NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Adventurer-San, Summoned
“The Guild Master…”
I have a feeling I know why. It’s most likely about the fight from the other day. It wasn’t exactly subtle, given how much chaos we caused out in the open where there were plenty of passersby. It’s not at all strange that someone who knows our faces might have seen us.
Still, something doesn’t sit right. While not as bad as mercenaries, adventurers tend to be short-tempered, and fights are practically a daily occurrence. Every day someone gets into a brawl at the tavern within the Guild. The Guild does not interfere in disputes between members, and it’s understood that these things should be resolved privately. Even if the other party had been mercenaries, that unwritten rule shouldn’t change.
Now, if we had injured regular citizens, it might make sense. But to punish us for a mere brawl with mercenaries… Moreover, I can’t see the reason why the Guild Master himself would summon us for something like this.
“Anyway, would you kindly accompany me to the Guild Master’s office?”
“…Understood.”
After exchanging nods with my companions, we shuffled up to the fourth floor, led by Diana. Adventurers are only permitted on the second floor, which contains the archives and rental meeting rooms. The upper floors are staff-only areas, naturally unfamiliar even to Franz.
Unlike the first and second floors, decorated with paintings and vases for negotiation with clients, the hallway was plainly lined with numbered room plaques, and the oppressive atmosphere made my palms sweat.
“Here we are.”
Diana stopped in front of an unremarkable door at the far end of the fourth floor, knocked, and called out.
“Diana. I’ve brought the members of ‘Guardians of the Wilderness.'”
“Enter.”
After letting Franz and the group in, Diana glanced back with a worried expression before returning to the reception desk.
I felt a twinge of unease that she wouldn’t sit with us, but I turned my attention to observing the room.
The sofa was placed facing a table in the center of the room, with the entrance directly opposite a large window and a large desk before it. Despite imagining something more extravagant for a Guild Master’s office, the room was, in fact, spare, with nothing but the necessities.
Even the Guild Master’s attire seemed designed not to embellish but to conceal. It felt as if he shied from exposing himself to the world—or perhaps simply didn’t have the concept of decoration.
“You may know this already, but let me introduce myself. I’m Guild Master Hermann. Please, take a seat.”
Of course, we knew.
Hermann Dain—a former A-ranked adventurer entrusted with managing this adventurer’s haven due to his vast experience and exceptional leadership skills. He might look like a scholar, but he exuded an aura characteristic of those hardened in battles. There was an inscrutable menace in his calm expression, making me feel as if my stomach was being clenched.
“…Excuse me. Everyone, sit down.”
We sat on the sofa as prompted, and each of us introduced ourselves briefly. Hermann sat silently behind his desk, his stare piercing, foreshadowing an unfavorable conversation.
“Now, I believe you already know why you’re here—it’s about the fight with some members of the Mercenary Guild. I hear the opposing party was a fairly well-known mercenary group. The Guild Master from the other side has officially protested today. While I have a general understanding of the incident, I’d like to hear your side as well.”
“…Understood. That day, the five of us were walking down the street when—”
Franz explained the sequence of events. How the drunkard harassed them first, how they retaliated after being pushed, and that the other party drew their swords first. While admitting to the fight, he tried to justify their actions.
“…And that’s what happened.”
“I see, that mostly aligns with what I already know. The fight in itself isn’t the issue. Clearly, the opposing party was mostly at fault. However…”
Hermann paused and stared at them intimidatingly.
“The problem is that you attempted to kill one of their members. Franz-kun, you didn’t mention that in your explanation, but according to eyewitnesses, there was a clear intention to kill. In fact, one of the opposing members was severely injured.”
Franz was speechless. Indeed, as Hermann pointed out, there was some guilt. Cross had tried to kill the other party, a detail Franz had purposefully omitted.
“It’s not something you want to share, but to outsiders, adventurers are seen as a bunch of roughnecks. As wanderers, few of us settle down, and we walk around armed, often getting into fights at markets or taverns. The only reason we’re tolerated is because we contribute to the region by hunting down monsters and abide by established laws and rules. Do you understand? Adventurers stand on the edge—a precarious balance between being nuisances and being necessary. We safeguard lives against the threat of monsters to bring value to our community and maintain our legitimacy. This city being called an adventurer’s paradise is solely due to the trust that past adventurers built by enduring harsh mandatory requests. Therefore, the Adventurer’s Guild expects its members to obey the basic rules.”
Hermann’s words carried conviction from his A-rank experience that left no room for argument. An awkward silence filled the room, much like when a child is being reprimanded.
“…Cross-kun. Would you confess that you intended to kill the other party?”
“If my friends hadn’t stopped me, I would have.”
Under Hermann’s penetrating gaze, Cross calmly and immediately responded. He could have lied and said he never had such intentions…
“You were informed at registration, weren’t you? Committing murder could lead to the revocation of your adventurer license. And this rule applies even if it was only an attempted murder.”
“Whaa—! It’s true that we injured them, but they were the ones who drew their swords first!”
“Don’t joke around! Are you saying it’d have been better if we just sat there and died!?”
“That’s legitimate self-defense!”
“Revoking our license is too harsh! It’s not fair at all!!”
Franz and the others vociferously protested, but Hermann summarily dismissed them.
“Be quiet. I’m talking with him right now. So, Cross-kun, am I to understand this was an action taken with full awareness of the potential revocation of your license?”
“Calling it awareness is exaggerated. I won’t forgive anyone who insults my comrades. I prioritize my own convictions above anything else. In comparison, the city’s laws or the Guild’s rules mean nothing. As for the revocation of my license… I have no complaints.”
“Cross, that’s unacceptable! Guild Master, if that’s the case, the fault lies with me for failing to stop him as the party leader!”
Cross might be okay with it, but that’s clearly a fight thrown directly at our party. I can’t let all the blame fall on him alone.
Hermann ignored Franz’s words and continued to press Cross with cutting remarks.
“So, in other words, you’re neither regretful for your reckless behavior nor willing to change your arrogant attitude. You’re what I’d call a troublesome individual, aren’t you?”
“…Alright, Hermann-sama, is it? As the head of the Adventurer’s Guild, I’ve understood the responsibilities and the considerations behind your position from our conversation today. I’ll accept any punishment willingly. However… if you intend to force me to change my mindset, you’d better be prepared. I don’t mind you commenting on what it means to be an adventurer, but if you’re planning to meddle in how I live my life, I won’t tolerate that. If neither of us is willing to back down, the only option left is to draw our swords.”
Cross’s tone escalated from frustration to anger. Franz realized Hermann’s words had touched a nerve. He leaned forward to intervene, but hesitated when he saw Cross’s expression.
With a glare that could kill, Cross was focused on Hermann. There was a savagery in his eyes that made one instinctively hold their breath.
They locked gazes for a moment, but then Hermann suddenly sighed exaggeratedly and shrugged his shoulders.
“Haa… No, sorry about that. I was just testing you. I wanted to observe your character firsthand after receiving the report. There’s no issue with you lot this time. Besides, the other party, despite their severe injuries, fled the city immediately.”
“……Testing me? You bastard, don’t push people around so casually—”
“Cross, stop! Cease this at once!!!”
“Calm down! Since we’ve been let off without punishment, it’s not wise to cause trouble now!”
“You there, be quiet!”
Pamela tackled the agitated Cross, Barth grabbed his shoulder to restrain him, and Mauri covered his mouth with both hands to silence him.
“Guild Master. I don’t understand your intentions, but further discussion in this state won’t be productive. May I take my leave?”
“Hmm, yes. The rest of you are free to go. Franz-kun, could you stay a while?”
…I thought that was the end.
Left alone, Franz grew somewhat wary. The other members exited the room cautiously.
──CLINK
At the sound of the door closing, Franz turned around to see Cross departing.
“Franz-kun. Did you understand what just happened?”
“Understand what?”
“Cross was about to draw his blade and direct a killing intent towards me. That was him saying, ‘Leader, if you mess with me, I’ll kill you.’ In other words, it was a threat.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Given what happened with Mauri… it’s possible he’d actually do it.
The man doesn’t lie or bluster.
“Those who insult my comrades, I won’t forgive them.”
“My beliefs come first above all else.”
These words were likely meant sincerely. If in this situation Franz had hurt him even a little, Cross likely wouldn’t have cared about losing his adventurer license and would have tried to sever Hermann’s head.
“I don’t know much about your relationship, but… frankly, the fact that Cross-kun recognizes you as a leader is very unnatural. Not because you’re unfit as a leader, but because it’s strange that he’d accept you as such.”
“That’s… I agree. Cross joined the party under certain circumstances. To be honest, he’s a man far stronger than we deserve.”
Cross’s strength is clearly disproportionate to an E-rank party. While he says he has no desire to raise his rank, achieving a higher one wouldn’t be impossible if he put his mind to it.
“I mean something else. It’s not about combat ability—it’s about personality. People with his disposition typically don’t take orders from others easily.”
Hermann, while saying this, sat down across from Franz on the sofa. He seemed considerably calmer than before.
“Listen, Franz-kun. People like him are rare—common among higher-ranked solo adventurers. Exceptionally self-centered and self-obsessed types who embody the phrase ‘I alone am right.’ They basically don’t listen to others. And they have the potential to explode violently over even minor slights that others might brush off.”
“True, he can be stubborn,… but losing control to that extent…”
“It’s a personal anecdote, but a member of my party once, in a fit of rage, assaulted a noble, leading to the dissolution of our group. It was over a trivial matter. Apparently, that noble had mocked me, saying my skills didn’t match my rank. I don’t blame my teammate, but I deeply regret not stopping him at the time.”
A look of indescribable regret crossed Hermann’s usually stern face.
“I summoned you lot today because hearing about the fight reminded me of that incident. I want you to remember this. Understand Cross deeply, and as your leader, you must keep a firm hand on the reins to serve as a check on him. Otherwise, there’s a possibility he could drag the party into ruin. Even if it seems nosy, I thought it was something I should warn you about.”
“…I’ll keep it in mind.”
Accepting Hermann’s advice as heartfelt guidance, Franz replied earnestly.