Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 31

After taking a leisurely stroll through the revitalized city, I headed toward the Adventurers’ Guild.

“Yo, Lax.”

For some reason, a man sitting at the reception desk called out to me.

“Why are you here…?”

That was my first thought, but I quickly reconsidered—

He was probably bored or had something on his mind.

So, I greeted him in return.

“Good morning, Master Klein.”

Yes, Master Klein.

You remember him, don’t you?

He used to be the Guildmaster of the neighboring town and was also Meria’s father.

After the Royal Family acted swiftly—before the duke could interfere—

Klein was officially appointed as the new Guildmaster of this city.

With his extensive experience and familiarity with the guild staff, the transition was seamless.

He had often interacted with the guild members here even before his appointment.

Previously, the former Guildmaster, Gandos, had infamously fled during the Stampede, abandoning his post and vanishing without a trace.

With such chaos left behind, placing Klein in charge was a natural solution.

Upon taking office, he quickly asserted control, and thanks to him, the adventurers faced no disruptions.

Meanwhile, Meria formally resigned from her role as a guild staff member and officially joined our party, “Flash.”

“Is there something happening today?”

Given all he’s done, I naturally addressed him with respect.

“You don’t have to be so formal, Lax. You’re going to be this city’s lord consort soon, after all.”

…

Wait.

Isn’t this the kind of line that’s supposed to be said in a romantic comedy, where a cute girl makes the male protagonist flustered?

Sorry, but hearing it from an old man…?

Yeah, not happening.

“You’re thinking something rude, aren’t you?”

“No… not at all.”

“That pause says otherwise. Well, whatever. Anyway, the Knight Order will be arriving soon, so I’m waiting here to greet them.”

“I see.”

The Knight Order he was referring to was the Royal Knights, personally dispatched by His Majesty.

With such esteemed guests arriving, it made sense for the Guildmaster himself to be present.

They deserved proper respect.

Clang…

The sound of the guild doors opening signaled the arrival of multiple individuals.

The knights?

If so, I should probably step aside—I had no reason to interfere.

Thinking that, I turned toward the entrance—

And what entered wasn’t knights—

But muscle-bound warriors who looked more like bandits.

“Huh?”

“Who the hell are you lot?”

Klein clearly shared my confusion, eyeing the newcomers with suspicion.

To be fair, Klein himself wouldn’t look out of place among them…

Wait.

Did he just glare at me?

Anyway, judging by appearances, Meria definitely took after her mother.

“You don’t know who we are!?”

“Hmph, well, I suppose a backwater guild like this wouldn’t know our name.”

“Listen up! We are the strongest adventurers in the kingdom—the Arknights!”

“…Huh.”

I have never heard of them.

Not even once.

Not even in the deepest corners of my memory.

The three loudmouths in front kept ranting, but there were ten of them in total.

And honestly?

They all looked weak.

Just rowdy and ill-mannered.

“What do you want, Arknights?”

“What else would a group of adventurers want in a city with a dungeon? We’re here to dive into the dungeon, of course!”

“Now, let us through!”

Despite their rough appearances, maybe they were actually serious adventurers?

If they were going to help clear monsters, I had no reason to complain.

Don’t worry, everyone.

I don’t judge based on appearances alone.

I can accept them…

Even if they look like this.

“I see. This is your first time in this dungeon, correct? In that case, you must start at the upper floors.”

Klein gave them the usual explanation.

You couldn’t descend to the middle floors unless you defeated the upper-floor boss.

Likewise, you couldn’t reach the lower floors unless you defeated the middle-floor boss.

This was both a dungeon mechanic and a guild-enforced rule—

To prevent reckless deaths.

“Hah!? We’re the Arknights!”

“You expect us to waste time exploring the upper floors!?”

“Don’t look down on us!”

…

I don’t want to look down on you.

But damn, you’re making it difficult.

Also… you stink.

The brainless thugs, so full of themselves, kept shouting.

So damn loud.

“Seriously, you lot have a death wish or something?”

“Ahhh!?”

“What did you just say!?”

“You wanna go!?”

“Stop.”

The situation was about to escalate, so I, being the kind-hearted person that I am, decided to intervene.

“If you cause trouble in the guild, you’ll be permanently banned from entering the dungeon.”

It was true, after all.

If they got blacklisted, they’d be forced to leave the city.

Even idiots like them should understand that much.

But who knows—

Maybe they actually had some skill.

Maybe they were just acting like fools to hide their true strength.

“Stay out of this, outsider!”

—Thud.

Before he could finish his sentence, I swept his legs out from under him—

And he went tumbling down.

“You bastard!?”

“The hell!?”

Of course, the rest of the Arknights immediately started glaring at me.

Just then—

“What do you think you’re doing?”

…Where did he come from?

The guild’s entrance had been closed—

Could it be that he had spent the entire night drinking in the attached tavern?

“Outta the way, b1tch.”

“Oh? You want my attention that badly? What, do you all just crave it that much?”

“Fine, fine. If you’re that desperate, I’ll entertain you—

“Tonight, in private. All of you.”

The Arknights, having turned their attention to Claire, started hooting and hollering.

Were they drunk, too?

If so, then the depraved witch and these rowdy thugs might actually get along pretty well.

Good for her.

“Disgusting. You stink. You’re sweaty. You’re annoying. You’re loud. You’re revolting… I would rather die.”

“WHAT DID YOU SAY!?”

“You little—!”

“GUHAAAAAAA—!!!”

…Well.

It seems Claire had no interest in them, after all.

Like a boiling kettle, the Arknights heated up instantly—

Only to be immediately and unceremoniously kicked aside.

“Lax, good job. Trash needs to be thrown out.”

Claire mumbled absentmindedly, watching the scene unfold.

I couldn’t help but notice that she had repeated “disgusting” twice earlier.

She was definitely drunk.

“Damn you all! This isn’t over! You’ll regret this!”

The Arknights, who had been kicked out of the guild, shouted the most stereotypical villain lines imaginable as they fled.

…What the hell did they even come here for?