How To Leave The Hero Party- Chapter 6

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

The room prepared for me was quite nice. More like a small apartment than a room, really.

I sat down in the lavishly decorated room, admiring the luxurious carpet and ornate furnishings, and raised the Teleportation Ring.

The red gem at the center of the black ring emitted a soft glow, a testament to its magical power.

Perhaps because it was obtained through an achievement, it seemed usable even within the palace, where magic interference was typically active.

After confirming the ring’s functionality, I checked my remaining achievements.

The “Now I’m an S-Rank Adventurer” quest, currently in progress, still had a long way to go.

In the game, it was just a few mouse clicks, but in reality, it was a massive time sink.

Factoring in waiting times and travel, it was…

Truly dreadful.

But I couldn’t just ignore it. I needed to optimize my route to overlap with other achievements as much as possible…

“And…”

I opened my schedule.

One achievement, related to attending festivals and events in various towns, caught my eye.

Those words brought back a memory.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“A festival?”

We had defeated the Demon King’s third subordinate.

The Doppelganger King, a powerful entity possessing a kingdom noble and transforming people into undead, had been a tough opponent.

But we had managed to defeat it using the Mirror of Truth obtained from the Nightmare Cave.

With no sign of the Demon King’s next subordinate, the Hero’s Party finally had a chance to relax in the capital. I used this opportunity to prepare for achievement hunting.

“Hmm… Are you sure it’s alright for us to attend the festival…?”

Claire looked at me hesitantly, then nodded slightly.

“What about Tia and Eva?”

“Leventia said she has to return to the Knight Order for official summer training, and Evangeline doesn’t like crowded places.”

“Really? So, it’s just the two of us?”

“That’s right.”

“A- Ahem. Are you sure you’re okay with this? You must be tired. Do you have anything else to do?”

Me?

Of course, I was fine.

Even though we were in the middle of the main storyline, I needed to unlock achievable achievements as quickly as possible.

Especially the royal capital’s summer and winter festivals, which were only available for a limited time.

Her sun-like eyes crinkled in a smile. Claire folded her arms, shook her head playfully, then giggled and flopped onto the bed.

“Aaah~ But I’m tired, and I want to sleep…”

“Really? Then rest.”

I’d just grab someone else. I didn’t need to take these guys to the festival for the achievement.

No need to force someone who didn’t want to go.

“Wah! W- Wait! Sorry! Sorry! Let me come with! Please?!”

Claire, who had been grinning like a Cheshire cat just moments ago, grabbed the hem of my robe. Looking at her flustered expression, I shrugged.

She was going to come anyway.

The royal capital held festivals every summer and winter.

One of them was the Summer Waterway Festival, utilizing the river that flowed through the heart of the city to combat the summer heat.

In the game, it was just an event to showcase the female characters in swimsuits.

But attending this event twice and enjoying it properly was also an achievement, so I had to do it.

Standing at the entrance to the festival grounds by the river, I was lost in thought, contemplating achievable achievements during the main storyline,

When I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Did you wait long?”

Murmurs and gasps rippled through the crowd around us.

It was understandable.

Her golden hair shimmered in the warm sunlight.

With her beautiful, slender face and sun-like eyes, she outshone everyone present.

She wore a sleeveless dress that fell just above her knees, and instead of her usual boots, she wore white sandals that complemented her pale skin, her bare feet exposed.

Claire Rayfield, just like in the game, was a radiant beauty, full of life.

“Hehe.”

“Isn’t that a bit much?”

Claire possessed a stunning figure and beautiful features that would turn heads, but she was still a country girl at heart.

Even slightly revealing armor made her blush. This outfit, which exposed her arms, underarms, and flashed glimpses of her white thighs with every movement, was quite daring for her.

So, when I asked, she blushed slightly.

“I- I’m the Hero.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I’m being brave!”

“Really? Well, it suits you.”

She was clearly fishing for compliments, so I obliged.

To unlock this achievement, I had to participate in all the minigames and visit every shop during the festival.

There was no point in wasting time on pointless arguments.

“O- Oh~. Hyun-woo, you have good taste. I dressed up specially for today. You should feel honored.”

Flustered by my compliment, she puffed up her chest and playfully punched my shoulder, grinning.

“Let’s go. We have a lot to do.”

“Okay!”

Claire smiled,

Radiating pure joy.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

It had been for an achievement, but honestly, it had been quite fun back then.

A thing of the past now.

Now, who should I go with this year?

I reviewed the other achievements alongside the “Summer Festival Two-Time Champion” one, re-evaluating my blueprint for the future. Nothing was significantly off track.

Some things were easier than expected, others harder, but it was all within the margin of error.

Barring any major issues, I should be able to complete all the achievements within a year or two.

Yes.

Barring any major issues.

–Knock, knock.

A knock echoed on the door. I granted permission to enter, and the Head Maid opened the door respectfully. She bowed her head politely, just as she had when she’d arrived, and spoke in a calm tone.

“Her Majesty requests your presence.”

“Is that so?”

If the Queen summoned me, I had to go.

I followed the Head Maid outside and noticed a commotion in the hallway.

“What’s going on?”

“General Leoden has returned to the royal capital.”

General Leoden was a named NPC in the game. A renowned general who led the war against the monsters, and a loyal servant of the Queen.

He was somewhat rigid, but a capable man who knew his duties.

The fact that he was here, during the main storyline…

“Wait, are Claire, Leventia, and Evangeline here too?”

“I believe only the Hero has returned today.”

“I see.”

I had expected it, but the thought of seeing them again didn’t sting. I felt nothing but indifference.

However, the Head Maid’s expression darkened, perhaps aware of my history with the Hero’s Party. Did she think I would run away to avoid them?

Why would I run? I hadn’t committed any crime.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The path to the throne room wasn’t crowded. Most of the staff were busy welcoming General Leoden and the Hero.

So, after minimal checks, we waited outside the throne room.

–Clank! Clank!

The heavy sound of plate armor approached. I turned and saw her.

Pale.

Eyes wide.

Hands and feet trembling, a golden-haired beauty completely at a loss.

“…Hyun…woo?”

Her voice, once beautiful, was now hoarse as she called my name. Claire took a step forward. She seemed unable to comprehend whether this was a dream or reality. As she tried to approach me, a large, grizzled veteran with a bushy beard raised his arm, blocking her path.

“The audience is about to begin.”

“I- I finally found you! I finally found you! Hyun-woo!! But! But it’s Hyun-woo!! Hyun-woo is right there!!!”

“Later. What’s important now is…”

–Creak

“…Don’t stop me. I… I need to…”

“Her Majesty the Queen has arrived!! Everyone, enter!”

“I don’t care…!!”

“Shh.”

I put a finger to my lips, and Claire, who had looked ready to draw her weapon and attack anyone who stood in her way, froze. She stared at me blankly, then lowered her head slightly. General Leoden gave me a grateful nod.

Grateful for what?

We were just helping each other out.

He had helped me quite a bit in the past, too.

I averted my gaze and calmly entered the throne room, followed by General Leoden and Claire.

I could feel Claire’s gaze burning into the back of my head.

“You’ve worked hard, General Leoden.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“No. You have nothing to apologize for.”

The Queen sat on her throne, her posture arrogant, her gaze cold as she looked down at us. Even though her daughter, Princess Lucille Ermeier, sat beside her, seemingly intimidated by her presence, the Queen maintained her usual haughtiness.

“Hero. Reports indicate that the captain of my Knights, Leventia Shuma, my sword and shield, has been causing quite a bit of trouble on the battlefield. Is this true?”

Huh? Really?

This was news to me.

“Excessively brutal slaughter of monsters, refusal of healing, routinely pushing away priests who attempt to heal her… There have also been several instances of insubordination… and she’s neglecting proper rest…”

“Th- That’s…”

“I allowed her to remain with the Hero’s Party instead of returning to the Knight Order because that’s what she wanted… Hero, are you unable to control your party members?”

Claire bit her lip, then glanced at me. What was I supposed to do about it?

“…It is my fault for being inadequate.”

“Is that so? Such incidents, never seen before during your journey to defeat the Demon King, have been occurring frequently since his demise. The Elven Archer, Evangeline Rootwiche… She refuses all communication and shuts herself in her tent after battles, refusing to come out.”

“……”

“And apparently, she’s mentally unstable… muttering about someone being beside her when there’s no one there.”

“…That’s…”

“She becomes hostile when approached for healing and sometimes wanders off alone on the battlefield, searching for something. There haven’t been any major incidents yet, but…”

The Queen calmly finished reading the report and asked,

“Is all of this true?”

Claire nodded slightly, her pale face drained of color.

“Sage. You were once a member of the Hero’s Party.”

“I wasn’t an official member. I merely accompanied them.”

“Is that so? Then, what do you think is the reason for the change in the Hero’s Party members’ behavior, considering they were fine when you were supporting them?”

I replied,

My displeasure evident.

“It seems to me that Your Majesty already knows…”

“I have a general idea.”

“Then why ask? There are many other matters that require Your Majesty’s attention.”

The officials around us frowned, displeased with my warning to mind her own business and not cross the line.

But she was the one who started with the unpleasant questions.

And what could they do to me even if I answered this way?

I wasn’t the Queen’s subject, just a contract worker.

They could fire me if they wanted.

At my response, the Queen tapped her long fingers on the armrest of her throne, chuckled, and nodded. Her tone softened considerably.

It was her way of apologizing.

“…Hmm. You’re right about that. I apologize for the personal questions. Then, considering the Hero’s Party was functioning well when you were supporting them, and isn’t now… could you support them again?”

Claire’s expression brightened momentarily, then fell again. Then, her eyes sparkled, and she sighed.

Glancing at her complex expression, I shook my head.

“I refuse.”

“Why?”

“I have more important matters to attend to.”

At my answer, the Hero’s beautiful face crumpled as if she were about to cry.

After a few more questions and answers, the audience concluded. General Leoden, who had been holding Claire back from approaching me, sighed and glanced at me hesitantly.

I nodded, and he excused himself. Claire fidgeted nervously.

Like a frightened cat unsure what to do.

Like a scolded puppy with its tail between its legs.

Now that we were alone, she seemed unable to speak, a stark contrast to her earlier eagerness.

I looked at her. Meeting my gaze, Claire forced a smile.

That awkward, unsure smile was very similar to the ones she used to give me after Leventia and Evangeline’s tirades, unsure what to say.

But it was fleeting.

Claire’s expression shifted to one of visible embarrassment, and she quickly lowered her head.

“S- Sorry… for… smiling at you… without permission…”

I hadn’t even said anything yet?!

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇