Chapter 102: Punishment for Carl and his group

I woke up feeling heavy after drinking a bit too much at the daytime drinking party with Silphy and the others. In the end, Nomos joined us and we emptied two barrels. I only intended to have one barrel, but since we started drinking in the afternoon, it wasn’t nearly enough.

I somehow managed to pacify Nomos, who was begging for another barrel, and sent Dyne, Nomos, and Dolly back before going to sleep. By the time I fell asleep, it was already past midnight. But seriously, who benefits from an old bearded guy begging for more alcohol?

“Good morning, Yuta.”

“Ah, good morning, Silphy. Are you feeling okay?”

“Hehe, I’m fine.”

I couldn’t sense even a hint of alcohol remaining in Silphy’s demeanor as she smiled. It’s a bit tough for me since I had meals with Sara and took intermittent breaks, but Silphy, who had been drinking endlessly, is energetic. Is it because she’s a spirit?

“Yuta, good morning!” “Kyuuu!” “Good morning!” “Kuuu!”

I greeted Bell and the others, pacified their high spirits, prepared breakfast for the spirits, and then headed to the dining hall with Sara.

…Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem, but having a hearty breakfast at this inn with a slight residue of alcohol was tough.

“Well then, today we’ll go to the Adventurers Guild, confirm what happened yesterday, and then head to the dungeon. Sara and the others should be accustomed to the dungeon by now, and I plan to go to the 16th floor. However, depending on how things unfold at the Adventurers Guild, we might take a break. Well, be prepared. If we go to the 16th floor, we’ll stay overnight.”

“Understood.” “Yes.” “Okay.”

Now, let’s see how yesterday’s events have affected the situation… Unless we’ve been subjected to some strange false accusations, things shouldn’t take a turn for the worse.

I informed Martha that this time we might stay in the dungeon for two to three days and left the inn.

With a little excitement, I entered the Adventurers Guild, and there was a commotion. Recently, I had been coming to the Adventurers Guild every day, so I had been ignored and left alone. But today, the commotion means that yesterday’s incident is having an impact. I’ll listen to the adventurers’ conversations later; first, let’s talk to Eltina.

Approaching Eltina’s counter, several adventurers moved away from the line. It seems like the situation has returned to the state of dealing with injuries and ailments.

“Eltina-san, good morning. I’d like to ask about the incident involving my kids yesterday. What happened?”

It was finally my turn, and I called out to Eltina.

“Regarding yesterday’s incident, I would like to hear your side of the story as well. Could you come to the back?”

Eltina had her usual expressionless face. Considering she repelled the kidnappers with spirit magic, I expected her to show a bit more change… It seems that being a spirit magic user isn’t highly valued unless you repel kidnappers while surrounded by royalty and nobles. I’m a little curious about the level of a spirit magic user in that regard.

Is it really okay to go to the back with such an expressionless Eltina? I don’t want more strange rumors to circulate.

“I’m a bit hesitant to go to the back. Last time I went there, a baseless rumor spread that I tried to seduce Eltina-san and got rejected. It wouldn’t be beneficial for either of us, right? Is it something we can’t discuss here?”

I wouldn’t want rumors to spread that I attacked Eltina-san either. Based on past experiences, it’s not impossible. It’s safer to discuss this in a place where everyone is present. It’s a bit late to think about it now, though.

“There’s nothing we can’t discuss…”

“In that case, please let’s talk here.”

“…Understood. Then, I’ll explain it here. The captured individuals claim to be innocent. They say that they were framed by you and Karl. What do you think?”

They’re really shameless. But considering the Guild Master might take their side, it’s not a bad argument.

“I don’t see any reason why I would go out of my way to frame them. Why should I be responsible for them in the first place?”

“After losing the duel, they spread rumors to tarnish your reputation, so there is a motive.”

I see. Well, the way they phrase it, like “they say,” implies that the Adventurers Guild had been well aware. They even fanned the flames. It’s like they’re trying to avoid responsibility, reminiscent of bureaucratic organizations.

“That’s all the reason they have, and I can only say that I wouldn’t go through the trouble of framing them for such a minor matter. So, what does the Adventurers Guild, which is at the root of my bad reputation, think about all this?”

“After individual interrogations, inconsistencies in their stories have surfaced. Unless new evidence emerges, their guilt won’t change.”

I sarcastically retorted, but it was easily brushed off. Well, it’s a relief they didn’t go like, “Let’s find them guilty just because they’re spirit magic users!” The Guild Master seems to be struggling with how to punish me as well.

“So it’s not confirmed yet. In that case, could you tell me what the punishment would be if they were found guilty?”

“Expulsion from the Adventurers Guild. They would be handed over to the security forces and face an appropriate sentence. The sentencing is not within the jurisdiction of the Adventurers Guild, but considering the attempted kidnapping and attempted murder charges, it would likely be forced labor in remote areas or military service in a war zone.”

Eltina-san calmly explained, as if it were someone else’s problem. I think it wouldn’t hurt for her to show a bit more emotion. But military service in a war zone sounds like a very harsh fate. Forced labor in remote areas doesn’t sound much better. This is a scary world.

“What about Karl and the other person?”

“While they are party members involved in the crime, since they prevented the crime and apprehended them, there will be no penalties. However, they have lost their equipment and comrades, so it will be tough for them.”

I feel like they’re indirectly blaming me for that. They’re completely ignoring the Guild’s responsibility for spreading rumors. It seems they need thick skin to function as an organization.

However, as someone who has been smeared with bad reputation, it feels wrong that there are no consequences. But I suppose it means they’re considered not guilty of any crime. Even just stalking children would be reportable in Japan, but I wonder if there are any laws in this other world regarding stalking.

“Law seems to be lax, huh? But in exchange, the punishments if you get caught are terrifying, like getting sentenced to death without a chance to return alive. Well, I’ve asked most of the things I wanted to know, so maybe I should venture into the labyrinth. Bell and the others are getting bored, after all.”

“I understand. In that case, we will head to the labyrinth. Excuse us then.”

“Please wait. We haven’t finished discussing this matter. Karl-san mentioned that the spirits you assigned as escorts for the children repelled the kidnappers. Is that true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Can you provide evidence?”

…Providing evidence is easy. If I ask Sylphy, it will be astonishing. But if I prove it here, all the efforts I’ve made so far will be in vain. Besides, proving it here won’t have any impact on the Guildmaster.

Showing my power now might annoy the Guildmaster, but if it’s useful, it’s better to let it go. Otherwise, it seems like they’ll continue with harassment, pretending they don’t know anything. No, that won’t work. I should decline.

“Well… If the Guildmaster and the Adventurer’s Guild testify about the various harassments they’ve orchestrated against me and apologize, then I can provide evidence.”

“Do you truly believe that the guild would sincerely apologize if they were in the wrong?”

…Yeah, that’s right. There’s no organization that would bow down to a newbie.

“What do you think? I was taught by my parents that when you do something wrong, you should apologize.”

“Is that what you truly believe the guild would do?”

I endure the freezing gaze to the best of my ability. Even though they heard about my use of spirit magic through word of mouth, their attitude hasn’t changed. In a way, it’s quite impressive. Well, I’ve thought about it before, but the low evaluation of spirit mages is quite something.

“Sigh… I understand. Forget it.”

I won. No, I didn’t really win anything, but it feels like a victory in a way.

“Well then, excuse us.”

Leaving the Adventurer’s Guild while being glanced at with a somewhat disdainful look.

“Master, is it okay to say things like that?”

As soon as we left the guild, Marco asked worriedly.

“Well… It’s not the best thing to do, but our relationship wasn’t good to begin with, so it shouldn’t be a problem. However, it’s never a good thing to get into conflicts with others, so let’s not take it as a reference, okay?”

Did I make a mistake by bringing him to the guild? Lately, I’ve been ignored when I came alone, but considering what happened yesterday, it might have been better for me to come alone.

“Understood.”

“Yeah, well, even if you don’t want to get into fights, sometimes you have to. So let’s try to think and act as much as possible.”

I see. If I had stayed calm back then, the conflict with the Guildmaster would have been smaller. I don’t regret it, but I won’t reflect on it either. Getting carried away and losing control is really bad.

“Yeah.”

I nod and pat the heads of Sara and the others, then head towards the labyrinth. If these children grow up and develop bad personalities, it’ll be my responsibility.

“Yuta, something interesting has happened.”

Silphy approaches me with a very delighted expression. Did she pick up some good information at the Adventurer’s Guild?

(What happened?)

“Hehe. First, it’s about the conversations I heard from the adventurers at the guild. It seems they’re struggling with how to judge you. Some adventurers doubt the rumors about your ability to use remote spirit magic, calling it a fraud, while others think it’s amazing that you can use a giant hammer as a spirit mage… Someone accidentally spat on you. He is wondering if he’s in trouble? There’s a divide among adventurers regarding you.”

So there’s a split in opinions. As long as nobody directly spat on me, I don’t really care, but I’m curious why Silphy chose that conversation as an example.

Also, if I can swing a giant hammer, I definitely wouldn’t spit on someone in front of me. That’s just plain stupid. Did they think it would be fine because it’s recommended by the Guild?

(And what about the main topic? Is it about the Guildmaster?)

“Hehe. Correct. There’s a request to meet the adventurers who broke through and brought back materials from the Fire Dragon. And requests to obtain Godgrass are pouring in from various sources, which has been giving the Guildmaster a headache.”

I see. Even though they may not have a complete record of those who broke through the labyrinth, it’s not hard to figure out if they have access to the Godgrass mentioned in the hero’s books. It would be expected that they’re eager to obtain it. However, I wonder if it would be more troublesome for the Guildmaster if the Godgrass is supplied to Marie’s shop or if it’s not circulated in the market. It’s indeed exciting news.

(Hehe. Silphy, thank you. I’ll think about what would be the most enjoyable.)

“I’m looking forward to it.”

While I enjoy contemplating, we arrive at the labyrinth. Since it didn’t take much time at the guild, I wonder if we can reach the 16th floor today.

We quickly cleared floors 11 to 15 and entered the forest of the 16th floor. Orcs appeared between floors 11 and 14, but even Fukuchan and the others had no problem defeating them, so the only real danger would be Trolls. The previous floors were too easy, so it would be good training to face Trolls with a proper sense of tension.

“Let’s set up camp and rest for today. According to Silphy, the Trolls that appear on this floor can’t be defeated in a single blow with Fukuchan and the others, so we should consider coordinating our attacks.”

“Can we defeat them?”

“Yeah, we can. It seems they have strong bodies with thick fat and possess high self-regeneration abilities. But it seems we can defeat them depending on how we deal damage. Let’s do our best.”

I thought even Bell and the others could easily kill Trolls, so I wasn’t sure. Especially in front of the magical chainsaw, the toughness of their bodies doesn’t really matter.

However, there is quite a difference in power between floating spirits and lower-level spirits. I wonder how hard Fukuchan and the others have to work to become lower-level spirits.

“Understood. We’ll discuss it thoroughly.”

“Yeah, if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask.”

Dinner is over, and I watch Sara and the others as they play and discuss strategies. They’re thinking about various things, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.