Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 67

Witches, Curses, Traps

When we returned from the bath, the rest of the party had already finished packing and were ready to depart.

“Where did you two go?”

Elonen looked back and forth between Kyle and me as we walked side by side. Our damp hair should have made it obvious.

“We cleansed ourselves before the long journey. Let’s head out.”

The ship belonging to Captain Jim was far humbler than I’d expected. He said it was originally just a cargo vessel, mainly used to transport food and other trade goods between the Grand Duchy of Serendal and the continent.

“We paid fifty fleurs for this?”

Gerard, ever the penny-pincher, grumbled as he stepped aboard.

“Well, it’s better than swimming.”

If we didn’t take this ship, the only other options were to swim across the sea or spend an extra week going the long way around.

Gerard couldn’t argue with Kyle’s logic and clamped his mouth shut.

“If everyone’s aboard and nothing’s been left behind, we’ll depart right away.”

Jim spoke cheerfully as he untied the ropes securing the ship to the dock.

“The weather’s perfect for sailing today.”

Maybe it was because he’d just earned a small fortune overnight, but Jim looked positively radiant. And indeed, the weather was ideal. The sky was clear and the breeze was pleasant.

“Yeah. It’s bright and sunny, with just enough wind,” Kyle murmured, scanning the wide-open sea. The harbor we’d left behind was already shrinking in the distance.

“By the way, you’re heading to Serendal to track the Black Flame Dragon, right?”

For some reason, Jim seemed genuinely curious about us. Understandable, really. Five scruffy-looking men tossing him a pile of gold would make anyone wonder.

“That’s right. We’re the hero’s party that discovered the dragon’s empty lair,” Kyle answered casually.

I was still struggling to get used to him calling us the “hero’s party,” but apparently I’d have to.

“Ah, so you’re those heroes I’ve heard rumors about! My goodness, I didn’t recognize you. Sorry for my rudeness. If word’s reached even this backwater port, you must be truly famous.”

He’d already been paid, so there was no reason to flatter us, yet Jim laid it on thick.

“Hm. Then I suppose you’ve also heard the other rumor?”

“What rumor?”

Another rumor? I looked at Jim warily, recalling the innkeeper holding out his palm for payment just last night.

“They say there are people who worship the Black Flame Dragon.”

But maybe because he’d been paid so well, Jim shared what he knew without hesitation. He probably had connections with the Information Guild, like the innkeeper, and was up-to-date on local gossip.

“People who worship the Black Flame Dragon?”

“Yes. I thought you’d know already, hero, but apparently not?”

Jim looked pleased with himself, clearly enjoying the fact that he knew something the famed heroes didn’t.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. Can you explain?”

Kyle leaned in, listening closely. Jim seemed delighted by his interest and began to elaborate, smiling proudly.

“Well, it’s just rumor, but you know how humans can be. There are always those who idolize anyone stronger than themselves, no matter how evil. Word is, there are followers who revere the mighty Black Flame Dragon. I don’t know more than that, though. Heh.”

Hearing that, I was reminded of what the lich had said about followers of darkness.

But Gerard and Kyle only scoffed and criticized, appalled that anyone would waste their life on such foolishness.

Time passed as we drifted across the vast sea, trading talk about the dragon. Eventually, land appeared on the horizon.

“There, that’s the Grand Duchy of Serendal. But since the harbor’s been closed, I can’t dock. I’ll get you as close to shore as possible, but you’ll have to swim the rest.”

I didn’t particularly want to dive into the open sea, but with no harbor access, we had no other choice.

To avoid soaking our precious supplies, Gerard stashed the luggage off my shoulder into his subspace.

“You should be able to swim the rest of the way from here. Then, best of luck, heroes!”

When we’d gotten close enough to shore, Jim dropped anchor and waved goodbye. Kyle was the first to leap overboard, followed by the others one by one.