No to Being the Suffering Heroine!

Anyway, since all the party members decided to return, we packed our things and turned towards Vespians.

Just like when we marched here, not just our party but all the other parties joined us too.

It was Bardu’s suggestion.

He said that if we returned separately, we might fall prey to bandit ambushes, so we should go back together, just like we came.

Aren’t the bandits who were on the way back already taken care of?

Not likely.

Bandits are basically the same as annoying flies; just when you think you’ve exterminated them all, they suddenly pop back up the moment you look away.

Besides, we only dealt with the bandits that attacked us, not all the bandits on the way back.

So yes, there was a chance we’d encounter new bandits on the way back.

It wouldn’t be a big deal if they were just your average weak bandits, but if they were like the ones from last time—those ex-adventurer bandits…

If it was just our party, it would be fine, but Bardu and Jane wouldn’t stand a chance. Bardu would be killed, and Jane would be dragged into their den.

They were probably also well aware of the dangers, which is why they suggested we go back together. It’s much safer that way.

“That’s true, it sounds good.”

“Thanks for agreeing.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Coldly speaking, this meant we were basically saying we’d be half-carrying Bardu and Jane, but… there didn’t seem to be any reason to refuse.

The thought of having to meet Bardu’s decapitated and mutilated corpse a day later after letting them go first would surely leave a bitter taste.

Just imagine, if Bardu’s corpse was the only one left while Jane’s was nowhere to be found, the discomfort would be way worse.

…Or rather, having both Bardu’s and Jane’s corpses left behind would actually be even more disturbingly unpleasant.

They wouldn’t exactly be in a normal state, would they? Probably the same as the corpses I encountered before.

In the early days after the reincarnation, while crossing borders and heading north, I had seen the corpses of women that bandits had killed a few times…

…Ugh.

They were in such a horrific state that even thinking about it again makes me feel a bit nauseous.

It really drove home how much devastation a being with malice, intelligence, and creativity could enact on others.

By now, I’m somewhat used to it and can brush it off, but back then, I was so sick I had to skip meals for a while.

…Why bring this back up? It’s so disgusting.

Anyway, what I mean is that it wouldn’t be very pleasant for me if Bardu or Jane ended up in such a fate.

…Why do I keep mentioning just those two? Isn’t Amina’s trio still alive too?

Who cares about those guys?

I’ve already deemed them something below human.

They didn’t even feel angry about Amina’s death, only worried for themselves, selfishly clinging to their own lives.

They didn’t even bother to think about burying Amina, who had taken care of them, after the battle; they just worried about their own wounds.

They didn’t seem to entertain the thought at all.

It wasn’t until I had to bury her myself that they came over with confused expressions, asking if they could help in any way.

Not as if they were mourning Amina, but rather looking worried about being treated like garbage if they didn’t.

That was when I decided I wouldn’t treat them like people anymore.

To be human, one must be humane. If I treated these guys like humans, the value of being human would plummet.

So I honestly didn’t care if they lived or died.

But… Bardu and Jane were different.

Those two, at least in terms of skill and personality, were solid. They also, without hesitation, offered us two carts.

The trio hesitated around the carts, unsure if they had any stake in the situation, and only retreated after Amy threatened to cook their eyeballs.

What a world where their personalities are like polar opposites.

“Uh… Hilde, can we join you on the way back…?”

“Do as you please.”

So, I looked at the three of them who approached timidly, asking to join, and openly clicked my tongue.

You should be grateful I didn’t tell you to drop dead.

“Hi, don’t talk to Hilde. Don’t come near. It’s uncomfortable.”

Friede seemed to share my sentiment, showing quite a blatant disgust.

Her normally timid demeanor had flipped to something aggressive, far more confrontational than when she argued with Amy.

It felt like she was addressing an enemy.

“Y-yes…!”

The three guys’ faces turned pale as they hurriedly backed a few steps away.

Ka-kee crack! k-geek!

Kikel laughed at their reaction. It was a different kind of laughter, not the happy kind, but probably more akin to a lizardman’s mockery.

◆◆

On the way back, Bardu and Jane asked for our permission then hopped onto the cargo space of one cart, while our party took a seat on the other.

With Kikel’s weight being what it was, we moved some cargo to Bardu’s cart to balance it out.

What happened to the trio, you ask?

They begged to be taken on the cart, asking if they were really going to walk all the way.

They asked if one of us could take turns giving them a ride…

“I don’t see any reason to let you on. Are you asking me to create a reason?”

Before I could respond, Amy stepped in with a firm refusal, saying if they wanted a ride, they should be ready to part with their legs.

In the end, the three of them had no chance to get on the cart and had no choice but to trudge along, frantically chasing after it.

◆◆

About eight hours later.

“I think we should stop here for today. It’s getting too dark.”

Bardu proposed camping as he looked up at the cloudy night sky with no stars.

“Sounds good.”

I agreed.

Amy’s light magic, which we had been using like headlights, was now depleted, and continuing down this dark path relying solely on torchlight was not the wisest choice.

Additionally, the exhausted horses, laden with cargo and our weight, also needed sufficient rest and sleep.

So we stopped the cart, dismounted, and busily began to set up camp for the night.

“Let’s make a campfire here—”

“This cargo here, isn’t it pepper…?”

“How will we take turns on the night watch—”

Gathering dry firewood to light up the campfire, taking out a couple of spices from the cargo to throw into a stew with dried meat, discussing the rotation for the night watch.

Since everyone had a lot of experience, the preparations wrapped up quickly.

Bardu’s party and ours sat around the campfire, warming ourselves with the meat stew seasoned with pepper and salt, as the other three settled in a corner, munching on their rations.

“…Maybe we should’ve shared some dinner?”

I mumbled, glancing over at them.

Though I didn’t particularly care if they lived or died, I thought it was a bit petty to treat them differently with food.

“Eh? Is… that really necessary?”

Friede turned her head and asked me, her face filled with pure curiosity as if she couldn’t comprehend how treating others differently with food could be considered malicious.

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Amy nodded in agreement, as if it was obvious.

“It’s not like Bardu and Jane wouldn’t know any better, but those guys would never remember any goodwill shown to them, right? Their true nature has been fully revealed, so why bother caring.”

“They wouldn’t even appreciate it…?”

What a perfect match.

Both of them replied as if it was ridiculous to worry about such matters.

“…Is that so?”

Did I overreact?

Is treating people differently over food considered an unforgiveable crime in my homeland?

“To begin with, one should take care of their own food, right? That’s basic.”

“Well… that’s true.”

It was an undeniable point.

Unless it was a situation where the client provided the food, in any other situation, it was a principle that each person should be responsible for their own provisions.

If they wanted to enjoy the stew filled with pepper, salt, and meat, they should at least show the sincerity to pay for the food.

I gave Bardu and Jane a bowl or two just as goodwill, but I had no reason to show any goodwill to those guys; shouldn’t I at least demand some money?

Since the two of them said that, I didn’t bother to argue and just let it slide.

Anyway, I had already eaten.

It was delicious.

◆◆

That early morning.

I woke up slightly earlier than my party members and heard a very faint whispering sound sneaking into my ears.

Runnam and Hamill.
Among Amina’s trio, those two seemed to have gotten particularly friendly, as they quietly chatted away early in the morning.

“Those fucking bitches are acting all high and mighty…”

“Hey, are you crazy? What if they hear us?”

…Should I say they were muttering curses?

“What’s the big deal? No one’s listening to them anyway.”

“Still, speak quietly. If those bitches hear us, we’re both dead.”

…They’re clearly being heard, you know?

The idiots.

Though they seemed timid on the outside, they had clearly built up a grudge inside, and their style of talking was quite the sight to see.

“Honestly, you’re pretty annoying too, aren’t you?”

“That’s true. Seriously, if there weren’t any sorcerers, I would have stabbed them already.”

“What would you stab them with?”

“You don’t really need to ask that, do you?”

Whoa, look at what these guys are saying.
When it comes to backbiting, it may be normal, but this is excessive.

To belittle people who are essentially their lifesavers, following curses with lewd remarks? Their personalities were truly remarkable to the point of earning applause.

Having to carry such guys as party members, Amina really had no sense in picking people.

Then again, she did choose her party solely based on looks. So it was no wonder these inferior individuals crept in.

“Tch.”

I clicked my tongue in displeasure and frowned. What a shit show to hear first thing in the morning.

“Why bother listening? Ignore them. They’re just the noise of insects.”

Had Kikel woken up unnoticed? He quietly muttered, raising one eyelid.

Like a sound from insects, definitely not worthy of caring about.

“Should we just get rid of them?”

I asked Kikel, glancing over. My voice was tinged with suppressed anger.

From the way they were talking, it seemed like they wanted to change their permanent address to the afterlife, and if that’s the case, I was more than willing to help.

“Need to do it directly?”

Kikel chuckled softly.

“Rude humans, life isn’t long. Leave it to automatic death.”

With how rude they were behaving, they’d be lucky to live; he was saying it was better to let them end themselves without getting my hands dirty.

And it was true.

It would feel slightly inaccurate to say they died on their own.

“Bandits! Everyone grab your weapons!”

That afternoon, during the bandit ambush that occurred.
Kikel did not bother to block an arrow flying toward Runnam’s head and Friede’s great sword passed by Hamill’s shield, shattering it into unrecoverable pieces.

Even Amy’s defensive magic was unusually limited that day, enough to only cover our party.

…So those guys were awake, huh.

◆◆

The bandits that attacked us were soon annihilated. Leaving behind only twenty-seven corpses.

Twenty-five bandits and two iron-patched adventurers.

Not a bad exchange rate, if I do say so myself. Objectively and psychologically.

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