I Like Villains, so I Reincarnated as One
「Weiss-sama, I heard about it! You defeated the enemy leader in an instant!! And you also helped us out the other day. You really are strong. As expected of you!!」
「Ahaha, thank you. When I put my all into it, this is what happens.」
Well, after that, I passed out on the carriage and Rosalia was extremely worried about me. After the criminal organization’s attack ended, it seems my evaluation has improved somewhat. Meg came to talk to me, excited. Her eyes held a hint of admiration.
And it wasn’t just Meg. The soldiers guarding from afar seemed to show some respect towards me as well.
「Still… Weiss-sama, it feels like you’ve returned to how you used to be, and it makes me happy. Before Felis-sama arrived and they said they would change the successor…」
「I resemble the old Weiss…?」
「Ah, forget I said that… Did I upset you? I’m sorry.」
Meg awkwardly fled, seemingly realizing she had misspoken.
I greeted them and headed to the office to start working. After a while, there was a knock at the door. Rosalia, who had been standing by me, opened it.
「Excuse me, Weiss-sama. Are you sure about this… temporarily reducing the taxes for the populace and distributing food to the poor…」
「Yeah, fortunately, those guys’ mansions had hidden gems and gold. Plus, our family has secret reserves. We need to do something good for the people after all the trouble we’ve caused…」
「Well, indeed, your reputation has improved…」
「It might be like trying to put out a fire with a drop of water, but it’s better than doing nothing, right? I’ve troubled you until now. I’d appreciate it if you could teach me various things from now on.」
When I replied to the civil servant who had come to the office, he hesitated and mumbled, so I continued. The improvement in reputation mainly came from the soldiers present at the scene and those who heard about it.
To show the common people that the lord had changed his heart, we needed to take actions they could understand. Tax reductions related to their lives should be quite effective.
Moreover, Barbaro and his group had been extorting money from merchants unjustly and attempting to deal in slaves and drugs, which are prohibited in this country. It was fortunate that we managed to ban these activities before they spread. This should improve public order somewhat.
Although we didn’t know where they sourced these items, we did find out the names of the nobles involved in the transactions, so it can be considered a passing grade.
However, although I know what will happen and what actions will be effective, managing the territory involves practical matters that can’t be fully covered by game knowledge alone. I’ll need to learn a lot from them.
「I want to study a bit. Do you have any good textbook-like materials?」
「In that case, how about checking the previous lord’s room?」
「That’s right, I haven’t entered it yet… Let’s go see.」
After finishing our discussion with the civil servant, I asked Rosalia, and she gave such a reply. The previous lord… Weiss’s parents… There isn’t much information about them. Well, Weiss himself is a side character after all… His stepsister is a candidate for the protagonist’s heroine, but… he is ultimately just a stepping stone.
「Weiss-sama, are you alright?」
「Yeah, no problem…」
I headed to the previous lord’s room with Rosalia. Was it my imagination, or was my body getting heavier… My complexion must be bad too, as Rosalia looked at me with concern.
My hand unconsciously stopped on the doorknob for a moment. What was this feeling? Despite sensing something off with my body, I opened the door, and then… I heard Rosalia’s worried voice saying 「Weiss-sama!?」 and I lost consciousness.
Finally… I can use the dark magic Rosalia taught me freely. And I’ve improved in swordsmanship thanks to Kaiser. All the secret practice has paid off. Now I should be worthy as the next lord. Surely, Father will acknowledge me. Thinking about it, all the blood, sweat, and tears weren’t in vain.
One day, after Father brought back Felis from somewhere, all his attention shifted to her, but now things will surely change. With such expectations in mind, I knocked on Father’s door.
「It’s Weiss. May I have a moment of your time?」
「What is it? I’m busy… I have to go to the store to choose a dress for Felis to wear at the magic school.」
Father’s cold response pierced my heart. Felis, Felis… Ever since my stepsister arrived, it’s always been about her. Back then, he used to call me his heir, his proud son…
「I apologize, Father. But there’s something I really want you to see… Shadow. I’ve finally reached level 2 in dark magic.」
As I spoke, a shadow emerged, forming another presence identical to mine. This is the level 2 dark magic I can use. Now I can cast intermediate spells. Not many at the age of 15 can use magic to this extent. I’d rank high even in the capital’s magic academy.
This power was earned through blood, sweat, and tears. Surely, Father will praise me like he used to. But my faint hope was shattered instantly.
「What… Is that all…」
「All? If you ask me, only a few can achieve this at my age. Rosalia said that reaching level 2 at this age makes one a full-fledged magician!!」
Despite my words, Father’s indifferent expression didn’t change. Why? I worked hard. Rosalia even said that reaching level 2 at this age is genius-level talent. I told Rosalia to keep it a secret so I could surprise Father… So why won’t this person acknowledge me?
「Hmph, who cares about what some maid you picked up says. Besides, Felis has already reached level 2 in four elements. Well, it doesn’t matter. Weiss, you don’t need to learn magic. Study administrative work to support Felis, who will become the lord. If only you were a bit more capable, we could have expected children from both you and Felis… But she’s beautiful. She’ll likely catch a talented man in the capital.」
「Felis becoming the lord…?」
With those words, it felt like everything that supported me crumbled. After all, I was raised to become the lord of this place since childhood… I worked hard for it, but now everything will be taken away by a stepsister who appeared out of nowhere…?
Then what was all my effort for? What were the words Father once spoke to me? That I was his pride, his important heir…?
I don’t remember how I got back to my room afterward. Rosalia tried to say something, but everything felt bothersome.
And escaping into sleep, the next morning I woke up to the news that Father had been attacked and killed while shopping.
The sudden death caused chaos in the house. And I was chosen as the temporary lord. I don’t know what would have happened if Felis had been in the mansion, but she was at the magic academy in the capital. And so, I began my duties as the lord.
The work of a lord was multifaceted, and I struggled every time. Perhaps because I was new, I was underestimated; the accountant embezzled money and fled. When a famine occurred and I tried to help, I was scolded for meddling. No matter what I did, I was criticized.
Despite working hard, nothing went smoothly. Every time, Father’s last words echoed in my head: 「Felis is fit to be the lord.」 And then, I started to feel indifferent about everything.
Rosalia kindly encouraged me, but it felt bothersome. Kaiser scolded me, but it was just noise. Then Barbaro introduced me to the taste of alcohol. Drinking made me forget the pain and made me feel alive, if only for a moment.
And so, I entrusted everything to Barbaro and escaped into alcohol. As a result, I ended up pathetically stabbed by the townsfolk and hovered between life and death.
『This is the life of Weiss Hamilton, unloved by his parents and unable to accomplish anything. Isn’t it laughable?』
In the pitch-black darkness, the man smirking self-deprecatingly in front of me had the same face as me now. No, it’s me who looks like him… Weiss.
『You seem to be doing quite well. Look at how you’ve pleased the townsfolk and soldiers… They all trust you now. I’m truly envious. Is it because you’re amazing… or am I just utterly incompetent… Haha, it seems Father was right. I really wasn’t fit to be the lord.』
「That’s not true. I…」
『It IS true!! Can’t you see how well you’re doing?! Just like I peeked into your memories, I saw yours too. You’re someone from another world, aren’t you!? Even though you’re unfamiliar with this world, you’re doing better than me. You’re more competent than me!!』
「If you saw my memories… then you should know I’m not that great either…」
For the first time, Weiss awkwardly averted his gaze at my words. Yes, I wasn’t particularly outstanding in my past life either. I had a talented younger sister too, just like him. The difference is that my parents never abandoned me and didn’t treat my sister specially. Maybe that’s why, despite feeling inferior to my sister who was smart enough to get into the university I wanted as a safety school, I was able to accept myself for who I am.
And because I felt a connection with Weiss, who shared a similar sense of inferiority, I became interested in him… researched him… became a fan… and wished for his happiness.
「Most of my success was due to the game knowledge I possessed, and it was because of your efforts, Weiss, that I succeeded.」
『What are you talking about? Didn’t I just say it? I couldn’t do anything… I had nothing…』
「That can’t be true!! You must know. About Rosalia’s dedication! And Kaiser’s loyalty didn’t waver even after being demoted by you. They became your strength because you originally worked hard!! And the reason I, a mere outsider from another world, could use magic so easily was because of your efforts!!」
I ended up yelling at Weiss, who was still grumbling. Because… how could I bear hearing my favorite character speak so self-deprecatingly?
「I merely did efficiently what you could have done. You were amazing too!! Your hard work made my success possible. Your efforts led to where we are now!!」
『No… I just did things half-heartedly…』
「That’s not true!! You must have worked hard and felt frustrated when things didn’t go well with managing the territory, right? I became your fan because I empathized with the pain of trying hard but still failing!! I resonated with who you were. You said you saw my memories, right? Then you should understand. That I genuinely supported you, that I truly wanted to change your future!!」
At my words, Weiss fell silent. After a while of silence, he looked straight at me and spoke.
『Yeah, I saw it. That you genuinely cheered for me… that you genuinely wanted to change my future… That was my… our end, huh… Hey, I don’t care about me, but please save Rosalia…』
He pleaded, gripping my hand. Seeing him think of Rosalia before himself, I felt reassured that Weiss was indeed my favorite character. Yes, he wasn’t originally twisted… He was earnest but clumsy… and a young man similar to me.
「No way. I intend to make both you and Rosalia happy. I’ll make sure both of you find happiness.」
『Hahaha, you’re greedy… But yeah, maybe that kind of greed is necessary to turn a bad ending into a happy one… I prayed to God with no expectations, but I’m glad you came. You know… you remind me of myself as a child, when I didn’t know anything… Maybe that’s why you were reincarnated as me… From now on, I leave Rosalia and my territory in your hands.』
With that, Weiss’s outline gradually faded. Wait a minute, didn’t I just say I’d make you happy too!!
As I reached out to grab his hand, he smiled—not the sarcastic smirk from before, but a genuine smile, as if a weight had been lifted—and grabbed my hand.
「Wait, where are you going…」
『I’m becoming one with you… Or rather, you’re fully becoming me… That’s the contract with God. Please, Weiss Hamilton. I believe you can rebuild this territory and bring happiness to both me and Rosalia. And… that advanced magic earlier was incredible… With you, maybe we can surpass even Felis.』
As he spoke, a sharp shock pierced my chest again. Surpassing my sister… Did you, who despaired over the gap between you and her, just say that?
Then let’s do it!! I gazed back at Weiss, whose radiant smile I had never seen in the game.
「That’s right… Probably impossible for me alone… But with you, I think we can do it.」
『Yeah, impossible alone, but together we can. I’ll rest now… Leave it to you, partner.』
With those words, my consciousness gradually faded. Of course, my sister and Felis are different people. But… even so, surpassing her might erase the lump in my throat.
And thus, I fell into darkness once again.
「Weiss-sama, Weiss-sama!!」
「Hmm? Rosalia…」
「Thank goodness you woke up. I was worried when you suddenly collapsed in the lord’s room. You must have been exhausted. Rest now… Huh? Why are you crying…」
As I looked at Rosalia, feelings of affection, apology, and joy at seeing her again washed over me along with both her and Weiss’s memories. Ah, these are remnants of Weiss’s emotions… I understand even more how much he cherished Rosalia.
「Rosalia… I’m sorry for everything until now… and thank you. For always protecting me… This time, I’ll protect you… I promise to make you happy.」
As I hugged her while crying, Rosalia looked momentarily stunned but then embraced me back gently, like comforting a child.
「Did you have a scary dream? I’m already happy. Because I can stay close to the most important person… you.」
Weiss… I swear. To protect her… These feelings belong to him, and they’ve become mine too. I’ll protect this territory for him… no, with him.
Rosalia kept holding me gently until I stopped crying.
『Complete fusion with Weiss Hamilton achieved. Suppressed skills fully integrated. Additionally, this causes a shift in the timeline.』
An emotionless voice echoed from somewhere.
———————————————————————————————
Weiss Hamilton
Strength: 40 → 45
Magic: 50 → 65
Skill: 20 → 25
Skills:
Dark Magic LV2
Swordsmanship LV2
Occupation: Lord
Nickname: Incompetent Corrupt Lord?
Loyalty of the People: 20
Unique Skills:
Visitor from Another World
Being recognized by the inhabitants of this world despite originating from a different one. By gaining their acknowledgment, negative status effects are removed, allowing flexible absorption of this world’s knowledge.
Two Hearts
Having two hearts in one body. Spiritual power for using magic doubles. One heart is completely asleep.
(Blind Faith in Waifus) Leap of Faith
A skill born from the protagonist’s unwavering belief that Weiss can achieve the impossible. A whimsical gift from God, unknown and invisible to Weiss himself, even when viewing stats.
