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… - 90-91

Chapter 90: The Elf’s Intentions

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“Mind telling me why you brought me here already?”

Led by the elf elders, I asked the question as I walked through what they called an elven ruin. I had been told it was connected to Elena, so I came along, but there was no sign of her anywhere. As expected, it seemed they were plotting something.

Most likely, they were panicking because the demon race and we humans had joined hands, so they were trying to rush some kind of deal. If that was the case, they really should have acted sooner. They even dumped the whole burden of coexistence with humans onto Elena alone.

“Please wait just a little longer. We will show you something wonderful. Right, Echidna?”

“Yes, I’m sure Cain-sama will like it as well.”

“Ohhh, that sounds like something to look forward to.”

At the elf elder’s words, an elf named Echidna replied with a shallow smile.

Apparently, she was Elena’s older sister, and once it was pointed out, I could see how similar their faces were. Though her chest was far more ample compared to Elena’s…

No, let’s stop there. That would be sexual harassment.

As I was thinking that, they came to a halt.

“This is a barrier. Cain-sama, may I borrow your help for a moment? This place won’t open unless a human and an elf hold hands.”

“Yeah, I don’t mind. If I get to hold hands with a beautiful young lady like you, it’s an honor for me.”

Answering with my usual easygoing grin, my hand was enveloped by Echidna’s. Startled by the icy-cold sensation, I raised our joined hands together with hers, and the invisible barrier vanished without a trace.

“What was that just now…?”

“It was a barrier left behind by our hero. Apparently, the barrier is lifted only when an elf and a human are present at the same time…”

“Huh, I see. I’m glad I could be of use.”

At the elf elder’s words, I thought it over. In other words, those so-called hero’s ruins wouldn’t function unless elves and humans worked together. That hero must have wished for coexistence between humans and elves.

But I think that would be difficult. No, if they were willing to take our hands, I would gladly join them and wish for peace among humans, the demon race, and elves alike. However, these elves looked down on us humans. It had been the same at the banquet. They showered us with praise verbally, but in their eyes was the same look one would give to livestock. Phantom and Tia-chan might not have noticed, but Ceres surely had.

Still, the woman named Echidna was different. She gazed at both humans and elves without showing any emotion, as if she were equally uninterested in all of us.

“Oh? What are you doing, Echidna-san?”

“Ah, sorry. I was making a few adjustments to the barrier. For the ones who’ll come later, you see. I caused them quite a bit of trouble, so I thought I’d help their romance in my own way…”

Who exactly were these “ones who’ll come later”? Ah, come to think of it, had Phantom noticed the message I left behind? As I was thinking that, we arrived in front of another large door. It seemed another barrier had been set up here as well.

“So what do we do this time? Should you and I kiss or something?”

“Cain-sama, beyond this point lie many relics left behind by our elven hero, power great enough to wipe out the demon race entirely. Taking that into consideration, we have a request. Would you sever ties with the demon race and, together with us, lead this world to peace?”

“Huh. Are you trying to threaten me?”

When I put my hand on my sword, the men who looked like the elf elder’s guards bristled with killing intent as well. Well, I had expected as much. I only went along because I didn’t know how they planned to act.

“I’m guessing this barrier won’t open unless there’s both a human and an elf here… Are you planning to persuade me by force?”

“No, we calculated that you would refuse. That’s why we have this… This soul that has become completely obedient to me.”

With a sly grin, Echidna held out a small golem. And then, my consciousness…

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Chapter 91: Elena’s Power

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We hurried after the elf elder, the woman who resembled Elena, and the golem carrying Cain as they entered the ruins’ doors, but… Two burly elves stepped in our way, blocking the path.

“Sorry, but we can’t let you pass here.”

“What are you people even thinking?”

“That’s right. He may look like that, but he’s still human royalty, you know.”

We warned them indirectly that this would lead to a war between elves and humans, but they didn’t flinch and instead raised their weapons. I glanced at Ceres, but she shook her head regretfully. It seemed these guys had been inside the ruins and hadn’t heard Ceres’s brainwashing… No, her preaching.

“Don’t complain if you get hurt.”

“Haha, humans, kneel before the magic of us elves!!”

“Behold the power of us, the elder’s personal guard!! With the elder’s permission, we could have even defeated the Demon Lord!”

As they prepared to use magic, I tried to release my magic eye, but someone grabbed my clothes and stopped me. It was Elena.

“You must not interfere. If I handle them alone, it will still count as nothing more than a quarrel among elves.”

Even as she said that, the elves continued their chanting, and I could feel their tremendous magical power. 

Wow, that’s impressive.

If things went badly, those two alone might be able to burn this village to the ground. But that was all.

“What… Elena-san fighting alone is reckless. Huh? Master, Ceres too? Why are you backing away?”

“Just come over here. You’ll be in the way if you stay there.”

“That’s right, Tia. Why do you think Elena was assigned to our party?”

At Ceres’s words, Tia, who was being carried on my back, thought for a moment before giving her answer.

“Because she’s easy to handle?”

“I mean, that’s true… That’s part of it, but more importantly, she’s simply strong, even among elves. So strong that those two aren’t even worth mentioning.”

“Hmph. In the end, they’re just shut-ins who stayed holed up in the elf village. With power like that, they couldn’t beat even the Four Great Demons, let alone the Demon Lord.”

The firebirds released by the two elves rushed toward her, but Elena drew them in until the very last moment… Then she grinned and unleashed her magic.

“This is the power of the mage of the Demon Lord Slaying Party.”

An ice dragon was born and immediately devoured the two firebirds. Despite fire having the advantage in affinity, the ice dragon seemed to vaporize the firebirds and then lunged straight at the two elves.

“Impossible… For us to be defeated so easily…”

Bound by the ice dragon, the two elves let out screams, but soon even their faces slackened as they lost consciousness.

“As expected of you, Elena.”

“Fufun, this much is only natural. But still, you know… As a reward, you could pat my head.”

“Well, but…”

“It’s fine.”

Elena tilted her head toward me, her ears twitching cutely, but Tia’s gaze was far too frightening.

“W-well, I guess that much is okay, right?”

“Fufu, that’s nice for you, Elena-san. Then, since I worked hard in persuading the elves too, shall I get a pat as well?”

“You’re not allowed. You’d probably do something unnecessary.”

“Ehehe… This is happiness.”

As if escaping from Tia and Ceres’s bickering, I patted Elena’s head, and she smiled blissfully.

Ugh… She really is cute… But now’s not the time for that.

“Let’s go save Cain. If we hurry, we should still make it.”

“Ahh… The patting…”

With Elena’s sad voice and Tia’s sulky stare making my stomach ache, we pressed onward through the ruins.

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