Please leave the party - Chap 8 - Navigating the Jealousy Minefield: Nathan's Dilemma

Nathan was in a tough spot. On one hand, he was being hugged by a friend he hadn’t seen in a long time. On the other hand, Yumina and Shizuku gave off a strong aura of jealousy. It felt like he was walking through a minefield!

“Fira, why are you here?” Nathan said so.

When Nathan last saw Fira, she was going to the capital to set up a party. She told Nathan that she would come back when she was good enough for him.

Now he found her standing beside him, smiling brightly.

“Oh, hello, Nathan. Sorry for coming like this,” she said cheerfully.” We should go inside before we talk about business.”

“All right, but first get these people out of my house.”

Everyone had to leave because Fira told them to, so they went inside, while Fira was still hugging Nathan.

“I didn’t want them to follow me, but you know how they are with rules.”

“You can stop hugging Nathan now , because you’ve already gone too far,” Shizuku said angrily.

“No, I’ve already been away from him for too long.”

When Fira responded, the place filled with a heavy feeling. Yuuki and Merentiel knew they couldn’t do anything, so they just wished Nathan luck and left.

“I agree with Shizu, you’ve been hugging him for too long,” Yumina said after Shizuku, with similar jealousy.

“Why? Are you jealous?” Fira shot back, glaring at the girls.

Yumina smiled awkwardly, then shook her head.

Nathan tried to think of something nice to say, but he failed miserably. Instead, he decided to change the subject.

“By the way, what brings you here?” he asked.

“There is a potential danger in the capital,” Fira said in response. “Several adventurers were found dead near the capital a few months ago.”

“What did they die from?”

“They were killed by a monster called a ‘draconic beast.’ It’s a kind of magical beast that’s not really a dragon, but it has a lot of similar characteristics.”

“I see…”

Nathan looked at Fira, who had a serious expression on her face.

“People think it has something to do with the dragon people. If that’s true, there aren’t many people left to ask for help besides you.”

Because dragons have been worshiped since ancient times, they were given special privileges and should not be challenged, even if one of them commits a terrible act.

Few adventurers are strong enough to take on dragons, and Nathan and Fira are among them.

“I know, but my party isn’t ready for this level of danger.”

“I didn’t say I was after them; I only said you!” Fira crossed her arms.

Nathan sighed and nodded apologetically. “Sorry, Firo.”

Yumina and Shizuku glanced at each other.

“We’re going to the capital, Nathan,” Shizuku said.

“You would just be a nuisance,” said Fira directly.

“I know, but it’s either that or Nathan won’t come, your choice.”

“But what would you do Shizu?” Nathan was confused.

“If we go to the capital, we can learn a lot. They have the best magic trainers and books, and our last quest showed that we need to grow a lot.”

In the last quest, Shizuku realized that willpower alone won’t make her strong enough to finally feel like she deserves Nathan’s love, and she knew Yumina agreed.

She also knew that Merentiel and Yuuki would agree, especially Merentiel.

Merentiel would be the most excited to hear it, since he was always complaining about how weak he was.

“Even if you’re excited, we shouldn’t just go up against one of the dragon people, even if there’s evidence that it would be dangerous.”

“Please Nathan, I beg you, my party is scared and I can’t do anything,” Fira said with tears in her eyes as she looked at Nathan.

“I can’t take the risk yet.”

“Nathan, they’re after my people,” Fira said, hoping to move Nathan.

“What?”

“The dragon people are attacking my people, the orcs. The boy who was attacked was an orc, and so were several others.” Fira felt like she was trapped and was about to beg for help, even though she thought it was a sign of weakness.

“Wait…”

“If this keeps up, they’ll come after me, please, I beg you,” Fira said as she broke down crying.

The dragon people thought that orcs were the dirtiest people because they thought that orcs originated from pigs while they were from the gods.

Fira’s position as S-rank, head of the largest guild and the most powerful mage, was the ultimate blotch in their eyes.

Fira already had to deal with a few assassins they sent after her, but this accident could give them a reason to kill her and everyone like her for good.

After all, if something bad happened, they could say it was just a crazy dragon that had nothing to do with them.

“You can’t say no to your friend, Nathan, can you?” Yumina asked.

“Don’t worry, Nathan. We won’t get in the way. While you help your friend, we’ll get stronger,” added Shizuku.

“Thanks… But still…” Nathan couldn’t deny them anymore.