I was Reincarnated as an Incompetent Leader with Zero Popularity who met his downfall early on. Instead of banishing the hidden cheat Protagonist, I decided to embrace him, and somehow, I ended up being treated like a Hero instead. - Chapter 11

The defensive skill “Shield of the Hero.”

When this skill is activated, it increases the user’s defense, but all enemy attacks are directed toward them.

If there are five or more enemies, not only does defense increase, but agility improves as well.

In short, it’s a skill designed for playing the role of a decoy.

Since it can be activated by warriors of Gold rank or higher, it is relatively accessible among the top-tier skills.

“Shield of the Hero” might be an excellent skill for someone serving as the party’s tank.

In our party, for example, it would be perfect for Block, our Paladin.

It’s best suited for warriors with high innate defense.

As for Alva, while he is a frontline fighter, his main focus is sword attacks, and his defense isn’t particularly impressive.

That’s why he often complained to Block after battles, demanding that he protect everyone more perfectly.

Just recalling this makes me want to hang my head in shame.

As I read through the list of skills, my memories as Alva Greyblood gradually return.

Most of them revolve around battles, but even so, they’re enough to remind me just how selfish and reckless Alva was.

He vented his frustrations by banishing Chrono from the party. Then, when they went adventuring afterward, they were half-killed by enemies they had previously dismissed as weaklings.

Without the buffs cast by the protagonist, they couldn’t even put up a proper fight.

Even though each member was a Silver-ranked adventurer and far from weak, their previous strength had been abnormally high due to the buffs.

Yet, Alva refused to acknowledge this. He clashed with the strong-willed women in the party, which led to two of them leaving.

The remaining men tried to complete quests together, but their teamwork fell apart. As a result, Block, the Paladin, was devoured by monsters.

This caused Curse, the Thief, to abandon them as well. Driven by resentment, Alva began to blame Chrono for everything, even plotting to kill him.

Eventually, Alva infiltrated the cave where Chrono and his new party were adventuring, but he ended up being tortured and killed by the monsters inside.

By that time, Chrono was enjoying his first adventure with his new comrades, completely oblivious to Alva’s fate.

I swallowed hard.

If I hadn’t regained memories of my past self as Alva Greyblood when I hit my head at the tavern, I would have met the same grim end in the near future.

Chrono isn’t the only one I need to pay attention to. His absence from the party didn’t singlehandedly lead to its downfall.

Our failure stemmed from our ignorance of the buffs Chrono provided and the overestimation of our abilities. But that wasn’t the sole reason.

Alva was an incompetent, egotistical leader who failed to build any bonds with his teammates.

Block’s death was my fault because I kept forcing the tank role on him, even when he was severely injured and weakened.

“It has to be you. You’re the only one who can do it,” I told him.

Instead of pressing on with the adventure, we should have returned to the city.

I bit my lip and reached for the glowing skill name in front of me.

“You’re going to acquire the Shield of the Hero, correct?”

The voice of the Goddess of Knowledge prompted me, and I nodded.

“Yes. As the leader, it’s better if I can act as the decoy when needed.”

I am not the same Alva as before. If the party ever finds itself in danger, I will act as the decoy to ensure my comrades can escape.

With that vow, I felt the new power coursing through my body.