Chapter 4: The Decision of Exile
Indeed, during this past week, I hadn’t been completely idle, nor had I refrained from voicing my complaints. After finishing my work, I had attempted to visit the room next door to see my classmates. However, despite knocking, there was no response. The same silence echoed from the other rooms as well. As I wandered aimlessly, a maid found me and promptly escorted me back to my own room. Even when I tried to plead my case, my words fell on deaf ears. It seemed I had been guided to a place far removed from my classmates.
“I’ll go with you.”
“I’m sorry, but I must ask you to refrain.”
I declared this to the maid carrying a cart laden with the dinner I had prepared, only to be met with a curt refusal.
“Huh? Why not?”
“Even if you ask why… Everyone has expressed that they do not wish to see Mizumoto-sama…”
I was aware of my status as a loner, but to think I was so thoroughly disliked. Reflecting on Manaka and Hino’s mocking reactions upon learning I was unemployed, it wasn’t entirely surprising. While I hadn’t faced any direct hostility at school, I had certainly seen my classmates whispering and glancing at me. I had tried to dismiss it as paranoia, but…
“Sigh…”
As I peeled vegetables today, I couldn’t help but feel I had grown frighteningly accustomed to it over the past week. On the first day, I struggled to remove thick skins, but now I could peel them cleanly, leaving the flesh intact in mere seconds. I might even rival a seasoned chef—if only I could do more than just peel.
“Hey, bro, you’ve really improved at peeling!”
“Uh, really?”
Now that I thought about it, the skills I had chosen when I met the deity included not only “Tenfold Experience Acquisition” but also “Tenfold Growth Speed” and “Tenfold Growth Rate.” I had hastily selected the last two without much thought, but considering my proficiency in peeling, it seemed those effects might indeed stack.
…So, does that mean my overall growth speed is a thousand times faster? If I had a cooking skill, I might have been able to acquire it by now… though all I’ve done is peel.
As I loaded the finished dinner onto the cart, one of the maids approached me.
“Mizumoto-sama, the Third Princess wishes to see you. I will come to escort you after breakfast tomorrow, so please be ready.”
“Eh?”
“Until then, farewell.”
Without waiting for my response, she turned and left. I didn’t have any particular business with the princess, but it left me feeling uneasy. With that lingering discomfort, I awaited the next day.
After breakfast, I was led by a maid to a stone room in the basement. The room was about the size of a classroom, but it was empty.
“Please wait here until the princess arrives.”
With that, the maid departed, leaving me alone. I sat idly for about thirty minutes before Princess Lily finally appeared, flanked by two knight-like figures clad in armor and accompanied by a maid. Following them, my classmates filed in one after another. Unlike when I first met them, they were now dressed in lighter gear, yet their gazes toward me were unexpectedly stern.
“The reason you’ve been summoned today is to inform you of your fate.”
“…What?”
Fate? What did that even mean? I hadn’t done anything wrong. I was simply being excluded without cause; I hadn’t committed any offense.
“It seems you’ve been complaining about not wanting to fight the Demon King,” Shimizu said, his expression twisted in distaste.
“Hmm…?”
While I certainly didn’t want to fight, I had never openly expressed that sentiment. In truth, I had been thrust into the role of a kitchen assistant so abruptly that I hadn’t had the chance to voice any concerns. How had things come to this?
“I don’t recall saying that…”
“Dehuhuhuh, don’t lie! I know you’ve been grumbling to the cooks every day!”
I had indeed muttered a complaint or two, but that was only after being confined to the kitchen. I hadn’t hidden away there because I didn’t want to fight the Demon King.
But this guy’s laugh is downright creepy… Who is he again? I knew he was in my class, but his name escaped me. Glancing beside me, I noticed another boy, his head down, muttering to himself. I couldn’t recall his name either.
So, there were four boys: Shimizu, Manaka, and two others whose names I didn’t remember. Among the girls, I recognized the student council vice president, Nagai-san, Hino-san, and the gentle-looking Ootori Honoka, who were huddled together. Oddly enough, Yuzuki-san stood a bit apart from the group.
“Now, I will announce your punishment.”
Wait, hold on. Wasn’t it about my fate? What did punishment mean?
“There’s no reason to keep someone who has no intention of fighting the Demon King here, so you will be asked to leave. Of course, you will be compensated for your work in the kitchen.”
“Ah… I see.”
I was relieved it wasn’t something too severe. In fact, if I could leave this place, I would be grateful. I hadn’t managed to learn any common sense, but that was fine. I had grown tired of the princess and the maids’ attitudes, and living in such a restrictive environment was becoming unbearable.
A maid handed me a leather pouch that jingled with coins. It seemed to contain a decent amount, but I had no idea of the currency’s value in this world.
“Now, you can use the Teleportation Magic Circle in the corner of the room to exit directly.”
That was sudden. Wasn’t I allowed to simply walk out of the building? I had no idea where this summoned building was located. Was it in some remote area?
Two knights stepped closer, their presence intimidating. I found myself unable to resist as they herded me toward the magic circle in the corner of the room. Well, I didn’t have any belongings to worry about, but still… I couldn’t shake the feeling of dissatisfaction.
“You likely won’t see me again until the Demon King is defeated. Farewell.”
As the princess spoke, the magic circle at my feet began to glow. The light intensified, and just as I felt I could no longer keep my eyes open, I caught a glimpse of something approaching from the shadows.
“Wait—hey!”
The moment I heard someone’s voice, my vision faded to darkness.