CH 70

Well, don’t let your love cool down at once.

Small ice crystals are dancing in the air. The density of the ice crystals was so dense that they looked completely white. Not only the goblins, but even the surrounding trees are hidden.

In the midst of this eye-piercing scene, screams were echoing. The ice crystals were cutting through skin and flesh, injuring the goblins.

Each one was not large, but if their number exceeded a hundred or a thousand, they would become a threat. There was no way that the goblins, who had no way to counter the higher level magic that was even capable of destroying the castle walls, could survive.

When the effect of the magic wore off, everything in the vicinity was indiscriminately destroyed.

From above, this area of the forest would appear to be an empty space.

「I see your arm is still intact.」

I’m not going to help you again and again. I’m not thinking of buying you from a nobleman, and I’m not thinking of saving you from criminal slavery. I’m pretty sure that this is the only time I’m going to unilaterally help you.

Since we don’t have a casual relationship with each other, the conversation stopped.

As we waited for Zelma and the others to arrive, Rosa suddenly spoke up.

「I’m sorry for following Licht’s opinion and kicking you out of the party. …… I was blind to that man.」

I looked at her face in surprise at her sudden apology.

The competitive Rosa’s mask was peeled off, revealing her own weak and fragile face underneath.

「I didn’t realize that Licht was that stupid. It was thanks to Lars that we were able to do what we did. By the time I realized that, it was too late. ……」

She said, her eyes downcast, as if in penitence.

Sophie might be able to give you some nice words, but I don’t mean to. I don’t want to comfort you or say gentle words.

「You killed the Baron, didn’t you? That was a stupid thing to do.」

「Yes, we did. And he tried to escape by blaming us first? That sucks. I wish he’d just die.」

I thought he was going to do it, but I guess Rosa and the others were hoping he would protect them.

Love makes you blind, you know. Unfortunately, I know what I’m talking about, too, so even a hint of sarcasm would only hurt us both.

「Well, don’t let your love cool down at once.」

In the end, Rosa followed the same path, didn’t she?

After hearing the apology and the end of the story, I began to think that I could forgive Rosa, if not the others.

「Yes, I think Colette is the only one still dragging her feet. I’m not sure what happened to her after she was bought.」

「I guess it’s like there’s no turning back. Well, that’s not my problem.」

I know you can’t accept that the guy you’re switching to was the worst, but there will come a time when you have to accept the fact.

I felt like I’m going to go crazy at that time, but it doesn’t matter to me. Childhood friend, ex-fiancee, ex-party member, there are many words to describe my relationship with her, but she’s just a stranger now.

「That’s good. Now that I’ve cooled down, I realize that Licht is the type of person who will ruin everyone around him, so you’d better stay away from him.」

「I know that. That’s why I left.」

I didn’t realize it until I joined the party because of his outward appearance, but I knew that Licht, with his childish and self-centered way of thinking, would one day blow himself up in a big way.

I wanted to get out before that happened, but Colette’s opposition prevented me from doing so. I had no choice but to act as a party member until that moment when I was told goodbye.

「That’s right. …… I wonder if we could have gone further if Lars had been the leader.」

「That might have been the way to go.」

Ahead as an adventurer, that’s up to each person, but it was a possibility.

But it’s too late. It’s over. There is no point in delusions such as 「Maybe」, and there is no choice but to accept the reality and move forward.