As a Reward for Saving the World, I Was Reincarnated Into a World Where Girls Are Super Aggressive and Chastity Roles Are Reversed!! …Or So I Thought, Until It Turned Out to Be an Overbearing Yandere Harem of My Former Companions Who Loved Me Too Much - 21

Chapter 21: The Day the Tsundere Elf’s Mind Was Scorched (Heroine’s POV)

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“Still… Who would’ve thought it would turn out like this?”

As I looked at Kazuki, who stood a little distance away with a blank look on his face, I couldn’t help but murmur to myself. His profile somehow looked far more reliable than it had in the past. Irritating, but true. And with that, I remembered the time when we first met… And the moment I decided to be honest with myself.

★★★★★★

I had admired the adventurers in heroic tales and knocked on the guild’s doors for that, but I was always alone in the Adventurers’ Guild, I was always alone. Men who fawned over me simply because I was an elf, and others who grew jealous of my abilities, all of them were insufferable.

“Hey, Silvia. If you become my woman, I’ll let you join my party.”

“Hmph, no thanks. If you have time to flirt with women, you should spend it training. Your already short lifespan is being wasted, you know?”

“Ha! You’re just full of yourself because you’re an elf with high magic power.”

The men looked at me with lust-filled eyes, and the so-called senior adventurers who offered “advice” with ulterior motives only became jealous when I demonstrated my strength as a mage—saying no human could possibly best an elf.

After a while, I came to think there was no need for a high-born elf like me to lower myself to mingle with mere humans.

“So you’re the so-called hero from another world? Hmph, from the looks of it, you’re not much different from the rest of the trash. Do you really think you can defeat the Demon Lord like that?”

And so, when Kazuki approached me while looking for companions, I coldly brushed him off as I always did. I figured he was the same as the rest. But… He was a little different.

When I happened to see him fighting monsters… (Well, I’d been curious and followed him, but that’s beside the point…)… He was fighting desperately. He was clumsy, frustratingly so, but his eyes… His eyes were unwavering.

“Idiot. That plant-type monster is weak against fire.”

“Thanks, you saved me, Silvia.”

“Hmph, I just didn’t want to watch a familiar face die pathetically. It’d spoil my appetite.”

I ended up speaking out. Not because I wanted to help him—just because I didn’t want to see those earnest eyes break in disgrace.

“Even so, thank you. I’m really glad to have you here.”

“Hmph, just focus on the fight.”

I watched over him carefully, wary of reinforcements. It had been so long since anyone had thanked me sincerely that I almost smiled… but Kazuki must never find out about that. Maybe that was also the reason why I began giving him advice now and then.

“If you lack strength, use items. Smoke bombs and traps can become powerful weapons for someone like you who can’t use magic.”

“Think more about smashing than slicing with your sword. Make practice swings a habit. Humans may have short lifespans, but your growth rate far outshines that of elves…”

For several weeks, I pretended it was a coincidence and watched over him, offering advice now and then. And just when I thought I might try trusting someone again, it happened.

“Hey, Elf-san. We’re about to take on a high-difficulty quest. Won’t you lend us your strength?”

The one who called out was a female swordswoman named Helme. It seemed they were an all-women party. Unlike the men, they didn’t leer at me, but seemed to genuinely recognize my skill. Their smiles looked kind, even warm.

…Maybe, with them…

It might have been because I’d seen Kazuki’s honest struggles. My heart had opened just a little toward humans.

“…Fine. But if you hold me back, I’m leaving immediately.”

And so, for the first time, I formed a party with humans.

The first few days went well. They supported my magic precisely, and I responded with coordinated attacks. We cleared dungeons smoothly, and my coin purse grew heavy. Celebrating quests with them and occasionally teasing Kazuki while giving advice was surprisingly fun.

“Silvia, your magic is the best!”

“Well, of course. Naturally.”

I answered curtly, but inside, my chest felt warm. Maybe humans weren’t so bad after all. Maybe, once Kazuki grew stronger, I could lend him my hand… Thoughts uncharacteristic of me began to creep in.

And then, fate struck. We heard rumors of monsters appearing in ruins at the edge of town and set out.

“There’s no monster presence here.”

The moment I said it, a violent shock hit my back.

“Gh…!?”

I didn’t understand what had happened. My vision warped, and I collapsed to the floor. Through fading consciousness, I saw their faces—Helme and her companions—twisted in vulgar smiles.

“…Why…?”

“Foolish woman. Did you really think we’d see a conceited elf like you as a comrade? From the moment we heard elves fetch a high price as slaves, we’ve been waiting for this chance!”

“No…”

Helme’s boot pressed mercilessly into my stomach. My mind shut down completely at those unbelievable words. The happy days, the laughter we shared—were they all just an act for this betrayal? One of them produced special chains that suppressed magic and bound my limbs. Even if I wanted to resist, the blow to my back and the shock of betrayal had drained me of all strength.

“Why…”

“There’s no reason. We just wanted to put an uppity elf in her place. Besides, selling you will bring us a fortune. Then we won’t have to risk our necks against monsters anymore.”

Helme’s heartless words brought tears to my eyes.

Ah… I see. In the end, humans are always like this. I was a fool to try believing.

For some reason, Kazuki’s face flashed through my mind. Would he too, someday, be betrayed like this? That would be unbearable… Hopefully someone would protect that naïve boy. Why was I thinking of him…? Even as I wondered, I prayed. And I braced myself for the humiliation of slavery.

But then—

“What do you think you’re doing to my senpai? This is one dangerous girls’ night out.”

“Who’s there!?”

At the depths of despair, I heard a familiar, slightly goofy voice. I looked up, and there stood Kazuki.

Why is he here? We aren’t even companions.

While we reeled in confusion, he threw a smoke bomb. Amid the chaos, he freed me.

“…Why…You…?”

“I overheard some slave traders talking about Silvia and her ‘comrades.’ Well, not comrades—your enemies. I got worried.”

“But they’re stronger than you. One wrong move and they’d kill you…”

“Even so, if I abandoned the one who kindly taught me so much, how could I ever call myself a hero?”

He extended his hand. The moment I saw that big hand, the wall around my heart shattered. I couldn’t stop crying. For the first time in my life, I wept openly in someone’s arms. It was from that moment. That I began to feel something special for this awkward, stubborn, but kind man.

“I suppose I have no choice. As thanks, I’ll become your companion, you naïve fool.”

“I’d be glad to have you as my companion, but what about those adventurers?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll make them regret ever being born.”

Kazuki cut my chains as I unleashed my magic. There was no need for mercy against criminals. From then on, I resolved to adventure with him and to watch from the front row as he defeated the Demon Lord. That day, I decided—I would confess my feelings once the Demon Lord was slain.

★★★

But then came the fated day—the final battle against the Demon Lord. Kazuki lay before my eyes, sinking into a sea of blood. While we were being kept apart by the last of the Four Great Demons, Kazuki had kept fighting so the Demon Lord wouldn’t escape… And in the end, he struck him down at the cost of his own life.

“Kaazukiiiiiiiiii!!”

The scream that tore from my throat didn’t even sound like my own. His upper body and lower body were connected only by a shred of skin, just a red, unrecognizable mass. I couldn’t believe that this was Kazuki—the one who had protected me until moments ago.

No… No, this can’t be true… Why…?

My mind went completely blank. At my side, Celestia was weeping as she cast her magic, but Kazuki’s body didn’t so much as twitch.

It’s my fault… If only I had been stronger… if only I had been more honest…! If I had told him even once that I liked him, maybe he wouldn’t have pushed himself this far. Maybe he would have waited for us to regroup.

Regret surged over me like a black tsunami, swallowing me whole. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” 

The words wouldn’t stop spilling out of my throat in broken sobs. My world had ended.

Or so I thought.

When I heard that, thanks to Celestia, Kazuki’s condition had stabilized, something sparked within the heart I had believed dead. But it wasn’t a bright feeling. It was darker, hotter, more twisted—a flame of obsession.

“…I’ll save him.”

Kazuki was too much of a softhearted fool. He might end up in danger like this again. Celestia’s healing power was great, but her combat ability wasn’t strong. Then the one who had spent the most time by his side had to be the one to protect him… The one to save him with her own hands…

Thinking that, I went mad with desperation, gathering information. That was how I learned of the existence of the World Tree leaf. From then on, I could think of nothing else.

“Kazuki… Kazuki… Wait for me…”

On my solitary journey, I whispered his name again and again. It was both a prayer and a curse.

I burned down everything that got in my way. For my goal, I couldn’t afford to choose my methods.

“When you come back to life, I’ll stay with you forever. And I’ll spoil you. Kazuki is mine. I’ll protect you for the rest of my life…”

Maybe my heart had already been broken. But I didn’t care. If Kazuki could live, I was ready to sell my soul to a demon. And so, battered and exhausted, I finally obtained the World Tree leaf—and just then, word reached me that he had awakened.

★★★★★★

“I’ve heard the story… And so, I’ll be joining this harem too. No objections, right?”

“Well, we already knew Silvia-san cared deeply for Kazuki-sama… We will have a rotation schedule on who gets to seduce him. Agreed?”

“I object entirely, but fine. After all, a tsundere elf who can’t be honest is no match for me, Kazuki-sama’s personal maid.”

And now. I stood before the two women—Celestia and Shinon—and declared my intention openly. It was obvious they were after Kazuki too.

“Hmph. Say what you like now, prudish Saintess and expressionless Maid. But don’t think for a moment I’ll give up the position of lawful wife!”

As expected, the air around the two of them shifted at my words. Just as I thought. But there was one thing that set me apart from them.

I’ll never let you have that sweet harem you dream of. The only one standing by your side will be me, and that’s more than enough. So be ready, Kazuki.

I stroked the bracelet on my right arm and renewed my resolve.

★★★

Clink! 

A sharp sound rang out as an antique wine glass smashed against the wall, shattering to pieces. A deep crimson stain spread across the expensive Persian carpet.

“Impossible…! Impossible!! That I—I, was humiliated by that low-born, nameless commoner-turned-hero…! For someone like me to suffer such disgrace…!!”

In one of the most luxurious rooms of a mansion bought with money and power in the finest district of the royal capital, Isabella von Baldot stomped furiously on the hem of her rose-trimmed dress, shrieking in hysteria. Her maids shrank in fear at their mistress’s tantrum, cowering in the corners of the room.

『I don’t need you. Someone who only thinks of herself and casually tramples others has no place in my harem.』

The man—Kazuki’s—words echoed in her mind again and again. How dare he. A mere commoner, puffed up because they called him Hero, dared to scorn her—the noble daughter of the prestigious Baldot family, blessed with peerless beauty.

And worse still, he had defended a maid who carried the filthy blood of demons. He had chosen that half-breed girl over her. Never in her life had Isabella suffered such humiliation.

“I’ll drag that man, and that maid, every last one of them, down into the depths of hell…!”

She ground her teeth, twisting her beautiful face with hatred. But how? Kazuki was the hero who had defeated the Demon Lord. Even the King himself now gave him respect. If she tried to use her family’s power to move against him, it could easily backfire on her.

“Damn it…! How… How can I make that man regret scorning me, down to his very bones…?!”

Her fists clenched so tight her nails cut into her palms. She hung her head in frustration—when suddenly, the air in the room grew heavy. Shadows darkened unnaturally, writhing as if alive.

“…You seem troubled, beautiful lady.”

A smooth, resonant voice with a chilling undertone came from nowhere. As the maids collapsed into silence, Isabella’s eyes widened in shock. From the deepest shadow of the room, a young man appeared soundlessly.

Silver hair that flowed like silk. Eyes as red as blood. His ornate noble attire outshone even the finest furnishings of the room. Yet the sinister aura he exuded was overwhelming.

“Y-you… who are you…?”

“My name is Astaroth. Lover of truth, exposer of lies… And to one such as you, who possesses a ‘beautiful soul,’ I extend a hand of salvation—as your kind and gracious neighbor.”

The demon who called himself Astaroth bowed with elegance, gazing at Isabella with rapturous eyes.

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