Can Someone (Anyone!) Please Turn Off the Auto-Skill Setting?! - Chapter 101
“Ughhh, waaaah!”
After the council’s deliberation, Nancy was found innocent and released. If only her tears had been from relief.
“I’m ruined. My shop is burned, I have no money, and I’ve lost my man!”
The Council of Five exiled her from Verus, punishing her for making deals with demons. She had protested, saying it was unfair to treat the hero who ended the war like this, but the council argued that exile was a merciful punishment, given that they had treated her like a hero.
The Ferrons impersonating Leo and two other paladins were executed. Compared to that, exile could be considered lenient.
But Nancy felt it was deeply unjust that she didn’t even receive the reward for successfully completing her mission. All she was left with was the unbearably heavy Hero’s sword, the cursed diamond ring that had started everything, and…
“Don’t be too downhearted, Hero.”
“We’re coming with you, aren’t we?”
“If you need money, we can sneak in and steal some for you.”
For some reason, the only ones sticking with her were the imps. When she asked why they were following her, they replied:
“You helped us, so we should follow you, Nancy.”
“Our hideout in the capital got discovered by humans anyway.”
Since staying in Verus was no longer an option for them, they decided to follow her. And they refused to take no for an answer.
Nancy walked down the road, her eyes swollen from crying. If only her shop hadn’t burned down, she could’ve salvaged some belongings. At least some money…
She remembered being kicked out of the orphanage. Back then, she had been thrown out with just 20 gold, simply because she had come of age.
Thinking back on those hard times would have brought a smile if her situation had improved. But she was still stuck with only 20 gold, just like back then.
“I should sell this cursed diamond ring.”
With just 20 gold, even staying at an inn for a few nights would be difficult. She regretted not selling the ring before leaving Verus. Even if David or Aaron didn’t want it, she should’ve at least asked if they’d buy it.
Nancy was filled with regret. Though it wasn’t something that she had personally stolen, offering it for sale would have shocked them.
But so what! Who cares! She had been exiled!
No matter how surprised they’d be, she was the one in need of money!
Nancy felt a deep sense of resentment toward both David and Aaron. David had initially seemed like he wanted to help her, but as soon as someone raised the possibility that his son might have dealt with demons as well, he immediately cut ties with her.
“Aaron, that jerk.”
Her feelings toward Aaron were more than just disappointment—they were pure anger. He had only visited her once while she was imprisoned.
Instead of offering words of comfort like Are you okay? I’ll help you. Just hold on a little longer. I’m working on it, he had merely looked at her briefly and then left, as if he had made some sort of decision.
He had been planning to break up with her, despite proposing marriage.
“That jerk! The worst! I’ll curse him with my Hero powers!”
“Shall I poke him with a needle? I could cast another weapon-destroying spell,” Chuck, perched on her shoulder with his daughter, suggested.
The father and daughter pointed to a large man standing by the signpost, arms crossed.
The moment Nancy saw Aaron, her anger evaporated. He was dressed more lightly than usual, without his usual armor, looking more like a traveler.
When Nancy froze in place, unsure of what to do, Aaron took a step forward. Striding toward her, he soon stood directly in front of her.
“I’m really mad at you.”
That was the first thing he said after all this time. The rage Nancy had felt melted away, and she found herself stumbling over her words.
“Uh, yeah, well, I don’t really have an excuse for deceiving you, but at the time, I didn’t have a choice, and I’m not saying I’m not sorry, it’s just…”
Aaron stopped her nervous rambling by cupping her face. He silenced her with a kiss, leaving no room for further excuses. As her tension melted, he deepened the kiss.
“Dad! He’s kissing Nancy!”
“Shh.”
Chuck hushed his daughter, covering her mouth as they jumped to the ground, making sure not to interrupt the couple.
