Chapter 15

When Elaine was a child, a demon king appeared in the village.

The demon king broke the great tree in the village and then left.

It was a major event in the village that lasted only one day.

The damage to the village itself was minimal.

As for the villagers, some were injured by monsters, but there were no fatalities.

For that reason, a funeral was held for the hero who sacrificed himself to protect the village.

To young Elaine, there were many things she didn't understand.

But she could sense from the atmosphere around the adults that this person had done something incredible.

She asked someone who claimed to be his companion:

"How can I become someone as amazing as this person!"

Looking back now, it might have been a question they didn't want to answer, given their grief over losing a companion. However, a man with a sword patted her head and answered:

"Miss, this person... he was someone who could give his all for someone other than himself. You should become someone who can give your all for your parents, the villagers, and others. That's what he would have wanted."

To give one's all for someone other than oneself.

She still remembers those words.

After that, she was told many times by adults:

"We were saved by the Sword Saint."

The villagers always said:

"We must never forget our gratitude to him."

Elaine's parents often told her the same thing.

Eventually, Elaine began to think, "I want to be able to protect people like the Sword Saint."

However, when she finally came of age, the skill she was given was "Accounting."

She was disappointed.

It was far from a skill that could help her fight the demon king's army.

But she remembered the words she heard at the Sword Saint's funeral and used her "Accounting" skill to support her parents, who ran an inn.

She took over the management of the inn's income and expenses, selected suppliers, and negotiated prices.

She placed the village's specialty products in the inn and negotiated to sell them to travelers.

She led the economic activities of the entire village, increasing the village's income.

Before long, the villagers began to seek her advice.

"I can be of use to the village."

This gave her confidence.

And just as she began to accept this way of life...

A guest staying at the inn told her a rumor:

"The son of the Sword Saint, who protected this village, has recently become an adventurer. He aims to defeat the demon king."

After hearing this, she had restless days.

She realized that she could live with her parents, even while being somewhat exposed to the threat of the demon king's army, thanks to the Sword Saint.

Yet, the person who had lost his father was risking his life in battle.

She felt a sense of guilt.

But if she left the village now, the villagers would be in trouble.

While thinking about this, she walked around the village.

She went to see the broken trunk of the great tree, almost without thinking.

She hadn't noticed before, but new, small branches were starting to grow on the great tree.

When she saw this, the feelings swirling inside her solidified.

"Mom, Dad... I have something to talk about."

That night, she consulted with her parents.

She wanted to help the son of the Sword Saint.

She wanted to support his quest to defeat the demon king as a representative of the village.

She was prepared for opposition, but...

"Alright, go ahead."

Her father readily agreed.

The villagers said they would persuade others.

"After all, it's about helping the son of the village's savior. No one will complain."

Her father had always said, "If someone does something for you, you should return the favor."

She thought her decision was influenced by her father.

Her mother was worried about her traveling alone as a woman, but after persuading her to dress as a man and take the safest route, she finally said:

"Alright, I know you'll do what you've decided. But you must consider your safety."

"The Sword Saint has done so much for us. Try to repay his kindness, even a little. If you're turned down, don't give up easily. You need to prove that you can be of use."

When her father said this, she was taken aback.

She hadn't considered being turned down.

She thought about what to do if she was turned down, but it was too late to think about it now.

If that happened, she would join another adventurer party and prove that her accounting skills were useful.

With this resolve, she left the village.

So, she was happy.

"Sure."

When Elius accepted her into the party so easily, she was overjoyed.

She was determined to be of use to him.

In reality, she thought she was somewhat useful in her area of expertise.

But in combat, she was still a hindrance.

She was saved by Elius many times in dangerous situations.

"Really... I was saved so many times."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Elius... he moved as if he could predict what would happen next. I still can't imitate that."

While talking to Elius's mother, she recalled those times.

Elius, who could accurately read the enemy's actions, exploit their weaknesses, and support his team members effortlessly.

"He would casually say, 'I have a plan for this guy.' The first time I heard that, I thought, 'I want to say something like that someday.' I still can't say it, though."

"Hehe, that's actually a catchphrase of his father."

"The Sword Saint?"

"Yes. He used to say it a lot. He was often called cheeky, but it suited him."

Elius's mother also smiled fondly.

After a moment of reminiscing, Elaine continued:

"Then, when I became the leader of his party... I was sad at the time, but I realized something. I came to help Elius, but I was being helped by him more. Yet, I was content with the idea that I was useful with my accounting skills."

Being expelled was painful.

But she remembered that she had been prepared to be turned down, and that she needed to show her usefulness.

"I had already shown that I could be useful with my accounting skills. So, even if I couldn't be of use in combat, I wanted to at least not be a hindrance. I trained even harder. Being freed from my accounting duties made me more focused on training."

In that sense, the event was necessary for the awakening of her skill.

Now she could see it that way.

The awakening of "Master of Numbers" brought significant changes to Elaine.

How to move her body in combat.

How to train efficiently before that.

Sleep time, the amount of food to consume.

Everything was calculated in detail as "numbers."

She could feel herself getting stronger day by day.

The back she had been chasing was getting closer and closer!

But because of this, she became lonely.

One day, she realized this when she joined a temporary party formed by the kingdom's army knights.

No one could keep up with her.

And...

The demon king's officer she fought at the time.

Even though she had grown stronger, she still struggled.

And she realized something.

If she got involved in this battle, no one but herself would survive.

So, she had to fight alone.

In the midst of this, she received an offer to return to her former party, "Dragon Fang's Bite."

She had heard the rumors.

Elius and the others were in a difficult situation because of her expulsion.

She wanted to return.

More than anything, she wanted to return to Elius, who had accepted her when no one else would, and who had given her the opportunity to become who she is today.

The gratitude she felt towards him was overwhelming.

She wanted to repay it, even a little.

But.

If she returned, Elius would fight with her.

She wanted to fight with him, to show him how strong she had become.

She had that desire, but if she returned – he would surely die in the battle against the demon king's army.

If she saw Elius's face, if she saw him, she would be swayed by her feelings, so she strongly refused to meet him.

And with a heavy heart, to leave no lingering feelings, she coldly replied through a third party, "It's too late now."

She resolved to fight alone.

At least... until the demon king was defeated.

If she defeated the demon king.

Then, she would return, she would return to that place...

Defeating the demon king had become synonymous with returning to the party for Elaine.

Thinking this way, she could fight alone.

This loneliness, she told herself, would only be temporary.

She continued to console herself with this thought.