A figure stood in the center of the room…It was the hero, no doubt.
「Could you please leave me and him alone?」
「Yes.」
At the sound of that voice, the servants and maids all drew back at once.
I’m jealous that you have a maid.
「…Well, now there is no one but us. Let’s talk about various things to our hearts’ content. About our past lives, and so on.」
「…So, you’re a reincarnated person after all.」
「Oh, yeah. No, no, no, I didn’t expect a reincarnator to show up so soon, either. They are rather close to me…Well, you’re the first so far.」
「By the way, what was your name in your previous life?」
「You know how they say when you ask someone’s name, you have to say it first? Why don’t you tell me yours first?」
…This is somewhat condescending.
And the difference in personality from the speech. I was half convinced of this guy’s previous life, but I decided that I should follow his lead here.
「…Shirotani Shota.」
「…Ah, there was a guy like that… I can’t remember.」
「…And you?」
「Hmm? Oh, I’m Shinichi Kuroda. Even if I don’t remember you, you remember me, right?」
…Yeah, I knew it.
I remember him.
The worst guy who bullied someone I liked.
He was the worst guy who used his title as a wealthy conglomerate as a shield to do whatever he wanted.
…And he is also the man who caused the accident in which we died.
The thought of it made me furious, but I managed to suppress it and regain my reason.
「So what? Are you going to gather the reincarnates to do something?」
But Kuroda…No, Avis Nowarite did not answer the question, but instead smiled a nasty smile that was very similar to his previous life.
「You know…don’t you think it’s funny?」
「…? What?」
「The accident we had the day you died in your last life.」
「…We died in that accident you caused that day…!」
「Yeah, I’m sorry about that… But, think about it calmly. Do you think we would do something that dangerous? We’re not elementary school kids, we know the dangers of putting fire near gas. Now that I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.」
「…What, are you shifting the blame?」
「That’s not true. Besides, the speed at which the gas turned was strange. It’s not natural that the amount of gas that was released when we twisted a valve near us would cause an explosion that would kill everyone in the class.」
That amount of gas should, at best, have blown out the area where Kuroda and the others were.
「So that’s the conclusion I’ve come to… It was probably God who caused that accident.」
「…what?」
「Well, listen. We『accidentally』died in the accident, and『accidentally』came into this world ……. At least you and I reincarnated. And『accidentally』I had an extremely rare quality,『the qualities of a hero』…Do you think this is possible? Nine times out of ten, there is some kind of will involved.」
「…That will is the God…Are you saying that this will belongs to the goddess Misery?」
「Yes. I don’t know why, but I can guess. For example, all the inhabitants of that world had the『qualities of a hero』…」
……. The trouble with this guy is that he is so quick-witted like this.
If he could have used this elsewhere, he would have been a wonderful human being.
「So, you didn’t answer my original question…Why did you say something that would attract reincarnated people?」
「Ha? …Yeah, that’s it. Let me see your status.」
「What?」
「Just show me your status.」
「……《Status》.」
「…Heh, I see. Higher than the average of this world… But not as good as me. A small fish to be compared to.」
「…I’m not sure I can beat the hero.」
「Of course not… I’ll answer your question. When I’m going on my journey as a hero, I will select the ones who will go with me.」
「…What do you mean?」
「I don’t want to die. I was born as the eldest son of a powerful man in the land of the Holy Land, and I awakened as a hero. Do you understand? I am the hero of this world. But the reality is not as sweet as in a comic book. If I do something reckless, I will die… But what if there were members who were as strong, if not stronger, than me? My survival rate would be much higher…And I knew someone who had that kind of power. I thank you, okay? Thanks to you, it’s more likely that the reincarnated one has powerful powers.」
…So, you’re looking for party members.
「Eventually, I will gather all the reincarnated people under my care, and from them, I will select a few who have strong power. You are the first.」
「…What if I say no?」
「What?」
「I said no. I don’t want to follow you. I’ve hated you since my previous life. You bully innocent girls, and yet you go unpunished.」
「Innocent girl…? Ah, Senjo. 」
This man…!
「And you know what else, you’re wrong.」
「…What?」
「I’m a hero. I am the most respected person in the world. And the church agrees. If I say you’re black here, you’re black even if you know you’re not. I have that kind of power. Of course, I could easily execute not only you, but your family in this life as well.」
「――-…!?」
「That’s why. I hope you’re not so stupid as to disobey me when you hear this… Well, good luck from here on out, bro.」
I’m not sure what to say to Avis, who put his hand on my shoulder and smirked at me… I knew that if I upset him, it would be dangerous for me and my family.