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… - 64

Chapter 64: The Race Called Elves

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This was the story one week after Cain and Phantom—and incidentally, Amon—were caught visiting the red-light district

“It’s done… I finally did it… The potion passed down among the Elves…”

This was in the private room of a certain hero in the royal capital. She had slain the Demon Lord, saved the nation from being overtaken by demons on two separate occasions, and now worked tirelessly as a bridge between humans and elves. Amidst such busy days, she had been secretly brewing a certain potion during her spare time.

“Hehehehe… Who cares about big breasts!! I… I am an Elf, so I’ll always stay young!! Of course Phantom would prefer someone who stays young forever to someone with sagging breasts!”

Since no one else was around, the girl slipped into her true self. She was holding up the strange, rainbow-glimmering potion with a grin.

“Besides… As long as I have this love potion…”

Just as Elena was about to pour the potion into a portable flask with a beaming smile, the lid slipped off, and its fragrance filled the room.

“Ughhh, it stinks!! What the heck is this!!”

She shrieked instinctively and hurriedly opened the window.

“I messed up… I only focused on the effect and completely forgot to think about the smell… I guess I’ll have to improve it now…”

Tears welling in her eyes, Elena tried to pour the potion back into the bottle—when a knock suddenly echoed.

“Wh-What is it? I thought today was supposed to be my day off…”

“Ah, I know. You seemed so busy lately, so I thought we could go to the marketplace together as a change of pace… Was I bothering you?”

The voice beyond the door was Phantom’s. Elena quickly checked her hair in the mirror to make sure it wasn’t messy before opening the door.

“How unusual… Are you alone today?”

“Yeah, just me. Remember when we were still adventuring together, I promised I’d show you around the capital’s market once things settled down? You don’t remember?”

“Of course I remember. I was just waiting for you to finally say it. Give me a moment to get ready.”

That was a promise made during their journey to defeat the Demon Lord. Elena felt her chest getting warm when she realized he had remembered such a casual remark. After closing the door, she pulled out her best, cutest dress… And after a brief hesitation, she took the love potion with her before heading out to meet him.

Yes, the smell was terrible, but… Chances to be alone with him were rare. She couldn’t afford to let this one slip by…

★★★★

“Wow, there are so many people. Last time I came, it was so empty…”

“That’s because it’s peaceful now. You’d never see this kind of liveliness in the Elven village.”

Elena’s eyes sparkled as Phantom guided her around the bustling market. He pointed out food stalls with delicious skewers, shops selling adorable plushies, and many other things.

“You’re awfully experienced at this… Who have you gone on dates with? Come on, tell me.”

“…No, it’s not like I actually went on them… Well, there’s a story behind it.”

When she glared at him suspiciously, he scratched his cheek with a wry smile.

He had always been like this—knowing things as if he could predict what would happen. At first, she had been wary of him, but his constant efforts for their sake gradually made Elena grow fond of him. And she wasn’t alone. Henrietta, Ceres, and Cain likely felt the same.

Though their journey had started with four, it no longer felt right unless all five were there. That journey had become a precious memory for Elena. Even if she lived for centuries, she doubted she would ever experience anything more radiant than that…

“Here we are! This is the place!!”

“What a nostalgic atmosphere…”

Leaving the market behind, Phantom led her to a peculiar brick building, overgrown with plants.

The scent of wood reminded Elena of her home in the Elven village, and she couldn’t help but smile softly.

“Reservation for Phantom. Thank you for having us today.”

“Yes, we’ve been expecting you. Welcome, fellow kin.”

The door opened to reveal a waitress—an Elf in uniform. She smiled warmly upon seeing Elena.

Behind her, a portrait was displayed, depicting a young woman and an elderly man smiling together.

“I never thought I’d meet another Elf in the capital.”

“Nor did I… To find one here of all places…”

Elves were generally reclusive, living their entire lives in their villages until returning to the earth. Elena’s case was an unusual one.

“I’m glad this made you happy.”

“Indeed… To think there were Elves in the capital… I feel strangely nostalgic.”

Seated at a table with tea, Elena chatted with Phantom. She complained about how noisy the Elven elders were, demanding she speak with Cain, or warning her not to lose negotiations with the demons. They were troublesome in many ways. Most of it was just grumbling, but Phantom listened without complaint. That was when Elena realized once again how much she loved this side of him.

When Phantom excused himself for the restroom, Elena tried to take out the flask with the love potion from her bag…

“You shouldn’t use that, Hero Elena, slayer of the Demon Lord.”

“What!?”

Elena gasped as the Elf waitress, who had somehow appeared behind her, spoke.

“How do you know my name…”

“Who else could you be? You’re the only Elf known in the capital. More importantly, that potion is a love potion, isn’t it? Think carefully. Would you truly be satisfied with love gained by such means?”

“That is…”

Of course, she knew. Nothing could surpass genuine love. But there were many who liked Phantom. And besides, he liked big breasts…

“What would you know? No matter what it takes, I want Phantom. I want to stay by his side.”

“I understand. I wasn’t chosen by my husband at first either.”

The waitress smirked, glancing toward the portrait from earlier. Elena then noticed for the first time. The woman’s eyes lacked a light in them.

“Unlike short-lived humans, we live long lives. So whisper words of love to him. Whisper it again and again without shame, endlessly. He’ll give in eventually. For us, fifty years is nothing. Devote everything to love. We have the lifespan for it.”

“…You’re right… Elves have their own way of fighting. I’d forgotten in all the chaos lately. Thank you.”

Elena’s eyes lost their light as well as she nodded. Yes… She had the advantage of longevity. And Elves had the power of words. It was said that if an Elf spoke something daily for five days, the wish would come true.

And Phantom was weak to persistence. If she whispered her love continuously, he would surely give in… Like, thirty years at most.

Yes… Elves, as a long-lived race, usually lacked strong feelings of romance. But once they fell in love, it was different. They would love until death. And since they were used to beauty, they did not measure love by appearances. They could love even an old man.

“Oh, do Elves get along especially well with each other?”

“Ufufu~ Sorry for intruding. This one’s on the house.”

The waitress winked at Elena, placing a delicious-looking cake on the table before leaving.

Elena thought to herself.

I should come back and ask her for advice next time. Specifically, how she won her husband over.

As she and Phantom shared the cake, she decided it was time to strike.

“Phantom… I love you.”

“Eh? Oh… Uum, thank you.”

Seeing her beloved’s face turn bright red, Elena was convinced. The power of words spoken with genuine feelings… It was embarrassing, but if it meant she could see Phantom’s expression like this, she would endure the embarrassment.

Satisfied, Elena tossed the flask with the love potion away on the road home. She still had plenty of time. From now on, she would win him over with words alone…

★★★★

A shadowy figure had been following Phantom and Elena. The figure picked up the discarded flask, checked its contents, pinched their nose at the stench, and murmured.

“So it has the effect of arousing one’s mental state… I see. A love potion that makes one mistake excitement for romantic feelings.”

Using a sinister holy power, the figure analyzed the potion and tucked it away carefully.

“Naïve… So naïve, Elena-san… That’s why you couldn’t surpass Henrietta-san… And why even now, Tia is ahead of you.”

And with that, the mysterious figure laughed.

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