240: The Beginning of Everything

This is the longest chapter of the century, so please read it when you have plenty of time to spare.

I could have split it up, but I felt it was better to keep it all together.

――――――――――――――――

A mansion stood in the suburbs of Ostrava.

This was House Albert, the place I served.

It was my favorite workplace—a home with a vast garden and flowers blooming everywhere.

As I walked down the hallway, I heard children’s voices drifting in from the courtyard. When I turned my gaze toward the noise, I saw them chasing Master Neil.

Again?

Honestly, he was going to get scolded.

"Yay! Catch Master Neil!"

"Haha, hey! Stop that!"

"—Hey! Everyone, stop this instant!"

I grabbed one of the kids by the scruff of the neck, and they all froze, eyes widening in surprise.

"Ugh, P-Priscilla... ma’am."

"S-Sorry..."

"Return to your work. You know you'll be in trouble if you're even a second late coming back from your break."

"Okay..."

"We understand..."

The children scurried off. When I turned back to Master Neil, he was already looking for an escape route.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"Eh? W-Well... Priscilla, I'm sorry?"

"Sigh. Do you actually understand, Master Neil? Please stop interacting with the slave children as if you're equals. One day, you will be the head of House Albert."

Master Neil didn't seem to have a listening ear for my lecture. Of all things, he just flopped down onto the grass right there. As he gazed up at the sky, his expression turned uncharacteristically serious.

"It doesn't matter. Slaves and I are effectively in an employment relationship, even if we aren't socially 'equal.' It’s about mutual support. There are far too many people in this world who can't tell the difference between 'distinction' and 'discrimination.'"

There were many slaves in House Albert. I was a maid, but even including me, a clear hierarchy existed. The personal butler, the chef, the guards, the slaves, the servants—not everyone could just get along.

Furthermore, the current head, Master Isaac Albert, was strict and often argued with Master Neil about how people should be treated. Honestly, Master Isaac’s sensibility was the normal one. Master Neil was the eccentric, and everyone around him saw him that way. He was a noble of a House of the Duke, yet he spoke to everyone as an equal.

That was... his best quality, though.

"But Master Neil, that's just common sense."

"Exactly. And someday, I'm going to overturn that common sense. Just watch, Priscilla. I'll make it happen."

"Fufu. I’ll look forward to seeing it."

"Hah, you don't believe me at all, do you?"

"That's not true."

I really do believe him.

I believed that Master Neil would truly make his dream come true one day. I wanted to help him. I wanted a world where things like 'slaves' and 'hierarchies' vanished entirely—where everyone could just smile. A world where anyone, regardless of status, could be friends or fall in love.

I hoped that world would come someday.

"Priscilla, come here."

"Eh? T-To where?"

"Over here. Come on."

He beckoned me over. Wait, what is he...?

"Fueh?! Ahhh!"

Before I knew it, he had tugged me down, and I found myself lying there, staring up at the sky.

"The sky doesn't belong to anyone. Humans are the same way. Demi-humans too—everyone should be equal."

"...I suppose so."

"I'll take care of your family’s situation, too. So don't worry, just work hard."

"...Yes."

I was the daughter of a House of the Baron, but our business had faltered, and we were in a financial crisis. House Albert had taken me in. I was just a personal maid, yet Master Neil even worried about my family’s affairs.

How could he live so selflessly for others? If it were me, I’d be much more content to just sit back and wallow in idleness.

Ah, wait!

"Master Neil, you have magic theory homework this afternoon—"

"Oh, I already finished the paper on Attribute Magic. And the practical application as well. Look."

He held up his left hand, and a flame flared into existence. He was a genius on top of everything else. What a man. I was certain that if Master Neil ever became king, he would fulfill every one of his dreams.

However...

"U-Uwahhh! Priscilla, get it off! Take it off!"

"Yes, yes. Honestly, Master Neil... it's just a bug."

"...Phew. Ah, don't kill it. Make sure you release it outside properly."

"Shall I put it back on you?"

"No!"

On one hand, he hated conflict and was terrified of hurting anything. I’d heard rumors from the Academy that despite his excellent grades, he was mocked as "The Neil who can't even kill a bug."

It makes me so angry.

To think they would hurt someone as kind as him.

At that moment, Master Neil touched my cheek.

"Don't make such a sad face. Come on, smile."

"...Why are you so kind, Master Neil?"

"I'm not. I'm just normal. The world is just too cruel. My mother used to say that all the time, didn't she?"

"...She really was a wonderful person. She scolded that butler for being cruel to the slaves... she was a truly righteous soul."

"Yeah. I want to live nobly, just like her."

Master Neil’s mother had passed away from an illness several years ago. He had provided her with devoted care until the very end, never leaving the work to us. His mother had shared his views; she hated slavery and longed for equality. The only reason she bought children was to rescue them from horrific environments.

Master Isaac had been a quiet man, but back then, he was still kind. He changed after she passed away. He grew strict, quick to anger, and became obsessed with expanding the business, claiming he needed more money. There were even rumors he was dipping his toes into dangerous waters.

Master Neil was deeply troubled by this and was secretly investigating his father's dealings. Despite being father and son, they were constantly at odds. I could do nothing but watch over them.

"I’ll stay by your side forever. That’s really all I can do."

"Haha, that’s more than enough. But remember, you and I are equals. We’re friends."

"Fufufu, I like the sound of that."

I continued to serve Master Neil and House Albert faithfully. But one night, when I went to visit his room on an errand, I heard shouting from within.

"Father, how could you?! Just because it's legal doesn't mean you should make a business out of buying and selling people! Do you have any idea what Mother would think?!"

"Silence, Neil! It can't be helped. We need the capital to expand."

"Mother is gone! We don't need any more money!"

"Silence! Money is always a necessity! You need to learn how the world really works!"

It seemed he was becoming a financier for a Legal Slave Merchant. It was profitable, but it increased the risk of ties to criminal organizations and would ruin the family’s reputation. Master Neil was livid. It was the first time I’d ever seen him show such raw rage.

A few months later, Master Neil’s fears were realized. The slave merchant Master Isaac had been backing vanished with a massive sum of money, and it was revealed they had been trafficking humans in illegal territories.

Master Isaac was held responsible, forced to pay astronomical reparations to the state, and arrested. "I didn't know" wasn't a valid defense. He was branded as the mastermind behind the entire operation and given a sentence far heavier than his actual involvement warranted.

Master Neil tried everything to fix it, but the damage was done. With their credit gone, their legitimate businesses collapsed. Eventually, they couldn't even pay the servants, let alone the slaves.

As the staff resigned one by one, those of us who adored Master Neil were devastated.

"Priscilla, what are you going to do?"

"I’m going to stay and support him. My family is stable now, thanks to him. Right now... he needs someone to take care of him. He’s not even eating. He’s obsessed with trying to save Master Isaac. What about you, Nicola?"

Nicola, a girl with beautiful blue hair, had become a maid at the same time as me. She was kind and much more capable than I was. She, too, had been saved by Master Neil.

"I'm staying. It's important to keep up appearances so people think we can still afford staff. If we don't, he won't even be able to start a new business."

"I'm staying too," Reina added. "People judge based on what they see."

"I'll do anything for Master Neil," murmured Celia.

The four of us—Nicola, Reina, Celia, and I—were in nearly the same situation. We were always together.

Reina spoke up again. "But we have to make sure we aren't a burden while we support him."

"Right. Master Neil is so focused on making sure the slave children have food that he’s neglecting himself. He won't even sell this house because it was his mother's. Honestly, he only ever thinks about others..."

Being by his side was one thing, but it wasn't enough to truly help him. That was when Nicola found a job for us as maids at another mansion. It was a large estate, and the shift hours were perfect. We knew Master Neil probably wouldn't accept money if we gave it to him directly, so we planned to work in secret and support the household from the shadows.

"Priscilla, I can't pay your wages. I've already told the others..."

"It’s fine, Master Neil. I’m your maid, aren't I? But you better pay me double once things settle down!"

"...Thank you."

I couldn't help with the legal mess, but I handled everything else. I took care of the chores, cut costs wherever possible, and even handled the education of the slave children. Our secret work was going well, too.

One day, we were in a carriage heading home after receiving our pay.

"Ehehe, Master Neil is going to be so happy. I wonder what I should cook tonight?"

"Priscilla, you're grinning like an idiot. But yeah, it's a good feeling."

"I didn't think we'd get this much. Master Neil will definitely be relieved."

"I just want to see him smile again."

Even while struggling to rebuild, Master Neil made sure the slave children were treated well. But then we discovered the real reason Master Isaac had been so desperate for money.

It was in a letter—a final will from his mother. She had hated discrimination and had written of her grief regarding the treatment of slaves. Master Isaac had been trying to fulfill her wish by gathering enough wealth to buy out every slave in a poor environment and provide for everyone under his care. He hadn't told Master Neil because he knew how dangerous the path was.

I don't want anything more to happen to him. I want him to be happy.

『Priscilla, thank you, as always.』

『No, the pleasure is mine. You saved me first, Master Neil.』

『...By the way, what has everyone been up to lately? Nicola, Reina, Celia... how are they earning—』

『E-Eh?! M-More importantly, we're having meat tonight! Meat!』

『Where did you get the money for—』

『Yes, yes, let's eat! The kids are waiting!』

It was a hard time, but I knew Master Neil would get us through it.

"Everyone, let's keep working hard."

"Of course."

"Obviously!"

"Master Neil needs us now more than ever."

I was so glad I wasn't alone. As we talked, Nicola conjured a flame in her palm. Her hands were slender and beautiful; the light made them stand out even more.

"Next year, I'm going to train my magic even more. I’ll become stronger than anyone so I can be his personal guard."

"I won't lose either! I’ll master water sublimation!"

"Me too! I'll make my Earth magic invincible!"

We all had different attributes. We didn't have money for a teacher, so we trained together every day. We wanted to be the shields that protected Master Neil.

—Suddenly, the carriage bucked violently.

No, it didn't just shake. It moved with impossible force. The interior tossed us around like dolls before I was thrown out into the forest. My head struck something, and blood began to flow.

In my fading consciousness, I heard a voice.

"I'm paying you good money! Keep the Barrier up! These girls are strong, despite how they look!"

Who... is that...?

――――

When I woke up, I was strapped to a table. I looked around and saw the others in the same state. A man stepped into the light, wearing a repulsive grin. I recognized him from somewhere.

"Hehehe... finally awake?"

"...You're the butler... the one Mother fired..."

He was the man Neil’s mother had banished years ago for his cruelty to the slaves. I remembered him. I had hated him with a passion.

"W-What are you doing—"

"It's a grudge, brat. House Albert ruined my life. So what if I bullied a few slaves? After they kicked me out, no one would hire me. I’ve been eating dirt every day! Do you have any idea how hard an Adventurer has to work, vomiting blood just to kill a monster?!"

"That has nothing to— Gyaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Without a word, he pressed a red-hot branding iron into my right arm. He was insane.

"I was going to kill that bitch eventually, but she went and died on her own. But her son? Neil? Ugh, guys like him make my skin crawl. Such a self-righteous hypocrite. And Isaac? Watching him fall was hilarious."

"Did you... did you set them up? You piece of filth..."

"Guhehehe! Exactly! So I thought... if I make his precious little pets suffer, it’ll be the perfect revenge against the son, too."

"Doing this... won't make anyone happy... stop..."

"Shut up! Don't worry, I enjoy tormenting women, but I don't have a taste for kids. Gahahaha!"

"Kuh... Aaaaaaaaagh!"

I don't want to remember what happened after that.

Nicola's screams. Reina's screams. Celia's screams. Every single day, we were tortured. The sound of shrieking, the smell of burning flesh, the feeling of my body being systematically dismantled. Eventually, I stopped thinking. I didn't just give up; I forcibly shut down my mind to survive. A sane person couldn't have endured it.

Eventually, through a haze of broken memories, I found myself in front of an unfamiliar house.

"Filthy brats. Magic talent is all well and good, but I can't have them rebelling. Will they really behave if I put a Slave Crest on them?"

"No problem at all, sir. They don't even have the strength left to crawl."

"...They're a mess. Fine, they'll do for the experiments. But you'd better give me a discount."

"Of course, of course. But we brought them a long way. Throw me a little extra?"

After being broken, we were sold. Sold to a man we didn't know, for a purpose we couldn't fathom. We couldn't even speak anymore. We weren't walking; we were being dragged.

"Hey, kid. Neck out. Hah! Now you're mine."

My consciousness finally flickered out. The last things I saw were the Slave Crests being seared onto the necks of my friends.

――――

When I next opened my eyes...

"...Priscilla... thank god... you're awake..."

Master Neil was there. He looked older. Haggard.

"Master... Neil...?"

I didn't understand. What happened to me? And more importantly... why couldn't I see out of one eye?

"What's wrong? Why... why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. Priscilla, if you weren't here... I... I'm sorry..."

"It's okay... please don't cry... wait, why can't I move? Ah..."

Then I felt it. The pain. A searing, burning agony. My arms were wrapped in bandages. And my legs—my legs were gone.

"What... is this...?"

"I'm sorry. It's all my fault. All of it."

Ah... what is this feeling? Why am I... I'm happy. I'm just happy I got to see Master Neil again.

"It's okay... please don't cry."

"...I'm sorry."

"...Ah."

Finally, reality set in. Nicola, Reina, and Celia weren't there.

"Where... is everyone else?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

That day, Master Neil did nothing but weep and apologize. He wouldn't say a word.

◇

"Priscilla, were you awake?"

"...Yes. It hurts too much... I can't sleep."

"...I see."

My senses were dull, yet my body felt like it was on fire. Master Neil looked like he was carrying the weight of the world. He leaned over and began applying healing magic. He did this for hours, several times every single day.

"...How can you do that?"

"............"

He hadn't been able to use healing before. And this... this was high-level magic.

"Where is everyone?"

"............"

"Please tell me. And where are we?"

This wasn't the mansion. It was dark, windowless—like a dungeon.

"...I'm sorry."

"Please, Master Neil. Tell me."

"............"

"I—"

Then, I realized. Why hadn't I noticed until now? The left arm he was healing... it wasn't mine.

"...Ni...cola...?"

Those long, slender fingers. The skin tone was slightly off. But there was no way I could mistake them.

"Master Neil... what did you do?"

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Answer me! Tell me!"

Master Neil looked like he was being torn apart. Once the healing was done, he whispered something utterly horrific.

"I transplanted them."

"...What?"

"You were all... in a terrible state. I couldn't save everyone."

"What are you—"

The memories came rushing back. The groans, the screams—how could I have forgotten?

"No... you didn't..."

I tore the bandage off my other arm. It wasn't mine either. It was Celia's.

"N-No... this can't be happening..."

"...You were being held. And... to save you, Priscilla..."

"How could you do something so awful?! Why, Master Neil?!"

It was unthinkable. No matter the reason, it was unforgivable.

"Priscilla, I—"

"Get out! Get out of here!"

"But I have to finish the healing—"

"GET OUT!"

It hurt. My right arm, my left arm—they were burning. This wasn't my body. Why? Why?!

As I lay in bed, I began to piece together the fragments of my missing memories. We had been tortured and sold to a researcher. And now...

The Slave Crest.

I sat up and found a small mirror. The mark was still there on my neck.

Wait. This is wrong.

That night, Master Neil brought me food. Despite my outburst, he performed the healing in silence.

"...Master Neil. Why am I still conscious?"

A Slave Crest usually puts the victim in a state of brainwashing. The only way to break that is—

"............"

"Tell me everything. All of it."

After I asked a dozen times, he finally broke. We had been held in a frontier dungeon. A man was using us as lab rats for illegal healing research, experimenting on our different magical attributes. Master Neil had used every resource he had to find us. But by the time he arrived, it was too late to save the others.

"I killed him. I killed him with my own hands. I can still see his face. And I killed the man who sold you. That butler..."

"I see..."

"It was the only way. I tried everything else, but there was no other way."

I couldn't believe it. The kind Master Neil... had chosen to kill. For us.

"And the others...?"

"...I didn't make it in time. I used that man's research, his papers... I tried to save at least you. Using the knowledge I gained from what he did to them... I transplanted their parts into you. I'm sorry."

"...So this really is Nicola's arm. And Celia's..."

"...And inside you... is Reina."

He had done it to save me. But at what cost? How could he use their bodies just for me? My head understood his desperation, but my soul recoiled.

"Could you... leave me alone for today?"

"...Yeah."

I remained unstable for a long time. My temperature spiked, I was plagued by nightmares, and every part of my body—parts that didn't belong to me—screamed in pain. I couldn't even run away; I had no legs.

One day, in my agony, I screamed at him. I told him it was all his fault. I reviled the man who had saved me. Yet Master Neil still came every day to heal me. The transplant was successful, but the rejection was constant. He healed me seven times a day, even while I slept. The bags under his eyes were deep. He wasn't sleeping at all.

He hasn't changed.

He was still the same person.

"...Master Neil."

"...What?"

One day, in the middle of a healing session, I reached out. With Nicola's arms, Celia's hands, and Reina's strength, I hugged him.

Everyone will forgive me, won't they? It's Master Neil. Even if they don't... I will.

"Thank you. Thank you for saving me. I'm alive because of you. Truly... thank you."

"...I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

After that, Master Neil told me the rest. They were all tragedies. We were in a rented house far from the Capital. Master Isaac had committed suicide in prison after writing a letter of apology. Neil had sold the mansion and everything else just to find us.

Why is the world so cruel to someone so kind?

"I don't even know where the slave children are anymore. I lost them."

The smiling Neil was gone. But his heart... that was the same.

"...Sorry. I'm sorry."

But I could tell he was still hiding something. Eventually, I became able to move with a wheelchair. He told me to stay in bed, but I was worried. I went out into the hallway and heard a sound. A muffled sob. The smell of blood was overwhelming.

I opened a door and saw a child on a table. No—a corpse. The room was filled with rot, blood, and the stench of death. In the center stood Master Neil, drenched in blood, looking like a ghost.

"Master... Neil..."

"Priscilla? Why are you here?"

"...Come here."

"N-No! The blood... it's dangerous... you'll get sick..."

"Please."

He slowly approached me. I reached out, and he collapsed to his knees, burying his face in my lap.

"It's okay. I'm on your side. I'll protect you. You aren't doing anything wrong, Master Neil."

"...I'm scum... to save you... I bought corpses... but it's not enough... I don't have enough knowledge..."

Healing magic required a perfect understanding of the human body. My body was falling apart, and he didn't know how to fix it. To save me, he was enduring this hell every single day—the blood, the rot, the guilt.

What an incredibly kind man.

A miracle was happening inside me. I could feel them. My friends' magic was dwelling within me. Fire, Water, Earth. And a burning hatred—Darkness.

I knew why. It was to protect Master Neil. They were telling me to keep him safe.

It's okay. No matter what happens, they're lending me their strength. I will protect him.

"I’ll help you. I’ll learn healing too. If I can do it myself, you won't have to suffer like this."

"No... I can't let you do that..."

"Please."

From then on, we conducted research on the very edge of the law. We bought corpses, performed transplants, and practiced suturing. Over and over, until finally...

"Priscilla, yes. That's it."

"Kuh... hah... ah!"

I successfully attached legs from a corpse to my own body. Through constant healing and rejection, I stood and fell, stood and fell, until eventually, I could walk. We became experts in the human body. We knew exactly how to heal it—and how to destroy it. We eventually reached a level of skill where we could use Mana for constant self-healing, likely beyond anyone else in the world.

However...

"...Priscilla, someday I’ll find a way to remove it. Just wait."

"It's okay. This is just a mark. You're the one who set my heart free."

The Slave Crest would not vanish. No matter what we tried.

By the time I was fully recovered, something strange had happened. I possessed a terrifying amount of Mana. I knew why. Nicola, Reina, and Celia were giving me their power. My skin had assimilated, the scars had faded. Some remained, of course, but that was just the price of what we'd done.

But this was only the beginning.

"Priscilla, I'm going to find the children. I'm going to rescue them. It might... get a bit rough."

"I don't mind. I feel the same way. And everyone will help us."

We began rebuilding House Albert. We bought back the children, the butlers, the maids. It was a constant struggle, but Master Neil was a genius. He reclaimed the estate and his wealth in no time. When people came for him with grudges, I became his spear and shield. It was what we wanted.

"Gwah! S-Stop!"

"I won't allow you to lay a finger on Master Neil."

Some children were found, others were lost forever. But Master Neil didn't stop. He bought other slaves, other suffering children, to give them a better life.

But tragedy struck again. Slave merchants, furious that Neil was encroaching on their territory, attacked while we were away. Many innocent children were killed as a warning.

"Why? Why does this keep happening?"

"...You didn't do anything wrong, Master Neil."

"No... it's because I'm weak. I'm too weak. I need to be stronger. I need to be a monster. I'll make them tremble just by looking at me."

That day, Master Neil changed. He became strict with the slaves, demanding they grow strong. He hired more combat-ready staff. He buried his kindness and played the part of a cold-hearted tyrant. It worked. People began to fear him. The attacks stopped. The insults stopped.

But it wasn't enough. I had to do more.

"Master Neil, I won't hide my Slave Crest anymore. I will be the icon of your terror. I’ll be the ruthless slave who crushes anyone who opposes you. Use me like a tool. It will make them fear you even more."

"...Are you sure?"

"Yes. We are your maids, after all."

I stopped hiding the mark. I trampled anyone who crossed him. People believed that anyone who resisted Master Neil would be brainwashed, just like me. The effect was absolute. Even the roughest slave merchants began to fear us.

"Priscilla, do you know why diamonds are expensive?"

"...Because they're rare?"

"Exactly. Right now, slaves are cheap. I'm going to change the market."

"How?"

"I’ll buy them all. I’ll control the supply and demand. It's basic economics."

He was brilliant. If you couldn't abolish slavery, you made it expensive.

"People don't mistreat things that cost a fortune. That is a universal truth. Slaves are abused because they are cheap. To fix that, we need money. More and more money."

"Yes, Master Neil."

It was a genius plan. But as he pursued it, he grew cynical. He stopped believing in people. He decided the world was full of scum that only he could lead. He educated the slaves he bought, dressed them well, and then sold them at astronomical prices. When I checked on them later, they were being treated as humans. He was right. He was truly incredible.

"Priscilla, if a slave doesn't meet the educational standards, punish them."

"...Are you sure?"

"I can't save everyone. We have to be willing to discard the weak."

He lost his hesitation to hurt others. Was this a good thing? I didn't know anymore.

"Priscilla, I'm enrolling in Noblesse. Money isn't enough; I need authority."

"Understood. I'll watch the estate."

"What? You're coming with me. You're my maids, aren't you?"

"—Yes."

The entrance exam was a joke. To our surprise, the Training Uniform was perfectly compatible with our healing techniques. Everything we had done was paying off. In Noblesse, his name spread—genius, wealthy, terrifying.

The Point System was a godsend. It allowed us to take long leaves to handle the business. But when his attention drifted, incidents still happened.

"How long have you served House Albert?"

"...Five years, sir."

A butler we had trusted was stealing from the slaves and using excessive violence. I dealt with him. Master Neil was heartbroken.

"...Why? Why don't they understand? No matter how many times I tell them... scum, all of them..."

"Master Neil..."

"More. I need more. Eva Avery is there. I need more pawns. More terror."

Everyone knew Eva Avery. Rumor had it she hated slaves, but she knew of Master Neil. If she joined us, our influence would be absolute. Then we met Weiss Fancent. He was famous as a Degenerate Noble, though we heard he'd changed.

The more we researched him, the more insane it got. Top of the class, repelled a Calamity, stopped a Demon Race invasion. If he and Master Neil could align...

If Weiss joined us, Eva Avery, Milk Abitus, the Violetta heiress, Cecil Antwerp, Carta Wiore—they would all be behind us. I had to bring him in. Then Cecil-san reached out. It was perfect.

But...

"...What do you think, Priscilla?"

"...I think he's extraordinary."

Having met him, I knew. I had seen plenty of strong people, but Weiss Fancent and Cecil Antwerp... we couldn't beat them. My instincts shouted it.

"I see... I feel the same way."

The business was fine, but we realized we were out of time. At this rate, Neil would die before his dream was complete. Without him, the scum would take over again. To move faster, we needed Weiss Fancent. We needed Eva Avery.

"...I'll handle it. Just give me some time."

I planned it all out. Every pattern, every personality trait. I found one possibility. Weiss was just like Master Neil. He had a core of kindness. If his maid, Lilith Scarlet, was in danger, he would act. He would take the bet.

But we still couldn't win a fair fight. I had to make him lower his guard. My Slave Crest... it was the only way.

"...Is that even possible? No one has ever done that. Not even us."

"Yes. Weiss Fancent and Cynthia Violetta will create a miracle. They will break my crest. And when they do, they'll be relieved. They'll think Master Neil is all that's left. That's our opening."

"...I'm sorry, Priscilla."

"It's okay. And Master Neil... please treat me even more harshly. It will make the act more convincing."

The plan worked perfectly. The exam was set. But strangely, Master Neil had a talk with Allen. He was emotional afterward—a rare sight.

The day before the match, he came to see me. He was crying.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay. No one hates you, Master Neil."

"Nicola... Reina... Celia... I'm sorry."

The guilt still haunted him. Every time he looked at my arms or legs, he felt the pain. He was unstable, lost between his masks. Maybe we should have just forgotten everything after we got the house back. Maybe we would have been happier just living quietly.

But I knew why he couldn't laugh. It was my Slave Crest. It reminded him of his failure every time he saw it.

As he slept, I touched the mark.

If only this didn't exist...

Maybe we could have been happy. Neither of us knew if this path was right anymore. But we couldn't turn back. I just had to believe in Weiss Fancent.

And I lied to Master Neil. I didn't know if the crest alone would be enough to win. I had to set one more trap. I had to disable the Training Uniform's safety magic.

――――――――――――――――

The match began.

We took down Cecil-san and Duke-san. Letting Carta-san escape was a mistake, but it was fine. I survived a massive attack from above. And then, as I believed they would, they created a miracle. A magic that severed a Slave Crest without killing the servant.

It was incredible. How many people would be saved by that? They didn't even realize the weight of what they'd done. But I was the villain. I was going to use their kindness against them.

But Cynthia Violetta blocked my attack. She was like me—she had doubted me from the start. She had harbored a tiny deception, all to protect Weiss Fancent.

Incredible.

But I wouldn't lose. I wasn't alone.

"Priscilla!"

Weiss's sword gouged my left arm. He looked shocked. There was an opening.

"We will win! We’ll win and take you for ourselves!"

"I won't... lose."

Nicola's arm was blown away. I'm sorry. Celia's arm was at its limit. Reina's body was screaming in pain. But we didn't give up.

"I... won't... lose..."

But Weiss Fancent's sword surpassed us. He cut through the power we had gained from a thousand life-and-death struggles. His blade pierced my shoulder. My strength drained away.

"...Priscilla, your Training Uniform..."

I can't lose. I won't.

"Why? Answer me! Why take such a risk?!"

"If it's you... you should understand."

"...No way. Are you..."

He was clever. And kind. The Mana in his blade flickered.

"Are you... the 『King』?"

"...That's right. If you want to win... you have to kill me."

That was my final trap. He couldn't win without killing me. And I knew him. He was like Master Neil. He had a kind soul. He wouldn't be able to do it.

"You're mistaken," Weiss said.

"............"

"I felt your will. Your need to win. But I have one too. I live for it. I won't let the resolve of Lilith, Cynthia, and Carta go to waste. I'm sorry... but even if I have to kill you, I will win."

I underestimated him.

I couldn't win. I'm sorry, everyone. I'm sorry, Master Neil.

But I did my best. I can rest now. Will Master Neil be sad? I'm sorry for hurting you again...

My consciousness began to fade.

"Priscilla... I won't forget you."

Without a shred of hesitation, Weiss Fancent swung his sword down.

――――――――――――――――

Afterword:

This was all decided from the moment Neil and Priscilla first appeared. The reason the butler was bullied, Priscilla’s magic, Eva’s attitude, the Slave Crest, the hot springs scene—it was all leading here. I wanted to write a solid history for these "villains" to show the depth of the Noblesse Oblige story.

This was their past. Next time, we return to the present for the conclusion of the Neil and Priscilla arc. Thank you for bearing with this long chapter!

Also, pre-orders for the light novel have begun under the new title: I Reincarnated as a Lazy and Evil Noble, and After I Destroyed the Scenario, I Became the Strongest with Extraordinary Magic Power (Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko).

Thank you for your support! ☺