On the night the stampede broke out and the guild called the event to a close, I was still in the guild's medical ward because there was something I wanted to do.
Then, I quietly went around applying potions and elixirs to the sleeping wounded who were Bronze rank or below, healing them one by one.
Partway through, I ran short on supplies.
I had to make sure I kept enough for myself.
And so, I acquired [Reverse] and [Sacred Magic].
They were originally light magic that excelled at recovery.
And so, over the course of the night, most of them had recovered without anyone noticing.
Naturally, the next day at the guild, everyone was in an uproar over why the adventurers who had participated in the stampede were healed—not even the adventurers themselves could make sense of it.
This was because even severe injuries like lost limbs had healed as if they had never happened—with the exception of those who had already died, of course.
I watched the scene in silence.
For starters, adventurers are only considered full-fledged starting from Bronze rank.
And normally, the rank above that—Silver—is where mandatory conscription begins.
Despite this, under this count's domain's unique rules, even those below Silver are conscripted.
Just as Rain of Silver rank had said, they were nothing more than expendable pawns.
That was something my past life's sensibilities simply could not let go of.
That was why I healed every last Bronze-ranker without a second thought.
Those Silver rank and above should be able to manage on their own.
It was pure self-indulgence.
As I was thinking such things, I was called over by the receptionist.
The Guild Master's office.
The Guild Master here was apparently a former civil servant who'd been appointed to the position because of his administrative capabilities.
The man had summoned me.
"The stampede this time resulted in the lowest casualty count on record — less than last time, even."
Well, that's because I went deep into the mountains and wiped out the monsters with a Stone Shower.
This was just something I did on my own because I didn't like how low-ranked adventurers were being used as expendable pawns, and I had no intention of telling anyone about it.
"However, in Alan's Eighth Squad alone, everyone except Alan perished. So — do you have an explanation?"
"Those people died protecting me. And thanks to their sacrifice, I somehow managed to survive."
Couldn't I spin this into a heartwarming tale?
"They would never do something like that. They were one of the top adventurer parties in this city. Losing them is a tremendous blow."
"So an Iron-rank like me doesn't matter at all?"
"...Your priority would indeed be rather low."
"Well, I suppose that's to be expected from someone who'd casually conscript Bronze-rank and below — adventurers who shouldn't even have been summoned in the first place — and use them as bait."
"Are you defying me and the Lord? An Iron-rank dares to—!"
"Could an Iron-rank like me possibly do anything to this city's top parties? Besides, their cause of death was monster attacks, wasn't it?"
"But in the other squads, there were only one or two deaths at most, while your squad had the exact opposite result."
"It was just a coincidence. I was helped by them."
"That's exactly what I'm saying — that's impossible! You killed them using some method!"
The door to the Guild Master's office burst open, and guards rushed in.
"I called for them. This person is the murderer who used the stampede to slaughter this city's top adventurer party! Seize him. We'll make him confess how he did it and pay for his crimes. I'll report as much to the Lord as well."
I clearly used as bait by that party, and I only fought back against them. What exactly did I do wrong?"
In other words, self-defense.
But in another world, that only holds water between those who wield roughly equal power.
What if there's a gap?
The stronger party's version of events simply wins out.
"Shut your mouth, you Iron-rank filth! Don't you dare defy us!"
"So you're saying I should obey those who are stronger?"
"That's right! How can you not understand that!"
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Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Gentleman Thief] [Dark Magic] [Rock-Iron Magic] [Holy Magic]
Rank: Iron
Thank you for always reading!