Chapter 74 - Volume 2 Chapter 35 (1/2)

—Raust—

「There is no way that’s true!」

I was trying to save people from labyrinth runaway, I denied his words that basically meant that.

The treatment to me and the townfolks was the countermeasure against labyrinth runaway?

There was no way I could accept that.

The anger from when I learned I was forbidden from accessing the labyrinth, I still remembered that feeling vividly.

And as if to vent the entirety of that feeling, I glared and shouted at the Branch Chief.

「Even if you tell me that to gloss the situation over now, I will not believe…」

However, my words lost momentum soon.

The strong anger was still smoldering in my chest.

But as I continued, I noticed,

……What he said made too much sense for it to be just an excuse.

I had always been skeptical about the guild.

Why did the guild prevent the selling of material to the townfolks, and why did they ban my party from entering and leaving the labyrinth despite being one of the most powerful adventurers in the city?

As the consequence, if the people and talented adventurers left the labyrinth city, the guild had only loss without any gain.

I even felt creepy from the guild’s movement that I couldn’t understand.

But, what if the guild didn’t do that with profit and loss in mind? What if it was just to drive me and the people away from the labyrinth city?

「……-!」

─“If you are dissatisfied, go to the capital.”

I remembered the words Hanzam said when I learned I was barred from accessing the labyrinth.

When Hanzam said that, I thought it was a taunt, but I could see now that it was a misunderstanding.

As the Branch Chief said, the labyrinth runaway might not be the reason.

Even so, there was no mistake, Hanzam was definitely acting like he was trying to drive me out from the labyrinth city.

He didn’t say that exactly, but it was clear from his attitude at that time.

If we leave the city when that happened…… such idea crossed my mind.

Then, Narsena wouldn’t need to be caught in this situation.

「I……」

My muttering voice was so hoarse I couldn’t believe it came from myself.

The smile on my face when I handed the material to the townfolks.

Then, the sight of Marnell and the other adventurers interacting and laughing together with the townfolks, those images came to my mind.

It was supposed to be something I should be proud of until now.

However, that feeling was falling apart.

I didn’t know the Branch Chief’s intention for trying to get rid of us.

Maybe he had other intentions and labyrinth runaway occurring was just a coincidence, or they might have been planning to do something with the labyrinth runaway and we were just in the way.

But that didn’t change the fact that I did something unnecessary.

Because, whatever his intention was, the Branch Chief was trying to get us and townfolks out of the labyrinth city.

If I didn’t do what I did— neither the townfolks nor Narsena would be involved in the labyrinth runaway.

My mind went blank.

It was at that moment the Branch Chief spoke to me.

「About the city, It’s not your fault at all.」

The Branch Chief had a smile full of friendliness and kindness on his face.

That smile made me feel relieved without me noticing it.

And yet, that same smile also made me involuntarily took a step back.

「You didn’t do anything wrong. I should’ve told you more about the threats coming to this labyrinth city.」

The Branch Chief continued without worrying about my attitude.

To comfort me while knowing perfectly what was in my mind.

The Branch Chief’s words were just kind.

However, I instinctively understood.

I couldn’t rely on his kindness.

If I did, in the end, I would be at the mercy of the Branch Chief.

It was then Master stepped in front of me while still keeping the magic she partially invoked.

「Stop trying to win over my disciple.」

Without hiding her annoyance, Master glared at the Branch Chief.

However, the Branch Chief only laughed at Master who didn’t try to hide her displeasure.

「You saying that is wholly unexpected. I’m just trying to give you guys a proposal, after accepting it’s my fault.」

「……Proposal?」

「Yes. The proposal will also benefit you.」

While Master’s face showing a puzzled expression, the Branch Chief gave her a friendly smile.

He opened his mouth with a smile plastered on his face as if he were talking to a friend.

「——How about we cooperate in this labyrinth city where the labyrinth runaway currently occurring?」

「……-!」

His words reminded me of the anger and discomfort inside me.

My hands naturally tightened the grip on my weapon.

Revealing my hostility, I said so to the Branch Chief.

「No thank you. If you feel guilty, can you stay away from us instead?」