"It wasn't Larisa, but there were plenty of ways to handle this. Like negotiating with Rogue, for example, just as I did... Commander Alf, you didn't even attempt that, did you?"
"Negotiating with Rogue? You? Daniel?"
"Yes. The first time I sensed something was off was in the ancient ruins dungeon. Rogue's mumbling piqued my curiosity. I watched for a while, and during the quests we took on together, I became sure of it. So, I proposed an idea to him."
"I suggested that we remove useless Commander Alfred from the 'Holy Sword of Heroes,' and I'd take over as the new leader, providing buffs to strengthen all members. Sounds like a win-win, doesn't it?"
"The 'Holy Sword of Heroes' was a party you and Rogue formed together five years ago. Yet you hid Rogue's unique skill from the rest of us and treated this incredibly talented Enchanter like nothing more than a slave. Isn't that right?"
Fergus interjected, making a surprisingly valid point.
While the use of skills was a different issue, it was true that the previous Alfred, before I reincarnated into his body, had treated Rogue poorly for about four years.
But come on, can't they blame the original creator of the story for
that?
"Urgh... I admit, I was in the wrong. But I've been trying to make up for it over the past year."
"So, you not only ignored it for four years, but you also made Rogue out to be useless and even encouraged us to bully him. Doesn't that qualify as abuse, going beyond mere harassment?"
"Oh, poor Rogue! If we had known, we would've been much nicer to him!"
"Who knows? Maybe Rogue didn't reveal his unique skill because of how badly Alfred treated him. So, how are you going to take responsibility for that?"
Rogue, completely unapologetic, started blaming me for the reason he turned into a skill-obsessed maniac.
This... This is bad. I can confidently say I've been decent over the past year, but the previous Alfred was a genuine scumbag before that.
There's no way I can undo the past! It feels like I'm one of those celebrities whose decades-old scandals suddenly get exposed, causing an uproar in the media.
Soon enough, I'll probably have women from A to Z coming forward to give their testimonies!
"I... I might've been the cause... No, it's my fault. I'm really sorry. I've been reflecting on that for real. That's why, over the past year, I've been working to improve myself and dedicate time to charity work. Even the citizens of Rumirio Kingdom have acknowledged and appreciated my efforts. Surely, that counts for something?"
"No one cares about that! We have complaints about the way you're running things now too!"
"What do you mean, Forgus?"
"I'll be straight with you. You've lost your ambition! You even threw away the prestigious title of 'Hero,' which you could've earned!"
"That's because I'm uncomfortable with royalty... Besides, even without being a hero, 'Holy Sword of Heroes' is recognized as a platinum-class party with top-tier adventurers. Isn't that enough?"
"There you go again, with your 'enough' talk! The old commander Alfred never said things like that! He was ambitious and driven, with a charisma that inspired us all!"
Daniel adjusted his round glasses, making them gleam as he pointed out the issue.
They were right. In the original story, Alfred was an orphan who sought to rise to nobility through his achievements.
But knowing how things ended for him, I couldn't help but avoid getting involved with royalty. In the original story, every one of these guys, except Rogue, met a terrible fate!
"I used to be seriously in love with the old Commander Alfred, you know? He was always so intense and full of energy. But now, the current commander is... like an old man enjoying a peaceful retirement."
Sorry for being such a'retired old man,' Larisa. Say whatever you want. I've never been interested in a woman like you anyway.
In my previous life, I got into trouble with hostesses just like you, leading to some messy encounters with the police.
"The result of all this? The petition for your removal. I didn't force anyone to sign it. Everyone agreed, based on your behavior and Rogue's superior abilities."
"But wait, the names of Vice Commander Gaizen, Pearl, and Shannon aren't on the list! Even Kanade isn't there... It wasn't unanimous, was it?"
"I already told you, we left the higher-ups out of it. For some reason, they still trust you. Kanade is skilled but stands apart from the rest of us. Besides, she's only been with the party for a little over a year. She doesn't really count, does she?"
Damn you, Daniel!
He deliberately avoided including the members who might've supported me when creating that petition!
"... Even Shannon didn't like you at first, Alfred. But now, she always goes on about how 'kind and amazing' you are... That's because you stole my girlfriend from me!"
"What!? Rogue, wait a minute! When did I ever steal Shannon from you? I don't remember anything like that!"
"Don't play dumb! I saw it! I saw Shannon leaving your room in her nightclothes with my own eyes."
Crap, he saw that!? Rogue of all people!?
Is that why he distanced himself from me and teamed up with Daniel?
"No, you've got it all wrong! Shannon only came to talk to me... about you, Rogue! She was worried about you!"
"It's your fault. Rogue went crazy in the first place, Commander. Maybe your plan all along was to get close to Shannon, impress her with your charity work, and steal her virginity!"
"Like hell, I would! Shut up, Larisa, you damn...!"
"Of course, I also talked to Shannon about it. And do you know what she said? 'I almost tripped, and when I grabbed onto Alfred, I accidentally pushed him onto the bed. But I swear to God, nothing inappropriate happened.' Seriously, you two were in bed together!"
Sh-Shannon!
Why are you so brutally honest? Even if nothing happened, could you have toned it down a bit?
How much of a saint are you? You're like those new employees who blurt out everything during meetings back when I was a corporate slave!
"It was a misunderstanding! It was just a lucky pervert moment! Shannon said nothing happened, didn't she? It was just an accident!"
"If it were anyone else, I'd believe them. But this is you, Alfred. One good year doesn't erase all your past deeds. How can we trust you now?"
"Urgh, I... I guess you're right..."
Forgas was seizing the moment. He'd hated Alfred all along, so now he was making the most of it.
"There's no more room for excuses, Alfred... no, Alfred. As we've all said, you are no longer fit to lead the 'Holy Sword of Heroes.' From now on, we'll rally behind Rogue! Now, new Commander Rogue, how about those final words?"
Prompted by Daniel, Rogue cleared his throat.
"-Alfred! You're fired! Pack your things and get out!"
Rogue, now fully convinced by the second-rate followers, pointed dramatically at me, shouting like some overconfident actor on stage.
These guys are seriously pissing me off.
Fine... Whatever.
Most of the party members are already on their side. No matter how much I fight it, this expulsion is already set in stone. It's a done deal.
"Alright, I accept it."
And just like that, it was over.