episode_0009

Inside the Adventurer’s Guild.

Today, there was another person who was in a bad mood since the morning. No, it was a rather complicated feeling to just say that he was in a bad mood. That person also felt a sense of crisis. This sense of crisis felt even more serious than when he was dealing with the two assassins who attacked him yesterday.

“What the hell is this?”

Last night, after parting ways with the saint, Glenn knocked out two assassins and handed them over to the guards. After about an hour of questioning, he escaped from the guards and returned to the guild with a half-asleep look on his face.

The guild master who had been drinking late into the night welcomed him, and Glenn, who was half-asleep, ended up making a slip of the tongue.

‘I was invited by the saint. I accepted the request. I’m tired, so I’ll go up. Okay.’

The guild master’s surprise was short-lived, and he ended up making the big mistake of thinking that his slip of the tongue had only reached him. He wasn’t the only one drinking in the guild late into the night.

The bartender, the night staff, and even a few adventurers who like to drink. Everyone had to hear that statement. It was only natural that chaos broke out on the first floor of the guild, and the person in question went to his quarters on the second floor and slept until morning.

And late in the morning, Glenn, who came down after changing his clothes with a face that still looked tired, was quickly caught as soon as he set foot on the first floor.

What, what? I was about to say that when I was tied to the chair. When I looked around, I saw many familiar faces. Adventurers and guild staff.

The adventurers and staff I met the day before yesterday and the day before yesterday, including Grimes, Tiller, Manny, Saika, and Kate. And…

Adventurers who haven’t shown their faces in a long time, such as Montaro and Briwen, as well as bartender Danielson, bartender Johnny, and adventurers they haven’t met before.

They were all looking at him with a kind of energy that could be named ‘life energy’.

No, what, what. What the heck! Why are you suddenly acting all aggressive towards me like you’ve met someone you’re going to kill! Just as he was about to say something more, his close friend Grimes cleared her throat first.

“Ahem. Okay, before the defendant’s testimony, I will tell you about the defendant’s actions again. Prosecutor?”

“What, defendant? Prosecutor? Hey, Grimes. What the hell is this-”

Before Glenn could say anything, someone stepped forward.

Montaro. A swordsman adventurer. He was 26 years old, the same age as Glenn, and an experienced adventurer with a shining silver badge.

No, of course the inspector is the inspector, but that’s not the inspector! Before Glenn could protest, Montaro’s voice rang out.

“April 22nd. Defendant Glenn was ruining the atmosphere of the Adventurer’s Guild by occupying a corner as usual, when he received a visit from someone. The visitor was Milicia Airgrants, known to everyone as the greatest saintess in the kingdom and the most beautiful woman of all time. The saintess publicly asked Glenn for a favor, and Glenn refused. Is that true?”

“Huh? Why are you suddenly tracking my whereabouts-”

“Defendant, answer the question. Is this true? Is it false?”

“Well, that’s true, but.”

There was a commotion all around.

What, is that rumor true? Was that guy a great guy?

He seemed so useless, but he was actually a big shot?

You refuse. You must think you’re good at fighting.

No, my name is Glenn. Is it true that the saint came to see me? Etc.

What are these kids talking about! But before Glenn could say anything, Grimes cleared up the area first.

“Quiet, quiet! Be quiet in the sacred courtroom! Prosecutor, tell us what happened next.”

What kind of court is this, you crazy bastard! Before he could protest, a voice ignoring him was heard from Montaro.

“Yes. The next day, on April 23, defendant Glenn said while drinking with a friend, “I have declined the saint’s request for three reasons, and I plan to decline the request again tomorrow.” When pressed by his friend, he gave various reasons and said that he had no intention of accepting the saint’s request. Is that true?”

“I think it’s too abbreviated, but to be exact-”

“Defendant, answer the question! You have no right to speak now. Is it true?”

You little brat, Grimes! See you later!

“Yes, it’s true. It’s true.”

“Is that so? Then I will tell you about the activities on April 24th. The defendant met three adventurers in the morning and tried to visit the library, but was unable to enter due to the library being closed. He also said that he declined the saint’s request and had no intention of accepting it. Is that true?”

With a half-resigned expression, Glenn answered, thinking that he would just go with the mood. But why did the mood become more ominous every time he answered? He wondered.

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Okay. Then, is it true that on the same afternoon, after meeting the guild master, you were visited by the saint’s butler, Douglas, on the third floor?”

“Oh. That’s a clear fact.”

“Okay, then the same…”

Suddenly, Montaro’s bright voice died down. What is it?

Glenn’s gaze caught his eye as he read something in his hand. His face, which had been cold until just a moment ago, gradually began to show a red tint. No, it began to change, like a red ogre from the Western Mountains. It was a clear expression of anger.

“Then, is it true that on the same afternoon… you received the invitation of the saint and entered the noble saint’s mansion with your dirty feet?”

“What are dirty feet, dirty feet!”

“Defendant! If you don’t answer the questions correctly, you will be penalized!”

What the hell are you playing judge again, Grimes!

Glenn turned his gaze to Grimes, who was speaking as if he were the judge of some kind of play. But his face was similar to Montaro’s, if not different.

That wasn’t all. Around him, some female adventurers were whispering, covering their mouths with their hands, while the male adventurers were glaring at him with angry faces.

Why are they reacting like this? What is it? Showing off? Anyway, Glenn told the truth in a voice that was slightly creeping under the harsh gaze.

“Well…it’s true. But-”

“Your Honor…the defendant admitted it.”

“Hmm. Should I declare you guilty?”

“Not yet. I would like to report more about the defendant’s actions.”

“Do so, Inspector.”

These crazy guys?

Glenn was about to swear at the two people who were talking as they pleased, but he flinched when he noticed that Montaro and Grimes’ faces had changed to those of the devil. This time, it wasn’t just the two of them. The faces of the men who were making noise around them were not very good.

“I admitted it…”

“That’s ridiculous…”

“Our idol…our idol…to that guy…”

“Was what Grimes said right after all…”

“Quiet, quiet! The defendant’s interrogation isn’t over yet!”

“Yes. Defendant, I will ask you about your whereabouts one last time.”

Ah, do whatever you want. Glenn nodded, his head bowed, as if he was tired of listening any longer. Montaro calmly began asking questions again.

“Is it true that you accepted the saint’s earnest request under duress at the same… saint’s mansion… and then stayed there late into the night… and returned to the guild and reported to the guild master…Aaaaahh …

Oh my, what’s going on all of a sudden! After Montaro’s huge lion attack, Glenn almost fell backwards on the chair he was sitting on. But that wasn’t the only thing that caused a fuss at that statement.

“What, what are you saying!”

“That, that shameless guy!”

“Sir, you finally did it!”

“You were planning something sinister behind those big glasses!”

“Heresy, heresy! Oh God, punish that heresy! ”

“Kill him, that guy needs to be killed right now!”

“Your Honor, make a decision! Make a decision now!”

“Quiet, quiet, quiet! Anyone who starts making a fuss from now on will be ejected immediately!”

You’re really immersed in your role. Glenn, who was grumbling inside, now just wanted this stupid nonsense to end quickly.

However, it seemed that he had no intention of leaving him alone. Montaro asked in a calmer voice than before, wondering if he had calmed down. No, it was almost like a beast growling.

“Defendant…is it true?”

“What?”

“The fact that you accepted the Saintess’ earnest request through threats at her mansion, stayed until night, and returned to the guild!”

“You’re threatening me! What kind of threat is that! I just accepted the request! What’s wrong with coming back a little late after dinner just because you said you’d treat me to dinner!”

“Wait a minute!”

Suddenly, Glenn felt two words rushing to him. Wait? What is this all of a sudden? In that moment, Montaro swung his sword at him and put his hands down on the desk that had suddenly appeared. Boom! There was a sound.

“You finally revealed it! Your Honor, there is a serious contradiction in the defendant’s statement just now! ”

I thought I heard strange music in my ears. No, I wasn’t mistaken. Over there, on the first floor of the guild, musicians hired to boost my spirits seemed to be playing strange music.

What the heck, why are you playing a song that seems like it’ll create a reversed atmosphere? Montaro’s momentum didn’t stop.

“The defendant’s actions and current statements are in sharp contradiction!”

“Hmm, inspector. Can you point out what the inconsistency is?”

Montaron was a balding man who didn’t look like he was the same age as Glenn, but now he suddenly looked like a man with spiked hair. What is this illusion? Behind that bastard… is it a spirit?

“Yes. When I spoke about the actions on April 22nd and 23rd a little while ago, the defendant admitted the truth. Yes. He admitted that ‘the saint asked for a favor, but I refused’, ‘I refused the saint’s favor for three reasons, and I plan to refuse if she asks again tomorrow’. However, he said that he dared to step foot into the mansion after receiving an invitation from the saint yesterday. This is seriously contradictory! ”

“What the hell are you talking about!”

“Be quiet, defendant! Any further violent remarks may affect the verdict!”

“Defendant, what happened! You clearly said that you did not receive the saint’s request. But isn’t it seriously different from your previous attitude to have entered the mansion upon the saint’s invitation? How can you explain this?”

“Whatever, people can change their minds! You may have been feeling bad the day before yesterday, but you may have been feeling better yesterday. People’s minds are like that, right?”

“Is that so, Your Honor!”

“Well, people’s minds change from time to time…I played with it…That is, I played with the saint’s mind…I see.”

No, what kind of judge is he, who distorts testimony and falls down at will! However, the effect of that statement was not trivial. The murmurs around him were gradually turning into violence on the level of a witch trial.

“The Saint…”

“Have…”

“Are you playing?”

“The most angelic person in this country…is that guy?”

“It’s the death penalty…Hang him immediately!”

“Let’s cut him up, we have to cut him up and kill him!”

“Castle, castrate him! Make him a eunuch!”

“Burn it! Burn it to death!”

“Quiet, quiet, quiet!”

Knock knock knock!

The judge, no, Grimes, who had calmed down the judge by tapping the table in front of him with the hammer he had acquired, opened his mouth with a slightly calmer expression.

“Let me tell you my opinion.”

For some reason, Glenn felt relieved at the sight of her calm face.

Yeah. You’ve come to your senses. Let’s stop this pointless role-playing and do our own things. I’ve been busy with a request for a long time, too. Let’s finish it well, buddy. Okay?

“Judgment, death penalty!”

“Oh my!”

“Waaa …

“Long live, long live!”

“Kill him, kill him!”

“Justice! Justice! ”

The judge, or rather Grimes, said one word and the onlookers became even more outraged. It looked as if the entire guild would be destroyed.

Glenn wanted to grab the back of his neck and fall down, but his arms were tied to the chair, so it was impossible. Still, he felt he couldn’t stay still. When did those bastards prepare the wood and the stakes? Burning, burning! Am I some kind of traitor?

He threw out the final words.

“Wait, you crazy bastards! How can you not hear the defendant’s testimony in a formal trial and not have a lawyer to defend the defendant? My lawyer, where is my lawyer!”

“Hmm, inspector?”

Grimes looked at Montaro with a slightly bewildered expression, as if she hadn’t expected such a remark. However, Montaro answered without showing any sign of change.

“That makes sense. You can’t have a trial without a defense. So, a lawyer?”

Glenn followed Montaro’s gaze. And that wasn’t all. The onlookers preparing for the cremation also followed. At the end of them, there was a woman yawning and looking bored. It was Kate, a guild employee who knew Glenn.

Oh, Kate! You’re a lawyer! Huh? Kate’s a lawyer? Glenn’s expression changed from relief to anxiety for a moment. Kate raised her hand.

“Do I really need to say anything?”

“It’s okay if you don’t do it.”

“That’s right. Sorry, Glenn. No defense statement. So…”

“Wow!!”

“Justice has been served!!”

“Death penalty! Extreme punishment! Burning at the stake! Castration! Blowing!”

Oh my. It’s a good thing there’s nothing to do in the morning. With those words, the defense team left the room.

Glenn was overcome with despair. Why did he hire that guy as his lawyer? No, it would have been the same no matter who he hired. Glenn was forced to stand up.

“Tie it up, hold it!”

“Burn it, burn it!”

“Pour it, drink it!”

“What’s that guy?”

As if they were really angry, the people grabbed him and tied him to a pole, and soon they were carrying a lamp and making some kind of sacrifice, spouting strange nonsense around them, showing their intention to punish Glenn.

Glenn felt that he had no more hope of living, and he cursed as if it were his last words.

“This filthy world! Filthy guild! I curse you, filthy adventurers! I, Glenn, who has accomplished great things! I curse you, curse you, and turn you into a ghost! If there is a hell, let’s meet there!”

“I hope you’re well… Oh, sorry. I think you came to the wrong place… Oh, this must be the Adventurer’s Guild. ”

“What…”

“Huh?”

“Oops.”

And the scene of madness ended in an instant with the appearance of a holy beauty.