117 - - Episode 115 Battle Part 1

The first event began with Guilmouth bowing deeply before the adventurers. He must have calculated the startled murmur of the adventurers around him.

I was surprised at the suddenness of it.　Oh, please raise your head. I cannot accept an apology without knowing why, so if you are truly sorry, please do so at the end."

"How dare you let a new adventurer bow down to the guildmaster. Don't get carried away."

The adventurers are soon yelling at each other, and it's interesting that it's Sail who takes the lead. He must be in bed with Guilmouth, since he was paid to harass me at the beginner's class. Some yells follow Seir.

However, I checked around the group of adventurers, and I don't recognize any of them as punishment squad members. I wonder what kind of people they are. With some curiosity and doubt, I check the adventurers, but cannot find them. As I was feeling disappointed, Guillmuth raised his head and spoke.

I had a chance to reflect on my actions. I thought I would first apologize to Yuta for the trouble I had caused him, in order to repent for my unbecoming behavior as the leader of the adventurers in the labyrinth city.

How can you say that with such a mysterious face? Even though he's black inside. I guess this kind of person is called condescension. ...... something different?　You mean someone who is polite but rude?　Ugh, I need to Google it.

"Oh, I see. Then can you tell us how you were rude to me?　After all, I had a lot of unpleasant experiences in the Adventurers' Guild."

My words were met with yelling from Gilmas's crew of adventurers. It's time to get rid of them.

"Oh, Guillmas, wait a minute. Can you please turn down the noise from the outside first?

"Hmm. But on this occasion, I have gone out of my way to let the people know that I apologize for my mistake and have asked them to gather here. I can't just kick them out.

"Oh, no. That's Mr. Sayle, isn't it? I remember him well. The beginner's course you took because you wanted knowledge to enter the dangerous labyrinth. You're the one who harassed me and didn't give me a lecture as far as I was concerned under the order of Gilmas. Mr. Seir, did you enjoy the banquet after the beginner's class, which the guild treated you to?"

In the first place, please think about how to recycle the people who were involved in the harassment, such as using them to yell at people once more. Did you think it was safe to use them as yajis or something?　I was surprised when Sylphy told me.

He said that he only found out about me four days ago and that it was because he didn't have enough credible pawns, but even so, he could have done a little more. I understand that they were in a hurry because they didn't want me to be surrounded by other forces, but it was sloppy.

What are you talking about?

Sayle, you're twitching like crazy.

"No, did you think I didn't know you were laughing at me so loudly at the banquet?　I heard you were laughing and saying you didn't care if I died. You make me uncomfortable when I look at you."

"Wait a minute. That mistake is not Seir's fault either, but mine for ordering him to do it. I'm sorry."

I wanted to be a little more sarcastic, but Guilmouth interrupted me. Well, here's your chance to get your foot in the door.

"Guillmas. You're the one who can order us to do your dirty work, Mr. Sayle. I don't see any reason why Guillmass can't pull Mr. Sayle out of such a close relationship with Guillmass. Maybe all the other people who were giving him jokes have a close relationship with Guillmas. ...... haha, there's no way Guillmas would do something so shady, right?

My words drew the attention of the adventurers who were yelling at me. I wonder if their distrust of Guilmouth has increased a bit.

"Absolutely not. Sail and others I have trained and certainly have a relationship with. That's why they voiced their concern for me.

"I see. Then, if Guilmouth tells me not to worry and not to speak up, the problem will go away.

"......Yes. You heard me right. Please refrain from speaking out from now on."

"It's very simple, so why didn't you try to stop me until I told you?　I doubt that Guilmouth really wants to apologize, but I think it would be a good idea to at least educate him in the future so that he doesn't interfere with our discussions."

When I gave him my well-meaning advice, he nodded his head with a slight twitch in his mouth. I had just killed the best part of Gilmas's plan.

My bad character stands out, too, I think, but these people never had any kindness toward me in the first place. I don't care what they think of me now that I'm here.

I looked around at the adventurers and saw Yunice. Come to think of it, Yunis is an adventurer too. Hmm. I guess Yunis is going to tell Mel about us... but that won't be a problem. After all, he is our master. I'm confident that he trusts me enough to make a deal with Meral.

"It's true that I want to apologize. I'm sorry I can't just bow down to you, so I've prepared 10 million elts to compensate you. I cannot pay out of the Adventurers' Guild's budget, and I can only offer this much as my own personal compensation, but I would be grateful if you would accept it."

I guess I'll give up on the first part of the plan and launch the second. Guilmouth himself declares that he will pay for the harassment against me out of his own pocket money, but ...... the money actually comes from the guild's budget.

I'm not even going to take it. I thought about accepting it and suppressing the part where Guilmouth made up the difference from the guild's budget. But it would be a hassle and I'd have to ask them how they know the inside information of the guild.

"Compensation? I'm afraid we can't accept it from Guilmouth's personal property. If you think that Guilmouth is at fault, then please clarify where the responsibility lies and punish them officially accordingly. He could not have done that much harassment by himself, so please make sure that he and those who were involved with him are punished.

"All responsibility rests with me, the one who gave the order. The others were just following orders."

Gilmas's eyes are telling me to take the money honestly. Ten million elts is a lot of money, but fortunately we have the money to spare. Money doesn't work.

"I'm asking you to punish the guild officials who willingly follow that joke of an order. We will consider whether to accept Gilmas' apology depending on the outcome."

Now they can't take advantage of me without punishing my people in one way or another. Which will Gilmas choose?　Since there is no way that Guilmartin can give out any real punishment anyway, will he choose a token punishment?

Well, it doesn't matter. It would not feel good to be announced as an employee who has participated in the harassment. It is a small harassment. It would be funny if all guild members were punished, but at best it would be those who were directly involved with me.

"......I'd like some time to look inside the guild again."

"I see. Well, we'll talk again after we get the results. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Wait, wait. No, no, wait. I still have to talk to you. Please take a seat."

When I stood up, he hurried to stop me. Some of the adventurers around us wondered why Guilmouth was putting up with this kind of talk. It seems that the general adventurers don't know about me yet. So far the guilds that have the most information about me are the commercial guilds.

"Is that so?"

"Mm. As a result of our investigation, we have determined that Yuta-dono's current rank of E is not suitable for the delivery of a large amount of magic stones including A rank magic stones. His ability to defeat Karl and the others in a duel. His ability to capture the kidnapper. As a result of considering various aspects, I have decided to promote him to the rank of B by my authority."

I guess they gave up on number two and moved on to number three. I guess this is where things really start for Guilmouth in a way. Speaking of which, I don't see Carl. I would have been tempted to be sarcastic if he was here, but he must have sensed the danger.　It's a shame. Oh well, we'll harass Guilmouth for the rest of the night.

No need.

"Why not!　If you rise in rank, you get all kinds of preferential treatment."

Gilmas' voice becomes a little raspy, probably because I don't do what he wants. I don't mean to be a control freak from start to finish, but I wonder if Gilmas's stomach is okay.　Will I vomit blood?

The reason why they don't accept the rank-up is because Gilmas wants to force them to give out requests from C-rank and above. The Adventurer's Guild will make a special request for a particular person. You must have a very good reason to refuse. If you refuse a request unnecessarily, you will be severely punished.

The Adventurers' Guild needs to have a good reason to make a special request to prevent the randomness of the requests, but since it concerns Fire Dragons, I guess they can give a good reason.

But since I'm currently ranked E, I've been promoted three ranks. That's a big deal in the eyes of people around me. I don't want to be forced to make a request, so I'm a little disappointed that I have to make it only up to D rank.

It was quite fun to work hard every day to raise my rank. Ertina-san tells me to raise my rank with an expressionless face. But her hands were shaking during the procedure and she was clearly irritated. I felt like a winner.

The gradual rise in rank and the reluctance of the Adventurers' Guild were fun, but if there is such a thing as a mandatory request, then the whole thing is a disaster.

"It's also fun to work with my disciples to raise their ranks, but if I raise my rank now, it means I've gotten a higher rank by taking advantage of a dispute and making a dirty deal. I cannot endure such humiliation.

Actually, I don't care about that. I would have taken it if it weren't for the mandatory request. ...... No, I still don't. I'd be pissed off if that Guilmouth guy tried to ingratiate himself with me.

No, nothing like that. We've got all these adventurers. I don't think anyone would suspect Yuta.

"Is that so?　Guilmouth and Ertina. The day after I legitimately defeated Karl and the others in front of a crowd of adventurers, I was called a fraud. Adventurers in the labyrinthine city are so easily influenced by their surroundings that they cannot be trusted. It's a sad thing for an adventurer who sells freedom.

He looks around at the adventurers. An annoyed look on his face. A look that says, "I'm going to kill you. A look of awkwardness. Eunice looks extremely annoyed. He was trying very hard to stop Mel from talking about his master, though it's more likely that he's annoyed for a different reason.

"I can't argue with that statement, but the fact that there are no competent adventurers in the appropriate ranks is a problem for the Adventurers' Guild as well. I would be grateful if you could somehow accept me.

"No, thank you. I still can't accept it under the current circumstances. You say that there is a problem if you are not in a rank appropriate to your ability, but since I only accept requests all the time, there shouldn't be a problem. Why is Gilmas so concerned about rank advancement?　If you're at the table to apologize to me, you don't have to do it, or is there a reason for it?"

I'm trying to get you to accept a mandatory request!　I wonder if he'll say something like that. That would be funny.

"No, I don't have a specific reason, but I think it's necessary for the stability of the guild."

I guess I shouldn't be so blunt. But I knew you really wanted me to run into the fire dragon.

Don't you think it's a coincidence or you used some one-time item?　...... it might be like it doesn't matter if it kills me. I'd be very happy if I died.

"Then it's not a topic to bring up during the apology. If I bring it up here, it might be taken as a sign that I'm going to raise your rank and you shouldn't complain.

".................. Excuse me. You are right. I would like the opportunity to discuss rank again."

"Therefore, there is no need for you to raise your rank. If I want to raise my rank, I will do my best by myself, so there is no need to discuss it. I would be more grateful if you could put more effort into the internal investigation of the guild. Ah. I don't know if it's possible, but if you force me to raise my rank, I'll quit the Adventurers' Guild.

Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. What about the guildmaster? If I quit the guild, you can't use it. That's fun. When I couldn't hold back my smile, Sylphy laughed and Dolly praised me with a slightly stunned expression.

Hmmm, among the adventurers around us there's Guillermas, the one who wants us to quit.... I'll keep his face in mind.

That's the third mission down. The fourth and the fifth are left, but do we continue with them?　There is a possibility that they will give up and start over because the procedure for submitting a mandatory request has been destroyed.