Chapter 9

The story is initially told from a third-person perspective, focusing on Walter. It then switches to Noel's first-person perspective.

"Here's your share."

Noel placed a leather bag containing seventy gold coins—seven million fil—on the table.

The remaining money from selling Lloyd and Tania had been transferred to the account by the next morning. Walter had been called to a rundown bar frequented by civilians to receive the payment. He stared intently at the leather bag.

Indeed, the money had been recovered. But he felt no joy. No matter the reason, this was money earned by betraying comrades.

On the other hand, he didn't have the courage to refuse it. Walter silently put the leather bag in his bag and took a sip of whiskey on the rocks, a specialty of the imperial capital.

He felt he couldn't go on without drinking. Yet, no matter how much he drank, he couldn't get drunk. In fact, he had been drinking at home before being called by Noel, but his mind remained clear.

He couldn't even taste the whiskey he usually enjoyed. Still, he couldn't bring himself to stop drinking, as if clinging to it.

"...What do you plan to do from now on?"

When Walter asked, Noel answered matter-of-factly.

"First, I'll fill the gap left by those two. Then, I'll train the new party to work together. If there are no major issues, we'll resume our activities as before."

"Do you really think you can fill the gap?"

"Well, it won't be easy. Talented people already have their own comrades. Even if I try to poach them, no one will willingly join a party in a half-ruined state. So, I'll have to keep recruiting patiently. Until the gap is filled, we won't be able to delve into the abyss, and we'll have to make do with jobs that two people can handle—"

"That's not what I'm asking!"

Walter shouted, kicked his chair, and stood up.

"There's no way anyone can replace Lloyd and Tania! We are the Azure Exiles, a group of four! No matter how talented someone is, no one can replace anyone else! Noel, isn't that right? Isn't that the case!?"

"No, it's not."

Noel stated flatly, without changing his expression.

"True, Lloyd and Tania were excellent, but not irreplaceable. They were talented, but still C-rank. There are plenty of them in this imperial capital."

"But that's not what I—"

"No, that's exactly what I mean. Explorers aren't children's play. Making judgments based on emotions and sentimentality is the height of folly."

"..."

Walter couldn't respond. He was aware that he couldn't make a calm judgment. But was he really wrong?

"Hmph, ridiculous."

Noel snorted and smiled coldly.

"You, in the end, were just hurt by seeing Tania's true nature. Cut the sentimental crap. She was that kind of woman."

"...You bastard."

"Hey, are you angry? To still love her even after being torn apart like that, you're a loyal dog to the core. If you really love her, buy her. Then, she'll be your Tania forever. Everything will be fine."

"Noel, you bastard!!"

Walter grabbed Noel by the collar and raised his fist.

But he couldn't bring himself to swing it all the way.

"Why... Why are you...?"

Even though Walter was about to hit him, Noel had the same calm expression as always. It was as if he was inviting the punch.

No, that was probably the case. The swirling, aimless emotions in Walter's heart were being accepted by Noel.

—If it makes you feel better, I'll take one punch.

Walter couldn't help but understand Noel's unspoken intention.

"Why... Why is that...?"

Walter let go and slumped back into his chair.

Noel was two years younger and hadn't even finished growing, yet why could he act like this? What was the difference between him and me?

Compared to Noel, how small and insignificant I must be. The sadness of this realization almost made him sob if it weren't for the alcohol.

"...There's no way to find new comrades. Who in their right mind would team up with someone who turns their comrades into slaves?"

When Walter grumbled, Noel shook his head.

"True, cowards will be hesitant. But if they're truly excellent, they'll understand our situation. They might even appreciate that we didn't sweep the party's scandal under the rug and took proper action."

"But most will resent us. ...They're all cowards."

"There's no point in worrying about the masses. What we should fear is not making enemies but failing to make allies. To do that, we need to clearly define our stance. —A rising villain. Hmph, not bad. It shows we're different from the masses."

Noel said this with conviction.

It made sense. No matter what, explorers are rough and tough. No one follows a weakling. As Noel said, being feared as a villain might be just right.

"...You're strong, you know."

Thinking back, it had always been like this. Always calm, never making a wrong judgment. He couldn't even feel jealous, only admiration.

"I'm different... I'm... weak..."

Saying it out loud, it felt natural to accept. The pride he had clung to was melting away like ice. It was a peaceful feeling. Maybe that's why Walter felt he understood what he should do.

"Do you plan to quit being an explorer?"

Caught off guard, Walter hesitated about how to respond, but Noel continued.

"True, you lack mental strength. But there were many battles we couldn't survive without you. I know your strength better than anyone. No matter what you say, I know it."

"...Noel"

"Walter, let's start over. Replacing party members isn't unusual. Let's rebuild the Azure Exiles, just you and me. I need you."

Honestly, it made him happy.

He and Noel had clashed before, and he had said things he didn't mean. But he knew better than anyone that Noel was an excellent explorer.

Support roles are generally considered weak. While their effects are powerful, they lack combat ability, which restricts the party's movements as someone always needs to protect them. It's often better to replace a support role with another class for more flexibility and a higher success rate.

This is the general perception of support roles.

A common story in the bar is that a new explorer, lacking knowledge of other classes, brings a support role into the party, gradually finds their presence a burden, and eventually exiles them.

But Noel was different.

As a talker, Noel lacked combat ability. Yet, Walter had never thought Noel was useless. Despite low combat skills, Noel could always protect himself and was even skilled at deflecting enemy attacks, making him a reliable back.

Walter believed this was partly due to the elite education Noel received from his grandfather, a hero. But more importantly, it was because of Noel's relentless effort.

Noel didn't limit his role to support but sought ways to contribute more broadly to combat. This approach, while understandable, was not easily imitated.

Moreover, Noel trained rigorously every day, a level of intensity that most explorers gave up on. Walter also trained diligently, but he lacked the confidence to maintain the same regimen while working as an explorer.

Despite being considered the weakest, Noel was respected by many explorers, including Walter, because of his indomitable will.

Being needed by such an excellent explorer made Walter feel happy. He held back his tears and expressed his resolve.

"Sorry, I'm quitting as an explorer... I'm really sorry..."

†

†

He vacated his boarding house, withdrew all his money from the bank, and sold his equipment and items. The total amount, including the money Noel had recovered, was 9,110,000 fil.

It was an odd amount, but it felt appropriate for his current situation. Considering his efforts over the past year, it was more than enough.

He hadn't decided what to do after returning home, but with 9,110,000 fil, he had many options. He could start a career as a caravan guard, leveraging his explorer experience, or make a drastic change and become a bar owner.

He hadn't achieved great success as an explorer, but endless possibilities lay ahead. He wouldn't give up. He would enjoy the rest of his life.

He knew he should think this way, but he couldn't shake his attachment to the imperial capital.

What would happen to Lloyd and Tania? Could he, who could only follow and fight, find a proper job?

These questions swirled in his mind as he waited at the station for the stagecoach to his hometown.

"Hey."

Turning at the voice, he saw Noel.

"What, coming to see me off?"

"Yeah, that's the idea."

"Wow, thanks."

It was unexpected. For this guy to do something like this.

"Here, take this as a parting gift."

Noel handed him a bottle of whiskey, a specialty of the imperial capital.

"This is for me?"

"You won't get it often in your hometown, right?"

"Ah, yeah... I guess so..."

"Then, I'll leave. Take care, Walter."

Noel left without looking back. Walter watched him go, then examined the whiskey in his hand.

"Really, I can't tell if you have feelings or are just callous."

Despite his confusion, he didn't feel bad. The dark mood from earlier lifted, and he felt like laughing.

"...Did you know? Tania really liked you."

But Tania couldn't stand by Noel's side. Noel sought a strong, capable partner, not a romantic one.

She knew her feelings would be rejected. While confiding in Lloyd, they fell in love.

If she had confided in Walter instead of Lloyd, would she have chosen Walter? It was impossible to know. But even if she had, she would have only been a substitute for Noel.

"You're right, Noel. There are plenty of replacements for us. But you're different. You're special."

In terms of talent, Lloyd, Tania, and Walter were superior.

But even without this incident, if anyone could reach the pinnacle of explorers, it would undoubtedly be Noel.

"You were a waste of a commander for us."

Walter opened the whiskey and took a sip.

"Good luck, Noel. You'll definitely become the strongest explorer. You're... the best comrade."

The familiar taste of the whiskey brought tears to Walter's eyes.

†

†

"Everything starts over from the beginning."

With Walter gone, the Azure Exiles were effectively dissolved. The name still had some value, but most of its worth had vanished.

But there was no urgency. After all, I created the Azure Exiles. I gathered three people and formed the party. So, I just need to do the same again.

Of course, I need to learn from this experience. I shouldn't have let someone else be the leader. Thinking I could let Lloyd lead at first was a mistake. If I had been the leader, such trivial problems would never have arisen.

Thinking about what-ifs is pointless, but the regret of wasting such talented people is significant. I was too naive, lacked experience. But no amount of excuses can bring back what was lost.

Next time, I need to do better. I can't afford to make the same mistake twice.

"Well—"

I stopped in a quiet alley.

"About time you showed yourselves, huh?"

As if responding to my words, four men appeared. Familiar faces—members of the bearded man's party. They had been tailing me and drew their weapons as soon as they emerged.

"Even after receiving your reward, you still have business with me?"

I asked, and the bearded man smirked.

"Looks like even Walter has given up on you. Serves you right, you're on your own now."

In other words, they thought this was their chance for revenge. How foolish. Their stupidity was so profound it made me want to vomit.

"I have one question."

"Huh?"

"Why didn't you gather more people? You have acquaintances outside your party, right?"

"You? Four of us are more than enough. It doesn't matter if you know any gangsters. I'll smash your pretty face and leave you in the gutter."

Four is enough, huh? In other words, they understand they can't win alone.

They call me the weakest, yet they can only fight in a group. What a wonderful sense of pride. So cool, I'd kill myself if I were like that.

Unfortunately, they miscalculated.

"You'd need ten times as many to beat me."

"Shut up, talker. You'll regret that attitude."

The bearded man smirked, but the overconfidence was on their side.

They probably think I'll rely on my Wolf's Roar. To counter it, their mage is likely using a skill to prevent abnormalities. They believe that if they can stop the Wolf's Roar, they can win. Their arrogance is evident.

Fools. I'll show you who will regret this.

"Hehe, don't act tough. You know you can't beat me, right? So, I'll give you a handicap. I'll fight with my eyes closed."

"What!?"

"Come on, what's wrong? Come at me, you scum."

I closed my eyes and waved my hand. The bearded man's party shouted in unison.

"What a joke! I'll kill you!"

The moment they fell for the provocation and lost their judgment, I pulled a flashbang from my coat and threw it in front of me.

"What!?! Aaahh!!"

The intense flash burned the eyes of everyone except me, who had my eyes closed. I opened my eyes and punched each of them in the chest with full force.

"Ugh!? ...Ugh..."

Just one punch, but it knocked them all out. The impact caused cardiac arrest, and they lost consciousness.

"I won't kill you in the city. But—"

I pulled out a knife and cut off the right ear of each unconscious man.

"Use those ears to spread the word. What happens if you mess with me."

Leaving the disfigured bearded man's party behind, I headed for the alley's exit.

On the way, I found something unusual.

"A snake's shed skin."

It was rare to see in the city, so it must have been a pet or food that escaped and lived in the sewers.

"...To evolve, you need to shed your skin."

Snakes shed their old skin to grow stronger. The same goes for the Azure Exiles. The old skin is gone. The new, stronger skin is what I will acquire.

"The Azure Exiles will be reborn. Starting today, this day."