I Got Reincarnated as the Villain and Saved the World, but After the Ending I Was Betrayed and Exiled. I Just Wanted a Peaceful Life in the Frontier, but for Some Reason My Former Companions Started Chasing Me with Yandere Eyes… - 10

Chapter 10: I Won’t Forgive Anyone Who Mocks My Precious Comrade

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“Hah! You’re saying Gustav, who only ever goes herb gathering, is stronger than us, the ones who destroyed the troll’s nest? That’s taking a joke way too far.”

“What are you doing, Gyamel? Just leave these small fries alone. We’ve got a mission to investigate the strange happenings in the forest, remember? It’s a direct request from the Guild. If we complete this, we could even be promoted into A-rank.”

“Ah, no. We can’t. Gyamel is a fan of the heroes who killed the Demon Lord. Of course he’s itching to show off in front of Elena-sama.”

They were probably his party members. A woman in a robe, likely a mage, and a young man in full plate armor, probably a heavy knight, approached after hearing Gyamel’s voice. They were apparently from the Yggdrasil’s Branch party he led. But it didn’t seem like they had any real intention of stopping the fight.

In fact, the armored young man was smirking, as if he was actually enjoying the commotion.

So this is this city’s B-rank, huh…? 

If I put it in Aisha-chan’s style, their rank might be high, but their dignity was D-rank… Personally, I wouldn’t mind just letting them have their way…

“What’s so great about a troll’s nest, anyway?! Master took me in when I was lost and wandering! When it comes to greatness, Master is A-rank in my book!”

“Ha, you’re that rookie adventurer who used to wear skimpy clothes to entertain customers, right? I heard you got ditched by your original party and wormed your way into Gustav’s group by shaking your ass and begging to him. Wouldn’t you prefer a stronger owner? I could take care of you instead of that weakling Gustav.”

“What!?”

Tia was struck speechless by the sheer rudeness of his words. I stepped between her and Gyamel. I understood his game. He was trying to provoke me into a fight, beat me, and use that to impress Elena.

“Tia… That’s enough.”

“Hah, at least the stupid owner knows who’s stronger—huh!?”

I pressed my sword’s tip to Gyamel’s neck. The point nicked his skin, and a thin line of blood trickled down.

“You… Shut your mouth already.”

Normally, I would have laughed it off and let it slide, but insulting Tia-chan was a different story entirely. I’d already been betrayed once; I wasn’t about to betray her trust in me. And above all, I wasn’t the kind of person who could just stand by and stay silent when someone insulted an important comrade of mine.

“A sneak attack, huh?! You’re the one who drew your sword first!”

Gyamel backed away, cold sweat on his forehead, and drew his own sword to slash at me. But before he could, I released my killing intent, and… Branches sprouted from the ground, wrapping around Gyamel and holding him immobile.

“Enough!! You’re being noisy. It’s Gustav that I hired! I have no business with you lot. Now leave at once!!”

Elena leveled her staff at him and shouted. That magic spell was Elena’s magic spell. Normally, controlling plant magic precisely enough to target only Gyamel would be difficult, but of course, she could manage it effortlessly. 

“But… They don’t have the strength to protect you! We could—”

“I told you to leave, didn’t I?! Even if monsters come, as long as I’m here, there’s no problem! More importantly, I don’t like people who insult others just to make themselves look better! It reminds me of someone I really can’t stand!!”

“Tch… Damn it, Gustav! You’ll pay for this—!!”

When Elena raised her voice again, Gyamel spat out his parting threat and stormed off.

Wait, why is he blaming me? He’s the one who acted like an idiot and only managed to lower Elena’s opinion of him…

“Elena-san, sorry you had to see such an ugly side of adventurers.”

“I don’t particularly mind… But are you really C-rank? That boy didn’t even get to react just now.”

“Ahaha, well~ It was a sneak attack after all. But still, who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t stopped us, Elena-san.”

“But Master, you were so cool just now!!”

Tia hugged me as I tried to laugh it off, but there wasn’t even a trace of doubt leaving Elena’s eyes.

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