---

The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 172: The Five Princesses of Ice and Flame

The day after talking with Sharueina and the others, I walked down the corridor leading to Class S for the first time in a while.

“Fiera, this is hard to walk in.”

“Sorry! But I just don’t want to let go…”

Fiera was clinging onto me just like yesterday, having waited all morning in front of the boys’ dormitory for me to come out.

“El. I’m really sorry.”

“Sigh. It’s fine, but one day, you need to tell me why.”

“Okay!”

I could technically force myself to pull away, but when I saw her looking small and pitiful, it felt like I couldn’t bear to be harsh, like I was abandoning a lost puppy.

“Lewis is actually being considerate? Maybe I should try pretending to be weak, too.”

“Well, just saying that means it’s a no-go for you. I’m leaving you alone even if you’re acting weak.”

“Fufu. But you do help out when I’m really in trouble, right?”

“Who knows?”

Shuvina said that, smiling as if she saw right through everything.

We then entered the classroom, and I sensed every single pair of eyes on us—maybe it was because it was my first time back at the academy or because Fiera was glued to my arm.

“Those stares are annoying.”

“It can’t be helped. You’re famous here, for better or worse.”

“I’m famous?”

“Yup. You got an exemption from compulsory subjects immediately after enrolling, you completely shut down Ride, currently ranked first in our year, but you’re somehow still tenth. And to top it off, you’ve already tackled dungeons as a first-year—what a mysterious powerhouse! Plus, we’re always by your side.”

“I get the first three, but what’s this last part about you girls being around?”

“Apparently, we’re called the Five Princesses of Ice and Flame.”

“The Five Princesses of Ice and Flame?”

“Yep. Five beautiful princesses with fiery love that melts your icy, sharp heart. It seems that’s how we appear to everyone around us.”

“What’s that about?”

It seems while I hadn’t been at the academy for a while, some bizarre rumors had spread.

“By the way, there’s a popular theory that if you add Sharueina to the mix, it’ll become the Six Princesses.”

“Yeah, right. She’s not like that at all.”

“Who knows? There’s no guarantee with people’s hearts, so we don’t know for sure. Oh, and let me tell you this as well.”

“What is it?”

Shuvina pulled out a slim book and placed it in front of me to explain.

“This is a book with you as the main character.”

“Huh?”

“It’s currently the most popular book at this academy! It seems a talented student watched your battles and life at the academy and became a fan, then wrote a love story where you’re the protagonist and we’re all actively appealing to you.”

“You’re pretty well-informed about it.”

“Of course! I’ve read the whole thing. Oh, and Fiera has, too.”

“Hmm. It was interesting.”

“You guys are something else.”

I personally wouldn’t want to read a book that had me written about without my consent; it sounds disgusting, but Shuvina and Fiera seem unfazed.

“I’ve never read anything like this before. Plus, it’s a bit exciting having myself in it!”

“If it were me, I’d burn the whole thing.”

“Is that so? But this book is genuinely popular, you know? Almost every girl in the academy is reading it, and they seem really curious about our romantic developments.”

“I see. I get the reason, but it still doesn’t feel good.”

Honestly, if I could, I’d like to burn all those books, but I don’t even know how many there are, and since so many people have already read them, burning them wouldn’t stop someone from making more.

“Sigh. Just keep that book out of my sight from now on; it’s uncomfortable.”

“Got it!”

Shuvina put the book away carefully in her bag and sat down to my left.

“So? Are you going to go talk to him now?”

“That’s the plan. So, Fiera…”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry, but could you step away for a bit?”

“I want to go with you!”

“No, I really can’t this time. So just stay here with Shuvina.”

“…Okay. But come back quickly!”

“Roger that.”

I stood up, seeing Fiera’s sad expression as I moved to where the person I was aiming for was.

“Wake up.”

“Ugh… Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”

After casting a soundproofing magic around us, I called out to the person in front of me, and he sluggishly lifted his face, rubbing his eyes as he looked over.

“That’s right. There’s something I want to ask you, Kamael.”

He’s the last person I’m thinking of adding to Fiera’s group. An assassin, and the one I trust the most regarding abilities, Kamael.

“I feel like… trouble is looming.”

“You’re right.”

I unabashedly sat next to him, smiled, and succinctly conveyed my request.

“I dislike lengthy explanations, but I think you’ll get it quickly, so I’ll keep it brief.”

“Yup, just go ahead.”

“It’s about the war involving the small kingdoms, including Saramāju.”

The moment I mentioned war, Kamael’s demeanor changed instantly, his eyes sharpening like a true assassin’s.

“I see. That matter.”

“You’ve got information on it too, right? I mean, it’s more accurate to say you’re the one who knows, right?”

“Well, who knows?”

Kamael grinned as if testing me, but since I knew his purpose, I understood he was the only one who knew about this issue.

“If Count Albanee knows, news must have reached His Majesty already. But in reality, His Majesty isn’t taking any measures, and the princess didn’t know. Meaning, the count is unaware of this matter but you do, since you’ve independently investigated using your subordinates and haven’t informed the count. That’s the answer, isn’t it?”

“Haha. Well done. That’s exactly right. This matter has my subordinates investigating, and it’s been put on hold with me. So besides me and my subordinates, no one should be aware of the war… or at least that’s how it was supposed to be. But how do you know?”

“Just as you’re good at gathering information as an assassin, I have my own ways of obtaining information.”

“I see.”

Kamael observed me quietly for a while, then returned to his usual languid atmosphere, leaning on his hand.

“So what? Are you planning to accuse me of treason?”

“Of course not. Didn’t I say? I’m here to help you achieve your goals.”

“So you’ll let it slide this time?”

“No, unfortunately, I can’t do that.”

“Then…”

“But if you’re willing to cooperate with me this time, you can rack up a favor with me.”

“A favor?”

Kamael looked at me with an expression that seemed to suggest, “So what?” but there was a hint of interest in his eyes.

“Yeah. Just one favor from me. Anything except my death, of course. For example, if you want enough money to live comfortably for life, I can arrange that.”

“I see.”

“If you want land, I’ll get that for you too. And if you ever truly wish for death with all your heart, I could grant that as well.”

“Haha. That’s quite tempting. So if I say I want the world, would you give it?”

“Of course. It’ll all be turned to barren land, but if that’s alright with you, I’ll hand it over.”

“Ha… ahahaha! Funny. If I can create a favor that big, cooperating doesn’t sound so bad. Sure, I’ll join you!”

“I figured you’d say that.”

“Fufu. It’s like you know everything about me.”

“Yeah. I know you pretty well.”

“I guess so. Normally, this would feel disgusting, but with you, it’s strangely not unpleasant. So, can you tell me about the details right away?”

“Got it.”

And so, I began explaining the details of the plan to Kamael until our tutor, Lime, entered the classroom.

 

---