I’m In Trouble Because The Darkened Heroes Are Obsessed With Me

“Maybe… the group Astaire is investigating might have something to do with my possession.”Of course, Reti was the one who had initiated the possession, but Elsez couldn’t shake the feeling that the group was somehow connected to her arrival in this world.“Before you died, were there any humans who followed you? Think carefully.”Reti replied in a sulky tone, as if even recalling the thought was unpleasant.“No. Humans have always hated me. They always hurt me, tormented me…”“Even before you did anything bad?”“Humans were like that from the start. That’s why I hate them. If they’d given me cookies or candy like you do, I might’ve liked them.”Elsez looked at Reti quietly, surprised by the unusually somber tone.The demon she had always thought of as pure “evil” had actually wanted to get along with humans.Come to think of it, the idea that Reti had been designed to have such a hostile relationship with humans right from the beginning of the game seemed rather pitiful.What does it really mean to be ‘evil’?Maybe “evil” was just a standard humans had created from their own perspective.Then, as if remembering something, Reti suddenly asked,“But when are you going to give me those hundred candies?”“Be patient. That’s why I’m off to earn some money right now.”As Elsez answered, the carriage came to a stop, having reached its destination.Before she could open the door, it swung open from the outside.“Welcome, my lady,” said a butler with a dignified air, bowing courteously to greet her.Thanks to the letter she had sent the day before, the household seemed ready to receive their guest.“Thank you,” Elsez replied briefly, looking up at the enormous mansion before her.It’s gotten even more magnificent since I last saw it.Blinking in surprise at how much the estate had grown in the past three years, Elsez followed the butler inside.This was the Fren Trade Company, run by Viscount Martin Roby’s household.Three years ago, when she was still “Ruel,” she had known someone here well.I wonder if they’ve been doing okay.Even though she wasn’t sure they would recognize her, she followed the butler with an eager heart, excited at the thought of meeting an old friend.But the person waiting for Elsez in the reception room was not who she expected.In the room sat a young woman of her age.“Welcome, Lady Elsez.”Elsez stopped in her tracks, recognizing the face immediately.Tracia…?Tracia Roby.The only granddaughter and sole remaining family member of Martin Roby.When Ruel had first arrived in this world, she had saved Martin from being killed by monsters in the forest.At the time, Ruel was just fourteen and a total novice in the game. Even so, she couldn’t ignore someone in danger and had fought to protect him.Though she hadn’t stood a chance in terms of sheer combat power, she had managed to win by using her game knowledge.Grateful for her courage, Martin had vowed his eternal support.“Even if I perish, as long as the Fren Trade Company exists, I will always aid you and your companions.”He had treated her, a girl young enough to be his granddaughter, as both a savior and a friend, using the honorific “Lady Hero.” True to his word, he had supported Ruel’s journey, offering help both great and small.He had also been committed to helping the disadvantaged, taking the lead in aiding those in need.Ruel had kept in touch with Martin up until the final battle.But now, three years later, Elsez had come to meet Viscount Roby, only to find Tracia instead…One painful possibility crossed her mind, but “Elsez” had no memories of Martin.Composing herself, she spoke up.“Hello, Viscount.”“Please, have a seat.”Tracia gestured politely for Elsez to sit, wearing a businesslike smile.Elsez looked at her with some surprise.During her previous visits to the Roby household, she had often run into Tracia. Though familiar with her face, she also remembered Tracia’s aloof personality.Tracia had always been blunt with Ruel.“I don’t like this, so just eat it or throw it away, I don’t care.”Looking at the current Tracia, who seemed like a completely different person, Elsez stifled a wry smile.So it really was just me she didn’t like.A maid entered, placing tea before the two of them before leaving quietly.Tracia took a sip of tea to wet her throat and was the first to speak.“So, what brings you to me?”“I’m here to propose a deal with the Fren Trade Company,” Elsez replied.Tracia’s green eyes narrowed slightly as she studied her visitor.Elsez understood the meaning behind that gaze.The night before, Elsez had sent a letter to the head of the Fren Trade Company, introducing herself by her noble title. While she kept her status hidden when working with the guild to avoid unnecessary complications, she knew it would be advantageous when dealing with the head of the Fren Trade Company.The reason Tracia had agreed to meet a stranger was because Elsez was a noble—specifically, the fiancée of the Duke of Rittenhouse.The Tezette family must be using me as a shield to avoid a marriage alliance with the Imperial Princess. If that’s the case, I should take full advantage of my position while I can.However, Elsez’s father had a poor reputation for amassing debts under the guise of business ventures, and Tracia was clearly suspicious that Elsez might follow in his footsteps.“What kind of deal are you looking for?”Elsez reached into her inventory and placed several items on the table: the slime residue from Mamarung, the core extracted from a tree monster they had battled the day before, and its branches and roots.“I’d like to sell monster by-products to the Fren Trade Company moving forward.”The guild often issued quests for monster or beast materials, but those requests were usually for individuals needing small amounts urgently. Such clients often paid between 1.5 to 10 times the market price—though the latter was exceedingly rare.However, the requested quantities were often so small that any surplus materials had to be sold to merchants before they spoiled.To ensure a steady flow of income, it was prudent to establish a trade agreement with a merchant group like the Fren Company.Tracia, surprised, widened her eyes as she examined the materials. All of them were of monster-grade quality.“You… caught all of these yourself?”“Yes,” Elsez replied.“I hadn’t heard that you were such a skilled fighter.”“I didn’t realize it myself, but it turns out I have a knack for it,” Elsez answered with a casual lie, lifting her teacup as if the claim were no big deal.Having lied once before, she now found it surprisingly easy to make it sound like the truth.Tracia inspected the materials for a moment before speaking with a slightly troubled expression.“But we already have many suppliers, so it might be difficult to increase our purchase volume.”Having been groomed as the heir to the trade company since birth, Tracia was a natural businesswoman.She understood that in negotiations, the more desperate side often ended up paying a higher price. So even when she saw valuable goods before her, she feigned indifference to gain leverage.But this strategy only worked when the other party was unaware of the market dynamics.“Monster-grade materials are in high demand due to the difficulty of acquisition,” Elsez pointed out calmly.Tracia likely had many guild members supplying her already, but guild members capable of soloing monsters were incredibly rare.Those who can manage such feats have already moved on to higher-level hunting grounds, where mid- to high-tier monsters are more profitable and yield premium crafting materials.The remaining guild members would only hunt monsters by forming temporary parties for guild quests, leaving little surplus for merchants to purchase.“In particular, the materials from lower-tier monsters near the capital are even harder to come by.”In short, Elsez was one of the few skilled enough to provide a steady supply of monster-grade materials in the capital area.“So, to summarize…”Elsez set her teacup down and fixed her gaze on Tracia.“I chose the Fren Trade Company as my partner and supplier.”Her confident orange-gold eyes sparkled as she smiled, radiating assurance.Tracia blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard.I thought she was just another clueless noblewoman, but she knows the market situation well.The fact that she understood potion-making ingredients also suggested she had some knowledge of magic.And her ability to hunt monsters clearly indicated she was a seasoned combatant.Having a steady supplier of monster-grade materials would be beneficial—even profitable—for the Fren Trade Company.Tracia began to feel a pang of guilt for underestimating Elsez, relying solely on rumors about her father’s debts.But at the same time, she couldn’t shake a sense of irritation.Why does she remind me of that insufferable woman?The one who always acted so composed and dignified, only to save the world and leave without a word—her old rival.