“Hm? Oh, don’t worry about that too much. The guild occasionally accepts request from the kingdom to put up bounties on wanted criminals and the like. It’s entirely up to you to accept them, however.” He explains with an ever-growing conniving tone

There is something much darker about this guild than I can see isn’t there? I need to be careful not to become too involved in it.

“Now if you will just give me your guild card then I’ll personally raise your rank.” The guild leader says outstretching his hand

The receptionist stares at his hand in fear. Looking between me and it her expression gets gradually more frightened as her faces color fades. I give her a gloating stare that she immediately grasps the meaning of. Positioned outside of the guild leaders view she places her hands together and begins to plead silently to me.

“About that… There was a bit of a problem when I was signing up. You see I’m a sponsored fighter in the tournament, but I was registered first with a party card.” I explain with a smile

It might be partially because I’m the “Maou” but the look of betrayal on the receptionist's face fills me with joy. As I continue to speak the hope fades from her eyes, and she closes her eyes to brace herself for the consequences.

“I suppose I was a bit aggressive in what I was asking for. I was in a really big hurry and I wasn’t really listening to what my receptionist was saying so things got a bit messed up. It seems like she still spoke highly of me even after I went and made another mistake though. I’m very grateful.” I say in a casual and apologetic tone

I was looking at the guild leader to gauge his reaction the whole time, so I didn’t see her expression change, but when I did look back at her she was staring at me with disbelief and relief. You can even sense hints of joy and comradery in her as the way she looks at me changes.

“Haha! Why didn’t you say so before! Sponsored fighters get free single registration and an instant rank! It was never a problem for you to fight that Orc in the first place!”

Pfft!

I can’t help but let out a chuckle at the receptionist reaction to that. Her mouth is hanging open, and as the realization that all of her lies were just discovered her face begins to turn blue with cold sweat dripping down.

The guild leader must have simply taken it as me laughing along with him as he doesn’t hesitate for a moment when I do.

“Since you two seem to be so well acquainted I suppose I can trust you to register her with a proper card Riem?” He says turning to the receptionist

Her expression snaps back to hide her guilt, but you can still see signs of panic on her face.

“Y-Yes, sir.” She stutters out

Riem? Is that her name then? I suppose we haven’t properly introduced ourselves to one another yet.

“Well then, since my business here is done I’m afraid I need to leave.” He says grabbing a coat

He is either a great actor or an incredible idiot to remain so nonchalant through this entire discussion. Then again I suppose he didn’t really stand to lose anything here. Worse case he didn’t get a prospective adventurer under his thumb.

As he leaves the room with a wave the receptionist shoulders instantly relax.

“Wow, you really covered for me there. I appreciate it!” She lets out with a triumphant smile

“Think nothing of it. When I give my word to someone, I keep it. It’s as simple as that.” I explain

“Next time w-” She begins before I cut her off

“I will even give you my word again, and you can trust I will keep it. If you ever try to put my companions, or my own life, in danger again for your own gain then I will make the worst punishment that the guild could possibly give you seem like a mere slap on the wrist.” I say with all the anger I can muster in my tone