Chapter 16: Possessed by Cliché, Part 3

I warped away.

Leaving the hero’s party, hearing Yerin’s desperate cry… it was exhilarating.

A rush of pure, unadulterated satisfaction. Is this the appeal of the regret trope?

It’s even more satisfying because I didn’t suffer.

Allen did. But I’m the one getting the revenge.

“…I wonder what they’re doing now.”

I’m suddenly curious about their reaction.

“…Why do I care? They’ll figure it out.”

I’ve read so many isekai stories, I thought I’d have a perfect plan.

But I don’t. I just knew I had to leave after defeating the Demon King.

They’ll probably be fine.

They were just trying to stop me because they were surprised.

But do they really think this story will have a simple, cliché ending, just because I’m here now?

They tormented Allen for years.

“Are you alright, Hero Yerin?”

“Say something… This silence is killing me…”

“…Ahem. I’ll wake up Angelina. Helena, prepare the teleportation to the palace.”

“Huh…? Oh, yeah… Hey, stop staring at that useless puddle and get ready to go…!”

“…It’s no use. Hero Yerin is not in her right mind.”

“That’s true… When she thought Allen was dead, she just sat there, catatonic. We barely managed to snap her out of it…”

“Indeed. She was particularly attached to Allen.”

Hey, don’t talk like you two and sleeping beauty over there are any different.

“But our feelings pale in comparison to Hero Yerin’s. Even if Allen died, I wouldn’t feel that level of despair…”

“Allen… died?”

“Huh…? Are you feeling better, Yerin…?”

“Say that again. Allen… what?”

“W-Wait…！ Calm down, Yerin! Your eyes… your expression…”

“I don’t care. What did you say? Allen is dead?”

“N-No! It’s nothing… I was just… speculating… Please calm down…”

“Haa…”

Allen…

“This is hopeless. Seriously… Hey, Lily, is this right?”

“Yes, it’s working. Angelina, wake up. The battle is over.”

“Hmm…? What happened…? Why is everyone so… Allen! Where’s Allen?!”

“Sigh… it’s complicated. We’ll explain later. All you need to know is… he’s gone.”

“Gone…?”

“He used a potion to teleport away after we defeated the Demon King. He said he was cutting ties with us, but…”

“…Allen… Allen…”

“Judging by Hero Yerin’s state, that’s not going to happen. She’s planning to search for him after we receive our reward.”

“No… I need to find him now…”

“[Calm]”

“Gasp…?!”

“…Please calm down, Yerin. He’s not going to magically reappear.”

“…Yeah… sorry…”

“Thanks, Angie. And we do need to go back. If you want to find Allen, Yerin, we need to do this first.”

“Right… you’re right…”

“Oh, by the way, Angelina, why were you sleeping?”

“Allen… sprayed me with a sleeping potion…”

“A sleeping potion…? We had those?”

“I don’t know. Someone must have bought it…”

“…Yerin?”

“Wh-What? No reason… I thought we might need it…”

“…Why are you blushing?”

“Whatever. What’s done is done.”

“…As the victim, I don’t think I can just let it go…”

“Angie, be quiet.”

“Yes…”

“Anyway, let’s go. We can’t stay here any longer.”

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

I’ve never been here personally, but it’s a familiar place for Allen. He often stayed here before joining the hero’s party.

Creak

“Ugh… Oh? A customer?”

“It’s been a while.”

“Huh…? That voice…！ Allen?! Wow, you’ve grown! It’s been ages since you left with the hero’s party!”

The man greeting me is the innkeeper.

“But you’re alone… is the adventure over?”

“Yes, it is… Un— Uncle.”

“That’s right, ‘Uncle’! Don’t call me ‘Mister,’ that makes me feel old.”

“Haha…”

He insists on being called “Uncle” even though Allen looks younger than him. He’s probably in his late thirties, trying to deny his age.

Anyway, we’re close.

This inn isn’t popular, due to its location and appearance, but there are a few regulars, and the innkeeper is particularly fond of Allen.

Allen often helped him out with cleaning and cooking.

Allen was too kind for his own good.

He helped a lot of people, and they all treated him well.

“You look rough. Must have been a tough journey, huh?”

It was. Incredibly tough. For Allen, that is.

“Hmm… you’ve changed, Allen.”

“Haha… well, I was younger and more naive back then. I’ve matured.”

“Not just that. Your personality too. You’re still cheerful, but… I don’t sense the same innocence. It’s almost like you’re a different person.”

…What?

Does he know I’m not Allen?

“Well, it’s only natural! People change! You look more… manly now! Hahaha!”

He brushed it off. It’s a common cliché: someone notices the protagonist’s change, but nothing comes of it.

I forgot about that cliché. My senses must be dulling.

“So, Uncle, can I stay in my usual room?”

“Is everything really over?”

“Yes. I’ll be staying here for a while, like I used to.”

“Great! I’m glad! Business has been slow. It’s good to have you back!”

“…Slow? Don’t you have other regulars?”

“Not many these days… One person comes by occasionally, but they’re always in a hurry…”

I think I know who he’s talking about.

“You’re probably thinking of the same person. Don’t give me that knowing look. Anyway, I’m glad you’re here! Here’s your key. Get some rest!”

“Thanks, Uncle.”

He’s still his usual cheerful self. I hope I can be like him when I’m older.

Creak…

I open the door to my room. It’s small and simple, but cozy. I can see why Allen liked it here.

Fluffy…

I jump onto the bed. This is the peaceful life I’ve always wanted.

“…I could just… stay here.”

Honestly, I’d be happy living like this, hiding from the hero’s party. Dealing with them is exhausting.

…Wait. I could just do that.

Just start my slow life as Allen right now?

“They’ll come looking for me eventually, and then I can dump them.”

I want to enjoy this new world, but I also want to teach those heroines a lesson.

If I just ignore them, I won’t get my revenge.

But if I focus on revenge, I won’t be able to enjoy this world.

But they will come looking for me.

Even Yerin knows about this inn.

So, I’ll just live my life, and when they show up, I’ll dump them.

Not too slow, not too fast.

Just right.

“It’s settled. I’m starting my peaceful life as Allen.”

This comfortable bed, this cozy room… how can I resist?

“Hmm~ I should learn more about potion making…”

As I lie in bed, indulging in peaceful fantasies, I don’t realize…

…how wrong I am.

The hero’s party is far more troublesome than I anticipated.