Quit The Hero Party

EP.8 Looking for a New Job (1)

The Knights Order Leader.

Heinkel von Zeikhardt.

Thanks to his achievements on the frontlines and his strong reputation, he was respected not only by the knights but even by adventurers and mercenaries who looked down on knights.

“Hoo···.”

Heinkel sighed deeply, pinching his wrinkled forehead. It was all because of a letter in his hand.

– 1st Legion affiliated.
– Raniel, the Ashen Mage.

Normally, upon seeing the sender, Heinkel would have smiled. This strict mage didn’t write letters often, but whenever he did, it was always good news.

“Of all times···.”

However, after checking the letter’s contents, Heinkel couldn’t bring himself to smile.

– I, Raniel, hereby declare my withdrawal from the battlefield.
– I will return the badge that proves my membership in the Hero Party and the Knights Order.

The two lines of text.

When Heinkel’s gaze landed on the final line, he felt everything go dark before his eyes.

‘Raniel’s retirement.’

The weight of that sentence made Heinkel groan.

Raniel’s retirement was not something he could easily accept. If it had been any other Hero Party’s member leaving, Heinkel might not have thought twice.

The party Raniel belonged to was special.

And among them, Raniel was even more special.

Normally, the Hero Parties operated more like bounty hunters rather than being part of the Knights Order. They dealt with the titans that roamed battlefields and took down major officials of the Demon Lord’s Army when their locations were found.

That was the modus operandi of most Hero Parties.

And it was the behavior of its members.

However, Raniel was different.

He was part of the Knights Order, going back and forth across numerous fronts. He filled in the gaps of the front lines like a one-man army.

‘How many fronts were barely held thanks to that guy’s help?’

Heinkel considered the lines that barely held up until recently thanks to Raniel’s support.

‘Eastern Front 1, Western 3, the gorge near the demon realm···.’

The wrinkles on Heinkel’s forehead deepened.

“···It’s my fault for relying on one person.”

Although he knew he shouldn’t rely on a single superhuman, he did so anyway. With a troubled gaze, Heinkel scanned the letter once more.

It had been a full 5 years.

Considering how often personnel changes happened on the front lines, especially for mages, he should have anticipated Raniel’s retirement.

Regardless, Heinkel couldn’t hide his disappointment.

‘If it were just retirement, I could’ve given him an honorary position and kept him around as an officer···.’

It would have been fine if he didn’t do anything.

He didn’t need to step onto the battlefield.

Just being there would have been enough for Raniel to inspire the other mages in the battlefield. Some even joined the Knights Order just by watching him.

‘Well, it is due to his injury… I suppose I can’t blame him.’

Rather than lamenting, he should be grateful that Raniel endured for quite a while longer even with that curse. Hiding his bitterness, Heinkel called for his subordinate.

“Hartia.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Report to the Royal Capital that Raniel’s status has changed from resignation to an honorary discharge. Don’t forget to send a summary of his achievements as well.”

“…Are you sure about that?”

“It’s disappointing, but it can’t be helped. It’s what he wants.”

“…If you command it, I can order the shadow unit to follow that mage…”

“Hartia.”

His cold voice cut through.

“Show respect to a member of the Hero Party.”

“But that mage…”

Heinkel’s brows furrowed.

“Do I need to say more?”

Heinkel narrowed his eyes and glared at his subordinate.

“That friend worked hard enough. He achieved feats that can’t be described in words and accomplished more than what was expected of him.”

“·····.”

“Those who dedicated their lives for humanity deserve the appropriate honors and rewards. That friend has that right.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“If any untoward movements toward Raniel are reported, I will deal with it myself, so keep that in mind.”

It was something ordinary knights wouldn’t even be able to touch, but these sprouts of dissent needed to be cut off early.

Heinkel was aware that the knights following Hero Kyle looked down on Raniel.

‘I need to deal with this before it gets any bigger.’

With one more task added to his plate, Heinkel frowned and waved his hand.

“You may go.”

“…Understood.”

Alone in the barracks.

Heinkel looked at the shadowy letter under the lantern. Suddenly, a line from the letter caught his eye.

– In the past, I made a deal with the Star to escape from the Demon Lord. I used Balance.
– Of course, the cost of the deal was not high.

‘Balance.’

That word stood out particularly.

“·····.”

Heinkel bowed his head in silence.

In truth, he had an inkling.

There was no way he could escape from the Demon Lord, that calamity, without losing something.

‘I didn’t pay a high price, huh…’

…That was probably a lie.

Whatever it cost, Heinkel could only guess it wasn’t something light.

“The Princess will be saddened to hear this.”

The princess, who was more enthusiastic about Raniel’s story than anyone else.

Her image floated before Heinkel’s eyes, and he let out a deep sigh.

“Thank you for your hard work, Raniel.”

2.

– Knights Order Leader.
– Heinkel von Zeikhardt.

Thank you for your hard work, Raniel.

I’ll make sure the report to the Royal Capital is framed as an honorable discharge rather than a resignation. I’ll also relay it to your Master.

I won’t forget the debt I owe you.

If you ever need my help, do reach out.

“Geez.”

What a good-natured old man he is.

I couldn’t help but smile as I read the letter that came my way.

Now, checking the letter, I was in a small village near the Royal Capital. A village slightly away from the Royal Capital, adjacent to a forest. This was where my Master lived.

A slight hill, waving wheat fields.

As I walked along the gentle breeze, I came upon a mansion near the forest.

‘Actually, it’s more of a library.’

I lived there with my Master when I was young.

Remembering the old memories, I stood before the door. The door looked just as it had five years ago, when I left.

– I’m going to catch the Demon Lord.
– I’m really going, huh.

Standing in front of that door.

– Your life will be negated.
– All the magic you learned will be denied.
– Still, will you go?

I briefly took a breath.

– Those who dedicate their lives to nobility often meet a miserable end. I hope you do not become one of them.
– Must you go?

The face of my Master, who tried to stop me in front of that door, came to mind. I remember the weight of his hand on my shoulder.

– Yes, my foolish disciple.
– If you must go, then bring back the Demon Lord’s head. That would be enough to allow you to return as my disciple once more.

“I wanted to bring it back, you know…”

I smiled bitterly and placed my hand on the doorknob.

How should I explain this?

I couldn’t catch the Demon Lord, got kicked out of the Hero Party, and even returned as a girl. Would I really have the face to see my Master?

…I seriously feel like I’m going to get killed.

“Hoo···.”

I took a large breath and grabbed the doorknob, knocking a couple of times. Soon enough, a clatter of noise came from inside, and someone opened the door.

“…Who is it?”

A glimpse of white hair peeking through the black hair.

Glasses resting on the bridge of the nose.

And, clear blue eyes that haven’t dulled with time.

It was my Master’s face after five years.

Seeing my Master, unchanged from five years ago, I couldn’t help but smile a bit bitterly.

“Uh…”

Then I slightly turned the staff I was carrying on my back to show him.

“I’m back, Master.”

It was the staff my Master gave me. I thought I’d explain while showing this. However, before I could say anything, my Master spoke first.

“That staff is…”

“That, uh…”

I tried to come up with an excuse, but my Master’s complexion paled first. He staggered and barely managed to stand by holding onto the wall.

“Foolish child…”

He said weakly.

Hearing that weak and trembling voice, I felt a wave of guilt and lowered my head. Speaking in a small voice, I replied.

“Th-There’s a reason for this…”

“Foolish child, foolish child…”

“..I’m sorry.”

“To think you would leave me like this… I should have insisted harder back then…!”

“…Huh?”

Wait a minute.

Why does his reaction feel so strange?

“If I knew you would leave like this… then, I would have…!”

Huh? Someone’s dying?

I was bewildered, looking at my Master, who was crying over my staff. Wait, who’s dying? Master, you’re right here, alive.

“Uh, excuse me···.”

“Didn’t that guy leave you with more than just that? He couldn’t have just left you with this staff. What about the rest…”

“No, Master.”

“…What? I never had a student who acts like a lady…”

“I’m Raniel.”

My Master blinked in confusion.

“What did you say?”

“I’m Raniel… you see?”

I lightly tapped the end of the staff.

My mana spread through the staff.

Ashen mana, like ash left behind.

“·····.”

Seeing that, my Master silently stared at me.

His eyes shifted from the staff with ashen mana, back to me.

“Raniel.”

“Y-Yes?”

“So, you really are Raniel.”

Finally, my Master smiled weakly.

I tried to return his warm smile, but then.

Zap!

A spell grazed the side of my face, not letting it be easy.

Boom!

The tree behind me crashed with a loud noise. I quickly turned my head to look at my Master.

“Come in.”

My Master was still smiling.

Just warmly, and kindly…

No, that wasn’t it.

Upon closer inspection, he was only smiling with his lips. His eyes were cold and hardened. I gulped at his narrowed eyes.

Swallow.

Uh-oh, this seems bad.

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