Then for three days, I concentrated on resting my body. Although my injury was already healed when I woke up, it was ironically painful to remain quiet while in good health, being about to be crushed by boredom. However, since I myself did not understand what happened to my head, there was no choice but to obey.
And then on the fourth day. At last I was allowed to get up, and as if to match me, Alexis’ talks were over, and we were on the road again.
“Haah, this time was quite a disaster. I never thought I would expose such a failure.”
During these three days, Alexis, who hadn’t appeared in front of me even once, leaked such a mutter as if tired. The first to respond to his long-absent voice was Gonzo, who was walking next to Alexis.
“What, did the mayor say something sarcastic to you?”
“No way. This is not about that, this is my own problem. It’s about me letting the rockworm get away.”
“What do you mean ‘let it escape’? Are you doubting my words that I killed it?!”
At Alexis’s words, Rouge glared at his face with a click. But Alexis shakes his head as if he doesn’t care.
“No, that’s not it. You’re the talented person I chose. I don’t doubt your abilities. If you say you killed it, then the rockworm must have surely died.”
“Then, what do you mean?”
“Literally, I let it escape… I mean, we couldn’t recover the corpse. The body of the rockworm… to be precise, its stomach contents, it has quite a value. The original plan was to recover it and use it for the town’s reconstruction fund, but that plan didn’t work out. As a hero, doing an incomplete job is an undeniable failure.”
“That’s… I’m sorry.”
Rouge’s tone weakened immediately. But Alexis, unusually, spoke to her with a gentle voice.
“Don’t worry about it. You did your job well enough. The one who failed is…”
“…I’m sorry.”
My gaze flickered to Alexis, and I answered as if squeezing out. That’s right, at that time, at that place, the only one who couldn’t do his job was me.
There’s no meaning to the words ‘I tried my best’. If there’s no result to go with it, effort ends in mere self-satisfaction.
(Ah, is this it… damn it)
As I grinded my teeth hard, I muttered to myself inside. Surely after this, I will be banished from the Hero’s Party by Alexis as a useless person. Even though it should be a happy thing, one step closer to the goal of returning home which was the initial goal… overwhelming regret welled up inside me.
But to me like that, Alexis threw surprising words.
“I’m sorry, Ed.”
“…huh?”
Alexis’s apology, which I hadn’t expected at all. Why does Alexis apologize to me? Not understanding the reason, I inadvertently asked back with a stupid look.
“Um, what does that mean…?”
“Well, you’re just a porter, right? It’s natural for a porter not to be able to fight, and it’s more strange to order a porter to fight. This is completely my fault. So I apologized.”
“Oh, uh…”
At those words, I felt a shocking sensation as if my chest was gouged out. Certainly, I was accompanying the Hero’s Party as a ‘porter’ to the end. And the combat power required of a porter was only enough if he could defend himself. It’s not a power that can confront a huge beast like a rockworm.
What Alexis said was right. It’s right, but… what’s this feeling?
“It seems that I had unconsciously been seeing you as more than just a porter. But rest assured. I will not make the same mistake again. I promise not to demand more than a porter’s job from you.”
“…”
At those words, I clenched my fists. Feeling the pain of my nails digging in, I slowly looked at everyone’s faces.
Looking at Alexis’ expression, there was no hint that he was looking down on me. Of course, this proposal was because he was being considerate of me, not out of malice. Exposing everyone’s life to danger by assigning a job above one’s abilities to the one without abilities. It’s an earnest proposal that ensures to acknowledge the failure and not repeat it.
Gonzo’s expression remained unchanged. Without getting angry or laughing, he just stared straight at me. No matter what answer I give, he will probably affirm it.
And then Rouge…
“What is it?”
“No…”
Rouge snorted in boredom as she met my gaze.
“Hmm. I don’t know what you’re worrying about, but you should do as you like, right, Ed?”
“Do as I like, huh… haha, that’s true.”
At first glance, it may seem like she’s pushing me away with her words. But to me, it felt like she was pushing my back, saying “you should do what you want.” Ah, that’s right. I had finally gotten to a point where she could call me by my name. So it would be a waste to give up now, acting weak.
“Yuusha-sama… indeed, I joined the party as a porter, but could you also recognize me as a swordsman from now on?”
“Hmm? Does that mean you don’t like my judgment?”
“That’s correct.”
Against Alexis’s words, which I would usually obey without a word, I clearly deny. Then, Alexis raised his well-shaped eyebrows and looked at me… but I continued speaking without caring.
“Certainly, I was pathetic the other day. But that’s why, I will become stronger in the future. So…”
“Ha! What kind of talk is this? Isn’t that overly presumptuous? Can an ordinary person like you become the same as us with just a bit of effort?”
“I will!”
Strongly, I declared with conviction. The words spoken out loud will not disappear. So, if I declare it out loud, that determination will become a wedge driven into the world.
“It’s not about whether I can or can’t, I will. Someday for sure… no, definitely within not so long. During the journey to defeat the Demon King, I will absolutely… I will show you that I can become a real comrade!”
Inside me, I felt as if something had cracked. Things that were supposed to be important crumbled and fell apart. But strangely enough, I didn’t feel bad. On the other side of the broken shell, I felt like something truly important, unlike the flashy facades, was smiling at me.
Of course, I still want to go home. But I should complete what I have to do before going back. Not running away, but finishing and then returning. After everything is over, after becoming truly ‘used up’ and getting expelled. That’s the path I choose. It’s not imposed on me by someone, it’s my way of life!
“Hoho, good resolve! Then I’ll give you a more severe training than before!”
“It might be impossible for you to match me, but if it’s you, you might be able to catch up at least a little. Do your best as an ordinary person can, Ed.”
At my resolve, Gonzo posed with a broad smile emphasizing his muscles, and Rouge, with a sarcastic smile, cheered for me.
“…Hmm, is that so. Then I have one thing to say. There’s no second chance… don’t betray my expectations, okay?”
“Yes!”
I responded energetically to Alexis, who seemed to be in a good mood for some reason.
I’ll have them acknowledge me not with a strange power given by an incomprehensible being, but with my own strength. Looking up at the sky, I felt a new hope budding in me, even though the journey was already halfway through.
The early morning sky was infinitely blue, and the sun was shining as bright as it could. The green leaves, bathed in that light, were as beautiful as jade. (T/N: Sneaky author)