The Hero party encountered a Demon Lord while exploring a level 10 dungeon. They managed to escape, at the cost of most of their supplies and equipment. However, they are still inside the dungeon and could get attacked at any time.
- Okay everyone, gather! I want a status report! Diego, keep watch!
At The Hero's order, everyone checked their equipment. I was fine as I was a mage and didn't carry weapons. I didn't even have a staff. But warriors like Christa and The Hero needed weaponry. Christa had lost her great shield and half of The Hero's armour were destroyed. She had to borrow a cape to cover herself.
After a few minutes, Sebastian replied to The Hero.
- No substantial injuries! Except for Lucas, everyone is able to keep going.
- Good!
- Anna, Luna and I are okay! And we still have 12 mana potions, 4 healing potions, 8 white pills and 24 nutritious pills!
- Okay, next!
- Roy can still fight! His sword got dull, but it'll be enough. Christa however can't no longer protect!
- Very well!
- Diego, Ines and Daleth had some of their weapons destroyed, but they have spare. Bertrand has only 14 arrows left.
- Okay! Okay! Thanks Sebastian!
I thought it was just about the equipment, but Sebastian also talked about the team health. They are more throughout than I had imagined. However, from the way it looks, seems that we are in a bad spot. The Hero has a serious expression on her face.
- Diego, can you tell how far we are from the entrance? R… roughly! L… Lucas took us, something about s… s… 6 or se… 7 km away from the boss' ro… room. So, we sho… should be 69 or 68 km away from the entrance.
The Hero looked around, carefully examining each of us before speaking.
- Very well! Full retreat, speed: 15 km/h! Christa, you carry Lucas! Daleth, I'll take the lead! We move in 5!
- Yes, Ma'am!
I was a little lost because I didn't know what she meant. Last time she ordered a retreat, it was Lucas who evacuated us. What will it be this time?
As if she understood my distress, Anna got close to me and gave me a pill.
- This time we will all run together. We will try to maintain a speed of 15 km/h till we reach the surface. Here, take this, it should help!
I followed her explanation and took the pill. It was the one she made. I was curious about them. I thought I was impressive because I was an alchemist on top of being a sorceress, but turned out she was also one and the pill she made seemed to be better than mine. I was wondering how much better.
When I swallowed the pill, not only my hunger, but my fatigue, small injuries that didn't need Sebastian's healing magic, every single constraint I had were being washed away. It was like my body was being remade. I felt like I was waking up after a good night of sleep.
Amazed, I turned to Anna! She simply smiled and helped me get up. I knew the Armstrong and The Hero had charming smiles. But it seems Anna also had one. How come I never noticed it?
5 minutes later, it was time to go. The Hero took the lead. Our goal was to reach the surface as soon as possible. We weren't wasting time fighting monsters or disabling traps. The Hero was just running through them. She managed to dodge most of the ones she was activating. But she couldn't possibly evade them all. Whenever she got hurt, Sebastian healed her.
Daleth, Ines, Bertrand and Diego were protecting us, the mages and Christa who was carrying Lucas. Roy was watching our back.
Using this formation, we managed to progress fast. However, I was reaching my limit after an hour of running. Physical strength is not supposed to be a mage strong point. Despite that, Anna and Sebastian were keeping the pace. If they could do it, so should I. I've already made a fool of myself during this raid. Can't disappoint them anymore. I swallowed one of my pills. It was nowhere near as good as Anna's ones, but it invigorated me a little. I have 7 more. If needed, I will eat all of them. I have to keep going.
Warm! It was warm! It was also smelling strangely good. Not like a rose's scent; more like … sweat. But sweat is not supposed to smell good! Plus, I had this weird impression of moving. Or more precisely, being moved.
I opened my eyes and saw the figure of a man.
- Oh Luna, you're awake!
This voice, I know it. My rubbed my eyes before looking carefully. It was Roy and he was carrying me.
- What's happened?
- You collapsed, so Rina asked me to carry you!
- I … Sorry!
- No need to be sorry! Hang on, we are almost out!
- No, no! I'm fine! You can put me down!
- Don't push yourself Luna! Besides, it's not a bother to me! Just hang tight and enjoy the ride.
I was a little happy being in such a handsome man's arms, especially since he was carrying me like a princess. On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Roy fought longer than me to secure the area and now he has to carry me. I kept saying that as a mage it was normal not to be strong, yet Sebastian and Anna were still running with the others. Plus, they were supporting them. I was just a hindrance they had to carry around. But nothing I can do now. So, pressed myself against Roy's chest and enjoyed my ride.
After another hour, we finally reached the surface. The sun was already setting down. We got greeted by the adventurers that The Hero had hired.
Once we arrived, Lucas, who had had regained consciousness, jumped off Christa and disappeared behind the carriage. He reappeared after a while and started building a ... a … shower? He even put curtains all around to hide the person inside.
- What the …
- It was quite a difficult raid, right Luna? The Hero spoke to me.
- Huh, I … yeah!
- Would be nice to take shower and wash away all those dirt and blood! It was his idea.
- ... Yeah! (You're talking as if it's normal to bring an entire shower for a raid)
- But we have no water. If it's not too much for you Luna, could you supply us with some water, please?
Are you kidding me, Ms. Hero? I finally get to be useful. Even if I was out of mana, I would have done it. I rushed to the shower made by Lucas. There was a bucket on top that I had to fill. I got to work. I even made sure the water was warm. The night was a little cold after all.
I finished filling up the bucket and turned to the Hero. I was hoping she would appreciate it. But when I turned around, what I saw was a ''goddess''. The Hero was there, totally naked. I was so amazed by the sight of her body that I got frozen. I only came back to me when I heard the water raining. She was already inside the shower. I had a hunch that she had no shame showing her body as she stood in front of me bottomless, but this, this is too much. Well, I can understand her. That height, those well-defined muscles, those curves, those breasts; if I had a body like her, I wouldn't hide it either.
A few minutes later, the water stopped raining and she was about to go out. I was readying my heart, expecting to catch another glimpse of her body. However, when she got out, she was fully dressed. And those clothes were clean, not the ones she was wearing. While I was looking for an answer, Daleth called out to me and asked to refill the bucket. I was wondering if she would undress like the Hero, but she took a bag with Lucas before going in. And when she was done, she was also wearing new clothes. That bag she took was containing new clothes. Did Lucas bring them with him? Well, he also brought tools to build up a shower. This shouldn't surprise me.
One by one, every member of the party took a shower and changed their clothes. Of course, when it was Anna's turn, she playfully told me:
- Do not peek!!
I couldn't peek even if I wanted to. I mean, she closed the curtains.
At the end, only Lucas and I haven't showered yet. I wasn't sure who should go first. But he handed me a bag saying:
- Sorry! I did not know your mensuration, but I hope they'll fit!
- Ah … no! I mean, … don't worry! T … thanks!
So, I went first. For a shower built in a middle of a forest, it was quite spacious. Normally, I wouldn't settle for nothing but a bath. But after facing a Demon Lord, a shower is more than enough. Still, I had to refill the bucket 2 more times as I wasn't used to shower and wasted the water.
After washing myself, I put the clothes Lucas prepared. Despite, his worries, they fit perfectly. To my surprise, they were quite comfy and smelled good. I wasn't expecting commoner's clothes to be so well made. Or maybe it's him who is able to make such good clothes. His cooking is also unmatched.
I refilled the bucket before leaving the shower, so Lucas could take one as soon as possible.
I left the shower and joined the heroes who were sitting around a campfire. As soon as I sat down, Lucas appeared behind me like a ghost and handed me a food box.
- Huh, didn't we lose our supplies?
- I brought another bag with me in case this would happen.
He had more? The first bag was already huge. And he had to carry another one. How heavy were they? And on top of carrying the supplies, he cooks the meals, cleans the house, and evacuates the party in dangerous situations. I, on the other hand, can only refill a bucket for them to shower. I mean, not showering wouldn't kill them. If I wasn't here, they would just go home and shower there. The image of the party members voting to keep Lucas over me came to my mind. Now I understand why they chose him.
I turned to look at Lucas. He was getting ready for the shower. He didn't undress like the Hero (she must be the only exhibitionist here), but he was shirtless. Unexpectedly, he was shredded. His muscles weren't as big as the Hero, but they were so well defined, almost as if someone draw them on him. And here I thought he was just a plain looking guy. He is actually a superhuman who can lift the Armstrong siblings in full armour and run as fast as the wind.
I advert my eyes from him and took a bite of the food, totally embarrassed by my past actions.
The next morning, we were ready to leave. Of course, superhuman Lucas provided us with sleeping bags, and gifted us with breakfast this morning.
This time, I chose to ride the same carriage as him.
I kept glancing at the superhuman. Yesterday I noticed how shredded he was. However, this morning, I noticed that he has a cute face, like a puppy. So now, I 'm trying to understand how such a cute face is on a shredded body. They absolutely don't fit together.
- Luna, is there a problem?!
It was the Hero who asked me. I was about to question how Luca's head and body fit together when I noticed her concerned expression. I remembered that up to now, I was awful to them, especially Lucas. I made fun of him, belittled, harassed, and even bullied him. I tried to get him kicked out of the party. Sure, now I know that it was stupid and understood how important he is, but it doesn't erase my past actions. To them, I'm surely a little pest they had to drag around. The Hero even said she deliberately took small quests so she could accommodate me. And now, I've been glancing at him. She must have thought I was looking for another way to mess with him.
- I'm sorry, there is no problem, Ms. Marr!
There was really no problem, but she puzzledly looked at me a few more seconds. It was clear that she wasn't convinced. But it was my fault. It was me who made her distrust me. I have lost my place in the party.
In the evening, we arrived at the mansion. The Hero and Sebastian went into the city, certainly to report to the authorities. Lucas unloaded the carriages with the help of some party members.
As for me I disappeared into my room. I had something important to do. I had lost my place in the party, the best I could do now was leaving. I used to be scared of my father reaction, but now I no longer care. They said that Lucas was useless, and even now, he is still useless in a fight. But he trained and became an important member who carries the supplies and evacuates the heroes in dangerous situations. Only a fool like me cannot recognise his worth. I even looked down on others like Anna, despite her being a more powerful mage and better alchemist than me. So maybe my brother had no affinity for magic, but he could have been something else. But my father didn't give him the chance to become that something else. He was only interested in his prestige and killed my brother for such reason. I don't care if he is mad at me, he took my brother away from me. A brother that I loved. He can be as mad as he wants, I'm going to leave the Hero party. Without me, the trash slowing them down, they will perform much better. I'll also give them all my money. I have a little less than 30000 P. Maybe they could hire someone better than me.
I wrote a letter, apologizing to the Hero party. I couldn't face them. Besides, I'm sure I'll only bore them. So, I wrote this letter, apologizing and thanking them for everything they did for me. Afterward, I packed my things.
Around 8 PM, Anna called me for dinner. I was scared, but it would be the last time I'd see them. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, I gathered all my courage and head to the dining room.
For the first time since I joined the party, I actually enjoyed eating with them. I used to think that only the Hero and the Armstrong sibling were charming because they are nobles, but everyone in the party is incredibly beautiful, different kind of beautiful. Bertrand was the mature adult while Diego was the mysterious silent type. Even the girls; Anna had this motherly aura around her, the type that reassure you despite her usual childish attitude. Speaking of Anna, I've listened to her babblings. I've learned that the spirit she made a pact with was called Zafina and the price for the magic was a boiled egg per day. What a ridiculous price, especially for so much power! Ana must have sweet talked her spirit.
Seeing them partying during the meal made me regret my actions even more. Maybe if I wasn't so stupid, I could have been talking and laughing with them.
When dinner was over, I returned to my room. I was done packing, but I needed to wait till everybody was asleep. Around 10 PM, there was no longer any noise in the mansion. I quickly sneak out of the mansion. I was grateful that there was no maid. Sneaking out would have been way harder.
I managed to reach the front door without being detected. I dragged my bag out, thinking about my plan. I did keep some money on me. I'll reach the town and take transport to another city or country. I have no desire to return to my father's. Maybe I'll become an adventurer somewhere. I may not be as strong as Anna, but I'm sure I'll manage. I just need to be careful and not judge people based on their appearance. And maybe, I wouldn't lose other opportunities.
I stopped my feet and turned to take one last look at the mansion. This beautiful mansion, no need for unnecessary accessories. Just a simple house to leave in.
What an idiot was I!
- I'm sorry!
- If you're so sorry, why not talk to us instead of sneaking out in the middle of the night like a thief? No offense Ines!
- None taken!
These voices, can't be. I turned and saw them, the whole party, standing in front of me. Weren't they sleeping? I didn't wake them up, did I? I made sure to be careful.
The Hero took a few steps toward me, holding my letter in an arm and the money in the other.
- So, Ms. Hamon, what's the meaning of this?
- No … I … I mean, how?
- Well, remember that I had Diego watching you!
You mean he is still doing it? It's been more than a month since the money incident. Am I really that untrustworthy?
- So, Ms. Hamon?
- You've read the letter? There is nothing to add!
- Of course, there is! You said in it that you're sorry, yet you sneaked out like that? If you want to leave, you're free to do so, but don't just assume things on your own!
- Huh?
- I mean, look at Lucas! He is sad. He thinks that you're leaving because of him.
At the Hero words, I glanced at Lucas. He had a hangdog face. But it was cute though. Why did I hate such a cute guy? No, focus Luna! Now's not the time.
- No, I … I'VE BEEN AWFUL TO YOU! IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, I STUPIDLY DECIDED TO HATE ON YOU! NOT JUST YOU, LITERALLY HALF OF YOU! ANNA, INES, DALETH, DIEGO, BERTRAND, BECAUSE YOU WERE COMMONERS. I HATED THE MANSION, HOW IT WAS SMALLER THAN WHAT I'M USED TO, HOW THERE WAS NO MAID! I JUST DECIDED TO USE YOU AS A SCAPEGOAT! … I … I … sorry!
- I forgive you!
- Huh?
I looked upon him and he was smiling.
- What?
- Well, it's okay! It's not the first time someone is against me being in the party.
- But I harassed you! I even stole money and tried to put the blame on you!
- Well, Sebastian here left me in the middle of a desert!
- What?
- That's nothing! Remember when I pushed you from the top of a mountain? Ha ha, good time!
Roy started laughing saying that.
- I remember one time an archbishop sent him into a level 8 dungeon alone hoping he would die! The Hero added.
- What? Never heard of that one! What happened? Anna asked.
- Well, let's just say I'm the reason the city of Walden lost its cathedral!
- You're kidding? That was you?
Wait, wait, wait! What? Such terrible things happened to him? How is he still alive? Wait, the Hero destroyed a church?
- As you can see, we all had our disagreement. But we managed to overcome them and became a team. Lucas said to me, ignoring the others' banters.
-So, you don't hate me?
-No!
-None of you does?
- Well, let's see! Who here forgive Luna?
They all raised their hands. All of them. I couldn't believe it. After everything I did, they can forgive me just like that?
- Ok next! Who here want Luna to remain in the party?
They all raised their hands again. This was too much. I could no longer contain my joy. I jumped on Lucas to hug him. However, he got pulled away by Rina who wrapped her hands around him. She then sensually kissed him while maintaining eyes contact with me. After a few seconds she finally pulled her mouth away, yet she remained glued to him.
- Sorry Ms. Hamon, you were actually right! The reason why I keep Lucas around me is because I LOVED HIM!!!
- Oh boy, here we go again! (Sebastian)
''Loved him'' I remembered one time she was relieved when I said I didn't loved Lucas. She is actually in love with him. Or more like, she is obsessed with him. The way she is wrapped around him, it's like a snake holding its prey. She is definitely a Yandere.
But that's okay, because …. I jumped on her and hugged them both.
- W … wait! Luna!
She was not expecting that from me!
- It's ok, because I fell in love with you both!
- Wait, what? (Rina)
- What? (Lucas)
- Oh boy! (The others)
The me of before may have hated Lucas, but now I'm infatuated with him. And with her too. In fact, I love them so much I wouldn't mind being a cuck for them.
- Not fair, Luna! I liked you first! Anna said, trying to pull me away.
Instead, I pulled her in, and also hugged her.
- I love you too, Anna!
- Seriously!?
- Ok, I' m out! (Bertrand)
Yeah! I think I have fallen for all the members of the party. Even Sebastian (he is almost 50).
2 weeks later, we returned to the dungeon, but this time we came prepared. 100 white pills, 400 nutritious pills, 100 mana potions and 100 healing potions, enchanted weapons and armours. And Lucas carried them all. He is really a superhuman.
We also had outside help. 100 high level adventurers, elite knights and mages. It took us a week, but we cleared up the dungeon. Every single monster had been killed; every single trap, diffused; and any treasure, collected.
The Demon Lord was strong, but we were too much. We immobilised it with earth magic and kept blasting it till it died.
In the end, no casualties in our rank.
It was the first Demon Lord that the Hero defeated, and I was part of it. I was proud of it of course, but I was happier being able to change as a person (although I think I may have become more perverted).
I cut ties with my family. My father was furious of course, but I didn't care. He killed his own son for his glory. I didn't want to become like him. I want to become like the Heroes. Someone who helps others improve.
I took the remains of my brother and buried them close to the mansion. This way, I could visit him whenever I wanted.
Since then, I trained and worked as a member of the Hero party. We encountered other Demon Lords and managed to defeat them alone. We also recruited 4 more members. We had trouble at first, one of them really hating Lucas (even more than me). But in the end, they changed their minds and became important members.
10 years later, we finally defeated the Demon God and brought peace to Humanity.