Chapter 65
Chapter 65
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: 13. Division (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kaily spoke curtly to Gustav, who had come looking for her.
"Get lost."
"...Pardon?"
"Don't be a nuisance and get lost. If I have to tell you again, I'll make you."
"N-No...! My apologies!"
Gustav fled in a panic.
"Tch."
Kaily leaned back in her chair, looking down at the invitation.
A deep sigh escaped her naturally.
She had no idea what to do going forward.
As much as she hated to admit it, she had no choice.
The 1st Hero Party had fallen apart since Ian left.
Penny's intel and future moves would make a big difference, but she somehow doubted it.
'What should I do...'
With Sylvia joining them and the four traveling together, no one else had gotten hurt.
But ever since that last fight, they were in a cold war.
Aria's condition was especially poor.
She fretted every moment about getting hurt again, and even though her wounds had fully healed, she kept casting healing miracles on herself.
In bad spells, she'd claim nonexistent injuries and hunt for potions.
She was now in the early stages of potion dependency.
"...Heh heh. Who was worrying about whom?"
Kaily let out a feeble laugh and reached for the wine bottle on the table.
It was far too expensive for mere drunkenness.
No matter. Kaily popped the cork with her hand and chugged it down.
There was no savoring the taste or aroma.
She let the intoxication take hold without resistance.
Heat soon coursed through her body, her face flushing.
In her dizzy haze, Kaily set the bottle down and leaned back in the chair again.
"Haaah..."
The sweet wine scent on her breath summoned thoughts of Ian.
Whenever she got so drunk she couldn't stand, Kaily always depended on him.
'Carry me.'
Ian would chuckle wryly at her commanding tone every time.
'You sure talk smooth with that slurred tongue.'
'Shut up.'
'What if someone else carries you off like this?'
'Then I'll kill them.'
'Scary.'
Riding on Ian's back, Kaily would mutter to herself nonstop.
'It's a great honor that a weakling like you gets to carry someone as strong as me.'
'Yes, I'm honored.'
'It's also absurd. An impossibility.'
'You're the one who asked for a piggyback.'
'It's the strong's duty to look after the weak... Only in moments like these can you fulfill that pathetic role of yours... I'm giving you the chance.'
'I knew it, but you're really insane.'
'Why are you so damn weak... Why did someone like you have to lead me...'
'How's it feel growing stronger thanks to this weakling?'
'Because of you, I... You should've killed me when you first saw me...'
'Blabbering nonsense again. Just sleep.'
Survival of the fittest.
The law of the jungle.
To Kaily, who lived by the iron rule of strength, Ian's existence was a contradiction that shook the foundations of her life.
"...Fuck."
A daily ritual: drowning in old memories while drunk, only to snap out with disgust.
For her, who could consciously purge intoxication, these days were utterly unpleasant.
Sober one moment, drunk the next.
Such was the current state of the 1st Hero Party, vanguards of the empire.
It wasn't just Kaily.
Since Aria got hurt, everyone had started crumbling in their own ways.
Sylvia was either lost in thought all day, silent, or scribbling in her notebook.
Aria would zone out, then frantically seek potions or complain of pain to the others.
Beatrice, who at least clung to reason, seemed busy in her own way—different from Sylvia.
Contacting someone somewhere, or doing who-knows-what...
'...It's over.'
Kaily admitted the 1st Hero Party was as good as done.
The others wouldn't say it aloud, but they thought the same.
Yet no one could voice it.
They knew each other's strength all too well, despite hating one another.
No four like them could be found anywhere on the continent.
'What the hell should we do...'
Maybe they should split up and hunt the Demon King individually.
Kaily had suggested it a few times back when Ian was around.
Why wait for war?
Just strike first.
But Ian had explained in detail, as if he'd seen the Demon King's army himself.
Even the empire's current forces, let alone the 1st Hero Party, weren't enough.
To Kaily, that was as good as saying she was weak, so she tuned it out.
She didn't even ask how he knew so much.
'Can't rule out he was just chickening out, the coward.'
Still, too many things nagged at her to dismiss Ian's insight.
"What a load of bullshit..."
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
In the end, all they could do was wait for Penny.
'If that bitch brings back nothing...'
She vowed once more to make her pay dearly.
And then, it would truly be over.
'...Guess I'll have to do it alone after all.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The day before departing for Count Fioreene's territory in the continent's east.
Helena was receiving a massage from Mercy after a light morning training session.
Vivian, whose massage had finished first, sat at the desk reading a magic book.
[Mastering Magic in One Volume (Includes Geometry and Natural Science Basics)]
She still hadn't grasped even ten pages of that intimidating tome, judging by the title alone.
As Vivian battled the book and Helena her massage, someone knocked.
-Are you in?
It was Iris's voice.
None of the four inside could fathom why she'd come, so they exchanged glances.
"It's open, dear."
No one saw reason to refuse, so Mercy replied.
Iris entered cautiously.
She'd mostly only talked to Ian, and her business was usually with him alone.
The room filled with awkward air.
Mercy broke the ice first.
"I thought you were leaving this evening. All prepared? Not running late?"
"Ah, yes. Not much luggage, so even a late start is fine."
"Good, good. Off to report results? Coming back to us after?"
"Probably, unless something comes up."
Mercy had a subtle way of talking down to most people.
Yet no one called her out or took offense.
Partly because elves were rare yet little-known, but mainly because Mercy exuded a soothing aura.
"I heard you're all leaving soon too. When will you return?"
"Hmm... Ask Ian about that. Shall we go together?"
"N-No, it's fine. I, uh, well..."
She seemed to have more to say.
Specifically to Vivian.
Iris glanced awkwardly, then spotted the book Vivian was reading.
"Oh!"
She approached, eyes lighting up as she scanned it fondly.
"Wow, it's been ages. You have great taste—spotting a good book."
"Eh...?"
"The Imperial Magic Corps lists this as required reading first and foremost."
"Ah... Ian picked it, so I'm not sure..."
"I see. Quite extraordinary. Got opinions on magic theory too...?"
Iris peered at the open page intently.
She quickly realized.
Vivian hadn't made much progress.
A peek at her face confirmed it: embarrassed, likely struggling with the difficulty.
'This is it...!'
Iris had come hoping to spark Vivian's talent but wasn't sure how.
Now, a chance to help had appeared.
"Ahem. Tough book, huh?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"I can help. What's tripping you up?"
"Really?! Well, um, you see..."
Vivian shyly flipped back to the first page.
Iris explained patiently, gauging her level.
The verdict?
'...She knows absolutely nothing.'
Astonishing.
A mage with zero magic knowledge, yet her computation speed was that fast.
'Incredible affinity. Intuitive genius...'
Without knowing No Casting, it was the only explanation.
'What if she gains theoretical knowledge too?'
Curiosity as a scholar outweighed mage's envy.
Iris explained simply, step by step, matching Vivian's level.
And Vivian, amazingly, started to 'understand'.
She'd studied with Ian's guidance, but Iris's teaching was different.
Iris was more versed in magic theory, so it made sense.
"Ah, aah! That's it! Yeah, got it!"
Vivian marveled at the revelation—and Iris's skill.
Knowing something well and teaching it were worlds apart.
Iris excelled at both.
Under Vivian's praise, Iris's shoulders rose proudly.
Even after Iris left that evening, Vivian kept studying.
Ian watched her burning enthusiasm and asked Mercy.
"...Something happen?"
"Mm-hmm. Iris dropped by to teach. I didn't follow much myself."
"Hmm. Alright."
Ian silently thanked the absent Iris.
No clue how effective, but Vivian's magic had surely grown stronger.
"We're off tomorrow, but I have some regrettable news."
Ian announced at the full-group gathering.
"As I mentioned before, we're heading to Count Fioreene's territory in the continent's east. It'll take time... so we'll clear a couple E-rank dungeons en route."
Pure travel was wasteful.
Time till the duel tournament allowed real combat experience for the pair.
Meaning less rest than planned.
"I've scheduled generously to avoid fatigue, but I'm sorry we can't rest as originally intended."
Vivian and Helena just stared up at Ian blankly at his apology.
Confused why he was sorry.
"Uh, um... I'm fine with it. Wasn't that tough anyway... If you say so, Ian."
"Exactly! No need to apologize! And we'll rest a few days on arrival, right?"
"Yeah, duel tournament plus a little festival?"
Vivian and Helena were excited for the festival and tournament instead.
Ian felt a bit dazed watching their boundless innocence.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Penny returned to Superbia swiftly.
Much to think about, much to do upon return.
First, restore the 1st Party's condition.
'But how...'
Ian had burned all documents before leaving.
No training methods or schedules left.
A solution came quickly.
'The ledgers...'
Analysis records used to convince the 1st Party.
Penny had written those.
Money flow never lied.
Penny reanalyzed the ledgers nonstop on the way back.
This time, not to oust Ian, but to mimic Philip.
'Reasons for that much on food... I can cover personal funds.'
Money wasn't the issue.
'Expenses split individually sometimes. Personal activities.'
Penny recalled Ian's words.
Strong alone, stronger together.
'Sticking together in crises makes them complacent. Separate for now, focus on individual growth.'
Minimizing rest, Penny returned faster than she'd left.
"What happened?"
Back at camp, Penny grabbed a passerby.
The whole site's mood was rigidly tense.
"Well..."
The man cautiously reported events from days prior.
Penny sighed after hearing it all.
'Separate for now, as expected. Relations soured, but skills solid—absence will make the void felt.'
She soon gathered the four, each resting apart.
None looked well.
Sylvia had hollow, sharp eyes; Aria dazedly stared at her potion.
Kaily glared challengingly at Penny; Beatrice crossed arms, eyeing Kaily and Penny alternately.
Penny ignored the hostile air.
She was confirming Philip's presence, acting in his stead.
No reason to feel bad.
Penny spoke.
"I met Ian."
"So, cat got your tongue now?"
"No."
Irritation flashed on Kaily's face.
"But there's a way. First, your food budget returns to previous levels. Don't worry—my personal funds will cover it."
A concession for the most materialistic, Aria and Beatrice.
Beatrice relaxed; Aria's attention was unclear.
Penny pressed on.
"I'm aware your skills have suffered lately. So, measures: starting today, for a few days, you'll move separately."
"Separately?"
"Yes. Together while weakened, you'll just lean on each other. Train alone to recover individual prowess, then reunite."
Three nodded; Aria's gaze wandered blankly.
No reaction even to Beatrice's look.
"...Aria?"
"...Yes."
"You listening?"
"Yes."
"Solo from now on—okay with that?"
"......"
Penny eyed Aria's supposedly injured arm.
Hidden by clothes, but hard to believe even for her.
She'd seen the 1st Party's full power, reached A-rank hero's heels.
So she knew how absurd injury in an A-rank dungeon was...
"Aria. You'll do better alone. Right?"
Penny wouldn't alter plans.
"...Yes."
Aria nodded blankly.
Unconfident, but couldn't say it.
Not out of fear of Penny.
Didn't want fellow 1st Party members knowing her functional value was impaired.
A possessiveness she'd ignored stirred.
For her current seat and status.
Not like wanting Ian.
Didn't want to let go of what she held.
"As if."
"From now, the schedule..."
"Hold up."
Kaily cut Penny off mid-explanation.
"Didn't you say you couldn't meet Ian?"
"...Yes."
"Then whose solution is this?"
"Phi—Ian once said something like: strong alone, stronger united. I'm just..."
"You bitch—!"
Kaily lunged, grabbing Penny's collar.
"Same as before! What the fuck is this?! Why bother kicking Ian out?!"
Penny was speechless.
Less the suddenness; she'd needed all four's consent to exile Ian.
She read aimless rage in Kaily's eyes.
'Eloping...?'
Beatrice shot up urgently.
"What the hell?!"
"What?! Look at us! Kicked Ian out and nothing works! Couldn't even meet him like you said, now spouting crap—look at this bitch!"
Penny stayed silent, unafraid or cowed.
But her body trembled instinctively.
Collar grab alone felt like full-body restraint, suffocating.
Kaily couldn't endure this anymore.
"Kaily?!"
Her mind was set.
"This farce ends now."
Kaily declared the 1st Hero Party's end.
Beatrice, Sylvia, Aria.
All vaguely sensed it; now voiced.
As they reeled in shock,
Kaily extended her free hand.
Blue mana rippled; a long sword materialized in her grip.
One of Ian's artifacts: armament of manifestation.
Seeing Kaily's eyes full of deadly intent, Penny realized too late.
Only Ian could have ever controlled them.
'What have I done...'
The cliché line from those she'd doomed slipped out.
"W-Wait... Gahk...!"
Kaily tightened her grip, choking her.
"You're dying here."