Chapter 90

I'm sorry for the delay in updating.

The warrior of the God of War's greatsword and the healer finally realized their mistake, and I understood this from their changed expressions.

I should not have treated Ronaldo like any other adventurer.

Without touching on the change in their attitudes, Ronaldo continued speaking with his usual calm demeanor.

"By the way, I forgot to mention, but I currently have authority equivalent to that of a branch manager, even if it's temporary, given the current state of the labyrinth's rampage."

"…!"

At these words, the healer's face, who had been reading the greatsword of the God of War, turned even paler as they realized their further mistake.

The healer had probably thought that, with the branch manager absent, if they could persuade the surrounding people, they could save themselves.

However, this plan crumbled when they realized Ronaldo was the commander.

In reality, if the branch manager Misto appeared, the temporary commander might change.

But in the current situation, this was irrelevant to the punishment of the two.

"…I, I…"

The healer, realizing that this was not the way to go, tried to say something like an excuse, but their words trailed off.

They seemed unable to think of what to say.

While observing the two, who could no longer speak, Ronaldo continued.

"During the labyrinth's rampage, you disobeyed the orders of the commander, breaking a crucial rule for adventurers and causing damage to the Labyrinth City. Are you aware of this?"

"! That's because the branch manager fled in the first place…"

In response to the warrior's attempt to make an excuse, Ronaldo asked calmly.

"Because the branch manager fled, did you abandon everyone here?"

"…What!?"

At that moment, the gaze of those around the greatsword of the God of War became even colder.

Even those who had thought that the greatsword of the God of War had been a valuable asset until now were now glaring at the warrior and the healer.

Realizing that whatever they said would only make enemies, the warrior grimaced and fell silent.

However, this silence only worsened the situation.

"Then, have you made up your mind?"

Seeing the two fall silent, Ronaldo, judging that there was no need for further conversation, said this with an unchanged expression and raised his magic sword.

The faces of the warrior and the healer, seeing the raised magic sword, showed clear fear.

They must have finally realized that Ronaldo had drawn his magic sword not to threaten them but to kill them.

"Wait! It's not something that deserves death…"

At that moment, Ronaldo, for the first time, showed a different, cold smile and spoke.

"What are you saying now, when you were planning to flee to the neighboring town? It's forbidden to flee to the neighboring town during a labyrinth rampage. If you have any resentment, direct it at yourself for making a foolish decision."

No matter how they acted, their death was inevitable.

"…Such, such a thing…"

The faces of the warrior and the healer, understanding what Ronaldo was saying, turned from pale to white.

Still, the warrior, unable to accept their fate, shouted desperately.

"Are you really going to kill us! We are top-tier adventurers! The fighting power of the Labyrinth City will drop significantly!"

In response to the warrior's words, which no longer resonated with anyone, Ronaldo simply said coldly.

"With that level of skill, what can you do?"

At that moment, a pressure that surpassed even the most difficult magic beasts emanated from Ronaldo's calm body.

It was just for a moment.

But that was enough to show the difference in strength between Ronaldo and the greatsword of the God of War.

"In your next life, think carefully before you act."

In the next instant, Ronaldo's magic sword was brought down on the warrior and the healer, who were distorted with despair.

At the same time, a fierce flame burst from the magic sword, turning the bodies of the warrior and the healer to ashes in an instant.

After this scene, silence spread across the guild.

Both adventurers and ordinary citizens were overwhelmed by Ronaldo's strength and the power of the magic sword he held.

The silence, as if time had stopped, was broken when Ronaldo turned to the adventurers who were bound with ropes.

To the adventurers, who could not hide their tension, Ronaldo asked with a calm expression, as if the previous events were a lie.

"Do you have the awareness that you have done something on the same level as these two?"

The faces of the adventurers, in response to this question, showed despair.

The adventurers, who had been executed by Ronaldo, felt undeniable fear.

From the words Ronaldo had directed at the two, the adventurers understood that they had done things that could also result in their death.

After carefully observing the expressions of the adventurers, Ronaldo continued.

"Yes, I have the authority to kill you. However, the two ringleaders were surprisingly eloquent, and you might also be considered victims. – So, I will give you one chance."

At these words, the expressions of the adventurers, who had been trembling with despair, changed.

To these adventurers, Ronaldo said with a provocative smile.

"Redeem your sins in this labyrinth rampage."

Ronaldo's words were not particularly loud.

However, they resonated loudly in the guild, and I realized that almost everyone in front of the guild had fallen silent and was listening to Ronaldo.

"Prove your worth in this labyrinth rampage and reverse the judgment of the people of the Labyrinth City, and rise up."

With an attitude that seemed almost playful, Ronaldo continued.

"I will tell you one thing. – The beginning of us, the super elite adventurers, is the labyrinth rampage."

There were no cheers from the adventurers in response to Ronaldo's words.

Instead, an unusual heat burned in their eyes.

What floated in their minds was one thing: hope for their future.

They were probably imagining their own heroic tales that might begin with this labyrinth rampage.

Seeing this, Ronaldo nodded in satisfaction.

Next, Ronaldo turned to the citizens, who were flushed with excitement.

"First, I apologize for the rampage of the branch manager and some adventurers."

The citizens, who had never expected an apology from a super elite adventurer whose name resounded even in the Labyrinth City, were taken aback.

Ignoring their reaction, Ronaldo raised his head and continued with a smile.

"But please don't worry. As long as we, the super elite adventurers, are here, we promise to protect the Labyrinth City from any danger."

I had been told by my master about the dangers of a labyrinth rampage and that even my master and his companions found it dangerous.

Still, Ronaldo's words were so convincing that I almost believed them.

I could see the relief spreading among the citizens, who had been feeling some unease.

After bowing, Ronaldo began giving instructions to the adventurers.

The citizens, watching this, spoke excitedly.

"It's really good that the super elite adventurers have come!"

"Yes! With this, the labyrinth rampage might be manageable…"

Their faces showed joy that had been unimaginable just a moment ago.

However, in contrast to the citizens, I felt a sense of unease.

Ronaldo's words sounded good on the surface.

Giving the adventurers who caused the disturbance a chance seemed like an act of mercy.

...But in reality, I understood that even the adventurers who caused the disturbance had to be put to work in the current situation.

During a labyrinth rampage, adventurers are more likely to go on a rampage, and the punishment is usually severe.

The guild has given the commander strong authority for this reason.

The fact that this could not be done spoke volumes about the current shortage of manpower.

...The current strength was so lacking that even adventurers who had committed clear crimes had to be counted as part of the fighting force.

"…If I had noticed it earlier"

I couldn't help but feel regret based on the knowledge I had gained from books.

If only I had been more cautious about the greatsword of the God of War...

My thoughts were interrupted by my master's slightly displeased voice.

"Laust, Narsena, come to the back room of the guild."

After saying this, my master, without waiting for our response, quickly returned to the guild.

I noticed that Ronaldo, who had been giving instructions to the adventurers and freeing the bound adventurers, was also heading to the guild.

I turned to Narsena, who was standing beside me.

"Probably a discussion about what to do next?"

"Right, we haven't heard anything about the branch manager from Sieg and the others yet."

"…Yes, that's right."

Thinking about the elf branch manager, Misto, who had disappeared, made me even more melancholic.

By the way, the situation had been so chaotic with the adventurers' escape that I hadn't had the chance to explain about the branch manager.

How to explain it... While pondering this, I walked with Narsena to the back of the guild.

"I told you before, didn't I? I don't like that kind of approach."

From the back of the guild, where everyone was likely gathered, I heard my master's displeased voice.

Wondering what had happened, we hurried into the room and saw my master questioning Ronaldo with a half-closed eye.

Sieg and the others, who were already in the room, looked confused.

Ignoring the surrounding confusion, my master spoke to Ronaldo,

"Ronaldo, you used the adventurers who fled, didn't you? – As bait for the magic beasts."

...And the words my master said were something we had never imagined.