The Matter of My Party Members Being Aware of My Desire to Be Banished - Chapter 28

“Kukukuku… You have quite the eye, don’t you?”

In the ominous atmosphere, Diabell laughed heartily, truly seeming to enjoy the situation.

My cold sweat wouldn’t stop.

More than being held hostage by Diabell…

It was the indescribable fear emanating from my party members.

“Eh… taking Rokuto as a hostage…”

“Taking Rokkun as a hostage…”

“Taking Rokuto-san as a hostage… huh?”

Their eyes lost their light, and their faces… were dominated by something so dark, their emotions unreadable.

But, back to my own situation.

“Boy… you seem the weakest here, perfect.”

Diabell had instantly decided to take me hostage upon this judgment.

Though his words were true, and it was shameful and frustrating being looked down upon for my weakness.

I’m just a porter with a plain ability like “Storage.”

I’m always protected by my party members.

Yet—I’ve never said I can’t help.

“…ssh”

Mumbling something under my breath, I consolidated my thoughts in my head.

All that was left was the timing… From the flow of events up until now,

“Kukukuku… Come on, show me your pathetic figure! Cry, grovel, show me your submission to us, the Demon Lord’s army——”

Diabell, overly confident in his own power, was—now!!

“《Release》”

What I took out from “Storage” was a smoke bomb.

Since I couldn’t move my hands or feet, I couldn’t grab the smoke bomb, so it just fell to the ground.

But, that was enough.

The moment it landed, the smoke bomb emitted a rough sound and white smoke billowed out.

“What’s this!?”

“Eek!”

The room filled with thick white smoke until one couldn’t see anyone’s silhouette.

“Run, now!!”

I yelled as loud as I could towards the exits, where the maids and butlers were, and towards Yuni-san and Yurie-san.

Even if they couldn’t see due to the smoke, they knew the layout of the room and should be able to escape quickly.

It seemed my intention was understood.

Immediately afterwards, rapid footsteps sounded like startled rabbits.

“R-Rokuto-san!”

I heard Yuni-san’s desperate voice… but I didn’t want her to worry about me; I wanted her to prioritize her own life.

Especially now that her mother was finally going to have a normal day by her side.

And… to my party members, who were truly more powerful and influential than I.

“Tch, let the nobles escape, huh…”

By the time the smoke cleared, it seemed everyone else had disappeared.

But the three party members hadn’t moved and remained in place.

I had wanted them to escape, but their choice to stay warmed my heart.

“…Are you also on the capable side, kid?”

Annoyance laced Diabell’s voice.

I suspected that curses couldn’t be cast without having a clear sight of the target.

Diabell had mentioned the curse was powerful.

Presumably, without a clear aim at the target, a powerful curse like that couldn’t be activated.

So, my conclusion was that Diabell couldn’t cast his curse in a random situation where he couldn’t see the target.

And now, since Diabell did nothing…

“Heh… looks like my hunch was right… Don’t underestimate a porter.”

I taunted him with a laugh in my voice.

“Huh… damn brat.”

Diabell spat out roughly.

The next moment, I felt a sudden lift… only to have my head forcefully slammed into the ground.

“Ah…!”

My brain shook, and my vision blurred.

My head and body hurt, everything was spinning… I felt sick…

“Seems taking you as a hostage was the right choice after all. You’ll make a fine subject for my curse.”

He grabbed the back of my neck, forcing me to look up.

For the first time, I saw Diabell, who had been behind me, with my own eyes.

Any semblance of the dignified butler was gone.

His demonic appearance, with wings and thick arms, was fully revealed.

“…”

A chill ran down my spine from the fear.

But my mouth could still move.

As long as I could speak, I could activate my “Storage”.

There were still items left.

Even against a commander of the Demon Lord, I could strike back.

… Even if it cost me my life.

“So, kid? Shall I put my special curse on you? Or would your friends prefer it?”

Diabell seemed slightly annoyed but was still overly confident in his power.

Perhaps that’s his weakness.

If so, there’s a chance to counterattack.

“Ugh!”

Diabell pressed my head down again, this time grinding it into the ground.

“Ugh… Open——”

Once again, I strained my voice——

“《Sleep》”

Suddenly, Shion’s voice was heard.

And… was that a chant?

Immediately after, I was overwhelmed by an intense wave of sleepiness.

“Ah…”

My eyelids drooped slowly.

As my vision narrowed and my consciousness faded…

“Thank you, Rokuto. We’re ready on our side now. Just leave the rest to us. When you wake up, it’ll all be over, so sleep peacefully.”

“Rokkun, thanks for letting everyone escape. Rokkun is… I will protect you.”

Shion smiled, while Honoka seemed ready for battle.

And…

“…Rokuto-san. Rokuto…san”

Marn-san, who I had only ever seen with a calm expression…

“Anyone who causes you pain…”

With an intimidating look I had never seen before,

“Will be eradicated from this world.”

Was looking up, so she must have been looking at Diabell…

“Everyone…”

That’s where my consciousness cut off.

——At the same time.

“Guild Master, here are the confirmation documents.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The woman receiving the bundle of documents from the receptionist, known as the fiery redhead Guild Master, was rarely called by her real name… but it was Silva.

“Here, you guys can eat this. It’s a gift from a visitor, filled with sweets.”

“Really? Thank you~”

The receptionist happily accepted the box of sweets. Then, as if remembering something, she added,

“By the way, Shion-san’s party is currently in the royal capital Farnifal, right?”

“Ah, yes. They said they were going to scout the royal guild.”

Silva said nonchalantly.

The fact that there was talk of Shion and her party being candidates for hero parties, and that Silva had managed to put it on hold, was still a secret from others.

“The royal guild, huh! The royal guild is known for producing many hero parties and candidates. Shion-san’s party is the top in popularity and strength at our adventurer’s guild… I wonder how they compare to the adventurers at the royal guild?”

“Who knows? We won’t know unless they directly compete. But there’s no doubt—they are strong.”

Silva said firmly with a smile.

“It’s rare for you, Guild Master, to support an adventurer party like that. Could it be you’re also a fan of Shion-san?”

“Nonsense. I’m only interested in men.”

Silva stated flatly.

“Then are you interested in Rokuto-san?”

“Rokuto is… not really.”

“Poor Rokuto-san. He’s going to cry.”

The receptionist replied in an exaggerated tone, and Silva, resting her cheek in her hand, sighed.

“…He’s impossible. Not in a romantic sense but because of those around him.”

“Those around him? You mean Shion-san, Honoka-san, and Marn-san. All three are different types of beauties, strong, and high-spec. Having Rokuto-san among them is… not mismatched, but somewhat strange.”

“…”

Silva’s eyebrows moved significantly.

“Don’t underestimate Rokuto too much.”

“Eh? Is Rokuto-san actually strong?”

“No, not that. Don’t underestimate the value of Rokuto’s presence.”

“Hmm? Isn’t that the same thing you just said?”

The receptionist tilted her head in confusion.

“Maybe you’ll be happier not knowing. But this is something you should remember.”

“And what would that be?”

“If someone tries to harm him severely, especially if it’s life-threatening.”

“That would be a big crisis for Rokuto-san, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, a big crisis. Especially if it happens right in front of the party members…”

Narrowing her eyes, Silva slowly began to speak.

“Without a doubt, the attacker will… be killed. Mercilessly and brutally by those three beside him.”

Silva rotated her chair to look out the window, seemingly pitying something far away.