Chapter 77

Hmm.

Before I knew it, it was over.

The raid on the headquarters of the Adventurers' Guild by the demon race ended with one casualty, countless serious and minor injuries, and numerous facilities half-destroyed.

However, the injured were almost immediately fully recovered thanks to Noem's alchemical potions, and the damaged buildings were soon restored by the local residents themselves.

The rescue team led by Reslaser, who arrived late as requested, also proved to be reliable.

As things progressed in a positive direction, a summary of the incident was also conducted concurrently.

◆

“Ryuya, you truly did a great job.”

This was said by Bistamario, a member of the Guild Council.

Behind him, many elderly men and women of similar age stood, their gazes focused on me.

“You would have saved us all from being killed by the demons. You are our savior. We cannot thank you enough.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

I shook the hand extended to me.

I was glad Bistamario was safe.

I didn’t want him to die.

“I was relieved to see everyone safe. When I heard the demons had attacked, I thought everyone was doomed.”

“We surrendered immediately once we realized their purpose was not to annihilate us. It’s a shameful story, but thanks to that, we avoided any more casualties.”

So even though I rushed here as quickly as possible, the incident was already over.

But because of that, the fighting was kept to a minimum, and there were no deaths, so it was a good judgment.

“Unfortunately, there were not zero casualties…”

“Regarding Councilor Recoris, you have no reason to feel responsible. It was all due to his own actions. Not only did he bring disaster upon himself, but he also involved many others and tried to destroy the Adventurers' Guild itself. His fate was just.”

Bistamario’s words and actions towards Recoris, who was his colleague, were merciless.

However, this was not out of personal dislike but rather a manifestation of disappointment in Recoris, who, despite being a Councilor, failed to consider the Guild’s responsibilities.

“We, the Adventurers' Guild, have long been threatened by the Church. Due to the skill acquisition system, the best skill users are invariably taken by the Church. We, the Adventurers' Guild, have been forced to serve as a receptacle for second and third-rate adventurers who were not chosen by the Church…!”

Bistamario’s voice was filled with frustration.

In agreement, the other councilors and the adventurers present nodded, and some even sobbed.

They must have been that frustrated!

“Despite this, we have resisted the Church’s influence and maintained our independence. We have firmly opposed the Church’s belief that the value of skills is the only measure. Many adventurers who only have weak skills or no skills at all have contributed greatly to us.”

In my mind, the faces of the skill-less adventurers I met in the Kingdom of Rubrum appeared.

The Guild Council members must have been working to protect their positions by countering the Church’s influence through people like Soaides and Recoris.

“If the Church’s intentions were truly behind this incident… they might have feared that their influence over adventurers would be eliminated by Recoris’ downfall. They might have wanted to discard the failed Recoris, eliminate the Adventurers' Guild Council, and then re-establish a new council with their own people.”

At Bistamario’s words, the many elderly men and women behind him also spoke up.

“It’s possible, Bistamario! They just angered the Centorian Kingdom recently!”

“Losing their influence over us could also be a trigger to reshape the current world power balance!”

“It’s plausible that the Church would panic! And it’s typical of them to go to such lengths to protect their own prosperity!”

“Can we stand by and let the Church do as they please any longer! Now is the time for the Adventurers' Guild to unite and show those corrupt monks what we’re made of!!”

These people are the Adventurers' Guild Council members, right?

Is the Church’s reputation really that bad among adventurers?

There were apparently some like Recoris who tried to curry favor, but seeing Recoris used and discarded must have multiplied their anger by tenfold.

“I understand everyone’s anger. On that note, I would like to proceed with the previous agenda.”

“?”

The previous…?

Agenda…?

“We were in the middle of a heated debate on a significant decision in the history of adventurers when the demon attack forced us to interrupt. …Namely, whether to grant the title of S-rank to skill-less adventurers or not!”

As he said this, the expressions of the other Guild Council members changed.

They seemed to snap back to reality.

“Some of you were still skeptical during the meeting. ‘Is it really true that a skill-less adventurer has the strength to be S-rank?’ ‘Is it a fraud or something?’ Indeed, it’s difficult to believe in someone’s strength without seeing it with your own eyes.”

“Him”…?

Could it be…?

“However, everyone here has seen his strength firsthand. The power to overwhelm multiple demons without any skills! That is the proof of the strongest man, Ryuya, even without skills!”

“So it was me after all!?”

“Councilors! Responsible leaders of adventurers! Let’s vote on the long-discussed promotion of adventurer Ryuya to S-rank now! Those who believe he deserves S-rank, please raise your hands!”

At that moment.

Hands were raised without hesitation. And one, two, three… so many?

Clearly, dozens of people raised their hands.

These aren’t just councilors, right?

The adventurers present and everyone gathered here raised their hands!

“…Thank you. This is proof that all adventurers, beyond the council, have recognized him. From this moment on, adventurer Ryuya is officially recognized as a new S-rank!”

And applause.

The atmosphere was as if everyone’s hearts had come together.

“…Um, Bistamario?”

“Congratulations on your promotion to S-rank, Ryuya. It’s a painful thing that I can only offer this much gratitude after you saved our lives.”

“Not at all!”

I’m the one who’s flattered!

I just wanted to help everyone, so I rushed here!

“Your existence may become a source of hope for the entire world. The interaction with the demons earlier could potentially change the world significantly. For the better.”

The promise with the demon Senitans was made in front of many people.

How the relationship between the once mortal enemies, humans and demons, would change from now on.

Everyone was bound to be interested.

“If the threat of demons is gone, the value of the Church and the heroes they support will drastically decrease. The Church’s influence, which has been subtly exerted on various countries, will be dispelled like fog in the sunlight. While the attacks from demons were serious, the Church’s attempts to control the entire world were also far from desirable.”

To that extent…?

The Church, which grants skills and uses them to assert their value in the world, was that much disliked by people.

“Ryuya, your existence as an S-rank adventurer will give many people hope and reassurance. Not just for the Adventurers' Guild, but for all the people in the world, I hope you will use your strength.”

“…I’m not a great man. Without skills, I can only move my own limbs. I can only do what anyone on the ground can do.”

But if there are people who can avoid misfortune through what I can do, I want to move my limbs without hesitation.

“I can only help the people in front of me, and I will continue to do so.”

“Good answer.”

Bistamario nodded vigorously.

“What one person can do is small. It’s a limited thing. The true strength of humans lies in combining many small efforts into a great force. …How many people in this world have forgotten such an important thing…”

The skills granted to each person give them a sense of omnipotence.

They make one believe they can do anything on their own.

However, it’s a mistake to think that even with omnipotent power, one person’s strength is limited.

I have been helped so much by Noem’s alchemy and Abinion’s divine spirit power.

Combining forces to fight is the greatest and strongest skill given to humans.

“Excellent, Ryuya. I hope you will convey this spirit as an S-rank adventurer to many people.”

“Yes!”

“Next… we must quickly reach a conclusion on the other matter.”

The other matter…

Following Bistamario’s gaze, I saw Noem.

She was hugging someone.

“Thank you so much! You really helped everyone so much!!”

“Well, actually, it was all Ryuya. I didn’t do much…”

It was the A-rank adventurer Siegal.

When she went to the castle to request reinforcements, she had used up all her strength and collapsed, but she had quickly recovered and returned with the rescue team.

They really became good friends…!

“Noem’s alchemy is extremely useful. Her heart and the way she uses it are also wonderful. She will undoubtedly be promoted to S-rank.”

“Yes, Noem is a really good person.”

Thus, the Adventurers' Guild successfully overcame the crisis, and I became an S-rank adventurer.

Many people are happy about this, but there are also many who are not amused.

A new battle with such people is anticipated.