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… - 79

Chapter 79: Cain’s Power

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“Um… Isn’t it a little out of place for me to be here? In a party of Demon Lord Slayers? Wouldn’t it be better to bring Henrietta-san instead? N-Not that I think my opinion is better than yours, of course!!”

Inside the carriage headed for the Elf village, Tia let out a shrill protest, and Cain laughed in amusement.

“Hahaha, don’t worry. You defeated the Demon Lord too, you know.”

“That’s right, Tia. I believe that you can keep up with this group. That’s why I agreed.”

“Master…”

After finishing our preparations, we got into the carriage and departed for the Elf village. Henrietta was originally supposed to come along as well, but apparently, some problems had arisen in her territory, so she had to hurry back on a swift horse.

I felt a mix of emotions—lonely on one hand, yet also somewhat relieved.

“That’s right, Tia, you’re not a problem at all. In fact, I’m more worried about Cain-sama. After having his body possessed for so long, hasn’t his skill dulled?”

“Oh my, I am a prince, you know. This job isn’t really about fighting, but about diplomacy…”

Even in response to Ceres’s sharp remark, Cain only answered with a grin. Still, we didn’t know what might happen in the Elf village. And since Tia had officially joined our group, it was probably better to test her strength.

“Ceres… Demons are following us, right? Can you detect them?”

“Demons!? Could it be that they’re trying to stop our alliance with the Elves?”

“Of course, Phantom-sama.”

“Ahh, yeah, maybe it’s a good chance to check my condition too.”

While Tia was shocked, the rest of us just gave a wry smile—we had noticed long before she did. Because that demon was…

Cain stopped the carriage, and Ceres opened the window, swinging her staff without hesitation.

“There! Smite the wicked!!”

“Uwoooooah!! That’s a spell that would kill me if it hit!!”

When Ceres hurled a mass of holy fire into the trees, a scream rang out, and a demon revealed himself. It was Amon.

“Did I miss? Smite the wicked!!”

“Why are you firing again when you already know it’s me!? We fought together, didn’t we!?”

“Sorry, it’s just a habit… It’s not like I’m taking it out on you just because you meddled and made Tia and Phantom-sama grow closer, definitely not because of that.”

Ceres answered coolly, while Amon, half-crying, endured her anti-demon attacks a second time.

“Why are you even here, Amon…?”

“Probably because he was worried about Tia and followed us.”

“Of course I was!! Elves are savage, you know! I wanted to swoop in and save Tia when she was in danger, show off my cool side, or at least gaze at her while she secretly flirts with Phantom when everyone’s together!!”

“I appreciate the concern, but that’s called stalking. Disgusting!!”

Tia cut him down mercilessly. Still, I noticed that when she called him “disgusting,” Amon wore an ecstatic grin.

He’s so disgusting indeed!!

“Mmm, I like a one-sided crush, but honestly, it’s really bad for a demon to show up here. Maybe I should tell Solomon-chan to score some points for myself.”

“Don’t you dare… If Young Lady finds out that I’m here, she’ll punish me by dragging me to more weird sweets tours. I don’t want to eat those pancakes drowning in whipped cream or drink sugar-water drinks ever again…”

Apparently, Amon really hated sweets. Meanwhile, Solomon seemed to be enjoying the capital far too much…

“Well, it can’t be helped then. How about this: if you fight me and win, I’ll keep your secret. I also need to show my strength, or else the Saintess will nag me that I’m unfit to take the lead.”

“Fine, but don’t think I’ll hold back against you.”

With that one line, the atmosphere instantly shifted. Amon’s eyes sharpened into those of a true warrior.

“Of course, I’m not asking for free. If I lose, then using my royal privilege, I’ll grant you the right to join a double date: Phantom, Tia-chan, and Solomon-chan. You’ll get both the thrill of the date and the mental destruction of being NTR’d right before your eyes. Quite the bargain, right?”

“What? Don’t just decide things on your own.”

“Sounds good, I’m in!!”

Ignoring Tia’s protest, Amon attacked with blinding speed, his claws tearing toward Cain, who deflected them lightly.

“Your swordsmanship hasn’t dulled, I see. Then next is… Phantom-sama.”

“Yeah, I know. Amon is strong… It’ll be tough to win head-on, so he’ll definitely use that trick.”

“Eh…? What’s going to happen?”

As Amon’s furious assault pushed Cain back. Suddenly, Cain pointed in our direction—more precisely, at Tia.

“Wind, blow away my enemy!! Look, Tia-chan’s panties!!”

“Kyyaaaaa!!”

“What!?”

The spell whipped up the wind, threatening to flip her skirt. In that instant, I activated my Evil Eyes.

“Devour magic and make it my sustenance!!”

The wind died, and Tia’s underwear was preserved. And Cain was not foolish enough to miss the opening created by Amon staring too intently. His sword pressed against Amon’s neck.

“Heh, my win. That’s what you call a brainy play.”

“Damn it… A complete loss…”

“As shameless as ever. Your methods are rotten, but I’m relieved your strength hasn’t changed.”

“That man is supposed to be the next king…? Is our country really going to be okay?”

Despite the harsh comments, Cain looked satisfied. He wielded both magic and sword skillfully, and wasn’t above using dirty tricks. I felt reassured knowing my comrade’s strength hadn’t waned.

★★★

“I rushed back because of problems in the territory, but…What is happening here…?”

Henrietta, who had hurriedly returned from the capital, listened to her subordinates’ reports with cold sweat trickling down her face. 

Recently, the number of monsters emerging from the forest and invading human settlements had increased abnormally. So much so that even with knights and adventurers dispatched, it was still not enough. On her way back, Henrietta herself had to slay several monsters.

“If it’s the forest… Then something must be happening in the Elf village after all…”

With Elena’s kidnapping and other strange incidents, Henrietta felt a deep sense of foreboding about her comrades heading to the Elf village.

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