I Was in Charge of Scouting for the Hero’s Party

4. Why are you here

Although I left the original map at the party, based on the copy of the map that I had recorded in advance, Princess Alexis and I hurriedly moved toward Cologne.

As a result of avoiding places where the enemy might be in an ambush and predicting the path of the enemies through the traces of monsters such as the footprints of War Wolf, we were able to safely arrive in Cologne in 8 days.

Although they arrived later than expected due to unintentionally slowing down in the aftermath of the increase in the party, it was fortunate that the food they were worried about was supplied in abundance from the supply wagon, so they did not starve.

“Due to the Demon King’s army currently encamped in Merden Forest, only those whose identities have been confirmed can enter!”

We approached the castle gate lined with carriages and hawkers, and thanks to Princess Alexis’ guarantee of identity, we were able to enter the city quickly.

“Princess Alexis. Thanks to you, I was able to safely arrive in Cologne. Thank you.”

“Ah… No… I was able to save my life thanks to Lord Austin. In the name of my family, I will definitely repay this favor.”

In a warm atmosphere, exchanging thanks to each other, Princess Alexis mumbled her mouth and was unable to continue her words.

“…Do you have anything to say…?”

“Ah… Sir Austin, what’s your schedule after that?”

“Hmm…”

I want to run straight to the Mage Tower and jump through the gate to the capital, but now, in the wartime situation, the gate of the Mage Tower, which consumes a lot of mana, is restricted to use only by a small number of confirmed people.

If I were a member of the hero’s party, I would have opened the gate immediately without any problems, but if I were to use the gate alone to go to the capital, it would be difficult to use.

Originally, you would have to wait for a few days until you receive a gate use permit from the Mettelheim Academy president who received the magic paper you sent the other day… But if Princess Alexis is there, the story is different.

I began to see the bustling market street before I knew it, and after listening to the sound of money coming and going from here and there for a while, I asked Princess Alexis before long.

“Do you plan to return to the capital, Princess?”

“Ah… Yes! I came to the front this time to gain practical experience for the last time during the vacation before graduating from the academy… Graduation is just around the corner, so I have to go back to the capital soon.”

“…Are you currently attending Mettelheim Academy…”

“Yes. I’m in my third year this year!”

If this happens, the story will be fast.

“If you’re not rude, can I accompany you to the capital? It’s true that I have to go to the capital too…”

“Yes! I would be reassured if Sir Austin would accompany me.”

Okay. There should be no problem using the gate with this.

“Then, when are you planning to use the gate?”

“Today I was going to find an inn and spend the night, and I was going to go back to the capital tomorrow after fixing my equipment… Actually, the atmosphere at the Mage Tower isn’t normal these days. He said he needed to save at least a little bit of mana in preparation for a battle that will happen soon. You’re not giving me gate clearance… Sir Austin? Are you okay? You’re sweating too much…”

“…….”

“Oh… Sir Austin…?”

Even when Princess Alexis called me, I couldn’t open my mouth.

It was because the moment I unintentionally looked away during the conversation, the black hair ponytail I had seen a lot somewhere and other familiar looks caught my eye.

…How did you get out of the woods already?

No. Those women didn’t get out of the woods quickly.

3 Days later than expected, I came late.

“…The f*ck.”

“Sir Austin…?”

“…Ah. Nothing. hahahaha… Let’s go to the inn!”

“But I have to report to my superiors first…”

“Ah, then I’ll go first and arrange a place for you! I know which inn is good!”

“Okay..”

Immediately after giving the location of the inn where we were staying, I quickly left the place after seeing Princess Alexis off.

“Damn… This sh*t… Why are you here?”

Originally, the leader of the 7th corps, who commands the 7th corps of the Demon King’s army in the forest, and the party of warriors who should be dealing with the puppet Argyle, why the hell is coming to Cologne?

“Damn it… Once you run into it, it won’t end well.”

Having seen the hero’s temper for a long time, I could roughly guess how angry they must be at me who left them alone and left without a word.

Still, if you run into them, they will respond with complete disregard.

Even if you try to ask me to come back to the party, just shake it off mercilessly.

I moved towards the inn, shivering with a sudden chill that seemed to run through my body.

“…..Found it.”

Looking in the direction I passed, not noticing the gaze of a sorceress, a beast with cat ears pricked up.

* * *

After arriving at the inn, I immediately took a room for Princess Alexis and I to stay in, took a small whetstone out of my bag, and began to sharpen my shortsword, which was a bit dull.

I don’t know how time flies as I watch the high metal shortsword, which slowly fades away from the traces of battle with a rustling sound and returns to its sharp blade shape.

The sound of sharpening the blade always seems to put my mind at ease.

“Huh… Healing. Ah, Sipal is so good.”

Although an ‘unsavory accident’ almost happened just a while ago, it doesn’t matter much to me, who is going to leave for the capital by the gate tomorrow anyway.

I feel a little taken aback by what Princess Alexis said at the market earlier… But, is there anything special?

As long as you’re careful not to run into warriors and thugs, you’ll be fine.

…Come to think of it, why am I scared?

From my point of view, having already left the party, it doesn’t matter to me whether they make rice or porridge.

I wouldn’t have anything to say if I was in the position of leaving the party because of my fault in the first place, but this incident was purely caused by the attitude of the girls towards me.

He treats his colleagues whom he has to entrust his back to as slaves, but if he endures such rude treatment to the end, he either isn’t an asshole, or his s*xual orientation is that way, or both.

Even if we run into each other again, I am prepared to savagely reject them.

After thinking about all sorts of miscellaneous things, the thought that had been falling into three thousand fours shifted to what to eat for dinner tonight. Just as I was trying to straighten the bent bolt, I heard a knock on the door and Princess Alexis’s voice.

– Knock Knock

“Sir Austin. Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m leaving.”

I looked at the sharpened shortsword blade with a satisfied expression for a while, put it in the scabbard, put down the bolt, and walked towards the door.

When she opened her door, Princess Alexis came out and faced her face.

“It’s not like… It looks like you haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Ah… I didn’t realize the time was passing as I was servicing my weapon for a while. I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s fine. If you’ll excuse me… Would you like to have dinner with me?”

“Yes. Of course it’s fine. Then, shall we go right away? I know a good place.”

As we talked with Princess Alexis, we left the inn, which was crowded around dinner time, and started walking towards the restaurant.

“Princess, are you familiar with Mettelheim Academy?”

“Sure. It’s the academy I attend, wouldn’t it be strange not to know?”

“Ah… I forgot about it for a while. Apparently, when I’m servicing weapons, I think about all sorts of things…”

At the time we got more and more into the conversation with this and that chatter, we arrived at the restaurant and went inside, grabbed a table and ordered food.

“Sir Austin, how did you come to leave the party with the hero… May I ask?”

“Ahahahaha… This isn’t really, really a bright topic. Well… All I can say is that there was a little friction with the party members.”

No matter what anyone says, they are a party of warriors who will save the world.

If I, a former party member, bring up bad facts about the warriors’ party, it would be a pleasant revenge for me, but it is not good for the warriors’ party to lose its credibility.

In the first place, in front of other people besides me, I properly showed myself as a hero. Even if I say it, there are probably on the hands of people who will believe me.

Perhaps we touched a sensitive part, thanks to Princess Alexis, who was less talkative than before, we couldn’t hide our slightly awkward atmosphere until the food was served.

I thought that I would get sick even if I ate at this rate, so I opened my mouth while waiting for the food to come out.

“That… Princess. If you’re not rude, can I use the gate as soon as possible tomorrow? I have an emergency, so I have to go to the capital.”

“Ah… I see. As soon as I wake up tomorrow morning, I will move to the Magic Tower.”

Yes. All the bad things that happened at the warrior’s party should be quickly sent to the other side of memories, and I should live a new life.

Although I don’t know what kind of disadvantages there may be if I leave the party at will…

I know very well how irresponsible it is to leave the party on my own without catching the demon lord.

However, what pushed me to the limit was neither the commander of the Demon King’s army, nor the army of monsters that came incessantly, but the girls and the hero who were members of the same party.

I’m sure you’ll do well. In the first place, he said he didn’t need me and waited…

Let’s relax as much as we like and go on a trip we want to go.

After a delicious dinner, we returned to the inn, retracing the way we came.

“Then, Princess Alexis. Have a good night.”

“Ah… Yes! Sir Austin have a good night.”

After the clichéd greeting, I returned to my room and immediately started packing up and checking my equipment in advance to make it easier for me to depart for the Mage Tower early tomorrow morning.

“Volt… I’ll have to buy some more when I get to the capital. The crossbow… Is still fine. The strings are still strong…”

Anyway, if I go back to the capital, how will the instructor react?

I was thinking about this and that, and before I knew it, I packed all my stuff, took a bath, and opened the bathroom door and came out.

– Knock Knock

At the sound of someone knocking on the door, I rubbed my head with a towel and turned my gaze toward the door.

Did Princess Alexis forget something?

Without a single doubt, I immediately grabbed the doorknob and opened the door.

“Princess Alexis? What can you say…”

When the door opened, it wasn’t Princess Alexis who appeared in front of me.

“…Austin. Long time no see…”

One of the hated party members who treated me like a slave and treated me miserably.

At the door stood a sorceress, a beastman with pricked cat ears and twinkling eyes looking up at me.

“…..Maya.”

Why are you here?