I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 88

Chapter 88: Rielle’s Feelings

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“Sorry for coming so late. But I have a few things I want to report.”

“Oh, yeah. Please, have a seat.”

Thanks to being given the most luxurious room in the mansion, my room was equipped with not only a bed but also a sofa and a long table. I stood up from my chair and sat down on the opposite side of the sofa where Riel was seated. Riel smiled and chuckled.

“First, there’s a request from Brien-san. She wants to be included in our operations, be that be a reconnaissance mission to the imperial castle or attacking the enemy camp when needed.”

“Right… Brien’s wound has healed, right?”

“Yeah, thanks to Alwyn-san, who stayed by her side and took care of her. She actually planned on returning to the elf village, but given the current situation… She said she couldn’t bear to leave.”

“I see. Alright. I’ll be sure to contact Brien the next time we go to the imperial castle.”

Rielle nodded and continued speaking in a serious tone.

“Next, about the Resistance… They went into quite a panic after hearing that even the regular soldiers were under the Crown Prince’s mind manipulation. However, thanks to Kai and Nia’s show of power, their morale is still pretty high.”

“I see. Are there any other complaints from the Resistance?”

“Not really. Even those who were urging to charge straight into the royal palace can’t speak up now. They probably didn’t know the leader of their nation was actually a black mage.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

I still remembered how the Crown Prince looked like back then. He looked so gaunt that he seemed to be struggling just to walk. He was really emaciated. His eyes bloodshot and his hair had turned white. He looked like he was cursed and teetering on the edge of life and death. He probably made a pact with the demon he mentioned. Well, no wonder the citizen were shocked. Considering the church’s sins and the complete loss of trust in those in power, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration the people had zero loyalty to the imperial now. 

“Also, the sale of the elixirs under our trading company is going well as usual. The elixir is already spread to people in other regions, so we’re raking in quite a profit. Kai… Thank you.”

“Hm? Why are you suddenly thanking me?”

“Why, you ask? Well, you’re the one who made the elixirs, right?”

“That’s true, but you’re the one that handled all the distribution and sales, right? The success in sales is thanks to your hard work. You really don’t need to thank me that much—”

“Without you, none of these would have happened.”

Rielle suddenly interrupted me, something she had never done before. 

“The death of the Pope and saving the trading company from the edge of bankruptcy… All of those were thanks to you. You saved us, Kai. So why are you being so modest now?”

“…Well, I guess you’re right.”

“Good grief. Kai, you’re really not demon-like at all.”

Rielle said with a hint of sadness in her smile.

“You’re always putting your comrades first. You’re always kind and you never try to stand above others. You treat everyone equally. Really. I really can’t see you as a demon at all.”

“Ummmm~ Now then, what are you trying to do now? Are you trying to flatter me to death?~”

“Fufu~ Did you know? Some of the citizens are already starting a movement to make you the new king.”

“Huh?”

“Yes. The members of Resistance who gathered information among the people told me about it. After everything that happened with the church and now the royal family, many people are calling for you to be the king.”

“Uwah…”

I visibly grimaced and shook my head repeatedly. 

No,no,no. Being a king? That’s a bit… No,no,no.I don’t want to be a king. That job sounds like a lot of work.

“No~ I’m sorry but I will have to refuse. You see, I just want to live a normal, happy life. I just want all four of us to stay like we are now. As long as we can keep living peacefully and maybe joke around a bit, I’m already satisfied. I really don’t need anything more than that in life.”

“…Huh?”

“Hm? Why are you so surprised?”

“…Just now, what did you just say?”

“Hm? I just want all four of us to live together peacefully?”

As if in disbelief, Rielle stared at me with her eyes wide open. 

Huh? Did I say something strange…?

I tried to replay the words I had just said in my mind, but I couldn’t find anything weird about it. That was just a very normal and simple desire. I really didn’t want to have a grand life or anything. I just wanted to live happily together with Nia, Chloe and Rielle.

“…With me too? Are you sure?”

“Huh?”

“I understand if it’s with Nia and Chloe, but… Why me?”

“…”

Hearing her question made me realize what Rielle was trying to say. She looked at me with the same expression she had when we first met. Scared, like a small, shocked animal.

“…But I’m useless in combat.”

“…Rielle.”

“I met you much later than Nia and Chloe. You’ve saved me so many times, but I can’t do anything for you in return. I’m not as cute as they are, so… I didn’t think I would be included too.”

“Rielle, let me tell you this.”

Feeling a bit upset, I furrowed my eyebrows together as I spoke in a harsher tone than usual.

“You’re part of Shadow too, you know?”

“…Huh?”

“You’re one of us. You’re our comrades. seriously… Why can’t you see just how important you are? You’ve been supporting us in everything outside of combat! You do know that before we met you, we were just sleeping in cheap inns or on the side of the road, right?”

“Tha-That’s… I was just doing what I’m supposed to do—”

“Then what about becoming the communication bridge between Shadow and Resistance? Or earning the money we need to survive? Or distributing the elixirs? The sales of the elixirs?”

“Ka-Kai… A-Are you angry?!”

“Well, of course! Just a little bit though.”

I couldn’t understand why she was selling herself short. I had always been treating Rielle like our comrades. Sure, I didn’t spend as much time together with him as I had with Nia and Chloe, but I still consider Rielle as someone important to me. She was definitely one of the few people that I didn’t want to lose no matter what.

“Ah…. U-Uuu…”

But maybe I hadn’t been as obvious as I thought since Rielle started crying. She kept her head low, letting her tears drip to the floor.

“Huh?! Wai—?! Rielle?!”

“So-Sorry! But… Uuuu… Thi-This is not… This is…”

“…Rielle.”

“No—! Do-Don’t look… I don’t want you to see me crying…”

“…”

…I see. Rielel had been struggling with her own worries too. I needed to do better. I had been so focused on Nia and Chloe that I ended up making Rielle feel cast out. 

“Rielle, look at me.”

“Uuuu… Uuuu… N-No… Don’t look at me… I don’t want you to look at me… Not this face…”

“Rielle.”

I stood up from my seat and knelt in front of her, but Rielle immediately turned her face away. I gently cupped her cheeks with both hands and guided her to face me. Sure enough, her face was already streaked with tears. 

“Kai… I… I…”

“Yes?”

“…I…”

“…………”

Rielle couldn’t seem to find the right words to say, probably because there were so many emotions swirling inside of her. But I knew. I knew, to some extent, the kind of feelings Rielle had for me. After all, I also shared the same feeling as her. I cared for her deeply. She was so dear to me too. 

“Rielle.”

“…Yes?”

“Will you stay with me? From now on, forever?”

“…W-What!? What!?”

“Whoa! You startled me… W-Why are you reacting like that!?”

“W-What!? But… but…!”

“Huh…?”

Ah, right. ‘Stay with me forever’ could be taken as a marriage proposal. I meant it in the sense of being comrade, but… Well, I guess…

“…Well, it’s not entirely wrong anyway.”

“…Fueh?!”

“A-Anyway! You’re really important to us, so don’t go and sell yourself short like that, okay? If you say something like that again, I’m going to get mad for real, okay?”

“Uuu…. O-Okay…”

“Good, that’s what I like to hear.”

The embarrassment from saying something so bold made the heat come creeping up my face. My cheeks felt warm, so I quickly stood up and tried to turn my face away, but then—

“Umm… Kai.”

“Yes?”

“Will you listen to my request? Just one request.”

“A request? Sure. Just tell me. I will do anything you ask.”

“…Then…”

Rielle stood up. She approached me and suddenly hugged me tight. I was taken aback by her sudden action but the moment I heard the words she uttered next, I could feel the tension leaving my body. 

“Let me stay like this for a while…”

“…Alright, I understand.”

I hugged Riel tightly in return, trying to convey just how much she meant to me through this hug. Rielle seemed to relax as she felt the warmth from my embrace. She gently rubbed her cheek against my chest as she spoke again. 

“Umm… Kai?”

“Yes?”

“…Can I say something really annoying?”

“…Yeah, go ahead.”

“It’s really, really annoying. Can I still say it?”

“Of course. I love annoying girls.”

Rielle giggled happily. Then, a moment later—

“…I love you.”

Her voice was so faint it seemed like she could disappear at any moment. Yet, she held me close and repeated the same words again.

“I love you… Kai.”

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