I reincarnated as the hated villainous prince, and thought to live as I pleased in this life, but it turns out I’ve been unconsciously making saintly moves. I’m trying to create an evil kingdom, but for some reason, everyone respects me!

“Uh…?”

The moment my memories of my previous life returned was when I was blown away by my master, the Sword Emperor Mirua.

“What are you dazing off for! In battle, showing even a little gap can directly lead to death! Prince Esmeralda!”

― Esmeralda.
Hearing that name, I remembered the situation I was in.

Esmeralda Dia Vefeld, the fifth prince of the Kingdom of Vefeld.

At the age of 18, not being a child of the legitimate queen like his brothers, his birth as the fifth prince, and lacking talent in magic or swordsmanship, he was a boy who had completely lost hope for the future.

Moreover, he was a person who abused his position as royalty to commit all sorts of tyranny.

This was supposed to be the character setting of Esmeralda.

Although he was a not-so-prominent character, I remembered his settings well because it was an RPG game I played through many times.

And now, for some reason, I was living as that Esmeralda.

In reality, I should have been living in Japan, not the Kingdom of Vefeld, as a middle-aged salaryman.

Though it was a long time ago, I remember my previous life well.

I used my valuable new graduate card only to join a random company, then resigned, joined a sparkling (laughs) venture company, and was forced to work hard by bosses younger than me…

And then, I have no memory after leaving the company, completely exhausted.

Either I collapsed from overwork, or I was involved in a traffic accident.

The details are unclear, but now, such things seem trivial.

I was desperate in my previous life. I wished I could start life over if possible. No ― more precisely, I wanted to be reborn in this game world I played through many times.

And now, that wish has come true.

Moreover, with the status of the fifth prince, I have nothing more to ask for.

In my student days, I had to please those at the top of the caste, and when I entered society, I flattered the lousy bosses.

I hated my previous life, where I couldn’t live as I liked.

That’s why being reincarnated as Esmeralda was a stroke of luck. Becoming the protagonist of a game and saving the world would make me sick. As Esmeralda is in the settings, I want to live just as I desire…

That was my wish.

― So first, I want to check if my knowledge of the game is applicable.

“Please get up, Prince Esmeralda…! Just earlier, Prince Balfredo showed tremendous spirit in his practice!”

Approaching me, Sword Emperor Mirua said with a look of exasperation.

Sword Emperor Mirua Lainis.
If I remember correctly, she’s said to be the strongest swordsman of the era, mastering two of the world’s strongest sword schools.

She has long white hair down to her waist and a slender build, making it hard to imagine her as a master of the sword.
(And let’s not forget, she also has big boobs)

If I want to test my game knowledge, she’s the perfect opponent.

“No, I’m sorry. I was just lost in thought.”
“Lost in thought…?”
“Yes. I was thinking about how I could make you admit defeat.”

“Haa…”
There, Mirua sighed again with a look of exasperation.
“I always say this, but swordsmanship isn’t something you can master overnight. Before trying to defeat me, please learn the basics first.”

“Ah… right.”

Responding so, I slowly stood up.

I’m sure there were several events to fight Mirua in the previous life’s game. Being a hardcore gamer, I remembered all her moves perfectly.

And probably ―

“Hmm…”
Seeing me hold my sword at the centerline, Mirua narrowed her eyes.
“Prince Esmeralda, what has come over you suddenly…?”

“It’s nothing. Now, take your sword. There’s still more to come.”

“…………”

Slightly surprised, Mirua also assumed a combat stance.

― As I thought.
Just by holding the sword like this, I can tell.

Compared to my previous life, my body feels significantly lighter, and the sword feels strangely comfortable in my hand.

In the background settings, Esmeralda is just lazy, not truly incapable of anything. Though not explicitly stated in the main story, the truth is…

And.

“I’m coming, Your Highness!”

While I was lost in thought, Mirua suddenly kicked off the ground.

True to the name of Sword Emperor, her speed was astonishing.
If I was even momentarily careless, I would be immediately subdued.

But ― I know this technique!

“Huh!”

I instantly moved my sword to the right.
Right after, a tremendous impact traveled up the sword to my hand.

“What…!”

Mirua,

having her attack blocked, opened her eyes wide.
And her boobs also bounced significantly.

This attack was the Zeluanes School’s Instant Penetrating Strike.
Literally, it’s a speed-focused technique that closes the distance to the enemy in an instant and delivers a sword strike. In the game, the preparatory movement before disappearing allows one to determine whether they will appear to the right, left, or behind.

The timing to execute a perfect guard varies slightly for each, making it a difficult enemy in that sense.

Well, it’s a story that doesn’t matter to someone like me who only finds fulfillment in games.

“Huh, but Prince, don’t be happy with just a fluke. On the battlefield ―”

“The one who lets their guard down dies first, right?”

As I finished saying that, Mirua jumped high above.

Her previous Instant Penetrating Strike was quite a powerful move, but that doesn’t mean she’s left open. Her ability to immediately follow up with another powerful technique is what makes Mirua a strong character.

“Ooooooooh!”

As she descended rapidly towards me, engulfed in flames, it’s Mirua.

I believe this is the Valeria School’s Dragon Flame Dive.

It’s not much relevant in a one-on-one fight, but in a party battle, it’s a powerful move that deals massive damage to the entire party. I can’t believe she’d use such a move in mere practice.

But of course, I’m well aware of this Dragon Flame Dive.

By nature, it’s a powerful move that nullifies even perfect guards, but there’s one way to counter it.

― Cast earth magic.

The magic I use is Soil Wall.

A spell that completely blocks any attack once, including Mirua’s Dragon Flame Dive. It’s a spell for the connoisseur because it’s difficult to use, but I, as a former hardcore gamer, used it many times.

― Clang.
As expected, Mirua swung her sword down from above, but naturally, it didn’t even leave a scratch.

“Eh, why…!”

Even the strongest Sword Emperor couldn’t avoid being open after using such a powerful move.

The sword technique to use here is… yes.

Let’s go with the Zeluanes School’s Brilliant Cherry Blossom Strike.

“Seah!”

With a short shout, I simultaneously rushed and delivered a sword strike to Mirua.

Of course, it wasn’t just one strike. I flipped my body, struck another, then another ―

Moving freely around Mirua, delivering five sword strikes in total, the faint pink glow of the sword traces resembled “cherry blossom petals”.

It’s a pretty powerful move in the Zeluanes School, and I believe it used quite a lot of CP.

“……….”

After finishing the technique, I landed a few meters away from Mirua.

When I sheathed my sword,

“Prince Esmeralda… sir…!”

Mirua, for some reason addressing me with respect, knelt down with her big boobs shaking.

Huh…?
Was I just addressed with respect?