Chapter 117: Showdown – i novels

()x12-15 minutes

After completely foiling the guild master’s plans, he began to say something insane, “Are you really going to refuse the guild master’s appointment request without even knowing the details? You’ll make the guild your enemy!” I can understand that he’s feeling pressured due to various circumstances. It’s evident from his expression that he’s lost his composure after his trap failed.

Hmm, now the question is whether to continue pressing him or let him stew. …The guild master seems to have lost his sanity, so I’ll press on. Even though he’s bound to self-destruct eventually, it wouldn’t hurt to hasten the end with my own hands. Let’s mix in some provocation and expose a few things.

“Please, go ahead. But what can you all do if I make an enemy out of you? Do you seriously think that you, who can’t even defeat a Fire Dragon, can do something to me?”

My words elicited angry voices from the surrounding adventurers. Well, it’s true that my words were also aimed at mocking the other adventurers.

“You… you scum!”

The guild master’s face turned bright red, like a demon. He seemed to be on the verge of bursting blood vessels in his brain, and the surrounding adventurers gradually fell silent under his anger. But I’m not done yet.

“First of all, this whole farce started because you found out that I was the one who defeated the Fire Dragon and supplying the materials. The manager of the shop I was supplying informed me that the information had leaked. You pretended not to know about it and tried to repair our relationship, planning to use me, right?”

I feel like the protagonist of a detective story. Although I’m just cheating, I can understand the feeling of the famous detective when he’s confident in his deductions. It feels good to revel in this delightful mood by myself. As the adventurers listened to my words, confusion filled their voices.

“T-That’s not true!”

The guild master exclaimed with a surprised expression. He didn’t expect me to reveal the information about the Fire Dragon. Since my purpose was to harass the Adventurer’s Guild, it’s fine to disclose it now.

“It’s useless to hide it now, especially with such a ridiculous contract. You put a lot of effort into coming up with a plan to trap me, right? Forcing requests by raising my rank, putting me under Valkyrie’s control, using the contract to take away my freedom. You even prepared allies among the adventurers to steer the situation in your favor. It must have been tough, I feel sorry for you.”

I confidently speak.

“…………”

The guild master fell silent. Ha! It’s so much fun!

“Do you really think I can be useful to this guild? …Hmm? Guild master, are you not going to answer? Shall we ask others what they think then? Sail-san, who harassed me during the beginner training, what do you think?”

“N-No, I was just following orders…”

Sail-san shook his head pale-facedly. It seems he wasn’t informed about me defeating the Fire Dragon. He’s just conveniently being used, isn’t he?

“What about the shopkeeper who reluctantly sold me potions? What does she think?”

The shopkeeper remained silent, vigorously shaking her head. I see. She must not have been informed either. She’s just being used conveniently.

“What about those adventurers who were badmouthing me earlier?”

Everyone averted their gaze simultaneously. There seem to be too many people who have a guilty conscience. Well, at least Yunis is surprised and her mouth is left open. I hope she understands and asks her childhood friend Mel about it.

“Hehe, if you look closely, most of you have given me unpleasant experiences. It would cause an uproar if I were to massacre everyone, but would it be fine if I challenge each one of you to a duel? Eltina-san, who witnessed the harassment I endured firsthand, what do you think? Should I work for the Adventurer’s Guild that tried to harass me and trap me, even restraining me from challenging them to a duel?”

I’m probably smiling extremely joyfully right now. It’s truly exhilarating, but it’s not a sight I can show Bell and Sara. Perhaps I went a bit too far with my provocation, losing sight of the intended outcome. It’s too late to stop now, so I’ll just keep going as far as I can.

“…………”

“Eltina-san, are you also going to remain silent? If it doesn’t matter to you, it would be fine for me to challenge each one of them and release all the pent-up frustration I’ve accumulated. After all, it’s impossible for shameless adventurers who had no qualms about insulting me to exist in the Labyrinth City.”

In reality, I have no intention of actually doing such a thing, but my words seem to resemble those of a certain dangerous occupation. It’s like declaring obstruction of business against the shop.

“N-No, doing so would tarnish your reputation, even if you were capable of it. I apologize on behalf of the guild for our rudeness, so I kindly request a peaceful resolution.”

“Hahaha, well, Eltina-san, you say some curious things. There’s no way my reputation could be tarnished. The Adventurer’s Guild has been spreading all sorts of rumors about me, so my reputation has already hit rock bottom.”

I conveyed this with a smile, and Eltina fell silent. Instead, the guild master began speaking with a thunderous voice.

“Even if you were stronger than a Fire Dragon, do you really think an individual can stand against an organization? If you work for the guild, I’ll overlook all the past rudeness. Be obedient and do as you’re told.”

It seems he no longer cares about appearances. The adventurers are surprised too. Is that okay?

“No, thank you.”

I replied with the best smile. I believe my smile is radiating brilliantly.

“So, you’re truly intent on becoming an enemy of the guild?”

“I don’t want you to misunderstand, but it’s actually you who initiated the hostility. I can’t understand why you would make an enemy out of me, someone who hasn’t committed any crimes. If you’re coming at me, feel free to do as you please. I’ll show you the true power of a Spirit Magician.”

I said something cool! Though I feel like I may have exaggerated a bit, let’s not dwell on that. Does this mean it’s going to be an all-out confrontation?

“…That statement. You’ll come to regret it.”

The guild master, whose anger had gone beyond control, lightly tapped the table with his left hand. In that moment, a gust of wind surrounded me, deflecting something that was flying towards me. Following that, men from the group of adventurers lunged at me… but they were ensnared by plants that sprouted from the stone floor.

I noticed knives and residual traces of magic lying around. It seems I was attacked. It was quite unexpected to be suddenly ambushed in public. I surveyed my surroundings and saw six men, who appeared to be the punitive force specialized in dealing with individuals, struggling while entangled by the plants.

These guys must be the punishment squad. I heard they were placed as a precaution, but they were actually utilized.

I silently thanked Silphy and Dolly with my eyes. I’d really like to express my gratitude out loud, but now is the time to keep up appearances.

“Guild master, is this the cause for my regret? Do you think I can be killed so easily by these weaklings? You really underestimate me.”

I taunted the guild master with a composed expression, though inside my heart was pounding. Thank you, Silphy and Dolly.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Your attitude was so disrespectful that the adventurers might have taken the initiative to punish you.”

No, with such a frustrated expression, it’s obvious.

“Do you mean they voluntarily synchronized their timing, threw weapons from all directions, and simultaneously lunged at me? Haha, that’s a convenient story. Since my life was the one being targeted, I wouldn’t mind dealing with them right here, would I?”

As I asked the guild master, Dolly seemed to have anticipated it and tightened the grip of the plants, causing the attacking men to be thrown aside. I see, Dolly can be quite extreme. Their limbs are bending in unnatural directions. The men who were ordered by the guild master to attack me were carried away, and at the same time, men with a strange atmosphere surrounded the guild master. Did they assign guards just now?

“What did you just do?”

“As a Spirit Magician, it’s obvious that I used Spirit Magic.”

“Do you expect me to believe that you moved spirits without incantation?”

“Huh? You don’t believe me? It’s normal for spirits to protect Spirit Magicians, right? Hmm, what’s going on? Are the prestigious Spirit Magicians keeping their abilities so secretive? It seems there’s a significant disparity between public perception and the perception of Spirit Magicians.”

“What do you think? Well, take your time to think about it. Anyway, since the negotiations have broken down, I’ll take my leave.”

The men surrounding the guild master don’t seem intent on attacking anymore. I was a bit worried about how things would turn out, but it seems the situation didn’t escalate further. Oh, right, I should say something to the adventurers too.

“To all adventurers, I’m quite persistent, so since I’ve become an enemy of the Adventurer’s Guild, I won’t hold back. Please be careful if you encounter me in the labyrinth.”

I said while surveying the adventurers. I have no intention of doing anything, but those adventurers who are guilty will likely be in a tough spot. In fact, they’re doing their best to avoid making eye contact.

Now then, should I head back… Hmm, but… After being targeted to the point of my life being threatened, is it really okay for me to just go home easily? I kind of want to cause a bit more trouble. Should I ask Dolly for a favor?

(Dolly, is it possible to completely cover the Adventurer’s Guild with plants without harming anyone?)

“Yes, I can do that. Do you prefer normal plants or plants with thorns?”

Dolly smiled and said something scary. I feel like I’ve seen a new side of Dolly today.

“…With thorns, please. Oh, and make sure to handle the guild master and Eltina separately.”

“Understood.”

Dolly waved her hand, and plants sprouted from all over the Adventurer’s Guild. As I heard screams and angry voices from behind me, I left the Adventurer’s Guild. I can hear the voices of the guild master and Eltina too. It seems they were pricked by the thorns.

Ah… I just remembered that Yunis was also inside the Adventurer’s Guild. Is that going to be a problem? Well, it’s too late now. I’ll rely on Mel to handle it.

However… Pff, so many adventurers witnessed it. Today’s incident will spread quickly as a rumor. It might be interesting to stay in the Labyrinth City, but it seems more fun to disappear.

The reason for my disappearance and the Adventurer’s Guild’s scheming. The anger of those who desired materials from the 50th floor and the chaos within the Adventurer’s Guild. Well, it’s already quite chaotic, isn’t it? With such a commotion, the guild master won’t get off easily. If he gets furious and sends actual assassins, it might be difficult to find and deal with them.

That being said, since I’ve quit being an adventurer, I’ll need a new identification card. Huh? Does that make me a criminal now? Well, it’s a bit of a gray area whether opposing the Adventurer’s Guild makes me a criminal.

Other than the final plant incident, there’s no reason to be labeled as a criminal, but perhaps burying the Adventurer’s Guild in plants was unnecessary? It felt good at the moment, so maybe I got a bit carried away.

…I should have chosen the option without thorns. I hope I don’t end up on the national wanted list. At worst, even without an identification card, I can enter the city if I fly in the sky. It’s just a bit troublesome that I can’t enter the labyrinth. I feel uneasy, though. Before picking everyone up, I should consult with Marie-san.

(Silphy, Dolly, thank you for today. I had fun, but maybe I went a bit too far?)

“Well, I had fun too, but how come you always end up looking like the villain? Can’t you do something about that?”

Indeed, in today’s negotiations, I seemed more like the villain. I do admire being the hero, but when it comes to the Adventurer’s Guild, my personality tends to turn a bit nasty. I should reflect on it. Although I’m not sure if it’ll change.

“It was quite an entertaining comedy. Since they attacked you, I don’t think it matters much.”

Dolly can be quite sharp, huh.

“Haha, well, since things turned out like this, I’d like to go see Marie-san for a chat before heading home. Is that alright?”

I deflected the topic with a smile, trying to change the subject.

“Sure, it’s fine. We’re not well-versed in the rules of society, after all. It’s necessary.”

Silphy and Dolly nodded, so I changed my destination and headed to meet Marie-san. I hope I can get some good ideas. But… getting carried away is not good. If I had withdrawn after foiling the guild master’s plans without escalating it further, I wouldn’t have lost my adventurer status… I feel like I went a bit too far.