CH 116

Confrontation – Part 2 – i novels

()x11-14 minutes

So far, I’ve been foiling all of the guild master’s strategies. Well, I’m not surprised since I’ve been listening to all the details of their plans. The only ones left are the fourth and fifth strategies, but with the rank upgrade of the crucial mission, the Forced Request Grand Operation was crushed, so I guess they’ll give up?

“I understand that the rank is important to you, but you’re right. It wasn’t the right topic to discuss here. I apologize.”

So he won’t give up on the procedure for the Forced Request, huh?

“If you understand, then it’s fine. Is the conversation over?”

“No, there’s more to talk about. I want you to hear something that’s not bad for you, Yuta.”

He seems to continue. The spirit of not giving up! That must be important. If it weren’t for Sylphy giving me information, I might have accepted it. Especially the next strategy seemed dangerous.

“Alright, what is it?”

“Due to prejudice against Spirit Magicians and my fault, Yuta is in a situation where he can’t form a party. So I’ve explained the situation and prepared a party that will accept Yuta’s joining. You’ll be able to explore even the areas that were impossible to do solo. Here they are!”

As the guild master dramatically points to the back, five beautiful women appear one after another. Holding such a performance as an apology setting, Guild Master, aren’t you crazy? Leaving that question aside, they are certainly stunningly beautiful.

“Hey, why would the Valkyries accept such a guy? They’re an A-rank party, it’s impossible.”

“I would be much more useful.”

“God is dead!”

“No, the ladies will be defiled.”

…It’s even louder than when the guild master bowed. But they sure are a group of beauties. If I didn’t know anything, I might have blindly followed them.

However, according to Sylphy, the leader of the Valkyries is quite ambitious. She was discussing how to make use of me with the guild master in secret, wearing a splendid smile.

“So you’re Yuta. I heard about you from the guild master. It must have been tough for you. The guild master regrets it, and we want to help in our own small way. Let’s do our best together from now on.”

…Wow. An incredibly beautiful smile, like that of a saint, combined with the beauty of a spirit-class being. Why is she doing something like being an adventurer? Is this person really ambitious? I had my doubts, and when I looked at Sylphy, it seemed like my question had been conveyed, and she explained it to me.

“That leader only sees others as mere servants unless they are useful to her. She may appear perfect on the outside, but that’s just a facade.”

Servants…a queen-type, huh? That could have its own demand. The other members are not as outstanding as the leader, but they’re still beautiful. It would be nice if this party could play the role of swooping in and rescuing us in a pinch.

As I remain silent, she deepens her smile even more and speaks again.

“Is something the matter?”

Yeah. Inside, she’s probably thinking, “My beauty will surely conquer him!” or something like that.

“No, it’s fine because I don’t really need it.”

Hmm. For a moment, a demon mask seemed to appear on the leader’s face… Was it an illusion? I rub my eyes and take another look, but her smile remains saintly as ever.

“What did you say?”

“I said it’s fine because I don’t need it.”

It feels really refreshing. I remember hearing a similar line in an anime. It’s like denying someone who is absolutely convinced. I kind of understand the feeling. It could become a habit.

“Hey, is he sane? He rejected the Valkyries’ invitation.”

“We can’t forgive him for rejecting the Lady’s invitation.”

“Come to think of it, aren’t the others in his group a boy and two girsl? Is he a lolicon? Otherwise, it’s impossible for him to refuse the Valkyries’ invitation.”

“Oh yeah, there’s a rumor that he dragged another girl into the labyrinth.”

Are they talking about Mel? She’s not a girl, she’s an adult. But well, Sylphy told me that she wants me to bury everything related to the Adventurer’s Guild.

“I’m neither a lolicon nor a shotacon. I just like adult women in a normal way. However, I already have companions, and I declined because I don’t need it.”

“If it were me, I would abandon my comrades.”

“Me neither. I wouldn’t hesitate to punch and spit on someone.”

…This is it, isn’t it? It’s impossible to convince them with words. If I cut off even just one of their limbs, will they listen to me a little? As I contemplate whether to take out a magic saw, the leader of the Valkyries starts speaking again.

“Of course, Yuta’s companions are also welcome to join the Valkyries, so please rest assured.”

The leader smiles with a cheerful expression. It’s troublesome because she completely positions herself as the one acting out of goodwill. If I say the wrong thing, I’ll end up as the villain.

No… I’m already the villain, so that’s fine. But I can’t tolerate the spread of a fetish I have no part in.

“It’s an honor, but my companions are my disciples whom I’m nurturing as Spirit Magicians. They’re currently training leisurely in the lower levels, so it would be a waste to involve them in an A-rank party. It wouldn’t sit well with the other adventurers. Don’t you all agree?”

Individually, this situation is tough. If the jealous adventurers go crazy, they might willingly become my allies. Look, as expected, the adventurers start getting agitated.

“Yeah, you’re right. It would be a waste for the Valkyries to go to the lower levels. Come to think of it, we’re stuck on the 26th floor. Can someone help us?”

“Yeah, that’s right. We need a beautiful savior to help us get through the marsh!”

“Hey, hey, don’t mess around. The Valkyries are too good for weaklings struggling in the marsh. What’s suitable is their cooperation in getting through the undead layers, which we struggle with.”

“Don’t mess around. The Valkyries belong to me.”

“Shut up! I’ll beat you up!”

Oh, wow. The fire ignited more easily than expected, and now they’re even fighting. The popularity of the Valkyries is beyond my expectations.

“Quiet down, all of you!!”

The guild master’s thunderous voice resounds throughout the guild, silencing the commotion. It’s the first time I’ve seen the guild master act like a guild master.

“I apologize, Yuta. I believe they will definitely be of help to you. Taking into account the difficulties of taking care of children, I think it would be good for you to have their support. What do you say?”

The guild master casually recommends the Valkyries. He’s persistent.

“I can’t have powerful individuals accompanying the children’s training in the lower levels. It would only contribute to my bad reputation, and I’m sorry, but I have to decline. To the Valkyries, I appreciate your compassionate intentions. If possible, please lend your strength to those in need other than me.”

“Uh, yes. If the opportunity arises…”

In response to my earnest and beautiful plea, the leader of the Valkyries nods, albeit with confusion.

“Me! Help me!”

“No, help me! I need the power of the Valkyries!”

The adventurers who were listening to the conversation start causing a ruckus again, but with another thunderous roar from the guild master, they calm down. The Valkyries exit with a slight awkwardness. They were the toughest enemy so far.

“It’s a shame that they couldn’t be of help to you. It seems like they were just meddling unnecessarily.”

Guild master. Your words sound calm, but you can’t hide your expression. Your gaze has become too sharp, and it’s scary.

“I appreciate your concern, but if you have any brief consultations or requests, there was no need to trouble the Valkyries.”

“Ah, I see. I apologize to you once again. And Yuta, there’s no doubt that you’re dissatisfied with the current state of Spirit Magicians, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. At the very least, I don’t want to be harassed and discriminated against when I try to join the guild.”

“If that’s the case, I believe I can help too.”

Here comes the fifth strategy. This person really doesn’t give up. After things didn’t go well up to this point, he should consider starting over or something.

Oh, right. He probably doesn’t have the time for that. The demand for labyrinth materials and Divine god Grass is overwhelming. And there are quite a few important figures involved. He must be feeling uneasy. Maybe I could give him scarves as gifts to warm his necks. I wonder if he would appreciate it?

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, how about holding a training session for Spirit Magicians at the Adventurer’s Guild in the Labyrinth City? If you’re an excellent Spirit Magician, your students will also become excellent, and the evaluation of Spirit Magicians will change, I believe. Of course, the guild will provide compensation. Let’s assume a payment of one million Elt for a two-hour lecture. How about it?”

The surrounding adventurers start murmuring. I can hear voices saying things like, “Why does he always get the good stuff?” But since I’ve been rejecting everything, there shouldn’t be any reason for them to be jealous… It’s not about logic, is it?

“That sounds like a wonderful offer.”

If there are no hidden motives, that is.

“Oh, I’m glad to hear that. Eltina, bring the contract.”

The guild master extravagantly expresses his joy and requests a contract from Eltina-san, who promptly hands over a few documents. She’s well-prepared.

“Well, it’s just a formality, but I’ll need you to sign. This way, Spirit Magicians will have fewer hardships. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

The guild master nods in satisfaction. I could simply ignore the signing, but I don’t need to go as far as becoming a criminal. As I start reading through the contract, the guild master starts talking to divert my attention. It seems he can’t directly tell me not to read the contract. Were he praising me for being able to read? Did he perhaps hope that I couldn’t read?

That would be underestimating me too much. Well, thanks to my cheat, I can read, but if I didn’t have language comprehension, I wouldn’t be able to read.

“Guild master, what does it mean that the guild selects the individuals who will be taught?”

“Oh, that. It’s dangerous to teach magic carelessly. But it would be difficult for you alone to determine who to teach, so the guild acts as a proxy.”

That’s how he sends people who are convenient for the guild.

“Then, does it mean that I’m not allowed to teach anyone other than those chosen by the guild? Am I not allowed to take disciples on my own?”

“If you find someone you want to take as a disciple, just report it to the guild. We’ll simply conduct a formal review.”

That’s not written in the contract, so they’ll just play dumb after I sign it.

“However, there’s a problem. The restrictions on movement from the Labyrinth City, accepting material collection requests from the guild in the labyrinth, the contract period of three years with automatic renewal, and the requirement of guild permission to terminate the contract. I can’t possibly sign with all these unfavorable conditions. And what does material collection have to do with the training, hidden among the sentences?”

The clever trick is that the conditions disadvantageous to me are placed inconspicuously in small letters that are easy to miss, with surrounding sentences sounding reasonable, making it difficult to understand. Plus, the font is too small.

“…It’s nothing significant. It’s just a formality, so just sign it, and you’ll be free to do as you please.”

That’s way too absurd. The surrounding adventurers are getting restless. Is the plan completely falling apart, and they’re panicking?

“You can’t say that because it’s a contract. Please treat this matter as if it never happened, Guild Master.”

As I pretend to stand up, the guild master frantically says something crazy.

“W-Wait! Right, I have a special request. It’s a personal request from me.”

“I decline. If there’s a resolution that satisfies me, I might consider accepting a personal request, but under the current circumstances, I have no intention of accepting it.”

If I were to accept that, I might as well accept the forced request for a rank-up. The guild master is finally starting to go crazy. Maybe the guild master is in more trouble than I imagined.