Volume 5 Chapter 5 The Villainous Guildmaster, Demands Compensation from the Heroes
Lawrence and the Eastern Hero Party came to Guildmaster Act Age.
The morning after the grand farewell party.
Act's Guild, Gem of Heavenly Gift.
In the Guildmaster's room.
"So, you are finally leaving."
"YES!"
The big man with copper hair, Lawrence, nodded with a smile.
"We will go into the Demon King's TERRITORY and defeat our final enemy, the DEMON KING! And! We will DEFINITELY bring back peace with our own hands!"
His fiery eyes showed no hint of doubt.
Act watched and quietly nodded.
"I see... Hmph, then let me ask you for compensation one last time."
"COMPENSATION?"
"Yes. You have caused me great trouble. I will properly request a fee for the trouble. Hey, Frederica."
The silver-haired maid who was behind Act stepped forward.
In her hands was a tray, and on top of it were many scrolls.
"I will call your names one by one. When called, step forward and receive your BILL."
"......"
The Hero Party exchanged glances.
But... they looked like they realized something and then laughed.
"First, Eli."
"YES!"
The pink-haired boy, who looked like a fragile girl, approached Act.
"Eli. Even though you have magic talent, you were treated badly by the party members."
"Yes... the one who saved me was Mr. Act."
He discovered and nurtured my hidden magic talent.
"Back then, you were unsure of yourself. I found your talent, and you were so timid. But... Hmph. Now you look GOOD."
Act patted Eli's head.
"You have grown strong in body and mind. Use that sharp mind to support the party."
"Yes!"
Act takes the parchment from Frederica and hands it to Eli.
"This is an invoice. After you defeat the Demon King, bring the MONEY to me. Got it?"
Eli nods strongly and looks at Act.
Yes, this is Act's way of encouragement.
Take this invoice home.
It means come back alive... that's what he's saying.
"I UNDERSTAND! I... will absolutely come back! THANK you, Mr. Act!"
Act nods and starts calling the Party Members one by one.
Healing magician Luna.
The archer half-elf Mida.
And... the spearman Ulgar.
He motivates them and hands out the invoices.
"Ulgar. You gave me the MOST trouble."
"Ugh... boohoo... it's so NOISY..."
The silver-haired spearman cries like a waterfall....
Act pats his shoulder.
"But you have grown the most. You fixed that bad habit of overestimating yourself, and now you have the STRENGTH and experience to support the party as the SUB-LEADER."
"Gilmas..."
"You UNDERSTAND your role now, right?"
Ulgar nods while crying.
"I will... take Lawrence to the DEMON KING! This spear is not to defeat the Demon King. My spear is HERE to let the Hero deliver the finishing blow!"
Once, Ulgar only thought about standing out.
But after meeting Act, he found the true shine of his talent.
"If you realize THAT, you can become a hero. I GUARANTEE it."
"U... UGHHHH! Guildmaster!"
Ulgar clings to Act's waist and cries like a child.
"This is an invoice. For you, who will return as a HERO, I expect a large REWARD. ...Come back for SURE."
"Ah! Of COURSE!"
Ulgar wipes his tears and says confidently.
"This Ulgar will keep his PROMISE! I will definitely... come back!"
Next, Act looks at the leader of the Far East heroes, Higami.
"Eh, do I have one TOO?"
"Of course. Who made you and that PARTY stronger?"
"Hmph... FINE, whatever."
Higami steps forward.
"I mean... what is THIS, a demand for compensation? It's just a simple CHEER-UP meeting!"
Higami was right.
Everyone here understood it too.
It's Act's last encouragement.
By asking for compensation, they are saying, "Come back for sure... I'm cheering for you."
Everyone present knows Act's clumsy kindness.
"Higami, you have struggled to grow just like Ulgar. You're not honest about it."
"SHUT up..."
"But you too, have grown strong and noble. That flame will become the holy flame that destroys the DEMON KING."
Tears well up slowly in Higami's eyes.
She felt happy to be recognized for her strength.
"...I'm sorry, Guildmaster."
She whispered a small apology.
"...I was WRONG. I rushed in without thinking about my teammates, destroyed myself, and caused TROUBLE for everyone... I even expelled my friends, but..."
Higami turns back.
To Suigetsu and the other heroes.
"I won't make the same MISTAKE again. With my important friends and these five SWORDS, we'll cooperate... and fight the Demon King. Then... I'll join forces with Lawrence to FINALLY defeat the Demon King!"
Ulgar and Higami are similar.
They both only thought about themselves.
Even if there are amazing gems with individual talents, if they aren't well-balanced and gathered, they are just a single accessory.
Gems won't become jewels without polishing.
Jewels have no value on their own.
With friends and by combining strengths, only then...
A hero, one beautiful piece of art, is completed.
"As long as you UNDERSTAND that... make sure to repay your DEBT."
Act hands Higami the bill for the five from the Far East.
Higami accepts it honestly.
And then....
"It's my TURN now!"
Lawrence steps forward with a smile.
Act says,
"I have NOTHING to say to you."
"INDEED!"
Yes... last night, I was called in separately and encouraged.
Plus... since meeting him, I have learned a lot.
So, words are not needed.
Act hands over the bill...
It was thicker than anyone else's, a scroll made of sheepskin.
"You have a BIG debt to me, you know."
"Oh! What is THIS! I can't prepare this kind of MONEY! This is a PROBLEM!"
He didn't seem troubled at all.
Act snorts with a huff.
"Then, you will defeat the DEMON KING."
The treasure held by the Demon King.
It is enormous.
Use it to pay back your debt... that is the plan.
Act suggests, without saying it directly, to defeat the Demon King.
"Ah! Of COURSE!"
Lawrence pushes his fist forward.
Act... bumps his fist back.
They tap fists...
"THANK you, my best teacher! We have grown this MUCH thanks to YOU!"
Everyone bows deeply to Act.
"We will definitely defeat the DEMON KING! I PROMISE!"
Act nods quietly.
And... as always.
"I see."
Looking around at everyone, he says.
"I expect GREAT things."
...He never talks much.
At first, everyone was confused by Act's actions.
His words were too few, so it did not convey much.
But the people here have grown.
Act's clumsy kindness and the hidden meaning in his few words...
They have come to understand everything.
"Alright, let's GO! Everyone!"
The heroes turn and leave the room.
They do not look back.
They don't ask for Act's help.
"To defeat the DEMON KING!"
"""YEAH!"""
...And so, Hero Lawrence and the others set out to exterminate the Demon King.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)