Chapter 0: I Retired from the Hero’s Party.

“Kyle, we’re removing you from our party…”

Ah, so it’s come to this after all.

I closed my eyes, awaiting the verdict of my comrades, who had stood by me for years.

As things reached this point, memories from the past flashed before my eyes like a kaleidoscope.

The struggle of being thrown into another world with nothing and nearly dying from hardship.

Discovering my talent with the sword and joining a mercenary group.

The time when the mercenary group was wiped out, leaving me as the sole survivor to wander aimlessly.

And eventually, catching the eye of the hero who now looks down at me and joining their party.

‘I remember the first time we met.’

The scene was just like this back then too.

Even now, it feels like I’m dreaming.

The members of the hero’s party were genuinely great people, and the days I spent with them were the best.

Of course, not everything was always good—

But thanks to them, I was able to overcome my homesickness.

So now, I can’t let myself hold onto regrets.

For the sake of these kind-hearted people.

I opened my eyes and looked at the hero.

My voice was surprisingly composed, even to me.

“Go on, Isel.”

“Huh?”

“I… I can’t. I can’t do this…”

Isel crumbled, her voice breaking.

The mage, Daisy, standing beside her, tried to comfort her by patting her back, but it only made things worse.

After all, Daisy herself was already trembling and sobbing uncontrollably.

Isel, as if in denial, began to ramble.

“There must be a way. You’ll heal. I can’t give up on Kyle so quickly…”

“We’ve already confirmed everything, Isel.”

“Why are you saying that, Kyle?! You don’t know for sure!”

“The priest said they can’t heal me. That means there’s no way.”

At my words, Isel glared at the priest, Alvin, standing nearby.

He shook his head with a sorrowful expression I’d never seen on him before.

“Kyle’s legs cannot be healed. Even if a curse was removed, it’s far too late.”

“But… there has to be another way…”

“Maybe there is. So what? Are we going to change the party’s purpose? From defeating the Demon King to ‘fixing the crippled party member’s legs’?”

My harsh words left Isel staring at me, stunned.

She must have been shocked by my tone.

I steeled myself against the urge to falter and pressed Isel further.

“When we first met, you said it yourself. This journey was to reduce tragedies like this, even a little. To create a better world. Was that all a lie?”

“…That’s…”

“Get up. I may have lost a leg, but if you keep sitting there, it won’t just be a leg that’s lost—it’ll be heads. Do you think none of those faces will be ones you recognize?”

At my words, Gatos, the warrior from another race who always stood silently with the same expression, nodded.

“That’s true. Kyle’s situation is unfortunate, but it’s too early to grieve over what’s happened to a warrior. The war isn’t over yet.”

“Gatos, you can talk this much?”

“I’ve always spoken this much.”

“Wow, and you even make jokes now!”

“That was a joke. Don’t get sulky.”

I chuckled lightly but quickly straightened my face, placing a hand on Isel’s shoulder.

“Go win and come back. I’ll be waiting here in the rear. When it’s all over, let’s drink to our hearts’ content. We’ve been holding back for so long, haven’t we?”

“Kyle…”

“Aha, that’s a great idea. Kyle, brother, you’ll prepare the drinks, right? I’ll let loose then.”

“Alvin… you… hic! You can’t even drink… hic!”

“It’s not that I can’t drink; I simply choose not to. When it’s all over, I’m sure even the gods will permit it. Gatos, brother, shall we have a contest to see who drinks more?”

“I refuse to drink with someone who sobers up using divine power.”

“Wow, Alvin, is that what you’ve been doing? No wonder you’re the only one always fine afterward!”

Isel stood up silently, listening to the banter of the party members.

With reddened eyes, she spoke.

“Kyle, you’re such a bastard. Get out of my party.”

“Sure.”

“And… don’t loiter around in dangerous places. Wait somewhere safe. Once I’ve taken the Demon King’s head…”

She didn’t finish her sentence and turned her back to me.

Watching Isel’s trembling figure, I spoke.

“That’s enough. While you’re at it, keep an eye on Daisy on your way. Her eyes are so swollen she won’t be able to see ahead.”

“Who’s… sniff! calling my eyes swollen like balloons…!”

As Daisy protested, Alvin smiled wryly and asked me.

“Brother, have you planned what you’ll do next?”

“Well, not really. I haven’t thought about it much…”

What should I actually do?

A thought suddenly came to mind, and I spoke.

“Since I’ve retired, maybe I’ll open a chicken shop.”

“Chicken? What’s that?”

“It’s food from my hometown. Chicken marinated in saltwater or spices and then fried.”

“Just hearing about it sounds delicious. But can you even cook, Kyle?”

“Of course! Do you know how much I’ve learned from world-renowned chefs?”

“…Your boasting really is world-class. sniff!”

“No, seriously! I just can’t show you right now.”

And so, I exchanged my last idle chatter with the party members before parting ways.