As you know, the exercise of a miracle requires a donation of a certain amount. As you know, a miracle of such a high moral value as the Sensei's Lai requires more than ten or twenty pieces of silver. Would Lord Sola be able to spare that amount of money?


　The receptionist said that and stared at my face.

　Again, this receptionist is the one who sentenced me to expulsion from the school, knowing that I couldn't even get a single silver coin for my promotion exam. She knows the fact that I couldn't even raise a single silver coin for my promotional exam.

　And this question is on top of that. The intention of the other side was clear.



　If you think about it, it's only natural.

　For the guild, the Falcon Sword is a valuable asset. The rate of accomplishment of requests is high and the residents are very popular.

　If the Falcon Falcon Falcon's sword is covered in disgrace, the damage will not only be done to the guild and other adventurers, but also to the guild and other adventurers.

　An expelled former tenth-grade adventurer and a C-rank party, there was no comparison in terms of importance.

　Even if they had to use a bit of forceful measures, they would still prevent the damage from happening. That's probably the role of the receptionist here.



''........Aren't guilds supposed to pay for things like this?''

If the guild deems it necessary, yes. However, since this is a proposal from Lady Sola, it will be Lady Sola who will be responsible for payment.

Now that you mention it, you don't think you need a miracle?

'I understand what actually happened. However, Lady Sola's opinion that there is malice in it appears to be influenced by past events.

You're trying to avenge your party's expulsion. If that's the case, don't you think we should make it a black-and-white situation with Sense Rai?

So I'm just saying, if that's what you want, you'll have to come up with the money you need.


　I click my tongue and call out to the other party.


You're the daughter of the Sauzaar Trading Company. I don't care if you are the leader of the Sword of the Falcon, this is a good opportunity to prove your innocence. Aren't you going to offer me money?

No need. I believe in Milo. We don't need to rely on miracles.

'Wow, it's enough for me to have Lars believe in me. I don't give a d*mn what people like you think of me!

...Huh. Well then, it's no use.

I think it's safe to say that we're withdrawing the proposal.

I'll have to pay for it.

........................what?


　Saying that, I take a gold coin from my pocket and put it on the table.

　The receptionist looks at it and opens her mouth with a plop.

　Her lips naturally twist up at the first time I see her expression.


I heard that ten or twenty silver coins won't work, but how much are they actually worth?　Is one gold coin not enough?

Well that's it.

'Then another one?　Or yet another one?　If that's still not enough, here's another one. You're right, this should be enough.


　He hummed and piled up the gold coins as he said it.

　Now not only the receptionist, but also Lars and the others had their mouths open.

　I guess they didn't expect me, who was expelled, to produce gold coins.

　.........By the way, because of last night's incident, this is all I have now.


''Hey, what's the matter with you?　I'll pay you. Hurry up and get the priest over here.

Yes....well, where did you get all this money from?

Do you have to answer that question?

That's a lot of money, and with this kind of money, we need to know where it came from...

'You're trying to tell me you got it from a crime!　Don't make fun of me!



　As soon as he yelled, he kicked the table in front of him as hard as he could.

　The gold coins on the table scattered widely with the impact.

　The receptionist, who was dignified by our dignity, shrugs her shoulders, ''Hee.



You thought you couldn't possibly pay for a poor man who was expelled from the guild, right?　And you were going to end up with nothing to show for it, weren't you?　That's a shame!　Look, you're never going to have enough of these, so go to the Temple of Law and get a priest!　I'll testify at the table that this money is clean money. That's all you need to know, receptionist!


　The receptionist gives me a frightened look as I take an aggressive stance.

　The guild's receptionists are often gallant, despite their pretty appearance, as they deal with rough-and-tumble adventurers on a daily basis. Some of them are as good as adventurers.

　This receptionist is one of them.

　If I had threatened you without any good reason, you would have been treated with your usual clear face.

　However, they must know that they are at fault only in this case. But this time, they know they are at fault, and they cannot show their usual boldness.

　It is difficult for people to behave normally when they think they are in the wrong. The more serious a person is, the harder it is to behave.

　--I'm not sure if it's simply because they're not protected by the barrier of a receptionist's counter, and they're simply scared of being exposed to my fury.

　After all, I'm a level six right now!




　Thinking about such trivial things, I was chewing on the pleasure of the vengeance that was bubbling up inside me.

　The receptionist, who had always looked down at me with a clear face, was now giving me a distinctly frightened look.

　I shudder.

　She is the one who has been unreasonable. You can scare them a bit more.

　When I thought that, I opened my mouth again.




"I hope you won't bully our staff too much," he said.




　With that voice, a man entered the room.

　He was probably around forty years old. He was a striking figure with fearless eyebrows that looked like a bird of prey spreading its wings, and a gentle light twinkled in both eyes that hinted at a high degree of discernment and steady intelligence.

　His silver hair is slicked back, and the faint scent of musk drifts through him, giving him the appearance of a distinguished and elegantly dressed man.

　He was a level 35. He was the only one in the city of Ishqa, and there were only three adventurers of the first rank in the entire Canarian Kingdom.

　Elgato Kuys.


''Master!　Were you on your way home?

'Yeah, the meeting ended earlier than I expected. I'm sorry for the inconvenience to Mr. Liddell.

No, I'm not trying to be a bother or anything like that, and, um...

'Yeah, I've heard most of what you said, Parfait-kun. In fact, I even listened to him at the door for a little while. I'll take over the rest.

Okay, yes, nice to meet you.


　With that, the receptionist called Liddell stood up.

　Instead, the master of the Adventurer's Guild in the city of Ishka sat down there. I thought the receptionist was going to leave the room, but she walked behind Elgato like a secretary.

　The usual light is back in her eyes as she looks at me. Apparently, Elgato's appearance had the effect of blowing away the receptionist's inner drawl.



It is not necessary to introduce yourself to each other. Let's get on with it.


　As he said this, Elgato looked at me and spoke in conclusion.


''As for the request for 'lie detection (sense rai)', this is rejected. This is the Guildmaster's decision.

....

'Huh, you look like you might object. Of course, that's not all. I will acknowledge the responsibility of the "Falcon Sword" in this case and impose a corresponding punishment (penalty). Of course, this will also include compensation to the victims. Oh, it goes without saying, but compensation will not include taking someone's life or anything as dangerous as that. We can't afford to lose useful people to the guild here. Both sides may be dissatisfied, but I want you to acknowledge this with an open face. Lars, what do you think?

"I will abide by the Master's decision. But if he makes unreasonable demands, that is a different story. For example, if he demands that I cut off my arm or blind my eyes instead of taking my life, I will fight him to the bitter end.

That's a given.


　Elgato nodded one nod and shifted his gaze to me.


''Sola, wouldn't it make sense to you if you had the fact that the 'Falcon Sword' was punished?　You don't have to force her to be hurt.

What exactly is a 'reasonable penalty'?　At the very least, the fact that these guys attacked civilians for their lives and used them as decoys will be made public, right?

''No, that's impossible. The bad publicity would not only affect the Sword of the Falcon, but the adventurers as a whole. Considering the role of adventurers in the city of Ishka, we must avoid any situation that could cause a rift between adventurers and residents as much as possible.


　As he said this, Elgato crossed his arms and thought about it.


'As for the content of the penalties, yes, it will be called the issuance of a compulsory request. The content of the request is to exterminate the demons in the Titis Forest for one month. During this time, all the materials and rewards obtained by the 'Falcon Sword' will be in your hands. Considering their abilities, it should be a considerable amount of money. Besides, it's also beneficial for you to reduce the danger of gathering medicinal herbs in Titis.

So you're just gonna keep it to yourself and muddy the waters?

Haha, that's a bit of a cop-out. Then the Guild will take off its skin for your reconciliation. Here--


　Saying that, Elgato took out the white and silver seal of the Adventurer's Guild - a recognition slip.

　There was a familiar name engraved on it.


''This is........''

'Yes, your recognition vote. The Ishka Adventurers Guild welcomes you, Sola, as a ninth-level adventurer. The monthly payments to the guild will also be waived for the first three years. What do you think, do you think this will help?


　The guildmaster smiles and tries to hand over the recognition slip.

　Of course, that smile isn't just a soft one. You know what will happen if I refuse this?　He had a powerful smile, as if to say, "I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

　The guildmaster nodded with satisfaction as I received the recognition slip presented to me.


The guild master nodded in satisfaction as he received the recognition slip I presented to him. With this, our guild of adventurers has developed even more than before.


　Regardless of Elgato's vague ramblings, I tossed the dog tags I had received.

　There's a bang, and the dog tags fall into the trash basket in the corner of the room.

　When Elgato saw that, he narrowed his eyes.


''........Is that an indication that you reject our proposal?


　I nodded, a sneer tinged my lips.

　The mumbling tone I was using, even if it was hypothetically a guildmaster, was also discontinued.


'Did you think I would appreciate that scrap of iron now?　You've been mumbling about it since a while ago, but at the end of the day, you're just refusing all my demands and arranging for the advantage of the Falcon Sword. There's not an ounce of fairness in it. If you say it's not, then first call a priest of the God of Law, a priest who can handle the 'Lie Detection (Sense Rai)' here.

"...I told you we're going to dismiss that, didn't I?

"Guildmaster decides, right?　So what's the binding power of this master or whatever his decision is on me, who has nothing to do with the guild?　It was the staff there who said they needed money for the request in the first place. I agreed to pay the money, and in fact, I gave them the money as well. As soon as I did, the guildmaster came out and said he would reject the request. I'm not convinced at all. Do I call a priest as requested, or will the Guildmaster soon admit that the woman there is guilty of using a demon to try to kill me? It's one in two.

'Thora, keep your mouth shut. No adventurer in Ithaca would do that. You are paranoid. You can't help but sympathize with your misfortune, but if you speak too much nonsense, we'll have to take the appropriate action.

"Take appropriate action!　Oh, dear, dear. Well then, let's leave before the proper measures are taken. It was good to know that talking to the guild is useless.


　With that, Elgato raised one hand to control me as I stood up.


'Wait, I'm not done talking yet.

You don't listen to me, but you have to listen to yourselves?　That would be too selfish.


　I ignored the controls and headed for the door, and the receptionist stood in front of it.


'The master says to wait, sir. Please return, sir.

Get out of my way. If you don't, we'll have to take the appropriate action.


　The receptionist's cheeks turned a bright vermilion color as she said in imitation of Elgato just now.


''Huh........If you've been listening to me since earlier, you're being rude!　Anyone who lives in the city of Ishqa knows how much the Master has done for this city!　And moreover, you were not a member of the guild for five years!

'Huh, your dedication to the city of Ishka also allows you to cover up a murder charge. Being a guildmaster is a good position to be in.

"...you!


　The receptionist, her cheeks flushed with exasperation, steps forward.

　She seems to have lost her patience with her beloved guild master being mocked.

　I'm not sure when they were approaching, but the guild master grabbed the receptionist by the shoulder.


"Liddell-kun, stop!　

But, Master!

'You don't have to raise your hand - Sola, if you don't accept mediation, that's fine too. However, there will be no need for the Guild to act for those who do not accept mediation. All of the terms I just mentioned will be abrogated.

As you wish. I don't care if it's on those lousy terms.

And this is a warning. If you attempt to act against the guild and its members in the future...

'Haha!　You're going to take the "proper steps," aren't you?　And you're on your own!　You're going to say that the person who was expelled from the guild is spreading a bad reputation for resentment. If you are a guild master or an expelled ex-tenth level adventurer, you can't even talk about it. The world will trust you for sure. The Falcon Falcon Falcon Blade will be exonerated. The guild can still owe the Falcon Falcon Blade a debt of gratitude. Congratulations to you! Let's just have a nice, friendly toast.

　With that, I push past the receptionist in front of me and open the door.

　Finally, I look back over my shoulder and take a glance at the people in the room--and


Then goodbye--forever.


　He left the room with a curse.