Chapter 92 What A Pain
To summarize what Io said...
Apparently, Io was summoned by the Guild yesterday and was directly told by the Guild Leader that the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫ would be disbanded.
When asked for the reason, it seemed that the [Four Great Families of the Seals] had applied pressure.
Thinking about it, it's only natural. The Necronia explorer Guild can't refuse the [Four Great Families of the Seals]' request. That's because, in the first place, the [God's Remains Labyrinth] itself is legally considered the property of the [Four Great Families of the Seals], and the Guild is only allowed to operate with their permission.
The explorer Guild issues the labyrinth exploration permits, but even that is just a formality, with the Guild acting as the proxy of the 4 families.
Since the [Four Great Families of the Seals] hold the ownership of the [God's Remains Labyrinth], which is the explorers' workplace, the Guild can't go against them.
Of course, if the explorers stopped working altogether, the 4 families and the [Council] would also be in trouble, so they usually don't exercise their authority.
If the explorers disappeared, the city's defense capabilities would greatly decrease, and monsters would increase in the labyrinth, leading to a "Great Outbreak". Moreover, the 4 families would lose the revenue from selling the labyrinth resources collected by the explorers, and the city of Necronia would suffer a significant decrease in tax revenue.
So, there's no need to worry about large-scale interference, such as the revocation of all exploration permits... but that's a different story for a small group of around a dozen explorers.
In other words...
"I tried to negotiate with the Guild Leader, but it seems he threatened to revoke our exploration permits if we continued to explore the labyrinth. So, I don't think the Guild will lend us their affiliated scouts."
So, I said.
Well, I can understand the guild's circumstances.
Everyone in the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫ is an Expert Explorer, and they're the guild's top earners. If they were to lose dozens of such explorers all at once, the impact wouldn't just be a temporary drop in revenue.
The biggest problem is losing the trust of the explorers.
There aren't many who would devote themselves to an organization that can't protect them in times of need. Probably, many explorers would end up leaving for other cities.
That would be a huge blow to the [Four Great Families of the Seals], but I think they'd consider it better than having the mastermind behind the Stampede exposed.
So, I can understand why the guild leader would prioritize the wishes of the 4 families... but
"Ugh, what a pain... what a pathetic guild leader..."
I spat out the words, as if throwing them away.
"A guild leader who's supposed to be a leader, bowing down to power so easily..."
"Well, I think it's true that he's not as tough as he seems, but..."
Glen let out a wry smile at my words.
"But, Master Gale, if the [Four Great Families of the Seals] says so, can't you just refuse?"
"Hmph, Glen, you're wrong."
"Huh?"
I explained to Glen, who looked puzzled, what was wrong.
"Explorers are, after all, a brutal profession that makes a living through violence. But that's exactly why they can't just give in to others' demands."
A weak leader can't protect the organization. Especially if the leader of the explorers is weak, all explorers will be looked down upon.
Being looked down upon usually doesn't bring any benefits. In business and negotiations, it's a disadvantage. And the other party will start making unreasonable demands with impunity.
For explorers who sell their strength, the impact is far from small.
So...
"If I were the guild leader, I would take a firm stance and give them a piece of my mind."
"Whoa! You're really something, Master Gale. What are you gonna say?"
Glen's eyes sparkled as she asked.
What was I supposed to say, anyway?
It's already decided. I answered.
"If this kind of thing happens 2 or 3 times, it'll be a real pain. Can you just put an end to it already――like that!!"
I'll accept it once, but I won't necessarily accept it again――I was going to say it with a strong tone.
"""......"""
Everyone fell silent, looking at me with a mix of emotions. For some reason, they seemed to have a weird look in their eyes, but it was probably just my imagination.
Before long, Glen muttered.
"In the end, you're going to give in to their power, aren't you?"
I shrugged and replied.
"Of course. I'm just a regular, law-abiding citizen, after all? I'm not going to pick a fight with the [Four Great Families of the Seals] unless I have a good reason. I won't do something like that without a good reason."
Well, that's how it is.
But that doesn't mean I'm going to back down quietly.
"I never thought the [Four Great Families of the Seals] would go this far, but... I'll keep going, even if I'm alone."
I want to expose the mastermind behind the Stampede and crush them――not just that, but I also want to know why they did it.
If the reason they did it is something ridiculous, then... at that time...
"Of course, I won't back down either."
Fiona said.
Next, Io spoke up.
"Obviously, I'm with you too. I don't think Logan and Ail are dead, and they're still missing. I'm not going to give up here."
"I'm with you too."
Lady Eva said, following Io.
"If Caduceus is behind the Stampede, then no matter what the reason is, it should be judged by the law. The [Four Great Families of the Seals] can't be an exception, no matter what."
After expressing her thoughts, Lady Eva turned to Garon with a questioning gaze.
"Garon, what are you going to do?"
"...I'll follow princess, of course."
"Princess is telling you to stop, isn't she?"
"...I'll follow Lady Eva, of course."
And finally, everyone's gaze focuses on Glen.
I, as the representative, asked him.
"What are you going to do, Glen?"
Glen looks troubled and laughs.
"No way, I don't have any reason to continue forcing myself, and it's not a big deal if I quit here. It's just that going against the [Four Great Families of the Seals] is too scary. But..."
She looks at Fiona and me for some reason.
"I heard it from Lady Eva. That Master Gale is the real ≪Extreme Sword≫. And I'm interested in ≪Extreme Sword≫, you see."
"――!?"
For some reason, Fiona reacts with a start and glares at Glen.
In response, Glen hurriedly explains.
"Ah! Don't misunderstand, Lady Fiona! I'm interested in you too, very much. The [God's Body] technique you used during the Nord subjugation? I'm interested in that too. My interest in ≪Extreme Sword≫ is the same. Don't worry. The only one I'm interested in romantically right now is Lady Fiona."
"..."
Fiona averts her gaze and takes a step back.
She's using her usual technique to deal with people she's not good with――avoiding eye contact and creating distance.
"Well, that's how it is."
Glen continues as if nothing had happened.
"If Master Gale is the real ≪Extreme Sword≫, can you show me the proof? Can you use a technique like Lady Fiona did back then? Like the one ≪Extreme Sword≫ used during the Stampede...! If you're the real ≪Extreme Sword≫, I'll cooperate with you guys too."
In summary, she's saying, "Prove you're ≪Extreme Sword≫ by using [Chaos Strength] on me"――that's what it means, right?
I nod in agreement and respond to Glen.
"Ah, well, I don't want to."
"""......"""
I don't know why, but the air froze when I refused.
Then, Glen's eyes widened in shock, and she leaned forward, saying,
"What's going on!? You're not gonna use it, even though I said I'd help if you just used it a little!? You know that technique is super dangerous, right!? So I'm not saying you have to fight or anything! Just show me what it can do right here and now, and that's it!"
"Ah, I see what you mean."
If I used [Chaos Strength] in battle, the backlash would be intense, but just activating it wouldn't be that bad.
Yeah, it's not that dangerous, I guess.
I nodded in agreement and replied to Glen,
"But it's still no."
"""......"""
I don't know why, but the air froze when I refused.
Then, Glen's eyes widened in shock, and she leaned forward, shouting,
"Why?"
I winced at the loudness of her voice and replied,
"No, I'm not particular about being the real ≪Extreme Sword≫ or anything. It's a hassle to prove it, and I don't really care... Ah, why don't you, Glen, go ahead and call yourself ≪Extreme Sword≫ from now on? If you want to, I'll let you, and we can share the title."
"You're not interested in being ≪Extreme Sword≫, that's not what I mean! And I'm an archer, not a swordsman!"
"That's old news."
She used to call herself ≪Extreme Sword≫ just a little while ago, without even being a swordsman, just because she felt like it.
"That's true, but!! Master Gale, are you okay with someone else taking credit for your accomplishments?"
"Nah, it's not like I'm in a situation where I can demand rewards or anything..."
While I wouldn't mind being rewarded with a certain amount of money, I'm not sure if it's worth the demerits of being called ≪Extreme Sword≫...
...I guess I don't need it, after all.
"It's not about the money! It's about honor and reputation!"
"Honor? Oh, come on, do you know who I am? I already have all that. I have enough status, honor, and fame to be able to exchange letters with the Margrave of the Empire!"
"Fatherrr!!"
Glen shouted. What a noisy guy.
I mean, do we really need to force Glen to cooperate with us? She's already saying stuff like [Four Great Families of the Seals] is scary and all...
So, I was about to tell Glen something like, "I'm rooting for your future success," when...
Suddenly, Garon raised his hand, got everyone's attention, and said,
"Sorry, but if Aaron is really the ≪Extreme Sword≫, I want to make it clear. It's for our future activities too. If possible, I'd like to see some proof of that skill..."
Garon said it with a bit of hesitation, and I nodded in response.
"Well...if Garon says so, I guess I have no choice."
"――What's with that?!"
Glen stood up and shouted.
"What's going on all of a sudden? This is ridiculous, and I'm fed up with it!"
Today's Glen is really emotionally unstable.
"Why is it that Garon gets treated differently from me? Why is Garon okay, but I'm not?!"
"Why...it's because I have a lot of respect for Garon. If I had to say it strongly...it's a difference in human nature?"
"What?!?"
You want to respond sincerely to someone who's being sincere. That's just how humans are.
Glen glared at Garon after being told that.
"Grr...Garon...I'll never forget this humiliation...!!"
"That anger is unreasonable...!!"
So, it ended up that I had to prove I'm the ≪Extreme Sword≫.
Well, it's not like it's a big deal or anything. It'll be over in an instant, anyway.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)