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 52

Episode 52

With the help of the dwarves, the village and even the town of Kanaloa were visibly progressing in their reconstruction…

It was around the time when things had started to settle down a little that I remembered receiving a sealed letter.

It was from Raiza.

The content expressed concern for Ulrika. Since she hadn’t returned to the royal capital after visiting the Vixel Domain.

Well, considering her earnest nature, that was an expected reaction.

I immediately replied. I told her that Ulrika was doing well here. And that she was currently helping with the reconstruction efforts.

Soon after, another sealed letter arrived from Raiza. She said that she would come to check on Ulrika. She also expressed her wish to visit the Vixel Domain at least once.

That had led to today’s visit.

—

When I returned to the mansion, Sebas greeted me at the entrance.

“Welcome back, Yutaka-sama. Raiza-sama has already arrived and is waiting in the guest room.”

“I see. Thanks, Sebas. I’ll head there now.”

Thanking Sebas, I made my way to the guest room.

There, in front of the door, I saw Kotama standing restlessly. She was fidgeting as if uneasy.

Her fluffy tail was swaying slightly from side to side.

“Something wrong, Kotama?”

When I called out, Kotama flinched and turned around in a panic.

“Ah, Yutaka-sama! N-No, it’s just… I was wondering whether the herbal tea I served was to her liking or not…”

She stammered awkwardly.

Hmm. Normally, she wasn’t the type to worry so much about what people thought of her tea.

Something felt off. But I didn’t feel the need to press her on it.

“I see. Thanks. I’ll ask her myself later.”

“Y-Yes! Please do!”

With a deep bow, Kotama walked off. Her steps were oddly stiff.

Definitely acting different from usual. But for now, my meeting with Raiza takes priority.

I knocked on the guest room door—*knock knock*.

“Yes.”

A clear, familiar female voice responded from the other side.

“It’s Yutaka. I’m coming in.”

With that, I turned the doorknob and entered.

There, sitting on the sofa was a woman. She was holding a bundle of papers and reading through them intently.

Dressed in a pristine white robe, her long legs were clad in thigh-high black stockings that fit her perfectly.

Next to her stood a magnificent staff. It had a large gem at the tip shining in seven colors.

The girl with the black bob-cut hair—Raiza.

When she noticed me enter, she carefully gathered the papers and set them on the table.

Then, she stood up gracefully and bowed to me.

“It’s been a while, Yutaka-sama.”

“Yeah, it has. Take a seat.”

I gestured for her to sit.

Raiza gave a quiet “Excuse me,” and returned to her seat on the sofa.

“I was surprised to hear that Ulrika stayed in this region to help with the reconstruction,” 

Raiza began.

Her voice carried both relief and a hint of confusion.

“Yeah. Ulrika herself said she wanted to stay. Honestly, it’s been a huge help.”

“I see… At any rate, I’m glad she’s safe. Everyone was worried.”

Relief spread across Raiza’s face.

After that, we exchanged harmless updates for a while.

But then, Raiza’s expression clouded slightly. And she spoke.

“By the way, Yutaka-sama… have you heard anything about Nergo-sama?”

Nergo, huh.

Hearing that name brought back the information Ulrika once told me about his “nightly activities.”

“…Yeah, a bit.”

I replied vaguely.

Raiza was visibly crestfallen. She placed her hand softly over her chest.

“…As I suspected, someone with a childish figure like me probably doesn’t hold much feminine appeal for Nergo-sama, isn’t it…?”

Her question was sudden. And it was far too direct. I was at a loss for words.

How was I supposed to respond to this?

“N-No, I don’t think that’s true. Nergo is… well, he likes any kind of—ah, no, I mean, someone as cute as you, Raiza—”

I hurriedly tried to cover for him. But I clearly chose the wrong words.

“…Any kind of woman?”

Raiza repeated my words slowly. She stared at me with an icy gaze.

Crap. Did I just step on a landmine? Cold sweat trickled down my forehead.

“T-That was just a figure of speech! What I meant was, Nergo wouldn’t reject someone who tells him they like him… That’s all I was trying to say…”

Even I knew that was a weak excuse. But I had nothing better.

Raiza let out a deep sigh.

Her expression held a mix of resignation and just a little sadness.

“…It’s fine. I understand. I’m sure he stopped by *those kinds of places* during his journey as a hero.”

“That’s not true…”

I tried to deny it, but Raiza cut me off. She continued quietly.

“No need to hide it. Sometimes, I’d see unfamiliar lipstick marks on Nergo-sama’s neck.”

At that, I could only give a strained smile.

Really, Nergo, you brought this on yourself.

I found myself feeling a strange mix of sympathy and exasperation for my former party member and the hero of the world—Nergo.