"That should do it."
Once I had done enough to ensure the delinquent adventurers wouldn’t be going anywhere, I prepared to go find help. Just then, the sound of two sets of footsteps approaching caught my ear. I tensed, wondering if more enemies were on the way, but my caution was quickly proven unnecessary.
"It seems the matter is already settled, then?"
"Asagi! And Raypin? What are you two doing here?"
"A bit ago, we were stopped by some young adventurers who seemed quite panicked," Asagi explained. "They said they’d been cornered by a group of thugs and that one of their own had stayed behind to hold them off."
So the kids had gone for help after all.
"I suspected it might be you when I heard mention of slimes, and it seems I was right, Ryoma," Raypin added. "I am glad to see you unharmed. However, what exactly is the situation in there?"
"Our opponents seem to still be among the living," Asagi noted, looking into the tunnel, "but they aren’t budging an inch."
The two of them stared at the restrained adventurers.
To make sure they couldn't escape even if I left—and to treat their injuries—I had used wooden boards as splints and encased their limbs in a cast made of weeds mixed with hardening fluid from my sticky slimes. I’d also forced them to bite down on stone gags pierced with air holes and used the paralytic poison from my poison slimes to rob them of any freedom of movement.
Finally, since it would be a problem if wild monsters attacked them, I had ordered my slimes to surround them in a solid wall of bodies. It seemed I might have used a few too many, though.
"At this point, you could honestly say they’re more entombed than restrained..." Raypin remarked.
"Hmm. Very well," Asagi said. "I shall stand watch here. I won't let them escape, so you should withdraw your slimes and head back to the reception, Ryoma. Jeff and the others are likely waiting for you."
"Right! I have to hurry."
"I must deliver my own report as well," Raypin said. "I shall transport you with magic."
I took Raypin up on his offer. The two of them looked a little surprised as I hurriedly recalled my slimes into my Dimension Home. After all, I was officially running late.
Once back at the temporary reception, I explained the situation to the receptionist, who told me to get back to my party’s work for the time being. It seemed I had just missed the Guild Master, and I was told that any word regarding penalties would be delivered later.
With that settled, the first thing I had to do was apologize.
"I’m sorry I’m so late."
I bowed to the five members of my squad. None of them were actually angry once they heard the story; at most, they teased me a little for getting into trouble.
Finally, the workday ended.
While the other adventurers were boarding the return carriages one after another, I was summoned by the Guild Master.
"You're here. Have a seat."
Sitting in a chair at the temporary reception, the Guild Master looked positively haggard. I wondered if I was about to receive a severe sentence for what I’d done.
"Listen, I’ll tell you right now: you aren’t in trouble. So wipe that look off your face—you don't need to brace for the guillotine."
"Does that mean I’m being cleared of everything?"
"You couldn't call for help because you were worried about the safety of the kids those thugs were harassing, right? And because you were there, those six made it out safe. Their story matches yours perfectly. As for Satch and his crew... well, you went a bit overboard with those restraints, but we can write it off as an extreme safety measure. As for being late, saving lives is a valid excuse in my book. So, no charges! It’s not like you’re dying to be punished, are you?"
That was a relief, but if that was the case, why did he look so exhausted?
"Ah, you’re wondering about that? It’s Satch’s group. It’s part of the reason I’m giving you a pass—they were completely untrustworthy."
"Did their testimony contradict mine?"
"Even before that. Up until last year, that whole group was nothing but a pack of hoodlums."
"Until last year?" I asked, catching the weight in his voice.
"Satch is a shadow of his former self now, but a long time ago, he was a serious, highly capable adventurer."
I found that hard to believe, but I listened in silence. Apparently, Satch’s behavior had taken a turn for the worse after he reached C-rank.
"The jump from C to B is a massive wall for adventurers. A lot of people lose their drive at C and just stop aiming higher. Satch started treading water, and while he was stuck, his character just... rotted."
In his desperation to reach B-rank, he’d started making impossible demands of his companions. He’d spiraled into brawling and drinking for quite some time.
"Then, out of nowhere, he started teaming up with rookies. He gathered all the worst troublemakers he could find, and suddenly, their bad behavior stopped. Or so it seemed... until today. When a guy who does nothing but cause trouble suddenly goes straight, and his team starts building a solid track record, you start to hope. I was suspicious at first, but eventually, I started thinking Satch had finally made peace with himself and was focusing on raising the next generation. But in reality, he’d just gotten better at hiding his crimes. It’s a real shame."
He looked like a man who had been betrayed by someone he wanted to trust. If you don't believe in someone, they can't hurt you, but when you watch someone for a long time, it’s hard not to grow attached. Your expectations grow on their own, and when the truth comes out, it leaves a hollow void. It was a cycle that was hard to break and even harder to get used to.
"...What’s with that strangely pitying look in your eyes?"
I didn't say it out loud, but I was thinking that eventually, resignation would take over and make things easier for him. My thoughts must have leaked onto my face.
"I feel like you’re trying to encourage me, but you’re half the reason I’m tired in the first place, you know! A problem occurred while you were on the clock—you were targeted—and now I have to report that to the Ducal House. Just thinking about that meeting gives me a headache..."
Ah, so it was the stress of dealing with people in power. The Guild Master certainly had a lot on his plate. The Jamil family cared for me, but I didn't think they were the type to make unreasonable demands over something like this. Still, I understood his anxiety.
"Kid... just what kind of life have you lived to have eyes like that before you’ve even hit puberty?"
His gaze turned to one of genuine pity.
"Anyway, Ducal House aside, the guild and I have decided there’s no problem here. That’s all. You can go home. If you aren't satisfied, go reflect on it yourself or something."
"Thank you very much."
I stood up and left.
At the carriage stop, rumors of what had happened at noon were already spreading among the adventurers as a way to kill time. I was met with praise from all sides, and a generous adventurer even let me go ahead of him in line, saying I must be exhausted. As the carriage began to sway, I thought back to the afternoon.
I didn't regret taking down Satch and his crew for a second, but before the fight, I had felt a flash of pure irritation. I knew what I did was necessary, but had I swung my fists out of malice rather than necessity? I didn't know the answer.
And that meant I couldn't rule it out.
Am I a child? No. My body might be young, but my soul is that of a forty-two-year-old man. I’m supposed to be a rational adult. But do I actually possess that rationality? I couldn't say I was completely devoid of it, but there was clearly a risk that I might lose control at the slightest provocation.
Using violence just because I don't like someone? Attacking because I was provoked? If that was the case, how was I any different from those thugs?
My skills and strength were more than enough, but my mental state was another story.
Come to think of it, I hadn't changed at all since coming to this world. I’d shut myself away in the forest, avoiding the social obligations I’d hated in my previous life. If I hadn't met Reinhardt and the others, I might have spent the rest of my life hiding in those woods, constantly procrastinating my return to society. Since meeting them, I’ve done nothing but rely on their generosity. They provided my meals, my housing, and a warm welcome... and I’ve become spoiled.
Ever since I arrived in this world, I’ve done nothing but flee from hardship. I haven’t struggled a day in my life here; instead, I’ve coasted on the Jamil family’s kindness like a pampered guest. This has to stop. If I stay on this path, I’ll end up a hollow, worthless man. The fact that I’m more dangerous than the average person only makes the prospect more terrifying.
I’m grateful to the Ducal House, but I need to distance myself from them. I need to retrain my spirit. Continuing to live under their protection isn't right—I need to be independent.
I’d spent so much time wondering how I could ever repay them, but it was the height of arrogance to think of "repaying" a debt while I was still being fed and housed by the very people I owed.
I turned these thoughts over in my head until the carriage reached the city, and by then, my mind was made up.