Rou's brow furrowed, genuine confusion crossing his face as he looked at Elise.
Rou:
[Why... why would you want me to work for you? I don't even know what you're expecting me to do.]
Elise raised an eyebrow, a small, confident smile on her lips.
Elise:
[Simple. I want you to be my knight.]
Rou blinked, thrown off by the unexpected answer.
Rou:
[Your... knight? But why me? Isn't that a bit risky, choosing a stranger with no memory as your knight?]
Elise gave a light chuckle, her expression unchanging, but her tone full of conviction.
Elise:
[I have an eye for talent. Even if you don't know your own potential, I can sense it.]
She leaned back in her seat, folding her arms.
Elise:
[And besides, the time is nearly here. Soon, every noble family will be required to choose a knight of their own. I intend to make my choice early, and I believe you're the right fit.]
Rou took in her words, processing the weight behind them. It was clear she was confident in her decision, and for reasons he didn't yet understand, she had chosen him.
Elise looked at Rou, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.
Elise:
[You know, for someone who doesn't know where he is, you've been rather... casual in your tone with me. Most people would be more formal.]
She watched him carefully, gauging his reaction.
Elise:
[After all, I am the daughter of Count Vandorea.]
Rou kept his expression calm, continuing to play his part. By pretending he didn't know anything including these people, he could avoid revealing too much-and keep his reincarnation into this world a secret.
As Elise's words sank in, Rou felt his stomach twist with a sudden, jarring realization.
Elise Vandorea
The name echoed in his mind, and he felt a chill run down his spine.
Rou:
(Yep... Elise Vandorea... the villainess from the game...)
He stared at her, dumbfounded, as memories of the game's storyline rushed back to him. Elise was infamous in the game as the calculating, sharp-witted antagonist who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Rou quickly composed himself, struggling to keep his shock from showing on his face.
Rou:
(I ignored it this whole time but it truly is her, no doubt)
A wave of disbelief washed over Rou as he pieced it all together. He wasn't just in any fantasy world-he had actually been reincarnated into the game he'd been playing. The landscapes, the characters... everything was real, right down to Elise Vandorea, the Villainess, sitting across from him.
Rou:
(... I really did end up in the world of the game!)
He struggled to keep a calm exterior, his mind racing as he processed this startling revelation. Rou's face turned visibly pale as the weight of his realization set in. Elise glanced at him, her expression shifting slightly to one of concern.
Elise:
[Are you feeling alright? You look as if you've seen a ghost.]
Rou forced a quick nod, trying to shake off his shock.
Rou:
[Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just a little... overwhelmed, I guess.]
Elise raised an eyebrow but seemed satisfied with his answer and turned her attention back to the view outside. Rou took a deep breath, mentally bracing himself as the carriage began to slow down. Through the window, he could see the sprawling grounds of a grand estate-the House of Vandorea.
As the carriage rolled up to the estate, Rou's eyes widened in awe. The grounds stretched far and wide, with lush gardens, fountains, and intricate stone pathways leading up to the grand mansion. The architecture was breathtaking-stately towers, elegant balconies, and tall windows that glistened in the sunlight. It was far more magnificent than he'd ever imagined from the game's limited depictions.
Elise noticed his expression and smiled, clearly proud of her family's heritage.
Elise:
[The Vandorea family is one of the great houses, after all. We've built this legacy over generations, and it was our family who played a crucial role in the battle against the demon king. My ancestors created and recruited some of the finest knights to protect the realm.]
Rou struggled to contain his amazement. Even though he knew the story from the game, seeing the grandeur of the Vandorea estate in person was entirely different.