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… - 28

Chapter 28: Henrietta’s Determination

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Near the town where the Phantoms had gone scouting, two luxurious carriages met up, and from one of them, a young girl in armor approached the other one.

“It’s been a while, Ange.”

“It has been a while. Henrietta-nees—… No, Henrietta-sama.”

When Ange hastily corrected herself after calling her by her old nickname, Henrietta couldn’t help but show a bitter expression. Before she had become a hero, back when she, Phantom, and Ange had been together as three, Ange had always called her “Henrietta-neesama” with affection. 

But ever since Phantom had been exiled and their engagement annulled, Ange had started calling her “Henrietta-sama,” just as she did now. Of course, Ange’s change was only natural. Calling the lord of a neighboring territory, who wasn’t even a relative, “big sister” would be rude of her.

“You’ve only had a few real battles, right? Hearing there are demons around must make you uneasy. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“Thank you, Henrietta-sama. That’s very reassuring to hear.”

Ange’s tense expression softened just a little. Seeing that face reminded Henrietta of Phantom, and she felt a sharp pang in her chest again—but she suppressed it.

I’ve decided to protect them. This land and Ange… After all, Ange is Phantom’s biological little sister…

A soldier who had been watching the two waited for the right moment to speak up. He was someone Henrietta trusted deeply, a subordinate who had also been a sort of sword instructor to both her and Phantom.

“Henrietta-sama, judging by the reaction from magic tools installed in the border, there’s no doubt demons are near this town. We’re investigating this incident as we speak, but please remain on alert so you can fight at any time.”

“Yes, understood. And one more thing… Keep an eye out for the masked man who was with the demons. He might actually be human, not demon. He was there during the battle with the Demon Lord as well. After all, he’s a foolish human who sided with the demons despite being one himself.”

“Yes, ma’am!!”

Henrietta bit her lip hard, remembering when she had been caught in a trap set by humans allied with the demons during the Demon Lord subjugation. Straightforward Cain, knowledgeable but sheltered Elena, and overly trusting Henrietta herself had ended up in a desperate situation, facing demons and driven to utter that humiliating female knight line: “Kuh… kill me.”

If Phantom and Ceres, who had been acting separately at the time, hadn’t come to save them, she wouldn’t be here now.

“But now… Phantom is gone. I have to do my best… I’ve even gained the power to do it.”

“Henrietta-sama… Please, don’t push yourself too hard.”

While Henrietta was psyching herself up, Ange looked at her with concern and gently took her hand. The cold touch of armor pressed against her skin, yet somehow her heart felt warmer and Henrietta felt her resolve to protect Ange strengthen all the more.

“Thank you. But no…I can’t remain complacent. I couldn’t protect your dear older brother. This is the burden I have to bear. I can’t just shrug off this responsibility willy-nilly. Besides, I’m strong enough to be called a hero. You can rest easy.”

“Henrietta-sama…”

She had tried to cheer Ange up with a light remark, but the worry never left Ange’s face. Henrietta felt frustrated, realizing she couldn’t do it the way Phantom could.

“Henrietta-oneesama, there’s something I’d like to talk about. Could you come inside the carriage?”

“Yes, I don’t mind…”

The way Ange called her by her old name seemed to plead for something important, so Henrietta nodded without hesitation. Ange’s restless demeanor was a sign. This was one of those times when she was hiding something.

Following the oddly cautious Ange into the carriage, Henrietta saw her immediately draw the curtains shut. It was as if she didn’t want anyone to see or hear them…

“Henrietta-oneesama, will you answer my next question honestly?”

“Yes, of course. I swear it to God.”

With a tense, urgent expression, Ange spoke.

“What would you do if you were to meet Phantom-oniisama again?”

“…Let’s see… First, I’d like to apologize. I weighed him against my domain and chose the domain.”

Henrietta regretted her choice, but she didn’t believe it had been wrong. She had lived as a noble thanks to her people. She believed she had acted correctly to protect her land. However, the fact remained that she had hurt him and for that, she wanted to apologize to him. 

“Then… If… This is just an if, okay? If Onii-sama were acting together with demons, what would you do?”

“Eh, that’s…”

What was she saying? Henrietta was about to ask if it was some sort of riddle, when she noticed the seriousness in Ange’s eyes.

I can’t give a half-hearted answer here… Her eyes are telling me to answer from the heart.

If he were to side with demons, the enemies of all humankind… What would she do? Henrietta thought carefully and came to one answer.

“Well… I would…”

Just as she was about to speak, a knocking sound echoed. Instinctively, she put her hand on her sword and responded.

“Who is it?”

“Henrietta-sama! Ange-sama! A suspicious carriage has been spotted! Our soldiers are engaging it now, but the enemy is strong and overwhelming them! Please, we require your help!!”

Hearing the breathless soldier’s report, Henrietta hurried out of the carriage without hesitation.

I live to protect my people!!

“Ange! We’ll finish this conversation later. You stay in the rear!!”

“Henrietta-oneesama!! The masked man…! Don’t—”

Ange was saying something, but the sound of a horse’s neigh drowned it out. 

Mask…?

That reminded Henrietta.. Phantom had been wearing a mask when they first met, hadn’t he?

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“…Is this… A battle? Even though the town is so close… How dangerous…”

About to heal the wounded, Ceres’s eyes fell on the fleeing carriage and she saw something unbelievable.

“That’s Elena-san? And that mask!!”

Through the carriage window, she saw the elf girl she had traveled with, and beside her… The masked man she had heard about from adventurers—someone who looked like Phantom. Seeing at last the person she had been searching for, Ceres forgot herself and cried out loudly. Then she turned to a nearby merchant.

“Excuse me, could you lend me a horse?”

“Hm? You’re a priestess, huh… Sorry, but this one is a merchandise. It already has a buyer.”

“Then, that injured one will be fine.”

She pointed to a horse that had been injured during the commotion when the earlier carriage fled.

“Ah, if it’s that one, I don’t mind…”

“Thank you.”

Immediately healing it, Ceres paid the man and prepared to give chase to the carriage—

“O’ miracle of God, heal the wounds of our warriors.”

Without turning fully around, she healed the injured nearby. 

“It’s the Saintess!”

Some people, noticing her, murmured her name, but she didn’t care.

Phantom-oniisama gets sad when unrelated people are hurt. If he sees I healed them, will he pat my head again?

Dreaming of her long-awaited reunion with the one she loved, she spurred the horse forward.

Ah, but… It does bother me that Elena-san got to meet him first… God, please guide me.

She muttered bitterly in her heart.

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