The Grand Master’s Verdict
My testimony was verified by the fact that Melanie had kept the original request tickets.
Additionally, the requests we placed in response, which were processed with Vice-Guild Master’s authority, were also confirmed.
By the way, it’s recognized as a natural compromise to agree to the requests if dealing with the Red-ranked adventurers.
Now, the next issue were the requests accepted by adventurers other than us.
“Well then, Shivek, I’ve checked the request tickets you issued too.”
“Ah…”
“It states that if the contributions of the Blue and Green-ranked adventurers who participated in the request are higher than those of the Red-ranked adventurers, the reward will be divided between the Blue and Green-ranked adventurers. Is that correct?”
“Of course! We are not obligated to pay rewards to higher-ranked adventurers who cannot work as hard as lower-ranked adventurers!”
“You ditz! Upper-ranked adventurers are meant to be the commanders of lower-ranked adventurers, what’s the point of competing with them?!”
“However, they never did that and only maintained their attitude as the Green-ranked adventurer’s escorts…”
“Of course they did! Adventurers on escort duty are allowed to refuse even Guild Master’s designated requests; this is clearly stated in the Guild regulations. Do you not understand that?!”
“But…”
“That’s enough! The matter of this request ticket ends here! Next, do you have any explanations regarding Lily’s attempted kidnapping?”
I don’t know whose intention this is.
The Trade Guild has probably investigated this thoroughly, but they haven’t informed me.
However, it’s a fact that adventurers took turns guarding, and there must be something going on behind the scenes.
“That was something the adventurers who accepted the request did on their own…”
“Those adventurers have testified that they were instigated by you! They also claim that you controlled the money!”
“No way! Where’s the evidence?!”
“There’s only the testimony of the adventurers. However, apart from the arrested adventurers who were caught in the act, almost all the adventurers who participated in the request have been interrogated and have given similar statements. Do you think you can escape from this?”
They were doing such things behind our backs.
There’s no way to escape this.
“Moreover, because you attacked Lily, a Copper-ranked merchant from the Trade Guild, the relations with the Trade Guild have been broken off. Although you succeeded in getting cooperation from Lily and her escorts, the Wildcat Claws, they are demanding a payment of 3 million Rubies for the completion of the request, is that right?”
“Wait a minute! That promise was made unilaterally by the Vice-Guild Master Melanie!”
“While it was certainly an arbitrary decision, it was thanks to that decision that the High Ogre crisis was averted. You’re nothing more than someone who can only boast and do nothing.”
“Damn it…”
“In addition, we have gathered various pieces of evidence regarding your corruption. Do you have any further defenses to make?”
“… Do you think my family will stay silent after I’m expelled?”
“Ah, your family… I’ve forgotten the name, but it’s a noble house, right? An agreement has already been reached with them. They said, ‘There is no one in our house who would willingly engage in corruption. If someone bearing the name of our lineage is involved, they should bear the consequences.'”
“That’s a lie!”
“Whether it’s a lie or not, you’ll find out in the dungeons of the Capital. You, as an Adventurers’ Guild member, have been dismissed as the Guild Master due to the crime of corruption, your personal assets are to be confiscated, and you will be transferred to the Capital for trial!”
“Wa-wait, please!”
“No, we won’t wait. Take this person to the dungeons!”
The Adventurers’ Guild Master was chained and then dragged out of the room.
It was quite a pitiable outcome.
“Now, the Guild Master has been judged. What should we do with Vice-Guild Master?”
“Oh, as expected, I can’t be acquitted?”
“Hmm, you did prevent Shivek’s actions from bloating, and you did achieve a concession with the Trade Guild. However, not taking action against a person in charge wouldn’t look good for the organization.”
“Oh~ I knew it.”
“Well, you actively stopped wrongful actions, and we can’t just cast you aside. So, for now, you will assume the role of receptionist manager, and after a period of time, we’ll allow you to return as the Vice-Guild Master.”
“Uh, when I return as the Vice-Guild Master, I won’t be able to work as a receptionist, will I?”
“Of course not.”
“Then, I’m fine with remaining as the receptionist manager. It seems like I’m more well-suited for the role of Adventurers’ Guild receptionist.”
“It would be a waste to let a talented individual like you idle, but if that’s your preference, there’s nothing we can do. That being said, the position of receptionist manager is yours. Your salary will decrease, though, is that acceptable?”
“I haven’t been receiving the Vice-Guild Master’s salary from the beginning, so it’s fine.”
“… We’ll investigate your salary payments from when you were Vice-Guild Master and make a lump sum payment for any missing amounts.”
It seems that the internal conflict within the Adventurers’ Guild has been resolved.
Melanie’s decision to step down from the position of Vice-Guild Master was unexpected, but I’m pleased because I’m not particularly close to the other receptionists besides her.