It was almost eighteen o'clock the next night. Seven people were gathered in the guild's meeting room.

　The deputy guild leader, Tsutomu, and Camille were sitting on the sofa on the right, from the front, with Amy and Garum standing behind them, waiting.

　Across from the five of them, a woman with the brown round ears and fluffy tail of a raccoon sticking out of the couch sits on the entrance side, and next to her sits a man with a frog-like face with a chubby belly sticking out. It's Myrl, who wrote the fake article, and the editor-in-chief who agreed to it after receiving a color scheme.

　The editor-in-chief looked at the glittering ornate pocket watch, put it away in his bag, and let out a long breath as if to calm his mind. The breath entered Tsutomu's lap. But surprisingly, unlike its froggy appearance, the breath did not have an unpleasant odor.

　Then a man walks into the quiet conference room. A mature man with the posture of a gray-haired soldier, he nodded to the others in the room who had already arrived.


I'm the last one. I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
No, sir, the time is not up. Please come in.


　When the deputy guild chief said that, the man with a black beard under his nose nodded and sat down behind the sofa to the left. The mature man, who moves in a somewhat sophisticated manner, is the man nominally in charge of the chief executive of the Solit company.

　However, because he is a man of action, he delegated substantial authority to the editor-in-chief, while he himself was working closely with a clan called the Labyrinth Hegemony, which was conquering the dungeons outside. And he had just returned in a hurry when he was informed of this scandal with his magical tools.

　The editor-in-chief looked around the conference room as the man sat down and a little later. Then the guild's receptionist comes in and starts offering him tea. Normally the tea is given by someone from the Solit company, but this time it was given by the guild. And when the receptionist leaves the room, the editor-in-chief blinks his eyes and then opens his mouth.


''Well then, now that all of these people are present, may I begin our discussion?
Yeah, go ahead.


　The editor-in-chief said this, and the deputy guild leader responded while preparing the minutes of the meeting. Then the editor-in-chief sits down and clears his throat once before he begins to speak.


It's a good idea to have a good time with them. Amy-sama. Mr. Garum. I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your precious time to come here. We deeply appreciate the opportunity you have given us to apologize to you today.


　After the editor-in-chief bowed his head to one person saying that, he turned his attention to the two people on either side and the three of them stood up in unison.


''We sincerely apologize for spreading untruths in the article about Tsutomu-sama this time. From now on, Solit Co. will make a sincere effort to ensure that this will not happen again.


　As the editor-in-chief said his apologies, the three of them bent at the waist in unison and lowered their heads. They kept their heads down for about ten seconds, then gently raised their heads.


The first thing that comes to mind is that we don't think that this is something that can be done with just a word of apology. We would like to compensate you from the Solit company, so we asked five of you to visit us this time.
Yes, sir.
The first thing we will do is collect the articles that have been published. We will then publish a newspaper with the corrections and apologies in a later date. It will take some time to collect the newspaper articles, but we hope to have them back within a week. Thank you very much for your patience.


　He nodded silently as the deputy guild leader turned his gaze to Tsutomu. The deputy guild leader nodded to the editor-in-chief to proceed with the conversation, and the editor-in-chief bowed before continuing.


''And since it is believed that the content of the article is believed to have tainted not only Tutom-sama, but also the guild leader, Amy-sama, and Garum-sama's honor, I will be paying you all formal compensation from the Solit company. We will pay 50 million Gs. to Mr. Tsutomu and about 10 million Gs. to the Guild Chief, Amy and Mr. Garum.
Fifty million g...


　The amount of money was so tremendous that the deputy guild leader couldn't help but stop the minutes and mutter. Tsutomu feels that the Solitte company is a powerful company to be able to produce such an amount of money without hesitation.


Of course, if you are not satisfied with this amount of money, we will consider an additional amount depending on your consultation. What do you think?
Well I'll hear all the terms and conditions first, and then I'll object.


　When Tsutomu was questioned by the editor-in-chief, he replied with a blank expression, and the editor-in-chief pulled back with a slightly slack face. Then the editor-in-chief, who glanced at Mirrle, who was looking down next to him, immediately opened his mouth.


And as of today, Mirlle of Solit Co. who wrote this bullshit article and twisted the article without my knowledge is dismissed from the company. Let me assure you that he will not be employed by Solitte in the future.


　The editor-in-chief speaks while giving a blaming look to Myrl, who is sitting on the entrance side next to him on the right. Mirlle's article was published with the editor-in-chief's approval after losing out to the color scheme, but he speaks with a nonchalant expression that doesn't smell it. And Mirlle, the person concerned, also maintained a somber expression without spilling the fact.


I've decided to step down from the position of editor-in-chief as well, since I believe her and published the subsequent article without careful examination myself, of course. ........Mirrle was a subordinate whom I had brought up with great care from the very beginning. I believed that she would never write a fake article like that. That's why I could see that my scrutiny of the content of the article was not as thorough as it should have been, and the other employees pointed this out to me as well.


　The editor-in-chief took out a white handkerchief from the breast pocket of his black suit and lightly wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.


''But whatever the case, the responsibility of my subordinates is the responsibility of my superiors. I am very sorry that my subordinate caused the extremely serious incident of fabricating the article. From now on, I intend to be more sincere from the beginning, to have a discerning eye for my subordinates, and to be more conscious of not being too lenient with my own people. I would like to reiterate my apologies.


　The editor-in-chief looked at Tsutomu with red and swollen eyes, then bowed his head deeply, and as if caught, the two men on either side of him also bowed deeply. Tsutomu watched them as if he were observing them in an ant's nest.

　Then he raised his head and wiped his tears with his handkerchief again, and the editor-in-chief didn't seem to start talking again. The chief executive took one look at the editor-in-chief and bowed again.


I am also responsible for handing over the highest authority of the Solit company to the editor-in-chief. Tutom-dono, I am very sorry for bringing disgrace to you. I also apologize to the guild leader, Amy, and Garum for any inconvenience I may have caused you. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you guys. I am sorry.


　He wasn't in Solitte's company, and after he apologized, Mirlle bowed her head so deeply that her head knocked against the desk.


''I apologize for the great inconvenience and disrespect I have caused you all. I know it's not something that can be forgiven, but I hope you will still accept my apology.


　Mirlle apologized, her fluffy brown tail hanging down. Amy looked complicated and Tsutomu looked down on it with cold eyes. Myrl looked up and looked at Tsutomu's face and clicked his tongue inwardly with a depressed expression on his face.

　It is true that Mirrle will be disciplined and dismissed from the Solitte company, but after that he will be given the option of getting a job with Solitte's contacts at another newspaper or being hired directly by the editor-in-chief's secretary. Mirlle, of course, plans to get a job at another newspaper and stay quiet for a while and look for opportunities. She still blindly believes that Amy is in on the secret to Tsutomu.

　Mirrle looked at Tsutomu sitting in the center of the room, though she didn't express it, and muttered a curse-like word in her mind, "Remember," she said. And that Tsutomu nodded occasionally, but listened to the apology, and then tilted his head at the fact that the editor-in-chief didn't say anything after Mirlle's apology was over.


''So, is that all the compensation you have to offer?''
...Yes. If it's about compensation, I'd be happy to discuss it with you.
'Yes, I suppose so. First of all, there are three things I would like to ask you about other than compensation, if you don't mind.
Okay. Over.


　The editor-in-chief wiped his face with a handkerchief, carefully folded it up and put it in his breast pocket, and looked at Tsutomu squarely in front of him with a serious expression on his face.


''First of all, Mirlle let the article sneak in, but is Solitte's article so poorly managed that it can be swapped out at the last minute?
'I don't know how to apologize for that. However, Mirlle is a person who has worked hard and has done her job without a single problem. No one could have imagined that she would be forced to replace the articles, and that's why we're in this situation. I am determined to make sure that the article management system is treated more strictly from now on.
''I see. Also, you suddenly offered an apology after I defeated the fire dragon, didn't you?　What are your thoughts on that?
No, we had planned to apologize to Tsutomu-sama and the rest of the PT for not defeating the fire dragon. But now that we have information about the fabrication of Myrl's article, we have decided to apologize.


　The editor-in-chief apologizes with a mouthful of apology. Tsutomu stopped mentioning it when he saw the situation, wondering which mouth, and went to the next main topic.


''Then it's about Mirlle who wrote the article about me. I'm wondering if the treatment you gave her was too light, don't you think?
''But she has dismissed Solitte as a disciplinary measure and also seized most of its assets as compensation for this one. Are you still unhappy with that?


　Tsutomu responds to the editor-in-chief, who peers at him as if to check on his mood, with a big smile.


''Yes. You're not happy. Ah, that's right. Could you publish her mugshot and the fact that you wrote a fake article about her and me in Solit's article?　If you do that, it would make some sense to me.
Wha...


　Tsutomu's words made Myrl cringe. The editor-in-chief tilted his fat-filled head while squinting his eyes in annoyance. Camille, sitting to his right, opened her mouth at Tsutomu's mannerisms.


'Tsutomu. A newspaper reporter is guaranteed a status by the nobility. So you must be sure to pursue Myrl's crimes through a trial.
So we're going to sue Myrle.
...I see.


　The editor-in-chief's mind goes through the math, thinking of the guards, the judges, and those connected in the judge's office. Tsutomu smiles and continues to speak.


'To the nobleman, in person.'
..........


　The editor-in-chief's expression stiffened slightly at those words. The man next to the chief executive also raised one eyebrow at Tsutomu's words. And Mirlle looked at Tsutomu with a look as if she was looking at an unbelievable object.


''If you renew the highest level, you will have the opportunity to have an audience with a nobleman, right?　If so, I'll appeal directly to you then.


　The major clans that are at the forefront of conquering God's dungeons have a sponsorship program where tool and equipment shops invest in the use of their shops' equipment to promote their shops' equipment. Among those sponsors are the nobles who rule this labyrinth city. The nobles had set up rewards, honors, and audiences for the clans and PTs that continued to break through the highest levels.

　Tsutomu was one of the members who conquered the fire dragon with a three-man PT, and the editor-in-chief knows that the renewal of the highest tier is actually feasible. However, to offer such a thing during an audience with a nobleman, it was impossible for them to do so in their common sense.


''........It's very insane. A mere commoner's crime is not something that the nobles would care about. And they wouldn't question it in an audience with a nobleman.
I don't care if you cut me down. I don't really have anything else to lose.


　Tsutomu speaks in a matter-of-fact manner. There was no confusion at all.

　Tsutomu is recognized by the editor-in-chief as an orphaned child. He has neither the knowledge nor the dignity to fear the aristocracy. That's why the editor-in-chief felt that Tsutomu could really bring up Myruru in an audience with the nobles.


''Guild chief, Garum-sama,''
'I'll still have a PT with Tsutomu. It's a deal until the two names of the lucky ones disappear.
I'm no different. I'm just trying to keep up with Tsutomu.
'Oh!　Me and me too!


　The editor-in-chief's face contorted gingerly for the first time at the three people's arguments. Even the three PTs were the ones who had defeated the fire dragons. The editor-in-chief could predict that the sixty-two levels that the Red Devil Gang was attacking, for example, would soon overtake them and attract the attention of the nobles.


''However, I won't do that if you publish Myrl's crimes and face. It's a tail to be cut off anyway. I don't think there's any need to hesitate, do you?
It pains me too. Why in the world are you so obsessed with her?


　The man next to the editor-in-chief asked Tsutomu with a stern expression. Tsutomu stared at the man's face. His eyes were such that even he, who had been holding fast to the head of the famous Solit Company for many years, could not help but be wary.


''What?''


　Tsutomu raised his voice as if he was cold to the bottom and tilted his head to freeze. The man froze for a moment after the short words, which were filled with fury, and a tense air washed over the conference room. Amy squirmed awkwardly to her feet.

　They all quieted down, even their breathing. Tsutomu squinted uncomfortably, but didn't take his eyes off the man.


'You're the one who tried to take your own explorer life first, aren't you?　It'll cost you your life as a journalist.　It's a poor quality for a joke.


　The man shuts down at the words, which contain a mocking half-smile.


''..........''
'Well, the Lucky Man (Lucky Boy) fiasco is still good. If that was the only one, you could still have made a decent PT because it was just a badge of honor. But as for that fake article, it's impossible. He is treated as a criminal in the city. It's hard to even get a decent inn. Of course, other legitimate searchers would also stop coming to me, and if it wasn't for Camille's presence, I might not have been able to continue being an explorer. I'm a white mage; there's no way I'd be able to conquer a dungeon if I couldn't make a PT.


　Lured into this world by the gods, Tsutomu has been hiding in a dungeon in order to find a clue to return to his old world. For him, not being able to make a PT is the same as losing his clue to return to his home world, and that is the worst thing that could happen to Tsutomu.

　And that is the worst thing that could happen to Tsutomu. He would lose his clue to his original world, and he would not be able to hide in the dungeon. There is little to no entertainment in this world, other than dungeons, which is almost exactly the same as it was in the Middle Ages. Tsutomu is only able to live in this world because of the hope that he can return to his old world and the entertainment of dungeons. If either of those two things were to disappear, he would be overwhelmed by anxiety and despair.

　So he has no intention of allowing anyone to interfere with that. I'm not going to let her die in the wild as long as it's in a place she doesn't know.


You're the one who tried to take my life as a searcher first. "You were the one who tried to take my life first. Don't think you can be a reporter again.
Huh.


　When Tsutomu, who opened his thin eyes, gave him a gaze filled with hatred, Mirrle let out a short scream and turned her face away to escape his gaze.


The actuality of this is not a problem. However, when it comes to Mirlle, I have no intention of giving it up in the slightest. I don't want her to have the power to harm me again.


　Tsutomu's persistence, as if he was putting his own life on the line with the explorer and the dungeon. Sensing this, the man quietly closed his eyes and then announced.


'....Very well. I would feel the same way you do if my life as a journalist were to be compromised. As for Myrle, I will make sure it doesn't happen again. Editor. Do you have any objection?
No....
And Myrle. It's good.


　She rambled and her mouth trembled as she looked at Myrrle while making a low voice that deprived the man of even the awareness to defy her.


''Wow, I am!　Thinking of Amy!　I just wanted to spread the truth!　Why did I have to go through this!　Don't be silly!


　Mirru slams one fist on the desk. Tsutomu gives her a non-human look, and Amy, behind her, gives her a pained look.


'I was forced to endure the editor's lowly gaze and the humiliation of being touched by his dirty hands to publish the article!　I did my best!　But why.... why?!
You!　What a load of horseshit!


　The editor-in-chief tried to hold her down as if she was flustered by Mirlle's confession, but Mirlle was already standing up on the couch and pointing at Tsutomu.


''........if only you weren't here!　You look like an orphan to begin with!　I'm just a lucky boy who won a gold box.　If I hadn't been so close to Master Amy, none of this would have happened--


　A bang. Amy walked up to Mirrle and slapped her on the cheek. Mirrle looked stunned that Amy had slapped her on the cheek.

　Amy glared at Mirrle with a snap and then dropped her gaze.


''Well even without me, Tsutomu defeated the fire dragon, right? I'm not as obsessed with me as you make me out to be. He doesn't hold any secrets from me like you say, and he doesn't give me any orders.
'Yes, Master Amy I am!　I just!
"You wrote an article about me in your imagination, and that's why I couldn't take part in the slaying of the fire dragon. It's your fault.
..........


　Amy's slashing gaze made Myrrle cringe. Being denied by her words had more of an effect on Myrrle than anything else.


''Well why did you go through with it all by yourself?　It's stupid. Well, I'm not in a position to say anything about people either.
Hiccup.
"You don't have to write that article, just talk to me about it. You're such an idiot.
I'm sorry...


　Amy let out a grand sigh as Mirlle instantly shrank back and began to apologize, and then turned to Tsutomu and the editors.


'You should apologize to Tsutomu and the editors, not me. Besides, you've put the Solit company in trouble.
'I'm sorry!　I'm sorry!　I'm sorry!


　She caught Mirlle as she collapsed, clinging to Amy. Then, for a while, Mirlle continued to cry everywhere. It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.