CH 60

“I have returned, stepfather.”

“……Ah.”

Having returned to my foster parents’ house, I promptly headed to the study where my foster father was. 

Despite greeting him, he replies to me half-heartedly without lifting his gaze from his papers. 

Well, this is how it is normally, so I don’t mind. 

Usually, this would be where I immediately leave the room, but today I have something I must speak to him about, so I addressed him again.

“Foster father, I am aware that you are busy, however, would it be possible if I could have just a short word with you?”

“……What is it?”

My foster father turns his gaze toward me with a small sigh.

“……Actually, I am considering leaving the Hero Party. It is evident from this morning’s newspaper that the Hero Party is in decline. There is no longer any reason for me to remain in the Hero Party. Upon completing the penalty, I intend to leave.”

“Just when I was thinking about what kind of thing you had to say. –What nonsense are you speaking, you. If you do something like that, what will we do if our transactions with Marquis Forgas discontinue!”

My foster parents operate a company called the Flockhart Company.

The Flockhart Company is one of the largest companies in the country, engaging in  several deals with the nobility.

Even so, it does the most business with Marquis Forgas, and over the past ten years, it has fallen to being a company that depends wholly on the Marquis Forgas.

It used to trade more diversely, but now it deals exclusively with the nobles of the Marquis Forgas’ faction.

So certainly, if they were to be abandoned by Marquis Forgas, this company would decline.

◇ ◇ ◇

I am a former orphan who was adopted by this family when I was seven years old.

I have never felt the love of parents.

Despite that, the reason why I was adopted is simple.

For a family not blessed with children, a tool for political marriage. 

However, I had thought it was fine.

The living environment was definitely better than when I was in the orphanage, and I thought that if I married into a large company or a baron’s household, I would be able to live without any difficulty. 

For that purpose, I also received an education, and I thought that I was following a life preferable to that of an orphan.

However, I didn’t end up becoming an instrument for political marriage.

This was because Marquis Forgas came to know of my Talent through my foster parents. 

When Marquis Forgas found out, he proposed to me that if I accepted a certain condition, he would increase the volume of trade with his household.

My foster parents decided to swallow his offer immediately.

That condition was for me to form an explorer party with two boys who were coming to this city.

And from then as instructed, I formed an explorer party with Orn and Oliver under the pretences of a coincidence.

Perhaps it was to curry favour with a talented person like Orn.

Although it was a mystery as to how he found out about Orn. 

◇ ◇ ◇

“Is there value in a party without Orn? I think Marquis Forgas will have the same considerations.”

“You, what misunderstanding do you have? You were asked to form a party for the sake of supporting Oliver Cardiff. Not some imitation who just happened to slay the Black Dragon, but a genuine hero!”

A genuine hero?

It is true that Oliver is also a very talented person.

However, Orn is far more exceptional.

“With all due respect, a deep layer Floor Boss is not a being that can be defeated by chance. And even more so, alone. Isn’t that a feat on par with the heroes of fairy tales?”

“…………Ignorant girl, don’t you talk back to me! Marquis Forgas has deeper thoughts than you could ever conceive! Besides, who do you think saved your life! All you have to do is follow our orders! Don’t talk back to us! You are not allowed to leave the party! Do you understand?”

“………………Y, yes. ……Under, stood.”

In a way, my foster father’s words are accurate. 

If I had stayed in that orphanage, in that poor environment, I might have already died.

I owe my life to this house.

I have to repay that favour.

However, if I stay in the Hero Party like this, given how reckless Derrick and Aneri are acting, the party will collapse. 

In the worst case, we will lose our lives during labyrinth exploration.

I don’t want to die…….

As long as I cannot leave the party, I can no longer be just a bystander. 

I have to aim to proactively communicate with everyone and prevent the party from crumbling.

It was a bad move to pick a fight with Derrick the other day…….

But there is no use in lamenting.

I have to do what I can.

I don’t want to lose my life over such nonsense.

Hah…….. If– if there really is such a thing, I would like to be saved by a hero like those from fairy tales.

Well, such a person doesn’t exist, huh…….

My life will probably end as just something used for someone else’s convenience.

I know it is unforgivable, but I want…… to cut all the ties that bind me and be free.