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… - 78

Chapter 78: What Happened in the Elven Village

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We hurried back from Cain’s villa. After packing our luggage for our journey back, we finally reached the royal castle. On the way in the carriage, I couldn’t help remembering the incident at the hot spring and sneaking glances at Ceres, which earned me a sulky face from Tia—but that was something I had to keep between us for now.

Then, after changing into formal wear, we came to the council chamber.

“My apologies for disturbing you during your rest, Prince Cain, and your companions as well… However, we ourselves do not know how to resolve this situation…”

“Don’t worry about it. We’re paid handsomely to say pompous things precisely for times like these, after all.”

Cain flashed a frivolous smile at the minister who bowed his head in apology. For all his flippant words, the guy actually had a great sense of responsibility… He actually knew his duty as both the prince and the hero.

Just as I was reevaluating my opinion of him, Cain narrowed his eyes in a complicated expression at us—me, Ceres, and Henrietta, the former Hero’s Party.

“To think Elena would be abducted… Well, she wasn’t exactly fulfilling her role, so I suppose this outcome was inevitable…”

“She originally accompanied us to strengthen the ties between elves and humans after all…” 

Henrietta answered Cain’s muttering, sounding a bit awkward in her own way.

“True enough. Now that humans and demons are trying to coexist together, it seems the elves couldn’t look kindly on the situation anymore.…”

“Exactly. It seems Elena had been trying to advance an alliance between humans, demons, and elves, but it didn’t go well. I even sent letters to the elf settlement, but… The elf leaders can’t forgive us for siding with demons.”

Yes, just as Elena and Solomon had clashed on their first meeting, the relationship between elves and demons was at the worst possible. Which meant the elves as a whole probably weren’t happy with the current situation.

“But Cain, from the way you say that, you must have feared the possibility of elves abducting Elena, right? Then why was she taken so easily?”

“You sure strike where it hurts, huh? Of course she had guards. But most of my Shadows were absent due to certain…. Circumstances and they fell prey to the elves’ concealment magic.”

Cain shrugged at Ceres’s words. I felt a bit guilty, considering I had defeated most of them when I was exiled.

“So, can you tell us the real reason you called us here?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve been appointed as envoy to the elves’ settlement. I’d like you, the former Hero’s Party, to be my guards.”

“““What!?”””

Cain’s unexpected words left us stunned, but he went on with a sly smile etched on his handsome face.

“Everyone’s work has settled down lately, hasn’t it? This time, we can’t risk provoking the elves even further, so we need to go with a small group. That naturally limits our choices.”

“Yeah and of course, we can’t possibly bring Solomon and Amon along…”

That left maybe Dottore? But truthfully, we didn’t know much about her. Dottore possessed too many unknown factors. As for the elves, from what I knew in the game, they hadn’t stood out much. Aside from Elena being sent as their representative, the only thing mentioned was how terrifying her big sister was in Elena’s stories.

Once again, my game knowledge was useless here…

“Oh, Tia-chan can come along. She can handle things if something happens…. I think.”

So that meant me, Cain, Ceres, Henrietta, and Tia… What should I do… As I hesitated, not sure what to do, Cain leaned close and whispered into my ear.

“Doesn’t a party with your ex-lover, your current girlfriend, and your friends-with-benefits sound exciting?”

I seriously considered letting him die right then and there!! 

And besides, Ceres is not my friend-with-benefits—how rude can you get!? 

I glared at him, but the answer was already decided. After all, there was no way I could abandon Elena.

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“What is the meaning of this, Chief? You promised me full authority in any matters involving the humans…”

Before the council of elf elders, Elena yelled while glaring at their leader. Elena was bound in chains, preventing her from escaping.

“It’s because you were so negligent, Elena. And stop talking in that way. It doesn’t convey any dignity at all.”

“Shut up, speaking like this is part of my identity!!”

Elena flushed slightly when accused of just putting on airs. Of course, every elf here was far older than her. Some of them had probably even changed her diapers.

“You not only gave up on coexistence between elves and humans of your own accord, but you even allowed demons and humans to form an alliance. We can no longer leave matters revolving the humans in your hands. That is why we have decided to put that plan into motion.”

“What… No… That’s too much. Chief!! Please reconsider your decision!!”

Elena trembled at the chief’s words. But the chief mercilessly gave orders to her subordinates without heeding her plea.

“Let Elena rest for a while. As for us, we shall welcome the human prince who is coming here…. In our own way.”

“““Yes!!”””

At the chief’s words, the subordinates all stood at once. Elena, dragged away, could do nothing but watch helplessly.

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