Volume 4 - CH 17

Chapter 17 – The Reason Lana Fight

Pleasant times quickly passed, and the group decided to disband after making another promise to have dinner together again. And now, they are gathered behind the restaurant where a carriage that will send Lana to the royal castle is waiting.

“Thanks for today, Eto. It was really fun to talk with Kohaku-chan, Sorano-san, and Amou-san. Next time it will be my treat, so let’s go eat some delicious food again sometime.”

Saying that, Lana walked toward the carriage, but immediately stopped and looked back at Eto.

“Eto, about the previous matter, I did some investigation about it.”

“Aa. I also asked some people who might have some information regarding that.”

Eto wanted to find out whether it was Ronaldo who ordered to not give Eto his reward, or the liaison between the royal castle and the church, as Lana said. It’s because Eto thought it was better to find out about the truth rather than having a weight on his shoulder.

And the person Eto asked about that was Trie, the Grand Master of the Adventurer’s guild. It is meaningless to ask the information about the Hero to someone of a lower position, after all. Hence, Eto concluded that the only ones who know the truth are the higher-ups of the kingdom.

“As expected, I don’t think Hero-sama was the real mastermind. In fact, I also asked Hero-sama himself. He even swore in the name of Goddess-sama that he didn’t do something like that. I understand that for Eto, it is already too late, though…”

“That’s not the case. Besides, what Lana told me before was exactly the same as what I heard from the person I asked. Looks like Hero-sama truly didn’t know anything about that.”

Yes, Trie also told Eto that the Hero didn’t know anything, and the ones who do such unreasonable acts against Eto were the liaison between the royal castle and the church. Of course, Eto asked to Trie whether he himself could believe it or not. After thinking for a while, Trie answered by telling Eto his views about Ronaldo, which said he is just like a child who possessed a power that didn’t suit his age. Which means, if he wanted to get rid of Eto, Ronaldo might have kicked him out directly rather than using a bullying-like method like stealing Eto’s reward.

After Eto’s visit, Trie also confirmed the fact in the liaison’s investigation record. Inside the record, there was no testimony revealing the involvement of the Hero there. Even Guild Master Sidrake, who read the record with Trie, also clearly stated, ‘There is nothing suspicious here.’

And Eto decided to believe the two, because he knew there would be no end if he kept doubting people’s words. Thus, he decided it was the time to stop.

“Lana, this definitely made me feel a little better. However, it seems for the current me, Hero-sama’s involvement in that matter doesn’t matter anymore. In the end, being in the Hero’s party was just suffocating for me, and I couldn’t stand it. On the contrary, now, I am free to use my support magic and able to have an adventure with dependable companions. I realized this was exactly what I was looking for all this time.”

Eto said while looking at his party members. Now, he could proudly say they were his companions.

“I see… I wish at that time I properly listened to Eto’s story. But, now, it looks like Eto was able to meet his true comrades…”

Tears flowed from Lana’s eyes. But, she immediately wiped it with her hand, and smiled, as if trying to brush it off.

“What is Lana going to do from now on?”

“As always. I want to go to areas that are suffering from monsters and help them. Although we’ve been subjugating plenty of monsters in the kingdom, compared to what Eto did by stopping the Stampede, what we did can’t even be called accomplishments. We are chosen by Goddess-sama, after all. So it would make me feel bad if the name of Hero’s party is merely decorative.”

“I see.”

“Although I understand that Eto doesn’t have a favorable impression on Hero-sama and Mirei-sama, compared to the nobles who can just talk in the royal capital, I think the two who are fighting monsters on the front line are way better. That is why I wanted to use my power as the Sword Saint to support them.”

“Un, I know. I was once a member of Hero’s party after all, so I know what Lana wants to say. I can’t go with you, but I think Lana should just go as she believes.”

“Thank you.”

After that, Eto’s party had the opportunity to have dinner with Lana again. And then, as she said, she continued her journey to subjugate monsters as a member of Hero’s party. Although Eto and his party couldn’t see her off, at that dinner, they had promised to meet again someday.