114 - - Twelve words. - Apology?

I went into the labyrinth to train Sarah and the others and to raise Mel's magic power, and when I came out with my magic power steadily raised, I found myself in a rather messy situation. Let's just get this out of the way one by one.

First of all, the most conspicuous one is Eunice. She's just hugging Mel and making a fuss, so let's leave her alone for now. Mel is saying that she's a little friend of mine, so I want her to take care of herself.

"Yuta. I'll sign the contract right away!"

Then Meral. The contract is about to be signed, and the tension is getting out of control, but I'll try to persuade her quietly anyway.

（Meral. Mel is tired after just getting out of the labyrinth. It's a contract, after all. You'd better take a good rest and then make the contract in a calm manner.)

Meral, who had been flitting around me in excitement, suddenly stops.

"That's right. Mel is getting tired. Yeah, that's right, that's right. Thanks, Yuta."

He made as much noise as he could and flew to Mel's side. Thank goodness it was that easy. The problem is Marie and Ertina, who have been checking each other out for some time now. How did this happen?

"Oh dear. What is the Adventurers' Guild, which has caused Mr. Yuta so much trouble, doing all the way to the labyrinth?　Are you going to cause trouble for Mr. Yuta again?"

Uh-huh. Marie set it up. The square in front of the labyrinth. Lots of people. Two beautiful women with strange atmospheres. And one is a receptionist for a guild. As a result, onlookers gathered around them.

"Why are you here?　It is to sincerely apologize to Mr. Yuta for the trouble I have caused you. I am sorry, but may I speak first?"

Onlookers were in an uproar. Why would the receptionist at the Adventurers' Guild apologize to that con man?　Conversations like this are going on all over the place. It's in front of the labyrinth, so there are a lot of adventurers who know me.

But, I apologize. The Adventurers' Guild must have gotten a hold of me after all. But still, an apology out of the blue is unexpected. I thought they would try to take advantage of me by making some kind of trouble. What should I do if he apologizes honestly?

I'm in the mood for a cure, but my healers are busy scouting the stalls in the plaza in front of the labyrinth. Should I summon them?

"Sorry, no. I came to tell you what Yuta asked me to let you know. Can you do it later?"

"...... understand. I apologize. I can't interrupt you, Yuta. Please talk to me.

Ms. Eltina pulled out. Whew. I'm getting nervous too. The tense atmosphere between the two women makes me feel a sense of foreboding that I shouldn't step in.

"Oh, thank you."

Maybe because Ms. Ertina has pulled away, Ms. Marie also suppresses her high spirits and walks toward us. What is it?　Why aren't you stopping?

Marie-san approached me and put her mouth close to my ear and murmured, "I'll borrow your ear. Her breath was in my ear and a shiver ran down my spine.

What's going on here?

（I'm sorry, Mr. Yuta. Actually, the master of the commerce guild and the master of the medicine man guild came to my father's place, and I couldn't resist and told them about Yuta's information. My father was planning to stay a little longer, so I couldn't inform him in advance. Besides that receptionist, there were others who were waiting for Mr. Yuta at the inn.)

"Oh, I see. I understand. Thank you for letting me know.

（No. No problem. As for the inn, the owner of the inn where Mr. Yuta is staying has arranged for you to enter through the back door. I can arrange a new lodging for you.)

"You can stay at your own place. Thank you for taking the time to see me.

I thanked her and Marie smiled and moved away. It was nice of you to help out at the inn. But a master of a commercial guild and a master of a medicine man's guild, ...... is it in order to move in terms of the value of the materials?　Well, it's going to be noisy, so I'll just have to wait and see when the time is right and return to the land of the dead.

As I was thinking about it, an apologetic-looking Ms. Ertina came in front of me. I have never seen Ertina with such an expression. Except for the first time, she was mostly expressionless.

"Mr. Yuta. I am truly sorry for the way I have been behaving with you.

He suddenly bowed deeply. Onlookers were in an uproar. I felt that if I made a mistake in my attitude, I might become a villain at once. ...... Is that part of the calculation?

But you've changed your attitude perfectly. Normally, I would have expected to see more hesitation or regret. In a way, it's very refreshing.

"Could you please raise your head for now?　I can't see what you're talking about if you suddenly bow down. Can you explain?"

Ms. Ertina raised her head at my words and began to explain the reason in a slightly louder voice.

"Actually, we at the Adventurers' Guild have been extremely disloyal to you, Mr. Yuta, and we have come to apologize for that. Once again, I sincerely apologize."

Ms. Eltina bows her head deeply again. You don't mention the 50-layer breakthrough, do you? Perhaps you don't know about that. Do you want to say that you came here to apologize because you felt we were wrong?　I don't think that's possible.

"Hmm. You want to make it look like you voluntarily apologized in front of everyone. Yuta. What are you going to do?"

Sylphy agrees. I don't know what to do. I think he's making a calculation when he's making up this situation... He knows that I've broken through the 50th layer and he wants to somehow make the situation more favorable for the Adventurers' Guild... or something.

（I can't think of anything for now, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

"I understand why. Please raise your head and we will listen to what you have to say.

"Thank you very much. The guild master as well as myself would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Mr. Yuta. I am sorry, but could you please give us a moment of your time?　

I'm coming to knock on your door. The onlookers are getting noisy with surprise. Is that Guillmas saying he's sorry?　A trap?　Won't they poison you or something?　I don't want to follow this trend, as if I'm dancing with my hands in the air.

"Guilmouth is apologizing? ...... We've been through a lot with Guilmouth and the Adventurers' Guild, so we don't want to meet you behind closed doors. I would be happy to discuss it in front of the Adventurers' Guild counter, for example, where we can be seen by others."

"......Awe. The Guildmaster regrets this incident very much. He has tried to meet Yuta's request as much as possible, so I don't think there will be any problem.

"Huh?"

Are you in awe?　It's like saying sorry in public. Are you saying that you've already factored in my request like this?　Oh, you know, I said something similar last time. It's like you're expecting me to say it.

"Thank you. What time would you have a minute of your time?"

I didn't agree to anything. Maybe you took my "ha, ha" earlier as an approval. Isn't that unfair?　You're totally pacing yourself. You want to tell them you're not going?　Well, that sounds like a lot of plotting. Let's say tomorrow evening to buy some time and have Sylphy check it out.

"Well, I'll visit you tomorrow evening at ......."

"Thank you very much. I am very sorry for my attitude. I will be waiting for you tomorrow evening at the guild.

Bowing deeply once again, Ertina left.

(Sylphy, will you check on Ertina's movements and those of Gilmas?)

"Yes. Yes. This is getting interesting. I'm going to go out there for a while, just to get a closer look. Dory will be there too, right?

Sylphy follows Ertina with a nice smile on her face. ...... Sylphy looks very happy. She looks absolutely thrilled. Did the wind spirit's curiosity get a tingle?

Free spirit of the wind. No, Belle and the others are also checking out the stalls, so I guess the spirits themselves are free to do what they want.

When I glanced at Dolly, she nodded at me, so I guess she'll be fine.

Now, what should we do with this place? I can leave the onlookers who are looking at me alone, but I can't leave Eunice who is asking Mel a lot of questions and Marie who is looking at me. Sarah and the others seem to be at a loose end with this sudden turn of events, so let's just get this over with and move on.

"Marie-san! Thank you for letting me know. I'm a little busy at the moment, so I'll visit you at the restaurant later.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. But may I ask you one question?

What is it?

From now on, I'm sure Yuta-san will receive various invitations. Will you continue your relationship with the Polurius Chamber of Commerce?

Oh, I see what you mean. Marie has been very kind to me, and as long as the allegations of illicit s*x don't get too serious, I'll continue my business. If she offers up her own brother, I'm sure I'll cut her off.

"Yes, when I get the rare labyrinth materials, I will bring them to you, Marie-san, you can rest assured.

"Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I am relieved to hear that. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Smiling with relief, Marie left. Mel and the others were next.

"Mel. "Mel. I'll be at the workshop tomorrow morning, so let's break up here for today.

Eunice is startled by the fact that I called out Mel. She has something to say, but she can't seem to get the words out, or maybe her mouth is just a little too full.

"Ah, yes. Thank you very much, master.

Mel bows her head. Eunice's eyes widen so much that they look as if they are about to pop out. Oh, that's an unexpected reaction. Why do you call me that?　or "What the heck is a master?　I was expecting a reaction like that, but it turned out to be a pattern of being so surprised that I couldn't speak.

It's a subtle reaction, as if he was satisfied or not satisfied enough. Mel bows his head and Yunice pulls him back to the house. Let's see what will happen when Yunis gets her feelings sorted out.

"Yuta. You have a contract tomorrow morning?"

（Yeah. I plan to. Mel has been practicing communication with Belle and the spirits, so you should try it too.)

"Oh, yeah!　Yeah. Yuta, thank you. See you tomorrow. Thank you."

Boom, Meral flew away. We're good to go. We should go back to the inn too. ...... I remember the inn has to be entered through the back door. I knew there would be some trouble, but it's a pain in the ass when it actually happens.