Chapter 66

I couldn't understand the content of the notice at first.

Banning adventurers from entering the dungeon is the harshest punishment this dungeon city can impose on them.

However, if my memory serves me correctly, I have no recollection of committing any crime that would warrant such a punishment.

To begin with, I have no memory of ever using unjust violence against an adventurer.

"Haha, serves you right."

... The words that came from behind me were a clear mockery of my shock.

Perhaps because I was flustered, I felt irritated by the voice.

"...Huh?"

But the moment I turned around and recognized the speaker, my irritation vanished.

"It's been a while, defective healer."

The voice that called out to me from the adventurer guild's reception was the leader of the God of War's Great Sword, whom I had defeated yesterday.

Despite losing so completely, he showed no fear or hesitation towards me.

This was clearly suspicious, and because of this, I realized a possibility.

Being punished for such a reason would be absolutely impossible under normal circumstances.

However, I couldn't think of any other reason for receiving this punishment, so despite finding it hard to believe, I voiced the possibility.

"Could it be that you reported I used unjust violence against you?"

Even as I asked, I didn't believe for a moment that I had been punished for such a reason.

I don't know about other guilds, but the guild in this dungeon city would never interfere excessively in the private disputes of adventurers.

That's why I didn't report being attacked by the God of War's Great Sword to the guild.

If an adventurer dies, it's a different story, but otherwise, the guild doesn't get involved.

Moreover, if the guild did intervene in a private dispute, the one who initiated it, in this case, the God of War's Great Sword, would be the one punished.

There's no way I would receive a punishment as severe as being banned from the dungeon for that incident.

"Ah, finally got it? It's us, alright."

But the words the leader spoke, with a mix of mockery and superiority, contradicted my imagination.

"...What?"

I couldn't hide my surprise at his words.

For a moment, I thought it might be a lie to mock me, and I looked around, hoping someone would contradict the man in front of me.

"!"

... It was then that I noticed the guild staff looking at me with mocking eyes.

The guild staff, who had been fawning over me until a few days ago, now looked at me with mocking eyes, while they fawned over the God of War's Great Sword.

"...So that's how it is."

From the attitude of the guild staff, I realized they had abandoned me.

The guild staff knew that Narzenia and I no longer intended to become exclusive adventurers.

So, they had quickly abandoned us.

To curry favor with other exclusive adventurers, the God of War's Great Sword, they had acted corruptly.

In other words, the ban on entering the dungeon, which was imposed on me, was clearly unjust.

Probably, the God of War's Great Sword had asked the guild for revenge against me, and the guild staff, who wanted exclusive adventurers, had agreed.

"...You're completely corrupt."

Understanding this, I could no longer suppress my anger.

I spat out the words with disgust.

"!"

"Ah!"

My unhidden anger not only startled the leader of the God of War's Great Sword, who had some skill, but also the guild staff.

Especially the leader, who had fought me once, showed unmistakable fear on his face, and from his reaction, I felt a glimmer of hope that the punishment might be lifted if I negotiated in a threatening manner.

"This is the guild's decision. Any unnecessary resistance will only make the situation worse."

"..."

However, my thoughts were negated by the words that came from the back of the guild.

Turning in the direction of the voice, I saw Hansam, the guild staff member I had dealt with in the matter of the Calamity Wolf.

I sent a glare filled with not just anger but also killing intent towards Hansam.

However, unlike the other guild staff, Hansam showed no reaction to my glare.

Feeling my frustration grow, I spoke.

"The punishment this time is clearly wrong. The one who started it was the other party. If you doubt it, I can write a sworn statement."

"Hmm?"

My words caused Hansam to change his expression for a moment.

For a moment, I felt a faint hope that he might be willing to listen.

"Ah, sorry. I see, your poor head couldn't understand. Your words just now, that's what I mean by unnecessary resistance."

"..."

That's why I couldn't react to the words Hansam said next.

After a pause, recognizing Hansam's words, I felt a sensation as if my vision was turning red with anger.

My teeth, clenched tightly, made a grinding sound.

But I didn't lash out at Hansam with that intense emotion.

"If you have any complaints, go to the capital."

Facing my raging anger, Hansam couldn't hide his tension.

Still, he refused to look away from me, and his stubborn attitude made me realize that any resistance would only make things worse.

Feeling an uncontainable anger, I could only glare at Hansam one last time.

As I headed out of the guild, I turned my thoughts to the future.

Not being able to use the dungeon as a hunting ground is a big deal not only for me and Narzenia but also for the people of the city.

The new adventurers who have started bringing materials to the city can't obtain materials from the lower levels.

In other words, without me and Narzenia, the city won't get materials from the lower levels.

No, before that, I need to inform Narzenia about this.

So, as I walked, my thoughts turned to the future.

However, after leaving the guild and walking for a while in a deserted alley, I stopped.

... I had been trying hard to keep my spirits up by thinking, but I had reached my limit.

Images of the necklace I was making to confess to Narzenia and the days I spent secretly watching her house came to mind.

"...Why now?"

The words I couldn't hold back were heard by no one...

◇◆◇

After returning home and informing Narzenia about the dungeon, she didn't get angry.

In fact, she even apologized for not realizing the situation.

And the same was true for the people of the city.

Despite being suddenly told that we could no longer bring materials to the city, not a single person complained.

They expressed gratitude for what we had done and said it was a misunderstanding to complain.

However, the anxiety on their faces couldn't be hidden.

"..."

On the way back to the inn from the city, I couldn't help but bite my lip in frustration.

The faces of the city people, who had been happy about the new adventurers a few days ago, came to mind.

...But no matter how much I regret this situation, there's nothing I can do about it now.

"...If it were Sieg..."

At that moment, an idea of someone who might be able to resolve this situation came to mind.

I would have to rely on Sieg, who has helped me before, but now is not the time to hesitate.

With this resolve, a strong light appeared in my eyes.

I had said I would try to update every three days, but for a while, I will update once a week.

I apologize for the sudden change.

From the next chapter, Chapter 2 will accelerate, and I'm struggling to write it, which is slowing down my writing speed.

However, I hope to return to the regular update frequency as I get used to it.