The Price of a Noble
The mansion felt… wrong. It wasn't the usual loud, chaotic kind of wrong that came from Aqua yelling or Kazuma complaining. This time, it was quiet. Too quiet. Kazuma leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling. "…So we're just not gonna talk about it?" Aqua sat across from him, hugging a bottle. "Talk about what? Everything is perfectly fine! Totally normal! Nothing is missing at all!" "Yeah, you sure about that?" Kazuma glanced around. "Then why hasn't Darkness shown up to the mansion in days?" Silence. Megumin looked away, arms folded. "…She said she was busy and I'm not sure why." Kazuma narrowed his eyes. "Busy doing what? Getting kidnapped?" "Don't say it like that!" Aqua snapped. "You're making it sound serious!" "…It is serious," Megumin muttered. Ruko stood near the window, leaning against the wall, eyes half-lidded as he looked outside. He hadn't said much since they got back from the trial. But he noticed. He always noticed. "…She's not coming back," Ruko said calmly. The room froze. Kazuma frowned. "What do you mean she's not coming back?" Ruko didn't look at him. "It's exactly what I said."
Aqua slammed her hands on the table. "Stop saying weird things like that! Darkness wouldn't just leave us!" "…She will actually would," Ruko replied.
Megumin's eyes sharpened. "Explain."
Ruko finally turned, his expression neutral—but his eyes were sharp. "Since she's a noble." "…Yeah, we know that," Kazuma said. "And nobles don't disappear for no reason," Ruko continued. "When situation like this get out of hand. They get called back." Megumin's grip tightened slightly on her staff. "…Called back for what?" Ruko paused for a second. "…Debt perhaps or something more dire." That single sentence made the room heavier. Kazuma blinked. "Debt? What debt?" Ruko looked at him for a moment… then looked away again. "…I don't know. Perhaps a Big one." Aqua tilted her head. "How big are we talking?" Ruko didn't answer. Because even he knew saying the number out loud would sound insane. Megumin exhaled slowly. "…She didn't tell us anything." Kazuma clicked his tongue. "Of course she didn't. That idiot always tries to handle everything alone."
Aqua suddenly stood up. "Then let's go drag her back! Problem solved!" "Sit down," Kazuma said instantly while karate chop her head. "Oww?! Why Kazuma?!" Kazuma leaned forward, serious now. "…Because if she didn't ask for help, there's a reason." Megumin nodded. "…Darkness isn't weak. If she chose this… then it's something she believes she has to do." Silence fell again. Ruko pushed himself off the wall and started walking toward the stairs. Kazuma glanced at him. "Where are you going?" "Nowhere," Ruko replied. "Just not staying here listening to this." "Oi—" But Ruko was already gone. Later that day. The guild. Kazuma slammed his mug down on the table. "I'm telling you, something's off!" Aqua nodded aggressively. "Exactly! Why did she though." Kazuma drink his mug. "My useless tank disappearing like that is NOT normal!" Megumin sighed. "…You just called her useless." "She is! But she's OUR useless!" "Please stop talking…" Kazuma leaned forward. "Look, we just got out of a death sentence, we're broke, and now one of our party members disappears? That's too convenient."
Megumin nodded slowly. "…I agree. It doesn't feel right." At that moment—The guild doors opened. CLACK. Everyone turned. Darkness stood there. But not the Darkness they knew. She wore a noble dress. Elegant. Clean. Proper. Her blonde hair was neatly tied, her posture straight… her expression calm. Too calm. "…Yo," Kazuma said, blinking. "What's with the outfit?" Aqua gasped. "Whoa! You look rich!" Megumin narrowed her eyes. "…Darkness?" Darkness walked toward them slowly. "…I came to inform you of something." Her voice was different. More distant. Kazuma frowned. "…What's with the tone?" Darkness stopped in front of them. "…I will be leaving the party." Silence. "…Huh?" Aqua blinked. Kazuma stared at her. "…Is this a joke cause I don't take it lightly." "I am not joking." Megumin stepped forward. "What happen Darkness! …Explain." Darkness looked away slightly. "…There are matters I must handle. Personal matters." Kazuma's eyes sharpened. "And those 'personal matters' require you to ditch us without saying anything?" "…Yes."
Aqua grabbed her shoulders. "You can't just leave! Who's gonna tank damage for us?!" Megumin sighed. "Aqua…" Kazuma stood up slowly. "…Is this about the trial?" Darkness didn't answer. "…It is, isn't it?" "…Kazuma," she said quietly. "Please do not interfere." That pissed him off. "Don't interfere?" he repeated. "You think we're just gonna sit back while you disappear?" "I have made my decision." "And we're making ours," Kazuma shot back. Megumin stepped in. "…We are your party." Aqua nodded. "Yeah! You don't get to just quit like that!" Darkness clenched her fist slightly. "…You don't understand." "Then explain it!" Kazuma snapped. "…I can't." Silence. Kazuma clicked his tongue and looked away. "…Fine. Do what your not telling us what's what." Aqua blinked. "Wait, what?" "Fine," Kazuma repeated. "If you don't want help, then don't ask for it." Megumin looked at him. "…Kazuma?" He shrugged. "She made her choice." Darkness's eyes widened slightly. "…Thank you." She turned. And started walking away.
"…Idiot," Kazuma muttered under his breath. She paused for just a second… Then kept walking. The guild doors closed behind her. Outside. Ruko leaned against a wall nearby, arms crossed. He didn't need to be inside to hear everything. He already knew. Darkness stepped out… and stopped when she saw him. "…You heard." "Yeah." Silence. "…You're not going to stop me?" she asked. Ruko give a small smile. "No. Why should I." That surprised her. "…Why?" "Because you already made your choice." She looked down slightly. "…I see." Ruko glanced at her. "…You're gonna regret it though. Sooner or later." She smiled faintly. "…Perhaps." He turned his head toward the sky. "…Four days." Darkness froze. "…What?" Ruko didn't look at her. "…That's how long you have, right?" Her eyes widened. "…How do you—" He cut her off. "Doesn't matter if I know or not cause I'm always hear the party opinions when I'm not there." Silence. "…Ruko," she said quietly. "Please… don't tell them." "…I won't." She let out a small breath of relief. "…Thank you." She walked away. This time for real. Ruko watched her go… Then closed his eyes for a second. "…Hah." And turned in the opposite direction. Back inside the guild—Kazuma sat down heavily. Aqua pouted. "You just let her go like that?!" "…Yeah." Megumin stared at the door. "…She was forcing herself." Kazuma didn't respond. "…Kazuma." "…Yes I'm kazuma and I know." He clenched his fist slightly. "…I know." But he didn't move. Not yet.