The Villainous Noble’s Father - Chapter 10

It’s kind of hard to walk into the room…

I’ve been pacing in front of the parlor door for about 15 minutes now.

Inside, Leonard and that commoner kid, Alan, was it? Are having a great time chatting away. The issue is what they’re talking about.

“I mean, c’mon! The coolest story about the Duke has to be that one where he charged straight through the enemy lines during a retreat, right?”

“The Retreat at the Goln Plains! That one’s a classic!”

“Yes! That’s the one! And the line the Duke said to the commander back then? Super badass! ‘This is a hopeless battle, but still—’”

“Let’s at least turn it into a draw!”

Yep. They’re having a blast reciting that line in perfect sync, but… I never said that. That’s something a bard made up later. Back then, we were just desperately trying to buy time so our allies could escape. So my knights and I charged straight into the enemy camp to cause a distraction.

The enemy, thinking they were cleaning up stragglers, got thrown off by the sudden counterattack. We wrecked their command post and then ran like hell.

Oh, and we went the wrong way while escaping, so we accidentally blasted through the center of the main enemy camp.

Basically, it was more of a near-disaster than a heroic tale.

They’ve been going on like this for a while, excitedly talking about my wartime stories. And while they aren’t exactly lying, most of what they’re saying is seriously exaggerated. Which makes it even harder to go in there.

But still. Aren’t those two getting along really well? I can’t help but be curious, so I slowly crack open the parlor door and peek inside.

“Wait, you’ve actually met Vali the ‘Swordmaster Who Cut Down 100 Men’!?”

“Heh. Of course. He’s part of our knights order. He even taught me swordsmanship once.”

“Whoaaa! That’s awesome! Did he give you any tips on how to take down a hundred guys!?”

“…He said it’s exhausting, and he never wants to do it again.”

The two boys are laughing on the sofa, clearly having a great time. So the red-haired one is Alan! He really does look just like the protagonist of Brave Blade.

He gives off that classic upbeat hero vibe from older games. Kind of the total opposite of me. I’m more of a gloomy introvert. Even our family name, Finster, literally means “dark.” It’s right there in the name.

If Alan’s backstory is really like it was in the game, it’s a pretty heavy one. He grew up as a war orphan in an orphanage, scraping by however he could. He’s got magic, though. With his natural strength, he could outwork adults in physical labor even as a kid.

Unlike my pudgy son, Alan’s body is lean but toned. Still, he’s had no education. Can’t even write his own name. In the game, he barely got into the Royal Academy, and ended up in the lowest-ranked class, F Class.

Even though nobles looked down on him, he climbed his way up with sheer willpower and positivity.

By the way, his parents? You find out in the second half of the game. His mother died in the war. And his father? Turns out he’s a hero on the demon side and shows up later in the story.

A hero dad who turns out to be the enemy? Classic Star Wars stuff.

“…Um, Father?”

Crap. Busted.

I was so deep in thought, watching through the crack in the door, I didn’t realize Leonard spotted me. Our eyes meet through the opening.

“Ahem. Looks like I kept you waiting.”

I cleared my throat dramatically and stepped into the room.

“W-Whoa… It’s the real Duke…”

“I-I told you to watch your mouth, you birdbrain! I’m so sorry, Father! He just really doesn’t know how to talk to nobles…”

Alan stares up at me with sparkling eyes while Leonard frantically tries to smooth things over.

Heh. Knowing how they interact in the game makes this kind of charming to watch.

“It’s fine. I’ve spent a lot of time on the battlefield, I’m not going to get upset over something like that. And I can tell he respects me.”

They were just now geeking out over my old war stories, after all. A little embarrassing, but it feels kind of nice. I never appeared in the game myself, nor was there any character like me.

So getting to see this side of Alan… I guess it’s kind of like being a fan and learning something new about your favorite character.

“Now then. Alan, was it? The reason I called you here today is simple. I have a job I want to offer you.”

“A… a job?”

“Yes. It’s not something I can make public, but it’s an official request from the Duke’s household. Of course, you’ll be paid, and all expenses covered.”

After thinking things through, I decided to involve Alan through an official contract. Even if he looks just like the game version, for all I know, his personality could be totally different, gentle and averse to conflict.

Maybe this world isn’t even based on a game at all. Maybe he has no reason to get involved. But the ultimate solution to all those “maybes”… is employment with fair pay.

“U-Um, I’d like to talk to my family first—”

“Sorry, but that’s not allowed. This job involves state secrets. Once you sign the contract, I’ll explain the details, but leaking any information will have consequences.”

I know I sound shady, but it is what it is.

“That said, I promise, on behalf of the Duke’s family, that this job won’t bring harm to you or your loved ones. This is for the good of the entire nation.”

“So… when you say the ‘entire nation,’ you mean… commoners like us are included too, right?”

Ah, that’s what he’s worried about. He really is a protagonist at heart. Standing up for the weak, challenging the powerful, he’s a classic hero to the core.

“Of course. I, Robert Maxwell von Finster-Heréol, swear it. I will protect all people, without exception.”

Alan and Leonard both look shocked, eyes wide open.

Huh? Did I say something strange?

“T-The Oath of Dies Irae…”

“No way… He actually said the real Dies Irae line…”

…Dies Irae? That’s the capital of the demon country, right? In my past life’s knowledge, it’s Latin for “Day of Wrath” from an old Catholic liturgy.

Oh, that. The Oath of Dies Irae. That was 15 years ago, during the peace talks that ended the Great Demon War. I said that exact line to the Demon King back then.

“In the name of Robert Maxwell von Finster-Heréol, I swear to protect all people, human or demon, regardless of race or origin.”

Yeah… I did say that. He claimed his people had no choice but to fight for survival, and I got swept up in the moment. I didn’t really mean to start some grand movement or anything. But in the end, that vow became the turning point that led to peace with the demons.

“Wait, were you trying to make Father say that line…?”

“W-What!? No, no! It just happened! Total coincidence! But, wow, hearing the real Dies Irae Oath in person… It’s like… I can die happy now.”

“…Yeah, I get that.”

And now they’re off again, chatting and laughing without me.

Yeah… protagonist or noble villain or whatever, they’re both still 15. Even if they’ve grown, they’re still kids inside. Was I like this when I was 15? Well, whatever. I guess it’s fine.

“So, we’re agreed you’ll take the job… right?”