Several more days passed, and we found ourselves out in the city again.
Milfi-san's curse mark had almost completely faded. One or two more treatments, and it should disappear entirely.
With a clear path back to dungeon exploration, we were heading to the guild to check on mission registrations.
"Okay, wait here just a minute. I'm only confirming things today, so I'll be quick. Then we can go shopping together."
"Sure. But please—no back-alley detours like last time, okay?"
"T-that was because I got carried away in heat…! Don't make me say weird things!"
Milfi-san's face flushed bright red as she panicked, and I couldn't help but laugh.
The fact that I could joke around with her like this—something the old me could never have imagined.
"Geez… I'll be right back."
"Have fun."
We waved goodbye, and suddenly I was alone in the plaza.
The sound of footsteps on cobblestones and the voices of adventurers gathered around the bulletin board filled the air.
(Milfi-san's curse might disappear tonight…)
If that happened, there would be no more reason for us to stay together.
We'd have to part soon—the thought made my chest tighten painfully.
But that was how it was supposed to be. We were only together for the treatment in the first place.
(The most important thing is for Milfi-san to be free of the curse.)
I repeated that to myself like a mantra.
And right at that moment—
"THEO!! Hey, THEO!!"
"Eh?!"
A rough voice made me turn around. A large, familiar man had grabbed my shoulder.
"B-Bald-san…?"
It was Bald, the leader of my former party.
His intimidating face was covered in sweat and dust, his breathing ragged.
His eyes burned with a mix of panic and irritation.
"I've been looking everywhere for you! Where the hell have you been?! Come with me right now!"
"Uh, um…?"
Before I could even process what was happening, Bald roared at me.
"Our party got wiped in the dungeon! Petrification curse!"
"Eh…"
"Mina, Dante, Zack—everyone! I'm the only one who made it out! We need your Dispel! Hurry up and come!"
His thick fingers dug painfully into my arm. I winced.
"W-wait! I'm not part of the party anymore!"
"Shut up! I'm telling you to help!"
Blood rushed to my head.
What kind of attitude was that?
He was the one who kicked me out, convinced I was useless against curses.
And now that he's in trouble, he just demands I help?
"Don't joke around! You're the ones who threw me out! You can't just come back and order me around when it's convenient for you!"
For a split second, Bald faltered.
But he quickly recovered, snarling,
"…Fine. If that's how you want it, I'll let you back into the party. Be grateful!"
"Wha—"
"Or are you going to abandon your comrades?! Leave them behind in the dungeon like statues, huh?!"
His utterly selfish words set my chest ablaze.
(But…)
Images of the people I once fought alongside flashed through my mind.
Even if they mocked me, looked down on me—they were still people I'd shared time with.
Trapped as stone statues in the dim dungeon, unable to speak, unable even to cry for help.
Imagining that scene made my resolve waver.
"I-I…"
The moment the words of hesitation left my lips—
"What's going on, Theo-kun?"
A carefree voice rang across the plaza.
I turned to see Milfi-san returning from her errand.
"Oh? Someone you know?"
She tilted her head at Bald.
Meanwhile, the man who had been so aggressive just seconds ago now stood frozen, mouth agape.
"M-Milfi…? The top-ranker? The real one…?"
He stared at her like he'd seen a ghost.
"Um, Milfi-san, this is the leader of my old party—"
"Ah, Bald-san? Nice to meet you. I'm Milfi. Theo-kun has told me about you."
She greeted him with a bright smile.
But Bald didn't seem to hear a word.
"Why… Why is the legendary Milfi… with someone like Theo…?"
He muttered in disbelief.
Milfi-san tilted her head again and asked me,
"So, Theo-kun, what happened?"
"Uh… Apparently the party members got hit with a petrification curse."
"Oh, so that's why he came to find you."
She turned back to Bald.
"But sorry, Theo-kun is busy treating me right now."
"Treating…? Theo is… treating you…?"
"Yes. So please find someone else."
Only then did Bald snap out of it.
"F-Fuck that! He was our dispeller first! Even you don't get to poach him!"
"Poach? That's a harsh way to put it. Weren't you the one who unilaterally kicked him out? Treating him like property now is awfully convenient, don't you think?"
That was when I noticed.
Milfi-san was smiling politely—but her eyes weren't smiling at all.
The crimson glow had sharpened into the piercing gaze of a hunter locking onto prey.
Bald must have felt it too; he let out a choked "Ugh…" and took a half-step back.
But his pride wouldn't let him retreat completely.
He turned his fury back on me and bellowed,
"Hey, Theo!"
"Eh…"
"What are you gonna do?! You're coming back, right?! Don't forget who picked you up in the first place!"
It wasn't a question. It was an order.
A voice heavy with pressure that allowed no refusal.
The same unreasonable tone I'd heard from him countless times before.
I instinctively looked toward Milfi-san.
She said nothing—just watched me quietly with calm eyes.
—It's your decision.
That was what it felt like she was saying.
Bald's roar echoed across the plaza; people around us began to murmur.
"Wait… is that really Milfi?"
"It is! I heard she was on leave for health reasons…"
"Who's the guy with her? They're arguing?"
(This is bad…!)
Milfi-san had been recognized.
If this turned into a scene, it would cause trouble for her.
If I just gave in, maybe it would end quietly—that thought crossed my mind.
But then—
—I don't think it's any trouble at all. I don't care what anyone else thinks.
Her words from that day came flooding back.
(Milfi-san…)
A small flame ignited deep in my chest and spread through my whole body.
That's right.
It's not about what other people think.
What I want to protect is—
I took a deep breath and looked Bald straight in the eye.
"…I'm not coming back."
"What?"
"I'm never going back to your party! I'm—Milfi-san's dispeller!"
It might have been the first time I'd ever stated my feelings so clearly.
I was terrified. Absolutely terrified.
But even so—I had to stand up.
For my own pride—and for Milfi-san's sake.
"You little—!"
Bald's face twisted with rage. He drew his sword and swung at me.
The blade came down with murderous intent—but
A high-pitched metallic clang rang out. Sparks flew.
In the next instant, Bald's sword was knocked flying and embedded itself point-first into the cobblestones with a loud thunk.
No one had even seen it happen.
Milfi-san's flaming sword had moved so fast, so sharply.
"Gwaaah! Hot—hot hot hot!"
Bald screamed, thrashing his head wildly.
The tips of his bangs had caught fire from the glancing blow of Milfi-san's flame-wreathed blade.
Then the burning tip was leveled at his throat.
"Hii?!"
He forgot to even put out the fire in his hair and froze, eyes wide.
The pressure radiating from Milfi-san was overwhelming—like being engulfed in flames.
Her fox tail stood on end; her crimson eyes glowed fiercely.
A low, quiet voice rang out.
"Get lost."
"H-Hiiiii…!"
"Never come near him again. If I see you a second time, you won't get off with just a little burn. —I'm not very good at controlling the heat, you see."
The flames around her sword flared up menacingly—WHOOSH!
"Hyaaah! H-Help meeee!"
Bald's legs gave out. He scrambled backward on hands and knees, then fled without once looking back.
Milfi-san gave her sword a single flick to extinguish the flames and sheathed it quietly.
When she turned back to me, her usual gentle expression had returned.
"Maybe I overdid it a little."
The way she shrugged and smiled was effortlessly cool.
Milfi-san really is incredible—I thought it from the bottom of my heart.
"T-Thank you… As expected of you."
My heart was still racing as I bowed deeply.
"You were pretty cool too, Theo-kun."
"No, I just… ended up being protected again…"
Before I could finish, Milfi-san gently shook her head.
"That's not true. Look."
Following her gaze, I lifted my head.
At some point, a crowd had gathered around the plaza.
And then—
"Good job, kid!"
"That Bald bastard always pissed me off. Felt great to see him run!"
"Milfi-san was badass too! You two look perfect together!"
Voices called out from all directions, and soon a big round of applause broke out.
"Ah…"
I stood there stunned.
The words I'd spoken just moments ago—words I'd thought were powerless—had actually moved people.
My chest swelled so much I could barely breathe.
I was fighting back tears when Milfi-san beside me smiled softly.
"See?"
That smile seemed to wrap around all my weaknesses and pathetic moments, accepting them completely—
I couldn't find any words.
"…Th-thank you so much!"
I kept my head bowed deeply until the applause and cheers finally died down.