I Was Reincarnated as the Villainous Knight Commander Who Betrays Everyone at the End, So I Plan to Leave the Fake Hero’s Party with the Exiled Girl Who’s Actually the True Hero! ~While Watching Over the Protagonist Up Close, I Somehow Ended Up Destroying the Whole Scenario~ - 18

Chapter 18: The Villainous Knight Commander Senses Killing Intent

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After hearing from Krok about the current state of the Hero’s Party, I said just one thing.

“That sounds less like it disbanded on its own and more like you were the one who disbanded it, no?”

“You could say that, yes~”

Krok, who had just received the potions he purchased from Ciel, shrugged nonchalantly as he spoke. Of course, I hadn’t known anything about this development. Could the story really change so drastically just because one character, Lars, left the Hero’s Party?

Well, either way, the Hero’s Party wouldn’t have been able to defeat the Demon Lord. If it meant fewer pointless deaths, perhaps this development was for the best.

“So right now, the Hero-sama is fighting endlessly near the base of the Death Mountain Range, getting injured over and over~”

“I see. So that’s why you’re here to buy potions.”’

“Exactly~ But, well, I thought I should at least let Master Lars know~”

…Hmm.

“You went out of your way for this. However, I’ve already left the Hero’s Party. I don’t need any reports.”

“Aw, don’t say that~”

What I couldn’t figure out was why Krok seemed so friendly toward me. Sure, in the original work, Lars and Krok shared the burden as fellow party members and had some rapport.

But in the current situation, this was practically our first meeting. Honestly, it was unsettling to see him acting like this.  Well, whatever Krok was thinking didn’t really matter right now.

The real issue was…

“The possibility that Hero Allen is being manipulated, huh.”

What kind of plot twist is that!? I didn’t write that!! You can’t just throw in a twist like “he was actually brainwashed and made to do horrible things to the protagonist” in a web novel. Readers won’t accept it!!

In expulsion-type stories, it’s essential for the villainous characters to get what’s coming to them, so the readers can revel in the “serves them right” moment and release their pent-up frustration. Readers don’t want the villains to have understandable circumstances or excuses. What they want is a clear-cut good-versus-evil story. They want those who treated the protagonist cruelly to meet a terrible end—that’s the template for expulsion-type light novels!!

So I had never considered the possibility that Hero Allen might have been guided or brainwashed. And really, don’t go reinforcing the worldbuilding with settings that the author—that’s me—never even came up with!! No, I guess it’s partly my fault for not thinking those parts through in the first place…

“…Hmm.”

However, I also realized something important. This world seemed to faithfully reproduce the story I had written, for the most part. Except for one thing.

When I hadn’t provided detailed descriptions, “some force” was filling in the gaps to make sure there were no contradictions. Whether that was a property of this world or some godlike being adjusting things, I couldn’t say. But if such a being existed, I’d like to say this.

Thank you for your hard work. Sorry for making your job harder because I lacked the skill to write detailed scenes……Or so you thought?! Ha! You know what? I’ll be counting on you to keep making adjustments so I can enjoy this world to the fullest!! Thank you!

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself now~”

“…Yeah. Come again when you need more potions.”

While I was lost in those strange thoughts, Krok left Mofumofu Potion Shop. Then, almost immediately after Krok left, a familiar face came into Mofumofu Potion Shop. Ciel’s face twisted into a scowl when she saw the newcomer.

“My angel!! Ciel-chan!! Onee-san is here to visit you!!”

“Welcome, Tiana-san.”

It was Tiana, the head of the Dressline Trading Company—one of the Seven Great Merchant Guilds ruling over Handel—and the investor behind Mofumofu Potion Shop.

“By the way, have you given any thought to what we talked about?”

“What we talked about?”

“Oh, Lars-sama, you were there too, weren’t you? I’m talking about adopting Ciel-chan as my daughter. I meant it quite seriously, you know?”

“Ah, so you were serious about that.”

To Tiana’s proposal, Ciel replied curtly.

“I must respectfully decline.”

“Ahhn~! Even your stubborn side is angelic!! …May I ask why?”

“Because my mother is my only mother.”

Ciel said it with a faint, lonely smile. Since joining the Hero’s Party, Ciel hadn’t seen her family for nearly three years. Though she’d apparently kept in touch with letters, she clearly missed her home. There was a wistfulness in the way she lowered her gaze.

…Hmm. Once Mofumofu Potion Shop’s business was on track, maybe I should help her visit her family. Tiana let out a sigh at Ciel’s reply.

“I see, what a pity. Ah, I envy the mother who gets to have such an adorable girl like Ciel-chan as her daughter. Maybe it’s time I started thinking about marriage myself.”

“I’m sure you’d have plenty of suitors, Tiana-san.”

“Do you think so? Well, I mean, I’ve got a pretty face, big breasts, and a great personality, so there are tons of men who propose to me.”

You mean a perverted personality.

“Aren’t you just a plain pervert?”

“Ahhn~! Even your sharp tongue is angelic, Ciel-chan!!”

When Tiana tried to hug Ciel—who had just spoken my thoughts out loud—I stopped her with all my strength.

“…But the ones who do propose are always the worst kinds of men. They’re just after my wealth or something.”

“Are we really continuing this topic?”

“You know how women tend to fall for men who have something they lack, right? It’s just my theory. Ideally, I want a man who surpasses me in something.”

“It kind of hurts to be ignored so thoroughly, you know.”

“Oh my, Lars-sama. Shall I cheer you up?”

With that, Tiana suddenly struck a sexy pose, leaning forward to show off her cleavage.

“Wh-what are you—”

“I told you, I’m drawn to people who have what I don’t. For example, someone very, very strong.”

“S-such jokes aren’t funny!!”

Tiana smiled seductively. For a virgin like me, her temptation was way too intense, and I was completely flustered.

That was when I suddenly felt a terrifying killing intent. It felt like the blade of a death god’s scythe was pressed against my neck. A chill ran down my spine, and I instinctively turned toward the source of the killing intent.

“Lars-san, is something wrong?”

Ciel, who seemed to have been the one exuding the murderous aura, was smiling sweetly. Maybe it had just been my imagination.

“N-no, it’s nothing. …Ahem. Tiana-dono, I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from such jokes.”

“Oh, but I wasn’t entirely joking. Well, since my seduction failed, I suppose I’ll just resort to the original plan and give you a request you can’t refuse by using my authority.”

“…A request?”

Tiana suddenly switched to her merchant’s demeanor.

“I’d like you, Lars-sama, to join forces with my private army to exterminate a horde of monsters.”

“Exterminate a horde of monsters?”

It smelled like trouble and given the timing, I had a pretty good idea of what Tiana was talking about. I really, really didn’t like that idea.

“You know my Dressline Trading Company focuses on the clothing business, yes?”

“Of course.”

“To make clothes, we need cloth. And to make cloth, we need cotton and silk.”

“…Hmm. So you’re saying monsters have appeared at the places where your cotton and silk are produced.”

“Correct. As expected of Lars-sama.”

Well, of course I knew.

“Lives have already been lost. If you accept this request, I’ll reward you handsomely. If you’d like, I could even make the repayment deadline for the money I invested in Ciel-chan’s shop indefinite.”

“…That’s quite the generous offer.”

“Isn’t it?”

“And if I refuse?”

“Didn’t I say it at the start? I’ll use my authority to give you a request you can’t refuse. I’ll demand immediate repayment of the 1,000 gold coins I invested in Ciel-chan.”

In other words, if I refused, she’d bankrupt the shop.

“…And you think I’ll just go along with that?”

“There’s no point in bluffing. If I use Ciel-chan as leverage, you’ll do anything, won’t you?”

“…I won’t deny that.”

What a pain in the ass. If I turned Tiana down, Ciel’s shop would be ruined. That was something I absolutely had to avoid. As I racked my brain for a solution, Tiana did something shocking.

“Please, Lars-sama.”

Unbelievably, Tiana prostrated herself, pressing her forehead to the ground like a beggar. This was the head of Dressline, one of the great merchant houses ruling Handel.

“…What are you—no, why would you go this far?”

“If I lose the production fields, many people working in my company will be left destitute. As the head of the company, I absolutely cannot allow that. So, please, I beg of you.”

“…I don’t think I could be of much help.”

“Oh, please don’t jest. With the strongest knight in the Azure Kingdom on our side, the entire situation will change.”

“…”

“I swear I won’t do anything this forceful again. I’d even sign a contract if you wish.”

For a merchant, especially one who valued trust, signing a contract meant an absolute promise.

Tiana would never break it.

“…I want to hear Ciel’s opinion first.”

“Mine?”

“She’s my employer. A bodyguard shouldn’t just take on outside jobs without the boss’s permission.”

“…You’re right…”

Ciel thought for a moment, then smiled a little mischievously.

“If you promise to keep favoring my Mofumofu Potion Shop in the future, I’d be willing to lend you our strongest bodyguard.”

“…”

Even back in the original story, when she was at her lowest, Ciel was a girl who couldn’t abandon those in need of help. That kind-hearted girl hadn’t changed a bit, and there was no way she could refuse Tiana’s plea.

Tiana lifted her face, returning to her usual cheerful self.

“Ahh, Ciel-chan, you’re truly an angel!! I really, really want you to be my—”

“That’s a firm no.”

Yeah. Tiana wouldn’t be Tiana if she didn’t act like this.

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