“So, why don’t you kill me right now and here! It will save time for everybody.”

Ran stated, fed up with everybody’s shit. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the high priest with determination.

Kan Yune narrowed his eyes, “Ran-sama, did you really poison her?”

“What do you think? Didn’t she said it herself?” Ran started to raise her voice.

Parvian harrumphed, “Even if she did poison Nora, wasn’t Nora the one who tried to kill her first? I think this is fair retribution.”

Nora was furious, “You…”

“SHUT UP!” Dorian interrupted. “Someone as fucking stupid as you has no right to call themselves a hero.” He turned to Ran and asked, “What’s your skills and job?”

Dorian’s question dropped a bomb. Sure, they had to wait for the ceremony to display their status, but it didn’t mean that they couldn’t talk about it on their own accord. As such, all eyes converged on Ran, and when they saw her red eyes and shallow breath, they sympathize with her. Nevertheless, they still wait for her answer.

“Job? I’m a weaver. A fucking weaver! I weave stuff! And!! I never wanted to be part of any of this!” Ran exploded, “Nobody asked me about my opinion. I had things I wanted to do, things I wanted to fix, and now what? I was abducted out of the blue and some weirdo spoke of things I didn’t understand, asking me to create skills I have no idea about nor what in the fucking hell I was supposed to do with them!” Ran shouted louder and louder, venting all frustration that she held in her heart.

“Be a Hero? I don’t fucking care! I don’t give a shit about your world dying because nobody gave a shit about what I wanted and how I feel.” She wailed. 

“I just wanted a normal life. A normal boring life! Now, I’m stuck in this shitty Isekai and look at me! I’m a mess!” Ran was straight out sobbing at the end of her rants.

Hearing that, all of them looked stunned. It actually didn’t cross their mind that someone wasn’t happy or excited about becoming the whole Hero thing. Rikku was feeling conflicted, he knew that it was really how she felt. Yet, he had never thought she would use naked truth to fool others. He felt cold all of a sudden. 

Ran had found a way not only to vent out her emotions, and at the same time lowering everyone’s guard around her. Now, who is going to think she was cruel or wicked? Who would think that she really was behind Nora’s poisoning?

“Today, I’m accused of poisoning, what will happen tomorrow? I will rob someone’s power with rose scented hand cream? I will kill someone with strands of hair? I am weak. I am no Hero. I don’t even understand why I’m still with this group,” Ran tried to wipe away her tears. Her face was currently a mess, her nose was red and she kept sniffing. “Just set me free. Please. I just want to have a normal life, make clothes and die alone.”

She pled, looking pitiful. Who would blame her? She had been singled out from the very beginning. She was looked down upon by everyone because of her visible weakness and she herself knew how weak she was. That’s why she wanted out. Who would blame her?

“If she’s really useless, there is no need to keep her around,” Dorian stated.

Even after hearing Ran’s words, Kan Yune still held some doubts towards her. So he discreetly glanced at a certain priest, and the priest shook his head in response. So, she really didn’t lie. 

However, his discreet action was not missed by Ran even when her eyes were lowered. How could she miss Kan Yune’s reaction when everything hinged on him believing her? Fortunately her assumption that someone in their camp had the ability to detect lies were not wrong. 

In any case, she really didn’t lie. She had only told the truth, and she also admitted the poisoning. The reason why people didn’t think her guilty was because she exploited everyone’s misconception, with questions and a good dose of sarcasm. That way, she made sure no one would doubt her innocence even though she had admitted her guilt.

“Ran-sama has been wronged. I will make sure to compensate you. However, it’s impossible to let you leave our group right now” Kan Yune spoke. How could he let her loose without evidence of her uselessness? He sighed, “We shall discuss this in Orchard City.”

He waved his hand and the barrier around Parvian disappeared. Another wave and some mumbling, the barrier around Nora transformed into thick chains that bind her body tightly.

“What are you doing? Set me free right now!” Nora shouted.

“Nora-sama will be confined from now on until we’ve reached Orchard City. We will discuss your punishment there,” Kan Yune said simply in response to Nora’s protest.

“How dare you! You…” Nora didn’t have time to go on when one of the chain turned into a gag and silence her. She wriggled furiously but couldn’t free herself.

She felt humiliated. And she could feel the cold and ridicule stares on her body. However, she could do nothing for her mana and strength were suppressed. Seething hatred flooded her heart and mind. She swore to herself that no matter what, she would find a way to kill that bitch!

Kan Yune clapped once, hurrying the people there before the populace could find out more than what they had found due to the commotion, ordering everyone, “Let’s go! Please be on your guard. It will be more dangerous if we are on the road too late. Do not forget that we have to keep a low profile… as much as possible,” he glared coldly at Nora.

“The road ahead is often plagued with magical beasts and bandits. Our convoy isn’t large, so please help around whenever possible.”

He then ushered everyone toward the convoy, letting the chained Nora to be picked up by her butler. When Ran passed by her without paying any attention to her, Nora’s eyes burned brighter with rage, once again vowing to herself that she’d make Ran pay for today’s humiliation. 

It was not only Nora that was ignored by Ran. So was Belle who was trailing behind her with head hanging low. And similar with Nora, she was also unwilling to be ignored just like that, and was angry within her heart. She just wanted to make things a bit difficult for Ran. How did it become her shooting herself in the foot? She couldn’t understand. 

Even when she didn’t understand, she was still resentful toward the young woman. Because she knew that she was going to be scolded by the high priest, and since she didn’t think she was at fault here, she pinned all the blame on Ran. She was outraged that Ran could humiliate her like that.

 I will make you pay for today!

Ran didn’t care about Belle or her obvious resentment. She had already decided that Belle wouldn’t reach the Capital. And if Belle made the first move, it would save her some time. 

Everyone climbed inside their assigned carriage. Once again, Rikku and Ran shared one. Ran shooed Belle and Rikku’s chaperon out so she could sleep, tired out from too much crying. She didn’t expect that she would cry this much. Unexpectedly, once the tear tap opened, she couldn’t stop. That’s why as soon as she sat down, she fell asleep, feeling safe because Rikku was there. She knew she could count on Rikku to keep her safe for a while, so she just passed out right away. 

Just minutes before setting out, Kan Yune stopped by their carriage to check on them. He saw Ran sleeping heavily, her eyes were puffy, her lips pursed and her brows furrowed. It looked like it wasn’t fake tears like he had thought. When he saw Rikku’s protective attitude, he said some words and left. Soon, the convoy left Linestone City in a hurry. The morning had been eventful. The journey will surely be even more.

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