With a booming voice, the King of Vertealle welcomed them. "Welcome! My esteemed guests of the adventurers' guild! Please, take a seat, we can get these matters addressed as we dine." He moved his arms in such a manner that enticed those who saw.
"Thank you, Sir." Noelle thanked him, although her gut screamed for her to avoid the seat. Once all were seated, the King's attendants began to serve them. However, only Alice allowed herself to be served, the others disallowed it.
"Mmm, as expected of the Guildmaster. You're highly independent, even in a place like this."
"I have to be, due to my position. Showing another being serving me as a servant will stain the rank as Guildmaster."
"Wish you had that mindset just over a month ago." Alice mused, in a joking manner she waved her fork towards Noelle. "My poor old bones were worked- To well, the bones."
"Teacher, now's not the time for those jokes."
"Aww, anyways. The food here is magnificent, they look rather ordinary; the flavor is perfect."
"I'll pay those compliments to the chefs. Enjoy as much as you want." Mavis said whilst chuckling. Before he could take his first bite, Sai popped up with a question.
"Are those "farmers" of yours getting paid equally?"
"Hm? Why, yes of course they are."
"Then why are they dressed in those shabby clothes?"
"Well, you can't expect them to dress in normal clothes. Mister," Mavis set his utensils down, leaned forward with his hands clasped. "I know that demi-humans are treated unfairly in the kingdom; I can't change the public's opinion. But, I can assure you, they are compensated for their work fairly."
Sai lowered his head, his words were fair to some extent. However, he couldn't help but feel doubtful of his words. His response was too perfect, as if he expected such a question. His mouth opened as if a follow-up question appeared.
"How can I trust your words? We came here to determine your honesty."
Even more so, Mavis let out a subtle chuckle. His doubts were fair in that regard, he too had a feeling of their goals. They were set out on the table after Sai's words. "I can only show you, after this little meeting, you can ask them. That's my assurance."
Noelle and Sai nodded at each other, that's one question in the dark unveiled. Many more were hidden underneath, how will it get to those? If he kept answering truthfully– If they were truthful, were their suspicions just based on nothing?
Mumbles were heard from the maids and butlers, only the ears of Sai perked and listened.
"Why do you think he let a demi-human to sit with him?"
"I have no clue. Make sure to sanitize the seat and utensils thoroughly."
"Please, be quiet everyone. This is a matter only for us to discuss." Mavis ordered in a firm tone. Their whispers were immediately shot down. "Apologies for that, my dear guests. Those are newly hired servants. I'll make sure to get them retrained."
'More like they're taking after you.' Sai thought with disdain in his heart. Like master, like servant. They will only show what their master has taught them. 'Demi-humans are disliked, he's definitely trying to play a nice and benevolent King.' He gripped his utensils tightly.
Silence lasted for mere moments afterwards, then Noelle opened up with her questions. "Sir Mavis, if you do not mind me calling you that."
"Mhm, go ahead Mistress Noelle."
"Why did you attempt to stop our investigations of your guards?"
"Oh? I already wrote to you about that. We found their discretions just as you attempted to."
"Hm… Yes, I remember that." Noelle dug through her pocket for a moment, then a folded paper fit between her pointer and middle finger. "But here, this is the request you had sent. 'To, the GuildMaster.' We agreed not to interfere with each other." With a flick of her fingers, the paper slid across the table, managing its way into his lap.
"Pardon me, let me read this."
"Do not take me for a fool, Sir Mavis. You may appear old, and wrinkly. You are as conniving and crude as ever."
"I beg your pardon?"
"You clearly remember our agreement. Answer me this, truthful this time. Why. Did. You. Interfere. With. Our investigation?" A loud bang resounded from Noelle's fist striking the table. "If you do not answer this truthfully, we will take forceful methods to get our answer."
"Sigh… Mistress Noelle, please calm yourself." Mavis pleaded whilst rubbing his temple with his thumbs. "I assure-"
"Answer it truthfully."
"I am, it is not my fault you do not believe my-" His words were cut short when Noelle stood up causing a loud screeching to fill the room. "W-What are you doing?"
"Mavis, the Gold King. You will answer us, one more falsehood from you, and I will take your head." Noelle threatened, whipping out her rapier and pointing towards him.
"..."
"Noelle, stop! You're going to cause-"
"Lady Alice, get under the table. Mister Sai follow her." Allen commanded, shooting up from his seat as well.
"W-"
"Get down!"
"A-Alright!"
Seconds later, the doors burst open with a loud boom. Dozens of guards rushed in, swords ready to swing at their targets.
"My Liege! What is happening here?!" The leader of that group yelled upon sight of Mavis being held at point.
"Ta- Take care of these two! They're-"
"Seems like you were prepared for this huh?"
"I-If you step-"
"If we lower our guards, you'll still send these… Lackeys to kill us." Noele questioned with a tilt of her head. Which, in just a split second the trotting of their stomps reverberated throughout the room.
Allen's daggers clashed with one of their swords, sending it flying to the side and landing a devastating kick to the guard's chest. He constantly weaved through the multitude of attacks flying his way. With each kick, or punch he landed, one guard fell, dwindling their numbers at a rapid pace.
Unfortunately for the ones targeting Noelle, met an even more brutal beatdown. Her first clashing ended with the guard's hand being severed from his wrist. His agonized screams shook the dining hall.
The very few that had gone towards her stepped a few paces back. Their entire bodies shivered, her appearance now serious. Beneath her ashen grey eyes lies an ocean of ruthlessness.
"Let's just…"
Before one guard could rally them up, he had already fallen to the ground. Her title, the Speed Demon foretold of their fate. All of them laid in pools of increasing pools of blood.
"L-Lady Guildmaster, I made an oath to protect this Kingdom with my life! My father, Mavis the First, made a law for the king to protect this kingdom!" Mavis pleaded, he was on his knees, hands clasped as if he were praying for his life.
Noelle stared him down, the tip of her rapier ready to gut his throat if he made any wrong movements. Her unwavering gaze caused Mavis's body to shiver in utter horror. His guards all laid in a pool of their own blood, their statuses were undetermined.
"Lad-"
"Then let me make an oath for all here to know." She easily lowered her hand, plucking the crown off his head. Then, grabbing the damaged hair of his scalp. "Due to your falsehood, your lies that caused the danger to strike at the citizens of Vertealle. Your decisions go against the agreement between the guild and the Kingdom; we, as the leaders of the guild, our members of the guild shall not support the Kingdom in its affairs!"
"W-Wait P-"
"And as punishment for your lies towards us, and those who believed in you. You shall bear this scar." Before anyone could move, or try to stop Noelle; she drove her rapier, its tip cutting his forehead, in an angle towards the opposite cheek. His cries of agony fell silent in the next moment. "If we catch your digressions further, the only thing you'll be rolling in is your own puddle of blood."
"Y-You- ACK-"
His mouth fell silent, his body fell still when his body sprawled onto the floor.
"And, Mavis. Your title as the Gold King came true."
"W-What do you mean? What did you do to me?! I made no such actions!"
As Noelle waved his now sullied crown in his face, his face distorted into pure rage. "You sold your own people for gold. Your actions, your decisions. None of them fit the words that vomited out of your mouth."
"I.. Swore an oath! You will lose your position as guildmaster, wilt like a flower… That's… That's when I will have my f-"
"Oaths are fragile, it will not matter if the person has a black heart."
"..."
With her words left in their minds, they strolled outside the room. Despite the commotion inside, no guard, maid or any servant of the king dared to near the door. Even the guards they passed, shivered at the sight of her blood stained weapon alongside her furious expression.
"Noelle, are you sure of this? We can't go back on our decision if we continue!" Alice questioned in a shaky voice. Sai, and the rest looked at her with a dumbfounded look. Was she this naive? They just committed an act that can never be undone.
Their next stop after convincing Alice nothing else can be done, was the farm. The guards stepped aside in fear. At first glance, everyone felt sick to their stomach. Their stench radiated when in talking distance, there was an obvious sign of poor hygiene.
They were shown around, in their resting quarters was a cramped room, many poorly built beds ladened next to the walls. Other than that, it was barren.
Well known to everyone, the king's farmland was located underground. It was built on a mana rich ground, underground was where mana was heaviest. It allowed crops to grow at an accelerated pace, and much more nutritious.
Words were thrown around, many were in despicable actions. According to their information, they were paid next to none. Sai's rage grew at an immense pace in the next statements from these demi-humans. If they tried to leave, their citizenship was revoked, their clothes were stripped- the only material they could afford.
Noelle assured, and promised; if they come up with them, they will not face the same discrimination. Many whispers followed in suit, could they really trust the words of a stranger, one that waltzed in here? Some, without thought, agreed to her words.
With much more time passing, their convincing worked; all of the demi-humans followed behind them, many nervous but optimistic. To no one's surprise, there was a whole brigade sitting outside.
At the first sight of them, there was a shout. "THERE SHE IS!! SHE'S TRYING TO SELL THOSE-"
"Sir Mavis, do not spread lies anymore. We already have reports of these poor demi-humans… Being used for their own worth." Noelle cut him off, raising her rapier once more. The tip is aimed at Mavis's now scarred face. "You will let us leave here, bloodshed has been spilled too much today."
"Ha..Hahaha, you think you'll leave after what you've done?"
"We will, even if it means destroying that little brigade you have."
"..."
"Do you think you have the means to take us on? Your knights are undertrained, even a mere copper ranked adventurer can take multiple out before falling."
Their spouts went on, dragging till an eternity passed. Is what everyone who witnessed fell to. With each word leaving Noelle's mouth, Mavis trembled.
"Good… You should listen." Noelle said, sheathing her weapon slowly. "Teacher, connect to the adventurers guild."
"Just.."
"We made our decision. If you don't agree with it, scold me when we're back."
"Okay… Before I do, what do you want me to say?"
"Have the receptionist make an announcement…" She looked towards the sky, a firm frown slithered onto her lips. "The guild will not be cooperating with the kingdom. If there are official requests from the guards, remove every one of them. However, if the citizens' requests are there, leave them. Make them send over a few carriages. Alongside clothes and proper foods."
"Okay."
****
"Hm?"
"Mister Thran, what's wrong?"
Thran's attention diverted to the vibration in his pocket, pulling it out slowly."
"Ahem, can you hear me?"
'Oh, that is great.' His mind turned to dread, hearing the feminine voice coming through. "Yes, how can I help you, Miss Alice?"
"Oh, back to formalities now… Thran, can you gather all the receptionist to you?"
"Uhh… Yes, but what is the issue?"
"Don't ask questions, do it."
"..."
Begrudgingly, Thran followed her orders. All receptionists on duty were called, halting all procedures from being finished. Twelve men, and fourteen women stood around the glowing crystal.
All were accounted for, name by name. Then, their confusion turned to shock.
"All guild proceedings with the kingdom's defenses, and requests by the guards will be halted and cancelled. Leave the citizen's requests. This is by Noelle's orders."
"I-I am sorry, Miss Alice, what do you mean?" Thran was the first one to speak out, pushing his shock to the back of his throat.
"If I must, the guildmaster's suspicions were correct. We have found that the King, Mavis the Second was caught being in cahoots with the slavers we recently caught."
"..."
"Understood. Everyone, let us follow our orders!" Thran exclaimed to the rest, for a second they stood frozen, then they scrambled to follow what was ordered. "Is there anything else, I must know, or we shall do?"
"Send a few carriages down here. The Old Dog wanted to free the King's farmers…"
"Got it, I will get those sent towards the headquarters."
"Good, the guildmaster thanks you, Thran."
'I knew it.' He let out a long breath, whilst raising his head. From the mere stoppage of their investigations, in his eyes the King's discretions were blatantly clear. He shook his head before setting out the carriages.
That very moment, all adventurers watched in shock; most requests were taken down, shredded to pieces and sent flying to the garbage. Their ears were told an unbelievable truth.
As for the rest of the demi-humans, they shared homes with the slaves that were saved, or a willful receptionist taking them in.
How will the guild proceed from then on? This thought plagued the minds of those who heard. Most requests were made by guards. Without the adventurers help, will Vertealle fall? Will it succumb to the rise of monsters?
Or will it prevail?
"Are you sure this is the right decision, Lady Noelle?"
"Mister Allen, you know what they call me, the other guildmasters."
"The Fool, correct?"
"Mhm." Noelle stared towards the sky, her eyes wavered for a moment. She turned her head towards her trusted aides. "Will you trust this Fool's decision? Whether it is wrong, or right?"
"Will you report this to Lady Kazusa?"
"Yes."
"I wouldn't put it past her to raise your salary…"
"Then I'll trust your decision, Lady Noelle."
"Ditto."
"I don't agree with it, but I will put my faith into my student."
"Teacher, thank you for allowing me to use those spirits.
"Ha! You've definitely overworked these poor things. They're already complaining to me how exhausted they are… You worked them harder than they have had before."
"Haha… Please apologize and thank them for me. Without their help, we weren't able to detect his lies.
"Don't go around using my lovely spirits as lie detectors!"
She chuckled towards their answers, turning back towards the sky.