Chapter 62

I made a slight revision to the scene where the young noble collapses.

That night, after being attacked, I thoroughly enjoyed the new book.

It was truly refreshing to think that I wouldn't be bothered by that outrageous woman anymore.

I came to the guild in such a refreshing mood, but I became unpleasantly surprised by the talk from Uncle Loanz.

"The upper management of the Mercenary Guild's Itsu branch has asked us to withdraw the complaint filed by Ako Shandela."

"But I don't want to?"

"Actually, you weren't forced to buy it, and it was just a misunderstanding, they say."

"But I was threatened with a gun and shots were fired?"

"They didn't hit you, did they? For a mercenary, that's just part of everyday life, they say."

"That's not the point..."

"Various scandals have occurred, and they don't want to make the impression any worse, they say."

"If that's the case, I think it's better not to cover up the scandals."

Uncle Loanz, who was talking to me, had a completely exasperated look.

To be honest, I don't understand.

When scandals are discovered, it's better to announce them properly rather than cover them up or suppress them.

Perhaps there is a servant of Ako Shandela in the upper management?

While we were both exasperated, Zeistoll came over and said,

"So I took care of it."

"Huh?"

"I reported the possibility of corruption in the upper management of the headquarters in the capital, and they issued an order that if they force the withdrawal of the complaint against Ako Shandela, they will all be dismissed. So you don't have to worry.

And even if Ako Shandela is acquitted and released, we can transfer her to another branch."

When Uncle Loanz and I exclaimed in surprise, Zeistoll explained.

The content seemed beyond the capabilities of a mere receptionist.

Who is Zeistoll...?

While I was pondering this, the lobby became noisy.

There was the noble mercenary who used to be here but had transferred to the guild in the capital.

As usual, he was accompanied by his followers, and the receptionists who had fawned over him before were doing the same again.

Why did he come back?

They should be doing as they please in the capital.

The noble scanned the lobby and, spotting Zeistoll, approached him with a smirk.

"Wow, I didn't know such a cute girl was assigned here."

Fortunately, he didn't notice me because he was focused on Zeistoll.

"What do you want?"

"I want to call 'Hakukabuto'."

"Do you mean Lambert Rieglaz? What do you want with him?"

"Just tell him I want to see him."

"I'm sorry, but I can't comply with requests from unknown individuals."

Zeistoll firmly resisted the noble's command.

Naturally, the noble became angry.

"You don't know Stridam Bisson, the most excellent queen-class mercenary in the Itsu branch and the son of Viscount Bisson?! What a joke!"

"When I was assigned here, you were not part of the Itsu branch, so it's natural that I wouldn't know you. You belong to the guild in the capital."

"But you must have heard of me!"

"Not at all."

"Women... don't get too cocky just because you look good."

The young noble became even angrier that Zeistoll didn't know his name.

Just as the tension was building, a carefree voice was heard.

"Hey, what do you want with me? Who are you?"

"That can be explained now."

It seems that a receptionist sympathetic to Bisson had called Lambert Rieglaz, also known as Iki-kun, without permission.

Iki-kun, having gained more experience or perhaps due to Rosweiss's training, no longer had the arrogant attitude of the past and now had a serious demeanor.

Well, if you faint every time you fight, your pride will be shattered...

When the young noble confirmed that it was Lambert, he said,

"So you're 'Hakukabuto'. Be happy. I'll make you a member of my mercenary team, 'Inferno'. From now on, swear absolute loyalty to me and work your heart out."

In other words, it's a recruitment, but the content is a slave contract.

He intends to make Lambert work and take only the rewards and results.

Lambert, with Rosweiss's help, would quickly become his equal, so he wants to recruit him before that happens.

"No, I don't intend to join any team..."

Lambert's response was natural.

Most importantly, he probably wants to keep anything related to Rosweiss a secret.

And the young noble, of course, would not accept this response.

"What? You're not happy to join my team and work for me?"

There's no way he would follow someone who doesn't even give his name and demands he become a slave...

As Lambert looked troubled, a familiar figure appeared behind him.

"Of course not. Not understanding something so basic is a sure sign of an unshakeable fool."

"What did you say?!"

"I am Rosweiss, 'Hakukabuto' Lambert Rieglaz's partner. You're not even worth a name."

It was Rosweiss, the sentient ancient weapon I had only seen on the screen before.

She must have finally obtained a bio-android body.

I'd rather not get involved...

But for a blonde, blue-eyed beauty, she would be irresistible to the young noble.

"Hmm... Then from today, you're my woman. 'Hakukabuto' is my subordinate, so his woman is mine."

And of course, he spouted the expected line.

Rosweiss sighed deeply and looked at the young noble with pity.

"I'm almost impressed by how stupid you are. You have no combat skills, no strategic planning, no tactical vision, no leadership, no charisma, no dignity, no manners, no common sense, yet you can talk so big just because of your family and your rotten pride."

It was a spot-on assessment, but the young noble could not help but be enraged.

"You... Who do you think you're talking to?!"

"Trash, right? Oh, that's an insult to trash. Trash was useful before it became trash. Unlike you, who have been useless from the moment you were born."

Rosweiss is harsh...

If someone says that to you, you'd definitely snap.

I think so too.

"You want to die, don't you?"

The young noble pointed a gun at Rosweiss.

It probably won't work on Rosweiss, but I can't just let it go. We are acquaintances, after all.

Just as I was about to reach for the gun, Zeistoll stepped in front of the young noble.

"Put the gun away."

"You're that receptionist from before. I remember you being insolent to me, a commoner."

The young noble pointed the gun at Zeistoll.

"I might forgive you if you strip naked and kowtow."

The young noble's followers laughed crudely at this.

A receptionist who seemed sympathetic to Bisson and had brought Lambert over was looking at Zeistoll with a sneer.

She seemed to be harboring resentment towards Zeistoll.

Probably because she doesn't like a more popular and beautiful receptionist than herself?

While I was thinking this, the confrontation between Zeistoll and the young noble was heating up.

"I asked you to put the gun away, but you don't seem to be listening."

"Did you not hear me say I might forgive you if you strip naked and kowtow?"

"Drawing a gun for anything other than self-defense is a crime, both in the city and in the guild branch."

"That's only for commoners. Nobles are allowed."

"Didn't you know that permission was revoked in the previous emperor's reign?"

"Then this is for self-defense. I feel threatened."

"You were the one who pointed the gun first."

"You don't know. I feel threatened. Well, you can't attack me, can you?"

The exchange of words was going nowhere, but when the young noble said, "You can't attack me," Zeistoll seemed to have reached his limit.

"Is that so? Then I'll attack."

In the next instant, Zeistoll's fist struck the young noble's jaw.

A dull thud was heard, and as the young noble staggered, an uppercut to the neck followed.

Then, as the young noble leaned forward, Zeistoll kicked him from below, and he fell face down without falling backward.

Incidentally, Zeistoll is a male staff member and is properly dressed.

Zeistoll turned to the remaining followers and said,

"Your team leader of 'Inferno' has been taken down. Are you going to avenge him?"

Of course, those kinds of people wouldn't take the initiative to avenge him.

They can't stand a chance against Zeistoll, and they might even lose to Arthur's girlfriend, Sylia.

"Then I'll arrest all of you for extortion."

By this time, security guards and security droids had arrived, and the young noble and his followers were taken away.

The matter was settled, but the young noble, being a noble, and the upper management of the Mercenary Guild's Itsu branch would not let this go.

I'm worried about what will happen.

But one thing I can say is,

"Zeistoll is cool!"

The young noble didn't say, "Good job!" or anything.

It was a series of stupid events, but this was less than 10% of the whole, and that 10% was often at the top.

Thank you for your opinions, impressions, and any typo reports.