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 37

Episode 37

Several days passed. At last, the morning of our departure arrived.

The chilly early morning air brushed against my skin as I stood before the mansion’s heavy doors. I was fully prepared for the journey.

Beside me, Forleen also stood quietly. Her preparations were complete.

She wore the same merchant-like clothing as before. And her face was hidden beneath a deep hood. It made it impossible to read her expression.

“So, are things really okay with the church?”

When I asked, a muffled voice came from within the hood.

“Yes. This time, they specially arranged for a body double to take my place. After all, I can’t keep faking illness forever…”

A body double for the Saint—what a grand thing.

I frowned slightly. I was wondering if something like that was even possible.

“What if they realize that body double is a fake? Wouldn’t that cause a huge problem?”

“In that case, I plan to speak directly with King Felix and ask him to resolve things peacefully.”

Though I sensed a gentle smile from her voice, there was an undeniable pressure to her tone that left no room for argument.

For a moment, I felt a chill down my spine.

This Saint might just be holding some major secret about the royal family.

I decided not to dig any further and gave a strained smile instead.

At that moment, a young girl in a maid uniform appeared from inside the mansion. She was supported on either side by Sebas and Kotama.

It was Rururii the elf.

When she was first made to wear the maid outfit, she had complained a lot. But after a few days, she seemed to have grown used to it. And now she didn’t seem to mind it as much.

Still, her collar was wide open. And the ribbon on her chest was completely loose—her sloppy way of wearing it was very much in line with her personality.

“Rururii-sama, please pull yourself together. It’s time for us to depart.”

Kotama carefully supported Rururii. She was treating her like something fragile. And the elf looked like she might fall back asleep at any moment.

“*Yaaawn*… Can’t we just go tomorrow~?”

“We cannot. Everyone is here gathered for your sake, Rururii-sama. Please don’t be selfish.”

Sebas scolded her firmly but kindly. Yet Rururii acted as if she didn’t hear him at all.

She hasn’t changed, I thought with an inward sigh.

“Rururii. Just to confirm—are you really sure we don’t need to prepare food or transportation?”

“Yup. We can gather food in the forest. And if we ride horses, we’ll get spotted by monsters~”

Though she declared it so nonchalantly, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

Forleen and I exchanged glances.

She, too, seemed worried beneath her hood.

Still, we were amateurs. And we couldn’t very well ignore what an elf—who surely knew the forest better than us—was saying.

“Sebas. If we judge that it’s too dangerous, we’ll return right away. Don’t worry.”

“…Understood. If that’s what you say, Yutaka-sama. I pray nothing happens. Please be careful on the road.”

Worry showed clearly on Sebas’s face. And Kotama looked up at us with teary eyes.

With their send-off behind us, the three of us set off on a journey. We were aiming for the unknown elf dwelling.

＊ ＊ ＊

Led by Rururii, we had come deep into the forest.

It was what people would call a pathless trail. And yet, strangely, it wasn’t difficult to walk on. Nor was there any mud.

It felt as though the forest itself was opening the way for us.

When I strained my ears, all I could hear were the leaves rustling in the wind and birds chirping in the distance.

There wasn’t even a hint of monsters or unpleasant insects—only a silence that seemed to dominate this forest.

How long had we walked?

Rururii suddenly stopped. She said,

“Let’s take a break here~”

She pointed to a space that looked almost deliberately cleared, a small open area.

“What is this place…?”

“To think a place like this existed within the forest…”

While Forleen and I looked around in surprise, Rururii walked forward without hesitation. It was as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

Rururii then approached a tree bearing an abundance of yellow fruit. As she did, one of the fruits suddenly detached from the branch—*plop*—and gently dropped to her feet. It was as if it had a will of its own.

Rururii casually picked it up, leaned back against the base of the tree, and began eating it with a crisp crunching sound.

I, too, approached the tree and picked one of the fruits. Which was just within arm’s reach.

The yellow fruit had a unique shape. It was like a slightly rugged pear. And its surface glistened with dewdrops reflecting the sunlight.

I gathered my resolve and took a bite.

In that instant, an incredible amount of juice burst forth. It was soothing my throat.

The strong sweetness, like that of candied fruit, was perfectly balanced by a refreshing tartness. It was making me feel as though all my fatigue was melting away.

“…Delicious.”

The words escaped my mouth.

Prompted by my voice, Forleen also took a bite of the fruit.

“It really is! It’s so tasty!”

She exclaimed with a bright voice.

I felt embarrassed for ever doubting her earlier when she talked about “hearing the voice of the forest.”

It was surely thanks to her that we’d reached this strange, wondrous place.

I thought I should at least offer her a word of apology and thanks.

With that in mind, I turned to look at her—

And saw Rururii leaning against the base of the tree. She was wearing a satisfied expression as she let out calm, gentle breaths in her sleep.