Chapter 89

The explanation session held in the defense force's auditorium, as expected, turned into a chaotic mess.

Mr. Oda, representing the teachers, started the explanation, but as soon as he mentioned that there was no return spell, the gathered classmates erupted into a commotion.

"What are we supposed to do? I didn't hear anything about not being able to go back!"

"I don't want this! I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home..."

"This is a joke, right? We should kill them all!"

"More like money! If we can't go back, we should make them pay us enough to live comfortably for the rest of our lives."

"I can't stand the thought of living without the internet or smartphones..."

No matter how the teachers tried to calm them down, the anxious classmates showed no signs of settling down.

"It's not yet decided that we can't go back! We will search for a way to return using every means possible."

"What do you mean by 'every means'? Can you be more specific?"

"When? When will we be able to go back?"

"It's impossible. We've never used magic before, so we won't find a way."

"Are you giving up? There's no convenience store here, you know."

Some students were crowding around the teacher, others were getting into physical altercations, some girls were crying, and some boys were standing there in shock.

The auditorium was in a state of uncontrollable chaos when it happened.

*BOOM*

The ground-shaking noise made everyone stop in their tracks.

"Hey, this is embarrassing... Do you think yelling will make the situation better?"

The one who spoke was Mr. Claus, who had been watching the scene from the corner of the auditorium.

The ground beneath us had cracked, likely due to Mr. Donovan's doing.

"I am Claus Volzard, the ruler of this Volzard. I will speak for a while, and those who can't keep quiet will be removed. Not outside the auditorium, but outside the city walls. Due to the recent surge, there are still many monsters around. If you want to be thrown out there, feel free to speak up, but if not, shut your mouths."

We realized that the defense force members had surrounded us. They usually treated us kindly, but now their faces were stern.

The classmates who had been causing a ruckus were now shocked into silence.

"I've heard your story. I understand that you were suddenly brought to an unknown world and that you have no idea when you can return. However, if you cause trouble in my city, I will not be lenient."

Claus, with his arms crossed, glared at everyone, and most of them lowered their heads in silence.

"The reason I didn't expel the troublemakers last time was that Kent asked me to keep track of them in case a way to return was found. But if we can't find a way to return, I won't be lenient. Those who disrupt the city's order will have their guild registration cards taken away and be expelled. If you think you can survive without any support or connections, feel free to try."

The auditorium fell silent, as if the previous chaos had never happened.

"I don't intend to treat you as nuisances or slaves. Volzard is known as the city at the edge of the world, overlooking the Forest of Demons. Here, humans are valuable assets, and to maintain and develop the city, everyone must work together. You should have realized this after the recent surge."

As Claus often says and practices, to develop Volzard, we need to repel the threat of monsters, expand the city walls, and, most importantly, increase the population. From this perspective, we might be welcome here.

"Volzard welcomes you and will support your new lives as much as possible. However, this is only if you live properly. According to Kent, you are all underage in your original world. But here, you are considered adults once you register with the guild. Don't expect others to do things for you; think about what you can do."

Claus spoke to each of us, as if urging us to make a resolution.

"I know it's difficult to suddenly become adults and live on your own. The environment is completely different, and you'll be confused. But I've heard that some of you have already found things you can do, like working in a clothing store. We welcome the introduction of cultures that don't exist in Volzard."

He must be talking about Mr. Sagara, who works in a clothing store. I also welcome Flavia's erotic cosplay-like outfits.

"I will gather information about the return spell. However, since summoning spells are considered fairy tales, don't expect to find it easily. Rooting in Volzard and building a foundation for your life while searching for a way to return is a more realistic approach. So, I'll say it again: think about what you can do and what you should do."

When Claus finished speaking, Mr. Donovan stepped forward.

"I'm Donovan, the coordinator at the guild. We will now register you with the guild and create your cards. This is necessary for living in Volzard. Everyone, except those already registered, please register."

Guild staff brought a table with two 'Magic Eye Crystals,' and some of the summoned students looked bitter as they remembered the day they were summoned.

"Ah, I almost forgot one thing."

Just as the newly rescued classmates started registering, Claus spoke again.

"Volzard managed to survive the recent surge with minimal damage. Therefore, I will grant amnesty to the troublemakers who are wearing bracelets. However, if you cause trouble again, you will be expelled. Understand, Shuichi?"

"Uh, yes, I understand!"

Takayama, who was surprised to be called out, smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

"I'm watching you, the rest of you... I'll remove your bracelets, so line up here."

"Thank you!"

The new and old groups, including Yagi, exchanged high-fives as they lined up to have their bracelets removed.

Yeah, Claus really is a step above the teachers.

"Thank you, Claus."

"Yeah, it's better to start a new life together, but if you mess up again..."

"I understand. We will live in Volzard and follow the city's laws."

"Do you really understand? If you take care of them too much, they won't become independent. Help them, but in moderation."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Also, I will use your money to compensate Marcel."

"Uh, that's a bit..."

"Are you complaining? If you are, I can put the bracelets back on them."

"No... it's fine..."

I completely take back my earlier thought that he was cool. Adults are really unfair. I aim to become an adult who can make such adults say 'Gah!'

Anyway, the cost of the city wall construction is enormous, and it will take a long time even if we work on it every day. I'll owe Takayama one for now.

The most eye-catching registration was, of course, the class president's.

The light from the 'Magic Eye Crystal' seemed even stronger than when he was summoned.

Thanks to Claus's advice, the class president started at D-rank.

His previous treatment records at the defense force's medical room were taken into account.

The defense force members were looking at the class president with admiring eyes, but he's my class president, so I won't give him up.

As I watched the classmates register, Takayama, who had just had his bracelet removed, called out to me.

"Kunifusa, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Um, not here..."

It didn't seem like the overly self-conscious Takayama of the past. He seemed to be mindful of the surrounding gazes and led me to a corner of the auditorium.

"Negotiations with Reisenburg are essentially being handled by Kunifusa, right?"

"Yeah, originally it was supposed to be Mr. Oda and Mr. Sato, but it's me for now."

"I see... I have a favor to ask..."

The only thing I could think of that Takayama would ask me was one thing, but I decided to let him say it himself.

"A favor...?"

"I don't need the compensation money... Instead, can you get me Celia?"

"Takayama... Celia isn't an object."

"I know... It's just a figure of speech. I want to be recognized as her boyfriend."

"Do you mean you want to live in Volzard with Celia?"

"Yes."

Takayama nodded firmly, his face serious. Maybe the city wall construction has had a positive effect on him.

"Alright. I can negotiate, but I have a few things I want you to do first, okay?"

"Things I need to do? What are they?"

"First, to bring Celia here, you need a place for her to live. Show me that you can secure it yourself."

"A place to live... Got it. What else?"

"Second, work to earn enough money for both of you to live... or should I say, for three of you?"

"Wh-What? B-Baka, it's just the two of us!"

I smiled, and Takayama turned red and denied it.

I know you've already done it, though...

"Really...?"

"Y-Yes, just the two of us... What else?"

"Lastly, apologize to Marcel and get his forgiveness."

"Ugh... Got it. I'll do whatever it takes, even kowtow, to get his forgiveness."

"Alright, let me know when you've done the first two. I'll go with you to Marcel's place."

"Got it. A place to live and a job, I'll get them sorted out right away."

Takayama's transformation was so humble that it was almost worrying, but I didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm.

However, there were some things I needed to say.

"Takayama, I can negotiate, but I can't guarantee it will work out."

"Is there a problem?"

"Celia is the child of the king of Reisenburg and a low-status woman... The three queens, who are outwardly friendly, are actually in a power struggle over the throne. The one thing they cooperate on is preventing the king from having children with his mistresses, to the point of assassination. Celia is the cause of this situation, and her mother is imprisoned by the first queen."

"Celia was against you going into battle, and from what I saw, it didn't seem like she was just following Camilla's orders. With her mother held hostage, it might be difficult for her to decide to come to Volzard."

"Is that the case...?"

It seemed Takayama had thought Celia was in love with his hero qualities and hadn't considered the possibility of her being forced into the relationship due to her mother being held hostage.

"Could we also get her mother released?"

"That would be a decision Camilla can't make alone, and it won't be easy... Also, you'll have one more person to support..."

"I'll manage. Please help Celia gain her freedom, I beg you!"

Wow, Takayama bowed to me.

"Alright. I want to help Celia too, so I'll do my best. But the situation is complicated, so it won't be quick."

"I understand, I'll be grateful."

By the time we finished talking, the classmates' registration was complete.

Some were excitedly discussing their future with their new guild cards, while others were anxiously staring at their cards.

There was a group playing pretend sword fights, but I needed to set them straight.

The girls had gathered in a corner of the auditorium, with a few leading the conversation. The center of the circle included the odd couple, Mr. Sagara, and Ms. Honmi, as well as, for some reason, Manon.

Yeah, they looked really cute, working hard despite the chaos.

The girls seemed to be getting along well with Manon and the others, but thinking about it, the boys, including the new and old groups and Yagi, hadn't done any work other than the city wall construction.

This could be a problem. If they recklessly rush into the dungeon and don't come back, it would be bad.

I should consult with Donovan, who was cleaning up after the registration.

"Donovan, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Hm, what is it?"

"It's about the classmates. The girls seem to be fine with Manon and the others, but I'm a bit worried about the boys..."

"They've been warned by Claus and have examples of what not to do. If they still cause trouble, they won't be spared."

"Yes, but I'm worried that some might misunderstand and rush into the dungeon on their own..."

"Hmm, it should be fine. The surge just ended, and D-rank and below are not allowed to leave the city without a C-rank or higher escort."

"Oh, so no one can leave the city without an escort, which means they can't go to the dungeon?"

"Right. This restriction will continue for a while, so make sure they understand it."

"Got it."

I haven't been to the dungeon, but it's said to be about half a day's journey from Volzard.

"Near the entrance, adventurers had created a settlement, but it's unclear what happened during the surge. The dungeon is likely infested with goblin remnants, so only the most skilled can approach for a while."

"I see... But won't that be a problem? I heard that various minerals are mined from the dungeon."

"Yes, but those who deal in such materials buy when prices are low, so the impact won't be immediate. However, if it continues, it will be unavoidable."

Donovan, with his arms crossed, thought for a moment before looking back at me.

"Perhaps a request from Delritz will come."

"Uh... But the Orlando store has Flame Hounds employed."

"Only if they can handle it... Repelling a large number is not easy."

"I see... But wouldn't the defense force be dispatched?"

"If it drags on, they might move to suppress up to the dungeon entrance, but the interior is outside their jurisdiction."

The location of the dungeon is within the territory ruled by Claus, but the laws of the city do not apply inside the dungeon.

It's not a lawless area, but rather governed by unwritten rules among adventurers.

For example, if a murder occurs inside the dungeon, investigating it is dangerous.

Without witnesses, the body becomes monster fodder, and there's no evidence.

Even with witnesses, it often turns into a he-said-she-said situation, making it difficult to find grounds for punishment.

However, those rumored to be responsible face strong backlash from fellow adventurers, and it becomes difficult to form parties and operate in the dungeon.

The internal affairs of the dungeon are left to the self-policing of the adventurers.

"Would the request to me be about monster hunting?"

"No, it would likely be to escort a party specializing in mineral collection."

"Escorting? The Flame Hounds could do that..."

"What are you saying? Escorting is much more difficult, as you've experienced."

"Ah... You're right."

During the rescue operation, we were attacked by a lizardman horde and encountered a surge, but I could have just hidden if it was just me.

Protecting someone while moving is indeed difficult.

With negotiations with Reisenburg, working to give Camilla more power, negotiating to free Celia, and now a potential request to the dungeon, it seems like I'll be very busy.

"Kent, I've already sent the surge report to the guild headquarters. You should expect a notification for S-rank soon."

"Wh-What? Donovan, you didn't have to work so hard..."

"Hmph, let me tell you, a life of leisure with women is not in your future."

"Ugh... You're right..."

This is strange. I thought that once everyone was rescued, we would eventually return to our original world and live a leisurely harem life.

Now, I'll work hard to achieve that leisurely life.

First, I'll squeeze money out of Camilla.

However, Camilla and the first prince's faction are short on funds.

Even if I try to extract money, I need to give Camilla more power... Wait, what?

"Kent, do you really want a life of leisure with women?"

"N-No, I was thinking about how to extract compensation from Reisenburg, but I might have overthought it."

"Let me tell you, Volzard's laws don't apply to crimes in Reisenburg. Also, unless it's a serious crime with solid evidence, extradition is unlikely."

"Ugh... Are you against it, Donovan?"

"Who knows? It's your decision, but make sure no innocent people suffer."

"Got it, I'll be careful."

What I thought of was stealing funds from the second prince's faction.

I can get compensation and weaken the second prince's faction.

Yeah, this is a two-for-one deal.

"By the way, how do you always know what I'm thinking?"

"Hmph, you're simple and it shows on your face."

"Ugh... I'll work on that."

"Yeah, good luck with that."

I returned a pathetic smile to Donovan's intimidating laugh and started thinking about the problems I needed to solve.