Chapter 32

"Did the guards attack the passengers? That's ridiculous!"

The first voice was the head of the Adventurer's Guild. The location was the guardhouse next to the gate.

"We're not lying."

Kokushin's words were echoed by the nodding of the ladies.

"No, but they are D-rank..."

In front of him were three guild certificates borrowed from them. Incidentally, they were still sleeping. They had already taken the sleeping pills, so they would wake up soon if shaken.

"That's also suspicious. They were struggling with three Forest Wolves. Moreover, they were trying to leave the bodies in the middle of the road. Haven't you taught them better? I was told when I registered."

It turned out that they belonged to the guild in this city. There were people like us who traveled around, and there were also those who always worked in the same city. The head of the guild ground his teeth at my words.

"But, as far as I know, there haven't been any other problems..."

The captain of the guards tilted his head. He apparently had no particular interaction with Kokushin. He didn't say anything.

"...No, there were some bad ones."

A person from the carriage guild raised their hand, looking reluctant.

"They would try to raise the guard fee by making unreasonable demands or cause trouble with the passengers..."

"Hmm. I don't know about that?"

The captain of the guards looked at a subordinate standing near the entrance. The subordinate shook his head vigorously.

"Every time we have to conduct an investigation, it delays our work. If it's just a minor fight, we can't say much..."

"...I see. It seems there were issues with our response as well. I'll inform them to be more cautious."

The person from the carriage guild bowed.

Now, the problem is with the Adventurer's Guild.

"Indeed, there have been reports that their attitude was poor... but not to the extent that the guard service was problematic..."

"Hey, are you serious?"

The lady was indignant.

"That leader, despite being a guard, stayed in the carriage the whole time. Moreover, he kept hitting on us. He kept flashing his money and asking if we would be his women. He only looked at our chests, and when it came to fighting, he was a coward. Then he complained that we took the wolves we killed! If this isn't a problem, I can't trust the Adventurer's Guild at all."

Hmm, it seems she had a lot of pent-up frustration. The head of the guild was turning pale at the lady's outburst.

"Did they attack... the ladies? No, the driver was also injured, right?"

At the captain's words, Kokushin glanced at me. Is it okay to say? I nodded.

"That's probably because they wanted to take this."

Kokushin patted the pouch on his waist.

"It's a magic bag."

The people present gasped. Even non-adventurers seemed to recognize its value.

"You're not going to say that it's natural to be attacked for having something valuable, right?"

I glanced at the head of the Adventurer's Guild. He nodded, still pale.

"Killing and taking something just because you want it... I didn't think you would have such primitive thoughts. Did you also try to take the ladies while attacking the driver?"

I've noticed you've been awake this whole time.

The leader, still tied up, flinched under the gaze of everyone in the room. He squeaked, "H-help me," still in the form of a caterpillar. What are you afraid of?

"Hey. If you have something to say, now's the time. You'll be handed over as criminal slaves after this."

"Such a thing..."

The captain's words were met with cries of despair from both the leader and the head of the Adventurer's Guild.

"Of course. Civilians are involved. The driver is on the verge of death."

"Guh, but..."

The head of the Adventurer's Guild tried to argue but couldn't find the words.

"No, it's different! I tried to buy it, but got angry when they refused..."

"I've never heard such a story. Moreover, that doesn't justify attacking the driver. Did you think that if you got angry, killing everyone would be acceptable?"

"Th-that's not what I meant..."

"Moreover, you ordered two of them to do it so your hands would stay clean. Don't say you're innocent just because you gave the orders. You told the two who were reluctant to kill. Your crime is the most severe, isn't it?"

"Ugh..."

Ah, I feel a bit relieved. I've been tense all this time, and if the driver had died, I might have gone back to my hometown. Or maybe I would have retired in the forest.

Kokushin, sensing my feelings, patted my head. Not now.

"Any defense...? If not, this is the end."

The captain's words.

"Help me! I was forced by him!"

Suddenly, the mage started making a fuss.

"Making unreasonable demands, stealing from the luggage, and harassing women, I was threatened to do all of it!"

"Shut up!"

"Shut up! You always get the good jobs, while we have to do the lookout and stealing! You use up all the reward money, so we get very little. If we complain, you hit us! It's your fault!"

"Y-you scoundrel!"

"I, I'm the same! I'll tell everything! Just not as a slave!"

"You're going to betray us, you bastards!"

It's noisy.

Did the charges just casually increase?

The three caterpillars wriggled and belittled each other. I don't want to listen anymore.

"...I'll leave the rest to you. Can I go now?"

I left it to the captain, who was sighing. Incidentally, the head of the Adventurer's Guild was muttering something like a curse, holding his head. He was saying something about his wife. A pay cut, demotion, or dismissal. If they're a gang, they might end up as slaves.

As I left the guardhouse with a "Good work," I parted ways with the ladies. They invited me to eat, but I declined. The driver and the carriage guild person bowed deeply. I'm glad you're safe. I hope the relationship with the Adventurer's Guild improves.

"Are you going to avoid riding the stagecoach now?"

At Kokushin's wry smile, I could only sigh.