CH 115

Confrontation – Part 1 – i novels

()x13-17 minutes

The first event began with the Guildmaster bowing deeply before the adventurers. He had surely anticipated the astonished commotion among the surrounding adventurers.

“I was taken aback by this sudden apology. Why did you suddenly feel the need to apologize? Ah, please raise your head. I cannot accept an apology without knowing the reason. If you truly wish to apologize, please explain it in the end.”

“What kind of nonsense is it for a rookie adventurer to make the Guildmaster bow down? Don’t get carried away,” someone shouted.

The jeers from the adventurers started, and it was amusing to see Sail taking the lead. Even during the beginner’s training, he harassed me while getting paid, so he must have a close relationship with the Guildmaster. Following Sail, several more jeers were thrown around.

However, as I looked around at the adventurers, I couldn’t spot any disciplinary force among them. I wonder what kind of people they are. Driven by a hint of curiosity and doubt, I tried to identify them, but to no avail. Feeling disappointed, I turned my attention back to the Guildmaster, who had raised his head and started speaking.

“I had an opportunity to reflect on my own actions. As the one responsible for overseeing the adventurers in the Labyrinth City, I felt the need to repent for my unworthy behavior and decided to apologize to Yuta, who was inconvenienced by it.”

He said it with a solemn expression. It’s ironic how his heart is pitch black. I think they call people like him “hypocrites.” Or wait, is it for someone who exhibits polite behavior while being rude? Ugh, I want to look it up.

“I see. Can you tell me what kind of rudeness you displayed? After all, I had various unpleasant experiences at the Adventurers’ Guild,” I asked.

As I spoke, the Guildmaster’s subordinates among the adventurers started heckling me. It’s about time to silence those jeers.

“Oh, Guildmaster, please wait a moment. Could you first ask those noisy people to quiet down?” I requested.

“Hmm, I understand. However, I gathered everyone here explicitly to convey my apologies for my blunder. I can’t just expel them,” the Guildmaster responded.

“Here we go again. Those making noise over there, is that Sail-san? I remember you quite well. You gave the beginner’s training to gain knowledge for entering dangerous dungeons. You were ordered by the Guildmaster to harass me and didn’t even provide a decent lecture. How did you enjoy the feast at the guild after the training, Sail-san?”

I used Sail, the person who was involved in the harassment, as a target for my jeers. It’s rather recycling jeers, isn’t it? When I heard it from Sylphy, I was surprised.

It seems they identified me four days ago, and the lack of trustworthy pawns was the reason for this situation. However, I think they could have handled it better. I understand the urgency because they would be in trouble if I were surrounded by other factions, but their actions were sloppy.

“W-what are you talking about?” Sail’s face twisted in agony.

“Well, didn’t you think that having such a loud party while laughing and thinking no one would find out was a mistake? I heard you even joked about how it wouldn’t matter if I died. I feel unpleasant when I see you.”

“Hold on. That mistake, too, is not Sail’s responsibility but mine as the one who commanded it. I apologize for it,” the Guildmaster interjected as he tried to mediate.

I wanted to taunt them a little more, but the Guildmaster interrupted. Well, it’s fine. It’s a chance to find fault with him.

“Guildmaster, you’re the one who can order dirty work to Sail, right? There’s no reason for the Guildmaster to be unable to distance himself from Sail, who has such a close relationship with him. Perhaps those who were also throwing jeers are all deeply connected to the Guildmaster… Ahaha, the Guildmaster wouldn’t stoop so low, right?”

As I spoke, the attention shifted to the adventurers who were hurling jeers. It seemed like their distrust towards the Guildmaster had increased, at least a little.

“Absolutely not. Sail and others have had dealings with me during their training, so there is a connection, indeed. That’s why they ended up expressing their concerns,” the Guildmaster explained.

“I see. If that’s the case, then you can simply tell them not to worry about the Guildmaster, and the problem would be resolved, wouldn’t it?”

“…You’re right. As you said. From now on, they should refrain from making any noise,” the Guildmaster reluctantly agreed, his lips twitching slightly.

“Why didn’t you stop them yourself when it was such a simple thing? I even questioned whether the Guildmaster truly wanted to apologize. But at least, from now on, make sure they don’t disrupt any further discussions. It would be better to educate them on that,” I suggested with good intentions.

As I offered my advice, the Guildmaster nodded, his lips continued twitching. I had thwarted his primary plan.

My own bad character seemed to be shining through, but those people never had an ounce of kindness towards me in the first place. At this point, I don’t care how they perceive me anymore.

As I glanced over the adventurers, I noticed Yunis among them. Oh, right, Yunis is an adventurer too. Well, that shouldn’t be a problem. After all, Mel is my discipline. I’ve gained enough trust to establish a contract with Melal, too.

“I genuinely want to apologize. As a gesture of apology, I have prepared a compensation of 10 million elts. I cannot use the Adventurers’ Guild budget for this, as it is my personal compensation. It’s not much, but I would appreciate it if you accept it,” the Guildmaster stated.

He declared that he himself would pay compensation from his own pocket for the harassment he ordered against me… However, the truth is that the money would come from the Guild’s budget.

I have no intention of accepting it. Initially, I thought about accepting it and then revealing that the Guildmaster had replenished it from the Guild’s budget. But it would be troublesome, as it would require effort and raise questions about how I knew about the Guild’s internal affairs.

“It’s compensation money, isn’t it? I appreciate your offer to pay from your personal assets, Guildmaster, but I cannot accept it. If you truly believe that the Guildmaster is at fault, then please take responsibility and officially administer an appropriate punishment. After all, such harassment couldn’t have been carried out by one person alone. Make sure to punish those who were involved with you,” I stated.

“All the responsibility lies with me, the one who gave the orders. The others simply followed my commands,” the Guildmaster responded.

The Guildmaster’s gaze was saying, “Just accept the money already.” Ten million elts is a large sum, but fortunately, I have enough funds. Money won’t sway me.

“I’m asking for the punishment of Guild staff who obediently followed your absurd orders. Consider the results, and then I’ll decide whether to accept your apology,” I asserted.

If they don’t punish their own people, even symbolically, they won’t be able to manipulate me anymore. I wonder which option the Guildmaster will choose. Since there won’t be any substantial punishment, it’s likely that they’ll opt for a symbolic one.

Well, either way is fine. If the staff who participated in the harassment are publicly announced, they won’t feel good about it. It would be a small form of retaliation. It would be amusing if all the guild members were punished, but it would probably be limited to those who directly interacted with me.

“…I would like some time to investigate the internal affairs of the guild.”

“I see. Let’s discuss it again once the results are out. Excuse me then.”

“W-Wait. Hold on. There’s something else I want to discuss. Please have a seat.”

As I stood up, he hastily tried to stop me. The surrounding adventurers seemed to wonder why the Guildmaster was enduring such treatment when he was being talked about that way. It seems that the general adventurers still don’t know much about me. For now, the ones with the most information about me are probably the members of the Commercial Guild.

“What is it?”

“Indeed. Based on the investigation results, I have concluded that Yuta’s current E-rank is not fitting. The delivery of a large amount of magic stones, including A-rank ones, victory in a duel against Carl and others, and the capture of the kidnappers. Taking various factors into consideration, I have decided to promote you to B-rank using my authority.”

So, the plan shifted from the second option to the third. From here on, it’s the real deal for the Guildmaster. Come to think of it, I don’t see Carl. It would have been a good opportunity to throw some snide remarks if he were here, but I guess he sensed the danger? That’s a bit disappointing. Well, it’s fine. I’ll just continue harassing the Guildmaster in other ways.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Why? If your rank increases, you’ll receive various preferential treatments.”

Perhaps because I didn’t act as he wanted, the Guildmaster’s voice became slightly agitated. From the beginning to the end, I never intended to comply with everything, but I wonder if the Guildmaster’s stomach can handle it. Won’t he start coughing up blood?

The reason I don’t accept the rank increase so readily is because the Guildmaster’s intention is to provide mandatory requests that can only be obtained from C-rank or higher. They are special requests where the Adventurers’ Guild entrusts someone they have high expectations for. Unless there is a compelling reason to refuse, rejecting them would result in severe consequences.

To prevent excessive issuance of mandatory requests, the Adventurers’ Guild requires a valid reason for issuing them. Given that it concerns the Fire Dragon, they should be able to come up with a reason.

However, currently being E-rank and getting a three-rank promotion is a bit suspicious. It might look like I’m flaunting it to others. It’s a shame that I can’t be raised to at least D-rank to avoid the mandatory requests.

Gradually raising my rank by diligently completing requests was quite enjoyable. Eltina-san, with an expressionless face, informing me of my rank increase. But her hands were trembling during the procedures, clearly showing her irritation. It made me feel like I had won.

The gradual rise in rank, the reluctant Adventurers’ Guild—I found that amusing. But if there are mandatory requests, then everything is ruined.

“I find it enjoyable to leisurely raise my rank with my disciples, and more importantly, if my rank were to increase under the current circumstances, it would appear as if I obtained a higher rank through dirty dealings taking advantage of the conflict. I cannot bear such humiliation.”

Actually, I wouldn’t care about such things. If there were no mandatory requests, I might have considered accepting it… No, I still wouldn’t. I can’t stand being indebted to that Guildmaster.

“W-Well, that may be true. We have gathered a considerable number of adventurers here. I don’t think anyone would doubt Yuta.”

“Is that so? Guildmaster and Eltina-san, despite defeating Carl and others rightfully in front of a large group of adventurers, the day after that, I was called a fraud. Adventurers in the labyrinth city are easily swayed by their surroundings, so I can’t trust them at all. It’s a sad thing for adventurers who value their freedom, isn’t it?”

As I looked around at the adventurers, I saw irritated faces, eyes filled with killing intent, and awkward expressions. Yunis had an extremely irritated look. She seemed to have been trying her best to stop the Master-Apprentice remarks from spreading, but she’s probably more irritated about something else.

“It’s true that I can’t argue against that, but there is a problem within the Adventurers’ Guild if capable adventurers are not in appropriate ranks. I would appreciate it if you could somehow accept it.”

“I decline. Even under the current circumstances, I cannot accept it. As for the issue of being in a rank appropriate to my abilities, it shouldn’t be a problem since I have only been accepting requests continuously. Why is the Guildmaster so insistent on rank advancement? If this is supposed to be an apology to me, there’s no need to go to such lengths. Is there any particular reason?”

“I-I don’t have a special reason, but I believe it’s necessary for the stability of the guild.”

He didn’t directly reveal his true intentions. Well, I knew it, but he really wants to force me to face the Fire Dragon.

Doesn’t he consider the possibility of something like using a one-time item by chance? …Well, even if that were the case, it wouldn’t be a problem if I died. It seems like he would be quite delighted if I did.

“In that case, it’s not something that should be brought up during an apology. If such a topic is raised here, it might be interpreted as ‘I’ll raise your rank, so don’t complain.’ It would be better to have a separate discussion about ranks.”

“…I apologize. You’re right. We should have a separate discussion about ranks.”

“That’s why there’s no need for you to raise my rank. When I want to increase my rank, I will do it on my own through my efforts, so there’s no need for a discussion. Rather than that, I would be grateful if the guild could focus on the internal investigation. Oh, and I don’t know if it’s possible, but if there were any attempts to forcefully raise my rank, I would quit the Adventurers’ Guild.”

Kukukuku. What will you do, Guildmaster? If I quit the guild, you won’t be able to use me anymore. Hufuh, this is fun. I couldn’t contain my smile, and Silphy laughed while Dolly praised me with a slightly bewildered expression.

Hmm, there’s someone among the surrounding adventurers who is saying to make me quit. I’ll remember their face.

With this, the third plan has been thwarted. The remaining ones are the fourth and fifth plans. Will they continue the plan as it is? Since the procedure for mandatory requests has been blocked, there’s a possibility they’ll give up and start over.