Published: July 4, 2025
Since it's Golden Week, here's an additional post.
While Ryo was spending a happy moment at the North Library, the lecture room on the third floor of the adventurers' guild was in turmoil.
"I can't accept this! Why do we have to be used like that by those guys!"
"After stealing our food, what kind of face do they have to hire us?"
"Isn't the dungeon after the great tsunami connected to another world? I don't want to go to a place like that!"
"The country's wishes? We're not the country's slaves!"
"Let them go diving without us. We don't care!"
"But honestly, it's nice to get paid…"
That last comment came out as a whisper… and was cut off as the surrounding adventurers glared at him.
It was a place for heated discussions, more like a venue for adventurers to express their dissatisfaction.
The morning's food confiscation by the counter-investigation team from the guild cafeteria had become known to most adventurers. News like that spreads quickly.
Because of that information, about ninety percent of them had turned into a "counter-investigation team."
As the Guild Master, Hugh understood the adventurers' feelings all too well.
Moreover, he understood that asking them to cooperate with the dungeon investigation team that had taken their food wouldn’t yield a positive response.
However, from his position, he had to convey what had been decided.
"I understand everyone's feelings. Oh, I really do. Therefore, assisting the investigation team is purely a request. If you don't agree with the request's contents, you don't have to accept it. That's a fundamental principle as adventurers, right?"
Honestly, Hugh was still opposed to letting his precious adventurers delve into the dungeon at this time.
And on top of that, they would be diving with scholarly fools.
They were the kind of people who would assert that investigations were more important than the lives of their comrades, and in some cases, even more than their own lives.
He honestly thought it would be best if nothing happened for a month.
"Needless to say, adventurers are responsible for their own actions. Since your lives and your party's lives are at stake, don't take on requests lightly."
Hearing this, many adventurers nodded in agreement.
"But let me say this first. Just because other adventurers accepted the request, I won't allow anyone to treat them harshly by calling them traitors or anything like that. Got it?!"
It was obvious that adventurers who accepted requests would hear all sorts of things from those who refused.
That's precisely why Hugh had said it.
And then, a voice rose to reinforce his point.
"Guild Master, there's something I want to say to everyone."
The one who raised his hand was Abel.
"Abel, go ahead."
"We, the red sword, will dive into the dungeon as escorts for the Royal Magic Guild."
Upon understanding the meaning of those words, the adventurers began to murmur.
"I'm doing this at the request of an old acquaintance; there was no option to decline. Although the Royal Magic Guild consists of those focused on investigations, they are the strongest combat force within the investigation team. They are seasoned warriors. Hence, I believe they will descend to the lower levels at the fastest speed. I will provide information to the guild each time, so please use it effectively. That's all."
(As expected of Abel. With this, the adventurers who take on requests won't face criticism.)
Hugh was impressed by Abel's timing of disclosure.
Moreover, he understood that the information coming from the red sword would be extremely valuable in the future.
"The dungeon will be unsealed tomorrow at 7 AM. I will post information on the guild's bulletin board as it comes in, so please make sure to check it. That’s all. Dismissed."
Upon returning to the Guild Master's office, Hugh called the receptionist, Nina.
"Nina, tomorrow I will be explaining things to the E-rank and F-rank adventurers. Please arrange for them to come to the lecture room at 9 AM."
"Understood. Will you be granting them permission to dive?"