A cloud of dust arose from the rear walls of the guild. There was wood broken, glass shattered, and furniture destroyed. Luckily, no one was hurt in the incident.

The crowd of adventurers who witnessed the scene were making a ruckus about what had just transpired before them.

「Yuna!」Grey

「cough... cough... Don't worry, I'm alright... cough... cough...」Yuna

Yuna said as she stood up as if nothing happened.

Thankfully, Yuna was wearing【Divine Armor】. If it wasn't for the armor's ability to defend against fatal blows in exchange for mana, Yuna's life would have been in danger.

Seeing Yuna safe from harm, I unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. I wouldn't have known what to do if it was the other way around.

「What's happening here!?」Gaston

A loud voice echoed throughout the guild. Bringing back the guild from a chaotic state back to order. And to answer the guildmaster's question, one of the receptionists approached the guildmaster and vaguely told him what happened.

「Haah... I see... Yuna, Grey, follow me, we'll have to talk about this. And staff, do something about those guys.」Gaston

Gaston pointed at the group of scumbags who fainted from experiencing the pressure of both my aura and bloodlust.

Heeding the guildmaster's orders, Yuna and I followed him to his office. There, we were told to take our seats, parallel from the guildmaster's desk.

「You two, wait for me to come back. I'll just settle the matter with the damage on the guild.」Gaston

When the guildmaster left, an awkward silence swallowed the room. The room was so silent, it was deafening.

When I saw Yuna get blasted into the wall, a cold chill ran down my spine. It was as if the world broke down before me.

What was I doing!? I should have known better than to go along with their provocations! I could have killed Yuna if something went wrong!

「Grey, are you alright? You look pale.」Yuna

「Ah, sorry... It's just that I...」Grey

When I heard Yuna's voice, my body subconsciously moved away from her. Moving instinctively, fearing to hurt Yuna once again.

「Don't worry, I don't blame you. Knowing you, you probably acted like that because they did something reasonable.」Yuna

Yuna gently held my hand, not even showing any signs of fear. It was that time when I realized how much trust Yuna has for me.

I don't know why, but hearing her words, tears just flowed out uncontrollably from my eyes. Tears of both joy and relief.

「Why are you crying, silly?」Yuna

「Nothing, I'm just happy that your safe.」Grey

「Hehe, I see...」Yuna

Seeing Yuna giggle, a heavy feeling was lifted from my heart. The fear of hurting Yuna that was once present had disappeared. It was as if she casted some type of recovery magic on me.

Come to think of it, Yuna has always been by my side and has always consoled me every time I'm down. I should repay her for everything she's done for me, but for now, I'll just say it with words first.

「Yuna, thank you. I'm really grateful that you're my partner.」Grey

「U-Un... I feel the same.」Yuna

A slight blush surfaced from Yuna's face. Come to think of it, what I said was a little embarrassing. Nevertheless, I'm happy that I was able to say those words.

A few minutes later, the guildmaster went back inside the office. Somehow, he looks a lot calmer than when he left.

「Haah... What were you thinking, causing a ruckus in the guild just because of the words of a drunk bunch of adventurers. You're an adult already, stop acting so childish. You're lucky that some adventurers testified for you.」Gaston

「Sorry about that. Don't worry, I'll pay for the damage.」Grey

「That's only natural. And with what you did, you should be receiving a punishment. But since this is your first time causing trouble, I'll just let you off with a warning.」Gaston

「Ah! Thank you!」Grey

「Haah... Seriously, youth these days...」Gaston

Having finished the conversation about the recent incident, the guildmaster took a seat in his desk.

「So what did you want to meet me for? If your asking for an update about that case, I'm afraid I still won't be able to give you one.」Gaston

「No, where not here for that. It's related, but not about that.」Grey

「Hm? Then what are you here for?」Gaston

「Say, are you familiar with these?」Grey

I retrieved the 【Enslavement Orb】 from my 『Storage』and showed it to the guildmaster.

「No, but I assume it will be useful to solve this case. Where did you get your hands on that?」Gaston

「You see...」Grey

In order to answer the guildmaster's question, I told him what happened when Yuna and I were out shopping this afternoon. From encountering one of the scumbags until when I entered the guild and I got into a "fight" with his party members, I did not leave a single detail untold.

「Enslavement Orb, huh...」Gaston

Before commenting any further, the guildmaster scrutinized the orb without missing out on a single detail. He examined it until his curiosity was satisfied.

「This surely is a mysterious magic tool. And you're saying that this is the cause of recent beasts incidents?」Gaston

「Yes. However, I believe that the perpetrators aim is not to let the beasts run wild and go on a rampage, but amass an army of high-ranking beasts. Although, this is just my assumption.」Grey

「No, that could be possible, given the purpose of the orb... Haah... This case just keeps getting more complex as time passes.」Gaston

I can't deny the guildmaster's word. The more we crack down the case, the more it feels that we're getting further from the truth.

But what I'm most worried about is the perpetrator's goal. If this was a plot from a novel or manga, the perpetrator's goal is probably to dominate the whole world. But fictional works are not something I can rely on in a situation like this.

Well, whatever their goal is, I'll make sure to destroy them. Not just for the promise I made to the villagers that died a year ago, but also for the other victims of the same incidentsー

Haah... What am I saying? It sounded like I wanted to play the hero. When did I develop such a strong sense of justice?

「Looks like we'll have to investigate Jako and his party members.」Gaston

The guildmaster mumbled in a low voice, however, it was loud enough for us to hear as clear as day.

「You two can go now, I'll call you again when I have an update with the interrogation of Jako's party.」Gaston

「Then I'll be leaving the orb on your care.」Grey

「You can count on me for that.」Gaston

「Well be heading out now. Thank you for your time. Let's go, Yuna」Grey

「Un.」Yuna

Just before we left the room, I saw the guildmaster examine the orb even more thoroughly whilst taking out the files for the case. Looks like someone's going to have a long day.

「Grey, do you think we're close to solving this case?」Yuna

「I don't know, but I'm sure we're making progress. Why do you ask?」Grey

「Mmm... I just want to prepare myself for the time that I will face the perpetrators of these incidents.」Yuna

Hmm... Yuna sure is taking this well. I'm amazed how calm she can be, even though she's one of the people who had lost the most because of these incidents. I just hope she picks the right choice on how to handle the situation when the time arrives.

Well, whatever choice she ends up choosing, I'll be sure to support her. For now, I just want her to be happy with whatever she has right now.

「Hm? W-Why so sudden?」Yuna

Yuna asked in a surprised tone when I suddenly patted her head.

「No reason, I just felt like it. Do you hate it?」Grey

「Not really...」Yuna

Since Yuna didn't complain about it, I continued patting her head gently. I'm so glad she's honest with her feelings and not a tsundere.

After a few moments, we arrived at the lobby from the guildmaster's office. And the moment we took a step outside, the adventurers' focus were instantaneously shifted towards us.

Unlike the stares during the time the guildmaster gave us the orc horde subjugation quest, these stares weren't of disbelief, but of both fear and amazement.

Haah... What a troublesome situation.

【【Gaston's Perspective】】

Enslavement Orb... Enslavement Orb... Ensla...

Haah... What am I doing? Repeating its name wouldn't help me solve the case. And there's still the interrogation of Jako's party that I need to handle.

I haven't even finished my paperwork and there's already a new problem I need to solve.

Haah... The world is just too cruel for this old man.

「Rina!」Gaston

「You called, guildmaster?」Rina

「What's with that stiff attitude? Loosen up a bit, will you? It's just the two of us, no need to be so serious.」Gaston

「Well, if you say so... So, what did you call me for, tou-san?」Rina

This girl... At first glance, she looks like the mature and serious type, a role model for ladies. But whenever I tell her to loosen up, she takes it in an exaggerated way and acts like a brat.

「Tou-san, you still there? Hello? Merusia to tou-san. Touー」Rina

「I'm still here so keep your voice down a little.」Gaston

Seriously, what am I going to do to this daughter of mine.

「Rina, listen. I need you to call over Kris and Aria here. And while you're at it, call Marcel over as well.」Gaston

「Marcel-ojisan? Are you going to interrogate someone again?」Rina

「Yeah... It will be Jako's party.」Gaston

「Jako's party? Is it about the ruckus that happened recently?」Rina

「Not really, I'll just tell you later. For now, just call over those three here.」Gaston

「If you say so, but promise me that you'll tell me later, kay?」Rina

「Yeah, yeah.」Gaston

【【Marcel's Perspective】】

「Guildmaster, someone's looking for you.」Staff

「Tell them to set an appointment, I still have a lot of things to do.」Marcel

「Umm... I've already told her that, but she insisted that she needs to have a word with you right now. It's the vice-guildmaster of the adventurer's guild」Staff

Hm? It's almost evening already. What does Rina want with me?

「Fine, let her in.」Marcel

After I gave my consent, the staff left my office and had a talk with Rina. A few moments later, Rina arrived at my office, and the staff left us alone to have a private discussion.

「So, what did you want to talk about? Hurry up, I still have work to do.」Marcel

「Marcel-ojisan, you're so cold～. You didn't even greet me when I came all the way from the adventurer's guild to see you.」Rina

「Rina, stop playing around already.」Marcel

「Geez, Marcel-ojisan, you're no fun. No wonder you never got marrieー ow, ow oww, I'm sowwy, I'm sowwy!」Rina

Before I even noticed, I already found myself pinching Rina's cheeks. I must have acted on God's will, yeah, it's definitely not because of irritation. It was because of God's will.

「Uuu... Marcel-ojisan, you're so me～an. Is that anyway to treat your goddaughter? Uuu... it's still hurting.」Rina

「You deserved it. And if annoying me is all you came for, you are free to go. I still have a mountain of paperworks to finish.」Marcel

「No, don't send me away! If you do, tou-san's going to scold me! Marcel-ojisan, please have mercy on me～!」Rina

「Haah... Then let's hear it.」Marcel

Seriously, why did I agree to become her godfather.

「You see, tou-san told me he needs your help in interrogating once again. As for the one's that's going to be interrogated, it will be Jako's party.」Rina

「Jako's party? If I remember correctly, it should be a C-rank party.」Marcel

「That's right.」Rina

「And the reason for interrogating them?」Marcel

「Tou-san did not tell me.」Rina

He's interrogating a C-rank party? Moreover, he did not tell his daughter about it. Looks like we have a serious matter at hand.

But interrogations, huh... He's probably calling me over because of my ability. Seriously, what a pain in the ass.

「Haah... I'll lend you a hand. But don't think I'll do this for free, I'll have you owe me one when the time comes.」Marcel

「Marcel-ojisan, you really are shrewd...」Rina

「I'm a merchant after all.」Marcel

And as a merchant, this is a good opportunity to strike a deal with the adventurer's guild. Well it's not like I have any issues in the merchant's guild right now, but it's never a bad thing to have someone owe me.

After finishing my work for the day, I followed Rina towards the adventurer's guild. By the time we arrived there, the guild was almost empty already.

As expected, it's already past 10 after all. This trip better be worth it.

「Marcel, what took you so long?」Gaston

「Shut up, Gaston. You know how busy I am.」Marcel

「Yeah, yeah. But it's already late so let's get down to business. But before that, let's get to the interrogation room first.」Gaston

Hm? That's odd. Normally, Gaston would joke around before going to the main topic. This case might be more serious than I thought.

「What are spacing out there for?」Gaston

「Nothing... Oh, by the way, if it's just me alone, I might not be able to extract the truth out of them, they're a C-rank party after all.」Marcel

My ability,『Confession』, forces my targets to answer all of my questions truthfully. But it has one flaw, it only works if my targets are a rank higher than me at most. If the gap is higher, they need to be under pressure before my ability can affect them.

「Don't worry, I've already got that covered.」Gaston

So he's already prepared everything, huh... This is getting me curious...

With the greetings done, all of us headed to the interrogation room, but before the room was in sight, two familiar adventurers came into view. It was Kris-dono and Aria-dono, Galderia's most powerful adventurers.

Certainly, if it's these two, any C-rank party would be put under extreme pressure.

「Kris-dono, Aria-dono, fancy meeting you here.」Marcel

「I'm also glad to meet you.」Kris

「Same here.」Aria

「Now that we're all here, why don't we start the interrogation.」Gaston

After saying our greetings to each other, Gaston prompted us to enter the room and start the interrogation, which we all then agreed with.

When we entered the room, there were five adventurers tied in a chair with both hand and feet binded by magic.

「Heh, no matter how much you ask us, you won't get a thing out of us.」Jako

「We'll see about that. Kris, Aria.」Gaston

「Yeah.」Kris

Heeding the guildmaster's command, Kris-dono and Aria-dono directed their aura towards Jako's party. And with the pressure coming from a B-rank and an A-rank adventurer, the faces which were once filled with confidence were now sweating bullets.

Well, this makes my job easier.

Having seen my targets having difficulties enduring the pressure from both Kris-dono and Aria-dono, I took my seat parallel to them and started asking questions.

「Now, be some good boys and answer all my questions, alright?」Marcel

CHAPTER 19 END