“…White, huh?”
“My king, you are truly magnificent… The Abyss Bandit Gang is a notorious A-rank class of criminals, known even in the capital. And yet, you dealt with them in such a short time.”
“They just happened to catch my eye. They were an eyesore, so I got rid of them.”
“…How terrifying, my king. In your presence, all evil is nothing more than dust.”
White had become quite the beauty over the past five years.
She had a slender figure, long white hair that reached down to her waist, and those deep, wintry blue eyes that could sometimes be intimidating. But still, she was stunningly beautiful.
As expected of a named character. It’s no wonder she’ll eventually play a leading role in my betrayal as the mastermind villain.
“Do you need something?”
“…I have a report regarding the Reincarnated Heroes, the prophesied children born in this village of Holga.”
I hadn’t told them yet that I’m a reincarnated person.
They hadn’t asked, and besides, keeping it a secret feels more fitting for a villain.
That aside, the Reincarnated Heroes. The prophesied children.
It seems my classmates are growing up nicely in this world too.
I didn’t really have any friends, so I hadn’t paid much attention to them. But Snow, who was born as a noble in this world, would occasionally speak with me during her inspections, where she pretended to be a homeless person.
But honestly, I often had no idea what she was talking about.
“Do you still remember?” or “Have you truly forgotten?” she’d say.
At first, I wondered if Snow also had her memories, but no, I don’t think so.
Because I’m not her friend or anything.
If she did have memories of the previous world, she’d be more concerned with people she had closer relationships with.
Hah, what a logical deduction… I might just become a detective.
“A report? Fine, go ahead.”
“…They have turned 15 this year. As per the custom for Reincarnated Heroes, they will attend the Farsa Magic Academy in the capital to fully develop their powers as heroes. Today, they were gathered at the cathedral of the Maris Church, but…”
Oh. This really is like a fantasy world, where your caste is determined by magic, mana, and your Gift class.
Wait, why has White gone silent?
What’s wrong?
“…Today, all of them went missing at the cathedral. It was likely due to someone’s Gift.”
“What?”
“What?”
Ah, crap. My villainous dignity is slipping…! Alright, time to regain composure.
“…And what does that have to do with me?”
What should I do? Has White figured out that I’m a reincarnated person?
Will she be mad if she finds out I’ve been hiding it? That’s kind of scary.
“My king—”
White’s about to say something!
This is bad! I need to change the subject!
“—The time has come.”
“!! As expected, my king… Yes, we, the Seven Gods, have reached the same conclusion… It has begun. The interference from our archenemies, the Apostles of the Gods—players!”
“What… Ah, no. Cough… Hmph, how annoying. They dare to intrude upon my domain?”
“The Seven Gods are already assembled, my king. Now, the Crow—no, the Shadow Hand is gathering all its forces to locate the enemy—”
“That’s not necessary. They’re likely at that place. The place where it all began.”
“The place where it all began…? Could it be…! No, that must be it. Their goal is to restart the ritual! To summon the Goddess of Death…!”
“Hmph.”
“We shall head there at once, my king, but you—”
“I have something I must take care of first. I’ll join you once it’s done.”
“Terrifying, and yet so strong, my king. You saved my life, and now I shall devote it to you. There is no need to trouble yourself. We will resolve this on our own.”
“I’m counting on you. You may ask for any reward you desire.”
“!!!! My king, thank you for your generosity, as vast as the great Manua Sea. Then—I must go at once, to claim my reward, my reward, my reward, from you, my king, my only—”
White disappears without a sound.
Man, they make even their exits look cool.
Now then.
‘Bmoo!’ ‘Chirp!’ ‘Moo!’
Chomp chomp chomp chomp.
I let the zodiac creatures eat the bandits’ corpses.
I’m not really sure what’s going on, but at least I didn’t get scolded, so it’s all good!
Alright!
Now that my morning routine is done, it’s time to start the day.
I am curious about my missing classmates, but first, I should take care of my own tasks.
“…Time to head to the fields.”
Gotta keep grinding those stats!
Still, White really is something.
To think she’d react so seriously to my random line about ‘the place where it all began.’
…Wait, did I mess up there?
