Episode 3: The Final Boss Young Lady’s Friend

Eleanore Anciness’s villainous deeds in the story know no bounds.

She ambushes the protagonist when she’s alone, curses the romance target characters—truly a troublemaker who serves as the catalyst for the story, or rather, positioned as the root of all evil.

As a result, despite there being various route branches, she stands as a villain in most of them and meets a catastrophic end.

Whether defeated by the protagonist or assassinated by a romance target, the methods vary but the results are uniformly tragic.

Such a character with a cruel fate, yet one who cannot be pitied, is now beside me.

Just how did it come to this?

Eleanore and I are currently strolling through the Count’s garden. Walking in a place I never would have stepped foot in, with a person I never would have stood beside.

Due to the class difference, I couldn’t possibly refuse a request from a noble in the first place, so I became her friend (provisionally).

The current situation is by the arrangement of Count Adalbert, or whatever his name was. He said something about deepening our friendship as friends.

However, I was completely stiff facing a person I just met for the first time—moreover, a Count’s daughter, and moreover, someone who might become the final boss in the future.

“Y-yes, truly a magnificent garden. Every flower blooms beautifully, and I could gaze at them forever without growing tired.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Unable to bear the silence, I somehow squeeze out words, but Eleanore only returns answers that seem devoid of emotion.

Or rather, her expression hasn’t moved at all since earlier.

Not even a bit from that plastered-on smile.

The Count said she was the same age as me, so she must be 7 years old now.

Even if I’m an exception as a reincarnator, aren’t children of that age supposed to be emotionally rich with unpredictable behavior?

Yet her emotional fluctuations are close to zero.

No different from her in the main story, who ensnares people with an expressionless face.

Has she already been completed as a final boss…?!

“Is something the matter?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Directed at with doll-like eyes, I involuntarily look away.

Though frighteningly expressionless, her appearance itself is truly beautiful. Being looked at face to face makes me a bit embarrassed after all.

Yeah.

But well, now that it’s come to this, I have no choice but to somehow continue being her friend.

Surely she doesn’t yet have the intention to hurt or curse people.

Then it’s important to stay close to her without prejudice.

Or rather, if I guide her away from going down that path, wouldn’t that be good?

That way Eleanore would be happy avoiding a tragic end, I’d be happy—a win-win relationship.

Finally, the determination to face her properly forms in my heart.

But at that moment.

“After all… you dislike being friends with me, don’t you?”

“…Eh?”

At the unexpected statement—or rather, the first statement from her—an idiotic sound escapes me.

“You wouldn’t want to associate with such a creepy person, would you? With such a vulgar, crow-like creature…”

The content was extremely negative.

And it seemed to express the treatment she had received until now.

If I recall, that was written in the official fanbook or something. I remember it because it’s precious information about her, whose background isn’t deeply explored.

Eleanore apparently received strong discrimination from a young age due to her appearance.

With her jet-black form resembling neither her father nor mother, she was apparently called things like “Crow” and “Cursed Child” behind her back by servants and townspeople.

Moreover, as a matter of fact, she is.

“Besides, I am a cursed child.”

A murky black aura overflows from her.

This is magical power.

In the in-story explanation, it’s a supernatural energy that everyone possesses.

However, Eleanore’s magical power is distinctly different from others.

Hers is the “Black of the Evil God” that humans shouldn’t possess.

Possessing that power, which is considered magical power meant to hurt and kill people, she received baseless accusations and continued to suffer terrible persecution… or so I heard.

“If you wish, I will ask Father to dissolve our friendship. Before I… hurt you…”

…I see.

It seems the wounds run deep. She herself believes she will hurt someone.

Well, in the actual story she does wield that power to threaten the protagonist…

However, she’s not yet someone who would hurt others.

“…No, that’s not necessary. Rather… may I ask something from my side?”

I pick a nearby nameless flower that bloomed large and red.

And then,

“Bloom.”

When I chant that, the single flower transforms into a large bouquet.

“Please, become my friend.”

When I offer the bouquet, Eleanore opens her mouth in surprise, showing a rare look of astonishment.

Then, as if chewing on and beginning to understand my words, she gradually blushes with embarrassment and embraces the bouquet I gave her.

“I-is it really all right…?”

“Of course, I want you, Eleanore-sama.”

At my follow-up attack, her face turns even redder.

She hides her expression with the bouquet, but her emotions can’t be concealed as the tips of her ears have turned bright red.

“Th-then, um. I look forward… to working with you.”

A small, pure white hand is extended unsteadily.

Is this a handshake?

“Yes, likewise, I look forward to working with you.”

I firmly grasp back.

That hand was somehow soft, cold, yet had a pleasant warmth.

That sticky black aura from before had long since disappeared from there.

Really, calling such a girl a cursed child or a crow… isn’t that insane?

With renewed feelings, we became “friends” once again.