......... Laust, I have to tell you something.

............ Why are you here?

It was two days after I fought the Wolf of Misfortune that Margulus, the leader of the party I, Raust, was in, suddenly spoke to me that way.
It seems that Margulus and the others were waiting for him at the Adventurer's Guild, and he appeared shortly after Narsena disappeared.
The reason why Narsena and I came to the Adventurer's Guild today was to deal with the aftermath of the wolf of misfortune, and I felt refreshed by the hassle that was finally over.
...... But those feelings disappeared at the sight of Margurus and his friends who showed up, and I almost contorted my face involuntarily.

Due to the rumors in the guild, I know that two days ago the Sword of Lightning was stripped of all of the authority granted to a first-class party by the adventurers directly under the guild.
And that's why I feel bitter about the fact that I'm currently reunited with Margurus and the others.

When I was at the Sword of Lightning, whenever Margulus was in a bad mood, he would take it out on them with a violent attitude.
I wondered if that was the reason for their appearance now.

'I'm sorry for everything,'

I'm really, really sorry.


............ Huh?

That's why I couldn't hide my agitation when Margulis and the others suddenly bowed toward me.
However, they didn't notice me and continued to speak with their heads bowed.

''Perhaps you already know this, but we, the Sword of Lightning, have been demoted from the first class. ...... but we can understand now that it was self-inflicted, and that we deserved it. After all, he was banning the people who were the most meritorious members of his party.

...... I'm really sorry, Raust. We never realized how much you worked for our party.

I couldn't hide my agitation at the words of the Margulls' apology.
After all, the words of Margulls are all I've ever wanted to hear.

Because of ......, I couldn't hide my disbelief at the Margulls who conveniently whispered such words to me.

If it's ...... true, then maybe I should feel shame for showing my face like this. But even with that shame, there was something I had to tell you. You're being stalked by adventurers for slaying the Wolf of Calamity! ...... so I'm going to ask you to enter the Sword of Lightning again to protect you.

'The Sword of Lightning isn't a first-class party anymore. But it is somewhat well known. So, if the Sword of Lightning has Lausto in it, adventurers may hesitate to attack him, and if they do, we'll be there to fight with them.

Oh, thank you.

But when I saw Margulus and Sabelia's sincerely concerned expression telling me so, I thanked them.
It's not that I don't feel a sense of distrust, but I've decided that Margulus and Surberia are probably not our enemies at this point in time.

'But I have friends now that I can rely on. So you don't have to worry so much about me.

...... Huh?

But I had no intention of joining the Sword of Lightning, whether or not Margulls were hostile.

I don't see the adventurers who are attacking me as a threat.

Whether it's because they were afraid of retribution after seeing us defeat the Wolf of Misfortune, or because they couldn't forgive the fact that someone they considered flawed was capable of attacking us, Narcena and I were aware that there was an adventurer who wanted to attack us.
But if it's only that adventurer, Narsena and I can handle it.
It's not confidence, it's confidence.

That's why I had no desire or need to accept Margurus and his team's proposal.

''Wait a minute,''

Hmm?

...... But for some reason, Margulls' faces turn blue at my words to reassure them.
The next moment, Margulus and the others looked impatient and opened their mouths to me.

''Raust, your party members must be just women trying to take advantage of you. So I won't say anything bad about them. Immediately cancel your party and join the Sword of Lightning .......

What?

Margulis desperately tries to convince me to return to the lightning sword.
...... But his words had the opposite effect.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the situation.

Laust?

Margulis paled at my obviously changed mood.
Considering the relationship between me and Margulus up to this point, it was an unbelievable sight.
But even that was a trivial matter to me now.
Moved by anger, I opened my mouth to Margulis.

"I'm not looking at the lightning sword as an enemy.

If so, go to .......

My words bring hope to Margurus' face.

I have only one companion, Narcena. I will crush the sword of lightning if you oppose that companion.

Huh!

But as I stared at it coldly, I spat it out.
With those words, I left the Adventurer's Guild, and Margurus and others did not follow me. ......




◇ ◇ ◇.




''Oh, your brother has been taking better care of me since the wolf of disaster thing: ......

When your brother was revealing his anger to Margurus, I, Narsena, was watching him with a slight blush on my face in the shadows.
It wasn't my imagination at this time, but it was obvious that your brother was becoming kinder to me, and I could feel my brother's feelings of care growing stronger within me.

'What are you doing, Margurus! I can't wait to go after Lausto!

Hold on. He's still acting all weird: ......

You don't have to be top notch anymore!

' I won't go after them, and ......

Because of ......, I couldn't hide my anger when I saw those two guys who were saying whatever they wanted to use their brother for.
I confirm that my brother is gone from the guild and open my mouth.

'What, cancel the party. You're the ones who are trying to take advantage of your brother.

'Oh? What's up, dude, we're busy right now: ......... ho.

My words suddenly echoed, and Margulus glared at me in response.
But in the next moment, upon seeing my appearance, Margurus' face loosened with a vile desire.

''It's disgusting.''

Yikes!

...... And the next moment I saw the disgust on his face, I stunned Margurus with a single blow.

......... Huh?

The suddenness of the event brought astonishment to Surberia's face, and she turned her gaze to the guild staff as if to ask for help.
However, the guild official acted as if nothing was wrong and did not look at me.
No, on the contrary, the guild staff would act as if the Sword of Lightning and I were invisible.

After all, the moment I noticed that Margurus and the others were looking at my brother, I had come to talk to the guild staff and arranged for this situation to happen.

''Huh!''

Serveria sees the reaction of the guild staff and tries to run away quickly.

''Don't wait!''

Huh!

But, grabbing my clothes, I forcefully held Servia to this spot.
Then I whispered in her ear.

'Your brother has a soft spot for you former party people. But I'm not.

Huh!

Surberia's face turns blue at the sound of my small, but murderous voice.
Her brother is quite lenient towards the lightning sword, as if he is grateful to be included in the party.
Perhaps he might even forgive himself for being oppressed.

But I'm not.
I know that the Sword of Lightning tried to prey on your precious brother, only to use him and then throw him away.
And there's no way you're going to be able to sit back and watch such a party try to use your brother again.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it. But there is no next time. If you try to use your brother again, or cheat him, I won't show any mercy the next time.

Okay, I get it.

At my words, Thervelia's face turns blue and she nods repeatedly.
There are tears in her eyes, and I know for sure that Sarberia has imprinted her fear on me.
Satisfied with her demeanor, I let go of Surberia and point to Margurus and tell her.

'Tell this guy, too. There will be no next time.

And with those last words, I walked out to my brother: ......