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… - 71

Chapter 71: Gustav and Aisha

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“No way… This whole time, you’re actually an S-rank adventurer…. Even though I taught you so much, I was being deceived all along… Gustav, you’re such a terrible man… sniff sniff…”

“Well, well, Master had his circumstances too. Since he always lets people’s feelings hang vaguely because of his kindness, I won’t deny that he’s a terrible man though…”

“Why are both of you ganging up on me!? I mean, I do feel bad about it, but still!!”

After reuniting at the Adventurers’ Guild, the three of us went to a familiar restaurant for a meal together. In front of us were steaming homemade sausages, pork steak, and lukewarm ale.

“Ahh, as expected, the food at this place is the best. The meals in the royal capital were delicious too, but this feels more comforting.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s like being back home.”

“Really? But Phantom Pail-sama, you’re a former noble and now a hero, aren’t you? I doubt the taste of commoners’ food really suits you. A refined palate like yours is at least A-rank adventurer level… No. You’re literally an S-rank adventurer-sama, right?”

“I told you, I’m sorry, Aisha-chan. I’ll make it up to you by taking on any troublesome job.”

As I bowed my head, she chuckled softly, and the warmth of nostalgia made my chest tighten. Even after my true identity had been exposed, her attitude hadn’t changed—that alone was a tremendous relief on my side.

Phantom was, for better or worse, a “hero.” If she had started acting distant, I probably would have broken down in tears.

“In that case… Could I ask you to be the examiner for tomorrow’s promotion test? If we had an S-rank adventurer present, it would be good publicity for our guild, and I’d love for you to do it.”

“Eh, if it’s just that, I don’t mind…”

“But if Master does it, won’t it be too difficult? I doubt you’d actually use your Evil Eyes, but still…”

At Tia’s words, both she and I gave Aisha-chan dubious looks, but Aisha only laughed. And then, as usual, she kept teasing me…

“Well then, why don’t you tell us about the heroic exploits of Phantom in the royal capital—and also about your relationships with women. You still haven’t started dating Tia-chan, have you?”

“Exactly! Even though someone as cute as me has been making advances, Master just keeps ignoring me.”

The relationships I had in the royal capital were good too, but this was a different kind of fun and nostalgia.

★★★★

“Geez… I already told you that you don’t have to go out of your way to escort me. This place is like my second home, after all.”

“It’s already pretty late at night. Just to be safe. Besides, I’ve been wanting to talk with you too… Just the two of us.”

After leaving the restaurant, I escorted Tia—who had puffed out her cheeks with a complicated expression—back to the inn, and then walked through the night streets with Aisha-chan. There were only a few token street lamps, leaving the area rather dim. I didn’t feel right about sending a woman home alone.

“Aisha-chan, you’re not angry that I hid my true identity?”

“Of course not. Being an adventurer isn’t exactly a respectable profession. It’s common courtesy not to pry into anything beyond what’s written on someone’s adventurer card. To me, you’re still the same kind, but distant man who quietly steps away when others try to get too close… Gustav the Adventurer.”

Her soft laugh was truly captivating, and it reminded me of when she had shown me kindness after I was expelled.

“So what are you going to do now? Will you live on as a hero in the royal capital?”

“No, actually… I haven’t really decided anything yet. But I don’t think I’ll stay in the capital forever.”

I now knew that my banishment had been Ose’s scheme, but even so, there wasn’t much I could do there. I had only been a provincial noble to begin with, and the prejudice against me for possessing the Evil Eyes wouldn’t disappear for a long time. 

More likely, I would just end up being a political burden for Cain and Henrietta. Besides, Ange was already managing the Pail territory splendidly.

“In that case… Why not work as an adventurer here?”

“Eh?”

“This is the countryside. When troublesome monsters appear, it can get quite difficult. And… If an adventurer like you were here, it would be so reassuring… I’d be so happy. To be honest, I never wanted you to leave back then either.”

“Aisha-chan…”

Her steps stopped, and she looked straight into my eyes. There was no trace of her usual teasing expression. Was it just my imagination, or were her eyes glistening?

“If you’d like… Why don’t you come in for some tea?”

“Eh…”

Her slightly nervous face made it impossible for me to play dumb. Back when I lived in this town, I always kept a certain distance from others, afraid of being betrayed again. But she had stepped into that distance. She had always spoken to me, always given me energy.

I realized then that I had held feelings for her—that her kindness had saved me. But still…

“I’m sorry… If I stay out too late, Tia will start worrying. I should head back.”

The one who now filled my heart was Tia. She called herself cute and teased me, yet when flustered she fumbled helplessly. She had always believed in me, no matter what. At last, I truly realized it. I loved Tia. Aisha-chan’s words had made me understand.

When I answered, she nodded knowingly and smiled teasingly, just like always.

“I see… Then make sure to be clear about it, and make her happy.”

“Yeah… I really am always being saved by you, Aisha-chan.”

“You’d better be grateful. Because I’m going to keep working you hard from now on.”

She laughed as she went inside her room. For just a moment—just one fleeting moment—I wondered if, without Tia or Solomon, I might have walked into that house and shared a future with her… But I shook the thought away.

Later, when I returned to the inn, Tia was in the tavern section. She had fended off some men hitting on her and gotten them to buy her drinks. When she remarked, “You came back rather quickly,” I understood she had been waiting for me, and my chest warmed at the thought. 

Of course, I wouldn’t tell her that. Afterward, the two of us went back to our room and slept, before heading to the Adventurers’ Guild the next morning.

“If I remember right, the promotion test is a battle against adventurers, isn’t it? You can’t use your Evil Eyes.”

“Of course I won’t go that far… I’ll just fight at a reasonable level to gauge their strength.”

While we were talking, a boy came running up.

“Gustav-san, Tia, it’s been a while!! Thank you for looking after us today!!”

“Wait, don’t tell me today’s test opponents are Abel and the others?”

“Already eligible for the promotion exam? You guys are awfully fast…”

“We worked really hard! Because we want to become adventurers like you!!”

Abel said that with sparkling eyes.

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