Once the Curse of Reversed Likability Was Lifted, My Party Members Became Unbearably Heavy once the Curse of Reversed Likability Was Lifted, My Party Members Became Unbearably Heavy
The royal capital was filled with jubilation.
Bells rang out, and confetti danced in the wind. The streets were packed with people waving flags, men and women of all ages weeping and shouting themselves hoarse.
“Long live the Hero Party!”
“Blessings upon the holy trio who slew the Demon King!”
Standing atop the golden carriage were three young women. They were the companions once known as the “Hero Party.”
Saint Celia Lumia.
The girl blessed with the Light’s protection, praised by the people as the “Pure White Miracle.”
Her long golden hair swayed in the wind as she waved, tears glistening in her eyes.
Swordswoman Rina Bald.
Flipping her crimson cloak, she responded to the crowd’s cheers with a spirited smile.
On her back, the “Hero’s Sword” that slew the Demon King was proudly displayed.
Court Mage Noel Alphen.
Her deep violet eyes caught the light as she quietly surveyed the people.
She was smiling, yet her expression was exceptionally serene.
“With this, peace will finally come, won’t it?”
Celia murmured softly.
Rina beside her nodded, smiling as she waved to the crowd.
“Yeah. It was a long battle. But it’s finally over.”
…However, his name was not among them.
A large banner hung in the royal capital’s plaza. Only three figures were depicted on it. Rina stood in the center, with Celia and Noel flanking her on either side.
Behind them, a “figure painted black” was drawn.
On the castle balcony, the king rose and raised his voice.
“The three members of the Hero Party have finally vanquished the Demon King! But alas, in that battle, a traitor emerged! ‘Amagi Ren’—a great sinner who sold his soul to the Demon King, betrayed his comrades, and nearly destroyed the kingdom!”
The king’s words resonated heavily with the people.
“He was the very embodiment of the most detestable evil. Yet the remaining three heroes rose up, slew the Demon King, and restored peace to the world!”
The crowd erupted in cheers. Voices mingled with hatred and jubilation.
At the name Ren, children mimed throwing stones, and elders spat.
“Unforgivable! Traitor!”
“Applause for the heroes! For the true heroes!”
The frenzy bordered on madness.
Celia placed a hand over her heart and closed her eyes as if in prayer.
“God. Grant that man the greatest punishment he deserves…”
The light in her eyes as she spoke the prayer held none of the warmth she once felt for Ren.
Lina waved to the crowd and shouted with strength.
“We will never forgive that traitor! Next time we see him, we’ll kill him for sure!”
Noel, unable to hide her smile, spoke softly to the two.
“…Neither the king nor the people seem to doubt our lies in the slightest. It’s impossible for him to live in this country anymore.”
A wave of jubilation swept over the royal capital.
Amidst it all, the three girls truly “hated him.”
The deep affection they had once held for him had twisted into hatred, becoming a deep, sharp curse.
A young man watched this scene from a distant hilltop.
His black hair was tousled by the wind, his cloak covered in dust. And his left arm was already gone.
Amagi Ren stood frozen in the cold wind.
The cheers rising from the capital overlapped with the cheers he himself had once received.
At his feet lay a single scrap of paper.
—A “Wanted: Traitor Amagi Ren” poster plastered everywhere.
He couldn’t burn it. He couldn’t tear it.
He picked it up and traced it lightly with his fingertips. Seeing his own face distorted in the drawing, he let out a small laugh.
“…I see. So this is how everyone sees me now.”
He narrowed his eyes. The royal capital spread out before his gaze, dazzlingly bright.
Ren slapped his own cheek hard with one hand.
“Alright, no moping around! I’ll absolutely break this curse and get back to everyone!!”