10. Primitive fireball user

"Shoot me!" (Nigris)

"Fireball!"

While on a quest to collect herbs, we were watching Arisa’s magic in the forest.

At that time, I was confused.

"Her Aptitude is SS, so why is it so weak?"

"No, it's not! It's weird that Nigris can withstand it! It can easily take down three trees!”

"Maybe you’re right. This is a technique I devised, I call it [Heavy Clothed Layered Heal].”

It’s a magic that adapts you to a constant deployment of healing support magic. I’d never been on the front lines and hadn't used it before, so I wanted to see if I could receive Arisa’s magic.

But the power of Arisa's fireball couldn't do any damage to me.

Fels' magic aptitude is A. Even so, when she used magic for the first time, it was more powerful than Arisa’s, and I thought it would be stronger if it became S.

"Is it because of this ...?"

The [Primitive fireball user] that appeared at the time of appraisal.

"Arisa, you weren’t cursed like Fels, can't you use anything other than a fireball?"

"Yes, I'm destined to use only fireballs."

"... I don't really understand." (Fels)

Fels tilts her head.

I’m the same. I don’t get it either.

What fate?

"I fell in love with fireballs at first sight! It's all about fireballs, fireball is my origin!! "

"... Fine, I get that you like it Arisa. The problem is the power. Why is the power so little?"

Despite being more talented than Fels, the power of her magic is low.

If it's not a curse, is it the same kind of skill as mine?

I don’t know anything for now.

"I don't know. This is the biggest fireball I can make. It's you who told me I was talented? Maybe I'm not talented?"

" No, you are "

My Appraisal skill can’t be wrong.

In fact, her status hasn't changed. It's not a mistake.

I wish I had some kind of magic that could help me in such situations.

After taking a break, Alisa asked me a question.

"Hey, why is Nigris' healing magic so unusual compared to other healers?"

"I don't know if it's amazing or not, but I think it’s cause I’m aware of it while I use it?"

Even when I was with Florence, I had a strong desire to do something to help her.

"If you want to help people and use magic, the healing magic will respond. At least I think so."

I just wanted to help everyone. You might laugh at me for being a hypocrite, and I can’t argue.

But that's who I am.

"...! Yes, that's right!"

"What happened suddenly"

"Originally, magic was created to find ways to make everyone happy. I forgot what was important."

Did she come up with an answer? Arisa held her cane toward the forest in the back.

"The problem was feelings ... not for money or power. Just like Nigris, who just wants to help others. I should have thought of the person who believed in my talent. Yes! "

She raised the tip of her cane.

"Fireball !!"

Spiral vortices converge at the tip, creating a large sphere.

The wind pressure shook the forest, and as the magic was released it gouged the soil.

──── Dogoooon

The scene after the dust settled was horrific.

"What is this power ... !!"

"To think I could shoot this kind of magic ...?"

Magic aptitude S.

This is her original power.

 It almost slipped my mind cause of my surprise and delight but,

"Oi, Alisa? Why did you shoot it over there?"

"I don't know. I just happened to turn around and shoot. There aren't many monsters around there, right?"

"...... Looks like you hit the worst possible spot.”

I knew it because I had been adventuring in this forest for several years.

The deeper you go into this monster forest, the more terrifying the monsters are.

And the magic shot by Alisa was toward the lord of this forest. It hit the lair of the adherent dragon.

This is the worst. Why did you pick a fight with the most troublesome guy!

I used my appraisal on the dragon to check its state.

"A dragon in danger state is flying toward us?"

"... Are you serious?"

  Adherent dragon.

Subjugation difficulty: SS rank.

This monster was raised from S rank to SS rank after the S rank party, Silver Wings, failed to defeat it.

The Adventurer's Guild already gave up on this dragon’s subjugation.

11. Adherent dragon

Adherent dragon.

Subjugation difficulty: SS rank.

We ended up dealing with a monster that even the Adventurer's Guild gave up on cause it couldn't be subdued.

Its roar echoes and the ground shakes.

I could see the fear on Fels’ and Alisa's faces.

We can't escape.

With those big wings, it would easily catch up to us.

Adherent dragons have hard scales and are not damaged or scarred by half-baked sword attacks or magic.

It's just hard. However, it is an easy-to-understand strength.

"Nigris-sama ... Please run away ...! I'll buy time!" (Fels)

"Oh no! Why did this happen when I just looked into the fireball abyss for the first time!"

Despair.

But unlike those two, I wasn't feeling too pessimistic.

"Troublesome ..."

"How can you afford to say that?!" (Arisa)

"I've fought the adherent dragon before you know."

The complexion of the two changed.

When I was in the original S rank party, the leader, Azel, got carried away and wanted to defeat the dragon.

I advised him to stop, but he wouldn't listen to me, so we challenged it and were defeated.

Looking back, I feel like an idiot. If I hadn’t been there, Azel and the others would have died.

"... It’s angry and can't see its surroundings. Let’s calm it down."

"Calm it down? Are you kidding me? We're still D-rank adventurers!  How are we supposed to fight that thing!"

At the time, I was so busy healing and supporting the others that I had no time to spare. But with this group, it'll be a little different.

We can finish this quickly.

"Let’s fight"

"Hey, was Nigris a muscle brain!?"

How rude.

Who decided a healer has to be a rearguard.

Depending on how healing is used, healing magic has endless possibilities.

It seems that Fels believed in my confidence, she nodded with a smile and started strengthening her body with magic. She quickly moved forward to collect the agro.

The adherent dragon attacks Fels and doesn't even look at us.

She has her hands full just gathering the hate. I don't want to waste time.

"[[Heavy clothed layered heal] "

Arisa is better than me in pure magic. This is the only thing I can do who’s simply good at healing magic.

Perhaps my intention to fight was transmitted, Alisa raised her cane up high.

"Oh, no more! I don't want you to die!"

The adherent dragon is unaware.

More emotion was put in than the previous fireball.

"Fireball!"

The dragon, who has a strong guard, did not notice the fireball flying from directly above and it hit its head directly.

The surrounding trees were knocked down and dust scattered.

Still, it got up quickly and was angry.

Heavy clothed layered heal. Its essence is neither attack power nor healing.

Defensive power that makes a body strong through layered healing. This makes it the strongest attack.

I struck the head of the dragon while it was down.

Fels plays decoy, Arisa's magic knocks it down, and I finish it.

I knew it would be the strongest party, even if we’re still developing.

"Hey, we really beat the adherent dragon ..."

Alisa is stunned with her mouth open.

I thought she was a child who couldn't read the mood, but after all, she was just pretending, she’s just an ordinary girl at heart.

Or can she still not believe in her magic?

I touch the dragon.

"Heal"

"What are you doing!?"

"What, I’m healing the dragon?"

"We just attacked it earlier! If it gets healed, it’s bound to attack us again!"

Alisa's opinion was justified.

Healing monsters is unheard of. As an adventurer, it’s nothing but foolishness.

"Anyone would get angry when their home was attacked. It's a pity to kill one-sidedly just because it attacked us back."

"Uu, maybe that's true ..."

"And he's the guardian of the forest. Without him, foolish adventurers might go too deep and die. Because he's there, adventurers don't go too far."(Fels)

Fels gently advises Alisa, who wasn’t completely convinced.

Defeating a dragon is an achievement that is SS in rank. I understand her struggle.

" Alisa-san. Nigris-sama is such a person. He’s a person who has more kindness than anyone else, he looks more at the future, than making immediate gains."

"Is that so? Is that why you won’t kill the dragon?"

"No well, isn't it a hassle to bring it back?"

Alisa scratches her head, confused.

I guess she doesn't know whether to call me nice or a pain in the ass.

But both are my real intentions.

It feels a little heavy when Fels lifts me up so much though.

The adherent dragon I noticed, seemed to remember seeing my face.

"Hey, the dragon is freaking out. ...... Did you do something to Nigris?"

"Hmm, I fought against this guy when I was in my former party. I was just applying healing magic to my allies, so they didn't fall down no matter how much it attacked, but we were finally defeated because of my fatigue. "

"So that's it."

That was exhausting. I was stuck with sore muscles for a few days.

If you think about it from the dragon's point of view, it's like zombie soldiers that won't die no matter how many times you attack. That's scary if you ask me.?

With how much work I was doing, it should be okay to hold a little grudge for being forced to carry the luggage.

I Stroke its head to relieve its fear.

"By the way, I also healed your old wounds. Be careful and go home."

When I said that, It nodded many times, flapped its wings and returned to its nest.

Despite the dragon's intrusion, we returned without any injuries.

On the way back, Alisa stopped and asked me.

"Hey, Nigris"

We turned around and waited for Alisa's words as she wrapped herself in her cloak.

"Do you want me to be your companion?"

"Well, I do, but if you don't want to, it’s okay.”

"No, I want to join you. But before I do, there’s one thing I need to know.”

Conditions? Oh, maybe it's a share of the reward. I'm not in trouble with money at the moment, so maybe she can take it all?

Come to think of it, I didn't think about Fels' share.

Let's think about it later.

"The S rank party, Silver wing, please tell me the reason why you were banished. "

I scratched my cheek.

My stomach felt a little heavy.

However, it's certainly strange to hide it from my companion.

I guess I should tell her if she wants to hear, but I don't want to.

"... Nigris-sama. I know it's painful, but I also want to hear it."

"Fels too huh"

……it can’t be helped.

I have many memories that I don't want to remember, but I can't avoid it.

True friends should be able to share their sad and painful past.

12. Tomorrow

After finishing the report on the herb request, we took a break.

I went to an empty seat to give Alisa her share of the reward. When I sit down, maybe because I and Arisa are there, the adventurers who were sitting nearby moved away.

If there’s a strong sense of discrimination, will there be no people around?

"Can I have this much?"

"The reward for this quest is cheap, it's not much, right?"

"... Nino people get almost no reward."

"That's a violation of the Guild Code. Why didn't you say that?"

In the Adventurer's Guild, there are some rules to keep discipline. Severe punishment is given for disputes such as failure to share quest rewards.

In my case, it was ...... Oh, that's right.

"The Adventurer's Guild ignored it right?"

"Yes. I'm a Nino, so I was told that was the norm."

"…They did something similar to me. I protested to the Adventurer's Guild that I had a small share of the reward, but I was told it was natural because I was incompetent."

I can sympathize with her.

The laws made by the Adventurer's Guild don't work after all.

Everywhere is rotten.

"... I was fine since I have no parents and was just wandering like a migratory bird. But what about you? What was your previous party like?"

"I was forced to carry their luggage."

"You? Could it be the silver wings are much stronger than Nigris?"

"No, they all have lower than average stats and are weak.

They were able to make it to S rank because I was constantly casting healing magic on them. Their status is low but they don't listen.

Status is just the limit of a person, but skill and thought process can be managed with effort.

"You said you wanted to hear the story of my previous party. It's a little dark, but is that fine?"

Taking a breath, the two corrected their posture.

I speak while remembering.

"I was originally born in a remote village, so I have a low sense of discrimination against Ninos."

"I didn't know that.” (Fels)

"Well, it was destroyed by a monster attack.”

To put it mildly, they were surprised, but it's gone and I no longer care about it.

"What about your parents ...?" (Arisa)

"They haven't been there since I can remember, I was treated like a slave in the village."

No one was taking care of me then.

I was squeezed into a hut and lived only on dried meat and water.

Looking back on it, it was a slave's treatment, but I'm glad they kept me alive.

"I didn't even know Nigris-sama's feelings and insensitively wanted to hear."

"Don’t worry about it"

In fact, I don't care either.

Thanks to the destruction of the village, I was free. I learned healing magic.

"Then I was taken to an orphanage with the members of silver wings, where it turned out I had an appraisal skill."

I used it unconsciously from the time I was born, but I didn't know it was an appraisal skill. I knew that they wouldn't believe it even if I talked to the villagers.

"I was invited to the party because of my appraisal skills. The mere presence of a person with a skill in a party is a good sign. I guess all they could see was my appraisal skill."

They just wanted a skilled person.

It's not that they wanted me, they wanted to know they had someone with a skill.

That's why they used me mercilessly and ignored the usefulness of my skills.

"I'm saying it lightly, but it was awful ..."

" Nigris-sama was treated as incompetent, and didn't like it, so you left right?"

"No. I was kicked out because they thought I wanted to reach SS rank by being a parasite."

""Huh?""

Don't harmonize. They must’ve been surprised I said something odd.

"Eh? You were doing chores, carrying luggage, and using healing magic all the time right?"

"That's right, but"

By the way, I was continually being called incompetent.

Thanks to them, I’ve become resistant to rants and insults.

"What can I say ... Silver wings are just idiots! I’m getting irritated just thinking about it” (Arisa)

She said it even though I was keeping my mouth shut.

"Are you angry?" (Nigris)

"…You’re my first friend. You’re the first person who saw my talent and wanted to be my friend without caring whether I’m a Nino or not. That's why I can't forgive Silver Wings."

"Thank you"

"Hey! It's different! I just thought it was too pitiful ..."

Even though Arisa should have had a hard life, this appearance of getting depressed by the misfortune of other people seems to be the very essence of Arisa.

I don't have many good memories. Everywhere I went, I was treated like a slave, and if it weren't for the healing magic, I would have died.

"Same as Arisa, I didn't get much reward, so I didn't save any money. I was robbed of the melee staff I bought after saving so hard. But I'm glad."

I was a bit worried it would sound like I was complaining.

But I was relieved by seeing the two of them listen to my story seriously.

"Because I've thrown away all my regrets and memories."

"... Let’s blow them away the next time we meet in the city!"(Fels)

“I don't think that's a good idea."(Nigris)

"It's not worth it. I think.”

I was worried about Fels, who had a dark look, thinking she was unexpectedly radical.

I don't know what to say in situations like this.

"... What can I do for Nigris-sama?"

"I'm just complaining. The fact that you listen to me and trust me like this is the best thing I could have asked for.”

When I stroked her head, she muttered with a slight shyness.

"Nigris-sama is too kind ..."

13. Night with Fels

That evening.

I felt sick and went to bed early. I wondered if it was because I hadn't thought about the previous party in a while.

Even though I pretend to be strong and don't care, I’m still conscious of it in the corner of my mind.

Let's forget it. The important thing is now.

But I don't fall asleep.

I get up and look at the dim and cloudy night sky.

If I could see the moon at least, It would feel better.

I hear a knock on the door.

"Nigris-sama. Are you sleeping?"

"Fels? What's wrong?"

As expected, she wore pajamas instead of a maid outfit. IShe was hugging a pillow and buried her face in it, perhaps to hide her embarrassment.

There’s no trace of her appearance when we first met, you wouldn't know unless you were told that she's 12 years old.

"Oh, um ... may I sleep with you?"

Together, in the same bed?

Wait, am I an idiot? She didn't ask me with that kind of intention.

That’s right, when we first met, she did say she wanted to sleep on the same bed, I guess she was lonely.

Even though she looks like an adult, she's a 12-year-old girl inside. If I misunderstand and run away, I won't be able to face her.

"OK. I’ll sleep on the floor."?

I deal with it as usual.

It's been a long time, so I just forgot.

"No, no ... I want to be together ...!"

"That’s a very misleading line ... it's a line I want you to protect at least."

"Line? It's just bed-sharing ... isn't it?"

"No, it’s no good"

Fels gently drops her gaze.

If you're depressed, I'll feel guilty, so please stop!

"Is there no way?"

"That's an order"

"……I understand"

It seems that she was convinced.

As I was thinking of this, Fels sat down by my side.

"Um, Nigris-sama"

"Huh……"

  She pats her thighs, urging me on.

Knee pillow?

"I will be on the bed, so please Nigris-sama."

"...... You thought of that.”

"Yes. I think and act for myself. That's what Nigris-sama taught me.

The Fels, who is in my memory, was scared even when sharing the same table with me, and ate hamburgers while crying.

Should I take responsibility for her change?

I killed my shame and put my head on her lap.

"... Do you have to stroke my head?"

"It's what I want to do"

She pets me with a gentle voice.

...... Why did this happen?

"It was very painful to hear the story of your former party."

"Yes. I’m sorry if I made you feel bad."

"No! Rather I was angry. I'm sorry for those who treated you like that when you were working so hard."

I was looking at Fels from the bottom.

She looked murderous for a moment. If your loyalty is 100, will you adore someone this much?

I lay back deeply, trying to resist the urge to smile.

"Fels. Do you want to remove the slave collar?"

She was surprised at the sudden proposal and stopped moving.

I was originally thinking about it.

I don't want to treat Fels as a slave. I’ve wanted to remove the collar, but I didn't have a chance to say it.

"If I wanted, the collar will come off."

"... Um"

I guess it's hard for her to ask me to remove it by herself.

No one wants to be a slave.

With that in mind, I reached for the collar.

"No!"

"eh"

It was a surprising statement.

I never thought she’d refuse.

"This is… proof of my encounter and connection with ...... Nigris-sama. It's an important thing that makes me feel deeply connected to you."

"Well, then you'll stay a slave?"

"I'm happy as long as I’m Nigris-sama's slave. I don't want to remove it."

I scratched my head.

I can't take it off when she says that much.

?\Should I wait until she herself asks to remove it?

"I didn't know it was such an important thing. I'm sorry."

"No, no ...! Well, please rest on my laps until you fall asleep!"

"No, isn’t it painful."

"Trai-.., it’s training!"

If that's the case, I'll keep her company till she gets tired of it.

The bad mood from talking about the previous party was completely gone.

The plump and soft thighs inspire drowsiness and peace of mind.

It's not a good idea to sleep in this situation as the owner of ...... Fels, but...... sleepy.

---

AN: Next chapter is the exile party’s perspective!

14. On the other hand, at that time 2 ~ Expulsion party perspective ~

At the inn where they had banished Nigris, the S-rank party, Silver Wings, was immersed in heavy drinking.?

Azel laughs loudly with a drunken face.

"Tomorrow we're going to subjugate the Empress! Look alive guys!"

The anxiety he felt had faded over time, and the members made noise with him.

Suddenly, Mia the wizard, asked a question.

"But why the slums? It doesn't seem like that dump has any value.”

"How should I know? We’re killing cause we’re getting paid to. Don't think so deeply."

"It’s a quest from a great noble? I don't think it's a problem for us to look behind the scenes."

"Huh? Are you stupid. Can you take responsibility if they get offended?"

Once he says that, no one interjects.

But once she started thinking about it, Mia couldn’t stop.

"Maybe the rumor that there’s a library in the slums is true."

"A library? Burn the books. Even if you read them, they can't add anything to your stomach."

"Well, maybe ... I've heard that the library in the slums is full of forbidden books on magic and history. If that's what the great noble is after, then......"

"You're thinking too much about rumors, Mia. What's wrong with you?"

"... Somehow, I’ve been feeling terrible turmoil inside. Since we expelled that trash, It's like my instincts can sense death."

They dismissed Mia's intuition.

It's ridiculous. We’re an S rank party, we can’t die.

"Oh, Maybe. Did you like that trash?"

"Huh? Stop joking around, even the air around him makes me vomit."

"Buhhaha! Just imagining it made me laugh."

"Don't be silly! Creepy"

The angry look on her face made it even funnier, and he continued to make fun of her.

Tomorrow we will head to the slums.

That place is a cesspool of garbage. I didn't think there were any of them who could stand against us.

If we threaten to kill them all, they’ll gladly offer the Empress in a desire to save ther lives.

However, that expectation was greatly betrayed.

*

As soon as he set foot in the slum, Azel pulled out his sword and slashed at the bandits.

"We’re here to kill your empress!"

Assassination, strategy, information gathering. Abandoning them all, we challenged them head-on.

The bandits were quick to respond to Azel and the others impulsive and self-righteous actions.

The speed with which the enemy responded was unbelievable, and the party members fought head on with puzzled expressions on their faces.

"It hurts! Shit!" (Azel)

" How can these slum guys move so fast!?" (August)

"What's going on!" (Anne)

Azel and the others didn't know.

The bandits who were assigned the right places and professions by Nigris were different from before Nigris came.

Azel, the main force of the party, was shot in the leg and stopped moving.

"We have no choice but to run.” (Mia)

"Don’t fuck with me! We can't lose! It’s cause I’m recovering from my injuries ..." (Azel)

"It was weird after all! I was injured for the first time in a few years after Nigris left, was he actually able to use healing magic?"

"Shut up! He's just incompetent. He's a piece of trash who can't do anything unless we help him!"

Mia was beginning to realize the possibility of her mistake, but Azel dismissed it.

To run away or fight? Whichever they choose, their party ties had already collapsed. And in the midst of hostile territory, the consequences that await a party that has broken up are certain.

"We’re…Surrounded"

With no way to escape, they were caught by the bandits.