I Was Banished From The Hero's Party Manga

Ever feel like you're carrying the team and still get benched?

Yeah, me too! Except my benching came with a full-blown banishment from the Hero's party. Seriously, talk about adding insult to injury!

Imagine you're baking the ultimate chocolate cake for a party. You mixed everything, you set the temperature, you checked the ingredients ten times, and everyone is raving about how it’s the best cake ever. Then, suddenly, the chef (aka, the Hero) says, "You know what? We need…more sprinkles! And you, baker, are not sprinkle-material!"

The "Sprinkle Deficiency" Excuse

That's basically what happened to me! They needed someone…shinier. Someone who could do…things. Things that I, apparently, was incapable of. It’s like I was using a spoon when they wanted a…spork? A really fancy spork made of, like, solidified starlight.

And the worst part? They said it with a straight face. Said I was "holding them back." Me! The one who kept them from getting lost in the Whispering Woods at least three times a week.

My Farewell Tour (of the Local Tavern)

So, here I am. Banished. What's a freshly-exiled hero's companion to do? Well, first, I went to the local tavern. They know me there. They appreciate a good story, a decent pint, and someone who actually remembers to tip.

The Hero's party? Probably out there battling some mega-monster. Me? I'm battling a particularly stubborn pretzel. It's a different kind of heroism, but heroism nonetheless! Maybe I'll start a blog: "Tales from the Tavern: Better than Slaying Dragons."

"Honestly, who needs to fight a dragon when you can debate the merits of different ales with a retired wizard?" - Me, probably.

The Unexpected Upside

But you know what? It's not all bad. Being banished has its perks. For one, I can finally sleep past dawn! No more waking up at the crack of sparrow-fart to polish the Hero's sword.

And second, I can explore my own interests. Remember that pottery class I always wanted to take? Turns out, I'm surprisingly good at throwing clay! Who knew?

So, yeah, being banished sucked. But it also opened up a whole new world of possibilities. A world where I get to be me, on my own terms.

Revenge is a Dish Best Served…Warm?

Am I plotting revenge? Maybe. But it's probably more along the lines of opening a competing adventuring agency called "The Actually-Competent Companions."

We'll specialize in things the Hero's party can't handle: finding lost socks, organizing sock drawers, and general tidiness. The true mark of a hero, after all, is a well-organized sock drawer.

Who knows? Maybe someday, the Hero will come crawling back, begging for my sock-organizing skills. Then, and only then, will I consider forgiving them. Maybe. With a really, really big apology cake.

Until then, I’m enjoying my freedom. And maybe, just maybe, I'll even learn to like sprinkles.