Keir's POV:
The bustling heroes stand up as they converse amongst themselves, I on the other hand wait for them to leave so I can make my own way home. When I see that everyone has left the room, I stand up and begin my return. I really can't believe that such a dangerous mission has been given to me and-
- Hey, gloomy boy! Why are you leaving so soon? You haven't even looked at me all day!
And to the hero of the storm, Kliff.
- Come on gloomy boy, don't get into your own world!
With a forceful blow to my back, Kliff almost makes me fall face first onto the ground, but I somehow manage to avoid falling as some windows around us explode from the shockwave. I can't help but give a disdainful glance to Kliff who seems pleased by my reaction.
- You see you can look people in the face after all?
Ignoring his skeptical comment, I stand up straight again while shaking off the arm that was resting on my shoulder to continue on my way. Apparently he doesn't like my answer too much so he summons a trident out of nowhere and points it at my back.
- Are you still ignoring me? I really have to remind the worst hero among us how to respect his elders, don't I?
- … I don't remember having anything to talk to you about, hero of the storm.
- But of course we have things to talk about! Did you forget the mission that His Holiness of Apella gave us?
At his obvious malicious intentions, I can't help but sigh. Apparently it really affected him that he was demoted from second place because of the hero of the flame and his recent achievement against the witch of the shadows. All he wants is to get even with me.
- … Do we really have something to talk about regarding our mission? We're not really going to define the battle plan, we'll just execute the plan that the higher-ups deem most viable.
Another sigh echoed in the hallway, this time from Kliff.
- That's why you're the weakest of the 7 heroes, you know? Our joint battle against the legendary witch of deception isn't a mission as simple as just going and doing it. If we don't have complete mutual trust, we won't be able to work properly as a team!
Despite his solid argument, the disgusting expression on his face betrays that he clearly doesn't plan on forming any kind of bond of trust between us. I let out a long sigh before continuing.
- Well, then tell me, how exactly do you plan to complete the mission?
- How? Well, obviously we'll fight in turns! You'll start by facing the legendary witch of deception, after all, you're good at hand-to-hand combat, right?
- …And what will you do in the meantime?
- Me? Obviously I'll save my energy for when you can't move anymore, then I'll go in and crush the witch while she's busy with your corp- with you.
"So you really just want me as bait… that's fine with me."
At his proposal, I couldn't help but smile. For me, a hero relegated as the weakest among heroes, this is a golden opportunity to prove my worth and uplift our poor country.
- Fine, I accept your strategy. But don't come crying when I defeat the witch on my own and drop to fourth place okay?
- …Pfff ahahahahah, you really do have a good sense of humor, gloomy boy.
He started laughing out loud while holding his stomach. Taking advantage of his absent-mindedness, I quickly slipped out of his vision until I lost sight of him completely.
"Is that really okay Keir?"
- Don't worry Shi, no matter what kind of enemy the legendary witch of deception is, I won't lose.
A wide smile lit up my face as I thought about all the preparations I had to make for the mission. For some reason some of the maids let out shrieks of terror as I passed by but I didn't even pay attention to those little things.