Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 1

“Sorry, but there’s no place for you here anymore. Get out.”

Because of the idiot standing before me who stepped on a trap, I fell into the depths of the dungeon and spent six months in hell.

Monstrously powerful creatures attacked me relentlessly. I fought against hunger, poison, and solitude, struggling desperately to survive without even knowing which direction to take. Somehow, I made it back.

And the first thing they said to me was this.

“Are you kidding me? I just returned from the depths after falling because of your mistake, and that’s all you have to say?”

That’s right. On that day, this bastard triggered a trap.

You’re a thief, aren’t you? Your job is to disarm traps—so why the hell did you set one off?

Because of that, Michelle was injured, and I, trying to protect this fool, ended up falling into the pit.

And yet…

“Me? You’re the one who triggered the trap and fell in alone. Now you’re trying to blame someone else? How pathetic. Besides, because of your mistake, Michelle still hasn’t regained consciousness.”

“What did you say?”

Michelle is still unconscious?

Just how badly was she injured?

It’s obvious—they took advantage of Michelle’s condition and my absence to spread lies.

Our party’s formation has always been this fool at the front, followed by Michelle, the knight, then me, the leader, and Claire, the mage, bringing up the rear.

How the hell could I have stepped on the trap alone?!

“Lax, I’m sorry, but you’ve been missing for six months. You’re officially presumed dead. You know the rules, don’t you? The party leadership has already been passed on to Jekyll.”

Before I could yell back, another voice cut in.

It belonged to Eranda, the acting lord and my fiancée.

With her long platinum blonde hair, she was well-loved in the city. Some guild members complained about her being too meticulous with money, but she was managing things efficiently.

The true ruler of this city was supposed to be Viscount Riofendarl. However, after losing his wife and eldest son in a stampede three years ago, he aged rapidly, leaving only his two daughters behind.

It was my party that quelled that stampede. As its leader, I was engaged to his eldest daughter, Eranda. Together, we were supposed to protect the dungeon and eventually govern this city.

And yet…

“Eranda… Why didn’t you defend me? You’re the acting lord. You could have done something. You promised we’d face the dungeon’s dangers together.”

I pleaded, my voice trembling.

Even my own fiancée had chosen to believe him over me?

“Stop being pathetic. You endangered the party with your mistake. Besides, Eranda is already my woman. Don’t talk to her so casually.”

“What? What the hell are you saying?!”

What about our engagement? It was officially recognized by the viscount and blessed at the temple!

“What else could it mean? You dragged things out, got declared dead, and so, of course, our engagement was annulled.”

“And now that I’m the new leader of ‘Flash,’ Eranda and I are engaged. How slow can you be? Try to keep up, dumbass! Hahaha!”

“You bastards…!”

I risked my life to come back, and this is how they repay me?

“Flash” was barely surviving in the lower levels of the dungeon. I had fallen all the way to the depths.

I fought with my life on the line every day… And even then, all I thought about was coming back to Eranda, my party, and this city.

I clenched my fists in fury.

But their betrayal wasn’t over yet.

“Enough of this ruckus. You’ll stress out the baby.”

“A… a baby?!”

You’ve got to be kidding me!

I respected the viscount’s wishes and maintained a proper, responsible relationship—never crossing that line. And yet…

I barely managed to suppress my rage.

“There’s nothing left for you here. Accept it and leave. You’re not even a citizen anymore.”

My former fiancée twisted the knife even further.

“Screw this city! I wouldn’t stay here if you begged me to!”

I don’t care anymore.

I survived. That means I’m not dead, so revoke that presumed death ruling already!

“Technically, we should confiscate everything you’re wearing, but we’ll overlook that. You should be grateful, really.”

That bastard smirked.

The two of them looked down on me as I trembled in rage, barely holding myself back.

Enough.

I don’t need to hold back anymore.

“Everything I have is what I earned surviving six months in the dungeon’s depths! None of it belongs to the party, you piece of sh1t!”

“Guh—?! Y-you bastard!”

I punched the bastard square in the face.

If I had used my full strength, I would have killed him instantly. I held back—just barely.

“No violence in the guild!”

“Lax, stop it! Just leave!”

“Like hell I need you to tell me!”

I kicked open the guild doors and stormed out.

Behind me, the guild master and Eranda’s guards hesitated, unsure of what to do.

The bastard I punched was still screaming, completely unaware that I had spared him.

If you think you can stop me—then try.

This isn’t over.