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 - 7

Chapter 7: The Demon of Truth and the Misunderstanding Hero

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Astaroth looked at me and laughed as if he was having so much fun.

“Haha, how ridiculous you are, Hero. The feelings that saintess has for you are not respect for a hero. They are nothing more than a female’s possessive desire and her own filthy cravings whispering to her. To be specific, night after night she thinks of you and pleasures herself…No, her fantasies are actually pretty extreme! Even I would be taken aback!”

“W-what nonsense are you spouting!! Sacred Arrow!!”

“Hahaha, did I strike a nerve? Even your magic shows your agitation—and that agitation is my favorite delicacy, and my source of power!!”

Celestia released her arrows of light in fury, but they dispersed pathetically before Astaroth’s eyes. The very same power that annihilated goblins in an instant was absorbed without so much as a flick of a finger.

“Ka-Kazuki-sama, what that demon said just now is…”

“It’s fine, Celestia. I know you’re with me out of the kindness of your heart as a saintess, to protect me. I won’t be swayed by some demon’s nonsense.”

“Ugh… Those innocent eyes are painful… I’m glad he trusts me, but…Does this mean my approaches never reached him at all…?”

When I reassured Celestia, who had blushed with anger from Astaroth’s baseless accusations, she clutched her chest and turned her face away with a pained expression. Astaroth’s words must have really shocked her.

“You can say any more of that garbage to try to shake her, but  just so you know, it won’t work! Don’t you dare put words in the mouth of a pure-hearted girl like Celestia!”

“Kazuki-sama… I’m happy you’re angry on my behalf, but it’s painful…! The guilt is overwhelming…”

When I shouted in earnest, Celestia let out a small, distressed cry. And it was only natural. In this world, men were beings to whom women offered love. She was merely protecting a precious man as a saintess, yet this demon twisted it into “possessiveness” and “filthy desire.” How insulting! But upon seeing my anger, Astaroth chuckled in his throat and this time turned those red eyes on me.

“Kuhahaha, former Hero, I can see your thoughts as well!! You, who once saved the world, what you truly wished for was something so vulgar—‘to be insanely popular with women,’ ‘to build a harem,’ wasn’t it?”

“And what’s wrong with that!!”

“Nothing wrong at all. But what these women feel for you is not ‘unconditional love.’ It is ugly ‘obsession’—they only want to possess the rare man who is also the Hero who saved the world! This world is not the convenient paradise you dream of. Surely, you’ve already noticed? You know, of the heavy feelings these women harbor toward you!!”

Astaroth’s words rang through the cave with the weight of undeniable truth. It was true that since waking up I sometimes thought, “Wait, do these girls actually like me?” Or, “Even if they do, it feels kind of yandere…” But there was one thing this guy didn’t know.

“…Hah, looks like you’ve misunderstood something.”

“…What?”

This time it was Astaroth who furrowed his brows. I met his gaze straight on and declared with confidence.

“Of course! I’m not the kind of person who could ever receive unconditional love. But in this reversed-chastity world, someone like me—a man—is a precious treasure. So of course women ‘obsess’ over me! In fact, unless their feelings are that heavy, they wouldn’t be able to protect a man at all! So those kinds of feelings are only natural in this world!! You wouldn’t understand that, though!!”

“What…? No agitation whatsoever…? And what is this ‘reversed-chastity world’ you speak of?”

For the first time, Astaroth’s perfect poker face cracked. He had thought his sweet words would shake me, but he hadn’t expected me to remain completely unfazed. His only mistake was not knowing about the ‘reversed-chastity world.’

“Kazuki-sama…Are you saying you accept these feelings I have? They aren’t a burden to you?”

Celestia’s trembling voice asked the question. I nodded with a smile. In this world, it was natural for women to be obsessed with rare men.

“Of course! And Celestia, your feelings are never a burden. They make me happy, so please, keep supporting me from now on!!”

“Ahh… You accept even this ugly obsession of mine, and affirm it…! Truly, you are a precious being… My Hero…!”

Behind me, Celestia’s voice rang out as if overwhelmed by emotion. When I turned back, I saw her eyes brimming with tears, gazing at me in bliss.

“Celestia, cover me!!”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

At her words, light flared around us—it was her barrier. What was more, she had placed it not only against Astaroth, but also in such a way that even the girl in the cage was separated from me.

“As expected of you, Celestia!! You secured the girl first so she couldn’t be used as a hostage!”

“Yes… I will protect you from anything that might become your hindrance. Even if it means making the whole world my enemy!!”

“Oh-ho…Impressive!!”

While I was impressed by her rather heavy words, Astaroth was blasted away by the barrier and lost his balance. I wasn’t about to waste the opening. I closed the distance in an instant, snatched up a rusty sword a goblin had dropped, and slashed at Astaroth.

“Fascinating… So fascinating, the delusions and obsessions of humans! But don’t think this is the end!!”

Though he barely managed to block my attack, that delighted smile still lingered on Astaroth’s face.

“Former Hero! I look forward to the day when your foolish dream turns into despair!”

“That day will never come!! Spout that nonsense in the afterlife!!”

Those were his last words. My blade pierced his heart, and his body dissolved into black mist. Sure, demons of his caliber might be formidable, but compared to the Demon Lord, they were nothing.

“This is…”

“Most likely a clone. A trick demons often use. But I imbued my strike with holy power when I pierced him. He won’t be moving freely for a while.”

I walked up to the cage that held the girl and ripped its door off with brute force.

“Are you all right? You’re safe now.”

“Th-thank you… Onii-chan!”

The rescued girl’s eyes filled with tears of relief. Then, perhaps out of gratitude, she threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly.

“Wha-… Hugging him like that is unfair…”

“Onii-chan, thank you for saving me again!! If you’d like, I can join that harem thing of yours too!”

“Whoa…! You really know how to make me happy!”

Her unexpected words moved me deeply. Of course, she was too young to be considered, so I’d decline—but even a child saying such a thing proved how terrifying this reversed-chastity world was.

“I’m glad you’re safe. But I can see the exhaustion on your face. As a saintess, I shall cleanse your fear with my holy power.”

Celestia smiled, gently pulled the girl close, and began stroking her back—subtly separating her from me.

“Ehh, I was fine just like that…”

“Kazuki-sama is tired. Don’t be selfish.”

“O-okay… But this onee-chan’s smile is scary…”

As expected of a saintess, she was skilled at comforting a child frightened by demons. While I was inwardly impressed, Celestia whispered in my ear so only I could hear.

“Kazuki-sama… About what that demon said earlier… Do you truly want to build a harem?”

A chill ran down my spine—surely just my imagination. Yes, this was a reversed-chastity world. But I hadn’t confirmed if harems were truly acceptable. Still, I had definitely wished for it from Loki-sama. There shouldn’t be a problem.

“Yeah… Maybe it’s selfish of me to wish for that, but I was never popular before. Now that I’m a Hero, isn’t it okay if I dream of at least having a harem?”

“…”

For a moment, the light vanished from Celestia’s eyes—or so it seemed. Then, after thinking silently, she finally smiled.

“No, I think it’s wonderful. You are precious, Kazuki-sama. But… If you do build a harem, you should limit the number somewhat.”

“Of course. It’s not like I’ll take just anyone. I want a harem built on mutual love.”

“I see… Understood. Then let us return. We must also discuss this matter with Shinon-san…”

“Ah, right, there was that demon. We’ll have to tighten security around here.”

“No, such things don’t matter. What matters first and foremost is your harem, Kazuki-sama.”

“Eh? What do you mean by that…?”

“Leave everything to us.”

Her alluring smile accompanied the soft feel of her body as she entwined her arm around mine, making my face flush. Amazing—even after I said something like wanting a harem, her affection didn’t drop. Instead, she even offered to help me build one…

“Rest assured, your wish will be fulfilled.”

“Huh? O-oh… Thank you. Women in this world really are devoted and caring…”

“Onii-chan… Onee-chan’s eyes are scary…”

I was grateful to her for prioritizing my wish even in times like this. But why was the rescued girl trembling when looking at Celestia…?

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“A harem, huh… I knew it already. There’s no way I could monopolize him for myself… But aiming to be the lawful wife should be fine, right?”

After returning the girl to her parents, Celestia parted from Kazuki, puffing her cheeks as she recalled the day’s events. When Kazuki-sama woke up, he had seemed a little brighter than before. But to think he desired a harem… For a moment, darkness nearly consumed her heart, but she suppressed it.

“But you accepted these feelings of mine. That’s enough for me.”

That demon Astaroth had exposed her obsession and her desire to be loved. When he revealed them, she had wanted to die. Yet Kazuki had accepted them, told her he was happy about her feelings, and even embraced it. That alone made her chest filled with warmth.

It meant her feelings had reached him. A harem… Well, it bothered her, just a little, really just a little.

“Still, your essence hasn’t changed. You help those in need, and you don’t back down even against demons… Just like back then. That’s why I love you.”

Watching him blush awkwardly as the girl’s parents thanked him, she felt her chest warm again. Yes, he truly was the Hero. Celestia gazed toward the room where Kazuki was and recalled the moment he had saved her.

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