I stood up, and we hugged one another from having separated for a long time. I didn't hug Barett because I did see him when he came to my house for the barbeque party, so I just gave him a nod gesture.
The four of us then moved outside the middle base and lit a campfire in the middle of the dark desert. One by one, everyone began telling what they have been doing the past year.
Valey and Cony surprised me with what they have been doing all these time. Cony has successfully started her own clothing company with her father, and now she is rich as hell. Valey is learning to be the kingdom's envoy with her family, and she is still a trainee envoy for the Naverne kingdom.
Hearing that the two have been working really hard makes me really interested, but they began begging me to tell them about my journeys.
So, I told them about the things I did after returning from the magic academy. I joined in with the White ranked adventurers and became the team captain, and we took down many difficult high ranking missions together.
They have heard about the large-scale dragon attack that happened in the village from a while ago, and they quickly asked me a ton of questions about it. I just answered them half honestly.
"There was a really long and large mark of explosion in that area. Was it you or the elder dragon who caused it?"
Cony asked, but I quickly answered.
"The elder dragon."
"Lies! According to some detectives, the elder dragon was actually in the line of that attack!"
"… who the hell deducted that?"
Cony became more and more curious about my strength, and so is Valey. I let out a sigh as I took out my advanced magic checking tool.
They look quite surprised seeing the gigantic magic checking tool that is the size of a basketball, but they became even crazier after seeing the result.
After seeing it, Valey started lightly tapping on Cony, but Cony thought it was a punch and punched Valey in the face. It didn't take long until the two started brawling.
Barett had to split the two, but then they turned their punches to Barett instead.
"Ekhem."
I coughed and they all stopped immediately.
"So she is more insane now… Great, and she wasn't insanely strong at all two years ago."
"I know right… Fifty thousand magic points... What kind of human--She is definitely not human."
"I can still hear you, you know."
Valey and Cony coughed like what I just did before bursting into laughter. I chuckled at their friendliness, and I remembered how much I've missed them.
"I was right, wasn't I?"
Valey suddenly said, and I turned my confused gaze back to her.
"... That you needed a better team?"
Valey said with the same soft smile, and I know she didn't say that negatively. So, I joked.
"What do you mean? Those White ranked snots are only there so I can place the blames on them! I can just take down anything by myself."
"So cocky!? You've changed!!"
I have successfully surprised Valey.
Heheh. I guess I wasn't that cocky back then, huh?
"By the way, why aren't you on the battlefield now?"
Hearing Barett's question, I immediately became silenced.
Noticing the long silence, everyone immediately knew something was wrong. I also don't want them to get worried, so I began laying down the truth to them.
I told them about the king's plan, about making me the head healer on all the bases. I then told them about the Axelons who are currently heading to kill the demon king, and the fact that I'm here makes it easier for them to fight confidently without thinking about the situation over here.
There's also the plan with Valon, about keeping me as the hidden ace card. They understood this reasoning the most, because this reason is probably the most rational out of all the reasons, and I can't help but agree.
"Guurh, if only you go out there and slay all those demons… there won't even be injured soldiers like what happened today!"
Hearing what Cony said, it's like a sword had struck me in the chest.
Everyone noticed my expression, and Valey immediately turned angrily to Cony.
"Cony! Shush!"
"S-Sorry…"
Cony apologized, but I shook my head.
"No, it's fine. It was… my fault, after all."
Valey then turned her gaze back at me, and I noticed her gaze gradually getting sharper. I turned, and found her angry expression facing me.
"Why… are you still blaming yourself…?"
Valey said, and I quickly looked away.
I didn't want her to see me bite my lips, because I knew just how right she is.
In the past, I blamed myself for Hod losing his leg and nearly dying. I believed strongly that it was my fault that he got rendered into that state, and still blamed myself even years later.
Valey definitely noticed this behavior. She is absolutely aware of it, which would explain why she is very angry right now.
"It is not something I can just ignore, Valey…"
"Then, do something about it."
I turned back to her, and found her smiling this time.
"If you feel that you have a responsibility for it, you can do something about it. To atone, or to make sure that it can never happen again, whatever it takes."
Valey said, and I immediately became surprised. She turned her smile to me, and grinned even wider.
"After all, you are very strong now, aren't you?"
I stared at her blankly from the sudden epiphany, while Cony stared at Valey with jealousy.
"T-That's not fair… I wanted to say things like that."
"Tehee! I'm more experienced with Rize than you are!"
"W-What!?"
I ignored the two quarreling, and I began dwelling in my own thoughts.
Right… why didn't I think of that?
If I do care, why am I sitting out?
If I do want to do something, why am I allowing myself to be cuffed by reasonings and strategies?
Plans? Hidden ace? Who the fuck cares about that?
What I wanted in the beginning, was never to win this war. It was never to follow anyone's strategies, and it was never to give confidence to my friends.
It was… to protect everyone. That has always been my wish.
But sitting around in the medical station, doing nothing but praying that the people going out will come back, as long as in one piece even with heavy wounds…
The world is too cruel. It won't let you get what you want just by praying.
If you want to own something, you have to work hard to get it.
If you want something to happen, you have to work hard to make sure it happens.
And what I want…
"Thank you, Valey. Cony."
I said to them, and wore a really tired grin.
After all… I am tired.
Playing the goody two shoes… I am sick of it.
"You guys really are… the best teammates I can ever ask for."
Hearing that, both Valey and Cony looked widely shocked. Cony turned teary, but Valey is already rushing to hug me.
The three of us then began talking about another sleepover at Valey's place once we got back home. Which… was really sudden and random. I told them it will be impossible, since I will be very busy. But Valey and Cony are really… really pushing me.
"It's impossible. I have a girlfriend, and… she might dislike it if I go."
Hearing me saying that, they all turned shocked. But, Cony had an idea.
"T-Then, invite her!! Wait, who is she?"
"Lescia. The princess of Mazino."
""WHAT???""
As expected, the topic turned out that way instead.
Valey and Cony asked even more about the princess, a rare beautiful but caged bird that no one has ever seen before, let alone getting to date.
And so… the talk turned into gossip.
A topic that a certain tanker never likes.
"Why am I even here…?"
.
.
.