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 42 (Third-Person)

Episode 42 (Third-Person)

The capital city of the Virein Kingdom was slowly returning to normal. Its feverish excitement over the great feat of the Demon King’s defeat was beginning to fade.

The once-boisterous festival atmosphere had vanished. It left the streets calm and peaceful once again.

In a corner of the now quiet city, one figure stood out with particularly suspicious movements.

Wearing a deep hood that completely hid their face, the person darted from shadow to shadow—behind signs, market stands, and decorations—avoiding the gaze of passersby as much as possible.

Eventually, they left the bustling main road and stepped into a dim back alley.

Their destination was a building nestled quietly in the alleyway.

Its walls were tangled with ivy. And it looked like it could collapse at any moment.

Faded letters barely legible above the entrance spelled out: “Tavern.”

Though a “Now Open” sign hung on the door, there was no mistaking the lack of energy from within.

The hooded figure remained cautious. They were glancing all around.

Once certain no one was watching, they let out a quiet sigh of relief and gently placed a hand on the weathered wooden double door.

*Creak*—the door opened with a heavy groan.

Inside, the dim room had only a counter and a few tables.

Behind the counter, an elderly man with white hair—presumably the owner—was nodding off in his seat.

At a table in the far back, away from the entrance, sat three girls.

One had a golden ponytail. She leaned on her elbow with a bored expression—Sonia.

Another had a black bob cut. She was silently reviewing a stack of papers with sharp, focused eyes—Raiza.

And the third had smooth silver hair cut in a bob. She had her eyes closed peacefully though she wasn’t asleep—Svea.

The first to react to the sound of the door was Sonia.

Upon recognizing the figure, she perked up and waved energetically.

“Ah! Ulrika! Over here—!”

The hooded figure—Ulrika—let out an exaggerated sigh as she pulled down her hood.

Revealed was a girl with distinct blue twin-tails.

“Ugh… Seriously, being famous is such a pain. You always have to be on guard—it’s exhausting.”

Despite her grumbling tone, her steps were light as she sat down at the open seat at their table.

“Agreed. Crowds gather around me instantly. And our operations never go according to schedule,”

Raiza added. She lifted her face from the documents.

Meanwhile, Svea remained silent. She simply opened her eyes to gaze at Ulrika.

“So… how was it?”

Ulrika ignored the others and turned directly to Svea with her question.

Svea let out a soft sigh before answering with a single, heavy word:

“…Black.”

“I knew it…”

Ulrika slumped her shoulders, looking dejected. It was as if she was disappointed that her prediction had come true.

“I see. So Nergo-sama was sneaking around nighttime establishments,”

Raiza said flatly.

That was the trigger.

“No way! Nergo wouldn’t do that! He said we were important to him!”

Sonia cried out. She slammed the table with teary eyes.

Her voice was filled with disbelief and denial.

“He didn’t lie to you. It’s just the truth,”

Svea replied quietly. She turned her eyes away from Sonia with a lonely expression.

“I always thought something was off. I mean… not even that princess could tempt him…”

Ulrika murmured distantly.

Hearing that, Sonia completely hung her head.

“…Did Nergo stop liking us?”

She whispered. Her voice was trembling with tears.

Panicking, Ulrika rushed to reassure her.

“N-No! That’s not it! …I mean, probably.”

Her voice faded. It lacked confidence.

Raiza picked up where she left off with cold logic.

“No, it’s quite likely. We all have small chests and lack physical feminine appeal. He may have simply grown tired of us—”

“Small chests are a status symbol.”

Before Raiza could finish, Svea sharply cut in with a firm voice.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Only the soft snoring of the old shopkeeper could be heard.

After a moment, Ulrika cleared her throat and tried to change the mood.

“A-Anyway! I’m a court magician, so I get to see that guy often. I’ll try inviting him out on a casual date next time. What about the rest of you?”

“I also regularly check on Nergo-sama’s surroundings. I plan to shake things up by mentioning how his savings are decreasing,”

Raiza replied calmly.

“Uuugh… I’m just gonna go cry to Ossa…”

Sonia muttered. She was clearly depressed.

“I’ll gather more information,”

Svea stated briefly.

Ulrika sighed again—for who knows how many times today.

Then, as if remembering something, she mumbled to no one in particular:

“Speaking of which… I wonder how Yutaka’s doing.”

To that, Raiza responded:

“Yutaka-sama is likely still on the front lines in the Vixel Domain. We haven’t heard any good or bad news. So I believe he’s safe.”

“What!? If he keeps working that hard, Yutaka’s gonna die!”

Sonia cried out. She was worried now for someone else.

Svea simply said,

“He’ll be fine. He’s tough,”

with quiet confidence.

Hearing that, Ulrika murmured softly:

“Hmm… Maybe I should talk to Yutaka about this sometime…”

＊ ＊ ＊

Meanwhile…

At that time, Nergo was receiving VIP treatment at Hyurandel’s establishment. It was just as always.

But his mood was clearly sour.

“So, Hyurandel, when’s Rururii-chan coming back?”

Nergo asked irritably. He was glaring at the pudgy man in a white suit standing before him.

“I am terribly sorry, Nergo-sama. I’m doing everything I can to locate her…”

Hyurandel fidgeted with his hands in front of his chest. His face was twisted into a sycophantic smile.

That expression only worsened Nergo’s mood.

“I asked you how long you plan to keep me waiting!”

He yelled, *BANG!*, kicking the table hard.

The plates and glasses clattered loudly.

Yet Hyurandel’s smile remained fixed.

“B-But sir, I too am in deep trouble without that littl—uh, no, I mean, without Rururii-sama…”

Nergo clicked his tongue loudly. And then, surprisingly, he calmed his tone.

“…Sorry for yelling. It’s just—you’re the only one who can get me that kind of top-class girl. Here, take this. Use it for the search.”

He tossed a small leather pouch onto the table.

*Clink*—the sound of heavy coins.

“Thank you, Nergo-sama. I promise to meet your expectations. Please give me a little more time…”

Bowing deeply, Hyurandel watched Nergo stand and say he was leaving.

But before going, Nergo turned and gave a final warning.

“Oh, and you do remember, right? Don’t lay a finger on any real lolis. Like I said from the start—I’m only into legal lolis. Don’t you dare try replacing her with a stand-in. If you do… I’ll—”

Before he could finish, Hyurandel bowed even deeper. He cut him off.

“I understand completely, sir. I, a mere drifter, know full well that the only reason I still have this shop is because Nergo-sama tolerates me… I’ll never forget that. Deeply… deeply engraved in my soul…”

“Hmph.”

Nergo snorted in satisfaction and stormed out without looking back.

Eventually, the heavy sound of a door closing echoed in the distance.

Once it was certain he had left, Hyurandel slowly raised his head.

The groveling smile was gone.

His face twisted in pure hatred and humiliation.

Then, with a roar like a beast, he slammed the table with his foot.

“That damned little elf b1tch!! She was this close to being sold to the slavers!!”

He roared. He was slamming the table again and again.

“Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!!”

*CRACK!*—the thick tabletop finally split with a dull snap.

Breathing heavily, Hyurandel stared down at the broken wood. His eyes burnt with rage.