I Became the Son of a Corrupt Lord, so I’ll Enjoy an Easy Life in Another World ~but Please Stop Revering Me as a “Saint”!~

Stage 3-22. Signs

“…Haa… haa…”

“Ouga-kun! Are you alright…?”

“…Yeah… You saved me.”

Losing too much blood made my vision blur. My head spun.

Was my sternum completely shattered? Yet, thanks to Reina’s desperate [Heal], I only had to endure the pain that brought nausea.

I wanted to commend myself, just this once, for not losing consciousness due to the standard [Limit Brreak] I activated right before the attack hit.

Surely, to most, the situation must look overwhelmingly unfavorable for us.

But for me, suffering this little damage while imprinting Alice’s swordsmanship in my memory…

…was a victory.

This truth filled me with hope.

“…To think you’re still alive after taking that technique… Unexpected.”

She showed a surprised expression.

…So, she’s forgotten. If she was brainwashed, she’s just a puppet controlled by strings.

“…Let me correct one thing.”

Leaning on my knees, I staggered to my feet and pointed firmly at her.

“You’re right. You’re not Alice. You’re Chris Ragnika.”

Alice honed her sword not out of malice but to execute justice born from kindness toward others.

She wielded her blade to cut down ‘evil’ and protect someone. That’s how she gained her current strength through relentless training.

Swinging a sword mindlessly, without emotion—compared to Alice’s usual strikes, it’s not frightening at all.

The woman before me was a fake who merely borrowed Alice’s abilities.

Her killing intent was overwhelming, yes. But the gravity of Alice’s true [Residual Shadows] from before struck sharper terror into my soul.

Because that strike earlier could only come from the real Alice.

My reason overpowered my instincts and swept away the fear.

“I’ve been saying this from the start. Why repeat it now…?”

“Ragnika! Finish him off quickly!”

“Understood, my master!”

Glancing up, I saw Juke Andraus shouting angrily and Father silently watching me intently.

Heh… Did Andraus bring him here?

But that old man… he panicked.

Maybe he decided we’d die here, revealing himself as the one who brainwashed Alice by giving direct orders.

…So, it was him. He’s the one who sullied Alice’s pride.

From the day she swore to be my sword, Alice has been mine.

Her hatred for evil, her righteous blade, her untainted pride—all of it belonged to me.

Because I believe carrying someone else’s life means bearing the dignity of a villain.

To use such an easy method as [Brainwash] and treat her like a mere tool?

That act, above all, I cannot forgive.

I shifted my pointed finger from the puppet before me to the decrepit old man observing from safety.

“You’re next. Don’t move from there.”

“Your words are meaningless, intruder. You will die this time.”

“Say that after you’ve killed me.”

“Boasting? I’ll shred your body apart this time!”

Alice began exuding killing intent, preparing to unleash another [Residual Shadows].