Chapter 10

However, it wasn't all good.

In the fourth year after I formed the party, which was the third year since Elaine joined, Lena began to undergo a negative change.

"I've honed my skills quite a bit. I think Elaine, the accountant, is unnecessary."

Lena started saying things like this.

At first, she wasn't very active in combat and, rather, had to allocate part of the party's funds to donations to the church, so she acted modestly. Elaine, who had been in the party for four years, didn't contribute to combat at all, but from the beginning, she excelled as an "accountant." Because of this, Lena might have felt inferior to her during the period when she was building confidence in herself.

At first, she didn't show it, but as time went on, whenever I showed concern for Elaine, she clearly became unhappy and no longer hid it.

In short, it was jealousy.

However, it wasn't all bad. The usually somewhat shy Lena became more proactive, perhaps due to her competitive spirit against Elaine.

The stabilization of funds and Lena's proactiveness further enhanced her skills.

Her skills were strengthened even more, and by the time four and a half years had passed, she began to awaken powerful abilities associated with a holy maiden, such as "Advanced Healing Magic," "Intermediate Holy Attack Magic," "Intermediate Holy Blessing Magic," and "Lie Detection."

"I was asked by Elyus to join, unlike you, who begged to be part of the party. Please keep that in mind."

When Lena said such harsh words, I couldn't believe my ears. Until then, she had never shown such an attitude.

Elaine didn't argue much with her. I once asked her about the reason, but she replied,

"There's no need to indulge a child's whims."

Her strength in such matters was also a help to me.

---

Eightieth time.

By this point, a question began to nag at me.

"Could it be that the ones who defeat the Demon King... aren't us?"

After all, we've been killed by the Demon King's subordinates many times. Even assuming that the "party is complete," it doesn't feel like we're making much progress. The demon on the path to the Demon King's castle hasn't been defeated yet. Despite all the repetitions, we can't even reach the Demon King.

What really bothered me was rethinking my conversation with Kuro.

He said right after Shiro intervened,

"That man wants you to defeat the Demon King. And I want you to awaken to new skills and aim for the Demon King's death."

While Shiro apparently wants "you to defeat the Demon King," Kuro's words were "aim for the Demon King's death," not "defeat the Demon King."

Moreover, he said, "The paths to the result are different." He then mentioned "five years and ten years," as if referring to a period. If that's the case, he could have simply said, "The time to defeat the Demon King is different."

Even though I'm grateful for the skills he gave me, that man shouldn't be trusted.

Additionally, the words written in the "Guide" given by Kuro also seemed roundabout.

"This book leads to the Demon King's death, the result."

If it were about defeating the Demon King, it should have said,

"This book leads to the Demon King's defeat."

But in that case, the question remains:

"Who, if not us, will do it?"

Elaine, the accountant, aside, we haven't encountered any party as well-equipped with skills as ours, including "Swordmaster," "Holy Maiden," "Spearman or Dragon Eye."

That's why I started to suspect.

First, Lena's change.

And the cause of that change.

Moreover, a person who, in the battle against the Demon King, doesn't seem important.

Elaine.

Considering her role, she probably stabilizes the party's finances and influences Lena, both positively and negatively, to enhance her skills. Could she be there just for that?

Even if it's enough to repay the favor of saving her life, I can't make the decision.

"I think Elaine is no longer necessary for this party. I'm also getting better at using the Holy Maiden's skills."

It was the first time Lena said this. But I've been persuaded by her every time.

Until now, I've managed to reject her suggestions. But her words, regardless of the underlying motives, are logical.

"Listen, Elyus. The battles will become more intense. You and I, who can fight, are one thing, but Elaine, who can't fight at all, will surely die if she faces the Demon King. It would be kinder to let her go now."

...That's true.

"Let's expel Elaine. If you say it clearly, I'll follow and make sure she doesn't cling to any false hope by saying cold words to her."

Regardless of her motives, if we're going to expel her, that's necessary.

But I can't just cut it off like when I first decided to let Elaine join. The time we've spent together is too long to just cut it off and start over if it doesn't work.

But...

If that's the case, should I give up?

If expelling Elaine is necessary, should I quit?

I can't do that.

If I could, I would have given up long ago.

Mission or Elaine.

If it's a choice between the two...

Alright.

Once.

Just once, I'll try.

Can't cut it off? Fine.

If I can't, I'll accept it.

I'll swallow the guilt whole.

"Alright. I'll tell Elaine today."

When I answered, Lena nodded in satisfaction.

When I told her about the expulsion, Elaine visibly shook and acted sad.

It hurt.

But I hardened my heart and expelled Elaine, who hoped to stay in the party.

If it wasn't necessary.

No matter what Lena says, I won't do it again.

Seeing Elaine leave, I felt a profound sense of loneliness.

It reminded me of the times when I refused Elaine's request to join the party, and she left with her shoulders slumped, a sight I had grown accustomed to.

I won't get used to it again.

I don't want to do this again.

---

When I returned to the room and activated the "Guide," red text appeared before my eyes.

"Accountant, Elaine's expulsion."

Seeing that, a black emotion swirled in my heart. Unlike before, there was no joy at all.

Driven by an uncontrollable impulse, I punched the door. It made a loud noise, but no one came to check.

Since Elaine joined, it's true that the combat burden increased slightly. But mentally, I was quite relieved.

She was bright, fair, and never cheated, even though she could have easily done so as an accountant.

Moreover, she was diligent.

Even though it never paid off, she spent her money on training to improve and not drag the party down.

"Hey, Elyus, can you give me a little training?"

She would ask for training between quests, and we would practice together. She never slacked off during these times.

She worked hard on the tasks I gave her.

I've seen this many times, over and over, for hundreds of years.

Her efforts never paid off.

But I enjoyed teaching her sword skills, knowing this.

Seeing her work hard on what she decided to do, I saw myself in her, and it gave me courage.

I have to keep expelling Elaine.

Over and over again.

---

Some time after expelling Elaine, a new red text appeared, even though I hadn't done anything special.

"Elaine's awakening, skill name 'Master of Numbers.'"

That one sentence gave me a shock I had never felt before.

So that's it.

That's how it is.

The one who kills the Demon King is Elaine.

If she doesn't join my party.

And if she dies at a specific time, or if I just lose sight of her for a moment, that girl...

She is the hope of humanity, which my father once protected with his life and passed on to me.