The following day after raiding the level 3 dungeon, I was developing a new magic spell with Anna help.
- With this, you can shoot 2 ''Fireballs'' at the same time and they will seek their targets.
- And the mana consumption remains the same. Impressive Luna!
I'm a genius. This is nothing for me.
- Hey, you're ok? You seem lost in your mind since yesterday.
About time you notice. I've been making that face for you to ask.
- No, I'm fine!
- Come on, you can tell me! Oh, I know, you have fallen in love with me hehehe!
Seriously lady? I'm 18 and you're 32. Isn't that too big of an age gape? Wait a minute, why am I not bothered by the fact that she's a girl too?
- No, it's Lucas!
- You're in love with Lucas?
(BONK)
- Ouch ouch ouch! That's just a joke! You didn't need to hit me!
- Please, be serious!
- Ok, ok! Good thing you're not in love with him! So, what's going on?
Why does she sound relieve saying that?
- It's just that I found it strange that he receives the same salary as everyone else.
- Why though? He is working, like everyone else.
She is not getting it. Have to change my approach.
- Yes, everyone has the same salary. Me, the newcomer, is paid the same as you, a senior in the party who is also paid the same as the Hero. Isn't that strange?
- You may think that, but it's not really! We are a team. Our strength comes from everyone. Take Rina for example. She may be great, but what could she do alone. She cannot avoid traps, she cannot take every attack, she cannot detect hidden enemies …
- Yes but, on the battlefield, she kills more monsters than everyone else.
- Only because she can focus on fighting them without any worries.
- But how having Lucas helps her?
- Well, he carries our supplies.
- And what good does it do? You all have well-made equipment and literally everyone can enchant them. What's the use of a porter?
- Even enchanted weapons can break. Lucas is also carrying potions and foods.
She is still not getting it. How dumb could she be? How can she see any good in that man?
Fine, she is a commoner after all. There are things her mind can't possibly understand. If I want to get rid of Lucas, I better talk with the Armstrong and Sebastian.
However, talking to them turned out to be just as pointless. They kept defending Lucas. But why? Did them spend too much time with the commoners that their intelligence has been reduced.
Anyways, thanks to them, I have to explain myself in front of the Hero.
- Luna, it seems you have a problem with Lucas! I thought this has been resolved already. You even saw him in action.
How do I get myself out of this. I can't tell her that Lucas is a crook without proof. She will take his side, and if he hears about this, he will know I'm suspicious of him. It'll be harder to kick him out. I need to play it safe.
- No, no, no! it's the opposite actually!
- What, you like him?
- NO, I DON'T!!
What's up with them? Anna made the same joke.
- You don't? What a relief! So, what's the problem?
- Well, I'm just worried about him. Since he can't fight, wouldn't it be better for him to just be a cook? He is amazing at that by the way!
- He is also a good porter!
- Yes, but what if we fall into an ambush. I don't want to see him gets hurt (a lie of course).
- Don't worry! As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to him.
- Huh?
- Besides, it's not like he need protection. He is incredibly fast. He can outrun any monster I know.
So, he is just good at running. Great, a crook and a coward! What a great combination!
I worked my whole life to become who I am today. I survived my father hellish training, went to the most prestigious magic academy and graduated top of my class. And that guy, just because he is friend with the Hero, he gets to stand next to me. I worked for this place, I deserve it. While he is just peeling potatoes and running around.
Fine! If the Hero doesn't want to kick him out, I'll do it myself. I'll harass him to the point he will leave on his own. And after him, I'll kick all those commoners and replace them with worthy warriors. This is the hero party. We can't accept lowly people in.
Bullying tactic no. 1: cast strengthening magic on self and eat all the food Lucas prepares. This was supposed to make him understand that his food is not enough, so he has to cook more, but I don't know why he was happy.
Bullying tactic no. 4: mess up the kitchen, hide or break his tools. This was supposed to get him late in his work, however, he always cleans up the kitchen as fast as I was messing it.
Bullying tactic no. 11: turn the cleaning product into acid. I'm not a heartless bastard like him. The acid wasn't strong enough to hurt him. It would just corrode the house after he cleans it.
Bullying tactic no. 13: make him carries a huge amount of my stuff during raids. Totally ineffective. That guy seems to be as strong as Christa.
Bullying tactic no. 19: spreading false rumours about him in the town. However, they quickly die down because no one were believing them. What the heck?
Despite all my efforts, Lucas didn't show any sign of annoyance. He managed to do his jobs; he just finishes a little later. And during raids, he carries our stuff with no trouble, even with the weight.
The other members also didn't seem mad. If anything, they were getting worried. The Hero was even blaming herself for overworking him and started helping him cook. Following her, other members proposed their help. The Armstrong were carrying some of the supplies into the dungeons; Daleth and Diego were cleaning the mansion with him.
My efforts seem useless, but I still have my trump card. Something that will make the others hate him no matter what. It's a little extreme, but I have no choice.
The next night he went jogging, I sneaked into his room.
There you are!
I found the safe where he keeps the party fund. Strangely, it wasn't locked. What's the point of a safe if you're letting it open? Anyway, that's not why I'm here. If a huge amount of money happens to disappear, no matter how much they are fond of him, they will have no choice but to kick him out.
But I'm not a thief. I'll not take this money for myself. I'll just borrow it, and after Lucas had been kicked out, I'll give it back to the Hero. I'm sure she will understand. She just needs to be away from him to see how worthless he is.
And so, I ''borrowed'' some of the money inside the safe. Now, let's just wait and see.
The next morning, I hear a loud knock on my door.
- Coming! I said, half awake.
When I opened the door, Sebastian was on the other side. He spoke before I could.
- Hamon, get ready and head to the war room. We are having an emergency meeting.
He spoke with a somewhat angry tone. Did they already discover the missing money. That was fast. Let's see how you're getting out of this one Lucas.
Impatiently, I quickly washed my face, changed clothes and ran to the war room.
Everyone was already present. When I entered, they were looking strangely at me. Maybe in my hast, I didn't properly do my hair, but I don't mind. Today Lucas is finally getting kicked. I can't wait to see the look on his face.
By the way, where is he? Oh, there he is, standing beside the Hero. He is not even allowed to seat on his chair anymore. Good for you!
- Before we start, Ms. Hamon, is there anything you wish to say?
What? She called me ''Hamon''. The Hero used to call me ''Luna''. Is it because she is on serious mode? If that's the case, I should also get formal.
- Nothing to say, Ms. Marr!
After my reply, the Hero didn't say anything for a few seconds. She just stared at me. I was starting to get uncomfortable when Lucas spoke.
- It's ok, Rina! She must have had her reason!
He is not talking formally to her. Dude, you're about to get kicked out. Could you show respect at the very least?
- NO! IT'S NOT!!! She shouted as she hit the table with her hand.
- Rina … Luca tried to interrupt.
- Hamon, I asked you multiple times what your problem with Lucas was. You always said nothing, yet you do this!
Wait, don't tell me she knows.
- I don't …
- DON'T TRY TO PLAY DUMB!! Yesterday, you stole more than half of the party funds!
Shit! She knows. But how? I made sure to cover my tracks. No, she must be guessing. There is no way she would know.
- No, no! The money is managed by Lucas! Maybe he spent it and is trying …
- I TOLD YOU NOT TO PLAY DUMB!!!
- Hiii!
- You thought we wouldn't notice. After you turned the cleaning products into acid, I had Diego keep an eye on you.
- What!?
I turned to look at Diego, but the Hero shout harder at me.
- DON'T LOOK AT HIM! LOOK AT ME! ANSWER ME! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM WITH LUCAS?
I wasn't expecting to be caught. And you mean they knew of it since the beginning. There is no way out of this. If that's the case, then …
- My problem? What's your problem with him?
- What?
- He is just a useless man. All he can do is cooking. He has no place in the hero party!
- Watch your mouth, Hamon!
- Why? You're afraid others will know that you're just protecting him. Seriously, what even is a porter? Everyone can carry their stuff. You've just created this job so you can keep your useless childhood friend around!
The Hero was left speechless by my words. I guessed she finally understood her position. I didn't want to expose her in front of everybody, but she gave me no choice. Still, she shouldn't worry. Even if they become disappointed in her, I will not. I'll stand by her side and help her become the Hero she is supposed to be.
- So, after all this time, turns out you're just an idiot, Luna!
What? She is still not getting it? And she called me an idiot? Fine! You want to do it the hard way, let's do it the hard way.
- It's the others who are stupid! They couldn't even figure such an obvious thing. Or did you hide the fact that you came back to your hometown to recruit him?
- We all know Lucas's story. Anna said.
- What?
- We were there when she recruited him. Sebastian, Christa and Roy and myself.
Are you kidding me? if you knew of it, why are you still defending that guy?
- So what? Doesn't change the fact that he is useless.
- …
- …
- Even I was not that much! Roy whispered.
- I wouldn't bet on that! Christa whispered back.
- ...
Nobody talked after me. They were just looking at me with, with … I don't know what expression they were making. I just know it wasn't anger. Are they pitying me? It's Lucas who is worthless, not me. Those eyes should be directed at him. Why are you looking at me like that?
- Alright, I can see what the problem is, and I'll think of a solution. In the meantime, Luna, return the money. You're dismissed!
- Wait, that's all?
- Yes. For now, at least. Let's eat breakfast.
- NO, YOU CAN'T!!
- …
- That guy doesn't deserve to be here! Kick him out!
- I'm afraid I can't do that, Luna!
- Kick him out, or I'm leaving!
She is really pushing me to the limit. Very well. You'll have to choose. You can either have me, the last daughter of the prestigious Hamon family, who graduated top from the academy; or you can keep your useless friend. So, what will it be?
The Hero stared at me for a few seconds. Seems that she understood the situation. Finally, she will see reason.
- There's the door Ms. Hamon! Thank you for your services!
- What?
- … What?
- You're kicking me out?
- No, you're leaving on your own since I refuse to kick Lucas out.
Unbelievable! She is choosing him over me. But at least now it's clear that she is protecting Lucas.
- You see, this is clear nepotism! I spoke to the other members.
- Not really! Christa replied.
- What?
- Lucas is obviously more important to the party than you are. The choice is clear.
- You're kidding me?
The fact that it was my beloved Christa who said those words hurts me more than anything. I knew that the Hero was biased, but I was expecting Christa and her brother to support me. But no, she chose Lucas, that worthless man.
- Alright! Let's have a vote! Who chooses Lucas?
At the Hero's question, every single member raised their hand.
- As you can see, this is the party decision. You can leave, Ms. Hamon!
This is a dream, isn't it? A nightmare? They are choosing a mere porter over me? I'm the one getting kicked out?
But I can't leave. What will I say to my dad? I'll be humiliated if they learn that I've been kicked out of the hero party.
- Wait, Rina! She is still new. Just give her some time!
- It's been 2 months now! I don't think there's anything else we can do.
- We haven't raided a high-level dungeon yet! Maybe being in a dangerous situation will make her understand how we work.
At Lucas words, the Hero turned to me. She glared ferociously at me. She is hesitating. Me? She is wondering whether or not she should keep me, Luna Hamon!
I was getting mad at her reticence. I am without doubt the most competent member of the party. Even the Armstrong could not compete. Yet, she has trouble choosing me.
- (sigh)… Alright! But this is the second time he saves you. There won't be a third time! Am I clear Ms. Hamon?
- …
- Hamon, did I make myself clear?
- Yes!
That damn crook! Is he trying to play hero in this situation. Does he think it means I own him now. He is fooling himself.
I returned the money and stayed in my room that day. I didn't want to be entangled with them. I slept the whole day.
- [brother, wait for me!]
- [come on Luna, I'm over here, ha ha ha!!]
[I remember that day. I was playing outside with my big brother.]
[Those days were truly blissful.]
[But, as expected, they didn't last.]
- [brother, where are you going?]
[My brother didn't answer. He kept walking away.]
[I screamed. I didn't want him to leave me. But my father was holding me back.]
- [What's going on? Where is brother going?]
[I will never forget my father's words.]
- [That trash is not your brother!]
[The next day, we received new that my brother has died. Apparently, he got killed by a monster while walking through the forest.]
[My father smiled and only said one word.]
- [Good!!]
I woke up with a start. I was in my room, in the hero party mansion. Yeah, I joined them not long ago.
It has been a long time since I dream about my brother, that trash. I was 4 at that time, I couldn't understand. But as I grew up, everything became clear. My brother was weak.
Every member of the Hamon family is destined to be a great mage. Yet, there he was, incapable of casting a single spell. I don't know if he didn't have mana or he was just incompetent, but one thing was sure, he was a disgrace to the family.
So, to prevent him from tarnishing the Hamon family reputation, my father got rid of him. I used to think that simply kicking him was enough. He didn't need to get him killed, but now I understand. If he had left him live, he would have ended up like Lucas, a worthless man that we had to take care of. Maybe not my father, but I would certainly try to take care of him. I used to love him after all.
I was disgusted that I would end up like the hero. A pitiful woman not letting go of a worthless acquaintance.
- The weak have no reason to meddle with the strong.
I got off the bed and went to the window to look at the scenery.
- If they meddle together, the strong would get corrupted by the weak. And this will be the result. A worthless party living in a worthless mansion.
If the hero and the others can't understand that, so be it. The Armstrong and Sebastian are already corrupted. And Lucas, that man will certainly die the day we encounter a strong opponent.
Anyways, this has nothing to do with me. He is not my friend, none of them are. We are just workmates. I'll do my job as a sorceress while trying to resist the corruption. I don't care who lives and who dies.
I'll only do my work.