After choosing to leave, they regretted it.

So, from a certain point in time, Aize stopped talking.

If you say yes, then it is.

No matter how unreasonable the request was, Aize would do his best to meet it. The result was that his already scarce sleep time was compressed to very little.

Fortunately, with the protection of the brave, I will not die suddenly even if I don’t sleep for a few years.

As long as efficiency can be improved and things happening in the world can be solved more quickly, that’s fine.

However, the result is what it is now.

Silence, forbearance, and krypton life did not bring any gains, but instead made teammates become more and more extreme.

This time, Aize, with the intention of dying together with the other party, completed an originally impossible goal. Instead of receiving a single compliment, she was blamed, as if she had to take responsibility for her recklessness.

No matter how rational, calm, and concerned about the overall situation you are, this has exceeded your limit of tolerance.

When you are tired, destroy it quickly.

So, Aize put this idea on the table for the first time.

It doesn't matter if this broken hero is not worthy of being called a hero.

Aize's unexpected words froze Leah, who was still furious. Her aggressive attitude suddenly faded due to her hesitation.

“…What did you say?”

"I'm quitting. After all, physically, I'm no longer a hero."

As he spoke, Aize stood up and placed his hand on the holy sword he wore at his waist.

The weapon that had just pierced the enemy's chest seemed to be welded shut. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull it out, and it didn't even move.

Such a scene made Leah's eyes widen.

The Holy Sword is a divine weapon bound to the hero. When combined with the hero's blessing, it can unleash an extremely powerful and terrifying force.

On the other hand, if there is no protection, it cannot be used at all.

"Just now... cough cough cough - that attack just now destroyed my protection."

"Your Divine Protection...?"

Leah's gaze shifted to Aize's face.

His skin was as pale as a corpse, his heavy breathing made a strange and ominous sound, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth. No matter how you looked at it, it looked very bad.

The Divine Protection of the Hero is a miracle of the divine world. It not only brings great power, but also grants the Hero immortality and immunity from all diseases. Even serious injuries, as long as they are not fatal on the spot, will be recovered in a very short time.

It has been several hours since the battle ended. Although his condition was not much better than Aize's at the beginning, he has already recovered almost completely. Although the other two teammates are still unconscious, their injuries are not serious.

Only Aize not only did not recover, but his condition was even worse than at the beginning.

Coupled with the fact that the holy sword no longer responded to Aize, his Brave Divine Protection was, if not completely damaged, at least in tatters.

Protection is the source of all the power of the hero. Without it, the hero is no different from an ordinary person. For someone like Leah who attaches great importance to the identity of a hero, giving up protection is worse than suicide.

As the captain, I only realized the serious situation now.

Even Leah felt a trace of guilt in her heart, and was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Seeing his teammates so stunned that they had nothing to say, Aize just sighed, gently took off his holy sword, and threw it at Leia's feet.

"I don't need this anymore. You can keep it for playing with the dual swords or take it back to the Holy City. It's up to you."

The blonde hero finally came to her senses after hearing the snapping sound.

"...Are you serious?"

"Seriously...cough cough cough—huh—seriously."

"Abandon your duty as a hero!?"

A moment of guilt was overwhelmed by anger.

From Leah's perspective, the only meaning of their rebirth in this world is to fulfill their duties as heroes.

She didn't understand what could be more important than this that would make Aize make such a decision.

It couldn't just be because I raised my voice a little, right? Wasn't that also for his own good? I hoped this most incompetent hero would work harder and not fall behind?

Really ignorant.

The seriously injured hero just shrugged:

"If you can't even draw the holy sword, you're not worthy of being called a hero, right?"

As he spoke, Aize unfastened the buckle again, untied the heavy armor on his body, let it fall to the ground, raised the back of his hand and

He wiped the corner of his mouth and smiled softly:

"Anyway, the only reason a dummy like me can stay on the team is thanks to my half-baked protection and plans. Now that the protection is completely broken, and the plans... to use your words, are also terrible. What's the point of me staying on the team?"

Leah has repeated similar words many times. Aize had remained noncommittal before, but now that he has admitted it, the other party has nothing to say, right?

"When you return to the Holy City, you can put all the blame for the heavy losses on me. It doesn't matter if you say I'm a fugitive. It doesn't matter."

Anyway, even if I don't say it, she will probably do it anyway, and saying it will make me seem more generous - probably.

"When the Hero's Protection was in effect, I couldn't defeat top-tier adventurers. Now, I can't even defeat the top-tier adventurers. Pick a few of them and they should be able to perform better than me."

This is the truth - in terms of combat only, Aize has never denied it, and even took the initiative to propose recruiting a few strong men from this world into the team, but was rejected by Leah.

It’s not that I care about Aize’s feelings, I just simply feel that allowing non-heroes to join the team will tarnish the goddess’ reputation.

"So, goodbye."

After saying that, Aize nodded slightly, turned around, and was about to lift the curtain behind him to leave. But Leah, who had finally recovered from her shock, stepped forward and pressed his shoulder.

"Wait! Think carefully! You've dragged this body around, abandoned your identity as a hero, and become half-crippled. There's no way you can go anywhere. You might even die on the way!!"

indeed.

This place is the front line of the war between humans and demons. It is in chaos and even if you go to the rear, there are still many scattered demon soldiers, wandering monsters, various bandits, etc.

In his current state, if he met someone a little stronger, he would probably be killed without a burial place. He knew this better than anyone else.

So, this is a retention?

Aize turned around with a glimmer of expectation, but what he saw was a face with a raised corner of the mouth, eyes slightly raised upwards, and an arrogant smile.

"Do you understand? If you do, then immediately apologize for your crazy words! After we return to the Holy City, I will report to the Goddess on your behalf and find a way to correct your injuries."

After all, he was once a brave man. It would be too ridiculous and tragic if he survived the battlefield but died at the hands of bandits or other random guys.

Even Aize would definitely not accept such an ending - Leah thought so.

Therefore, she was sure that her teammates were just trying to scare her.

Do you think people are fools?

Aize was used to it. He sighed and scratched his hair.

Putting aside his strength, this guy's ability to judge the situation is really poor.

For two years, she had done countless dirty and tiring work and seen countless teammates and enemies die in front of her. Now, did she really think Aize still cared about her life?

If you cared, you would have run away long ago.

"It's okay. Just consider it that I died together with the enemy. It's no big deal."

After saying that, he didn't give the other party a chance to say anything more, but turned around and walked out of the tent, leaving his former teammate behind him roaring angrily.

Outside the tent, there was dead silence.

The quarrel was so loud that the soldiers and knights outside could hear it clearly.

Realizing what had happened and understanding the whole story, they all stopped what they were doing and stood quietly on both sides of the road. Without exception, they raised their hands and saluted Aize, who had decided to leave.

"Thank you..."

Aize looked at his former comrades and subordinates with a faint smile. He didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly. Then he dragged his broken body out of the camp and walked in the opposite direction of the battle line.

Chapter 3: Some people left, some people got anxious

The night grew darker, but Leah still did not sleep. Instead, she sat alone in the empty tent.

After all, he has been a team member for more than two years. It is impossible for me to worry so much about him leaving with such a bad condition that I can't sleep - of course it is impossible.

On the contrary, because she was absolutely sure that Aize was just trying to scare her by saying he was leaving the team, she was waiting here without even sleeping.

The purpose is to give him a good "education" as soon as he comes back covered in dust.

This is my duty as captain.

As for the reason for being so sure, on the one hand, with Aize's tattered body, even if he was lucky enough to reach the town, his life would not be as good as that of a hero. Who would want such a waste?

At least that's what Leah thought.

On the other hand, she really couldn't think of any reason why Aize suddenly went crazy.

Is my attitude bad? Is the work pressure too bad? Maybe, maybe there's a slight possibility, about 80%, but isn't that his fault for neglecting his duties first? Isn't this also for his own good? How can a half-crippled hero prove his worth if he doesn't work hard?

What's more, the work they do is just insignificant and minor.

Besides, if he feels dissatisfied, just say it. This is not the first day that I have set high standards and strict requirements for him. I have been through this for so long, why can't I do it this time?

Therefore, we can conclude that Aize will never really leave.

Leia was even thinking about how to deal with him when he came back.

She was not a devil. As long as he could change his ways, stop arguing with her, and perform his duties as a hero more faithfully, Leia would forgive this small offense.

However, it is counterproductive.

From dusk to the rising of the sky and then to the sky filled with stars, the scene she had imagined of Aize kneeling in front of her crying bitterly did not appear.

The smile on Leah's face gradually disappeared during this process, leaving only an increasingly worse expression, comparable to Aize's usual expression, and the corners of her mouth gradually twitching.

At three o'clock in the morning, Leah finally couldn't hold it anymore.

She stood up suddenly and swept everything she could see on the table in front of her to the ground. The sound of ping-pong echoed in the space instantly, harsh and noisy.

"What the hell is wrong with that irresponsible jerk?"

Having destroyed the Divine Protection that is the foundation of a hero, he should at least be humble and behave himself, even if he doesn't commit suicide outright. And what happened? Not only did he show no progress in humility, he even resorted to something close to desertion...

Leah shook her head.

What do you mean by almost? This is desertion!

A dignified hero actually abandoned his duty and ran away. This is no longer just heresy. We must strike hard!

"Aize, Aize, I gave you the opportunity and time to correct your mistakes, but since you insisted on going down this path, don't blame me..."

"Report!!"

While he was muttering to himself, a male voice was heard outside the tent, as if he had something to convey.

"Tsk."

Leah, who was in high spirits, made a very unhappy sound.

She quickly sorted out her clothes, picked up the debris she had just swept to the ground, and threw it into an invisible corner.

After all, he is still on the expedition. If his subordinates see him losing his composure as the bravest warrior, it will not only damage his own image, but also bring shame to the goddess and the Supreme God.

This cannot be allowed.

So, after covering up her tracks and adjusting her mood, Leah returned to her seat, sat upright, cleared her throat, and said:

"Please come in."

The curtain at the entrance of the tent was lifted, and a middle-aged man in armor walked in. He was the leader of a knight order participating in this operation.

After bowing to the young hero in front of him, he began to report the situation:

"Reporting, emergency treatment for the injured has been completed. The seriously injured have been loaded onto vehicles and will be transported to the rear after daybreak. The cleaning and sorting of the remains will begin immediately after daybreak."

"Well, hard work."

The blond hero nodded absentmindedly, his mood growing worse.

These chores were originally done by Aize, but now that he has run away, she has to clean up her mess herself.