A Cripple’s Resolve

Ed unfurled a map across the table, its surface covered in a myriad of symbols and annotations.

John stood beside Ed, encircled by the other members of the Link Adventurer Group.

“Trolls possess immense strength and thick, resilient hides, making a direct frontal assault by our vanguards impractical,” Ed began, outlining the hunting strategy. “However, trolls are notoriously slow and lack stamina. Our plan, therefore, is to use one person as bait while the rest of us, concealed, wear down the troll’s endurance with poisoned arrows.”

“White Star can take on the role of bait, with everyone else providing ranged support,” Ed specified.

Virtually every member of the Link Adventurer Group was proficient with a longbow; Ed himself had been a skilled archer before his legs were crippled.

Only Rob, the swordsman, and Alice, the alchemist, were exceptions.

“What about my task, then?” Rob, the sole combatant unable to wield a longbow, asked with a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Rob, we need hands for trap-setting and reconnaissance, and also…” Ed started to explain.

“Ed, I’m a swordsman!” Rob interrupted, crossing his arms with a deepening frown. “After finally getting to participate in a major monster hunt, you’re just going to make me watch from the sidelines?”

“Rob,” Ed’s voice softened slightly, “setting traps is crucial, and ultimately, you’ll be needed to decapitate the fallen troll.”

“I want to be involved in the fighting, I want to contribute,” Rob cut him off again. “Why don’t we just have the two vanguards hold the front, with others providing support, and I’ll seize the opportunity to sever the troll’s head?”

“Rob, a troll’s hide is too tough. Direct confrontation is pointless.”

Ed’s tone remained patient.

“How is it pointless?” Rob scoffed. “I’ve studied the troll’s weaknesses, I’ve read accounts of swordsmen fighting trolls. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited and prepared for a major monster hunt?”

“You don’t use a longbow, Rob. In this plan, the only one who doesn’t need to shoot arrows is the scout,” Ed sighed, a note of resignation in his voice. “But you have no scouting experience, and I fear for your safety if you take on the bait role.”

“I can hold off a troll head-on, I can wound it with my sword, perhaps even… kill it outright,” Rob declared, growing agitated.

“Rob, have you ever killed a troll before?” Ed inquired.

“And you? Have you?” Rob shot back.

“Yes, at least ten,” Ed attempted to clarify for Rob.

Rob merely pursed his lips.

“When I was a swordsman in a large adventurer group, this was how they hunted trolls. Back then, as the chief swordsman, I also performed these duties…” Ed recounted.

“There you go again with that same old story. Every time someone raises an objection, you bring up your past experiences in a large adventurer group to shut them down,” Rob sneered. “Our own plans used to work perfectly well. Why do you get to tell us what to do just because you claim to have been a chief adventurer?”

“Rob,” Ed’s expression finally darkened with displeasure. “I only want to minimize casualties and ensure everyone returns safely.”

“Ed, you might have been a chief swordsman, but that was in the past!” Rob glared, his teeth gritted. “Now you’re just a cripple!”

The air around them instantly solidified.

John’s brows furrowed as he attempted to intervene. “Rob—”

“Am I wrong?!” Rob retorted, unrepentant.

Ed’s fingers slowly tightened, his face finally clouding with a grim shadow.

“Everyone, none of us has ever seen him wield a sword, nor has he shown us any proof!” Rob challenged, undaunted and aggressive. “He’s just an outsider who recently joined. Why should we listen to everything he says?! Have you all been blinded by his past glory?”

“Moreover, those ‘glories’ might just be a lie,” Rob added mercilessly.

Ed offered no rebuttal.

He took a deep breath, then placed the small booklet he held onto the table.

“Everyone, my plan is detailed in this booklet,” Ed’s voice was utterly devoid of warmth. “White Star, please push me away.”

Just as White Star was about to step forward, Rob blocked her path.

“If you want to leave, slide yourself out,” Rob said scornfully, his tone dripping with mockery. “White Star, as a scout, needs to stay and continue the meeting.”

The air instantly fell silent.

Rob watched Ed with a smug expression, oblivious to White Star’s gaze.

White Star’s face had turned ashen with fury; she gripped the cloth-wrapped sword at her side, looking as though she might draw it and strike Rob down at any moment.

Alice quickly stepped forward, breaking the rigid atmosphere.

She forced a stiff smile, pushing Ed’s wheelchair. “I’ll take him back for now.”

Alice nodded at White Star, signaling her to calm down, then wheeled Ed out of the tavern.

They had barely exited when footsteps pursued them from behind.

“Ed, I’m sorry.”

It was John, the group leader.

His expression carried a hint of weariness.

Ed offered no reply, merely raising his eyes slowly to look at John.

John sighed, a wry smile on his face. “Ed, you know Rob’s always been like this.”

“It’s alright, Leader,” Ed responded, his gaze calm as he looked at John.

John was a good-natured man, a fact Ed had long been well aware of.

John was kind and well-liked by those around him, but in crucial moments, he always lacked decisiveness.

He was perpetually unwilling to offend anyone.

“The plan booklet has been given to you all…” Ed managed a strained smile. “The meeting will proceed just the same, whether I’m there or not.”

Ed knew John wouldn’t change his personality, nor did he expect him to.

John wanted too much to be a leader everyone admired, often resulting in him neglecting one thing for another.

John offered another bitter smile. “…Alright.”

John seemed poised to say more, but Ed had no intention of prolonging the meaningless conversation.

Ed subtly raised a hand, signaling Alice to push him away.

****

Ed sat in his wheelchair, moving slowly through the streets.

Sunlight dappled the cobblestones, the air was thick with the aroma of freshly baked bread and smoked meat, street vendors enthusiastically hawked their wares, and children chased each other playfully in the alleys.

Ed’s mood lifted slightly.

However, Alice’s brow remained furrowed.

“Ed, you’re still angry, aren’t you?” Alice murmured, looking down at him. “You know how obnoxious Rob is, always thinking his swordsmanship can conquer the world and solve every problem.”

“I’m not angry,” Ed gently shook his head, his voice regaining its usual composure. “Rob reminds me a lot of my former self. I used to believe that superior swordsmanship could cut through any trouble.”

“You’re lying,” Alice whispered softly, her eyes filled with concern. “You haven’t truly let it go inside.”

Ed paused, turning his head to look at her, a complex expression in his eyes.

Not long ago, he had confided in Alice—his fear of being abandoned after his injury, his fear of being unable to survive without depending on others.

And today, Rob, in front of everyone, had uttered the very words Ed dreaded most.

‘Now you’re just a cripple!’

“Ed…” Alice sighed softly. “No matter what Rob says, everyone knows you’re the most important member of this team.”

Alice was terrified that Ed would once again plunge into negativity, that he would doubt his own worth.

She feared Ed would push himself into an abyss, never to recover.

“I’m not just comforting you,” Alice knew he disliked cheap consolation. “Since you joined, the Link Adventurer Group’s hunts have been flawless. Can’t you stop pushing yourself into a corner?”

Ed remained silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled softly. “You… you’re always so verbose.”

Alice’s lips also curved into a slight smile. “If it keeps you from overthinking, then being a little verbose is perfectly fine.”

Alice pushed Ed slowly forward, sunlight bathing them both.

As Alice wheeled Ed past the town’s notice board, two members of the clergy intercepted them.

“Excuse me, are you adventurers?” one person, clad in clerical robes, stepped forward, regarding Ed and Alice with a serious expression.

“A new type of monster has recently appeared near the town, and we are conducting an investigation,” they paused, then added gravely, “Please make sure to check the information on the notice board. If you discover any suspicious traces or unusual occurrences, report them to us immediately.”