Chapter 60

"Hey, hey! Just because you're knights, don't you think you're looking down on us!?"

While waiting for the materials collected in the evening forest to be exchanged for money at the guild, a roar of anger echoed through the lobby. When I looked over to see what was happening, I saw an adventurer group and a knight squad glaring at each other.

...As expected, I suppose. It seems there is friction between the adventurers and the knights. After all, adventurers value freedom while knights value discipline, which are completely opposite. I could have predicted that some trouble would arise if the knights came to the dungeon...

"That's not peaceful. What's going on, guys?"

When another adventurer group asked, the adventurer replied with displeasure.

"What's going on... While we were exploring the dungeon, they told us to go somewhere else because they were investigating it! They even complained after we came out of the dungeon!"

"No, wait. We just said it would be inconvenient if you got too close during our practical training in the dungeon. We have a mission too. There are things we can't talk about or show to outsiders during the training."

Mission. The name is different, but it's about the sealed door, right?

Alfred said something similar, but he was probably talking about the unimplemented area connected by the door with the emblem, as in BFO.

"What? Are you saying we were snooping around? Besides, you guys, you came later and asked for the map and to take us down, which is pretty presumptuous!"

"We didn't say that. We are different from such people."

The adventurer, whose face was red, said this, and the young knight facing him also showed his displeasure in his voice.

His expression was unreadable, as he was facing away and only had his visor up.

"Hah! I don't think so!"

"What did you say...?"

This is how it went. I didn't see the whole thing, so I can't say who is right, but it seems the adventurers are the ones stirring things up this time.

Moreover... the map and the reached floor. There are people who do such things.

"The knights are dispatched for the training of knights and soldiers. Normally, they wouldn't do such things. If anyone would, it would be Gregg's faction. I heard they sent their people to the dungeon after their influence weakened."

Cila added this information.

"...So, Gregg himself is in the castle as a dragon rider?"

"That's how it seems."

Training is just a pretext. Even if I suspected there was something in the dungeon from the knights' movements, officially, that's the reason. If there's a whiff of gold, there will be people who investigate, I suppose.

Even Gregg's faction... The map and the reached floor are the fruits of the adventurers' labor. If they are asked to hand them over, it would naturally cause resentment.

Adventurers have strong horizontal connections. If some do such things, all will be seen in the same light, and bad reputations spread quickly.

Gregg and his people, feeling the crisis of their declining influence, are eager for success, but if they keep buying the adventurers' resentment—. Gregg really is just tarnishing the reputation of the knights. But still, it's not fair to generalize...

"Excuse me, Theodore. Please wait a moment."

"...Understood."

Seeing the situation heating up, Heather stepped in.

"Calm down. I don't want any trouble here."

Heather fearlessly intervened as a mediator. If she hesitated in such situations, she wouldn't be fit for her job as a receptionist at the adventurer guild.

Heather... has a bit of a hardworking nature.

She complains about having too much work and no time off, yet she takes on tasks enthusiastically and handles them skillfully. That's why she is relied upon by her superiors and stays busy.

"So, what should we do then?"

"There might be misunderstandings on both sides. It's better to focus on preventing such incidents in the future rather than settling the matter here and leaving a grudge—"

Heather's words... I think they are somewhat correct in this situation. From what I heard from both sides, it seems the conflict arose from their impressions of each other.

Since both are speaking based on their impressions, it turns into a pointless argument, and without using a magical inquisition for a serious matter, it's subjective and won't lead to a conclusion.

"Hey! Whose side are you on!?"

...I think that way, but one of the adventurers didn't. He had expected Heather to be on their side, but he became angry at her words and interrupted her, almost lunging at her.

This is the time to help Heather. We've known each other the longest in the guild. She helps us out and has been our handler since we came here.

I moved quickly into the adventurer's line of sight and gave him a look. As expected, he noticed and glared at me.

"...Demon Slayer. For a newcomer, you sure have a big attitude. Don't you think you should show some respect to your seniors?"

"...Then, shouldn't you have respected the knights who were conducting their training first?"

If we're talking about who was there first, that's the point. The dungeon isn't this man's private property, and I have no intention of regarding such a man as a senior or relying on him.

"What did you say?"

"Hey, Jasper. Calm down..."

"Shut up! Are you scared just because he's the Demon Slayer!?"

The man called Jasper waved his hand dismissively and spat out his words in excitement.

He even lashed out at his companions in his agitation. In his case, it seems he is driven more by a sense of territory and pride, thinking the dungeon belongs to the adventurers.

"...No. I apologize. I have heard of such misconduct. Those people have been reprimanded. I apologize for any actions that caused misunderstanding."

The knight, who had only raised his visor until now, removed his helmet and bowed.

I hadn't realized until now, but she was a female knight.

Her voice was slightly husky and she was tall, making it hard to tell with the helmet and surcoat.

"It's too late now!"

"Jasper!"

"Shut up!"

When his companion sternly advised him, Jasper glared around—realizing he had no allies, he spat and stomped away, his footsteps heavy.

"...Thank you, Theodore."

"No, I owe you a lot, Heather. I'm always in your debt."

"To hear that... Phew."

Heather seemed a bit dejected, probably because the mediation didn't go well. She must think resolving such troubles is part of her job.

"...I apologize for causing a disturbance. I'm not used to the dungeon and was a bit on edge. My name is Mercedes Corbett."

Knight Mercedes bowed to the adventurers.

"...No, we were at fault too. I admit we were lumping you with the others."

The remaining adventurer group apologized to Mercedes and left. Well, it seems they were convinced except for Jasper.

Depending on the situation, Jasper might leave the adventurer group. I don't feel responsible for that, but Heather seems to.

"You also caused us trouble by getting involved. I may not be in a position to say this, but I will raise the issue with the knights and work on preventing such incidents."

"That would be helpful. But that Jasper guy was angry more about pride than reason, right? The problem might be more with Gregg's faction than the knights themselves."

"...Well, that might be true, but..."

When I said this, Mercedes scratched her head in confusion. ...It's a difficult question for her, being in the service of the palace.