It only took a moment after the rest had finished introducing themselves. And as it turns out, Guro, who said by himself that he was a servant of Alex, was the single knight major - only second in command to the commander. And even though he expected as much already, it was still a shock.
Guro stared at Zero with a nod; proudly committing himself as the knight major. And Zero, too, wanted to express his reaction, but because of the stares and pressure directed towards him, he tried not to - only nodding back to Guro with a small smile of approval.
[ Now, let's go back to where we started... ] mutters Herald, the knight commander; turning again towards Zero.
[ Zero, the reason why you were sent here was for us to give our thanks to you. But... That's not all the reason there is... I'm sure Alex and Guro had already tried... Un, that's right... We would like to invite you to our ranks. ]
[ Hmm... ]
( So that's why, huh...? I guess if I thought of it enough, I would have guessed it easily... ) as he response only internally, his expression turns serious. He didn't really have much reaction to it as he already expected he would say that, but nevertheless, he took a moment to think about the request.
( What should I do...? I don't want to get on their bad side. )
Worrying, he turns glimpses to the spectators - the captains.
Every single one of them looks strong, their appearance perfectly fits the pressure their emitting as they observe him and Zear. Definitely, these people are much stronger than anyone he had encountered so far. He - not being able to appraise them also support the fact that they have higher levels than him.
[ Let me explain our reason to this, Zero... ] Herald took his attention again and continues to what he's about to reveal...
[ Base on the messenger that came before you three, it seems you have the power to drive off wyverns... ]
[ I'm particularly not... ]
He paused, not being able to find a come up to his words.
It was already a fact that came from his own mouth that the wyvern who took down Alex was driven off by himself, and he cannot take that back anymore; he won't be able to make out a story now that will cover it up since Alex herself is here, to whom he originally told the story.
[ Hmm... The knowledge, or rather, method to drive them off... I was told you know about it... ]
[ And you want to know what it is? ]
[ That's right. ]
It was already obvious. The other reason why they were so eager in calling him in here was that.
But...
Thinking about it, they might still have another motive...
[ Zero-san... Your help will definitely help not just this city, but the entire country. ] they both stare at each other as the conversation continues.
[ There have been many recent attacks coming from different monsters... We want to have all the knowledge we could get to defeat them; after all, I don't think that these attacks are just coincidence... We believe that someone is causing it... ]
Basically, they want him to share his knowledge with them. Now, the 'method' that he had faked is causing him a huge backlash; the only option he has now is to tell the truth or keep silent about it.
Zero's race is a Dragonoid. So far, he hasn't seen anyone the same as him. There was there too; the fact that everyone who sees Zear immediately backs off and turns afraid - even the captains that are here are still looking towards Zear with their guards up, despite it being well-behaved.
For now, he doesn't know yet what effects there would be once he told them about his race, but he knows for sure that it will be dangerous.
[ I'm sorry, but I can't reveal my secrets. ]
[ Mn... Is that so? Well, we can't force you to tell us... You already turned down Guro and Alex, what can this old man do when they both have failed already? ] as he seemingly gave up on forcing Zero, he bowed his head and took out a pouch.
[ There is nothing we can do, but we still need to reward you for the effort you made. ] he says as he slides the pouch towards Zero. And as intended, it stopped in front of him.
[ This is...? ]
[ Inside that pouch is a total of 20 platinum coins, I think that's enough of a reward for someone who had rescued not just a captain, but also a noble. ]
[ 20 platinum coins...? ]
Zero doesn't really know how much value it would add up as it was not a kind of currency in any games he had played before. Is it high of a reward or is it low? He doesn't know.
But he's about to know how it adds up as an angry bang of a fist striking the table was heard.
[ Tsk! For a peasant to receive such amount...! Herald-sama! Don't you think that amount is too much!? ]
There - a seat just near Guro is a young man with silver-colored long ponytailed hair. Base on his looks, he's probably one of the youngest, at the same age as Alex. And at the measurement of both Zero's world and this new one, he would be considered as an Ikemen.
[ Will, restrain your self. ] Herald spoke, still with a calm expression on his face.
[ Will-san, I think this amount is enough for the person who had saved my life. ] Alex also followed with her thoughts.
[ Herald-sama... Alex-san... We allowed this person to come into this room because we thought that he would be of help, but that's not what had happened at all! ]
[ What do you mean? ]
[ It's simple, we asked how he was able to defeat this wyvern, yet he did not give us an answer; I think that it was just the work of luck that he was able to encounter Alex-san... The wyvern had already probably left when he came. ] with confidence in his words, he revealed his honest thoughts.
( This guy is... )
[ I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this thought. ]
[ Hmm... Now that I think about it, that's probably the case to what had happened. ]
[ There's a chance that we're just being deceived... We need to investigate this further... ]
[ We need to find out if he really deserves that amount of money. ]
And just like that, voices Will urged followed. They all have suspicious looks no their faces, looking both at him, and his pet dragon, Zear.
( I only came here to get my reward and now I'm getting bombarded with these rude comments... )
[ Enough with this! No matter what had really happened! Zero was still the person who helped Alex. ]
[ That's right, even if he didn't mention how he defeated the enemy, he was still the person who took care of me and had given me a potion. ]
( Wha...? Does that mean even Alex-san still doesn't fully believe that I drove off that wyvern!? Is it really that unbelievable!? ) Zero made sure not to show his discomfort, but his face is already starting to reveal it.
[ Even if that was the case, I still won't accept the reward you're giving him. It's too much even for a Diamond rank adventurers. ]
Zero is still at the lowest class of adventurers, of course, people will suspect him. Just as what Alex had said when they first met, she just couldn't believe that a mere low-class adventurer would be able to drive off such a strong monster.
With the same logic as that, it's also unbelievable for him to receive the highest currency there is. With that amount, Zero would be able to live freely without any problems for a decade or two - still, Zero doesn't know about this; he doesn't know how much that amount adds up yet.
[ How about this, Zero-san. ] Will stood up and called to him, looking down at him with a big smirk on his face.
[ I challenge you to a duel! ]
[ [ ... ] ]
( Huh...? ) everyone that was in the room expressed their surprise as he spoke.
[ If you win, I will acknowledge you and I won't disagree with anything regarding your benefit, but if you lose, you will get nothing, not your reward, not the word that you defeated a wyvern and rescued Alex-san. ]
( This person... A challenge with this knight captain... He's most likely stronger than me. )
[ Will-san; is that right? ]
[ That's 'Will-sama' for you. ]
[ Un, Will, even if I don't fight you, I think I will be able to receive my reward. Herald-san, I can receive my reward even if I don't get acknowledged, right? ] he says as he turns towards Herald, ignoring Will.
( I finally crossed the line, huh? I know I shouldn't get their bad side, but I just couldn't help it anymore... )
What he did was totally out of line, he knows that it's disrespectful and he will get a bad reputation for it, but he just can't let himself be looked down on. If he's in the right, he will fight for it - that's how it has always been for him, and it wouldn't change even if he's not the same person anymore.
[ You...! You dare to disrespect me!? ] he pulled his sword from its sheath as his expression twisted in anger.
[ Grr... Fine, if you defeat me, you can ask for anything you want. ]
( Hmm... Anything I want...? That doesn't sound bad but it's too vague... ) Zero caress his chin as he started to have a deep thought.
( Anything I want... I can't think of anything... )
[ There would be no limitations to your wish! Even if you wish for my wealth, women, or even myself, my very body! I won't disagree! ]
( ... )
[ Huh...? Your body? ]
[ Hmph! Since there will be no chance that you will be able to win, I might as well bet it; that's right, you can turn me into your slave. ]
[ Wait! Will, isn't that a bit too much!? ] the other captains started to bicker as he bets his own freedom on the line. And Zero too couldn't believe what he just heard; how far this person had gone to just to prove his point.
But, because of this bet, Zero was only given further reason to not accept his challenge.
[ Why would I want you to become my slave? ] he flatly denied.
[ ... ] and everyone went quiet, having questionable look on their faces as they look at him without uttering a word.
( If he's a nice woman, then I'll probably accept, but this person is a man... ) but despite the weird expressions on their faces, Zero continues to ignore them and only carefully observes Will from head to toe. And what he only sees is an Ikemen that probably mess around with women.
[ Hahaha! ]
And that was then a loud laugh resounded throughout the room.
[ Will...! You really raised the stakes! ] with a delighted tone, Herald complimented.
[ Well, since you're in that uniform, Zero-san would definitely not guessed... ] he turns to Zero this time - and continues...
[ Zero-san, it may not look like it, but Will is a not a man... but a beautiful young woman. ]
( ... )
[ Huh!? ]