****(POV)

*Sigh* This job of mine is really exhausting.

I'm the one and only assistant to the lord.

I'm also one of the guards here.

I was really happy at first when I got promoted.

Better salary, the feeling of climbing the hierarchy, power.

I was a fool.

I should have stayed a simple guard.

The lord is extremely lazy and will dump any work there is to be done on me.

Well, the good thing is that I can do the same.

I try to have a few subordinates help me.

Still, it is concerning having a lord that barely cares about the city.

His philosophy is that as long as nothing big happens it's not of his business.

Except that this situation right now might evolve into a huge problem.

There are so many red flags.

The guards and the guild both there, yet none daring to make a move?

This is weird.

Reminds me of that thing with the slimes.

Well, that one was a false alarm.

I personally went to confirm, and the slimes were only slightly higher in number.

I guess we just need to reevaluate their breeding rate, but nothing too troublesome.

In this case, there is a clear danger.

If we lose the hostage, we'll be punished for sure.

To be honest the whole thing is madness.

Even if the culprit manages to get away, he'll be hunted down.

Why did we have to chance upon a madman?

I reach the scene of the action.

"Hey, I'll be in charge from now on. What exactly is preventing you guys from moving in?"

A captain there answers me.

"Sir, we have sent someone to get help. We are awaiting the arrival of an expert. Afterward, we'll move-in according to his expertise."

That's good. At least they aren't just sitting duck.

I wonder who they are waiting for?

Must be one of our mages.

Yeah, obviously.

"What about the guild?"

"They refuse to participate in this at all."

"Alright keep standing watch, I'll go talk to them."

Now, just gotta find someone that can …ah that one will do. One of the youngsters, but one that is part of their disciplinary group.

Don't ask me why I know that.

"Hey there, young man. I'm in charge of the operations of the city guard. I'll need you to cooperate with us on this."

He turns to me.

"Sorry, no can do. We already have our hands full at the moment."

"Young man, are you unaware that the hostage in there is one of yours?"

"Oh, we know. We are looking for someone. This is a directive of the guild…"

"Yes, but surely saving a life should come before this."

"Are you done interrupting me? As I was saying we are looking for someone."

He glances around making sure no one in earshot.

" *Whisper* Keep it for yourself, but we are looking for a rank 4 tamer of ours. Once we find him we'll ask him to handle the situation. Got it?"

Damn! A rank 4?!

"Who is it? Star Tamer or Eternal Ice?"

I can see his gaze filled with admiration.

"Nope. A newcomer. A true tamer. The coolest guy I've ever met and …"

That's when I stop listening.

That worshipping expression tells me a lot.

He's resolved himself to wait for his idol.

This is annoying.

Still, this is comforting.

There doesn't seem to be any deep scheme behind this.

There is one thing I do find weird.

What's with these crazy demands of theirs?

Especially the one where they want the guards to organize a red carpet walk for them with rose petals?

Who is the insane bastard that came up with these?

Anyway, I guess I need to do something about the gathering crowd.

We need more entertainment in this city.

So many bored citizens are currently crowding over.

Well, there is an easy way to take care of it.

"Listen up people! I'm busy with stuff right now. Any bystander still here in 10 seconds will get beaten up by yours truly!"

I do a countdown slowly.

All gone now.

It is the basic procedure to clear the irrelevant people.

Ah, I see the issue.

For some reason, most of the guards here are off duty.

I go back to the captain.

"By the way how did you guys happen to be in the area?"

He scratches his head in embarrassment.

"We were drinking Sir. Seeing off an old colleague of ours. He is going back to the diplomatic city soon."

I see. It was all a coincidence.

This is a good thing.

Otherwise, the culprit would have been free to run.

At least now he is stuck in a building with no exit other than the main one.

Getting away is impossible.

At least it should be.

Then comes a man.

"Sir! I heard about what happened! I'm a mage affiliated with the …"

"Sure, I don't care about that. What can you do?"

"Sir, in this situation I could use invisibility magic and try to sneak inside to rescue the hostage directly."

Nice! I'm so glad we have this guy.

Perfect power for the task at hand!

"Alright, I'll be counting on you! Make sure to strike decisively and not to make any mistake!"

"Yes Sir! I'll just need an opportunity to …"

That's when the door opens.

That one guard that has been going back and forth asking for news is out again.

"Well, there you go. It seems luck is on our side. Go ahead!"

He slowly chants and disappears.

This is perfect.

As that guy returns back in, he will be able to follow him secretly.

After that, I will simply have to wait for the good news.

Then I will be done with that bullshit.

Right, I am supposed to involve the tamer's guild somehow.

Screw that.

I'd rather try and save a life.

If it works, the lord won't be able to blame me.

If it doesn't work…he's busy hiding anyway.

Already scared by their rather peculiar demands.

As I approach the captain, he hands me a piece of paper.

On it more requests.

Written in elegant calligraphy.

Okay, what the fuck.

Who the hell asks for snacks during a hostage situation?!