122 - - Episode 120 Guild Master

"Eltina, have you found that necromancer yet?"

Yes, I have no information about it because I never come to the Adventurers' Guild. Have you found any members of the punishment squad?

How would I know if I asked Ertina, the receptionist? She still doesn't seem calm.

"There are no signs of having entered or left the labyrinthine city. He said he vanished like a puff of smoke."

"Um, Master. I don't mean to be presumptuous, but you should take the day off, you look tired and need to rest ......."

"Shut up! ...... No, I'm sorry. But I can't rest even if I wanted to. I'd be better off working in the guild. Your report is received. You may step back."

Frustrating. Rumors spread rapidly after the necromancer disappeared. The genie had evaded all of our traps when all we had to do was set them.

In addition, he declared that he had defeated the fire dragon, threatened those who harassed him, and left. He also threatened those who had harassed him and left.

Why did he keep it a secret that he had defeated the fire dragon?　You didn't want to hide your abilities?　The weakness of the sorcerer was not found in the end, and there was nothing to be done about it.

Rumors of the sorcerer spread, many of those who had knowledge of the sorcerer left the labyrinth city, there was no way to gather enough people to exterminate the plants, and in the meantime, the rumor of the breakup with the adventurer who defeated the fire dragon spread further, and masters of commerce and medicine guilds, merchants, nobles and military men complained.

Especially the Pollius Chamber of Commerce, which had a close relationship with the necromancer, is in a constant state of protest. Not only their own guild, but also the guilds and individuals to whom they had been supplying valuable materials, have been spreading the word and lighting up the commotion. Three days from now, the chiefs of the labyrinth city will gather for a meeting?　They must be getting together to hang me.

The adventurers' guild in the labyrinthine city is in shambles. The number of adventurers who can handle ordinary requests has decreased, and it has become difficult to secure materials after the 50th level, which had been expected. This is also a problem at the headquarters of the Adventurers' Guild in this country.

The completion of the facility for defeating the fire dragon at the 49th layer is almost complete, but under these circumstances, it is difficult to even ask for support from the headquarters.

The guild, which is very cautious about the actions of even S-rank adventurers, will be clamoring for me to do something about the breakup with the people who can defeat the Fire Dragon, hoping that the relationship will somehow be restored. Just thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach.

Why is this such a big deal when all I had to do was to treat the useless genie-surgeon with cold shoulder, get rid of him, or make him change his job title? I'm sure that the headquarters will send a messenger to ask them a question in the not-so-distant future.

I am tempted to ask the assassination guild to assassinate the spiritualist, but if I take such a step against someone who has humiliated me so much, of course they will suspect me. I don't care if he dies, but of course he knows of this trouble. I would not accept an assassination attempt so easily.

but I don't like the idea of bowing down to that d*mned necromancer after all this time.

Shall I give up my identity and go into hiding?　Then I can get rid of all this trouble. I have enough money to spend the rest of my life in comfort, and it might be a good idea.　......If we give it all up carelessly, we might be offered up to that necromancer to curry favor with him. If we don't do something, we will be in trouble at the gathering in three days.

****

"Screw you!　You think you can get away with such lawlessness!"

It's not outrageous. It's a legitimate claim for the damage you've caused. You look like you're in bad shape, so why don't you just get it over with and rest?　You have dark circles under your eyes, and you look much older."

The old man of the commercial guild, who hates me so much, says with a look of triumph on his face. It's extremely unpleasant.

"So why are you talking about my retirement and the confiscation of my personal property?　There have been many times when we could not get the labyrinth materials. Why should I have to pay for those losses?

"That's because this time it was not an irregularity in the labyrinth, but an accident caused by you, the master of the Adventurers' Guild. Of course, I don't expect your personal funds to pay for everything, but the Adventurers' Guild will shoulder the rest.　

"Shut up, you're only the president of one trading company! Why are you here at all?

"Why am I here?　That's because I'm closely related to the necromancer you've been harassing. Yuta's materials were supplied by the Pollius Trading Company. The Adventurers' Guild must know that. What are you talking about now?

d*mn that raccoon from Pollius! We had a hard time because you released the material without telling us where it came from. .......

"But it would be presumptuous of you to meddle in the affairs of the Adventurers' Guild. What's wrong with kicking out those who bring disadvantage to the organization? Why should I, who did the right thing, take the responsibility?

"Well, I'm too scared to hire a spiritualist as my bodyguard, and I understand your feelings, but this time it's just bad luck. The person you harassed was unthinkably skilled. I can sympathize with you... but you are the head of an organization. It would have been different if you had apologized honestly to the genie magician, but that's what happens when you try to frame people out of greed. Give up."

Who would give up? Retirement is one thing, but confiscation of private property is a joke.

"I don't care about that. But more importantly, when will the distribution of materials be restored?　As a culinary guild, we are screaming downstairs that even rough-bird meat is in short supply."

You don't give a d*mn about a situation where my personal property is about to be confiscated?　I'd like to beat her to death, but this woman who rallies the cooks in the male-dominated society has a strange power that I don't like. I should be able to snap that thin neck easily. .......

"As long as there is a labyrinth, adventurers will soon gather. It won't be long before the distribution of materials returns.

"That's funny. I heard that many of those who left this time were mid-level and senior members of the Adventurers' Guild. It's hard to imagine that we'll be able to recruit that many people anytime soon. What are you going to do about it?

The f*cking raccoon from the Polurius Chamber of Commerce barges in.

"I'm sending out a ...... messenger. They'll be sending people from their branches soon. Even the top adventurers who left were B-rank adventurers at best. There is no problem.

It is fortunate that the top-notch ones were not involved with the spiritists in the request to create a base in the 49th layer of the labyrinth. The branches will try to ingratiate themselves with us, but I am sure they will not refuse to dispatch us.

"That means we'll be in short supply until we get enough adventurers. Vegetables will be fine, but we must hurry to secure meat. At the very least, tell the remaining adventurers to actively hunt roughbirds.

"All right, I'll send word."

"Then I hope you can do something about mine. The apothecary guild was in a frenzy over the arrival of magic grass and almighty grass. And now they are complaining that the next shipment is in jeopardy. I won't be able to hold them back if you don't repair the relationship with the genie surgeon or if you don't get the magic and almighty grasses."

The apothecary guild or ...... is a pain in the ass. The Medicine Men's Guild is a group of researchers. The master of the apothecary guild in front of me seems to be smiling, but his eyes are not smiling. Half an answer won't convince him, but there is no solution now. We have to buy time.

"We're building a base of operations at the 49th level, so give us some time."

"Time. ...... I guess you're not thinking about repairing your relationship with the genie surgeon?"

"...... can't help you if you go into hiding. He threatened the adventurers and left, so there is a chance he will come back, but who knows? Then we should choose the surest way.

If the fire dragon can be defeated, the value of the necromancer will decrease. Then no one will be able to complain. The Adventurers' Guild has a huge advantage in the Labyrinth City.

"Hmmm, is challenging the Fire Dragon, which we have failed to conquer many times, a surefire way?　To me, it seems more certain to find a genie surgeon and restore the relationship."

"We can do both in parallel. Since he is going to retire anyway, you can talk to his replacement.

The master of the commercial guild says this as if my retirement is a done deal.

"So why do you decide the personnel of the Adventurers' Guild?"

"This notice is a mercy from us who have supported Labyrinth City together until now. Take care of yourself while you still can. Retire and put your personal funds to work. Then it won't be as bad as it was."

What the hell?　I'm getting stares of pity from everyone here.

"You're not thinking straight, are you? There's no way this story can be contained within the labyrinth city. The guilds are reporting to the capital. I'm sure the capital will send someone soon. If you continue to cling to your position you will not only lose your property. You are already finished.

"d*mn, but the operation on the forty-ninth layer was my idea. Certainly, there will be a messenger from King's Landing, but if I explain this plan to him, he will be given time to think about it. If we can defeat the Fire Dragon in the meantime, all will be well.

"It is possible without your initiative. It would be much easier if you could repair relations with the sorcerer. That is no reason to give him a reprieve. If you do nothing, you can be sure that the punishment will be severe. Give up."

.................. Am I really stuck?　Are you saying that it is futile to struggle from this point on?

What do you think?　...... certainly could lead the operation if not me. The repair of the relationship with the spiritualist will go more smoothly without me. As long as the turmoil is spreading to the guilds, it is impossible to keep it within the labyrinth city.

And most of all, ...... must be stuck. That pitying look is the answer. I, who was surely a great power in the labyrinth city, who was surely the source of their profits, have fallen so low as to be pitied.

"...... I understand. I'm retiring and putting my personal money to work to make up for it."

That's the way to go. I've made up my mind.

**

When I returned to the Adventurers' Guild after giving up everything, Eltina came running up to me. She seemed to be in a hurry.

"Master, the Grand Master is here from King's Landing."

...... You're already here. And a grandmaster? What the old man said came true right away.

All right, I'm on my way.

I hurried back to my room, and the Grand Master approached me immediately.

"Oh, you're back. You're back.

You're still acting like this. Your tone is soft, but your well-trained body and piercing gaze show no sign of weariness.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Yes, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I've just told the city officials that I'm retiring and that I'll be giving my personal funds to make up for the damage. I'm sorry for what happened.

Bow your head.

"Well, you're taking the blame yourself. That's a good attitude, but it's not enough for me.

"Do you mean to say that you will be punished by the Adventurers' Guild in some way?"

I guess I'm too late.

"Yeah, well. The commercial guilds, the apothecary guilds, the state, the army, they can't stop complaining. The guild of adventurers in the labyrinth city needs to be renewed and those who were involved in the recent disturbances need to be punished.

My men did what they did under my orders, so I ask for leniency."

"Having said that, we must make it clear to those who complain that we have punished them. It is inevitable that the punishment will be heavier, especially for those who were directly involved with the rumored sorcerer.

"But then, that would be ......."

"Well, ...... we can't avoid a revamp of the Adventurers' Guild in Labyrinth City, but we can make the punishment a little less severe. Apologize shamelessly to the necromancer and ask for his cooperation. If you succeed, it won't cost you your life.

"But the sorcerer has committed a hostile act against the guild. Apologizing would ruin the guild's reputation.

I'm surprised at myself for not wanting to bow down to the genie.

"Ah, you mean the one who instantly grew a guild full of spiked plants? I heard about that. But have you ever heard that you could do that?"

"...... No, I've heard of a family that can manipulate plants and make them grow, but I've never heard of one that can do this much."

I didn't know what he did or even when he chanted.

"That's what I mean. How can we antagonize a man who has defeated a fire dragon and has abilities beyond our imagination, just because he's a man of honor? It's not only useless, it's harmful."

"However, if you send an S-rank adventurer, we may be able to punish him.

"Huh, how many S-ranks did you need in the plan you submitted to the headquarters to defeat the Fire Dragon?　How many men did you request?"

"...... all three S-ranks in the country, plus as many A-ranks as we can scrounge up."

"Yes, even with that kind of force it is questionable whether they can beat the Fire Dragon. We've had similar plans fail in the past. We suffered a terrible loss."

"But now there are S-ranks with skills that are effective against dragons."

"Yes, it is. That is why we have weighed the benefits we would gain against the precious S-rank, and have proceeded with our plan if we are ready and able to provide full support. But what's the use of putting that precious S-rank against a genie surgeon who defeated a fire dragon?　You're going to put your S rank up against an opponent you don't even know if you can win to save your reputation?"

"But ......"

"But there's no shit. You can either apologize yourself, or we can punish you and apologize to you as the Adventurers' Guild. Which will you choose?"

"...... I apologize myself."

"Well, if you get forgiveness, even the main culprits won't take your life. So, do you know where the necromancer is?

No, we have searched everywhere in the labyrinthine city, but have been unable to locate him.

"Well, then, I'm going to make a big announcement about your retirement, the confiscation of your personal property, and a complete overhaul of the personnel of the Adventurers' Guild of the Labyrinth City. If I tell you that the Adventurers' Guild will be changing, you will at least show up. You stay in the Adventurers' Guild, and don't miss your chance. It's not just your life that's at stake, but the lives of your men as well.

"...... understand. I will bow down to you with all my might."

"Oh. You've got to do it right. You've done a lot of damage to the guild. If you fail, you're dead for real.

"Yes, sir."

Hmmm... I guess I'll have to bow down to the genie magician after all. And he apologizes shamelessly ......, but he made the guild throw away their honor, and if they don't do it, even if it's shameful, they will surely lose their lives. Your men will be punished severely. They should practice how to bow down...what a shameful thing to do.