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… - 65

Chapter 65: The Church

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“I apologize, Phantom-sama. Thank you for going out of your way to come here.”

“Ah, well, for some reason they specifically requested me and Ceres to hear the situation, right? This much is no trouble at all.”

“Fufu, you really are kind. However… If those church people say something rude, please don’t hesitate to speak up. I’ll make them understand with my own hand.”

Ceres smiled as she gazed into my Evil Eyes, but her eyes weren’t smiling at all. Since this involved the church, opposition toward coexistence with demons was especially strong. We had come to persuade them, but… 

Is this really going to be all right?  Cain said that as long as Ceres was with me, we’d be fine, but…

As I thought about that, I caught sight of the grand cathedral for the first time in a while and couldn’t help letting out a sigh of admiration.

“Still, it really is magnificent…”

The stone-built cathedral towered as if it reached the heavens, countless spires glimmering as they caught the light. Passing through the massive wooden doors engraved with angelic carvings, a solemn silence spread out within. 

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, scattering rainbow colors across the floor in beauty. At the far end stood a pure white statue of the deity, while chandeliers cast a gentle, holy light from above.

I had seen this in the game’s cutscenes, but the real thing was on another level entirely. As I stared in awe, Ceres murmured in a detached tone.

“They’ve earned quite a lot through donations, after all. Well, it’s true they also provide free treatment and charity, but… I can’t help but feel they should be a bit more frugal.”

“Ahaha, you say it so bluntly… But hey, Ceres, isn’t there anything you want? I’ve never seen you indulge yourself at all.”

No doubt she knew of church secrets I didn’t, which explained her detached tone. I gave her a wry smile, thinking this was not something to say out loud where church people might hear, so I quickly changed the subject—only for her to suddenly fix me with eyes devoid of light.

“Let’s see. I don’t have much in the way of material desires, but I do want the heart of the one I love… And perhaps a pair ring as well. Incidentally, if that person wished it, I wouldn’t mind dressing as a knight.”

“Ugh…”

Ever since going with Cain to that kind of “adventurous” shop, she had gotten more aggressive. I really needed to give her a proper answer. Of course, it wasn’t that I disliked Ceres. If anything, her double-sided nature made her one of the kinds of people I liked. 

But the problem was… I thought she had always seen me as an older brother figure. So, I always treated her like she was my little sister as well. It wasn’t something I could just switch off so easily.

“Hmm, it seems you’re still hesitating… But I feel like if I push just a little, it’ll work… I’d like to settle this here… If I just create a fait accompli…”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing at all. I was just thinking about how to persuade the church’s stubborn stone-heads.”

Since she had been muttering under her breath, I asked, concerned, but Ceres only smiled as though it were nothing. True, the church members might well be shocked if told out of the blue to coexist with demons. But Solomon and Ange’s relationship was undeniable proof it could work. As his brother, and as Solomon’s friend, I wanted to protect that bond.

Wait, what Ceres just muttered wasn’t about the demons, right? She wasn’t reading my thoughts or anything…? 

The ridiculous notion flickered for a moment, but I brushed it aside. Inside the cathedral, the priest at reception spotted us and froze, his eyes going wide.

“Hii!? Ceres-sama!! Wh-what brings you here? You were granted permission for a pilgrimage, were you not…!?”

“It’s been a while. I’m here because I need to speak with the Bishop. Could you guide us?”

“Y-yes! Of course, absolutely!!!”

Almost as though running away, the receptionist scurried off, leaving me bewildered.

“Hey, why is he so scared of you?”

“Who knows? When they told me to remain here as a symbol of the church, I insisted on being allowed a pilgrimage. Ever since then, their attitude has been rather strange.”

“Ah… I see…?”

Just what exactly had she done to “convince” them…? I felt a bit too uneasy to ask further.

And so, led by the nervous priest who still wouldn’t meet Ceres’s eyes even once, we headed toward the Bishop. The room we were shown into was richly decorated, its furniture lavish. An elderly man of refined bearing sat within.

“It has been a while. How does the Bishop’s seat feel? The very position you were able to claim thanks to my accomplishments.”

“Ohh, Ceres. It has been a long time indeed. I thought you had chased after the man you fancied and would never return. What’s the matter, did he reject you? Didn’t I tell you, conniving women aren’t popular?”

What is this…? They’re sniping at each other with sarcasm right from the start…? They’re both smiling, but their eyes aren’t smiling at all…

“Ah, forgive me. My name is Kaizard. I’m something like Ceres’s guardian. Thanks to her achievements, I rose in the ranks. I’ve been living quite luxuriously since.”

Ignoring Ceres’s glare, Kaizard let out a booming laugh and pointed toward the ornate wine shelf. It looked expensive… I tried to open my mouth to introduce myself, but was cut off.

“That Evil Eyes… You must be the hero Phantom, the one who slew the Demon Lord. No need for introductions. Let me guess—you’ve come by Prince Cain’s command, for the church to recognize coexistence with demons, correct? Then let’s host a banquet and invite the Demon Lord herself. If Ceres and I give our blessing there, the believers will have no choice but to accept.”

“Eh…? Ah, yes… That would indeed be a great help.”

I couldn’t help voicing my surprise at how easily the matter was settled. Still, I kept my guard up—only for him to smirk.

“But there’s one condition. I want to test whether demonic power conflicts with the holy power of the church. Phantom, I’d like you to spend one night here in this church with Ceres.”

“That much is no trouble… You mean you want to test it using me, since I possess the Evil Eyes.”

“Exactly. Then it’s settled. This one will show you to your room, so relax.”

Kaizard rang a bell, and the same priest from before entered, trembling. He was terrified of both Ceres and Kaizard.

“Phantom-sama, allow me to guide you…”

“Stay. I need to speak with Ceres for a bit.”

“…What business could you possibly have with me?”

I wanted to stay and listen, but the priest looked so close to tears that I gave in and followed him.

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“What are you plotting? If you intend to harm Phantom-sama…”

“You… After all that bravado, you still haven’t sealed the deal, have you?”

“Wha—!?”

Though Ceres glared at him, Kaizard showed not the slightest fear. Instead, his words left Ceres speechless.

“‘More important than the authority of the church is the person I love, and since he’s wounded, I will heal him myself…’—what a grand declaration you made. And yet here you are, dithering. How pathetic.”

“That is…”

It was true. Originally, Ceres had had no intention of ever returning here. Her plan had been to heal the heartbroken Phantom, bind herself to him, and live out a modest life together. But thanks to Tia and Ose, that wish had not come to pass.

“Listen, you’ve worked tirelessly for the people as a saintess for years, and you even defeated the Demon Lord on top of that. So, I’m sure God will forgive you for being a little selfish. I’ve already ordered that no one disturb the place you’ll be staying tonight. Do as you please. Men are simple. Sleep with him once and he’ll be yours.”

“…Don’t misunderstand me. I was planning to settle things myself anyway.”

Ceres composed her face and presented a small vial, the love potion she had picked up earlier.

“Oh? A spirit-enhancer, is it? Hah! Not bad at all. My education must have paid off. Be sure to make that man yours.”

“I don’t need you to tell me that. But… Thank you.”

Perhaps it was true what they said, birds of the same feather flock together. Kaizard smiled in satisfaction at Ceres’s unhinged resolve. As for Phantom’s chastity… No one could say what would become of it.

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