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 4

Episode 4

However, contrary to my impatient feelings, the road to Vixel Domain was long.

According to Sebas, no matter how much we urged the horse forward, it would still take two full days to arrive.

As the sun began to tilt westward and the forest was about to be enveloped in deep shadows, we decided to begin preparations for camping.

Any further travel would be impossible in the dark.

“Let us make camp around here for tonight, Yutaka-sama.”

Sebas, with practiced ease, tied the horse to a tree and swiftly began preparing a campfire from the wagon.

I tried to help. But he respectfully declined, saying, “Please, Yutaka-sama, take your rest.”

It must be his pride as a butler.

Soon, the fire began to crackle warmly. And Sebas brought down a sack from the wagon that seemed to contain food.

But what he took out was a modest meal—just a few dried potatoes.

“Yutaka-sama, I deeply apologize… I can only offer such a meager meal to one who is part of the Hero’s party…”

Sebas bowed deeply in apology. His face clearly showed sincere regret.

I gave him a wry smile.

“No need to worry, Sebas. I’ve experienced times with no food at all. Honestly, I’m grateful just to have a warm fire and something to eat.”

Saying that, I took one of the dried potatoes and ate it gratefully.

As for the taste—well, needless to say. But when you’re hungry, it’s the best kind of feast.

While chewing on the potato, I asked Sebas,

“Is food running short after all?”

Sebas was staring into the flickering fire. He answered in a heavy tone.

“Yes… Originally, the Vixel Domain had vast farmland and was overflowing with wheat, vegetables, fruit, and other produce. However… most of it has now been overrun by monsters and is no longer recognizable. Right now, we are barely holding the invasion back with just one last wall surrounding the capital city of the territory…”

His words revealed the harsh situation Vixel Domain was facing.

“Even if we try to cultivate new fields, the safe land is already limited. And the remaining land is barren—at best, we can only grow weak potatoes like these…”

His voice carried deep sorrow.

“What about trade? Do you have any contact with the royal capital or other cities?”

When I asked further, Sebas shook his head weakly.

“In the past, we did have some trading partners in the royal capital. There was decent demand for Vixel’s produce and quality handmade goods from our skilled craftsmen. But now… with Vixel Domain on the verge of being overrun by monsters, no merchant would risk their life to come here anymore…”

Then, Sebas clenched his fists in frustration. His voice was shaking.

“All of this… all of this is because Hyurandel-sama disregarded the noble will of the late lord and pursued only his selfish desires…! If not for him, Vixel Domain would never have come to this…!”

Even calm and composed Sebas was showing raw emotion now.

His eyes were filled with uncontainable anger and sorrow.

Suddenly realizing himself, Sebas quickly corrected his expression and bowed deeply.

“M-my apologies, Yutaka-sama. I’ve shown you an unbecoming side of myself…”

I gently replied to him,

“No need to apologize. If you’re this emotional, it just means you truly care about the land and its people. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Sebas looked up. He was a bit surprised at my words. Then, with a somewhat impressed expression, he stared at me.

“Yutaka-sama… for someone of your age, how wise you are… Your words sound as though they come from a sage who has governed for years…”

“Haha, it’s nothing that grand. I just borrowed some knowledge I read in a book somewhere.”

Saying that, I laughed softly. And the quiet night slowly passed.

The warmth of the fire seemed to soften the chill in the air.

＊ ＊ ＊

The next morning. 

While it was still dim, we set off again on the wagon.

There was no sign of last night’s emotional outburst on Sebas’ face. He had returned to his usual calm demeanor as a butler.

As we rocked along in the wagon for a while, Sebas pointed ahead and said,

“Yutaka-sama, once we pass over that hill, we will be arriving in Vixel Domain shortly.”

At those words, I leaned forward slightly. So it’s finally time.

But then, it happened.

Sebas suddenly pulled on the reins, bringing the horse to a halt. His expression was tense.

“What is it, Sebas?”

When I asked, Sebas replied in a low voice.

“Up ahead… I see several Ogres standing in the middle of the road.”

Ogres. Monsters known for their grey giant bodies and ferocity.

I remember struggling against one back when I was still starting out.

That brute strength especially—back then, I had to endure as the frontliner. Even with broken ribs, I pushed through just to give everyone else a chance to strike. The pain and pressure nearly drove me insane. Nostalgic, in a way.

I leaned out of the wagon and checked the road ahead. Sure enough, I saw three Ogres wandering around. They were blocking the path.

Each one had arms thick like logs. And their muscular bodies looked vicious even from here.

“Is there another road we can take to go around them?”

I asked, and Sebas touched his chin in thought before replying.

“Yes, there is. However, if we take that route, we’ll arrive in Vixel Domain late at night…”

Hearing that, I made a decision without hesitation.

“I see. Then it’s simple. We’ll go straight through.”

Saying that, I lightly jumped down from the wagon.

“Yutaka-sama!? Even for you, facing three Ogres alone is…! Please, do not be reckless!”

Sebas called out in panic.

I turned to him and gave a calm smile.

“Don’t worry, Sebas. I’ll be right back.”

With those words, I drew my longsword—my beloved sword that had been resting carelessly in the wagon—without armor or shield. And I began walking toward the Ogres.

“Yutaka-sama! Without your armor or shield?! This is far too dangerous!”

Sebas’ desperate voice echoed from behind me.

“For enemies like these, they’d just get in the way.”

I muttered quietly and closed the distance between me and the Ogres. I ignored his warning.

The three Ogres seemed to notice me.

One of them let out a low growl.

They didn’t seem to be carrying weapons. I observed them calmly.

One of the Ogres swung its massive fist sideways toward me.

Fast and powerful.

I dodged it with a minimal backstep and then floated into the air.

Using the momentum of my descent, I precisely drove my sword into the thick neck of the Ogre.

With a dull slicing sound, the Ogre’s massive head separated from its body and rolled to the ground.

“GRUOAAAH!”

Seeing one of their own instantly killed, the remaining two Ogres let out furious roars.

They must have realized I wasn’t just any ordinary opponent. Their movements became cautious.

One of them, who had been standing back, kicked off the ground and leapt toward me. It was aiming to smash me from above with both arms.

The force was incredible—being hit would be the end.

I slipped aside with a small sidestep.

The Ogre’s fists smashed into the ground where I had just stood. It resulted in a cloud of dust.

Not missing the opening, I sliced deeply into its torso from the side.

The second Ogre was cut clean in two and collapsed without even a final cry.

Immediately after, the last Ogre came at me. It slammed its palms together to crush me like a bug.

It intended to trap me.

But I jumped lightly and landed on its arms just as they slammed together.

Then, running up its arm, I reached its head and cleanly sliced off the third Ogre’s neck in one swift motion.

In the blink of an eye, the three Ogres lay dead in a pool of bl00d.

I quietly sheathed my sword and returned to Sebas, who stood there stunned.

“M-magnificent, Yutaka-sama… To think you could defeat such Ogres… alone… and so effortlessly…”

Sebas was so shocked, his words came out broken.

I gave him a gentle smile and said,

“Let’s hurry, Sebas. The people are waiting.”