Chapter 15: Possessed by Cliché, Part 2

“What kind of gesture is that?”

I’m giving Angelina the double-barreled bird.

She probably doesn’t know what it means in this world, but she won’t mistake it for a friendly gesture.

You’d have to read the earlier parts to understand why I’m doing this.

Basically, I’ve been transmigrated into the body of the hero party’s kind-hearted pack mule, and I’m giving them a piece of my mind.

“Huh? Oh, it’s… nothing! Haha…”

I’ll keep up the Allen act for now, speaking politely in a higher-pitched voice. Gotta play the ditzy pushover.

“Sigh… Don’t be confusing. We’re in a critical situation, low on mana. Just give me the potions.”

“Oh, right. Sorry… just a moment…!”

I rummage through my bag, pretending to search for the potions.

…This bag is surprisingly well-organized. Easy to find everything. Do I really have to pretend to struggle?

“Ah, found them! Here you go!”

“Yes, quickly— Huh? This isn’t a mana potion…!”

Tsss

“Ugh…? What…?”

Thud

The potion I gave her? A dose of sleeping potion, spray version.

Enough to knock a human out for a while. It was originally meant for monsters, but it works just as well on humans.

She realized it wasn’t a mana potion, but it was too late.

But… this is strange.

We were always busy fighting monsters and chasing demon generals.

Why would Allen have something like this? He definitely didn’t buy or make it.

Someone in the party must have brought it… but who?

“…They’re really going at it.”

The Demon King is fighting Helena, Lilia, and Yerin. It’s so intense they didn’t even notice I woke up.

Rummage rummage

“Where is it…?”

I watch the battle for a moment, then go back to searching my bag.

This time, I’m not looking for a potion.

It’s bigger than the others, so it should be easy to find…

“Aha! Found it.”

Just as I thought.

A large flask, filled with a disturbing-looking liquid.

A deadly poison, made by combining various toxins.

Allen, with his exceptional potion-making talent, created this in secret, hoping to help the hopelessly incompetent hero’s party.

It’s harmless to inanimate objects, but one touch can melt flesh and bone.

Allen had been working on it since the beginning of their journey, combining the deadliest poisons he could find.

Even the Demon King wouldn’t survive a direct hit.

It must have been frustrating for Allen. He had the chance to be the hero, but he died a pathetic death before he could use it.

He could have had his happy ending… It’s just… sad.

Well, I’m here now. Time for me to finish what he started.

I need to get this poison on the Demon King…

I don’t think I can throw it accurately.

I could probably reach him, but he’s moving too fast, dodging the hero’s party’s attacks.

If I break it on the ground and the hero’s party gets hit… it would be instant game over.

In that case…

“Hey! You pathetic excuse for a Demon King!”

I yell at the top of my lungs, trying to get his attention.

“…?!”

It worked. He’s looking at me. Not exactly enraged, but intrigued.

“…? Allen?! Are you okay?!”

“Wh-What? I thought Angelina said he was dead?”

“Allen? What’s going on?”

I also got the attention of the heroines.

Why are their eyes red? Angelina’s eyes were red too… is it some kind of attack from the Demon King?

No, they wouldn’t be crying over Allen’s death, especially in the middle of a battle. Angelina’s reaction after I woke up proves that.

“Hmm? I thought I killed you. How are you still alive?”

“That’s none of your business! Take this!”

Judging by his reaction, this plan will work.

Whoosh!

“…?”

Smash! Splash!

“…Ugh?!”

He caught it. He probably underestimated me, thinking he could easily deflect it.

But he was wrong. This poison is no joke.

“Gah…！ You…！ What did you do…?!!”

Perfect. The Demon King is dying, and the heroines are still clueless.

“…! Oh!”

They finally snap out of it and resume their attack.

I go back to searching my bag.

“Gaaaaaaaaaah…!!!”

Fizzle…

A few minutes later, the Demon King’s screams fade away.

He was struggling, dodging and enduring their attacks, but it was only a matter of time.

I didn’t intervene. I have other things to do.

I’ve never rummaged through a bag this thoroughly in my life.

I was hoping they’d take longer, but they finished faster than expected.

“Ah, there it is.”

Finally found it.

Now, to use this…

“…Allen?”

…Someone’s coming. I was trying to sneak away…

Ahem

I clear my throat, preparing to resume my cheerful, high-pitched Allen voice.

“Oh, Hero Yerin…? What is it?”

“Oh, um… I was just worried. You were badly injured… and… you don’t have to call me—”

“I’m fine now. And… congratulations on defeating the Demon King. I’m so glad.”

I technically delivered the final blow, but they did most of the work.

…Seeing Lilia and Helena sitting there, resting… it’s a bit annoying, but whatever.

“Y-Yeah… we did it. Haha… What’s wrong with Angelina?”

“I don’t know. Maybe the Demon King cast a sleep spell on her.”

“R-Really? I didn’t notice anything…”

“She seems fine. She’ll wake up eventually. Shouldn’t we leave now?”

“R-Right…”

…Why is she acting so… concerned? They used to ignore me. What’s with the sudden interest?

It feels like they’re up to something.

They probably are.

“So, the artifact we’re supposed to use to return to the capital af—”

“Hey, stupid Allen! I’m tired! Carry me!”

“Yes, give us a massage, Allen. You didn’t do much this time, so you should at least do this…”

…They never change.

“Y-Yes! Just a moment…!”

I slip a potion into my pocket.

“Um… Hero Yerin, could you do me a favor?”

“What?”

“I need to… attend to Helena and Lilia. Could you find something for me?”

I’ll play along with their demands, just this once…

“…No.”

“…Huh?”

“We’re going back. Now.”

“Oh…”

Huh. She’s actually being considerate.

Although she looks… annoyed.

“Then could you explain things to Lilia and Helena? I’ll keep looking for this thing.”

“Fine.”

She walks towards Lilia and Helena.

I pull out the items they need.

“Ah, here it is… It looks… strange.”

The teleportation artifact.

Single-use, unlimited capacity, instant transportation.

The creator supposedly struggled to make it, but it looks like a piece of junk.

I toss it on the ground and pull out the potion from my pocket.

Splash

I pour it on the ground, creating a small puddle, just big enough for one person.

Now, I just need to grab my bag and wait…

“Allen! I brought them! Let’s wake up Angelina and go!”

“…That was my chance.”

“Are you going to give us a massage when we get back, Allen?”

They’re back, and completely oblivious.

Bzzzt

The puddle starts to glow.

“…? Allen? What’s this…?”

“Perfect timing. Hero Yerin, this is the teleportation artifact. Use this to go back.”

“Oh…? Uh… yeah… but what’s this?”

She points to the glowing puddle.

“This? My transportation.”

“Your… transportation?”

“Yes. You’ll be receiving a huge reward for defeating the Demon King. I’ll be going my own way.”

“…What? But you should come with us…”

“Yeah, right. Useless Allen hasn’t done anything. We deserve the reward. You’re finally showing some sense, idiot.”

“I agree. Whatever potion you used just now, that’s your only contribution. You’re a thief if you think you deserve a reward.”

“R-Right…? Haha…”

They’re so consistent, it’s almost reassuring. They’re even giving me justification for my actions.

“So… Allen, you’ll be back… right…?”

Yerin, surprisingly perceptive in this regard, asks hesitantly.

“Of course… huh?”

“Right…?”

Right.

“Of course not.”

“…What?!”

Seriously, think about it.

Why would I go back to that h*llhole?

“A-Allen… what… what do you mean?”

“I’m not going back, Hero Yerin. We’re saying goodbye here, never to see each other again. Is that so strange?”

“Wh-What…?”

“Wait, what’s so strange about that? Is that even a question? Have you lost your mind too?”

“What are you saying, Helena?”

“You… you’re really leaving? Just like that?”

“Of course. Why would I stay with you?”

“A-Allen? Why… why are you doing this? You’re scaring me…”

“The Demon King is gone. You might be the strongest hero in the world, but I’m the one who’s scared. So shut up, b*tch.”

“Gasp…?!!”

“N-No, this isn’t right, Allen! It’s a joke! It’s all a joke!”

“I’m being completely serious, ‘noble knight.’ I’m not joking. You were the ones who didn’t take me seriously.”

“Ugh…!”

“D-Don’t f*ck with me! Wh-Who do you think you are?! You’re just useless Allen! How dare you leave us?!”

“Why would I want to stay with a useless, pathetic idiot like you? Does a stuck-up elf like you really want to associate with someone like me?”

“You…!”

“…I have something to say to our genius mage too, but she’s sleeping, so… whatever. You’re not worth my time anyway. We won’t be seeing each other again.”

The potion’s effect is wearing off. I need to leave.

“…Allen… are you… really… leaving?”

“Yes, I’m really leaving.”

“No…！ Don’t go…!”

“Stop him!”

“Get back here!”

“Huh?!”

Yerin, Helena, and Lilia try to stop me, even resorting to physical force.

But it’s too late.

Whoosh!

I jump into the glowing puddle.

It’s a teleportation potion. Single-use, one-person capacity.

But unlike the artifact, which is limited to the capital, this potion can take me anywhere I can imagine.

And once someone enters…

Swoop

…it closes.

“Aaaaaaaaaargh!!!”

Yerin’s scream echoes in my ears as…

…I warp away.