Even the Master's eyes widened for a moment as the Branch Chief told him that the escape route did not exist.
　If the escape route really didn't exist, it would mean that the operation would collapse from the ground up.
　But there was no way he was going to believe such information.

''Who would believe such a thing?''

　The Master glares at the Branch Chief with cold eyes.

'Did you think you could fool us with these lies?　I didn't cause the labyrinth runaway, but you guys told me you knew about it before. On top of that, you haven't provided an escape route?

　A sense of urgency once again covered the room as a killing spirit leaked out from the master.

''Don't make fun of us too much.

　As my master glares at Mist, the branch chief, I also silently increase my battle intent.

　We are in a situation where we have to avoid fighting to the limit, but if the other party knows about it, there is no point in threatening them.
　Therefore, my master and I pretend to be on the edge of the line of battle, and bare the will to fight.

　Facing this battle cry, Banzam's face is tense and my body is tense.
　I can see that even my master, who has probably been through far more shura than me, is nervous.

　But the branch chief was the only one who looked natural.

''It's a shame that you're mistaken for that.

　In the tense atmosphere, the chapter leader pastes a troubled smile on his face and laughs.

"I just realized that this kind of thing could happen because of my position as branch manager. I wasn't even sure of it.

　Then he turns his keen eyes to me, the chapter leader, and continues his words.

''And as far as omens are concerned, I think the adventurers in the labyrinth city know more about them than you do, don't you?　The hero who took out the short-lived mutant Hydra?

...... Huh?

　I was puzzled when he suddenly turned the conversation to me.
　Even my mentor gives me a look as if to ask if I know something, but it was as if I had no idea.
　I have some knowledge about the Maze Runaway.
　But even within that knowledge, there is no trigger for the labyrinth runaway.
　There's no way I would be able to detect the triggers for the labyrinthine runaway.
　I wonder if the branch chief is trying to provoke my unrest.

　It was right before I came to this realization.

'A short-lived mutated hydra: ......!

　In an instant, the memories that had been put away in the back of my mind because of the labyrinth runaway came back.
　It's the super-difficult monsters that have been scaring us.

　That Hydra and the Phoenix that Sieg-san and the others defeated had mutated at a speed that should have been impossible.

　The anxiety about the mutation of that super-difficult demonic beast had been temporarily pushed to the back of my mind due to the combination of being banned from the labyrinth and the labyrinth runaway.
　However, the memories that came back to life combined with the branch head's words and everything was connected.

''...... Are you saying that maybe all the abnormalities that were happening to the demonic beasts were a sign of the labyrinth runaway?''

What?

　The branch leader did not assure me as I asked in a daze, drawing conclusions I had never imagined.

''It was only the labyrinth runaway that could explain the current situation of too many inexplicable situations, such as intermediate adventurers dying in the upper levels of the labyrinth.

　The words of the branch chief reminded me of the one incident where Marnell and the others came to apologize to me for not killing them.
　I had heard at that time that there were many cases of intermediate adventurers dying in the upper levels of the labyrinth, and until now I had forgotten about it.
　I thought it was just a blunder by an intermediate adventurer.

　But now, after defeating the hobgoblins that came to town, I've realized the truth.

"Those hobgoblins were killing the intermediate adventurers ......?

　I told him, remembering the hobgoblins who had weapons and were about to attack Marnell and the others.
　Then I could understand the reason for the weapons those hobgoblins were carrying.

　The anomalies that were scattered beyond imagination.
　When I was upset at the possibility that they were connected to the labyrinth runaway, the branch chief laughed at me as if seeking my agreement.

''Does this make sense to you?　I only thought that a labyrinth runaway could occur based on the anomalies we've seen so far. I will not prepare an escape route based on such reasoning.

......!

　The chapter leader's words, it was not a funny one.

　Based on the anomalies we've seen so far, I can't say that it's strange to envision a labyrinth runaway.
　Besides, I can't say it's impossible to think that it's only inference and not prepare an escape route.

　Still, I couldn't trust the branch chief's words.

　Even in this situation, I still stare at the branch chief's face, which has not lost its smile.
　I'm not sure if that's all there is to it, seeing how calm he is.

　The branch chief's calmness can only be seen as a result of his confidence that a labyrinth runaway would occur.

　Besides, right now I had nothing but distrust for the guild.
　The master beside me whispered to me in a small voice.

''...... Laust, don't trust Mist's words.

　I gave a small nod, realizing that my master didn't trust the branch chief with those words either.
　Then I glared at the branch chief.

''I'm sorry, but even if those words are true, I can't trust you.''

......!

　Hanzam, who was beside the chapter leader, reacts to my words and stares at me with eyes full of anger.
　However, after deciding that it's not enough to cause any real harm, I continue to say more words to the branch chief.

The words of someone who abandoned the other guild staff when the labyrinth runaway occurred and disappeared, realizing the possibility of a labyrinth runaway occurring but not taking any action can't be trusted.

　Nonchalantly, I tell the chapter leader.
　No matter what happens, I'll never trust the branch chief's word.

'I think you made the right decision at the time, don't you?

　Even after being told that much, the chapter leader's attitude towards me did not change.
　On the contrary, he smiled at me in an even friendlier manner.

The reason why Hanzam and I disappeared together this time is because we decided that if we stayed in that guild, we would be wasting our time and not getting the right information about the labyrinth runaway. Even you know that, don't you?　Their inability to do anything about it.

　I didn't reply to the branch chief's words to ask for his consent, but I couldn't deny that his words were true.
　But there is no denying the fact that his words are true.

　The guild staff of this labyrinth city and the top adventurers are of a low level.
　What they are thinking about is wealth and honor.
　In this situation, they would only think about saving themselves and bring only biased information to the branch leader.

　However, to me, the chapter leader and Hanzam are not in that same league.
　Unaware of my thoughts, the chapter leader piles on more words.

'And one more thing I'd like to correct you on, I've been taking action since I knew a labyrinth runaway could happen.

"......!　What a trivial lie!

　The next words the chapter leader told me irritated me.
　As long as I remember correctly, I don't remember the Guild ever doing anything useful.
　The only thing I remember is that I was given a lot of trouble.
　Hence, the words he told the branch chief were cold.

''Or are you going to say that doing so much of what you want to us and the people of the city was an action for the sake of the Maze Runaway?''

　It was just ironic.

　When the people of the city asked for help.
　And when I was banned from entering the labyrinth.

　I knew that it wasn't out of good intentions, that much I knew.

'Yeah,'

What about ............?

　Because ......, I couldn't hide my agitation at the chapter leader's response in the next moment.

　Without looking away from me, the branch chief assured me.

'All of the measures we took to keep the material out of the city, and the unfair punishment of you, were all designed to reduce the number of victims in case of an emergency.