“Curse Brother…”
For now, I put on a puzzled expression.
Hmm. How does Snow know about me?
“Yes, the Curse Brotherhood… Even in the church, that name must have come up. A mysterious, purpose-unknown group of transcendents operating in the shadows of this world.”
“Whoa.”
“Huh?”
“Ah, sorry, please continue.”
A mysterious, purpose-unknown group of transcendents…?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Snow, do you understand…?
This person really gets it.
Yes, that’s right, exactly! That’s the reaction I was looking for!
“They were the ones who took down Grellod. …We reincarnated heroes were saved by them. And the reason you, Kasuya -kun, were suspected by the church is… likely because you were given a bit of special treatment among Grellod’s farm slaves.”
“In other words, you, too, were simply caught up in the activities of the Curse Brotherhood.”
I direct my cursed energy into my eyes and activate the skill. I keep the cursed energy low enough that the Three-Monkey Mark doesn’t appear. I can see Snow’s magical power clearly again.
It’s wavering.
Each time she strings together her words, her rainbow-colored magic distorts like flames spewing from a broken gas burner.
“I… have things I want to ask them. About this world, about them… and many other things.”
Snow’s voice gets lower and lower.
I didn’t know she could use that tone.
Not to brag, but I’m smart.
So I get it.
She’s hiding something.
< Player, she… Snow is just like you… >
“Yeah… I know, Navi.”
Navi started saying something cryptic again, so I’ll just go along with it for now.
< Wow, you already figured it out… Understood… Please rest assured. I’ll show you that your Navi is superior to hers. Activating multi-layered anti-fairy espionage barrier… >
Navi’s getting wrapped up in its own world again…
Well, I’ll let it be… it’s that kind of age, I suppose.
“Kasuya -kun… please, take my hand. I… I want to become stronger…”
“…Stronger?”
“Yes… Strong enough to catch up to them… In this world, there is no value in weakness. To protect, to maintain, to reclaim, strength is necessary.”
“I see.”
Hmm… not bad, not bad, Snow.
Seeking strength for a purpose. Yeah, I don’t dislike that kind of determination.
And besides…
“I won’t let go of what’s mine anymore… Kasuya -kun, I want to talk to you again… like that night during the school trip…”
<…Unconsciously using a skill… How pitiable, a servant of God.>
Whoa. She can even use a skill?
Indeed, her words have an oddly strong impact.
I coat my ears lightly with cursed energy, and there, that should do it.
Marvelous! An unconscious display of noble arrogance!
A person chosen by fate, huh?
Hmm, interesting.
She’s a bit similar to White and the others.
And yet, Navi’s pulling its weight.
To think it already created a whole backstory involving some “servant of God.”
Heh, as a fellow would-be mastermind, I won’t lose.
“Kasuya Takuto-kun. Your answer, please. Will you join me?”
“…”
She’s got good eyes.
Eyes filled with determination, duty, and probably even a hint of anger that she herself hasn’t realized.
—The Curse Brotherhood. —Her. —And a slightly irked Snow.
With my keen intellect, there’s only one conclusion I can draw from all this.
Surely, Snow has some history with White and the others!
Was it back when Grellod kidnapped the reincarnated heroes?
At that moment, probably, well, something like that happened.
White or Scarlet must have said something offensive.
Nice, not bad at all.
The story is starting to take shape.
Navi, you’ve already solidified your storyline that much, huh!
I can’t lose. Watch me, I’ll create the perfect story!
Chapter 1: The protagonist strives to fulfill the duty of those who possess in a different world.
Chapter 2: The first setback in a new world, but the protagonist’s heart remains unyielding.
Chapter 3: The protagonist gathers allies, deciding to become stronger. There, he meets the party’s deadweight and easy target for teasing, who is powerless in combat.
Chapter 4: Through adventures and daily life in a new world, the bonds deepen, and the world’s crisis begins!!
Chapter 5: The protagonist resolves the crisis with love and effort. However, through the events, he realizes the mastermind behind the incidents and the source of his past failure that he’s been pursuing.
It’s the most trusted, harmless presence he had opened his heart to.
Final Chapter!
“It was you, wasn’t it? The cause of everything… Kasuya Takuto… no, the Curse King!”
With honed magic and refined skills.
He faces his final enemy!
The protagonist sheds tears, but still does what must be done!
And as the villain, I am defeated, not as a mere background character.
But as someone who lingers in the memory of others.
“Kehih.”
“Huh?”
Snow reacts with a start.
Oh no, oh no, I laughed a bit too much at this perfect situation.
“Ah, I’m sorry… Is it really okay, Snow-sama… to extend your hand to someone like me, a worthless nobody without a home…!”
Alright, if that’s decided, then haste makes waste.
My character is set.
I’ll go for a harmless and endearing character who, while hiding in the shadows of the protagonist, still admires them.
“I… I’m just a failure with a G-level gift… to be a companion of someone like Snow-sama…”
A quick glance.
Is this the vibe I want?
“Talent doesn’t matter. This is my selfish wish. But if you take my hand, I won’t let anyone complain.”
I think this will work!
Heh, the direction for my character is decided.
“Snow-sama… for you to say such a thing to someone like me, a failure…”
“Please drop the ‘sama.’ As I said on the school trip night, you can just call me Snow.”
“It’s… difficult to drop the honorifics. Snow-san. But if I can still be of help to everyone… even a worthless nobody like me, if someone needs me…”
“Even if you’re not needed, I’m just happy to talk to you again. Kasuya -kun, take my hand.”
“Yes…”
I take Snow’s outstretched hand.
Alright, here I should be modest and lacking in confidence.
This is my character setting.
I’ll go for a timid, harmless support-type character who lacks self-confidence.
Well, with land preservation skills and ritual creation gifts, I should be able to manage something that looks the part.
“We’re friends again, aren’t we?”
“I’m honored, Snow-sama.”
“Ahaha, you’re using ‘sama’ again. Is it asking too much to stop using honorifics and polite speech?”
“N-no, not at all! S-snow-san.”
“Hmm. That’s fine for now. Nice to meet you, Kasuya -kun.”
Aaaah.
What a bright smile.
The power of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, classic beauty smiling is immense.
Well, for now, my priority will be communication with Snow.
For a perfect stage, a perfect situation is needed, and for a perfect situation, a perfect betrayal is required; for the best betrayal, the best trust is essential.
For a while, I’ll focus on getting close to Snow.
I’ll become her best friend.
Just as I was about to grip Snow’s hand firmly again…
“Boy, so you were here.”
“Hey, my disciple, what a coincidence.”
“Fuhih… O-nii-san… hello.”
Three voices.
A silver-haired beauty clad in silver armor. A calm, purple-robed elf beauty with red hair. A regular town girl dressed simply, with black hair covering one eye.
It’s White, Scarlet, and Kuro, the trio.
They seem to be in famous-person mode.
They’re calling me by unique names from their own worldview and settings.
“““New friend? Introduce us!”””
Are they… smiling?
Hmm… Why are these guys here at this timing?
Well, they’re smiling, and it looks like we can have a fun conversation!
Alright!
