Kays Translations

Chapter 34: The Reason Kane Changed

After that, we were told various things about Kane’s recent behavior.

He regularly causes trouble at taverns, hurling insults at townsfolk. He uses his ‘Support’ skill to make other party members lash out at people he dislikes, and he harasses any girl he fancies. During escort missions, he resorts to near extortion to squeeze out extra tips. As a result, “Dragon King’s Flame” has become more disliked than ever and can’t even find a replacement for the front-line position that Lloyd left vacant.

Hearing about all of Kane’s increasingly arrogant actions, I found myself holding my head in disbelief.

Next to me, Lilina was adorably fuming with anger.

“I can’t believe he’s doing such things! He should learn from Lloyd-sama!”

“Indeed. Considering the current Kane, Lloyd from before might have been better. Kane’s behavior has become excessively terrible since he used to suppress it.”

While the two of them nodded in agreement, I was silently breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Lloyd-sama?”

I looked at Lilina, who was cutely tilting her head, and then lowered my gaze.

…This is my fault for not expelling Kane from the party, isn’t it?

To avoid being humiliated by Kane, I created a place for him within the party and had him expel Lloyd, but it seems that plan has backfired spectacularly.

Kane, possibly encouraged by the other party members, has become arrogant and adopted a personality similar to the old Lloyd. Because he couldn’t relieve his pent-up frustration by humiliating me, he’s been taking it out on weaker individuals.

I never imagined that kind Kane could change so drastically.

Indirectly, I’m partly responsible for the disruption of the forest’s ecosystem too.

Feeling a sense of guilt, I looked up.

“By the way, did you issue a request to exterminate the monsters Kane left behind?”

“We did, but no one wants to take it.”

“Huh? Why not?”

Anyone in the adventurer business should understand the urgency of the current situation and know that the reward would be substantial. I can’t understand why they would refuse the request.

As I said this, Remi let out a deep sigh.

“Most people say, ‘Why should we clean up after those bastards?’ ‘Dragon King’s Flame’ has been hated by the town since the days when Lloyd was with them.”

“I see.”

I grimaced at Remi’s words.

It’s true; no other party would want to deal with the problems caused by Lloyd’s old party. Considering everything they’ve done, it’s understandable.

So, no party will take on the monster extermination job in the forest… except for us.

“Got it. We’ll take on that request.”

“What?! You’ll take it?!”

When I said that, Remi looked up in surprise.

I laughed at her reaction and continued.

“That’s why you called us into this private room, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but… it was more of a long shot…”

Remi scratched her cheek awkwardly, avoiding my gaze.

Well, no one would expect Lloyd to take on such a troublesome task.

“Mmm. Lloyd-sama, are you taking the request for that unpleasant person’s sake?”

While I was thinking about it, Lilina pouted with a dissatisfied look on her face.

That unpleasant person… she’s probably talking about Kane, right?

It seems Kane reputation is only getting worse.

I smiled at Lilina and shook my head slightly.

“That’s part of it, but it’s also because my actions up until now have caused this situation. So, I’m taking responsibility for it.”

If Lloyd hadn’t committed all those heinous acts in the past, maybe other parties would have taken this request. Besides, it was my choice not to expel Kane from the party.

I can’t just do nothing and avoid taking responsibility.

When I said that, Lilina clenched her fists with determination.

“If that’s the case, then I understand! I’ll do anything for Lloyd-sama!”

“Thanks, Lilina. I really appreciate it.”

I patted her head, and she gave a broad, cheerful smile.

Well then, let’s get going.

With that resolve, Lilina and I headed back to the nearby forest.

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