I wanted to coldly abandon Kakaros and leave, but since I didn’t know the way back, I quietly waited until he finished catching fish.
Sitting awkwardly by the waterfall, I watched Kakaros hand-fish. Even in the dark he splashed expertly and pulled fish from the water. I almost applauded at the rare sight but held back.
When we returned to camp, Elonen had already lit the fire and was preparing dinner.
“Oh, you caught quite a few in such a short time.”
Elonen murmured, admiring the six fish in the basket. There were more fish than people—perhaps Kakaros had caught extras for himself.
Kyle was laying blankets on the ground to prepare sleeping spots. Gerard was nowhere in sight, and nobody seemed to care.
“Shall we clean the fish first?”
Elonen finished his prayer, drew a dagger, and with the skill of a seasoned cook, chopped off heads and gutted fish without hesitation, tossing the entrails into a basket.
“Fish skewers tonight?”
Gerard reappeared, leaning against a tree and sniffing.
“Gerard, please dispose of this waste later.”
“Got it. I picked some mushrooms and berries in the forest. You can eat them too.”
He set the basket down in front of Elonen. While Kakaros and I were fishing, he had gone foraging as well.
“They’re not tainted by miasma, so don’t worry.”
Gerard said to me. Unsure how to reply, I simply nodded.
“All right, they seem done. Let’s eat.”
Elonen handed out skewered fish roasted over the fire one by one. The appearance was barbaric and I had low expectations, but at the first bite I tasted the crispy char of the skin and a delightfully salty, fishy, nutty flavor that made me exclaim.
“Elonen, your cooking is impressive.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just seasoned them and grilled them.”
Elonen modestly waved his hand, though I noticed his ears were flushed.
“Should we bring any firewood?”
Even now, Elonen seemed worried about my lumber business.
“Forget it. We don’t have an axe anyway. Alive is enough.”
I said as I shoved the remaining bones into the basket of entrails. He might next insist on piling logs onto my back.
“If you ever consider quitting being a lumberjack by tomorrow morning, let me know.”
Kyle said with an oddly regretful look. I couldn’t see what he’d regret.
To him I was just the strange man met in a miasma-filled forest, so why would he be sad at our parting?
If anything, he should be relieved I would leave.
“Ah, not quitting entirely—just taking a break. It’s a good time to explore career paths.”
When is it ever the perfect time to explore career paths? I glared at Kyle demanding an explanation, but he fell silent.
“What use is this guy? Can he do anything?”
Gerard asked. I could fumble a few spells from the grimoire, but only by painstakingly following the text. It was awkward overlapping with a mage like Gerard. I could never admit I could breathe fire or wield miasma.
“…Not really.”
I shrugged, and Gerard clicked his tongue in agreement.
“Having a useless member in the party only gets in the way.”
I wasn’t offended. I was grateful Gerard convinced Kyle with his blunt logic.
“I’ll go chop wood again.”
I murmured, staring into the forest. By now, becoming a lumberjack didn’t seem so bad. I hadn’t decided what to do next, but I knew I never wanted to be part of a Hero’s party again.
However, despite my resolve, things took an odd turn the next evening as we neared the forest’s edge.
Stepping out of the oppressive forest, we found ourselves on a vast plain dotted with dozens of tents and fluttering banners. It had to be Crown Prince Reynold’s Subjugation Army camp.
“They’ve already caught up faster than I expected.”
“They mustered such an elite force… incredible scale.”
Elonen’s admiration and Gerard’s astonishment drifted to me. Since the Hero’s party intended to meet them anyway, I was relieved to go along without searching.
And it was time for me to bid farewell. Finally free of suspicion, I could go my own way.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way….”
“Your Highness the Seventh Prince!”
As I began to speak, a troop of soldiers poured from a tent, their booming voices drawing everyone’s attention.
“What is it?”
“We have orders from His Highness the Crown Prince to bring Your Highness the Prince.”
A soldier knelt before Kyle, addressing him so loudly that the surrounding camp hushed.
“Look, they say it’s Prince Kyle!”
“Is it the Hero’s party arriving first? Did they slay the Black Flame Dragon? Why are their hands empty?”
The soldiers murmured. The party seemed accustomed to such attention and made no fuss.
“I see. Where is he? Show me.”
Kyle replied calmly, as if expecting this.
I wanted to slip away before further trouble, but after two nights together, I owed them a goodbye.
“I’m about to leave….”
“Apologies, but we have orders to bring every party member without exception.”
The soldier spoke before I could finish. I realized they all assumed I was part of the party.
Though they’d offered me membership, I had refused—and would refuse forever.
“There must be a misunderstanding. I am not part of this party….”
“His Highness the Crown Prince’s orders are absolute. Bring every member, no exceptions.”
The soldier stood, and I saw hands drift to swords—no cordial persuasion here.
“Rishian, I’m sorry, but my brother has a temper. If this causes a disturbance, it will get worse. Please come peacefully.”
Kyle whispered, placing a hand on my shoulder before conflict could erupt.
“I’ll have them release you once we’ve spoken.”
A conversation wouldn’t take long. Having forced myself this far to avoid suspicion, I couldn’t back out now.
“…Fine.”
“Please follow me.”
We were led deep into the camp to an ornate tent bearing the royal crest.
“Please surrender all weapons before meeting His Highness the Crown Prince.”
A knight barred our way. Reluctantly, the party handed over swords and staves.
“We will now conduct a frisk search.”
The knight patted each of us down, then announced, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, we have brought Seventh Prince Kyle.”
“Let them enter.”
A voice called from within. The tent flap opened, and I entered at the back.
Inside was a spacious room with a roaring brazier and a huge bed—its plush bedding looked so inviting I’d sell my soul for a moment’s rest.
“Seems like only a short time since we parted, and here we are again, Kyle.”
A man seated at a desk greeted Kyle warmly as he rose to his feet.