I arrive at the guild with Nina, and Zara and Alto are in tow. As we enter, I watch the adventurers present carefully to see how they react. There are probably seven or eight parties worth of people in the guild. Upon seeing us, a commotion starts to develop.
"Hey everyone! Mizuki is back again!"
"Well look at that! An S-rank party decided we were worth gracing with their presence!"
Huh…so it doesn't sound like news of our massacre in the Empire has reached the adventuring population here yet. This is just the typical fanfare since our promotion.
As we approach reception, Melanie sees us, and her eyes go wide.
"Hi, Melanie, I hope you've been well! Zara and Alto have one more A-rank job to complete before they're eligible for their ranking exam. While they take a job, I was hoping to meet with Gerard…is he available?" (Mizuki)
Melanie looks nervous at first, then surprised.
"Uhm…just you? None of the others would be joining the meeting?" (Melanie)
"That's correct…is that a problem?" (Mizuki)
Melanie shakes her head quickly.
"N-No, of course not. U-Uhm…let me go tend to some things quickly while your party picks out a job, and then you can meet with the guild master." (Melanie)
We normally just walk up to Gerard's office, so why does she need to 'tend to things' this time? Hmm…Melanie also looks a lot more nervous than she should. I'm not a fan of this vibe.
Melanie quickly scurries into the back of the guild before I can ask follow-up questions. I sigh deeply, then turn to my party.
"Alright everyone, you can go pick whatever job you want and start it without me. I'll stay here and catch up with the guild master, and I'll arrange Zara's and Alto's rank up exam with him for when you return. How's that?" (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…excellent, I was dreading another meeting. Alto, Zara, let us depart at once!" (Nina)
Alto and Zara nod their agreement and we part ways. They walk over to the A-rank bulletin board and start job hunting excitedly. Alto glances at me apprehensively a couple of times.
So, she noticed it, too, huh?
[Relax Alto, I noticed how strange she was acting, too. I'll be fine…just worry about yourself and keep Nina in check.] (Mizuki)
After my thought message, Alto briefly gives me an appreciative smile and seems to relax.
Eventually, I see Melanie returning out of the corner of my eye. She seems white as a sheet, and more nervous than before. Yeah…this is suspicious as hell.
"O-Okay, Mizuki…you can go see the guild master now!" (Melanie)
Melanie is wearing a smile as she speaks to me, but it and her enthusiastic tone seem quite forced. In addition, she sneaks several apprehensive glances towards Nina near the job boards.
I give Melanie a warm smile and my thanks, then head up to Gerard's office and knock.
"Come in, Mizuki!" (Gerard)
I feel myself tense…he said my name, which means Melanie's 'things' she took care of somehow included a chat with Gerard. They're obviously up to something they don't want me to be aware of.
I sigh deeply, then walk into his office. To my surprise, there are three adventurers standing near Gerard, who is seated at his desk. I've never seen any of them before.
Gerard smiles warmly at me, then he gestures towards the couch in front of his desk.
"Ah, Mizuki! Good to see you again! Would you like to take a seat?" (Gerard)
Oh yeah…it's unprecedented how friendly he's being – he's never offered me a seat. Also, since when do we have meetings with people I don't even know? I don't like this.
I look at the three strangers and activate magic sense – two guys with elemental class, one girl with alteration class, and all appear mid-20s with power levels close to 3. I notice something else, too, and a chill runs down my spine. So…that's how it is, huh?
I direct a warm smile towards Gerard and the strange adventurers.
"Good to see you again as well, Gerard! Err…may I ask what these fine people are doing here?" (Mizuki)
"Oh, don't pay them any mind. We were just discussing a job for their party before Melanie told me you wanted to chat, but I figured they took lower priority than an S-rank party. So, they're just waiting patiently until we're done." (Gerard)
Hmm…
"Goodness, well I certainly wouldn't have asked for a meeting like this if I knew you were busy. To the rest of you, I apologize! I've seen you around…your part of Levi's party, right?" (Mizuki)
Surprise registers on all their faces, and they remain silent and confused. For good reason…there's no way I should know who they are. However, that tells me everything I need to know to act on my hunch.
I turn away from the adventurers and Gerard to face the couch. I don't walk over to it, though, I just stare at the space right behind it…where I sensed an invisible magic presence earlier.
I smile towards the magic signature.
"Would you care to drop your invisibility spell and join your party over there, Levi? After you do, you can help Gerard explain why you'd attempt something as hostile as trying to ambush me like this." (Mizuki)
The tension in the room becomes palpable, and I notice one of the other adventurers quietly grab the hilt of their sword – the woman. She's about Nina's height with a slim but muscular build, olive skin, and brown hair and eyes.
I turn to smile at her before she can draw her weapon, and she freezes. They're all watching me carefully now.
"I wouldn't recommend that, Miss. As of right now, we can all still have a nice peaceful chat with no hard feelings. Once you draw your weapon, however, I...won't be as forgiving." (Mizuki)
As I continue looking at the female adventurer, everyone stares back at me tensely, and I can see her mulling over her options. However, a sharp voice quickly rings out.
"Sylvia, Leo, Rikard, stand down right now!"
I look towards the source of the voice to see a now visible Levi glancing fearfully between me and his party. Catching my gaze, he immediately shifts his focus entirely to me.
"Mizuki, I'm sorry. We won't be causing you any more trouble here. I hope you'll overlook this incident…I strongly advised against it." (Levi)
Oh? I'm curious about that statement. Fortunately, Gerard doesn't leave me confused for long.
"Levi, what the hell do you think you're doing!? Mizuki's not helpless, but he can't use magic and he's completely separated from the rest of his party right now. Five A-rank adventurers is more than enough to subdue him. You three, I order you as guild master to help me apprehend this man." (Gerard)
Hmm…so that's how it is. I…think I can guess why, too. Gerard must have received word from the Ralzen Empire, and decided I was a threat for one reason or another. I'd like to fix that, but this is getting dicey quickly.
I cast a silencing spell over the whole room and place a forcefield to block the office door.
Levi goes pale following Gerard's orders, but he doesn't even look at Gerard or the other three. He just focuses on me with his hands raised where I can see them.
"Ignore Gerard's order if you trust me! It's not worth your lives!" (Levi)
I raise my eyebrows curiously at Levi, then look back towards Sylvia, Leo, and Rikard with an amused smile. Sylvia meets my gaze, and she becomes visibly nervous. She still has her hand on her sword hilt, and the two guys have their hands behind their backs – presumably grabbing dagger handles.
"Oh, that's a little dramatic now, Levi. I wouldn't kill your party members. Sylvia, was it? You seem the most eager to draw your weapon. What do you say…want to give attacking me a try?" (Mizuki)
I maintain eye contact with Sylvia and smirk. Confusion and surprise flash across her face for a moment, then she sighs deeply and takes her hand off her weapon. Gerard has a bewildered expression, like he can't believe how bold I'm being or how deferential Sylvia is being.
"No, I trust Levi with my life. Regardless of what I think, I'd never ignore his advice." (Sylvia)
The other two adventurers follow Sylvia's lead and relax their postures. Levi becomes visibly relieved and smiles at me nervously. Gerard directs a frustrated tone towards Levi.
"Levi, I order you to–" (Gerard)
Levi cuts off Gerard with a firm hand gesture.
"No, Gerard…with all due respect, I refuse. I told you when you suggested this plan that it was foolish, and I'd abandon it the minute the ambush fell apart – we've reached that point. I don't care what you think…I'm not going to provoke Mizuki further. Besides…guild jobs are optional, remember?" (Levi)
I smile at Levi, then walk over to the couch and take a seat. I notice Levi move to join his party. Then, I turn my attention towards Gerard and give him a smile.
"Now, Gerard, is this any way to greet your favorite adventurer? Tsk, tsk, tsk…use your words, not your fists. What did I do to offend you so much?" (Mizuki)
Gerard places his head in his hands, and his expression is thick with emotional exhaustion.
"You mean you don't consider that mouth of yours reason enough to be hostile?" (Gerard)
Hey, now we're talking, it's almost like we're friends! I give Gerard a fake-serious expression and respond with a sarcastic tone.
"Woah, Gerard…this is no time for jokes, you know? Please show some decorum and take this matter seriously." (Mizuki)
Levi and his party are staring at me with dumbfounded expressions.
"I agree, Mizuki, killing Emperor Belmod and sixty-eight of his royal guard is a very serious matter. How did you expect us to react?" (Gerard)
Huh, so 68 is the official number…good to know. I was so close, maybe I should have killed Lobe, too.