152 - - Episode 150: The number of great men has increased.

While I was enjoying my holiday, a messenger came from the Adventurers' Guild. It seems that the discussion is over. I've asked Sylphy to go check on him, but I'm not sure what will happen now.

"Yuta, tomorrow, what are you going to do?　Beru, orusuban?"

Belle jumps into my arms, looks up at me, and asks, "What's going on? She must have learned to stay at home when we talk. Maybe Belle is a genius. She's cute and she's a genius. She's unbeatable.

I guess so. I'm going to have to ask Belle and the others to stay at home. Will you help me train Sarah and the others again?"

"Okay!"

I thanked Belle for her cheerful reply and patted her on the head. Then Rain, Tulu, and Tamamo all came to pet her, so I stroked them firmly. I feel like I'm petting them every chance I get, but I don't mind because it soothes me. I'm ready for 24 hours a day.

Eventually, while I'm still playing with Belle and the others, Sylphy comes back. I'm a little relieved to see Sylphy's bored expression. I'm sure she'd be smiling if she had any kind of trouble.

I'm getting better at reading her expressions. She seems to be an expressionless cool beauty, but once I get used to her, I can recognize the change of her expression.

"Sylphy, welcome back. How was it?"

"Well, you looked like you had a hard time, but you weren't particularly devious. You seem to accept the usual conditions. If anything, he seems to be having a hard time choosing between the two parties. This Valkyrie party is coming forward. They were talking to him in front of me."

It would be very helpful for me if you would agree to my conditions, so please don't look so bored.

"...... Well, those guys are related to the former Guilmouth. Isn't that a problem?"

At least he helped set me up, and I'm sure he'll avoid the new Guilmouth.

"He said that there was no one more deserving than us to bring back the public's popularity, name recognition, competence, and valuable material to be the face of the Adventurers' Guild. He said that he was acting out of the goodness of his heart and that even if there was a misunderstanding, he would understand if we talked to him.

I'm scared, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Valkyries are too mental. I don't want anything to do with them.

So, what did the new guildmaster say?

I'll back out depending on the outcome.

"He had a lot of trouble with me, but in the end he said no."

Whew, I was a little nervous, but I'm glad it was a sound decision. I was relieved to hear Sylphy's words.

"But I guess you haven't given up yet. I have asked Guillmas to give me a chance to explain myself and to negotiate with him. Guilmas had forbidden Yuta to approach him for fear of offending him, but from the looks of him, he would approach him by accident."

Like, a chance encounter in a labyrinthine city or labyrinth?　One question, though, is why Sylphy seems to be having a little fun. Does she like ambitious people like that?　...... seems to like it. At least it's not boring to watch.

It would be possible to avoid meeting him, but he's not going to give up so easily since he's going directly to Guilmouth. If I meet him, I should just say no. Even if I refuse, he's not likely to give up. ......　Stalker?

That's kind of scary. It must be nice to be chased by a beautiful woman, but it's sad that she wants to use you as a stepping stone to wealth and fame.

"Sylphie, I need to prepare myself, so let me know when the Valkyrie approaches."

"Okay, okay. Don't you have to avoid them?

"Yes, I'm afraid they'll keep chasing me even if I avoid them, so I'll say no as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye out."

I don't really care about the new Guilmouth story, but I can't say I do. We'll check the flow of the story and have a meeting. No problem here.

********

Okay, guys, I'm off.

"Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye.

"Go, master, go, go, go, good luck."

We relax while sorting out Sylphy's story until lunchtime, and then it's time to go. I leave the pavilion with Belle and Sarah waving me off, and I say hello to Sebas. Even a simple send-off with a large number of people seems to be a bit exaggerated, as if we are leaving for somewhere.

Dolly, whom I asked to escort the children, saw them off quietly, but it would have been even noisier if Dine and Nomos had been here. We head for the Adventurers' Guild for a meeting, thinking of what to do when we are all together. It doesn't look like there will be anything too difficult to discuss, so I'm taking it easy.

As I was walking with my guard down, Sylphie told me that "Valkyrie is coming this way". She came out of nowhere. I guess they are trying to win the right for me to join them before the meeting.

A group of beautiful girls walked toward us, attracting many eyes around us. It's true that they are popular even among the general public. A group of beautiful women and an A-rated adventurer, if you don't know what's going on inside, you can understand why people admire them.

"Oh, Yuta-san, it's been a while."

The leader of the Valkyries, who speaks to me with an air of having just noticed me. What was his name again?　Well, never mind. We're not going to get along, so let's just keep going.

"It's been a while."

I greet him anyway, but there is some kind of delicate atmosphere between me and the Valkyrie. While I was wondering what to do, the leader of the Valkyries smiled and spoke to me.

"I understand that you had a difficult time when we met the other day. We had left the Adventurers' Guild after that and had no idea, but we were surprised to hear that a terrible conspiracy had been hatched. I am sorry that I was involved in trapping you, Yuta-san, even though I did not know about it."

The leader of the group spoke with a very sad expression on his face and bowed his head. Oh, wow, this guy is amazing. I almost said, "It's not your fault," even though I knew it was a complete lie.

I wonder if he knows perfectly how he should be seen.　Now what do I do? ...... It's a pain in the ass because I can't say that's a lie.

"I see. It seems that the former Guilmouth will be punished accordingly, and I don't think about it any more, so it's okay.

"That's very kind of you to say. However, it is also true that I helped frame Yuta-san. I heard that Yuta-san is good enough to defeat the Fire Dragon, but since you also have a little apprentice, would you be willing to help me with him as an apology?　I think it would be better if we had more manpower."

......help......I thought you were apologizing and wishing to join us in taking down the Fire Dragon, but apparently you are planning to get more involved. I thought they wanted to apologize and join us in taking down the fire dragon, but it seems they are planning to go further.

If I am chosen as one of the two parties in the Adventurers' Guild, there will be some guild interference, but I guess they are thinking that if they use me, they won't have to worry about it. I'm scared.

"Thank you for your kindness, but we have enough manpower at the moment, so your kindness is enough."

They're all too good to need help. The Great Spirits help us out too,...... and if anything, I think the Great Spirits are more often in trouble than we are. .......

"Well, I wish I could help you in some way. But if you need anything at all, you can always count on me. We'd be happy to give you a chance to make proper amends.

"Oh, yes. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

We bow to each other and part ways. Huh?　It's not what I expected. I thought he was going to come on to me with a lot of s*x appeal or something, but he just walked away. What do you mean?　On the contrary, I'm scared. Well, this doesn't mean you've given up, does it?

(Sylphy, I'm sorry, but it's kind of creepy, you should check on the Valkyries.)

"Yeah, okay."

We'll hear about the Valkyries later, but for now, let's go to the Adventurers' Guild. I feel like I'm getting off to a bad start, but it's an important discussion, so we can't be too relaxed about it.

I arrive at the Adventurers' Guild and go inside, feeling slightly unrefreshed. I go to ...... and find a space set up for discussion in the hall in front of the reception desk, even though I haven't said anything.

Maybe this is where we'll be when we discuss things, unless I say something. I don't like to discuss with the Adventurers' Guild in a closed room, but it's strange that I feel like I'm being very selfish when the space is set up without my saying anything.

As before, a lady who looks like a secretary of the new guild member approaches me. She greets me and takes me to a seat in the middle of the hall.

I didn't notice because of the adventurers around me, but there is not only Guilmouth but also some kind of an old man or an old man who I can't decide whether he is an uncle or an old man. Who is it?　You didn't mention Sylphy, did you?　He glances at Sylphy.

"From what I've heard around here, he's the grand master of the Adventurers' Guild in this country. He arrived just before noon. We've got a big shot here.

Sylphy says in a carefree manner. It's hard to swallow that so easily, isn't it?　In short, the head of the adventurers in this country. Give me a break.

"As Grand Master of the Adventurers' Guild, I apologize for this scandal."

The Grand Master bows his head. The former Guilmouth, the new Guilmouth, and the Grand Master all bow deeply at the first shot. I guess there is a template of how to apologize, isn't there, Adventurers' Guild?

Normally, a person in a higher position should not apologize carelessly, but I wonder what kind of template there is.

Please raise your head. I have received your apology in our previous discussion. As long as you accept my terms, I'll be fine.

"Oh, okay. I'll tell them that too. Well, I'm glad to see you're such a reasonable guy.

The grandmaster smiles and speaks to me. How light!　Suddenly, he became lighthearted. Is that what you want?　I did say that it wouldn't be a problem if you agreed to the terms: .......

Guilmouth is bowing to me in surprise and annoyance. The grandmaster seems to be an unusual type of person. Is that the kind of person you want at the top of your organization?

"Oh, sorry. I'm not good with formalities.

No, no, I'm at ease too, so you can leave it at that. Please continue the conversation."

Light conversation in a serious discussion is not good, but it seems to move the conversation along quickly and easily, and it is easier than talking to someone of high rank. The Grand Master began to speak. Now the real work begins.