125 Because I Was by His Side More Than Anyone Else

"Lilith, the bruise..."

"Eh?"

One day, Lord Weiss suddenly changed.

Until then, he had delighted in tormenting others, but he became the exact opposite.

From then on... he became a truly wonderful person.

He learned to respect people. He learned to understand how others felt.

And so, I found myself wanting to change, too.

I was the lowest of the low. I was barely surviving, a life sustained only by killing others. I spent my nights unable to sleep, haunted by what I had done.

But Lord Weiss reached down and pulled me up from the very bottom of hell.

If it’s Lord Weiss, he would never lose to a creature like this.

If it’s Lord Weiss, he would never abandon anyone.

If it’s Lord Weiss, he would never run away.

If Cecil-san dies here, everyone will blame themselves. And more than anything, it would break Lord Weiss’s heart.

"Lilith, I’m so glad you were here."

"No. It’s the other way around. I’m the one who should be saying that—I’m the one who’s glad."

---

I’ve realized something.

Weiss is not the "Lord Weiss" from before.

It sounds like a crazy story. It sounds like a delusion. There’s no way such a thing could be possible. Lady Cynthia probably hasn't noticed. No, there's no way she could understand.

But I know.

I know because I’ve been by his side more than anyone else.

Lord Weiss has truly become a different person.

I don’t know the principle behind it, and I don't care about the logic. All I know is that I love the current Lord Weiss. I never want to see him look sad, not even for a moment.

Until now, I always had a brake on my heart. I used to enjoy hurting people. But then, I lost the desire to cause pain.

—But you. You’re different, Demon.

You hurt everyone. You backed Cecil-san into a corner. You made Allen-san suffer. You terrified Shari-san. You forced Duke-san into a heartbreaking choice. You pushed Cynthia-san to her limit.

And you—you tried to kill Cecil-san.

I will never, ever forgive anyone who harms the people I love.

"...Die."

"I’ll start with you—! Gyaaaauuuh?! Aaah, aaghh, aaaaaaagh! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhh!"

◇

One moment Lilith-san was stepping forward, and the next, Beltony’s right arm simply disintegrated.

No... that’s not it. He was being carved to ribbons at a speed faster than the eye could follow.

"You bitch! How dare you!"

Lilith-san effortlessly ducked under Beltony’s counterattack and, in the same breath, sliced off his left arm. His Inviolable Domain couldn't keep up. The barrier flickered into existence a second too late.

"...I’m no different from you, Demon. I don't even intend to judge your way of life. But I will not forgive you."

"Shit... gah! Stop spouting this incomprehensible crap!"

Beltony shrouded his entire body in mana. Despite having no arms left, he tried to pin Lilith-san’s shadow with his right foot while launching a kick with his left.

But Lilith-san let her mana surge, forcibly canceling his ability. She evaded the kick by a hair’s breadth and took his left leg next.

"S-shit... no one told me about this... You... you shouldn't be this strong!"

"Why did you target Cecil-san?"

"Heh... as if I’d tell—"

Beltony managed one last smirk. They were his final words. Lilith-san took his head.

In his final moments, the demon released a terrifying surge of mana. His headless torso began to glow—it was a self-destruct.

"Shield...!"

"Ice Shield...!"

Cynthia-san and I chanted our defense formulas simultaneously, desperate to cover Lilith-san.

The explosion erupted—the scale of it was massive.

"Soil Wall."

Just then, Shari slammed both hands onto the ground, raising an incredibly high wall of earth. The blast was contained, sending nothing but dirt and embers dancing into the air.

As the smoke cleared, we saw Lilith-san collapsed on the ground.

"Lilith..."

Cynthia-san staggered toward her. Duke followed.

I couldn't move an inch. The pain in my hand was becoming unbearable. I’d used too much mana, and my body’s natural healing couldn't keep up with the damage.

"Lilith, are you alright?!"

"Haa... haa... Thank goodness... Cynthia-san, tell me... did I... did I manage to be like Lord Weiss?"

"Yes, truly... you were just like Weiss. You were amazing. But for now... you must sleep."

"Yes... please handle... the rest..."

"Duke-san, please hold Allen-san’s arm. I need to suture it, fast!"

"R-right! Hey, Allen?! Stay with me!"

"...I’m still alive..."

"Allen-san, please endure the pain."

"...Yeah."

The cold mana began to numb my wrist, but the raw, stinging pain remained.

Ah... I... I have to get... stronger...

◇

The message from the messenger bird was absolutely terrifying.

It said Cynthia and the others had run into Allen’s group by chance, and while they were clearing out some Goblins, a demon had ambushed them.

Cecil was the target. Allen had lost his right hand in the chaos, though the report said Cynthia used her ability to successfully reattach it.

Normally, that’s physically impossible. It would mean Cynthia has the medical knowledge of a professional surgeon.

...Actually, it's just plain impossible. But what’s even crazier is the news that Lilith took down a demon.

I scrambled onto a ship with the teachers from Noblesse. I was a nervous wreck the whole way, but Teacher Milk kept telling me, "It’s okay," over and over.

The moment we stepped off the ship, Cynthia and the others were there waiting. A full day had already passed since the fight.

"Lilith! Cynthia!"

"Weiss!"

"Lord Weiss!"

"...I’m so sorry. If only I’d been there..."

"It’s alright, Weiss. We were the ones who insisted on going. Besides, everyone is safe thanks to Lilith."

"Yeah, I heard. Lilith, you were incredible."

"Yes! I am Lord Weiss’s maid, after all!"

"...You really were amazing. You did so well."

"Ehehe... I’m so happy. I don’t think I’ve ever been praised this much before."

Lilith gave me her usual wide, beaming smile.

During the voyage, Teacher Milk had filled me in on Lilith’s past. I’d had my suspicions that something was off, but I never imagined she was actually the Silent Witch.

Even in the Original Story, she was described as a terrifying assassin. And yet... she’d probably been nerfed because of me.

Well, whatever.

"Thanks, Lilith."

"Ehehe, I’m very happy today!"

Then, I turned to Allen and his group standing nearby.

"Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah, no problems here."

"Me too."

"Same for me."

Allen showed me his right hand. Even though it was reattached, the job wasn't perfect; a nasty scar remained around his wrist.

Suddenly, Coco appeared from behind and grabbed Allen’s hand.

"Hmm, not bad, Cynthia. I’ll handle the finishing touches."

In her usual casual tone, Coco began chanting healing magic over Allen’s wrist. For someone as skilled in defense formulas and healing magic as Coco to offer a compliment... Cynthia’s work must have been something else.

Teacher Milk was busy coordinating with the local soldiers, likely sharing information about the attack.

Next, I spoke to Cecil.

"Thanks for everything."

"Fufufu, Fancent-kun. I think you’ve said a lifetime’s worth of 'thank yous' just today."

"Heh, you might be right."

She gave me the same smile as always. Seriously, the girl was targeted for assassination and she’s still this calm?

"Whew... I’m finally starting to feel like I can breathe again. Duke, sorry I tried to make you abandon Cecil."

"It’s not your fault, Duke. You were the only one who could make a rational call in that moment. If anything, I’m grateful. You believed in me, didn't you?"

"That’s right. Everyone was incredible. I’ve got to work harder."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. If Shari-san hadn't set those traps, we would’ve been wiped out."

As I listened to them, I felt the weight of my own helplessness for the first time.

The Slothful villain, Weiss Fancent. I’m not even supposed to be a part of the main story.

"It’s all thanks to you, Weiss. That’s why we’re safe," Cynthia said suddenly.

I let out a surprised, raspy croak. "Me?"

"Yes! We survived because you’re so strong, Lord Weiss. We all wanted to be just like you!"

"I hope that’s true."

...If that’s the case, then maybe my existence actually means something here.

Good grief, it’s been a long time since I felt this sentimental.

Strictly speaking, the demon was repelled. Compared to the timeline of the Original Story, this was happening at an impossible speed.

"We have a lot to talk about, so shall we head back to the ship?"

"Yes! And I have something to give you!"

"Is that so? I’m looking forward to it."

Once we were back on board, Cynthia and Lilith presented me with gifts. Apparently, it was for our "engagement anniversary."

Heh. I felt a bit guilty, but they both looked so genuinely happy.

And then, at the very end, Lilith leaned in.

"Lord Weiss... I am so glad I met you."

"...What’s that supposed to mean? We’ve been together this whole time, haven't we?"

"Fufufu, I suppose we have."

She spoke with a mysterious weight to her words. But her smile in that moment was more beautiful than any I had ever seen.