Chapter 82

This time, the second volume was released on June 28th!

I owe it all to our readers!

Thank you so much!

"Such a thing could never happen!"

I immediately denied the branch manager's words, who had told us that they were trying to save us from the labyrinth's rampage.

The treatment of the townspeople and me as a measure against the labyrinth's rampage?

There was no way I could accept that.

The anger I felt when I learned that entry to the labyrinth was forbidden.

I can still vividly recall that emotion, and I glared at the branch manager as if to strike him, shouting.

"Even if you say that now to cover up, there's no way I can believe it..."

But the momentum of my words quickly dissipated.

A strong anger still smoldered in my chest.

However, as I continued to speak, I realized something.

...It fit too well to be just an excuse.

I had always harbored doubts about the guild.

Why did the guild prevent the townspeople from selling materials and forbid us, who were among the most capable in this labyrinth city, from entering and exiting the labyrinth?

If the townspeople and skilled adventurers left the labyrinth city, the guild would only suffer losses and gain nothing.

The guild's actions, which I couldn't understand, even made me feel uneasy.

But what if the guild's purpose wasn't based on profit and loss, but rather to drive us and the townspeople out of the labyrinth city?

"..."

─If you have complaints, go to the capital.

I recalled the words Banzam told me at the guild when we were forbidden from entering the labyrinth.

At first, I thought Banzam's words were mocking, but now I realize it was a misunderstanding.

The branch manager might be right; the labyrinth's rampage might not be the reason.

Still, Banzam was undoubtedly trying to drive me out of the labyrinth city at that time.

Even if he didn't say it outright, his attitude made it clear.

...If I had left then, that's when such thoughts would have crossed my mind.

If I had left, Narseena might not have been caught up in the labyrinth's rampage.

"I..."

The whispered voice was so hoarse I couldn't believe it was mine.

The smiles of the townspeople when I gave them materials.

And the scene of Maernel and the others interacting and laughing with the townspeople flashed through my mind.

It should have been a proud act.

But that pride was crumbling away.

I didn't know what intentions the branch manager and others had in trying to drive us out of the labyrinth city.

The labyrinth's rampage might have been a coincidence, or there might have been other intentions, or they might have planned something and we were in the way.

But the fact that I did something unnecessary remains unchanged.

Because, regardless of their intentions, the branch manager and others were trying to get us and the townspeople out of the labyrinth city.

If I hadn't done anything unnecessary—then the townspeople and Narseena wouldn't have been caught up in the labyrinth's rampage.

My mind went blank.

At that moment, the branch manager spoke to me.

"It's not all your fault, the town and everything."

The branch manager wore a smile filled with affection and kindness.

I unconsciously felt a sense of relief at that smile.

But when I realized the branch manager's smile, I instinctively took a step back.

"You're not to blame. I should have told you more about the threats coming to this labyrinth city."

The branch manager continued speaking, completely ignoring my attitude.

As if seeing through my heart, he tried to comfort me.

The branch manager's words were just kind.

But I instinctively understood.

I couldn't cling to this kindness.

If I did, I might end up at the branch manager's mercy.

My master appeared before me, still in the state of constructing a spell.

"Stop trying to take my disciple."

My master glared at the branch manager, not hiding his disgust.

But the branch manager just laughed, not hiding his displeasure.

"That's hurtful. I'm just trying to make a proposal after acknowledging my mistakes."

"...Proposal?"

"Yes. A proposal that will benefit you."

The master's face twisted in confusion, and the branch manager smiled friendly, as if talking to a friend, and spoke.

"─In this labyrinth city where the labyrinth's rampage occurs, let's cooperate."

"..."

I felt discomfort and anger at those words.

My grip on my weapon tightened.

With visible hostility, I told the branch manager.

"I'll pass. If you feel guilty, then don't come near us anymore."

It's true that the branch manager and others tried to get us and the townspeople out of the labyrinth city.

But I didn't believe for a moment that they realized the labyrinth's rampage and tried to save us.

I didn't know as much about the branch manager, Mist, the elf, as my master did.

But I understood from our interactions that this wasn't a situation where I could let my guard down.

Honestly, I found it more believable that the branch manager had some conspiracy and tried to drive us and the townspeople out of the labyrinth city.

I didn't doubt that the branch manager had the ability to use the labyrinth's rampage to his advantage.

I clearly told the branch manager this.

"I can't trust you at all and have no intention of doing so."

"You...!"

My words made Banzam glare at me.

I felt a chill, but Banzam was loyal to the branch manager, for better or worse.

Knowing this from our interactions, I ignored Banzam and spoke to my master.

"Right, Master?"

At that moment, I didn't doubt that my master agreed with me.

My master, who was more cautious of the branch manager than I was, would surely understand the danger of making the branch manager an ally better than I did.

There was no way my master would agree to the branch manager's proposal.

That's what I thought.

"...Understood. Mist, I accept your proposal. I will cooperate with you."

"......What?"

─Therefore, I couldn't believe the words my master said to the branch manager.

My master's face showed a look of bitter reluctance, indicating that he was not happy with the decision.

Nevertheless, there was no hesitation in my master's words.

While I was stunned by the unexpected situation, my master and the branch manager began to speak.

"Prudent decision, Ralma."

"Shut up. Remember, I'm only cooperating. If you betray us, I'll kill you first."

"Scary, scary."

Hearing this conversation, I finally understood.

My master was seriously considering working with the branch manager.

"...What do you mean?"

With a sense of utter confusion, I turned to my master, ready to question him.

Why was he trying to make such a dangerous decision to ally with the branch manager?

To me, making the branch manager an ally was riskier than opposing him.

...It was then that I noticed something was wrong with my master.

"Master...?"

My master's face was filled with intense anxiety and tension.

I also noticed that his complexion was pale, worse than when he told me the chances of winning against the branch manager were only thirty percent.

Losing my words at this sight, my master whispered to me.

"Sorry. It seems my assessment was wrong. ...Probably, Mist doesn't have a means of escape."

My master's words, which completely negated our purpose for coming here, shocked me a bit.

But I didn't lose my composure, as I had somewhat expected this from the branch manager's attitude.

The fact that he didn't mention any escape route while trying to cooperate with us was evidence.

If there was an escape route, it would certainly take some time or effort.

Otherwise, there would be no reason for the branch manager to seek our cooperation.

They could just leave without saying anything.

So, even after hearing my master's words, I was more concerned about why he had agreed to cooperate with the branch manager.

As if understanding my thoughts, my master said:

"I understand. I don't trust Mist at all. I understand the risks of making him an ally. But if we don't cooperate with such a person, we won't last a few days before dying."

It was then that I remembered the danger of the labyrinth's rampage, which had been pushed out of my mind during the conversation with the branch manager.

...I finally recognized the threat of the labyrinth's rampage without an escape route.

Still, I couldn't accept making the branch manager an ally, and I spoke to my master.

"But the risk of making that branch manager an ally is too high..."

"I misspoke."

But my master didn't let me finish.

"...The current situation is such that we have to rely on such a person."

"─!"

My master's face showed intense anxiety.

...It was then that I finally realized the terrifying nature of the labyrinth's rampage.

Feeling the blood drain from my face, I cursed my bad luck.

Why did I have to get involved in such a troublesome situation after dealing with the hydra and phoenix...

When we return, I'll have to explain to everyone that the branch manager, whom we considered an enemy, is now an ally.

Recognizing the troublesome future ahead, I grimaced.

"At least, don't let anything else happen..."

I didn't know that something was already making the situation worse.

I'm sorry for the delay in the update and the book release announcement...

I had a summer cold that lasted for nearly two weeks...

Please be careful of colds during this season, as they can be persistent...

And I'm late in announcing that the second volume has been released.

It includes a new short story with a strong romantic element, so I hope you'll pick it up!

I've also posted a photo of the book on my activity report, so please check it out!

Now that I've recovered from my cold, I'll do my best to update as soon as possible!