“It’s the first time we’re going out!”
“Yes, we always stayed close to the capital!”
“I see. So, this trip makes you a bit nervous.”
As we traveled in the carriage and stopped at an inn for dinner on the way to the relay point, we were having a conversation.
Apparently, for them, this kind of request is completely new.
Considering that I wouldn’t normally entrust a distant task to a C-rank party, it’s understandable.
“Yes, nervous!”
“That’s right!”
“Haha. You seem to be enjoying it, that’s good.”
Watching them, I felt a hint of nostalgia for the old times.
The early days of my former party, over ten years ago.
It was when we were a D-rank party, I believe.
We used to have cheerful and friendly conversations like this.
Well, soon my comrades grew up and that atmosphere disappeared.
“By the way, did you used to belong to an adventurer party in the past, Kyle-san?”
“Oh, so you knew about that?”
“Yes! I’m a big fan of yours!”
I felt like they had uncovered my thoughts, and I was slightly surprised.
But, truly, my fans are amazing, they know everything.
“From the rumors, it seemed like you quickly retired from the party, any particular reason for that?”
“No, no, I didn’t retire… I was expelled.”
“Expelled?! Kyle-san?”
“It can’t be!”
“It’s not a joke. In the end, I was expelled for being weak.”
The truth is, I can’t complain. I was definitely weak back then.
“I also heard that you worked in the rear guard of the party.”
“Eh? Is that information circulating too?”
“Yes, I heard it from someone in the guild.”
Although I thought the tasks I performed in the rear guard were secret and no one knew.
Could it be that someone in the guild was observing me?
It’s really hard to keep something a secret.
“So the party disbanded after you left… I see.”
“Disbanded…? What exactly happened?”
“Yes. The party you joined disbanded shortly after you left. The reason was that the party stopped functioning properly.”
“What? Really?”
I remember the party moved from the capital to the Duke’s territory for a high-value request.
How could it disband if everything seemed to be going well?
“The guild also believes that the party disbanded because of your departure, Kyle.”
“My departure…? It can’t be. There must be some mistake.”
I certainly believe I contributed a bit, but I don’t think my leaving was the main reason for the disbandment.
“I was just doing my job as usual.”
“…Kyle’s normalcy. What do you think, Elisa?”
“…I think you were doing more than normal, definitely.”
That’s right.”
“That doesn’t make sense… Anyway, first and foremost, let’s eat. Tomorrow we’ll be at Count Rieton’s territory. If we’re not well prepared, we might make a mistake.”
“Yes!”
“Of course! We’ll eat heartily!”
“Don’t stop! It’s my treat!”
“Understood!”
“Let’s eat with pleasure!”
Phew!
So, was my departure really the cause of the party’s disbandment?
How strange and mysterious the world is.
What is he doing right now? That leader who expelled me.
Well, it’s pointless to keep thinking about that.
He’s probably doing fine somewhere.
