Quit The Hero Party

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# EP.538 Afterword, Epilogue (完)
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I wished tomorrow wouldn’t come, but inevitably, the sun of tomorrow rose. So, that day has come. The day I must attend the wedding has finally arrived.

“······.”

Even after a good night’s sleep, Rania’s eyes looked hollow.

Holding clothes pulled from the wardrobe, Rania let out a deep sigh as if the ground were to sink beneath her. It was a gathering of friends after a long time, so she felt excited, but at the same time, melancholic.

‘I’m sure I’ll hear something again this time…’

Even though she knew it would be fine if she took it lightly like Kalt, Rania wasn’t particularly looking forward to attending the wedding. But what choice did she have? It’s her beloved disciple’s wedding, so she must congratulate them with a smile.

“Haah···.”

Letting out a long breath, Rania finished getting ready.

Looking out the window, the spring sunlight was quite warm. Come to think of it, Chloe always shouted that she would definitely be a May bride. It really turned out that way. Congratulations, Chloe.

snicker, chuckling to herself.

Rania walked to congratulate her disciples.

Belnoa and Chloe.

Their wedding was very grand under the blessings of the royal family, which was only natural considering their status. Both were heroes inscribed in the first chapter of the empire’s history, and the future Master of the Black Tower.

However, despite being grand, the number of guests was not excessively large due to concerns about too much commotion.

Only acquaintances who had interactions with Chloe and Belnoa, senior officials from the Black Tower, and a few individuals from the royal family attended. Of course, even that selection of guests was quite substantial, but it was nothing like the chaotic level of Sara’s wedding.

‘Although Sara was happily smiling.’

Recalling the past, Rania let out a long sigh.

She had just left the waiting room for the bride after chatting with Chloe.

“Rania-senpai!”

Chloe, dressed in a wedding gown, smiled more brightly than ever, excitedly explaining where their honeymoon destination would be and how painstakingly she chose this wedding dress. While Rania listened with a smile, she felt her mental energy depleting with every word.

This atmosphere is harmful.

The festive rosy atmosphere of the wedding. No matter how many times she saw it, she couldn’t adapt to it. As Rania was sipping cold water for no reason, someone approached her.

“It’s been a while, senpai···.”

“Yeah, it has been a while. Resti···.”

It was Resti, who also looked equally haggard.

As another single-minded person, she sat next to Rania and sipped cold water, clearly not enjoying this atmosphere either.

“I might end up having a wedding with the tower too.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll officiate it for you.”

“I’ll definitely ask you to.”

Joking around, the two shared a laugh.

After taking a long breath, Rania glanced at the people seated in the audience. Most were familiar faces she had seen on the battlefield.

As she looked at a figure seated in the front row, Rania couldn’t help but smile. There sat Cardi, stiffly dressed in a suit.

Yetual was playing the role of Belnoa’s father, while Cardi stepped in as Chloe’s father for the wedding. The sight of Cardi, awkwardly fidgeting with his tie, was quite entertaining.

“Hey, Black, you lost even at your disciples’ wedding. Just look at Lac and Natida. Those kids are already parenting, you know? I think I’ve won again, right? This means White is superior to Black in every field now…”

“Please, shut up, White.”

And there, alongside Yetual, was the White Tower Master, still teasing him immaturely. As she felt Rania’s gaze, she quickly turned her head and waved her hand, and Rania also waved back with a smile.

“It’s been a while, mentor!”

“It has been a while, master.”

Lac and Natida, who had come a long way from the North, greeted Rania. Their appearances had barely changed from years ago, but Rania knew the truth.

They had gone far away.

Lac and Natida had rapidly wed, gone on a honeymoon, had a child, and started parenting. It all happened so quickly that every time Rania saw Natida’s face, she couldn’t smile comfortably.

‘…I heard that kid is already three years old.’

Natida was always bragging about her son.

Every time, Rania would think, “Oh, he’s already walking? Oh, he’s already three…” feeling the passage of time all too vividly.

“Yeah, how’s Narun?”

“Oh, she’s full of energy. It’s a problem, really. Just today, she was crying like crazy when I dropped her.”

Narun, the child of Natida and Lac.

With Natida, who became a mother in her mid-twenties, waving her hands as she started bragging about her child, thirty-something Rania was forcing a smile.

snort.

As Rania endured Natida’s antics, Sara and Kyle passed by, with Sara suppressing her laughter. Rania glared at Sara with wide eyes, but Sara merely shrugged and walked by with Kyle, arm in arm.

And then there was Remia…

“This is delicious.”

She was enjoying the food set out on the table, completely on her own. Her greed for food seemed unchanged. Rania, now doubting even if those pointy elf ears belonged to an elf, shifted her gaze.

She saw Kelharlem and Karioth chatting. The former Order Leader Heinkel, now retired and engaged in compiling history.

While glancing at familiar faces, Rania was listening to their conversation when thud, a new guest stepped into the venue. Turning to see the guest’s face, Rania burst into laughter.

“What kind of cheap glasses are those?”
“Cheap? Just wait. They’ll be the trend this year.”

Standing there was Destel, who showed up wearing black sunglasses. With a clap, he stylishly took off his glasses and tucked them into his shirt pocket before sitting next to Rania.

“It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has. It was tough to see your face.”
“I’ve been a bit busy.”

Destel laughed lightly.

Since his first work three years ago, Destel had become a leading actor of a famous theater troupe. Every play he performed was a full house, with noble ladies fighting over seats.

“Did you go through the list I prepared for you?”
“With so many, when would I? I’ve seen half.”
“Surprised you saw half.”

While chatting with Destel, the wedding began shortly after. Surprisingly, Ayla was in charge of the ceremony. Cheers erupted with the blessing of the Empress of the Cartedia Empire.

And officiating was Lruiel.

Once the queen who handed over the throne to Ayla and retired back when Cartedia was still a kingdom. As Rania glanced at her, Destel let out a short sigh.

“Mother of the artists.”
“What’s that about?”
“They call her that among us. She’s tremendously supportive of the arts.”

As Rania absorbed Destel’s remarks about her significant contributions to the cultural development of Cartedia, she focused on the wedding.

“Groom’s entrance!”

The groom, Belnoa, entered first, and shortly after, Chloe in her dress followed, escorted by Cardi.

With shining white hair and a white dress.

Belnoa, who had been stiff at first, finally sprang into action and dashed to escort Chloe instead of Cardi.

“Do you vow everlasting love? If so, you must show the proof.”

With Lruiel’s cheeky officiating, Belnoa and Chloe kissed. Amidst the sounds of clapping, the wedding reached a conclusion. All that remained was the congratulatory performances and the wedding photos.

“It’s my turn now.”

Standing up, Destel, wearing his sunglasses, made his way to the stage. As expected of an actor, his dancing and singing skills were impressive, followed by Sarah and Natida’s hymn, Kalt’s sword demonstration representing Kirmelt Canyon, and Rania’s firework display, all adorning the wedding.

In the festive atmosphere, the final moment approached.

The photo session with the guests, bride, and groom gathered. Magic tools sparkled several times, as the wedding gradually drew to a close, Chloe dashed forward. She was tightly clutching a bouquet in her hands.

“I’ve wanted to do this!”

The bouquet toss.

With a beaming smile, Chloe whoosh threw the bouquet without looking back. Once the bouquet left her hands, its destiny was unrelated to her will.

What unfolded next was purely a coincidence. A truly unforced coincidence.

The bouquet, spinning in midair, fell right in front of the guests who had gathered for the photo, and by sheer luck, it landed right in front of a single mage.

thud.

The bouquet landed in front of Rania van Trias.

With her reaction speed, she could have caught it, but hesitating for a moment, it landed on the ground. The dropped bouquet. A silence enveloped the audience.

“······.”

A profoundly awkward silence lingered.

Feeling something was off, Chloe turned around, and her face went pale. As she floundered without knowing what to do, laughter suddenly erupted from the silence.

“Pff, ha-ha!”
“Of all times, of all times···!”

Sara and Remia’s laughter echoed.

In that moment, Rania’s reason snapped. Whipping her head around, Rania opened her mouth, eyes wide.

“Hey, you···.”

Oh, demigod, sing the song of rage.

“Sh*t···!”
“Oh dear, senpai!”

Before Rania’s divine ire could be unleashed, Kalt and Resti acted quicker. Kalt rushed to cover Rania’s mouth, while Resti darted forward and swiftly snatched the bouquet off the ground.

“Since I married the tower, I’m a married woman. So, can I take this bouquet as a blessing for the future of the Ashen Tower?”

With a clever quip, Resti hurriedly smoothed over the tense situation. At that moment, the guests burst into laughter, alleviating the atmosphere, but only the demigod couldn’t join in the laughter.

Dragged back to her seat by Kalt, Rania pointed at her eyes with her index and middle fingers, then pointed at Sara and Remia. It was a wordless announcement: I saw that, and I will kill you.

“This is maddening.”

Kyle groaned while the wedding ended amidst laughter.

The wedding had concluded, the newlyweds were seen off on their honeymoon, and the after-party had finished. After a tumultuous day, I trudged my way back to the mansion.

“Sara, Remia, those little devils···.”

Next time I meet them, I’m definitely going to break a bottle over their heads. As I grinded my teeth, I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was slightly surprising that I was grinding my teeth over such trivial matters.

A few years ago, I never would have imagined such a thing.

Four years since the end of the war, but I still often felt this awkwardness. I never imagined I would end up enjoying this mundane life filled with laughter and anger over trivial matters. I was still experiencing these unfamiliar days.

In the past four years, I have tried many things.

And I learned a lot about myself.

I thought I was a genius and good at everything, but it turned out there were things I was terrible at. Cooking, knife skills, singing, and dancing—I had a truly catastrophic talent in those areas. Destel once evaluated me when he saw me dance and sing.

“Your tone is cheating, but the fact that you can’t even cheat with it is even more cheating.”

Such a ridiculously fitting assessment came to mind as I let out a loud laugh.

“Haah···.”

As I strolled through the sunset-lit streets, I let out a long breath.

Four years since the end of the war.

Traveling, exploring delicious eateries, watching Destel’s plays, visiting Kirmelt Canyon to learn swordsmanship, among many other activities—it has been a diverse way to spend time. Reflecting on the past four years, I smiled.

Regardless of everything else.

I was living happily in my own way.

So now I can confidently answer the question my past self once posed.

“What are you going to do now?”

What am I going to do? Just live.

Not too hard, but enjoyably. Doing what I want to do.

Even if all is finished, the mundane life continues. Teaching students in Apuria, occasionally clinking glasses with friends, and sometimes going on trips—a normal life. I liked this current life.

Looking at the sunset-lit street, I smiled.

“For tomorrow.”

For a tomorrow that wouldn’t be much different from today, hence, for a new everyday life.

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