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… - 19

Chapter 19: Rematch

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

“There are no monsters around at all…”

“However, we’re definitely getting closer to the owner of that magic power. Most likely, that Amon guy is still alive. Don’t let your guard down.”

It had been several dozen minutes since we entered the forest, but we hadn’t encountered a single monster, which was surprisingly unusual. That didn’t mean this whole case had been a false lead. Rather, it could be taken as a sign that a powerful being was present, driving the monsters away from the area.

“This feeling… It reminds me of that fight with one of the Four Great Demons, Beast King Zabuza.”

“Ah, yeah, that takes me back. We explored the forest he was in while carrying Ceres on my back because she was terrified of critters and animals.”

Raised lovingly in the church, Ceres couldn’t handle beast-type or insect-type monsters and constantly relied on me. Every time she, who looked up to me as an older brother, let out a cute little “Kya!?” and clung to me, her ample chest would press against me. It had taken everything in me to maintain a poker face.

While I was reminiscing, I noticed Elena giving me a very particular look.

“…Since Ceres isn’t here, I’ll say it, Her little act was just a performance so she could cling to you. Whenever we were camping, she’d kill beast-type and insect-type monsters without a second thought using her mace. Well, you didn’t seem to notice at the time, I guess you were probably too busy feeling lucky about having her chest pressed against your back…”

“Eh… You’re kidding, right?”

The image of my former junior crying and pleading, flashed through my mind, and I suddenly felt drained.

『I just can’t handle animals and insect alike!』

That… was acting? I even tried to act all cool and everything, thinking I was the dependable one…

“I know that story about the battle between Beast King Zabuza and the heroes!! Isn’t that the famous one sung by bards, where they’re surrounded by the Beast King’s underlings and on the brink of defeat, but Sword Saint Cain-sama shouts them down and makes the monsters submit?!”

“…”

“Uh… what’s with that reaction?”

Tia’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, but Elena and I exchanged exasperated looks. Cain had clearly embellished the story quite a bit. Sorry to Tia, who was practically glowing with excitement, but the truth wasn’t anywhere near that cool.

“No. It wasn’t like that at all. This guy just used some bait he’d gotten from who-knows-where to win the monsters over and sic them on the Beast King. Cain doesn’t have any power like that.”

“Oh… I thought the monsters had turned a new leaf because of the hero party’s divine authority…”

“Well, they’re basically just beasts, so… Unfortunately, they don’t have that kind of intelligence.”

Just like Momotarō taming animals with millet dumplings, I’d used my game knowledge to create a special bait item that nullified the Beast King’s beasts. In the game, they’d stop attacking if you fed them. That said, Amon wasn’t in the game I played, so tricks like that wouldn’t work on him. But still…

“We already fought him before, so with the help of Tia’s support and Elena’s magic, we should be able to win against him. I will use the power of my Evil Eyes too. At best, he’s only at the strength of the Four Great Demons. He’s no match for us.”

“Indeed. I only detect one strong magic signature ahead of us, which I assume belong to Amon and a small one beside him. If we combine our strength, we should be able to win easily. Well, that is, unless the Demon Lord shows up!”

“As expected of the Hero who slew the Demon Lord!! You’re so reassuring!!”

As we chatted, memories from the past surfaced, and I felt a bit of joy. Having companions really was better… Especially ones you could trust. Ah, right… Adventuring as part of a party had always been this fun.

“Master, what’s with the sudden smile?”

“I was just thinking that I should thank you, Tia.”

When she peered into my face, I got embarrassed, so I patted her head, and she smiled blissfully. As Tia had said before, it was thanks to my expulsion that I was here now. Before, I’d been desperate to avoid the game’s death flags, but now, I was simply enjoying my second life. For that alone, I supposed I should thank the ones who had kicked me out.

“Ehehe~ I like it when Master pats my head. And it’s win-win since you get to touch cute me, right?”

“What are you two flirting for? It’s almost time… Hmph! How unfair, I want to be patted too…”

“We’re not flirting.”

Apologizing to the pouting Elena, I used my Evil Eye and sensed Amon’s overwhelming magic power. Huh…?But I also sensed a second, smaller magic source… Still, they couldn’t possibly defeat us.

Then, through the trees, I could faintly see Amon—and another figure. For a second, I thought I saw him grinning at us.

We’ve been spotted!!

“Elena, get your magic ready!! Tia, stay alert and try to charm him while keeping watch of your surroundings!!”

I unleashed all the power I’d been storing in my Evil Eye and dashed straight for Amon. He also broke into a sprint, claws bared, grinning as if he was delighted!!

“Hahaha!! We meet again, Evil Eye User!! And that young lady too!!”

The clash of sword and claws echoed through the forest with a scraping sound. Even though I had unleashed my strike with the intention to kill him, Amon still had the gall to wink at Tia as if our fight was nothing but a stroll in the park for him.

“Hey, Evil Eye user!! If I win, give me that little miss!! I’ll take real good care of her!!”

“Too bad, Tia is my precious companion. And don’t talk about people like they’re things!!”

I slashed again and used the force of his block to backflip away—just in time for multiple ice arrows to rain down on where I’d been standing. Sensing Tia’s magic with my Evil Eye, I’d  managed to dodge, but Amon took a direct hit…

“Hahaha!! Nice magic. I can really feel the love in it!!”

“Ugh, gross…”

It was hard to blame Tia for recoiling in disgust. Even after taking her magic head-on, Amon just laughed happily and blew her a kiss. I’d never met a demon like this before.

“A demon can understand love?!”

“Of course. We noble demons also form families and raise children like you humans. There are differences, of course…”

“Wha—”

It happened in an instant. Just as I moved to slash Amon, a girl who had been with him emerged from my shadow and caught my sword in her magic-imbued palm.

“Amon… I told you I wanted to talk to them.”

“Hahaha!! And that’s exactly what I’m doing! I’m talking with my fists!! Plus, taking a spell from someone you love just gives me the chills in the best way!!”

“Gustav, get out of the way!! You’ll get caught up in this too!!”

Sensing a powerful magic from deeper within, I dropped my sword and pulled back, but the demons in front of me didn’t even try to evade, which gave me a bad feeling about this.

“O’ Spirit of Light, grant me the power to destroy evil!! Holy Light Blade!!”

“Oh… That’s quite the magic power. But… My shadow, the Beast of Demise will devour all!”

When the girl waved her hand, her shadow became a wall and devoured Elena’s beam entirely.

Her power far surpassed even the Four Great Demons, and I couldn’t help but let out a voice of astonishment at this display of power.

“My apologies for the late introduction. My name is Solomon… I am the daughter of the Demon Lord Goetia you slew, and I now serve as the new Demon Lord.”

Having nullified a spell that had once injured the previous Demon Lord, the girl lifted the hem of her dress and bowed her head—without so much as a smile.

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー