“Looks like you’ve been doing quite well for yourself, huh? You managed to get the citizens and soldiers on your side. Everyone trusts you. I’m jealous. I don’t know if you’re amazing or if I’m just a hack.” He laughed, but it was a bitter sound. “I guess Father was right about me. I really wasn’t fit to be a lord.”
“That’s not true. I—”
“It is true! I mean, just look! You’re doing great! Just like you peeked into my memories, I’ve seen yours. You’re from another world, right? This place should be totally foreign to you, yet you’re doing better than I did! You’re more talented than I ever was!”
“You saw my memories…?” I asked. “Then, you should know I’m not some super talented guy.”
For the first time in this conversation, Weiss averted his gaze awkwardly.
I wasn’t some prodigy in my previous life. Just like him, I had a gifted little sister. But unlike him, my parents didn’t abandon me, and they never treated us differently. Maybe that was why, when my little sister used my first-choice college as her backup school, I might have felt inferior, but I was also able to reason that I was doing my thing, and she was doing her own. We were two different people.
That was why I ended up being so fascinated with Weiss as a character; he had the same sense of inferiority I did. When I learned more about his backstory, he became my fave—someone whom I wanted to find happiness.
“Just for the record,” I said, “the only reason things are working out for me is because I have game knowledge to work with. You’re the MVP here. You put in the effort.”
“What are you talking about? Didn’t I just tell you that I couldn’t accomplish a damn thing? Nothing at all…”
“That’s not true! You must have seen everything that’s happened through my eyes! You saw how devoted Rosalia is! And you’ve seen how Kaiser remained loyal despite being demoted. They came to your aid because of the effort you put in before I arrived! The reason I’m able to use magic so easily is because of your hard work!” I was yelling at him, unable to handle listening to my fave belittling himself so much. “All I’ve done is do what you could’ve done anyway. You’re amazing! I’m only successful because of the groundwork you laid. Everything is because of you!”
“That can’t be…” he muttered. “I just winged it.”
“No, you didn’t! You felt frustrated because you tried your best to run your territory but failed, right? You became my fave because you knew the pain of trying your hardest and having nothing go your way. I identified with that! You said you saw my memories, so you should know how I feel. You should know that I wanted to save you more than anything!”
Weiss went quiet at my words for a few moments before looking me straight in the eye.
“Yeah, I saw. I know that you were genuinely rooting for me and that you truly wanted to change my fate… And I know how it ends for me—for us.” He took my hands in his own as he pleaded with me. “Look, I don’t care what happens to me, but please, at least save Rosalia.”
Weiss was more concerned about Rosalia than he was about himself. Looking into his eyes, I couldn’t help but feel genuine joy at the fact that he was my fave. He wasn’t always so twisted. He tried his best, but he was also awkward. In the end, he was a young man just like me.
“Not happening,” I told him confidently. “I’m saving not only Rosalia but you as well. I’m going to make you both happy.”
“Ha, you sure are greedy, huh? But I guess you can’t turn a bad ending into a happy one unless you’re a little greedy. I wasn’t sure praying to God would help, but here you are. Y’know, you kind of remind me of when I was a little kid. When I didn’t know anything… Maybe it’s for the best that you reincarnated into me,” he said. Suddenly, his silhouette began to fade. “I’ll leave Rosalia and my territory in your hands.”
Hold on, didn’t I just tell you I was going to make you happy?!
I extended my hand toward him; his sardonic smile from before was gone. Instead, he was smiling as though he was free of whatever burdens were weighing on his shoulders.
He took my hand.
“Wait,” I said, “don’t go…”
“We’re becoming one—no, I think it’s probably more correct to say that you’re completely becoming me. That was the contract I made with God, after all. I’m counting on you, the man now known as Weiss Hamilton. I believe that you can save this land and bring me and Rosalia to our happy ending. Oh, and that High-rank magic you used earlier? It was incredible. You might actually be able to surpass Firis.”
My chest ached at the sincerity in his words. Surpass his sister? Really? The gulf between the two of them was so massive.
All right, fine! I’ll do it!
I looked back at Weiss—he was beaming with a smile the likes of which I’d never seen in official game art.
“Okay… I probably can’t do this alone, but I know I can do it with you.”
“Yeah. The two of us together can make anything possible,” he said. “I’m going to sleep now, but I trust you, partner.”
I could feel my consciousness begin to slip. Obviously, Firis and my own sister were different people. Despite that, if I managed to surpass her, I was sure the ache I felt would finally fade away.
Once more, I fell into the darkness.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Lord Weiss? Lord Weiss!”
“Hrm?” I murmured. “Rosalia…?”
“Thank goodness. You’re finally awake. Upon arriving at the previous lord’s room, you suddenly passed out. I was so worried! You must be exhausted from all your hard work. Please rest for now. H-huh? Why are you crying…?”
Upon seeing Rosalia’s face, I was struck by a whole range of emotions: affection, guilt, and the simple joy of getting to see her again. At the same time, I was hit by memories Weiss had with her. These were remnants of his feelings. I could sense just how much he cared about her.
“Rosalia, I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened, and thank you. Thank you for protecting me all this time…” I wrapped my arms around her, still crying. She looked surprised for a moment and then held me as though she were comforting a child. “I swear, I’m going to protect you from here on out. I’ll make you happy.”
“Aw, you must have had a nightmare,” she said softly. “Silly, I’m already plenty happy. After all, I get to be by the side of the person I care most about—you.”
Weiss, I promise you here and now. I’m going to take care of her. This feeling belonged to Weiss, but it also belonged to me now. I’m going to protect this whole place for you. No! Together with you.
Rosalia held me gently until I stopped crying.
✦ ✦ ✦
Complete Assimilation with Weiss Hamilton complete. All suppressed skills have been absorbed. As a result, timelines have shifted.
I could hear a mechanical voice speaking inside of my head.
Weiss Hamilton
Occupation: Lord
Alias: Incompetent Corrupt Lord?
Populace Loyalty:20
Strength:40 → 45
Magic Power:50 → 65
Crafts:20 → 25
Skills:
Dark Magic Lv 2
Sword Skills Lv 2
Unique Skills:
Visitor From Another World: A skill given to beings from another world who have been recognized by a being from this one.
By being acknowledged by a human of this world, all of the negative statuses inflicted have been eliminated, and you can easily absorb knowledge from this world.
Two Souls: This body has two souls. Whenever you use magic, the amount of spiritual power you can draw from is doubled. Currently, the other soul is asleep.
Blind Belief in Your Fave (Leap of Faith): By imagining what Weiss would be capable of if he was the main character, this skill can make the impossible possible. This was a skill given on a whim by a god, and Weiss is neither aware of its existence nor able to see it in his status.