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… - 40

Chapter 40: A Shopping Trip with Ceres

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“What’s this… My head feels incredibly clear…”

I had been talking with Tia and the others at the Adventurer’s Guild about our future plans, but I was suddenly overcome by drowsiness and fell asleep without realizing it. Yet, my body now felt surprisingly refreshed.

When I looked in the mirror, even the dark circles under my eyes had lightened considerably, enough to make it feel a little unnerving.

Could it be… That wine’s high alcohol content also had some sort of recovery effect? I should look into it later.

“This isn’t a ceiling I recognize… But it doesn’t seem wrong. Thank goodness…”

I let out a sigh of relief as I glanced at Amon, who was snoring away soundly beside me. I’d feel guilty if I had done anything lewd with a girl after all those things I had said to tia. 

While I was thinking that, there came a knock at the door.

“Excuse me. Phantom-oniisama… Are you awake?”

“Ah, I just woke up.”

Thinking the timing was perfect, I opened the door and standing there was Ceres, but instead of her usual cleric robes, she wore a dress like that of a town girl. It struck me again how much of a beauty Ceres was. Long, silky silver hair like spun silk, and a face so perfectly formed it was almost frightening. 

She truly was the girl people called a miracle of the gods. And now, instead of her habitual vestments, she wore an age-appropriate dress with lace trimmings that emphasized her chest. It was so out of the ordinary for her that I couldn’t help but feel my heart skip a beat.

It’s not because of her chest. Seriously! Really!!

“Um… I thought my cleric robes might stand out too much, so I tried wearing casual clothes. Does it look strange?”

“No, it suits you very well. Today’s outfit feels more like the real Ceres than the saintly one, and I like it.”

“Uuh… To be complimented so directly like that… Keep it together… Ceres…”

When I gave my honest impression, for some reason she turned her face away and began muttering to herself. Then she started fidgeting. Was she feeling unwell?

“As we discussed yesterday, let’s go shopping together. I’ve prepared a list of things we need, so don’t worry.”

“Eh, did we talk about that?”

“Yes, Phantom-oniisama, you nodded with a smile, and I’ve already gotten Tia-san’s permission. Unless… You don’t want to walk around town with me?”

Since I’d gotten drunk halfway through last night, I genuinely had no memory of this. But when I saw the sad look on her face, there was no way I could refuse. Well, if Tia had already approved, there should be no problem. Amon… Well, I wasn’t sure about him.

“No, it’s fine. Then today, allow me to escort you.”

“Yes, please do, Phantom-oniisama!! It’s going to be so much fun, just like the old times.”

As Ceres beamed and took my arm, I thought she was acting her age—like a child. But when I felt her chest press against me, I reconsidered. She wasn’t a child at all.

“Tia-san… As promised, I won’t tempt him. But if Phantom-oniisama happens to pounce on me, then it can’t be helped, right?~♡”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“No, let’s head to the tool shop first.”

For a split second, I thought I saw her smirk seductively, but the next moment her gentle smile was back. And so, we began walking together.

“To give me such a discount… Thank you. May the blessing of the gods be upon you.”

“Likewise, thanks for healing my back pain. Thanks to you, I can work for another ten years.”

At the tool shop, as the owner—an elderly man—wrapped up rare potions and a tent for us, Ceres blushed at his gratitude. She had noticed his back trouble and healed him free of charge, and as a result, we were receiving a generous discount.

Chronic pain like back trouble, unlike battle injuries, required delicate control to heal, so being able to do it instantly was truly like Ceres. She’d earned her title of “saintess” through constant training and she never let her title get to her head either.

“You’ve got yourself a good, considerate partner, young man. Don’t let her go. My grandson just got married recently, too…”

“No, we’re not—”

“Oh, calling us a good match like that… It’s embarrassing, isn’t it, Phantom?”

The sudden lack of honorifics made my heart skip a beat. Well, she was probably just going along with the old man’s happy mood, who was talking about his grandson…

After listening to his stories and receiving a more generous discount, we arrived at a lively main street. There was a queue of customers with a noticeably skewed demographic—apparently for a café. Being so close to the royal capital, there were some rather stylish shops around.

“Phantom-oniisama… I have one request. May I?”

“Eh? I don’t mind…”

“I’ve always admired places like that… I want to go into that café with you, Phantom-oniisama.”

“Well, yeah. I guess you’d stand out lining up there in cleric robes…”

Since she normally worked as a saintess at the church, she had little connection with such glamorous places. Back then, we were busy with our quest to subjugate the Demon Lord, so we didn’t have time for such luxury.

“Sure, that’s fine. But the wait looks long… Will we make it in time to meet up with Tia and the others?”

“Ah, that’s fine. I got a ticket this morning, so we can get in right away.”

What would she have done if I’d refused?

Still, I was glad. She trusted me enough to think I wouldn’t say no.

“Then let’s go. This reminds me of when I showed you around town ages ago. You wore my little sister’s clothes and we explored the streets together.”

“Phantom-oniisama… You do remember about it!!”

“Of course. That nighttime adventure was fun, wasn’t it?”

“Yes!! It’s the most precious memory of my life!!”

“That’s an exaggeration, but hearing you say that is kind of embarrassing.”

Seeing her usually gentle smile turn into an open laugh lifted my spirits. It was nice to make my cute junior this happy just by granting a small request.

★★★★

“I knew it… We can’t let our guard down with her…”

“Oi, Tia… Why are you radiating so much killing intent? You’re scaring everyone around here…”

While out shopping for personal items, Tia had, by chance, spotted the two leaving the tool shop. A bad feeling—women’s intuition—made her decide to follow them. Amon, meanwhile, had “coincidentally” been lying in wait and was being ignored by Tia.

“What’s with that café?”

“It’s a fully private-room couples’ café. I’ve heard at the Adventurer’s Guild that if you invite someone there, you’re guaranteed to become a couple.”

In truth, just inviting someone there was basically the same as confessing. Accepting an invitation to go there meant accepting a relationship. 

Not that Master would know that…

The bigger issue was the private rooms. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, couples would… Well…You know. And besides…

“Master is pretty weak to pressure… He might just get swept away by the mood and if I complain later, she’ll just say, ‘I wasn’t tempting him. Phantom-oniisama just came after me. Well, I’ll make him take responsibility, though. Sorry, loser~.’”

Grinding her teeth, Tia regretted ever giving Ceres a chance. Amon grinned.

“Then let’s crash their date. Four people together won’t get that kind of atmosphere going.”

“…I appreciate the thought. But I know you have feelings for me. I don’t want to take advantage of you when I can’t return them.”

Tia politely declined, but Amon just grinned wider.

“What are you talking about? I’m saying you can use me all you want. I’d rather that than regret doing nothing and besides, it’s still too early for Tia to get NTR’d.”

“Amon…”

Tia was touched by the manly words. Her opinion of the creepy demon in front of her rose to “foul-mouthed but dependable.”

“And besides… Seeing you make a girly face at Phantom right in front of me really turns me on. So seriously, don’t hold back.”

“Ugh, gross.”

With Amon panting heavily, her opinion plummeted again.

Sorry, but I’m not going to lose, Ceres-san. I’m the cutest adventurer there is and I love Master more than anyone.

And so, Tia also made her way toward the café.

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