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… - 72-73

Chapter 72: Phantom as an Adventurer

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At the training grounds, guild staff who served as examiners and adventurers who had come to observe were present. By making it open like this, they were showing that there would be no foul play.

“Well then, we look forward to your guidance today, Gustav-san… No, I mean, S-rank adventurer and hero who slew the Demon Lord, Phantom Pail-sama.”

When Abel bowed politely, the priest, the mage girl, and the scout boy followed his example and bowed as well. It seemed my true identity had already been exposed. Most likely Aisha-chan had spread it, saying it would add prestige to the Adventurers’ Guild. Well, it was going to come out sooner or later anyway, so I didn’t mind… But it was a little embarrassing.

“Yeah. I’m looking forward to working with you too. I’m sure you understand, but just because we know each other doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on you. Winning isn’t necessary—just show that you’re worthy of a rank-up.”

“Thank you. However, we came here planning to defeat you.”

“Hahaha, good. An adventurer wouldn’t get anywhere without at least that much spirit.”

Moved by those dependable words, I couldn’t help but release killing intent, causing Abel and his party’s bodies to stiffen slightly. Confirming that, I attacked them without hesitation.

“Frau!! Grant me and Cecil all the blessings you can!! Midol, use that spell!!”

At Abel’s words, everyone began moving according to their roles. Just as I wondered what they would do against me, whose body rejected magic, the girl called Midol used her spell to make the ground rise up around me.

It was originally a spell that created earthen spears from the ground, but by not directing them at me, she prevented me from absorbing the magic.

“I see… So you limited it to blocking my movements rather than harming me directly using magic… But still…”

And then Abel, empowered with buffs well beyond his limit, came charging forward.

“Devour magic and make it my sustenance.”

“What… You ate your own spell?”

Anyone who knew about countermeasures against Evil Eyes would think of that. And of course, I wasn’t stupid enough not to prepare a plan against it. Feeling power surge through my body, I was about to slash at Abel when he suddenly crouched—and I saw several knives coming at me.

“He used himself as bait!!”

“I’ve got you!!”

I reflexively deflected the knives with my sword, but not wasting that opening, Abel, boosted with enhanced physical strength, sprang forward to slash at me—

“Gueeh!”

I mercilessly stomped on his face and, just like that, slashed at the other three behind him. Cecil-kun tried to fend me off with knives, but unlike Abel, he lacked refined swordsmanship and was instantly defeated. The remaining two looked frustrated, then conceded defeat.

“Your plan was good, but you need to consider what happens when Abel is taken out. You never know what will happen in a dungeon. For now, that’s your assignment.”

“Yes, thank you very much!!”

After briefly pointing out their flaws, I gave Aisha-chan a look to silently tell her they deserved a pass. Spending time like this made me think.

Ah, that was nice…

I felt I was more suited to traveling with Cain and the others to defeat the Demon Lord and pretending to be a mere adventurer than to living as a noble. Besides, Henrietta and Cain were both in the royal capital, and if I returned to the Pail territory now, it would only stir up unnecessary trouble about succession.

Tia came over with a towel, beaming with a radiant smile, and praised me.

“Good work, Master. As expected, it was an easy win!!”

“No, not really. The way they used the knives to manipulate my attacks was clever. If their coordination had been better, and if Abel had been stronger, it could have been much more dangerous. If we fought again a year from now, the result might be very different.”

Watching these juniors grow stronger isn’t bad either. 

So I thought to myself, but there was also another matter I had to settle.

“Tia… Will you come with me after this? There’s something important I need to talk about.”

“Yes, I don’t mind, but…”

When I spoke seriously, she looked puzzled, and I felt a mix of fear and excitement at what kind of reaction she would have.

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Chapter 73: Tia and Phantom

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“Master, are you nervous about something? Is there something happening after this?”

“No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking… This town has been changing little by little.”

We had left the Adventurers’ Guild and were walking through the town. Embarrassing as it was to admit, when it came to talking about something like this, I honestly had no idea where one was supposed to go.

“You’re right… This place used to be an old diner, but now it looks a bit stylish. Well, quite a bit of time has passed since then.”

“Yeah. I met you, then Amon and Solomon, reunited with everyone… A lot has happened.”

“Yes. It feels like I’ve already lived through a lifetime’s worth of adventures.”

“For me, it feels more like two lifetimes’ worth…”

And as we reached the square with the fountain where townsfolk gathered to relax, I let those words slip out—but they were the truth. Why had I ended up fighting the Demon Lord twice and saving the world twice?

In this second life, so many things had happened. I had adventured with companions I could trust. I had known despair when I couldn’t trust anyone. But what kept me moving forward was thanks to the girl in front of me. Feeling reassured by the necklace she had given me, I spoke to her in a trembling voice.

“Tia… The stone embedded in that necklace carries a special meaning. Will you hear me out?”

“Master…?”

Her expression turned puzzled—but was it just my imagination that her face grew red? Maybe it was just the glow of the sunset. My throat felt dry as I continued.

“That stone… It’s actually something meant to be given to someone precious. And so… Tia, my precious one… Will you be my lover?”

“Eh, um… That…”

This time it was no illusion—Tia’s face turned bright red, like an apple. And surely, my face must have been the same. As I waited for her answer, looking into her eyes, I saw them glisten faintly with moisture… And from her beautiful lips, words spilled forth.

“Um…Please let me think about it!!”

“…Eh?”

Saying that, Tia dashed off just like that. Could it be… I had been rejected?

I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed.

I felt like the part-time warrior girl from Steins;Gate.

“Wait, didn’t Tia like me?”

At least during the battle with Ose, I thought she had shown me affection. But a lot of time had passed since then… and it was true that I had been indecisive. Not to mention, I had gone out at night with Cain to those kinds of shops…

“Wait, doesn’t that mean it’s only natural for me to get dumped…?”

Maybe, without me realizing, she had formed a good relationship with some adventurer in the royal capital. Damn, my brain felt like it was shattering, and I was about to puke. How could Amon enjoy himself in a situation like this? That guy had to be insane…

Knock knock

While I lay wrapped in my blanket in despair, a knock echoed from the door of my room, but I didn’t feel like meeting anyone now.

Knock knock

When I ignored it, the knocking came again. Then, just when I thought whoever it was had given up, I heard the sound of the lock turning and the door opening. So… What was the point of a lock? The only person who had a key to this shared room was Tia… And if it were her, she wouldn’t need to knock.

On guard, I was about to activate my Evil Eyes when—

“Um, Master… Could it be that you’ve already gone to sleep?”

“Tia…? Wait, that outfit!!”

“Well… I’m here to charm you, Master.”

It was no wonder I was shocked. Because the one who had come through the door was Tia—dressed, for some reason, in the maid outfit from when we first met.

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