Volume 2 Chapter 25 The Exiled Hero and Another Hero Party 1 [Higami I]
It was a different place from the country where Guildmaster Act lived.
A small island nation called the Far East.
And in this country, there was also a Hero Party.
However, the Far East Hero Party was a little different.
It was made up of five chosen swordsmen.
The party leader and Fire Hero, Higami, spoke to one of the members.
"Suigetsu, you're exiled. Leave the party."
The female Hero, Higami, said this coldly to the girl named Suigetsu.
"Wha-what? Am I... leaving the party? Why is that?"
"Hah! It's obvious, Suigetsu. It's because you're useless. Water Hero Suigetsu."
The Far East Hero Party consisted of five swordsmen representing wood, fire, earth, light, and water.
In the Far East, there were five sword schools.
Heroes were chosen for generations from the leading disciples of those schools.
Suigetsu was the next head of the water sword, the Water God's Sword Style.
"U-useless? I've been trying my best to be helpful to everyone!"
"First of all, the Water God's Sword Style is plain. It doesn't stand out at all."
What Higami said wasn't entirely wrong.
Each of the five major schools had their own specialties.
The fire sword had overwhelming attack power.
The wood sword was useful for support, like binding enemies.
The earth sword focused on defense, and the light sword specialized in healing.
Each had something that shined.
But water swordsmanship didn't have any of that.
"Everything you do is just half-baked, whether it's offense or defense."
"No... it's true the Water God's Sword Style doesn't stand out. But... I thought I was supporting everyone."
For example, Higami had incredible single-target strength but often got reckless.
Suigetsu was the one who picked off the enemies she missed.
She'd also back up the others in subtle ways—ways that went unnoticed.
Because she didn't take the spotlight, her contributions looked small.
In time, it made her look... useless.
"If I disappear, this party will lose its balance and fall apart—degozaru."
"Ha! That's the dumbest lie I've ever heard. Get outta here, you. You're just in the way. I don't need any women in my harem."
...What is she even saying?
Suigetsu tilted her head.
True, among the five Heroes, all except her and Higami were men—and incredibly handsome ones.
But what did that have to do with anything...?
"I already found someone to replace you as the Water God's Sword Style swordsman. We don't need you anymore."
Naturally, the new member was another good-looking man.
In other words—this woman, Higami, was building a reverse harem party. One girl, four pretty boys.
And Suigetsu? She was just... in the way.
"Besides, you're not Hero material. When you swing your sword, you hesitate, don't you?"
"W-well, that is..."
"Want me to tell you why? Because you're scared. Scared of taking a life with your own hands. It terrifies you, doesn't it?"
Higami's words hit the mark.
Even with all her training, Suigetsu couldn't deal the finishing blow.
"With such a weak sword, you think you can take down the Demon King?"
"...You're right, Lady Higami."
She knew it deep down.
She wasn't fit to be a swordsman—let alone a Hero.
"I understand. I will leave the party—degozaru..."
And so, the Water Hero, Suigetsu, left the Far East Hero Party.
---
The Far East Heroes were stationed in a region called the East Wall, on the eastern front of the Demon King's territory.
Exiled, Suigetsu was making her way north—toward human lands.
But on the way, she was attacked by demons.
In a forest, at night—
"This is... the end—degozaru..."
Back pressed against a tree, Suigetsu sat down, surrounded by monstrous creatures.
"Just once... I wish someone needed my sword..."
And then—
"Not yet. It's too early to give up."
Thud—
The demonic beasts collapsed.
"Wh-what is this...?"
Out of the darkness came a young man with jet-black hair and piercing eyes.
Blood ran from his left eye. His golden right eye gleamed with fierce light.
"Are you injured?"
"Y-yes... w-who are you?"
"That doesn't matter. You're hurt."
He glanced at her wound—and just like that, the bleeding stopped.
"Th-this is amazing... What kind of magic is this?"
Just then—
"Hey! Mr. Act!"
Something golden streaked across the sky.
What looked like a shooting star landed in front of them.
"Oh—Golden Hero... Lord Lawrence!?"
"Hmm! You know me?"
"Of course! You're famous—the leader of the Lawrence Party that defeated one of the Four Heavenly Kings...!"
But why was he here?
Then she remembered—they were heading toward the Demon King's country too.
"Lawrence. Go call Vivre."
"Understood!"
Boom!
Kicking the ground, Lawrence launched into the night sky like a comet.
Moments later—
'Yes, yes, Guildmaster, I'm here!'
With a thunderous crash, a massive black dragon landed before them.
"......"
Just the dragon's presence was enough to make Suigetsu faint—foam at the mouth.
'Oh no, what's wrong?'
"She's just unconscious."
He—Act—picked her up and slung her over his back.
Climbing atop the dragon, he spoke calmly.
"Take us to the town."
'Geez, I'm not a carriage, you know?'
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