After acknowledging the reality, they started chasing their husbands to the crematorium

“Hey! I’m talking to you, didn’t you hear me?”
“You spoke, and I heard.”
A small tavern beneath the scattered stars in the night sky.
Sitting across from a charming young girl is a round table.
Her slender, beautiful legs, clothed in pure white stockings adorned with bows, make her the most enchanting among the female adventurers, now that she has shed her armor.
Her name is Xyia, a member of the Moonlit Adventurers, a renowned adventuring party.
If only one could join her team.
That’s what everyone who has seen her must be thinking.
Lyle used to think the same way.

But now, as a scholar in her team, he doesn’t hold that idea anymore.
Xyia slams her glass onto the table, “Are you really listening to me? I said, the Crystal Tear Adventuring Party has descended to the forty-fifth floor today!”
“About that…”
Lyle pondered for a moment, “If you can’t progress for now, focus on honing your skills on the forty-fourth floor.”
“But our levels and equipment are similar.”

The girl’s face shows a frustrated look. She says, “People claim I’m not as good as them! Just a few days ago, they were also stuck on the forty-fourth floor!”
Lyle shakes his head, “Similar levels don’t necessarily mean the team’s overall combat prowess is the same.”
Xyia crosses her arms, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground, and scoffs, “That new scholar among them, he’s a top student from the academy, did you know he originally wanted to join our Moonlit Adventurers?”
Lyle smiles.

She doesn’t need to say anything more.
It’s already quite clear.
The other members of the Moonlit Adventurers probably think the same way, don’t they?

Adventurer Xyia, with her royal lineage, the priestess of the Goddess Sanctuary, and the mage of the Enchanted Forest – being a scholar of humble origins, it does seem like quite the lofty ascent, doesn’t it?

It seems that every time they return from the dungeon, due to various reasons, this aristocratic adventurer places the blame squarely on his shoulders. A lack of internal cohesion within the team is indeed fatal. But weren’t they the ones not following orders in the first place?

“As a scholar, your innate talents were never quite up to par; you must strive to improve,” she would say. Strive? Lyle sinks into reflection.

To lead them deeper into the dungeon, Lyle spent sleepless nights in the library after their returns. Apart from researching their routes, he had to document the locations of various treasures, herbs, crystals, and the most efficient ways to dispatch monsters.

During these times, they were often in hot springs or attending banquets. As for talent… was it a lack of noble birth that meant his talents were subpar?

“Moreover, our adventuring party is comprised entirely of women. Do you have any idea how much pressure you put on me by staying inside? And you always seem to lack self-control!”

Speaking of this, Lyle felt even more disgusted. He never had such intentions. As a time traveler, he simply wanted to explore the depths of this dungeon. Yet Xyia always treated him as if he were a thief.

Even if he offered her breakfast out of camaraderie, he would immediately hear phrases like, “Are you trying to climb the social ladder, my lady?” “Don’t enter my room!” “Just focus on being a scholar!”

Ah… this is like being in a cage…

Lyle was starting to feel suffocated. Facing her overbearing gaze, he attempted to ask, “Have you ever considered that perhaps it’s someone else in the team, or even yourself, who might have a slight issue?”

“Huh?! Lyle, it’s my benevolence that has given you countless chances!” she retorted, brimming with arrogance.

Lyle didn’t quite understand. Why did he always feel as if she were bestowing favors upon herself when she said such things?

“Do you know that I can kick you out and find a better scholar at any time?” she continued.

Lyle maintained his usual serene smile, “You’re right.”

Well, there’s no hope.

Come to think of it, Xyia had always been this way – proud of her lineage, proud of her strength as an adventurer, unwilling to accept failure.

“Tomorrow, in the dungeon, you better prove yourself!” Xyia’s foot clad in white stockings came down hard on his foot, “Or I’ll really kick you out!”

Lyle chuckled, “Xyia, I actually don’t like you. I think it’s better to clarify this.”

“What are you saying?” Xyia gradually widened her eyes, a hint of confusion appearing in her pupils.

“I mean, I’m quitting,” Lyle nodded, “You’ll find a better scholar. I truly don’t match up to your adventuring party.”

As his words fell, time seemed to stand still. Xyia’s face paled for a moment, as if she couldn’t believe what Lyle had just said. After digesting it for a while, she finally erupted in anger, slamming her hand on the table.

“Say that to me again!”

“I’ve thought about it for a long time. The Moonlit Adventurers have such a big reputation,” Lyle buttoned his shirt and then stood up, looking relaxed. “As a commoner, I truly can’t aspire to such heights, and you won’t listen to the commands of a civilian.”

“Please let them know, or don’t let them know, it doesn’t matter. In any case, I won’t return to the team in the future.”

“You don’t need to pay me for today’s earnings either; consider it payment for the meal.”

He thought there might be feelings of bitterness, anger, or even hysteria in his heart, but after saying it out loud, aside from a slight regret, there wasn’t much else.

When they first formed the adventuring party, the atmosphere was much better than it is now. But as their fame grew, things gradually changed. People change, don’t they?

“Lyle! Stop right there!” When Lyle pushed open the glass door, Xyia called out to him from behind.

He thought that after these few years of friendship, he might at least receive some words of persuasion in return. However, Xyia’s face was ice-cold as she said, “Have you really thought this through? After leaving my adventuring party, no one else will want you!”

Lyle turned around, “Why?”

Xyia replied slowly and decisively, “Because others will think you were kicked out by the Moonlit Adventurers!”

Yes, many people said that the Moonlit Adventurers should have a better scholar. In that case, they could join the Mythical Adventurers of Iofar.

Lyle said, “You could explain it on my behalf.”

Xyia stared at him firmly, and after a moment, she shook her head slowly, yet resolutely.

This left Lyle thoroughly disappointed in her. After adjusting his clothes, he left the restaurant.

He left swiftly and freely, his departure clear-cut and refreshing.

What expression would Xyia wear behind him? Frustration or perhaps seething anger? Haha…

He stopped and looked up at the beautiful and awe-inspiring night sky of Iofar. Suddenly, Lyle felt a lightness in his being.

This was freedom.