Chapter 9 – The Guild Master Was a Slacker?

…Cannot…continue attacking.

After determining this, I decided to leave my stomach open, accepting a minor injury in order to unleash a winning move, but…

“…His endurance is too strong.”

I spat. In spite of the merciless chains of attacks, the silhouette that appeared amidst the cloud of dust…
It showed that Reviel was still able to attack.
This was ridiculous.

…I checked my hand, which I swiftly used to guard my stomach at the last second, and then I rose to my feet while coughing.

“..Hey. I’m glad to see that you’re doing well. Eh? Alec…”

The friendly, deep voice rang in my ear drums.
And even though I could not see well, that red hair was impossible to miss.
When had he arrived?

“…Ornest.”
“Aye. It’s me.”

He sounded happy. His voice was so cheerful. He could come off as so cheeky with just a word. It felt terribly nostalgic.
I hadn’t heard that voice for four years, and so I couldn’t help but smile.

“Hey, old man!! Surely you did not need to go that far! Give up already!! We plan to continue our exploration of the dungeon tomorrow, and we don’t want Alec to waste any more energy!!”

Ornest finally took his eyes off of me and shouted with his hands on his hips so that Reviel could hear him.

“I wouldn’t call it a waste, no. I won’t deny that I got a little carried away, but I’m just doing my job. It is my duty as Guild Master. So stop acting like I was being malicious. It is very hurtful!”

Eventually, the dust started to settle.
Reviel must have finally deactivated the Artifact that he called Dragneel.
Now that his hands were back to normal, he picked at his ear with an annoyed expression.

“That bastard…!”

Ornest became furious at what was clearly a mocking gesture.
‘Stop, stop,’ I said, frantically trying to stop him before he jumped on the Guild Master.

“…Still, if he can do this much, then I cannot complain. After all, I was using an Artifact, and he’s still moving. So you could say that I lost, really.”

Reviel said weakly as he waved his arms.

“Besides, it seems like I wasn’t able to fully block the last hit. My hand still feels numb. Yes, I lost. I am defeated. If you can still get up after that, then you are the winner.”

And so there is no need to shout like that!
He continued to Ornest. Just by seeing this brief interaction, I was able to get an idea of what their relationship was like.

It was that…
What they call oil and water.
Like Clashia and Ornest.

“…What a liar.”

Ornest muttered in reply, but he did not seem like he wanted to continue this any further. And so he backed down quietly, which was unusual for him.

“By the way… Why are you here too, Misha?”
“…Because you would not return no matter how long I waited. So don’t look at me as if I’m some kind of slacker. If anything, it is you, Guild Master, who is the serial slacker!”

The other person who had suddenly appeared in the arena, just like Ornest.
Reviel had just called her Misha, and she was now staring at him with exasperation.

And then he suddenly shuddered as if he had just remembered something very important.
He then stood very stiff, and waited anxiously for her to continue.

“By the way, the Vice Guild Master is furious that you ignored the appointment. Very furious. Completely mad! I could tell by the eyes.”
“…Of course!! You should have told me that first!”

Reviel shouted frantically, and then he rushed towards the door.

I had thought that we had bumped into him at the perfect time, but judging by what they were saying, he had actually been on his way to meet this Vice Guild Master, but then he saw us, and took us to the arena, assuming that it would not take long.

But it ended up taking much longer than he expected, which was why the Vice Guild Master was so angry

“Hah. That’s what you deserve.”

Ornest laughed gleefully at the idea of what awaited Reviel. But the Guild Master didn’t even have time to react, and ran straight past him.

However…
Just as he was through the door, he stopped.

“Tha-that’s right. I forgot to tell you something. Hey, Alec! I’ll have your permit issued today, so you can pick it up tomorrow morning!! Got it?”
“Uh, yes.”

I nodded as he looked at me intently. He seemed to be satisfied and yelled, ‘Later then!’ and then his giant form dashed off at an unbelievable speed.

He had admitted defeat because his hand was numb.

That’s what he said, but he didn’t even look tired at all.
And so I could not help but feel that he had held back.

Next Chapter

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