When I Cleared the Death Game World, I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Even if They Talk About Doom Flags, I'm Actually Immortal. - Chapter 30

The duel ended swiftly with Lior’s victory.

When the unconscious swordsmen regained consciousness, they confessed their misdeeds.

Well, at least the swordsman remained sullenly silent, but the scout and the mage eagerly spilled everything.

According to them, after Lior saved them yesterday, the mage proposed a plan to steal credit for defeating the Landwolf.

On top of that, the scout had stolen Lior’s wallet, but he lost it after causing some trouble at a tavern. Now, he had no idea where it was.

It might have already been discarded after being emptied.

And today, their interference with Lior wasn’t so much about stealing credit as it was about self-preservation.

If Lior continued his activities as an adventurer, their deceit regarding the Landwolf’s subjugation might be exposed.

So, they decided to pick another fight with him, hoping to get him expelled from the Adventurers’ Guild.

In reality, if Lior had been accused of stealing Landwolf materials, being expelled from the guild wouldn’t have been an unreasonable outcome.

What they hadn’t anticipated was Lior’s firm rebuttal and Ren’s testimony.

“I-It was just a moment of poor judgment! A youthful mistake, really…!”

“P-Please, just this once, let us off the hook— I mean, please forgive us!! We truly regret our actions!!”

“Silence!! Do not speak without permission!!”

“Hiii…!”

The mage and the scout, now seated on the guild floor, begged for mercy, but the bespectacled receptionist silenced them with a sharp glare.

Then, with piercing eyes, she turned her gaze toward the swordsman, making him shut up as well.

Finally, she turned to Lior, and to his shock, she pressed her hands against the floor and bowed her head.

A full-on dogeza.

Having an adult kneel before him like that was…awkward.

“Uh, umm…”

“I sincerely apologize. My misjudgment led to disrespectful treatment towards you, Lior-sama, both yesterday and today.”

“N-No, really, don’t worry about it. Given your position, I understand why you acted that way…”

“Even so…”

“Senpai, if you apologize too persistently, that might be rude in itself… Besides, we have an audience here…”

The bespectacled receptionist looked ready to keep apologizing, but another receptionist— the one who had processed Lior’s adventurer registration— stepped in to stop her.

Encouraged by her colleague, the bespectacled receptionist reluctantly stood up. She glanced around, realized how many people had witnessed the scene, and furrowed her brows as if regretting her actions.

“…Once again, I deeply apologize.”

“Really, it’s fine. More importantly, let’s settle this matter.”

“You’re right.”

The bespectacled receptionist turned her gaze back to the swordsmen.

“This incident will be reported to the Guild Master. Within a few days, a decision on your punishment will be—”

“There’s no need for that. I’ve heard everything.”

“G-Guild Master…!”

From behind the reception area, a middle-aged man with a Kaiser mustache stepped forward.

So this was the Guild Master.

Judging by the sword at his waist and his imposing presence, he was undoubtedly a first-class swordsman.

“Your actions this time are extremely malicious. Stealing another’s achievement and then attempting to expel them from the guild— such behavior erodes trust in the adventurer system. If others follow your example, the guild’s credibility will crumble.”

He was absolutely right.

If incidents like this became common, adventurer rankings would no longer reflect actual strength.

Instead of earning achievements through battle, people would find it far more efficient to steal others’ credit and sabotage their competitors.

It would become no different from political scheming.

If rank advancement was determined by money and influence rather than merit, honest adventurers would abandon the guild.

All that would remain would be corrupt frauds, and the guild itself would be doomed.

“Therefore, I hereby declare your permanent expulsion from the Adventurers’ Guild. Effective immediately, your adventurer qualifications are revoked, and you will be barred from registering with any guild in this country.”

“W-Wait, please!!”

The Guild Master’s verdict was permanent banishment.

It was likely the harshest punishment the guild could impose.

If his words were to be believed, they wouldn’t be able to work as adventurers anywhere in the country.

One of the swordsmen, unwilling to accept this, shot to his feet and lunged toward the Guild Master.

“That punishment is far too severe!! At the very least, please just demote our ranks!”

“Had your scheme succeeded, Lior here would have lost his adventurer qualification entirely, correct?”

“T-That’s… true, but…! We’re still young! Isn’t it too cruel to crush our futures—”

“Which is exactly why I’m letting you off this lightly.”

“—Hii!?”

The Guild Master unsheathed his sword and pressed it against the swordsman’s throat.

The gleaming blade made the man let out a strangled yelp.

“I could have you executed right here and now. Your crimes warrant it, and I have the authority to do so. If you value your lives, drop your adventurer plates and leave.”

“H-Hiii!!”

“P-Please, wait!!”

“We’re sorryyyyy!!”

Overwhelmed by the Guild Master’s sheer presence, the swordsmen hastily discarded their adventurer plates and bolted.

As he watched them flee, the Guild Master calmly sheathed his sword.

“Now then, Lior-dono. I deeply regret the trouble caused by this incident. I also apologize for the guild staff’s inappropriate behavior. As the head of this organization, allow me to personally offer my apology.”

“P-Please, raise your head! I’m not upset about it at all…”

“I appreciate your generosity. As a token of recompense, I’d like you to accept this, if you don’t mind.”

“Is this… a new adventurer plate?”

What the Guild Master handed him was indeed an adventurer plate.

But unlike Lior’s current copper plate, this one gleamed silver.

“This is a C-rank adventurer plate. I actually observed your duel from the window. Truthfully, your skills are worthy of at least B-rank. However, adventurer rank isn’t solely based on strength; it also reflects trust and reputation. It’s not that I doubt you, but for now, I ask that you accept this.”

“No complaints here— I’m thrilled! Thank you so much!”

“I’m glad you’re pleased. I hope you’ll continue working as an adventurer in this city.”

Lior handed over his old plate and received his new one.

With his promotion to C-rank, he was now just one step away from his goal of reaching B-rank.

“Lior-kun, congratulations!”

“Thanks— whoa!?”

As Lior turned toward Ren’s voice—he was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace.

A soft sensation completely enveloped his face.

Given their height difference, being hugged by Ren meant his face was naturally buried in her chest.

The surrounding male adventurers glared at Lior with resentment.

However, for Lior himself, this was far from an enjoyable experience.

(W-Wait, Ren-san, your grip is way too strong!? M-My face is covered—I can’t breathe…!)

Being hugged by an A-rank adventurer with full strength was something Lior, still in training, had no way to resist.

With his face pressed tightly against her chest, his breathing was completely cut off.

At this rate, he had mere minutes before suffocation.

It was just like that time during his training when he was thrown into a lake by Snake Palace.

Who knew it was actually possible to kill someone with b00bs?

“Ah, sorry, sorry! I got carried away… Are you okay?”

“I’m okay… No, actually, I wasn’t okay at all, so please be more careful next time…”

“I’m really sorry…”

Had things gone any further, it might have turned into an actual accident.

Lior would’ve survived regardless, but still, he had to caution her.

Ren, looking remorseful, hung her head in genuine regret.