I Like Villains, so I Reincarnated as One
“Rosalia… First, I want to discuss the main subordinates and the territory, so I’d like to hold a meeting. Can you gather everyone for me? Also… could you find someone knowledgeable about magic?”
“If that’s the case, there’s no problem. The regular meeting is scheduled in a week, and as for a magic teacher, isn’t one already right in front of you, Lord Weiss? I’m glad you’ve taken an interest in magic again.”
“Huh? Oh, right, Rosalia was the teacher…”
Now that I think about it, Rosalia primarily fought using magic and spear techniques. It wouldn’t be strange if Weiss had learned magic from her in the past.
“Then, starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you again as your teacher!! Since we’re at it, let’s also work hard on the swordsmanship training that was interrupted.”
“Yeah, maybe I’ll learn that too. As the lord, I might end up on the battlefield.”
“No, Lord Weiss. Your job is to prevent such battles from happening in the first place. And even if it comes to fighting, I’ll absolutely protect you.”
“Yeah, I guess so…”
Ah, I know. I know how seriously you… how seriously you’ll protect Weiss. And even though it’s peaceful now, in a few years, it’ll be the timeline of the main game. A large-scale war will be unavoidable.
It’s not just Weiss I want to save. It’s her too… Someone as noble as her, who would risk her life to protect her lord, shouldn’t meet such a tragic end.
That’s why I’ll make sure Weiss… no, I’ll make sure I can honestly convey my feelings now.
“I’ll make a promise too. Rosalia, I’ll protect you. So stay by my side forever.”
“Eh… Yes… Of course. Lord Weiss, you’ve changed a bit… Could it be the shock from being stabbed affected your head…”
“Wasn’t that a good moment? Did I say something weird…?”
“Fufu, I just felt a little embarrassed. You’ve been a bit strange since waking up, but it seems like you’ve returned to the old Lord Weiss, and that makes me happy. Well then, starting tomorrow, I’ll be strict with you!!”
Rosalia smiled brightly at my words. And so, my life as Weiss began.
“Damn, damn, this is bad… What’s with this body? It’s so weak!!”
I was panting during the pre-training run, lamenting my own helplessness while desperately pushing my body to move. This malnutrition is no joke!! I seriously feel like I’m going to die!!
“Lord Weiss, you don’t have to push yourself too hard at first.”
“No, I can’t afford to take it easy… Besides, stamina is important no matter what.”
“Fufu, I’m glad to see you so motivated, Lord Weiss.”
Perhaps I pushed myself too hard. My legs wobbled, and I nearly collapsed. Maybe it’s because of the binge-eating and drinking after my parents’ death, but my stamina is worse than I expected.
I’ll have to deal with these terrible stats for a while.
“I want to learn swordsmanship too… but even swinging a sword seems tough right now…”
“That’s true. Let’s focus on building stamina and magic training for now. We can start swordsmanship once you’ve built up a bit more stamina. I can teach you the basics, but it’d be better to learn from a proper teacher…”
As she said that, Rosalia hesitated. What’s that about? It seems like there’s something she finds hard to say. Since Weiss had swordsmanship skills, he must have learned from someone in the past… but maybe that person has already been driven away.
I’ll have to confirm that later…
“First, let’s start with how to use magic… I’ve heard that sometimes, after a shock, people can’t use magic anymore. Magic is directly connected to the mind, after all. So let’s review the basics.”
Despite my claim of not knowing how to use magic, she taught me the basics with a puzzled look. Well, since I’m level 1, it means Weiss originally could use magic. It’s natural for her to be confused since I suddenly forgot.
But even so, she’s teaching me without showing any displeasure.
“Lord Weiss has a dark attribute, so let’s start with the most familiar element—shadows. Close your eyes and focus. Recognize your shadow as a part of your body. Even though it’s been a while, your body should remember the sensation. Then, recite the incantation that comes to mind.”
“An incantation… Can’t you just teach me one, Rosalia?”
“That’s difficult… My specialty is ice, and when I recite an incantation, the result also appears in my mind. If the image isn’t clear, the magic won’t work even if you recite it.”
“So no shortcuts, huh…”
I closed my eyes as Rosalia instructed. But how am I supposed to see my shadow as a part of my body? It’s just a shadow, right? And what incantation? The more I panic, the more confused I get. Just as I was sinking into confusion…
“I’ll lend you my power just this once. Remember, it’s only this one time.”
“Shadow’s arm, obey me!!”
With that voice, my senses connected with the shadow. An image of the shadow taking the form of an arm and swinging it came to mind. So this is the feeling!!
“Kyaa!?”
“How was that, Rosalia… Ah…”
What entered my vision was a fluttering skirt and a cute lace-embroidered light blue fabric. My shadow had taken the form of a hand and lifted her skirt.
“Lord Weiss…”
“No, that wasn’t on purpose… I mean… so it’s light blue because of the ice attribute?”
“Honestly… you’re such a pervert. You must never do that to other women, okay?”
Her face slightly red as she held down her skirt, she let out an exasperated sigh. You shouldn’t do that to Rosalia either, right…? Right?
“Anyway, it seems you’ve regained the sensation. Let’s practice freely controlling the shadow. Ah, if you try to touch my skirt again, I’ll cut that shadow, okay?”
“Y-yeah, I get it…”
“Once you can control your magic, there’s a lot more you can do. Let’s practice magic for about an hour, shall we?”
And so, the special training with her, who was smiling a little happily, began. It was unfamiliar, but practicing magic was incredibly fun, and I lost track of time. I mean, I can use the same magic as my favorite character? That’s awesome.
As a result, I was able to somewhat freely control one shadow hand. But what was that voice I heard earlier?
Please ignore this author’s note part (it’s for site’s technical reason)
Author’s Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter of Shadows of the Crimson Keep! If you’re enjoying the blend of medieval fantasy, magic, and political intrigue, stay tuned for more twists and turns as Weiss and Rosalia navigate their world of dark magic, noble obligations, and looming war. Don’t forget to check out the Worldbuilding Glossary below for deeper insights into the lore and keywords that shape this story!
Worldbuilding Glossary
Here are some key terms and concepts to enhance your understanding of the world of Shadows of the Crimson Keep:
- Dark Attribute Magic – A rare and powerful form of magic tied to shadows and the unseen. Practitioners, like Weiss, can manipulate shadows as extensions of their will.
- Ice Attribute Magic – A specialized branch of elemental magic, often associated with precision and control. Rosalia is a master of this discipline.
- Crimson Keep – The ancestral stronghold of House Weiss, a fortress known for its towering spires and dark history.
- Noble Obligations – The duties of a lord, including governance, diplomacy, and military leadership. Weiss must balance these responsibilities while preparing for an inevitable war.
- Magic Incantations – Verbal or mental phrases used to channel magical energy. Each spell requires a unique incantation and a clear mental image to succeed.
- Shadow Manipulation – The ability to control shadows as physical extensions, often used for both combat and utility.
- Medieval Fantasy Warfare – Large-scale battles involving knights, mages, and strategic alliances. The story foreshadows a coming conflict that will test the limits of Weiss’s leadership.
- Character Development – Weiss’s journey from a weakened noble to a capable leader, and Rosalia’s unwavering loyalty as his protector and mentor.
- Fantasy Politics – The intricate power dynamics between noble houses, territories, and factions vying for control in a medieval-inspired world.
- Loyalty and Sacrifice – Central themes in the story, exemplified by Rosalia’s dedication to Weiss and his growing resolve to protect those he cares about.
