When I Was Reincarnated, All the Heroines Were Stolen by the Fake Hero ~ The Guy Who Dominated With Original Story Knowledge, and Me Who Dominated With Talent. It Seems the World After the Ending Is My One-Man Stage ~ - Episode 17

Episode 17

After the discussion in Kanaloa ended, I returned to the mansion with Sebas.

The decision to form a scouting expedition to the beastkin settlement had been firmly settled with Freyja.

What remained was confirming Kotama’s will.

This would be a huge decision for her.

“Yutaka-sama, I’ll go call Kotama. Could you wait in the study?”

Sebas said this, and I nodded.

“Yeah, please.”

While he went to call her, I waited in the study.

With nothing to do, I stared at the bookshelves. I then picked up again the ancient book I’d found the other day which had notes on the beastkin settlement.

A roughly drawn map on parchment and faded letters.

I still wasn’t sure if the information was accurate.

But beastkin live scattered all over the world.

As long as there was a chance, it was worth taking a gamble.

As I flipped through the pages, I heard a modest knock.

“Yutaka-sama, it’s Sebas. I’ve brought Kotama.”

“Ah, come in.”

When I called out, the door slowly opened.

There stood the usual composed Sebas. And behind him, Kotama’s small reddish-brown cat ears were timidly peeking out.

She kept glancing at me nervously.

Her large eyes even seemed to glisten slightly.

I closed the ancient book and quietly stood up.

“Kotama, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat.”

Saying this, I sat down first on the leather sofa in the center of the study.

Sebas gently pushed Kotama’s small back.

“Come now, Kotama. Yutaka-sama has called for you. This way.”

She repeatedly looked up at Sebas, watching his expression. She then nervously perched herself on the edge of the sofa.

However, Sebas didn’t sit next to her. He walked behind the sofa and stood silently. He was staring at me.

She had probably expected Sebas to sit beside her.

Kotama looked up at him uneasily. But he avoided meeting her eyes. Instead, he gave me a silent look of pressure.

(So that’s how it is… Sebas doesn’t intend to interfere this time. He wants Kotama to think for herself and make her own decision…)

I felt both his paternal love and a strong will to help Kotama become independent.

Kotama’s reddish-brown cat ears drooped weakly. Her fluffy tail lacked its usual energy.

She kept her head lowered, not making eye contact.

I gently asked in as calm a voice as I could manage,

“Kotama, did you hear about it from Sebas?”

Kotama shook her head side to side vigorously.

Her cat ears trembled slightly from the motion.

“I see…”

I nodded once and got to the point.

“The truth is, I’m planning to go search for a beastkin settlement that might exist near this Vixel Domain. And if we find it, I want to negotiate with them—ask them to help protect Kanaloa.”

At the word “beastkin,” Kotama’s ears twitched.

She couldn’t ignore that term.

She nervously raised her head and looked at me for the first time.

“B-Beastkin…?”

She muttered in a fragile voice.

Watching her reaction, I continued slowly.

“Yes. But they’re likely a tribe that’s had almost no contact with humans. So even if we go, they’ll be very cautious. If we’re not careful, they might even mistake us for enemies.”

Worry deepened in Kotama’s eyes.

“But, Kotama… if someone like you, a fellow beastkin, came along, they might lower their guard a little and be more willing to listen to us. I think it’d be easier to make a connection. That’s why… I’d like to ask for your help.”

Kotama opened her small mouth slightly in shock.

It was probably so sudden she couldn’t keep up.

I added more.

“However, the journey to find that settlement will likely be tough. The roads aren’t maintained, and we might run into dangerous beasts or monsters. That’s why Sebas will be staying at the mansion.”

I noticed Kotama’s shoulders tremble slightly.

“If you don’t want to go, you can say so freely. I won’t force you. Your feelings matter most.”

I looked straight into her eyes as I spoke.

“…U-Um…”

Kotama’s gaze wandered, searching for the words. Then she glanced over at Sebas as if seeking help.

But Sebas simply stood there quietly and gave a small shake of his head.

That motion silently told her, “Decide for yourself.”

Kotama looked down again and clenched her small fists tightly.

Only the ticking of the clock’s second hand echoed loudly in the study.

Just how much conflict was swirling inside her heart?

After a long silence, Kotama spoke in a trembling voice.

“I-I… I’ve never… even been to the town before…”

Her voice faltered as she struggled to speak.

“And… with Sebas not being there… I’m really… scared…”

(Of course she is… Sebas has always protected her. Asking her to suddenly venture into the unknown alone—anyone would be anxious.)

I agreed silently in my heart.

But Kotama continued.

“B-But… I’ve always known… that Yutaka-sama, and Sebas, and the people of Kanaloa… are all working so hard to protect the Vixel Domain…”

Her head lifted ever so slightly.

“I… I haven’t been able to do anything. All I could do was clean the mansion or prepare meals…”

Her voice carried a faint trace of frustration.

Then Kotama slowly raised her face.

Her big eyes still held traces of fear—but deep within, a clear light of resolve had begun to shine.

“But… even someone like me… if I can help protect this Vixel Domain… then I… want to try my best…!”

Her voice trembled. But it was filled with strength.

I was deeply moved by her words.

When I glanced at Sebas standing behind her, I saw that he had covered his face and his shoulders were shaking.

He was crying.

I turned back to Kotama and gently said,

“Thank you, Kotama. I’m counting on you.”

Then I slowly extended my right hand.

Kotama looked confused for a moment. But she then timidly reached out and softly grasped my hand.

It was a warm, small hand.

After that, Kotama quietly said, “P-Please excuse me…” and left the study. She was still looking slightly nervous.

Once the door shut with a soft *click*, Sebas let out a long sigh. It was as if everything had finally been released. And he sank heavily onto the sofa.

His face was filled with relief—and deep emotion.

“…I never imagined… Kotama cared so much about this Vixel Domain…”

He whispered in a hoarse voice.

“She’s a smart girl,” 

I said. Sebas narrowed his tear-filled eyes and smiled proudly.

“Yes… She’s my precious daughter, after all.”

His words overflowed with a father’s deep love.

“Hey, Sebas,”

I spoke to him now that he seemed calmer.

“I was thinking… we should take Kotama to Kanaloa once before the expedition—to meet Freyja and get used to the town a little. It might help ease her anxiety.”

“…Yes. I think that would be best.”

Sebas replied. He was wiping away his tears with a handkerchief.

“We absolutely have to find that beastkin settlement.”

When I said that, Sebas gave a firm nod in return.