254 Deep Within the Heart

“Do you really think the Demon Race will attack us again...?”

At Lilith’s murmur, I turned my gaze toward the sky. I took a long, deep breath, letting the memories of everything we’d endured up to this point wash over me.

It’s time, I realized. I can’t keep this bottled up any longer.

“Cynthia, Lilith. Everything I’m about to tell you is the absolute truth. There are things I still can’t explain, and things I’m not allowed to say... but even so, will you listen to me?”

I had finally resolved to tell them everything.

I have no idea if they’ll actually believe I’m a different person. For all I know, they’ll think I’ve finally lost my mind.

“Of course we will,” Cynthia answered immediately.

“Weiss-sama, we’re listening!” Lilith added.

The two of them smiled at me with such genuine warmth that I felt a wave of relief. God, I’m lucky to have them.

And so, I began to speak. I told them a little about my original world and how I used to play a game called Noblesse Oblige. I explained that they were actually characters within that game.

However, I kept the details of the future to a minimum. I was certain that if they knew too much, the future would shift in unpredictable ways. Because of that, there was very little I could offer as proof. It was an absurd, nonsensical story.

Despite that, the two of them listened with dead-serious expressions until I reached the end. Then, they hit me with a reaction I never expected.

“Weiss-sama, you’re even more incredible than I thought!”

“...What? Why?” I blinked, caught off guard.

“Because even though you know what’s coming, you aren’t running away! You’re standing your ground and fighting! If it were me, I’d have bolted for the hills by now!”

“Lilith is right,” Cynthia added softly. “I love that positive outlook of yours, Weiss. And please, rest assured—we aren't going anywhere. We will be by your side from now on, just as we have been. Nothing has changed.”

In that moment, my heart gave a literal jolt. It felt as if something warm had reached out and touched it.

I see... I didn’t even realize it myself, but I must have been in agony.

Deep down, I had felt like a fraud, like I was deceiving the people closest to me. But they accepted me anyway. That simple fact made me happier than I could put into words.

“...Thank you. And I’m sorry. There’s still so much I can’t talk about yet.”

“It’s okay!” Lilith chirped. “From now on, I’ll be right there to support you too!”

“As will I,” Cynthia said. “Let us face the future together from here on out.”

I hadn’t told them that the original "Weiss" was destined for total ruin. Even so, they must have sensed something from my behavior and the way I’d been acting. Cynthia’s kindness in explicitly saying we would face it together soaked into my soul.

“I owe you both,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “I’m counting on you.”

“Yes! I look forward to working with you all over again!”

“The pleasure is ours. When the time comes that you can tell us more, please do. We are your allies, Weiss. Always.”

This had been an unexpected vacation, but I felt more motivated than ever. I was going to keep training, keep grinding, and never let up.

“Still, it is quite a shock,” Cynthia said, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “In this game of yours, Weiss and I were deeply in love, weren't we?”

“Oh, I’m so curious!” Lilith added excitedly. “I bet I was working behind the scenes as Weiss-sama’s right-hand woman, wasn't I!?”

How do I tell them? In the game, Cynthia was head-over-heels for Allen, and Lilith was a shadow assassin working behind the scenes to murder me...

Yeah, there is absolutely no way I can tell them that.

“Uh, how was it again? I think... I think it was something like that?” I stammered, breaking into a light sweat.

“Fufufu, just as I suspected,” Cynthia teased.

“Ehehe, that makes me so happy!”

Seriously, these two are way too good for me.

I will do it. I will absolutely avoid my ruin, no matter what it takes.

Afterword

Weiss has finally revealed the secrets he’s been keeping.

However, their relationship remains unchanged. While their bond has grown even stronger, the future might start to shift just a little.

This feels like a perfect stopping point, so I’m concluding Chapter Eight: Neil & Priscilla & Future Arc here.

I plan to post an interlude next, and the new arc will kick off at the Noblesse Magic Academy.

Please look forward to it! (^^)/

Pre-orders for the light novel have begun! To ensure we get a sequel, would you mind considering a pre-order...!?

"I Reincarnated as a Lazy and Evil Noble, and After I Destroyed the Scenario, I Became the Strongest with Extraordinary Magic Power"

Release Date: March 29, 2024 (Tuesday) (Planned for both print and digital) Label: Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko Illustrator: Rein Kuwashima

[Amazon Link & Illustrations] https://twitter.com/Kikuchikaisei/status/1755186344601804896

[Activity Report & Illustrations] https://kakuyomu.jp/users/Sanadakaisei/news/16818023213152743067

Thank you for your support! ☺