The room we were shown was about the size of a cheap business hotel.
That said, it didn't have a toilet or a bath; it just had a decent-looking desk and chair, a shelf, and a bed. There's a shared toilet, and apparently, there's a large public bath.
Even though it was a bit inconvenient, my classmates were reminded of our school trip in second year and were a bit more excited.
They quickly gathered together to discuss the situation, while I, Chishi, lay on the bed checking my belongings. I didn't have any friends, so it couldn't be helped.
My belongings consisted of my school uniform, a shirt, a wallet, and my smartphone.
It was a pretty pathetic set of gear. I definitely couldn't call myself a hero. I'm not a hero; I'm a "traitor."
When I turned on my smartphone, of course, there was no signal. Since I didn't have a charger, I decided to turn it off to avoid wasting battery and started rummaging around the room.
Then I found some clothes and underwear in the shelf. They were of lower quality than what I was wearing, but I didn't really care.
With nothing to do, I thought about testing my disguise skill, but I had no idea when I might be called to the welcoming banquet.
In the end, I lay on the bed and began to think about my murder plan.
§
After a while, a man came to call us.
Dinner was apparently ready.
He was a butler assigned to take care of us heroes. Each of us was supposed to have our own personal servant, as Riza mentioned earlier. By the way, the girls were maids. I wouldn't have minded a maid, but it couldn't be helped.
I heard that in the past, there were maids who got pregnant by male heroes and vice versa, but I didn't really want to think about that.
They summoned us to fight, but then they made it so we couldn't fight—so it seems they decided that male heroes would have male attendants and female heroes would have female attendants.
Honestly, I thought it was easier to kill them that way.
Anyway, I was guided by my personal butler to the grand hall.
There was a bright red carpet, and tables were set up like a buffet. It seemed like a standing banquet.
The paintings on the walls looked expensive, and a dazzling chandelier hung from the ceiling.
Across from the entrance was a stage where the banquet would be hosted and speeches would be made.
Most of my classmates were already there, and it didn't take long for the banquet to start.
In one corner of the venue, a band was playing music, and I could see well-dressed people, including Princess Riza.
They were chatting with the platinum and gold-ranked heroes.
Ignoring them, I dug into the buffet meat. It was delicious.
(This is really good. Juicy fat and all… anyway, it's tasty.)
I definitely wanted a second helping.
As I approached the meat with my plate, I noticed a girl who seemed to have the same idea.
With black hair that was just a bit longer than shoulder length and sharp, cat-like eyes, she was my classmate, Setsuna Yukishiro.
Because she usually gave off a cool vibe, I couldn't help but smile at the gap in front of me.
But Setsuna just glared at the meat and didn't seem to want to reach for the tongs.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, um… it's Nakura-kun, right? It's nothing."
I called out to her as she seemed about to turn away.
"Why don't you just take some?"
"...Is it okay to take some? I already ate earlier, so I feel like it'd be rude."
"I don't mind if you hesitate, but I'm going for it. It's too good."
"I'm not hesitating or anything… but something feels off."
"What do you mean?"
When I asked, Setsuna looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Because we've never talked at school. I didn't think Nakura-kun was that kind of person."
"Yeah, that's me. Just like you thought."
"Is it the hesitating part?"
"No, it's the way you're looking around and holding back, that's what I meant."
When I looked around, I noticed her childhood friend among the gold-ranked heroes. I often saw her talking to him at school.
In other words, she was probably thinking about whether it was okay to take some for herself since it was so delicious, but then again, it might not be right to take some for him too.
"Yukishiro is really kind, huh?"
"Not really..."
By the way, even though I'm a loner, I know those two are childhood friends because I looked it up.
Chiji is aware that she's a bit of an oddball, and because of that, she's lived her life conforming to the norms around her. To fit in, you first need to understand the people you're dealing with; otherwise, your true self might slip out. So, she never slacks off on observing others.
In response to Chiji's words, Setsuna turns away and denies it, but contrary to her words, she piles a ton of meat onto her plate.
"You don't have to eat that much."
"I'm not eating it all myself. I was thinking of getting some for him too."
As she says this, she gazes at her childhood friend, a boy.
"I see."
"Yeah... and besides, who knows how long we'll be treated like this?"
"Are you saying that anyone below the top-tier heroes will eventually be abandoned?"
"You're quick to understand. Exactly. Nakura-kun is a copper-level hero like me, right? You might want to brace yourself for that. Well then."
As Setsuna turns on her heel, Chiji watches her back with a look that says she's found something surprising.
It's shocking how calmly she can assess the situation in this context.
To be honest, the chance of being abandoned is definitely there. The well-dressed people are only talking to platinum and gold-level heroes, so it's clear they're distinguishing between us.
That aside, whether her intelligence will be a blessing or a curse for her is still up in the air.
(Should I get rid of her quickly if needed? Or trick her into being useful?)
While shoveling meat into her mouth and recalling her school grades, she suddenly hears Shinomiya's voice ring out.
"Everyone, listen up! It seems the people in this world are in more danger than we thought! Women and children are being kidnapped, and there are villages being massacred left and right! Hearing about this tragedy, I couldn't just stand by! That's why I've decided to change my mind and actively take on the demon lord! First, let's seriously tackle the training starting tomorrow! -- We are the ones who will save the world!"
Did someone whisper something in his ear?
Chiji couldn't care less, but Shinomiya continues.
"And this will also work in our favor! The sooner we defeat it, the sooner we can go home! So everyone! Let's unite and do our best! If each of us helps out with what we can do, there's nothing we can't achieve!"
What a farce, Chiji thinks as she tries to take a bite of meat, but then a voice of agreement rises up. It's a girl. She's been crushing on Shinomiya since school.
Following her lead, more and more people join in, and it gradually creates a pressure that changes the atmosphere of the class.
Before long, no one could interject, and the class became one.
(...This is bad)
Not the meat, but the fact that they're all coming together.
Honestly, Shinomiya's words don't matter to her.
There are risks in acting quickly, but since the one pushing this is from this country, it means they can still defeat the demon lord... at least that's what it seems.
I don't know how many sacrifices will be made.
That's exactly why there's nothing wrong with their way of thinking... sacrifices are actually welcomed.
However, it would be a huge problem if they all got united.
That would make it difficult for me to operate as the "betrayer."
It's not enough to just say that sacrifices will be made and the Demon King will be defeated.
I need everyone to be sacrificed.
Even if we can't defeat the Demon King and only sacrifices are made, the survivors will undoubtedly be among the strongest of the heroes. If that's the case, there will be fewer opportunities to exploit.
To be frank, Chishi's status as a "betrayer" is pretty low. It's somewhere between copper and silver rank, and if there are three platinum rank heroes left, killing them wouldn't just be difficult; it would be outright impossible.
To create an opportunity to exploit, a deadly clash between platinum ranks or "platinum rank" against "multiple gold ranks" is absolutely essential.
That's why it's extremely troublesome if they come together.
(So, what should I do...)
Chishi surveyed his surroundings and began to carefully strategize again.