The Corrupt Guildmaster, Learning the Difference in Class
~Zilkein Oldray~
Two hours after Fiel defeated Lizette, we came to the manor of the lord of Delta, Count Baltharus Sarandia. To wait for that man.
“What's the meaning of this treatment!? You lot, cut this nonsense out!!”
With a shout, the door swung open. The conference room of the Sarandia family. There, escorted by soldiers, today’s main actor—Raltos—appeared.
Raltos was moved to the far end of the long table. Count Sarandia sat opposite him, and Emidia and I sat flanking the Count. Fiel stood behind us. The moment he saw our faces, Raltos glared with anger.
“Zilkein…!! What is the meaning of this!? Guild Law Article 12, Trial Provisions, forbids detaining the defendant prior to the trial…!!”
Raltos screamed. He really didn’t understand the situation he was in. Well, of course—he probably didn’t think I knew anything about the kidnapping.
“Count, if you would.”
At Emidia’s words, the Count nodded once.
“Raltos-dono. It seems you are under a grave misunderstanding.”
Count Sarandia spoke with imposing authority. Raltos took a breath, as if trying to regain his calm.
“Count Sarandia, do you truly believe you can do such a thing to me and expect no consequences? Without evidence or witnesses to any wrongdoing, detaining me will not go unanswered by the Guild Association.”
Perhaps because he had taken a breath, Raltos’s expression returned to one of calm. But I could see the hatred swirling in his eyes. In his mind, this situation was still only about the misconduct regarding the quest commissions.
But no, Raltos. This is different. This is the inquiry that will destroy you. I’m about to let you taste despair.
“Wrongdoing? This is simply an action taken in accordance with the laws of this city. The Guild Association has nothing to do with this.”
At the Count’s words, Raltos made a puzzled face. The Count continued.
“Recently, someone abducted my daughter. She is dearer to me than my own life… When I was exhausted and desperate, Zilkein-dono extended a helping hand.”
While we headed to rescue the hostage, Emidia had gone to the manor to inform the Count—inform him that we were moving to rescue his daughter, and that the mastermind behind the kidnapping was Raltos.
“… I know nothing of this. To think you would believe the delusions of such a man.”
Raltos answered with feigned calm. But I could see it in his eyes. I knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Why does Zilkein know about the kidnapping?” Right?
“You made a critical mistake, Raltos. You showed too much confidence when we confronted you at the manor. Did you think I’d back down from threats as pathetic as yours?”
I pushed him further.
“That confidence of yours made me suspicious, so I immediately started investigating what was happening in this city. ‘If Raltos is this relaxed despite his wrongdoing, there must be a reason,’ I thought.”
“As a result, we concluded that you must be holding some weakness over Sarandia-sama. Sarandia-sama is known for being fair and just. He would never aid in wrongdoing. Therefore, the only possibility was that you were blackmailing him.”
Emidia spoke exactly as we’d planned. As someone who knows the original plot, I already knew you were responsible for the kidnapping. Letting me notice the target and the motive was your undoing.
Raltos’s face twisted with growing anger. The composure he showed at the manor had completely vanished.
“Zilkein…!! I don’t know what trick you’re using, but you’re trying to frame me!!”
He turned to the lord as if pleading.
“My lord! These people are trying to pin this so-called kidnapping incident on me. I have nothing to do with it. It must have been the work of some lawless ruffian.”
“So you are saying you are uninvolved, Raltos-dono? That contradicts what I’ve heard… Zilkein-dono.”
I answered the Count’s words with silence. As planned, he made a show of thinking.
“Why do you not answer, Zilkein-dono?”
His cold voice echoed. While I remained silent, Raltos slammed both hands onto the table. His expression twisted with anger, he glared at me with bloodshot eyes.
“Zilkein…!! Not only the misconduct, but even this incident—you acted on your delusions!? You’ve dragged even the lord into this!!”
Raltos was regaining his composure—born from anger, and from trying to divert suspicion away from himself. Time to provoke him a little more.
“So, Raltos-dono believes the culprit is someone else? That it was the lone action of another?”
“Of course!! I have nothing to do with this! Absolutely nothing!!”
His anger flared even hotter, his face turning red. It was almost time.
I subtly signaled Count Sarandia, who raised his voice.
“Very well. I will find the true culprit behind this abduction. Raltos-dono, you will cooperate, yes? Once we find them, I care not if we kill them on the spot.”
“Understood! I will hunt down the culprit and tear them limb from limb myself!!”
Raltos declared triumphantly.
At that moment, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“… What is so funny? If we find the culprit, you’ll be the next—”
“No, my apologies. It was simply too ridiculous.”
Raltos frowned. I rested my elbows on the table and clasped my hands before my face.
“… You’ve said it, Raltos. That one sentence seals your fate.”
I told him, as if pitying him. His face twisted further as he shouted.
“What nonsense are you spouting, villain!!! You’re trying to frame me!!!”
Ah… It was time to reveal everything. Time to teach this pitiful clown the truth.
“You still think ‘the kidnapping incident isn’t over,’ don’t you?”
“W-what are you saying…?”
Raltos’s face turned pale in an instant. Looks like my meaning got through.
From the moment he arrived, his thoughts had been like this:
Zilkein has won over the lord regarding the misconduct.
Next, Zilkein is trying to frame Raltos for the kidnapping to corner him further.
His reasoning was correct. But he didn’t know he was already checkmated.
Of course he didn’t. Fiel and I had already finished everything before he even realized it.
And that “decisive sentence” he said earlier—was for her to hear. To show her what a mediocre, petty villain he was, and how far beneath me he stood.
“Come in.”
At the Count’s voice, the door opened and two women entered. One was the Count’s daughter, Yuuri. And the other—
“L-Lizette!!!? Why are you here!!?”
Raltos froze in shock.
That reaction.
That was exactly what I wanted.
Now he couldn’t talk his way out of it. He was finished.
Yuuri nodded. Lizette glanced at her apologetically, then pointed at Raltos.
“I kidnapped Yuuri. On Raltos’s orders.”
Raltos opened his mouth, but no words came. Lizette lowered her gaze and continued.
“You said it yourself. You’d tear the culprit apart. If they let you walk out of here, you’d kill me, right? So… to protect myself, I’m going to tell them everything about you.”
“W-what…!?”
Raltos looked at me. Raltos—this is the difference between you and me. I offered Lizette my life. I told her, while she held a knife, “If you don’t believe me, kill me.” And what about you? To protect yourself, you declared you’d “Kill Lizette.” Even while claiming she could only live under your care.
That contradiction cut away the loneliness you ingrained in her.
Our difference decided her change of heart.
… And since I knew the original story, I already knew she wouldn’t kill me. It wasn’t hard to predict how a girl who no longer wished to kill would react when someone offered their life to her.
Meaning, your downfall was guaranteed from the start, Raltos.
“Y-you… This is…!!”
That realization on his face—time to finish him. I pushed further.
“Why do you know the name of the perpetrator, Lizette…? Raltos. Do you still think you can claim ignorance at this point?”
“As Zilkein-dono predicted, this is the outcome.”
Count Sarandia’s cold voice cut in. Perhaps realizing escape was impossible, Raltos lunged toward Lizette in rage. Soldiers tried to stop him, but he slammed into them, shoving them aside as he charged toward her.
“You traitor!! You dare betray me!! I’ll kill you and Zilkein no matter what trick you used!! You will never again know peace!!”
“I… I…”
Fear appeared on Lizette’s face. Gone was the fierce girl we fought. This reaction made it painfully clear she had obeyed him because her safety and place to belong had been held hostage.
“Lizette!!”
As Raltos leapt at her, a female knight—Fiel—stood before him.
“What are you!? A woman dares stand in my—”
The moment he said it, Fiel’s fist crashed straight into his face. The enraged Raltos was sent flying into the floor in an instant.
“Gahhh!? W-what are you—!?”
“That was the fist of the woman you mocked. Savor it well.”
Fiel struck him again, speaking with pure contempt. I crouched beside Raltos and grabbed a handful of his hair, whispering in his ear.
“Lizette is mine now. A talent like her is wasted on trash like you.”
“I won’t forgive you, Zilkein…!! The lord, Lizette—none of you!! I’ll use all my influence to get my revenge…!! Don’t underestimate my reach…!! Even imprisoned, even now, with a single word I can—”
“I see. You won’t forgive us. Then I have no reason to show mercy.”
I cut him off with a headbutt. As he recoiled, fear spread in his eyes.
“You’re going to see hell, Raltos. Emidia—the papers.”
Emidia opened the documents and read aloud.
“The Luminage Guild, in accordance with Guild Law Article 12, ‘Trial Provisions’, hereby demands the dismissal trial of Guild Administrator Raltos Stad. The charges are extortion of money and goods from the guild, embezzlement of quest fees, and intimidation of guild staff. Count Sarandia, will you accept this petition?”
She handed the prepared petition to the Count. He nodded and accepted it.
With that, the trial procedure was established.
“As promised, we will put you on trial, Raltos. After searching your estate and conducting full interrogations of all involved.”
After committing the crime of abducting the lord’s daughter, you think you can refuse an investigation? And they’ll “also” investigate the misconduct case while they’re at it.
“In the Guild Law trial, you’ll lose your money and status, then be judged for the kidnapping. Once you’ve lost everything, you’ll be nothing but a pathetic wreck who can only scream. There will be no one to help you behind the scenes.”
“A… g-gh…!!”
He could no longer say anything.
I didn’t know how much influence he once held in this city, but now, no one would stand for him.
“I crush my enemies completely. You committed the great crime of kidnapping the lord’s daughter. You know better than anyone what awaits you.”
“G-grr…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll ensure someone competent fills the void you leave. Enjoy your remaining years as best you can.”
At my words, the soldiers restrained Raltos and dragged him away.
“S-stop!! Let go!!! I am, I am… Aaaahhhhhh…!!”
Raltos’s pitiful screams echoed down the hall. The door slammed shut with a thud—just like the fate that awaited him.
What do you think about this chapter?
