"The Idea of a Woman Stealing Someone Else's Partner is Ridiculous," I laughed. But After Being Reborn, I Became a Victim of Such a Woman. However, My New Fiancée was Absolutely Amazing. - Episode 43
“Mai!”
My hands and feet were numb.
Ah, I was right to wear clothes that were easy to move in.
I quickly stood up, grabbed Shirakubo’s waist, and raised my left hand toward the flesh eating monkey.
I saw Koga-sama running toward us with his sword drawn.
It’s okay. He’ll make it in time. Now!
“K-Kouga-sama! Now!”
The self defense talisman wrapped around my left wrist activated.
It was originally made to fight evil spirits.
But this evil spirit was several times stronger than what I had planned for.
So, this talisman would probably only last three seconds against the flesh eating monkey.
But three seconds was enough for Kouga-sama to make it!
A white barrier surrounded the flesh-eating monkey.
The creature reacted immediately, and cracks formed in the barrier.
In just a moment, the barrier shattered.
But at that exact second—
“Suzurugi Style—Heaven’s Form—Flame Dragon Waltz!”
“Booo…OOOOOOO!?”
The three seconds I bought.
Just three seconds.
But it was enough time for Kouga-sama to close the distance using body-enhancing spirit arts and slice the flesh-eating monkey apart with a sword technique infused with fire.
Well… I mean… I knew he was called the strongest person in the country.
So, I expected him to be strong, but…
To see that monstrous thing get shredded apart instantly… That was way beyond what I imagined!
W-Was he a cheat character or something!?
“Mai!”
“Ah… hahaha… A-As expected of Kouga-sa—”
“You—! That was reckless!”
“S-Sorry… But I believed in you, so I thought it would work.”
“……!”
Once again, I had done something dangerous.
Koga-sama hugged my trembling body tightly.
Ah, I get it now.
As my consciousness started to fade, I realized—
Being in this person’s arms is the safest, most comforting place in the world.
◆◆◆◆◆
“I’m so sorry, Yuukizaka-sama! Your talismans were truly amazing…! I was too stubborn in my thinking before. I deeply regret it!”
“Ah, um… I-I see. Well, I’m glad…?”
I woke up in a corner of the grand hall, where they were repairing the barriers.
After what happened, more evil spirits were attracted by the flesh-eating monkey’s energy, so the noble ladies and their attendants had to stay the night in the grand hall.
Thin futons were laid out on the floor, and food was set up buffet-style near the entrance so that people could eat at any time.
Apparently, I had slept the entire night on one of those futons.
When I woke up, the noble ladies rushed over, and Sayuri-san grabbed my hand, crying.
She even apologized for scolding me before, saying, “It’s dangerous for an amateur to make talismans!”
“Yuukizaka-sama, I heard you bravely helped fight the flesh-eating monkey using your talismans. And… This talisman you gave me… It gave me so much comfort all night…! I felt so safe because of it…! Ugh… ugh…”
“I see… It must have been really scary. If my talisman helped you feel safe, then I’m glad.”
“Uuuuuhhh…!”
Of course, it was scary.
A noble lady, stuck in a mansion surrounded by man-eating evil spirits for an entire night…
Even if someone told her, “The barrier will protect you,” it wouldn’t stop her fear.
If my automatic defense talisman helped ease even a little bit of that fear, then I’m happy I made it.
“Mai-han, you’re awake? Thank goodness.”
“Misumi-sama… Um, what’s the situation now?”
“It’s morning. You’ve been asleep ever since the flesh-eating monkey attacked you. Also…”
Misumi-sama glanced at Shirakubo, who was still asleep.
She hadn’t woken up yet.
“Well, she was hit pretty hard by the flesh-eating monkey’s mental attack. But since the main one was defeated, she’ll wake up eventually.”
“She’s not dead, right?”
“There’s no external injuries, so she’ll be fine.”
“I see…”
Everyone looked at Shirakubo differently.
It made sense—she had endangered everyone in the mansion with her selfish actions.
Honestly, if I didn’t have to save her, I wouldn’t have.
Because thinking about what’s coming next, she probably would have been better off dead.
She would be buried under a massive debt—so big she could never repay it.
Her only option would be to sell herself in the red-light district.
Well, it’s not like I saved her out of kindness or because I wanted her to pay her debt.
I just didn’t want to see someone get eaten alive right in front of me.
But knowing her, she might blame me later, saying, “Why did you save me!?”
If that happens, I’ll just tell her, “Because I can’t handle gore, idiot!”
“Well, putting that aside… You really do reckless things.”
“S-Sorry…”
“It’s fine. But seeing my little brother, who never loses his cool, panic for the first time was worth it. Also, the ohagi (sweet rice cakes) you brought were actually really helpful.”
“Huh?”
Apparently, the spiritual energy in my ohagi boosted the exorcists who were guarding us.
Because of that, they were able to defeat most of the evil spirits drawn in by the flesh-eating monkey.
Now, everything was back to a normal morning.
Wait… My ohagi actually helped that much?
“In that case, I’ll make breakfast for the exorcists too!”
“Stay in bed.”
“…Okay.”
As soon as I tried to get up, Misumi-sama pushed my forehead back down with her finger, forcing me back into the futon.
S-So strong…! As expected of Kouga-sama’s sister.
“The barrier repairs aren’t done yet. After breakfast, everyone will continue working on it. You should rest until your spiritual energy recovers, then you can help.”
“U-Understood. Um… What about Shirakubo?”
Removing the barrier talismans at the entrance endangered all the noble women in the mansion.
There’s no way she’d get away without consequences.
Misumi-sama hid her mouth behind her fan and said coldly, “You don’t need to know, Mai-han.”
Most likely, the compensation she owed had skyrocketed.
Even before this, the amount was already impossible to pay off in a lifetime.
Now, there was no doubt—she would be sent to the red-light district before she even graduated.