The Matter of My Party Members Being Aware of My Desire to Be Banished - Chapter 31

Around the time we had walked far enough that the luxurious residence of the Marquis Alves family was completely out of sight.

Looking around restlessly… after confirming no one else was nearby besides us, I brought it up.

“Hey, about earlier. Why did you… refuse the thanks?”

『Therefore, we would like to give you our thanks—』

Thanks from Orde-san, the head of the Marquis Alves family.

At that time, Yuni-san and Yurie-san, who were sitting next to Orde-san, were also nodding as if in agreement.

Thanks from a Marquis family… that would surely be amazing.

Besides, if they offered thanks, I feel like I would have just said, “We’ll gladly accept your kindness!” but….

『We cannot accept your thanks.』
『As our leader Shion-san says, we acted simply as adventurers would, so words of thanks are more than enough for us.』
『Additionally, we received the privilege to not use honorifics and… being able to call you Yuni-chan alone made it all worthwhile for me.』

Shion, Marn-san, Honoka… had refused immediately.

There must be some other special reason for that…

“The reason for refusing the thanks, huh.”
“The reason…?”
“Reason, hmm—”

After the three looked at each other… Shion was the first to speak.

“First, as a premise, it’s not that we don’t want the thanks, okay?”
“Ohh?”

It seems there really is another reason.

“It’s just, we want to delay… making this incident public for a little while.”
“Ohh? Make it public?”

As I tilted my head, this time Marn-san spoke up as if to add to it.

“If word got out right away that a Demon Lord’s commander appeared… fear and anxiety would spread through the Royal Capital, and there’s a risk of panic, you see~”
“Ah… That’s true.”

I mean, speaking of Demon Lord commanders, they’re abominable beings, enemies of humanity.

It’s terrifying that such a thing was nearby… and having actually fought one, I prepared for death.

“But hey, if you announce that you defeated such a Demon Lord’s commander, wouldn’t everyone feel relieved?”

What everyone fears is that a Demon Lord’s commander was lurking nearby.
Because of that, they think they might be harmed.

But, Shion, Marn-san, and Honoka defeated that Demon Lord’s commander.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say peace has returned to the Royal Capital.

“Regarding the matter of subjugating the Demon Lord’s commander, Marquis Orde probably intends to announce it after some time has passed as well. However, Marquis Orde and the others… have something they need to do before that.”
“Something they need to do?”

While tilting my head, I focused on Shion’s next words.

“Marquis Orde must have realized it. Unlike monsters, Demon Lord commanders don’t just appear naturally. It approached the Marquis Alves family intentionally. But why the Marquis Alves family, I wonder? Which means…?”
“N-No way… Does that mean there’s a traitor inside! Someone who directed the Demon Lord’s commander to target the Marquis Alves family!”

When I shouted, Shion grinned.

“Corr~ect!”
“As expected of Rokuto-san.”

Honoka patted my shoulder, and Marn-san gently stroked my head.

“So, that’s why we politely declined the matter of the thanks, taking various things into consideration.”
“I see!”

To think they’d considered it that far… Everyone really is amazing!

“…Well, the real truth is, with thanks on the level of the Marquis Alves family, it would likely lead to reporting to the King, getting commended, maybe even being granted noble rank or appointed as the Hero’s party, and various other ways of standing out…”

Shion murmured something with a troubled expression.

Noticing me tilting my head and staring, Shion turned a smile towards me.

Maybe it’s better not to ask again.

“Still, it’s been a whirlwind half-day, huh. From the issue with Yuni-san and Yurie-san to a Demon Lord’s commander showing up…”

I murmured, instinctively looking up at the sky.

Actually, the most surprising thing is that everything, including subjugating the Demon Lord’s commander, was over in about half a day.

Huh, this party is abnormal, right?

Beyond just being insanely strong, it’s abnormal, right?

Could it be that I’m currently part of an unbelievable party?

Like, the strongest party you see in light novels or manga…

N-No way!

“But really, how did you manage to defeat the Demon Lord’s commander Diabell! That guy seemed like a curse specialist, right? How did you beat him!”

After the three looked at each other….

“That time… Maybe because we were more serious than usual.”

Shion answered like that, representing the group.

“Serious… I see!”

I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon, but if there’s another battle with a Demon Lord’s commander, I hope I can see everyone fight with my own eyes.

“Well then, there’s still time, so Honoka and I will head towards town. Marn and Rokuto, you two enjoy yourselves too.”
“Well, this time it’s Ma-san’s turn, right. You two take your time~”

Saying that, Shion and Honoka quickly walked ahead.

“Marn-san, what should we do? Want to go to the library looking for grimoires?”

Time-wise, it’s still only about 2 PM, so the library should be open.

“Marn-san?”
“Shall we go somewhere we can rest, just the two of us?”
“Eh?”

Marn-san, who took my hand… smiled gently.