Chapter 32 - Unexpected Visitor (1/2)

—Raust—

「……… Raust, there is something I need to tell you.」

「Why…… are you here…?」

Two days after I fought against Wolf of Calamity, Margulus, the leader of Sword of Lightning suddenly came to talk to me.

Margulus and Sarveria seemed to wait in the adventurer guild and only appeared when Narsena was away.

Narsena and I came to the adventurer guild for the post-processing of the case with Wolf of Calamity, I felt refreshed now that it was over.

…… However, that feeling disappeared as Margulus and Sarveria showed up and I frowned involuntarily.

I knew that two days ago, Sword of Lightning was stripped of its benefits of being a first-class party by a guild’s agent.

That was why, now that Margulus and Sarveria showed up again, I felt bitter.

When I was in Sword of Lightning, Margulus and Sarveria were being violent to vent their anger when there was something wrong to me.

And I thought the reason for them to show up now might be related to that.

「Please forgive me for all what I’ve done to you until now.」

「Please, I’m sorry.」

「…………What?」

That was why I couldn’t hide my confusion when Margulus and Sarveria suddenly bowed their head to me.

However, they didn’t notice my confusion and continue talking with their head still lowered.

「You might already know, but Sword of Lightning has been demoted from its first-class status…… We’re aware that we just reap what we sow. After all, we banished the person who was the ace of the party.」

「… We’re really sorry, Raust, we were not aware at all how much work you did for our party.」

I couldn’t hide my confusion from Margulus and Sarveria’s apologies.

After all, what they said were the words I was looking for all this time.

… That was why, for Margulus and Sarveria to conveniently came up with those words, it just fueled my distrust.

「Really, you might think we’re being shameless for showing our face like this, but there is something we must tell you even if you think so. You’re about to be attacked by some adventurers because you defeat Wolf of Calamity! That’s why…… how about you enter Sword of Lightning again so we can protect you?」

「Sword of Lightning might not be a first-class party anymore, but we’re known to some extent. So, if you enter Sword of Lightning again, those adventurers might hesitate to attack, and even if they attack anyway, we can fight together.」

「T-Thank you.」

But, seeing their expression that looked sincere as they told me so with a worrying expression, I said my gratitude.

It doesn’t mean I can trust them, but I probably can think of them not as an enemy for now, or so I decided.

「But, I have a companion I can rely on. So, it will be alright, you don’t need to worry.」

「……Huh?」

But, regardless of whether I felt animosity toward Margulus and Sarveria or not, I never intended to re-enter Sword of Lightning.

——— That was because I didn’t regard those adventurers that would attack me as a threat.

Seeing we defeated Wolf of Calamity, maybe they were afraid we would attack them, or maybe they couldn’t accept the fact that someone who was regarded a defect had that kind of ability, but Narsena was aware there were some adventurers that would attack us.

Even so, if it was just your usual adventurers, then, just Narsena and I could handle them just fine.

That wasn’t just a self-confidence either, it was our conviction.

Hence why, there was no need for me to accept Margulus and Sarveria’s proposal at all.

「Hey, wait a minute.」

「Hmm?」

…… Yet, my reassuring words made their face turned blue instead.

And then, they opened their mouth in a state that looked, frantic.

「Raust, your party member must be a woman who is just trying to use you. Sorry, but I must say this, immediately break your party and then Sword of Lightning will……」

「What?」

Margulus tried desperately to persuade me to return to Sword of Lightning.

But his persuasion only had a reverse effect.

After all, my distrust to them had turned into clear hostility.

「R-Raust?」

With my atmosphere that was clearly changed, Margulus’ face turned pale.

Knowing my relationship with Margulus up till now, this was an impossible sight.

Even so, that was a trivial matter to me now.

Moved by my anger, I opened my mouth.

「I haven’t regarded Sword of Lightning as my enemy.」

「Then…」

Trace of hope showed up on his face.