Kaindel Barony had originally been a quiet village a little way off the main road. But at dawn, new news stirred the whole village.
In homes, at the market, and on every street, men and women young and old alike spoke only of the Hero’s party.
“Is the Hero’s party staying in the village? Who on earth are they?”
“You’ve probably heard of them. The Hero’s party led by His Highness the 7th Prince Kyle Delos! They say they’re staying at Phil’s Inn!”
“Really? I want to go see them too!”
The villagers gathered like a cloud near the inn where the Hero’s party stayed.
“Did they finally kill that troublesome Black Flame Dragon?”
“No, I heard the Black Flame Dragon got scared off when it learned the Hero’s party was coming and disappeared.”
“No, from what I heard they saw the Black Flame Dragon and it turned and ran in fear once it saw them.”
The gathered people raised their voices as if swearing their version was the truth. And among the watching adults, children with shining eyes were shouting,
“As expected, the Blue Mage is the best! Whether it’s offensive magic or defense! And I heard he’s skilled with potions and arcane studies!”
A boy shouted loudly. Another, unwilling to be outdone, called out,
“No, it’s because of the Saint in silver that the Hero’s party held together! Without him they would have scattered long ago!”
When talk turned to the Hero’s party there was always this debate. Beyond that, there was the so-called “Hero play,” where they fought over who would take which role in the party.
Watching the children bicker, a boy shook his head and spoke calmly,
“You’re too young to know. Without the Forest Elf, who would guide the way and warn us when monsters appear?”
Kakaros, though less well-known than the others, still had his voice carry. But before the boy finished, a girl who had been listening quietly shot her hand up and said,
“B-but, after all, without the Hero there’d be no party for anyone to join. So the Hero is the best!”
This time no one objected. Everyone nodded in agreement.
“But did you see that person?”
Just as the conversation seemed to wrap up, a boy diverged with a loud voice,
“Who are you talking about?”
“You know, the man with the long black hair, sharp eyes, really handsome.”
Feeling clever that he knew something the others didn’t, the boy shrugged and said,
“Could he be part of the Hero’s party too? Weren’t there only four?”
There was a new figure unknown to the Hero’s party wandering with them. All attention turned to him, but no one knew who he was.
“Right, just by looks he seemed more a villain than the Hero.”
No one could refute that mutter.
“I wonder what kind of power he has?”
“Since he’s with the Hero’s party, he must be incredible.”
As the children chattered about the party’s new face, a quiet boy spoke up,
“I think he’s a slave they bought to carry their packs. He was shouldering a big bag all by himself.”
“Ah…”
Amid the excited chatter the children uttered a hollow sigh. That figures; the Hero’s party was perfect at four members. Sure enough he really didn’t look to have any powers.
In no time the children’s opinions shifted and they whispered among themselves.
“It feels strangely itchy in my ear.”
While eating, I felt an extreme itch and rubbed my ear with my palm for no reason.
“Probably those people gathered over there are talking about you.”
Kyle said casually, pointing at the crowd outside the inn. Following his gaze, the murmuring villagers fell silent at once.
“Rishian must not be used to people staring at him.”
Kyle said as if it were obvious. Ordinary people were not accustomed to attention. Nor did they want to get used to it.
“They think we’re the Hero’s party, so they’re just watching us. Don’t worry.”
Elonen gave me a gentle smile and reassured me.
“That’s a good reaction. Some people glare as if they want to kill you or try to block you from entering the village altogether.”
Gerard clicked his tongue and said,
“Why would they block us?”
“They say we’re jinxed since we hunt monsters, that we’ll bring monster curses, or that we’re frauds… all sorts of nonsense.”
It felt like something I’d read in the original tale. People naturally distrust unknown beings until they see proof of their deeds.
Even the famed Hero’s party might not be believed until their exploits were witnessed firsthand.
“Eat before it gets cold. It’s been a while since we had proper food.”
The inn’s fare hardly counted as proper food: a sticky red soup with unknown ingredients, chunks of bread as hard as bricks, and something potato-like burnt by overcooking.
“Elonen’s cooking was better.”
Kakaros said frankly, setting down his spoon. I followed suit.
“How much farther to the north?”
“Elonen, how much farther to the north?”
“In about three more days.”
Kakaros answered Elonen’s question. It was amazing how he navigated unfamiliar roads without a map.
“Hey, show me the map.”
Gerard said, arms crossed, teasing. I almost lost my temper. Did he really think I was his squire?
I told myself it was just the hazing the last member of a party endured, and held back, rummaging in my pack for the map.
“We’re right here.”
Kakaros placed a finger on the map.
“This is Kaindel Barony. For coming at speed you haven’t gotten very far.”
“Then we shouldn’t stay here tonight. Let’s just keep walking, and if needed we can hire a horse or carriage.”
As the party planned their route, I heard men at a table behind us, drunk since midday, shouting,
“They missed the Black Flame Dragon? They paraded around as the Hero’s party. Serves them right.”
Their voices were so loud I couldn’t help but hear.
“Yeah, if they were going to run, they should have stayed put. Maybe the Crown Prince’s forces would have slain it by now.”
“They always meddle with the Crown Prince’s business. The Hero’s party—they’re just incompetent fools tagging along.”
They might as well have said it to our faces. Why whisper behind us? I noticed Kyle’s fist trembling under the table. His expression was calm but something bothered him.
Kyle couldn’t step forward in such a situation. As leader, he couldn’t sully the party’s name.
But I was different. I felt no real belonging to this party, nor any honor to uphold.
So I leapt up and said to the men,
“Hey, are you talking to me?”
“Rishian, stop. Don’t mind them.”
Kyle looked surprised I’d reacted, then smiled and grabbed my wrist.
Frankly, I didn’t care if Kyle was insulted. But now I was part of this party and I didn’t want to just sit back.
“If the Crown Prince’s army had found the Black Flame Dragon first it would have slaughtered everything.”
Even Elonen, who always smiled, interjected in a small voice, indignant. It was clear the rest wanted to speak up but held back, eyeing Kyle.
I shook off Kyle’s hand and strode to the men’s table. Then I slammed my palm down with a bang.
The inn, noisy a moment before, fell silent.
“If you have complaints, say them to my face. Don’t whisper behind us.”
The men, stunned, couldn’t muster a word. One even hiccupped in surprise.
“We—we’re sorry…!”
They got up hastily, paid as if throwing money, and fled the inn.
I secretly felt triumphant that my fearsome face had been useful.
“That was amazing, Rishian. Your charisma was so cool.”
Returning proudly, Elonen clasped his hands and said,
“It was cool. But with so much attention, why cause such a disturbance?”
Elonen’s praise made me proud but Gerard’s rebuke made me glum.
But I didn’t actually hit them with a fist, so what harm was done, I thought, feeling a bit aggrieved.
“Everyone, freeze!”