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 64

Episode 64

Hyurandel.

The former lord of the Vixel Domain—the very man who had imposed unbearable heavy taxes on the people and drove this land to the brink of ruin.

In the end, he abandoned his responsibilities and vanished without a trace—truly a villain of the worst kind.

And now, that man had apparently been hiding in the royal capital. He even ran the shop Nergo frequented—getting so close to me without notice.

It was like a bad joke.

“Yutaka, you know him?”

Svea perhaps noticed the grim look on my face. She asked quietly.

“Yeah. The former lord of this territory. Seems he was quite the scoundrel.”

I explained briefly. And she responded with a troubled frown. She was looking a little apologetic.

“You might still be a target. I’ll keep watching from the shadows.”

“I see… got it. I’m counting on you.”

Her offer was reassuring. I then nodded in agreement.

But the problems weren’t over. Who exactly was Hyurandel trying to kidnap?

He likely targeted me because I’m the current lord of Vixel.

Does he want to take control of this land again now that it’s recovering, or is it just revenge?

I don’t know his true intent. But either way, it’s dangerous.

Sebas had past dealings with him. And Kotama was a maid at the mansion. She might also be targeted.

First priority is to move them somewhere safe.

＊ ＊ ＊

Even while thinking, I hurried to prepare.

Though I wasn’t planning to bring it today, I strapped the shield Aegis to my waist and buckled on my trusted longsword.

Then, though late, I spurred my horse toward Aegis Village and arrived.

Svea was nowhere to be seen. But I could faintly feel her eyes on my back—watching me from somewhere nearby.

As soon as I arrived at the village, the first thing I saw was Freyja giving orders to the soldiers.

“Freyja-dono.”

When I called out, she turned to look at me.

“Oh, Yutaka-dono. You’re late. The inspection party has already arrived.”

There was a hint of irritation in her voice—and rightfully so.

I, the lord, had kept the royal guests waiting.

“Sorry… there was a bit of an emergency.”

At my words, she frowned in concern.

I quickly told her what Svea had told me earlier:

The assassination attempt, the kidnapping plot, and Hyurandel’s name.

Her expression turned sharply serious as she listened.

“An assassination and a kidnapping…? This is no small matter…”

“Yeah. But we can’t ignore the inspection either. That’s why I want you to take Sebas and Kotama somewhere safe and hide them.”

“Understood. I’ll bring them to the barracks. We’ve got the Thunder Beast Tribe there—so it’ll be secure, even if something happens.”

“Please do. I’ll handle the inspection party.”

Freyja gave a strong nod and immediately headed toward where Sebas and Kotama were waiting.

From a distance, I could see she was only explaining the situation to Sebas.

Probably to keep Kotama from worrying unnecessarily.

Eventually, Sebas noticed me and gave a deep bow from afar.

Then, urged by Freyja, they rode off toward the town of Kanaloa.

—

Once I saw them off, I shifted gears and headed toward the center of the village where the inspection party awaited.

There stood a luxurious, yet modestly sized carriage. It was adorned with the royal crest.

A group of a dozen or so sturdy soldiers stood guard around it.

Through the open window, I could see Princess Osa. She was smiling gently.

I let out a small sigh of relief and approached the carriage to greet her.

But then—I noticed a man standing beside the princess. He was likely her guard.

I’d seen that profile somewhere before.

No way… I squinted to get a better look.

No doubt about it. It was Nergo.

Why… is he here?

I set that question aside for now and approached the carriage to pay my respects to the princess.

I knelt on one knee and bowed deeply.

“My sincerest apologies for the delay, Princess.”

“Oh my, Yutaka-sama. Please raise your head. Don’t worry about it. We’ve been enjoying the village scenery while taking a short rest… Right, Nergo-sama?”

Urged by the princess’s kind voice, I looked up.

And then, with a graceful leap, a man descended from the carriage and stood in front of me.

The sheath of the holy sword on his waist made a soft *clink*.

It was Nergo.

“Aaah…? Well, yeah… You kept Princess Osa, the kingdom’s royalty, waiting… and her husband—me—waiting too…”

Nergo crouched down and leaned in. He was peering right into my face.

I held my breath.

Knowing him, he was about to lay on some snide, drawn-out sarcasm.

Or so I thought.

But what came from his mouth was something completely unexpected.

“This… could be grounds for a point deduction…… or not! Like I’d say something like that!”

He grinned and gave my shoulder a light pat.

His reaction was so unexpected that I blinked in surprise.

“Man, it’s been a while, Yutaka! You been doing alright?”

He smiled even more warmly and grabbed my arm. He yanked me to my feet and slung his arm around my shoulder.

I relaxed just a little.

“…Honestly, I expected a snarky comment or two.”

“Haha! C’mon, it’s you and me. I’m not gonna get mad over a ten- or twenty-minute delay!”

Nergo laughed heartily.

And just like that, I felt a sense of relief.

Then, he suddenly tightened his grip on my shoulder and covered my ear with his other hand.

“Yutaka, about that night…”

He whispered.

That night—when he had completely changed, screaming nonsense about this world being a game.

“Sorry about that! I was just tired and cranky!”

He winked and apologized with a single eye.

“Oh, that. Don’t worry, I didn’t think much of it. It’s not the first time you’ve been a handful, after all. I’m used to it.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Exactly what I said.”

As we exchanged banter, a bright voice called out from behind us.

“Ah! Yutaka!”

Turning around, I saw Sonia standing there. She was beaming brightly.

“Sonia. Guard duty today?”

“Yup! And Nergo’s with me too!”

She said happily as she clung to Nergo’s arm.

So they came together too, huh?

“By the way, why *is* Nergo here?”

“Nergo-sama said he wanted to see you again, Yutaka-sama. So he joined the inspection team this time.”

Princess Osa answered from inside the carriage. She was peeking out.

“You wanted to… see me?”

I looked at Nergo suspiciously. And he turned away. He was slightly embarrassed.

“Y-yeah, well… I’m busy, you know! I figured if I didn’t take the chance now, I might not get to see you for a while.”

“Busy going to shady shops, right?”

Sonia glared at him with squinty, accusing eyes.

So Svea’s story was true.

“I said I’m sorry, alright!? I already stopped going! Hey, Osa—say something!”

“Fufu. Just this once, okay? Sonia, forgive him, alright?”

Princess Osa gently stepped in to mediate.

Sonia puffed out her cheeks in a pout. But there was a playful air to it.

Nergo peeled her off his arm and said,

“Come on, let’s go already. We’ve gotta wrap things up today and get back, right?”

“…Well, okay. Lately, Nergo’s been making time to hang out with me again!”

Her earlier grumpiness vanished completely. And Sonia cheerfully climbed into the carriage.

Watching her, I thought to myself:

The situation with Hyurandel still weighs on me—but at the very least, the man standing before me now seems fine.

Nergo had finally changed.

He was now facing Princess Osa and Sonia’s feelings head-on.

And that change was something I could genuinely feel happy about.