I Was the Scout for the Hero’s Party

Although I had left my original map with the party, my group with Lady Alexis headed toward Quiln, moving quickly based on a copy of the map I had previously recorded.

We avoided places where enemies might be lying in ambush and predicted their routes by tracking monster traces like werewolf footprints. As a result, we safely reached Quiln after 8 days.

Though we arrived later than expected because our pace slowed due to the increased group size, it was fortunate that we didn’t go hungry thanks to the ample supplies we’d taken from the supply wagon.

“Due to the Demon King’s army camped in Merden Forest, only those with verified identities may enter!”

We approached the gate where carriages and merchants were lined up, and thanks to Lady Alexis vouching for our identities, we were able to quickly enter the city.

“Lady Alexis, thanks to you, we’ve arrived safely in Quiln. Thank you.”

“N-No… I’m the one who should thank you, Sir Austin. You saved my life. I swear on my family name that I will repay this debt.”

As we exchanged thanks in the warm atmosphere, Lady Alexis mumbled and hesitated to continue speaking.

“…Is there something you’d like to say…?”

“Ah… Um, what are Sir Austin’s plans from here?”

“Hmm……”

Though I’d love to rush straight to the magic tower and take a gate to the capital, in the current wartime situation, the gates at the magic tower, which consume massive amounts of mana, are restricted to a limited number of verified individuals.

If I were still with the hero’s party, they would have opened the gate for me immediately without any problems, but it would be difficult to use the gate to go to the capital on my own.

Normally, I would have to wait a few days until receiving a gate use permit from the Metelheim Academy’s Chancellor who would have received my previously sent magic letter, but with Lady Alexis, the situation changes.

As the bustling market street came into view and the sounds of money changing hands reached my ears, I finally asked Lady Alexis:

“Do you plan to return to the capital, my lady?”

“Ah… Yes! I came to the front lines to gain some final practical experience during my vacation before graduating from the academy… With graduation approaching, I need to return to the capital soon.”

“…Are you perhaps studying at Metelheim Academy…?”

“Yes. I’m in my third year!”

This makes things easier.

“If it’s not too presumptuous, may I accompany you to the capital? As it happens, I need to go there as well…”

“Yes! I would feel much more secure with Sir Austin accompanying me.”

Good. This should solve any problems with using the gate.

“Then, when do you plan to use the gate?”

“I was planning to find an inn for tonight, then repair our equipment tomorrow before returning to the capital, but… actually, the atmosphere at the magic tower has been rather tense lately. They’re being stingy with gate permits, saying they need to conserve even a little mana for upcoming battles…. Sir Austin? Are you alright? You’re sweating profusely…”

“……..”

“S-Sir Austin…?”

Despite Lady Alexis calling me, I couldn’t speak.
During our conversation, I had absentmindedly turned my gaze and caught sight of a familiar black ponytail and other recognizable figures.

…How did they get out of the forest already?
No. It’s not that these women escaped the forest quickly.
It’s that I arrived late, three days later than expected.

“…Oh fuck.”

“Sir Austin…?”

“…Ah. It’s nothing. Haha… Let’s hurry to the inn!”

“But I need to report to my superiors first…”

“Ah, then I’ll go ahead and secure lodgings! I know which inns are good!”

“Very well…”

After quickly informing her of the inn’s location where we would stay and seeing Lady Alexis off, I left the spot with hurried steps.

“Shit… goddammit… Of all places to see them… Why are they here?”

Why was the hero’s party in Quiln when they should be confronting the 7th Legion Commander Argyle the Puppet, who commands the Demon King’s 7th Legion currently in the forest?

“Damn it… If we meet, it won’t end well.”

Having witnessed the hero’s temperament for a long time, I could roughly guess how angry she would be at me for abandoning them without a word.

Still, if we do happen to meet, I’ll respond with complete indifference.
Even if they beg me to return to the party, I’ll coldly reject them.

I shuddered at the sudden chill that seemed to run through my body as I headed toward the inn.

“…Found him.”

Unaware of the gaze of a certain cat-eared mage who was twitching her ears and watching the direction I had gone.

After arriving at the inn and immediately securing a room each for Lady Alexis and myself, I took out a small whetstone from my bag and began working on my short sword, which had become slightly dull.

With a scraping sound, the traces of battle gradually peeled away, revealing once more the sharp blade of the high-metal short sword. Looking at it, I lost track of time.

The sound of sharpening a blade always seems to calm my mind.

“Phew… This is healing. Damn, this feels so good.”

Although I nearly had an “unfortunate incident” just now, it doesn’t really matter to me since I plan to leave for the capital via gate tomorrow anyway.

What Lady Alexis said at the market earlier does worry me a bit… but what could possibly happen?
As long as I’m careful not to run into the hero and her hangers-on, there won’t be any problems.

…Come to think of it, why am I afraid?
From my position as someone who’s already left the party, it’s none of my business whether they’re cooking rice or porridge.

If I had left the party because of my own mistakes, I’d have nothing to say, but this issue arose entirely due to how they treated me.
When they treat a companion who should have their back like a slave, anyone who endures such mistreatment to the end is either not human or has that kind of sexual preference.

Even if I meet them again, I’m prepared to coldly reject them.

As I was lost in all sorts of random thoughts, eventually drifting to what I should eat for dinner while trying to straighten bent bolts, I heard a knock on the door along with Lady Alexis’s voice.

-Knock Knock

“Sir Austin. Do you have a moment?”

“Yes, I’m coming.”

After looking at the well-sharpened edge of my short sword with satisfaction, I sheathed it, put down the bolts, and walked to the door.

Opening the door widely, I found Lady Alexis, who had already removed her heavy armor and was dressed in light attire.

“Um… I noticed you haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Ah… I lost track of time while maintaining my weapons. I apologize.”

“No, it’s fine. If it’s not too presumptuous… would you like to have dinner together?”

“Yes. That would be fine. Shall we go right away? I know a good place.”

Chatting with Lady Alexis, we left the now-crowded inn during the dinner hour and began walking toward a restaurant.

“Do you know much about Metelheim Academy, my lady?”

“Of course. It’s the academy I attend, so wouldn’t it be strange if I didn’t know about it?”

“Ah… I momentarily forgot. When I maintain weapons, my mind tends to wander…”

As we gradually became absorbed in various small talk, we arrived at the restaurant, went inside, secured a table, and ordered food.

“Sir Austin, may I ask… under what circumstances did you leave the party where the Hero was?”

“Ahaha… Well, this isn’t exactly a cheerful topic. Let’s just say there was some friction between me and the party members.”

No matter what anyone says, they are still the hero’s party destined to save the world.
If I, a former party member, were to spread negative facts about such a party, while it might be satisfying revenge for me, lowering the hero party’s credibility wouldn’t be good.

Besides, they do properly behave like heroes in front of others, unlike with me. Even if I spoke out, few would believe me.

Sensing that she had touched on a sensitive topic, Lady Alexis became less talkative than before, and we couldn’t hide the somewhat awkward atmosphere until the food arrived.

Thinking the meal would give me indigestion in this atmosphere, I spoke while waiting for the food.

“Um… my lady. If it’s not too much trouble, could we use the gate as early as possible tomorrow? I have some urgent business in the capital.”

“Ah… I understand. As soon as we wake up early tomorrow morning, we’ll head to the magic tower.”

That’s right. I should quickly relegate all those unpleasant memories from the hero’s party to the distant past and start a new life.

Although I don’t know what disadvantages might come from leaving the party on my own…
I’m well aware of how irresponsible it is to leave the party at my discretion without defeating the Demon King.

But what pushed me to my limit wasn’t the Demon King’s legion commanders or the endless hordes of monsters—it was my fellow party members and the hero.

They’ll manage just fine. They even said they didn’t need me…
I’ll use this opportunity to rest comfortably and go on trips I’ve wanted to take.

After enjoying our dinner, we retraced our steps back to the inn.

“Well then, Lady Alexis. Have a pleasant night.”

“Ah… Yes! You too, Sir Austin.”

After exchanging these conventional pleasantries, I returned to my room and immediately began checking my equipment and packing to make it convenient for an early departure to the magic tower tomorrow.

“Bolts… I should buy more when I get to the capital. The crossbow… still in good condition. The string is still taut too…”

By the way, I wonder how that instructor will react when I return to the capital.

Lost in various thoughts, I had finished packing, taken a bath, and was just opening the bathroom door when—

-Knock Knock

At the sound of someone knocking, I turned my gaze toward the room door while rubbing my hair with a towel.

Did Lady Alexis forget something?

Without a trace of suspicion, I immediately grabbed the doorknob and opened the door.

“Lady Alexis? Is there something you wanted to say…?”

As the door opened, what appeared before me wasn’t Lady Alexis.

“…Austin. It’s been a while…”

One of the party members who had treated me like a slave and mistreated me miserably, whom I couldn’t help but hate.

Standing at the door was a cat-person mage, her ears twitching as she looked up at me with sparkling eyes.

“….Maya.”

Why are you here?