gap between them.

“Saving the courtesy for the ladies is enough.”

“Can’t argue with that…!”

In an instant, Yulis formed an ice dagger.

Their weapons—Yulis’s ice dagger and Haku’s knife—clashed, producing sharp, metallic sounds.

Both were lightweight weapons, resulting in fast, precise exchanges compared to ordinary swordplay.

Perhaps thanks to the countless practice sessions with Iris, it was Yulis who managed to draw first blood, landing a shallow cut on Haku’s body.

“Whoa there.”

Yulis’s dagger knocked Haku’s knife upward, creating an opening.

Without wasting a second, Yulis aimed for Haku’s shoulder, driving the dagger forward—only to feel a searing pain in his own shoulder at the same time.

“…!”

“Found the villain’s weak spot.”

Thud!

Taking advantage of Yulis flinching, Haku delivered a heavy kick to Yulis’s torso with a dull, crushing sound.

“You’ve got more openings than I expected. Ronye said you were the strongest, so I came prepared, but…”

“…”

“Oh, is that why you’re surrounded by girls? They say guys with a few flaws are more likable than those who seem perfect.”

Yulis bounced across the ground a few times before managing to plant his feet firmly.

He gripped the ice spear he formed in his hand and hurled it with all his strength, aiming straight for Haku’s torso.

“Whoa, that was close.”

Haku twisted his body, narrowly dodging the spear.

“Honestly, your attacks are so varied that they’re never boring to watch. Or rather, it’s nerve-wracking—I feel like I’d get seriously hurt if I looked away for even a moment.”

Despite his words, Haku wore a faint smile.

It didn’t seem like he was letting his guard down, yet there was an undeniable sense of composure about him.

(Now then, what should I do when this is over?)

Both fighters sprinted toward each other at the same time.

Haku held his knife as always, while Yulis gripped a newly-formed war hammer.

(Maybe I’ll take Ronye out for a nice meal. That’d be fun. And Chloe… well, she’s terrible at picking clothes, so maybe I’ll drag her out for some shopping. Though she’ll probably hate it.)

As they closed the distance, Haku’s knife sank into Yulis’s thigh.

But almost simultaneously, Yulis’s hammer slammed into Haku’s side, sending him flying into the bushes.

At the same time, blood spilled from Yulis’s mouth in a steady stream.

(…It’s fine.)

Unfazed, Haku rose from the bushes, wiping the blood dripping from his mouth.

Gripping his knife once more, he charged at Yulis again.

(I won’t lose.)

The blood pooling on the ground was indistinguishable now—no one could tell if it belonged to Lieselotte, who had fought earlier, to Yulis, or to Haku himself.

(I’m used to pain.)

Just a little more.

Just a bit longer, and the accumulated damage would slow Yulis down for good.

Once that happened, even someone capable of killing a dragon could be defeated.

(There’s no way a knight raised in comfort can beat someone like me, raised in the slums, in a battle of endurance!)

Yulis swung his massive war hammer again.

But his grip seemed to weaken—what should have been a strike aimed at Haku’s torso veered off course, heading toward his face instead.

Haku quickly ducked, and the oversized hammer passed over his head.

(…It’s here.)

The sluggishness caused by the accumulated injuries.

Upon closer observation, it was clear that Yulis’s body was bleeding in several places.

His legs seemed unsteady, and the blood dripping from his mouth, never wiped away, was a clear sign that the damage had piled up.

And so—

(This fight is mine!)

Haku lunged toward Yulis, aiming his knife straight at his throat.

♦♦♦

(Could Sir Yulis… be losing?)

Holding the injured Lieselotte, Fia watched anxiously from a distance, dread beginning to fill her chest.

Even though Haku had visible injuries, he was still clearly in one piece, his movements unhindered.

In contrast, Yulis looked completely battered, the phrase “worn-out” fitting him perfectly.

It was evident that whatever had cornered Lieselotte earlier was now dealing significant damage to Yulis.

(I-If it comes to it… I’ll…!)

Just as Fia thought that, she caught herself and shook her head firmly.

(…No, I have to trust Sir Yulis.)

She had no choice but to believe in him.

If Yulis fell, she would be next. For her to survive, Yulis needed to keep fighting.

But more than that—

She desperately wanted to trust him.

The hero who had appeared so boldly when she was ready to give up, terrified and resigned to death.

In this moment, she wanted to hope for him more than anyone else here.

(…Sir Yulis…)

As if her silent prayer had been answered—

“Hey, you scumbag.”

With a sudden grasp, Yulis caught Haku’s wrist just before the knife could pierce him.

And then—

“You’re underestimating this villain way too much, you damn fool. A magic trick loses all its power the moment its secret is revealed.”

In an instant, Haku’s body was encased in a solid block of ice.