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… - 45

Chapter 45: Elena and the Others’ Battle

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“Impossible… One of the Ose’s Four Great Demons, Elios-sama… Gets defeated easily…?”

Elena and her companions had been attacked by demons while riding in their carriage. However, with Stella holding the front line and Elena and Solomon supporting with magic, they dispatched the attackers with little effort.

“I knew Solomon was strong, but you are more capable than I thought.”

“My duty also includes guarding Phantom-sama and Ange-sama. For a maid, this much is only proper.”

Although Elena voiced her admiration, Stella spoke with a calm, matter-of-fact expression—as though it were nothing unusual. But of course, it was not “ordinary” at all. Originally, Stella had been nothing more than the daughter of Phantom’s wet nurse, serving as a maid. 

But when Phantom, who was like a little brother to her, awakened the cursed skill known as the Evil Eyes, she foresaw a life full of obstacles for him. Out of determination, she trained in combat skills. Through the mental fortitude to endure hellish training, a natural talent, and advice from Phantom (who possessed knowledge of the “game”), she had acquired unparalleled strength as a frontline evasive tank.

“To defy me, the Demon Lord herself… How truly foolish. You do understand what punishment awaits you, don’t you?”

“I do, Solomon-sama. I may be but a lowly demon… But walking at your side would not have granted me my wish. May I ask one final favor?”

“A…Wish, you say?”

Elios had once served Solomon at her castle, along with Almon. Right now, he was pleading with a rasping voice. His body was battered and broken. Betrayed by her own subordinate, Solomon looked at him with a faint loneliness etched on her face.

“What is it? But let me say this first: if it is anything that would bring harm to humans—”

“Please… Look at me with eyes as if I were filth, and curse me more!!”

“…What?”

“Yes, that’s it!! I wanted nothing more than to be insulted, looked upon with disgust by your pure eyes!! For that, I even stooped to being one of Ose’s subordinates… Nnghhhyaaaa!!”

Elios, face twisted in ecstasy, screamed out—but was silenced when shards of ice struck, physically sealing his mouth shut.

“He’s not exactly the best influence on the children… Are all demons perverts?”

“Well, human desires are varied as well. Even Ange-sama has recently become interested in books about men embracing each other. Honestly, I’m a bit troubled by Ange-sama’s new interest…”

As Elena complained, Stella agreed. Poor Ange found her secret preference suddenly exposed in the worst possible way.

“So when Ange-chan asked me whether Phantom or Cain would be the ‘receiver,’ was that related to her new… Interest?”

“I know nothing… Nothing at all… Though, Phantom does seem like the type to receive.”

“Leaving that aside, Solomon-sama, what shall we do with this man?”

Elena averted her eyes from Solomon’s innocent gaze, while Stella feigned indifference, speaking in a flat tone to deflect the topic.

“I may not have understood what he was saying, but I will personally return this man to the Demon Realm. My shadow, devour the sinner.”

At Solomon’s incantation, her shadow spread wide, forming into a gaping mouth that swallowed Elios whole. It was said her shadow housed a separate space, capable of storing items or even imprisoning people.

“Even so, these ambushes do come rather often… I suppose our decoy plan is working.”

“It seems Ose is able to sense my Demon Lord’s magic power signature, just as we can detect him… I only hope Amon and the others are safe.”

In truth, this was hardly the first attack. There had already been several ambushes by soldiers. Elena and the others had always driven them back with magic while ensuring they caused no serious harm. But fatigue was gradually accumulating. And yet, when exhaustion pressed hardest, relief always came in the form of—

“I’ve heard that using magic strains the mind. I’ve set out tea and sweets for you. Today’s treat is apple tart.”

“Ooh, I look forward to that!!”

“Stella is truly exceptional. The potential of humans is indeed limitless.”

After their cheers of delight inside the carriage, the sound of approaching footsteps reached them. Arrows suddenly flew toward them.

“Tch, it seems we made too much noise in that fight with the demons.”

These constant attacks are troublesome… We cannot simply harm humans without reason…

“I’ll drive us straight through!! As we near the royal castle, the enemies do grow stronger and more troublesome.”

Stella spurred the horses, trying to shake off the pursuers, but the soldiers clung stubbornly to them. Elena and Solomon cast spells to slow them down, but wave after wave of attackers came. Their exhaustion deepened, and several arrows pierced into the carriage itself.

If Elena had been free to kill, her magic could have annihilated them in an instant. But since the humans were being manipulated by Ose, she could not kill them. That restriction weighed heavily on them. As cold sweat ran down her face, Elena noticed one arrow carried a letter. She quickly unfolded the paper.

“Tch… Poor horses, but perhaps we should abandon the carriage? If we hide in my shadow, we might evade them for a while…”

“No, keep running. I’ll cast a spell. Stella, do not hesitate—accelerate with all your might!!”

“Yes, understood.”

Inside the carriage, Elena raised her staff. A torrent of overwhelming magic condensed around it. Stella, noticing this, allowed a faint smile to cross her lips, as if she understood something.

“Elena-san!? If you unleash such a spell, these fragile humans will perish instantly!”

“It will be fine. They seem to have a powerful shield. Burn away my foes—Megido Flame!”

Ignoring Solomon’s protest, Elena released the divine flame. It seemed to consume the pursuing soldiers in an instant—but at that moment, a female knight in silver armor stepped forward.

“Everyone, hold your ground!! I will protect you!!”

Centered on Henrietta, a dazzling light spread outward, forming a barrier that nullified the magic.

“That radiance! It’s the Sturdiest Henrietta! That light must be her light of exorcism!! It seems they are getting serious at last!! But their advance has halted. If we keep running, we can escape… Elena-san? What’s wrong?”

“Hmm… To see this as a trap, or to take it as her sincere feelings… It is difficult to judge.”

On the letter in Elena’s hand were these words: 『I’ll buy you time to escape. In return, I wish to speak with you. Will you come to this place?』

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