Chapter 1

"Elaine, I'm sorry, but you need to leave... You're being exiled."

In the dining hall of the inn where we were staying, when I announced this, Elaine's face showed surprise.

Of course, for her, it was like a bolt from the blue, a sudden declaration.

...But then again, none of us here, including me, have ever experienced a "clear sky."

We only know the word.

Anyway, she was clearly shaken by the sudden news – as usual.

With a mixture of a smile and confusion, her black eyes flickered with anxiety, yet her gaze remained straight and fixed on me.

Perhaps she was hoping this was some kind of bad joke and that I would retract my words soon.

But she quickly discerned the truth from my expression.

She has the observational skills to do that.

"Wait, Elyus, wait... What did I do? Exile? What...?"

Shaken and with a trembling voice, she called my name and tried to continue speaking.

Interrupting her was Lena, a member of our party.

"Elaine, are you aware that you're holding us back?"

At Lena's comment, Elaine responded with a piqued expression.

"True, I may not be much help in combat... but in the accounting, which is essential for party management, I'm more than useful! You have no idea how much effort I put into securing the funds for your contributions to the church!"

Lena, clearly displeased with Elaine's factual rebuttal, flushed and shouted.

"Charity to the poor is the duty of those who have! I don't appreciate being lectured about it! Besides, the regular contributions to the church are part of the agreement I made with Elyus, and I don't deserve to be criticized for it!"

Lena is right.

The regular contributions to the church she had been staying at were one of the conditions for her joining the party.

Still, it was Elaine, the accountant, who secured the funds.

So, Lena should be grateful to her.

But she won't admit it.

"Other parties manage just fine without hiring a dedicated accountant! Besides, I'm not a noble, I'm a 'Holy Maiden,' with a unique skill!"

"Ugh..."

Feeling that the tide was turning against her, Elaine fell silent.

Lena's skill, 'Holy Maiden,' is indeed unique.

It's a pinnacle skill among the 'Divine' type, which only manifests in certain bloodlines.

"But... still..."

Trying to continue, Elaine was interrupted again, this time by Falan, the party's spear user with the 'Great Spear' skill, who spoke with a disapproving tone.

"Are you trying to stay in this S-rank party, 'Dragon Fang's Bite,' with a non-combat skill like 'Accounting'? Is that your plan, based on your expertise with the abacus?"

"That's not fair... I admit I'm a liability in combat, but..."

Falan's words weren't entirely wrong.

In an adventurer party, each member has a role.

But in the adventurer business, combat is indispensable.

The year I was born, a being calling itself the 'Demon King' appeared in this country.

The Demon King weakened the nation by shrouding it in dark clouds and expanded its dominion by commanding demons and monsters.

Before the Demon King's appearance, it wasn't uncommon for non-combat skills like 'Merchant' or 'Blacksmith' to be part of an adventurer party.

But recently, having a 'Combat Skill + α' is the norm, and it's rare for someone without a combat skill to be accepted.

These skills are mainly categorized into three types.

'Divine' skills, granted by the gods during the coming-of-age ceremony based on lineage and past actions; 'Acquired' skills, which are self-taught; and 'Awakened' skills, which are enhanced when Divine and Acquired skills synergize.

"No, I'm not blaming you, but maybe the gods gave you the 'Accounting' skill for a reason other than combat. Try to understand my kindness, okay?"

Falan, now speaking in a more understanding tone.

I remained silent, listening to the exchange.

Because anything I said here wouldn't change the important 'cause and effect.'

"Indeed, I'm a liability in combat, as I've said many times. But I'm investing all my share of the loot, and I'm training at the training facility on my days off. Most importantly... I'm close, just a little more, and I'll grasp something!"

That's right.

Elaine is on the verge of something in many ways.

That's why...

"Elaine."

When I called her name, Elaine's beautiful face showed anxiety, and she looked at me with a pleading expression.

...No matter how many times I see it, I can't get used to it.

No, I don't want to get used to it, I shouldn't.

But this is... an unavoidable 'cause and effect.'

"Whatever you say, my decision as the party leader stands."

When I repeated this with a stern voice, Elaine hung her head in resignation.

"This is sudden, but... I'll provide you with some money and supplies."

When I said this, Lena voiced her discontent again.

"Wait, if you're going to give her a parting gift, wouldn't it be better to donate to the church instead...?"

I silenced her with a gesture and continued.

"We are an S-rank party. Even if she was useless, it wouldn't look good to send a former comrade out with nothing... But, maybe it doesn't matter... Yes, you're right, Lena..."

"Huh, wait a moment... Yes, you're right. To send a former comrade out with nothing would go against the will of the gods."

Phew.

Lena is abnormally concerned about her image as a 'Holy Maiden.'

I targeted that this time, and it worked.

Now I can give her a parting gift.

Though I'm not sure if it will be of any use...

"Here, it's not much, and it's a low-grade healing potion. Take it."

I poured some healing potion from a large bottle into a small one and handed it to her.

Seeing this, Lena covered her mouth and said with a suppressed laugh.

"That's a low-grade healing potion. Elyus, you're being mean. But maybe it suits Elaine?"

Lena's mocking words were uncharacteristic of her.

She doesn't usually act like this.

This attitude is only directed at Elaine.

Just a skill, after all.

It doesn't change one's character.

Ignoring Lena's words, Elaine silently accepted the money and the healing potion and left the building.

...

...

...

With Elaine's exile over, I returned to my room.

Confirming I was alone... though, at this point, no one ever visits this room.

Anyway, I activated my skill.

"Guidance"

When I whispered, a book appeared in my right hand.

The book had 115 pages.

The number of times I've "repeated."

"115 pages"

When I specified the page, the pages flipped automatically.

The last page opened, and I confirmed the new text added.

"Elaine's exile (with parting gift)"

Her name and the exile part were in red, and the parting gift part was in blue.

The parting gift part is a new discovery.

"Ah, it seems to be a significant cause and effect... sigh."

The 'Divine' skill granted by the gods during the coming-of-age ceremony is usually one per person.

But I have a secret – I have two skills.

One is "Sword Master," and the other is this "Guidance."

The Sword Master skill represents a comprehensive talent and skill in swordsmanship.

Sword-related skills are ranked as "Warrior," "Swordsman," "Sword Master," and "Sword Saint."

A Warrior is about one in a thousand, a Swordsman one in ten thousand, a Sword Master one in a hundred thousand, and a Sword Saint is so rare that there might be only one or two in the world, or none at all.

Above that, there are rumors of a "Sword God," but there are no confirmed records.

So, in practice, the "Sword Saint" is the pinnacle of sword-related skills.

Currently, no Sword Saint is confirmed to exist.

But I have met one before.

...My father, who was killed by the Demon King, was a Sword Saint.

While not as powerful as a Sword Saint, my Sword Master skill is still very strong.

It's an excellent skill for both offense and defense, and many legendary warriors have used it to leave their mark in history.

But... it's not enough.

It's not enough.

Because of the other skill, "Guidance."

"One page"

I specified the page again and read the text.

"This book guides to the Demon King's death and its consequences."

The text I've read many times.

At first, I was excited.

But gradually, I began to feel deceived.

Still, I read this text many times and reaffirmed my resolve.

I will end this ridiculous cycle – absolutely, with the Demon King's death.

Yes, this damn book is a curse-like existence, binding me to an eternal cycle until the Demon King's death – a curse placed by "that man."