Jack of All Trades, Party of None

My impression of Leon Conti—the Guild Master—has always been that of a gentle person who never loses his smile.

However, he has risen to the top of the Seeker's Guild, which wields influence across the entire continent, transcending even national boundaries.

It's only natural to assume he has a few quirks.

Right now, I feel like I'm seeing a glimpse of that. The normally gentle Guild Master has quieted down, and his cold, piercing gaze is fixed on me, chilling to the bone.

“We both have our thoughts about the current situation. But time is short. I want you to cooperate with me. Is that alright?”

The Guild Master spoke before I could.

“...Cooperate?”

“I gather your goal is to capture the mastermind behind this recent flooding, right? I can’t go into details, but this dungeon has already been cleared by the mastermind. According to guild rules, this fact must be announced soon. So, I want to use my authority to make it appear as if Orun-kun cleared this dungeon on my request.”

The Guild Master’s proposal seems aimed at avoiding confusion.

If it became known that the dungeon was cleared without the guild’s permission, things would get complicated.

That’s why he wants to close this matter by claiming I was the one who cleared it.

To put it bluntly, it’s the Guild Master trying to cover this up, but given the current domestic situation, his decision seems reasonable.

And by implication, the Guild Master says he is not the mastermind.

Oliver had said the mastermind was at the dungeon’s deepest point.

So, was the Guild Master here to capture that mastermind?

Although it seems awfully quick for him to have arrived.

“That’s appreciated. Provided you don’t betray me later,” I said.

The mastermind might not be alone.

At this point, I can’t rule out the possibility that the mastermind deep in the dungeon is connected to the Guild Master.

Even if I agree to the Guild Master’s plan and move forward, if he later betrays me and claims I cleared the dungeon without permission, I risk losing my qualifications as a seeker.

What should I do?

“Your concerns are valid. That’s why I’ll give you this to earn your trust.”

Saying this, the Guild Master produced an envelope and handed it to me.

Still wary, I took it and checked inside.

There were several papers, and on the first was a document authorizing the clearance of this dungeon, stamped with the Guild Master’s seal.

Documents bearing this seal are official guild papers; even if the Guild Master later denies knowledge, that claim won’t hold.

In other words, the chance of him betraying me is extremely low.

“...If I receive the permit, there’s no reason to refuse. Our interests align, so I’ll capture the mastermind.”

“I appreciate it.”

After memorizing the dungeon map enclosed with the permit, I put everything away and stepped into the dungeon.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but the air inside felt heavier than outside.

◇

There was no sign of demonic beasts inside the dungeon.

Even if flooding occurred, the number of demonic beasts inside wouldn’t drop to zero, so it seemed the Guild Master was right—the dungeon had already been cleared.

Following the shortest route on the memorized map, I arrived at the deepest part.

It was an open space, and at its center floated a gigantic Magic Stone (Dungeon Core), emitting an eerie light.

A man standing near the core turned his gaze toward me.

He looked about forty, wearing a bright red robe.

Almost certainly a member of the Cyclamen Cult.

“...That emblem on your chest, you’re from the silver rabbits of the night sky? Are you the one who interfered with me?”

His hostile voice held no attempt to hide his displeasure.

By interference, he meant my actions against the recent flooding and the skeletons.

“That’s right. I have many questions for you. If you don’t want to get hurt, answer them honestly.”

“Do seekers these days have no manners? Well, you’re just a weak clan seeker who only grew thanks to Alba. Expecting manners from someone like you is the real insult.”