20. The Great Sage Hires Adventurers
"You need help?
That's what I told the guild chief.
The Adventurer Guild was noisy. Suddenly a monster began raiding the city from the Devil's Forest. Moreover, it was caused by the defeat of the Knights of the Kingdom. A normal person would be driven by fear.
"Damn, I don't need your help for nothing! You guys hang on!
"Ho."
I'm impressed. He seems frightened, but still tries to do his part properly.
"I see you yelled at me, too, for a reason, if you think about it. That's to beat my fears. I'm a former member of the Brave Party, even though I'm C-ranked. Removing a license from such a person is an act of courage, not to mention a life. Maybe this guy was trying to get himself up and running to do his job."
"Even though my husband was struck like that, you really have to look at him with a wide, fair eye."
Colette opened her eyes in surprise.
"Things aren't one-sided. Everyone has good things and bad things. Those who stand on top must see both sides of it firmly."
"It's not the responsibility of those who stand on top..."
Colette nods loudly, just as she learns.
The guild leader's hanging continues.
"Grab a weapon! Set up your shields! The enemy's almost there! If we don't do it, we'll kill them both."
But the adventurers are trembling and frightened. Something like one more piece missing? If...
"Guild leader. How much will this reward be?
"Oh ⁉ at a time like this... damn, it's only one gold coin! Damn you!
I see. Well, that would be precisely the place in the kingdom's compulsory levy.
"Sir, what's the point of the question now?
"It's an easy thing. Employers don't work for me unless they pay me a fair wage. It's only a superior duty to understand that."
That's what I said, then I stood on the table. And
"One head, join this battle from start to finish and pay 100 gold coins! This is my deal with you guys as a contract in the Great Kingdom Decree!
That's what I said out loud.
The moment stopped. The covenant in the Great Kingdom Decree is a form of curse that can hardly be broken. My offer proves to be true at that point.
I kept going.
They still don't seem to be following their heads. but I'm bored if I'm up to their speed. Besides, I'm running out of time now. I beg your pardon, but let me ask you to follow my speed.
"What are you people! An adventurer! Then risk your life for a broken reward."
I give orders to everyone over the Great Upper Range.
However,
"Become ⁉ Well, such irresponsibility! Monsters from the Devil's Forest are approaching in the army! Besides, the Knights of the Kingdom are dead!
Such opposition also rose.
But on the other hand...
"Ke, but. When I said 100 gold coins... And I'm not lying. Great kingdom decree contract, huh?
"Ah, oh. How many years? Then I can feed him my family. I can fix a broken house for you."
"I have a sick sister..."
I heard voices like that. No, rather, there are a large number of such voices.
I don't care if you have an opinion that I caught it with gold. In fact, they are saying. See how many family and friends you can save with 100 gold coins. Therefore, paying enough is the role of those who stand above. Failure to fulfil those obligations... would not be more sinful than, for example, sending people to their places of death with a single piece of gold. Hmm, maybe you can judge the kingdom at my discretion at a later date.
Anyway, it means that if you understand people's society and economy properly, you can grace people who really need to be saved in this way.
"That's your husband..."
"Are you really that rumored incompetent sage...?
Colette turns her respectful eyes to me. In contrast, the guild chief seems to have lost confidence as to what kind of Ariake I really banished the rumored (bad rumor, I suppose) brave party. Oh, boy... But it would also be the role of someone like me to open people's eyes and let them take the right path back with actual action.
And
"Shit! Shit! I'll do it! There's no escape! Then Ariake... you'll have to catch on to Mr. Ariake's excitement!
"Oh, and this is the town I was born and raised in. The demons will ravage you."
"Oh, let's do it. And you're going home to your family! Take a lot of money. Damn it, let's go, you guys!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
And then you go out in formation with your own prey.
That's the same for the guild leader. Grab a giant hammer ax and try to walk out the door.
I turned around on the brink of trying to get out.
"Well, I'll tell you what I appreciate. Either way, I'm gonna have to fight. But if I hadn't behaved like you, I wouldn't even have been on the front lines. This town was over before we fought. But now it's possible to do just about 1%. If you want to fight, there is hope. Well, there's no way you can risk your life with the kingdom's gold. Thank you very much for that."
"What, until I did the obvious"
"Heh, I hope everyone thinks like you. Especially the superiors... I want to fry the dirt off my nails and make them drink... I'll see you when I'm alive. I'll celebrate with your money."
That's what he said and left.
"I'm just already teasing you... I'm glad only the money stays dead when we get out of the party."
"So you can win? What about them? It's just a bunch of adventurers. It's never a gathering of special people, is it?
Colette expressed her doubts.
I snort.
"That's what matters. I disagree with the idea that the Savior will come and protect us. That doesn't produce good results when you see it with big eyes. For mankind as a whole. So I don't think it makes sense unless the average person fights and wins on their own"
"I see. Historically, yes. That's my husband."
Just, well,
"But I think I can forgive them for fighting with heroes. I'm sure it would be flattering from the average person. So, Colette, if you drink this, let's get out of here."
"Where are we going?
I smiled quietly at the question.