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~ - 9

Chapter 9: The Villainous Knight Commander Tries to Stay Calm Despite Losing His Cool

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“Haaa… Phewww… Muuu… In less than ten days, I’ve earned 1,500 silver coins—15 gold coins worth…”

“It’s going well. Even after accounting for various expenses and living costs, you should have about 10 gold coins left, right?”

“It’s going too well, and it’s scary!!”

Night.

For the past several days, we had been coming every evening to the same tavern, where we’d already become regulars. At a table tucked in a corner, Ciel counted the silver coins in her hands, trembling.

“The amount you need to buy the store—or rather, that property—is 500 gold coins, right? At this pace, you might achieve it soon.”

“Uu, that would make me happy, but…”

Ciel groaned, holding her head. Ciel’s ultimate goal was to save up enough money to own her own shop. When we went to a real estate agent to look for a good property, we found a single secondhand building on the main street that hadn’t sold because it was rumored to be haunted.

Neither I nor Ciel were the type to worry about ghosts. Mofumaru, however, trembled just from hearing the rumor.

Still, sorry Mofumaru, but that property had a prime location. It was right along the main street, so there would be plenty of foot traffic, and there was also a cheap inn nearby. Since it was within commuting distance from the inn, I could rush to Ciel’s side quickly if anything happened to her.

“Even so, carrying around this much money is dangerous.”

“Ah, yes. That’s why I was thinking of opening a bank account. I’ll take care of it tomorrow and deposit the money.”

“That’s best. Well, I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to make an enemy of you now.”

“O-oh, you’re exaggerating.”

But, actually, that wasn’t entirely true. Ciel’s delicious potions were selling like hotcakes among adventurers. They sold out within ten minutes of her opening sales each day. The fact that they no longer had to drink foul-tasting potions was a big deal for adventurers, who frequently suffered injuries.

Many adventurers based in the town of Handel had come to support Ciel. Of course, there were also adventurers who tried to strong-arm her into selling them potions by waving around money. However, those who tried such underhanded tactics were shunned by other adventurers who were patiently waiting their turn.

That being said, some ill-behaved adventurers went so far as to try to take potions from Ciel by force…

“I’m really glad you’re here, Lars-san.”

“I’m your bodyguard, after all. Dealing with troublesome customers is part of my job.”

I had physically dealt with those types myself. They were idiots who thought Mofumaru was just a big dog. Had they known Mofumaru was a Greater Wolf, they wouldn’t have dared try to snatch potions from Ciel. They had also underestimated my abilities.

“Even if I weren’t here, Mofumaru would have taken care of anyone who tried to hurt you.”

“That might be true, but, um, I… having you here makes me feel really, um… Safe, I mean, uh, mumbledy mumble…”

Ciel lowered her head, muttering something.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

“A-ah, um, th-that’s why! I-I want to keep working with you forever, Lars-san!!”

She said it loud enough to echo through the entire tavern. Apparently, she hadn’t intended to speak that loudly, because her face turned red. And then it happened.

The crowd of customers, who’d been drinking in the tavern, started to stir. But it wasn’t because of Ciel’s loud voice. Their eyes were fixed on the entrance. A group had entered that was so famous everyone instantly recognized them.

It was the Hero’s Party—the very same party that had exiled Ciel.

“It’s been a while, Lars.”

“…Do you need something?”

I tried to appear calm, but inside, I was confused. They had expelled Ciel and left Handel, supposedly headed past the Death Mountains into demon territory.

So why are they here?

Hero Allen met my confused gaze directly and spoke to me.

“I want you to return to the Hero’s Party.”

As Allen said that, I saw Ciel’s expression darken out of the corner of my eye.

You bastards, making my girl sad. Don’t start running offrail from the original story.

…Well, not that I’m one to talk.

“I refuse.”

“Wh-why!? Aren’t you a knight of the Azure Kingdom!?”

“I’ve already resigned. Now I’m just Lars. I have no reason to obey you anymore.”

“Guh, what changed you so much!?”

It’s because I remembered my past life.

“Quit your whining and hurry up already. We’re feeling generous enough to forgive you if you come now.”

“We can’t cross the Death Mountains without Lars-sama’s power.”

From the words of Sage Dorothea and Saintess Maria, I realized it. So they hadn’t been able to cross the Death Mountains because I wasn’t there.

No, no, no, what do you mean you can’t cross them without me? Aren’t you supposed to be the Hero’s Party?

This had turned into a real pain. Besides, the way they spoke down to me was infuriating.

“I’m her bodyguard now. I have no intention of going with you.”

“Her…?”

Only then did Allen and his group notice Ciel. They hadn’t even realized she was here until just now? That seriously pissed me off.

“So, you’re not dead after all, huh.”

“…”

Dorothea’s sigh-laced words made Ciel flinch.

“What, Lars, you’re actually looking after this incompetent country bumpkin? What a waste of your time.”

“How I spend my time is none of your concern.”

“Hmph. What could you possibly see in this country-bumpkin-looking girl?”

“U-uh, I…”

Ciel tried to argue, but she was trembling and couldn’t get her voice out. Seeing Ciel looking frightened, Mofumaru stepped forward, growling at Dorothea.

“Grrrrr…”

“What’s this? A Greater Wolf? Don’t tell me this thing is your familiar? How dare it growl at me! I ought to burn both you and your mutt to ashes.”

“N-no, stop!!”

As Dorothea showed hostility, Mofumaru lunged to protect Ciel. But flames shot out from Dorothea’s staff, burning Mofumaru.

“Kyaun!?”

“Hmph, that’s what happens when a worthless mutt dares to attack me.”

“Mofumaru!!”

Mofumaru’s beautiful pure-white fur was scorched black, and he writhed on the floor. Ciel frantically pulled a potion from her pocket and poured it over him. I also rushed over in a panic.

“Mofumaru!! Mofumaru!!”

“Kuun, kuun…”

“Are you hurt anywhere? Wait, I’ll get more potions—”

“No, he’s fine. As expected of a Greater Wolf. His thick fur kept his skin from getting burned.”

“R-really? Th-that’s a relief…”

More importantly…

“…Hey, Dorothea.”

“Hah? How dare you call me by name. I’ll burn you to—”

Before Dorothea could finish her spell, I grabbed her jaw and lifted her up.

“-!?”

“Mofumaru, remember this well. Mages aren’t so scary if you shut their mouths.”

I spoke in an effortfully calm tone. Dorothea flailed her limbs desperately, but even as a sage, she was just a mage—physically weak and unable to do anything to me. But Dorothea was indeed a sage. Her skill and knowledge in magic far exceeded that of ordinary mages.

“However, some can cast magic without chanting. In those cases, the right move is to take their staff—like this.”

“—!!!!”

I seized Dorothea’s arm holding her staff and twisted it sharply in the opposite direction until it snapped with full force. That was her punishment for burning Mofumaru’s fur. I’d been brushing him lately, and his fur was finally looking so shiny and beautiful. 

How dare she ruin all my hard work!!

“Still, don’t let your guard down yet. There are mages who can cast magic without a staff.”

Dorothea glared at me in pain, trying to cast magic even without her staff or chanting.

“For those types, you do this!”

I slammed Dorothea down onto the floor, knocking her unconscious.

And that’s how you deal with mages.

“Also, don’t drop your guard here. Some enemies will attack the moment you think it’s over.”

I cast a glance toward the hooded man standing behind Hero Allen. That was probably Krok, the assassin—a character who joined the Hero’s Party after they expelled Ciel.

Krok shrugged.

“You’re a scary man, aren’t you?”

Krok looked completely unconcerned about Dorothea’s defeat.

Hmm. It seemed he had already given up on Dorothea. He’d do anything for money but decided on his own whether to stick with a contract. In the original story, he called me “Master” and followed me loyally but sensed Lars’s betrayal in advance and ran away just before the final battle.

Looks like he’ll stay out of our way this time.

“Allen, why are you just standing there?”

“U-uh, ah…”

I looked straight at Allen, who had silently watched everything happen. He hadn’t even tried to stop Dorothea’s rampage—just stood by and let it unfold. With a hero like this, the world would never be saved.

“One thing, as someone who was once your subordinate—I’ll say this. Right now, you are no hero.”

“Wh-what? I am a hero!!”

“A hero who won’t even stop an ally from casting destructive magic indoors?”

“…”

Magic was like a sword. Used properly, it could protect—but it could just as easily destroy. At my words, Allen seemed to realize the angry stares of the drunken tavern patrons.

“Look objectively at your own actions. What you’re doing now is unworthy of the title of hero. And abandoning Ciel in the forest too..”

“Th-that was…”

“Are you going to blame it on Dorothea acting on her own? As the leader, aren’t you responsible for the actions of your comrades?”

“…”

Finally, Allen picked up the unconscious Dorothea and left the tavern. Maria followed silently after him. Left behind, Krok glanced at me and said nonchalantly.

“Sorry for the trouble~”

“Tell them they’re not welcome back here.”

After the Hero’s Party left, the tavern gradually returned to its usual lively atmosphere.

“Lars-san, I…”

“I’m hungry.”

“…Eh?”

“Let’s get something to eat. For now, that’s what we need.”

“…Okay…”

Ciel’s face was clouded with sadness.

“…About what you said earlier..”

“Eh?”

“I’d like to keep working with you, too.”

“Y-yes!!”

Good. It seemed she was feeling a bit better now at least. 

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