"Oh, shut up! You think someone at Iron rank can defy us?!"
"Does that mean I should obey whoever's stronger?"
"Yes! How is that not obvious?!"
That's exactly the response I was waiting for.
"Dark Bind!!"
Black thorns erupted from the ground, ensnaring Gilmas and the guard.
"Wh-what the hell is this?!"
"I told you, didn't I? Obey the stronger one. So you'd better listen to what I say."
"You...!"
Oh, he doesn't look convinced at all.
"Hmm, how about this. I'll fight the strongest adventurer in this guild. Then you'll see that I'm the stronger one, right?"
◇◇◇
The guild's training grounds.
I'd had Gilmas use his authority to summon quite a few adventurers.
I was facing off against a four-person party.
For the record, Gilmas was still trapped by the black thorns.
I released the guards from the thorns and sent them home.
When I told them, while putting on some intimidation, that it had all been a misunderstanding on Gilmas's part, they obediently left.
The opposing party—all of them were Gold rank.
It was a party of swordsman, shield bearer, mage, and cleric.
Kind of like Dragon Quest, huh?
The leader's name, apparently, was Claude.
When things were about to escalate into a fight, the opposing leader raised both hands high in the air and spoke up.
"No way. I don't want to die. I'm out. We concede."
Those unexpected words sent Gilmas into a furious rage.
"Wh-what?! You lot are Gold rank, close to Mithril! Smash this guy!"
"That's what I'm telling you—it's impossible. See, I've got a skill called [Intuition], and it's screaming warnings at me like crazy. Even when I faced a dragon, it was never this bad. I'd recommend promoting this guy's rank immediately."
Oh, would you look at that—someone who really thinks highly of me.
It's not like I was planning to kill anyone, though.
"That's the way it is, Gilmas."
"Hold it, Claude! Don't think you'll be allowed to stay in this city!"
"Nah, we'll just head to the royal capital. That's fine by us."
And then Claude said, just loud enough for only me to hear.
"Hey, so we actually saw that rain of boulders back there. Get hit by something like that and there'd be nothing left of you. Ah, I'm not gonna say you were the one behind it. We got out of that whole thing without a scratch and had it easy, thanks to that. Later."
So they'd seen the Stone Shower.
Well, if he's not going to say anything, that's fine by me.
Oh, right—there's something I wanted to ask Gilmas.
"Gilmas, why did you try to frame me? I just survived, that's all."
"………"
"Dark Magic, Slave Choker"
If you won't talk, I'll make you talk with magic.
I'll make this guy my slave with dark magic.
An invisible collar was placed on him.
And then, about the question from just now, his mouth opens of its own accord, completely against his will.
"They were pawns that did as I told them. If there were adventurers I didn't like, I'd have them attack those adventurers or steal their prey. You adventurers always mock me, calling me an office worker who doesn't know anything about the field. Well, serves you right."
All at once, killing intent began to leak from those around us.
Those were probably the adventurers who had been victimized by him.
From here on out, they should take care of him on their own.
I left the training grounds in silence.
I thought I could hear something that sounded like Gilmas's screams, but that was probably just my imagination.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Phantom Thief Gentleman] [Dark Magic] [Rock Iron Magic] [Holy Magic]
Rank: Iron
Thank you for always reading!