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 - 28

Chapter 28: Kazuki and Isabella

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“Now then, it’s time you got payback for all the trouble you’ve caused, you eavesdropping demon bastard!!”

At my words, the air in the room grew tense. Standing before me, dumbfounded with disbelief that his vaunted barrier had been broken, was the demon Astaroth. On either side of him stood the Saintess and the Mage, who until a moment ago had worn meek expressions, but now radiated a killing intent colder than absolute zero.

“Fuhahaha! How amusing… Isn’t this amusing! To nullify my truth with a mere misunderstanding!! That’s not strong will—no, you’re simply insane!!”

Astaroth laughed gleefully, despite his magic having been broken. But I could tell his magical power was severely drained.

“You tried to harm Kazuki-sama, and you toyed with our hearts… You shall pay with your very body! Sacred Judgment!”

“For exposing a maiden’s secret, I’ll make you regret it in hell! Ancient lightning, strike him down! Ancient Thunder!”

Celestia’s divine punishment and Silvia’s ancient judgment lightning converged on Astaroth without the slightest deviation. Their power far surpassed what we had witnessed earlier in the goblin’s cave.

“Ghhhhh!! My magic isn’t enough!”

Astaroth barely managed to block with a magic barrier, but the impact sent him staggering backward. Because he had used powerful magic but failed to unsettle us, he could not drain our strength. And of course, I had no intention of letting that opening slip away.

“This time, you’re going down!!”

I kicked off the floor, closed the distance in an instant, seized a nearby ornamental sword, and slashed at Astaroth. My swordplay and the girls’ magic—the coordination that had once torn through the Demon Lord’s army—was revived here and now.

“Kukuku…! It seems I’ve lost. But in the end, I witnessed something fascinating. Coming to the human world was worthwhile. What I regret is that misunderstanding. I wished to see how far it could carry you.”

“I told you, it’s not a misunderstanding!! This ends now!! My sword, become a holy blade!!”

“Or wait, if I became a girl too, would I stand a chance at seeing it?”

The moment Astaroth muttered something sickening, my holy blade pierced through his chest. His form dissolved into a black mist and vanished.

“…Nn… Where…Where am I…?”

In the grand hall, now quiet after the storm, Isabella, still tied to a chair, groaned as she regained consciousness. Seeing the ruined hall before her, and us looking down at her with pity, she must have realized everything. The arrogance drained from her face, replaced by deep remorse and despair.

“…So I was merely being used by that demon…”

Her words were weak, spoken in a murmur. I silently untied her ropes. But Isabella had no strength left to stand. She collapsed to her knees, heedless of her expensive dress being dirtied by the dust on the floor.

“Why… Why did it come to this…?”

As if a dam had burst, she began to pour out her true feelings. Tears welled in her eyes.

“From the moment I was born as the daughter of House Baldot, I was expected to be perfect. Always noble, always beautiful, always superior to everyone. And I witnessed human ugliness up close. I thought it natural that anything I desired should be taken by force…”

“…So that’s why you used your influence to fabricate my crime?”

“Yes, that’s right. Because how could I forgive it? That by your side—a Hero, a being so superior—stood not me, a great noblewoman, but commoners, church members, even an elf! The one worthy of you was me, I believed that without doubt! That’s why I wanted to claim you, no matter the means…!”

It was a sad cry, born of twisted love tangled with a noble’s pride. But something about it still bothered me.

“Why are you so fixated on me?”

In this world, men might be few. But surely, as a high noble, she had her pick. And yet… Her eyes didn’t seem to desire me just because I was the Hero.

“You don’t remember, do you? Long ago, while inspecting my family’s lands, I was attacked by demons. My guards fell, and when I thought I was about to be defiled by monsters, a wandering Hero appeared and saved me… That man was you, Kazuki-sama…”

“…You’re the girl who was attacked by that Lizard King!! But… Back then you were… How should I say…You were a bit more, well, plump…”

At that moment, I finally recalled. It had been the talk of the town that a noble’s daughter was kidnapped. Irritated that people were trying to inflate the bounty, Silvia and I had gone to save her ourselves.

“Yes, that was me. I’ve grown thinner and more beautiful, haven’t I? I worked so hard… After saving me, you refused proper reward simply because you were the Hero, and you left. From the moment I saw your back as you departed… I’ve loved you. And so, I strove to become a woman worthy of you…”

Her pride had prevented her from being honest. Jealousy and impatience had driven her to vile deeds. Now, like a child, Isabella sobbed uncontrollably, clutching weakly at the hem of my clothes with trembling hands.

“…Please… Just once more… Give me one more chance! This time, I’ll be honest! Please, take me into your harem…!”

Her desperate plea carried nothing but pure, genuine affection. I gently removed her hand and crouched to meet her gaze.

“I’m honestly happy that you liked me. Thank you.”

At those unexpected words of gratitude, Isabella lifted her tearful face in surprise.

“But the way you went about it was wrong. To express your feelings, you were willing to hurt my precious companions. You insulted Shinon’s origins, tried to expose Celestia’s secret before everyone, and attempted to condemn Silvia as guilty. I can never accept such methods.”

“…!”

“Love isn’t something you gain by knocking others down. At least, I hate that sort of thing. No matter what this world is like, I want to treasure my companions.”

At my words, the light faded from Isabella’s eyes. She realized that hidden within my gentle tone was an unshakable rejection.

“…Yes, you’re right. I… I’ve strayed from the path. But I knew no other way. Only the ways of outwitting rivals…”

“If, from the start, you had come to me without such cowardly tricks and simply told me, ‘I like you’… Maybe things would have turned out differently. I’m sorry.”

“Ah…”

I spoke with a touch of sadness, but firmly. That was the final blow. Isabella let out a sobbing and shed even larger tears, crushed under the weight of her own mistakes. And we left. I had no right to speak further to a girl weeping over her own sins.

On the way back from the capital, I gazed out the window of the swaying carriage. For the first time, a girl had confessed her feelings to me… Yet I had only been able to reject her. A kind of guilt lingered in my chest. In the quiet carriage, Celestia suddenly spoke.

“Um, Kazuki-sama… Forgive me if I’m being intrusive, but… What exactly are the conditions for someone to be welcomed into your harem?”

At her question, Silvia’s ears twitched slightly. I thought for a moment, then scratched my head shyly before answering.

“Hmm, let’s see… Even if she thinks lewd things all the time, even if she says harsh words, even if she’s not very honest, as long as deep down she puts me first and gives her all for my sake… Then, that’s the kind of girl I’d want.”

At my words, both Celestia and Silvia blushed fiercely. Hey—this almost sounded like I was talking about them. After what just happened, I had unconsciously thought of the women closest to me… I hope they weren’t put off by that.

“I see… So even if it’s a girl who can think only of Kazuki-sama, that would be acceptable?”

“Yeah. Even if her love’s a little heavy, even if she’s possessive, I’d be happy. Because that just proves how much she loves me, right? In this world, that’s normal anyway! Well, as long as it doesn’t cause trouble for others.”

“I see… I see…”

“Hmph, Kazuki, you sure have a lot of demands.”

For some reason, the two of them turned their faces to the window. Wait, were they so put off by my opinion to the point they wouldn’t even look at me?

 As I watched the two muttering softly to themselves, ears red, while staring out the window, an uneasy feeling welled up inside me.

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