Are you familiar with the concept of the "stepping stone" character?
The nuance is similar to a "jobber" or a sacrificial villain. In essence, they are the antagonists meant to be cast aside for the sake of the protagonist’s growth.
They are the firewood used to make the hero shine.
The villains created to prove the protagonist is a saint.
It had been several years since I was reincarnated as such a character.
And finally, I was about to fulfill my destiny—
"Reiji... did you really think someone of your caliber could hope to defeat me?"
I sneered, lacing my voice with as much scorn as I could possibly muster.
"Not yet...! I’m not... finished yet!"
The boy glared straight at me, smeared in mud and blood as he crawled across the ground.
With his burning red hair and eyes lit by an unyielding spark, he was the future hero destined to save this world—Reiji Wolf.
Even though I had beaten him to a pulp, Reiji forced himself back up and leveled his sword at me once more.
A chill ran down my spine, making the hair on my arms stand on end.
My instincts were screaming, sounding alarm bells at the sheer latent power this man was about to unleash.
............ .............. ................
Aaaaaaaah! At last!
It took so long!
It really, truly took forever!
So... this is the moment!
You’ve finally grown strong enough to defeat me!
Yes! Come on! Hit me!
I’ve been ready to go out in a blaze of glory for a long time now!
Now—Hero.
Surpass me. Step over my corpse and awaken to your true power.
For me, Claude von Einhart, this once-in-a-lifetime career as a stepping stone ends right here!
"Wait, Reiji!"
Just then, a high-pitched voice pierced the air.
A young woman stood watching us. She had lustrous silver hair and amethyst eyes brimming with tears. It was Celestia, a Duke’s daughter and my former fiancée—the one I was supposed to have cruelly dumped when I broke off our engagement.
"Claude-sama isn't a bad person!"
Huh?
What the hell is she talking about?
"Claude-sama is actually a very kind man! Everything... everything he's doing, he’s doing for a reason! Isn't that right, Claude-sama?!"
Celestia stared straight into my soul.
Before I could even wrap my head around her sudden outburst, let alone find my voice, another girl appeared before us. This one was blonde.
It was Irene, the second princess of this kingdom.
"She’s right! There’s no way Claude would ever hurt someone without a reason!"
Hey, wait...
"I know the truth! You’re actually more scarred than anyone... and yet you’re hiding your pain to fight this battle all alone!"
Hey!
Hold on just a damn minute!
—How the hell do they know that?!
It was true that I’d been working tirelessly behind the scenes to mold Reiji into a hero, but... I should have been meticulously careful to maintain my persona as a stepping stone.
How did I get found out?
Dammit, this was the climax!
The hero was finally about to stomp all over me!
"Hahaha."
An amused, masculine laugh echoed inside my mind.
The sword in my hand began to speak to me.
"It seems they understand. They know who the true hero really is."
Shut up, Demon Sword.
"I’m a Holy Sword!"
As if a pitch-black Holy Sword like you actually exists.
"Claudeeeee!"
In the blink of an eye, Reiji closed the distance and swung his sword down.
It was a speed no ordinary person could track. The wind pressure alone was enough to crack the earth beneath us. And yet, to my eyes, the trajectory seemed strangely sluggish and lacked any real conviction.
I mean, come on...
For the love of—!
"Why are you still so weak?!"
"Gwah!"
The hand I swung reflexively had exceeded the speed of sound.
The back of my hand caught Reiji square in the jaw. He went tumbling violently across the ground, skipping like a stone until he vanished over the horizon.
The one who went out in a blaze of glory was Reiji.
...Good grief.
I instinctively clutched my head.
Give me a break. You're the only person who can save this world.
I can't let you step over me if your skills are still that pathetic.
I looked over at Celestia and Irene.
Those two were supposed to be Reiji’s allies. To ensure that, I’d spent years acting like a total prick to make them hate me.
And yet... why won't they give up on me?
Why are they both staring at me with such overwhelming concern in their eyes?
Something was wrong. Something was missing.
For the past several years, I had put in blood-curdling effort to be the perfect stepping stone to launch Reiji toward greatness. The foundations I’d laid for my own ruin should have been flawless.
...Think. Remember.
Recall the days I spent as a stepping stone up until now.
The answer has to be in there somewhere.
Some massive misunderstanding that I failed to notice.
I’ll wind back the clock. To the very beginning. To the day I regained the memories of my past life—