Chapter 56: Knights and Adventurers
"Hey, hey! Just because you're a knight, you think you can look down on us!?"
As we waited to exchange the materials gathered in the Twilight Forest for gold at the guild, angry voices echoed in the lobby. Looking over, I saw a scene where a group of adventurers and a squad of knights were glaring at each other.
As expected, tensions have arisen between adventurers and the knights.
Adventurers and knights hold opposing values of freedom and discipline. It was foreseeable that some sort of trouble would arise when the knights entered the labyrinth, but...
"This doesn't seem peaceful. What's going on, you guys?"
When another group of adventurers inquired, one of the adventurers replied irritably, "Can you believe it? While we were exploring the labyrinth, they told us to go away because we were disturbing their investigation! They waited until we came out of the labyrinth to start complaining!"
"No, wait a moment. I merely stated that we would prefer not to be approached too closely during our practical training in the labyrinth. We have our own mission. There are things we can't disclose or show to outsiders, even regarding the contents of our training."
Mission, huh? Probably referring to the sealed doors.
Alfred mentioned something similar, perhaps about those unopened doors with insignias that were supposed to lead to an unimplemented area. If we were talking about BFO.
"Oh? Are you saying we were snooping around? And you guys, don't act like you're so high and mighty! First, they tell us to hand over our maps, and then they want us to take them around. How audacious!"
"We're not the ones who said that. We're different from those people."
The annoyed adventurer retorted, and the young knight across from them also showed his displeasure.
I couldn't read their expressions. They had their backs turned to us, and they were only lifting their visors.
"Hah! How about that!"
"What did you say...?"
It's going this way. I wasn't really paying attention, so I can't say who's right, but it seems like the adventurers are provoking this time.
Or... reaching a specific floor on the map, huh? Did someone mess that up?
"The knights were dispatched here under the pretense of training for knights and soldiers. So, under normal circumstances, they shouldn't be doing something like this. Probably it's the Greg faction. I heard that, since their influence has waned, they sent some of their associates to the labyrinth."
Shiela added as a supplement.
"...So, Greg himself is in the castle as part of the Dragon Squadron?"
"Seems that way."
Training is just a pretext. Although I had suspected that there might be something related to the labyrinth based on the actions of the knights, they're maintaining a front. If there's a hint of the scent of gold, people will start probing, huh?
The Greg faction as well... the maps, reaching specific floors, they represent the fruits of the adventurers' struggles. If they're asked to hand those over, they're bound to become resentful.
Adventurers have strong connections among themselves. If some of them behave this way, the whole group will be viewed in a negative light, and the bad reputation will spread quickly.
The Greg group probably feels the pressure of their dwindling influence, and that's probably why they're in such a hurry, trying to achieve results. But in doing so, they're only tarnishing the reputation of the knights... They really aren't thinking it through, Greg.
"Excuse me, Mr. Theodore. Please wait a moment."
"...Understood."
Heather, noticing the increasing tension, stepped forward.
"Please calm down. We can't afford to have a dispute here."
Heather intervened without hesitation. If she hesitated in such situations, she wouldn't be suitable for the receptionist role at the adventurer's guild.
Heather... she has a slightly troubled demeanor.
She complains about having too much work and not enough time off, yet she actively takes on more tasks and handles them skillfully. That's why she becomes busier and is relied upon by higher-ups.
"What do you want me to do then?"
"It's possible there has been a misunderstanding on both sides. Instead of trying to lay blame here and sow the seeds of discord, it might be better to focus on preventing such incidents in the future..."
Heather's perspective... I think it's somewhat valid in this situation. Based solely on what both sides are saying, there seems to be an element of misunderstanding leading to this dispute.
Since both parties are speaking based on their impressions, it's bound to devolve into a pointless argument. And unless it's a grave matter, something like a magical inquisition wouldn't resolve this, given its reliance on subjectivity.
"Hey! Whose side are you on!?"
...That's what I thought, but apparently one of the adventurers didn't see it that way.
He seemed to be anticipating Heather to side with them, but when she started speaking, he got more and more agitated. He even tried to interrupt her with a sharp retort and moved toward her as if he might physically confront her.
This seems to be a scene where Heather is being helped. Somehow, she's been with the guild the longest. She takes care of our convenience and has been looking after us since we came here.
I leap to a spot within the adventurer's field of vision and catch a glimpse. And, as planned, I managed to catch the adventurer's attention. He furrows his brow and looks over at me.
"...Demon Slayer. You're a newcomer, yet you've got quite an attitude, don't you? Don't you think you should show respect to your seniors?"
"...Then shouldn't you have addressed the knights who were conducting investigation training there first?"
If we're talking about who should take precedence, that's the situation. This labyrinth isn't this guy's personal property, and I have no intention of looking up to such a man as a senior and being indebted to him.
"What did you say?"
"Hey, Jasper, around here..."
"Shut up! Are you trembling because the opponent is a demon slayer!?"
The man called Jasper waves his hand as if to brush something away and foam flies from his mouth.
He's gotten excited and has even snapped at his companions. In this guy's case, it seems he operates more on territorial instincts and pride rather than logic, believing that adventurers like us are ahead of the labyrinth.
"Well, sorry. I have indeed heard of such misconduct. Those individuals have been cautioned. I apologize for any words or actions that may have caused misunderstandings."
Until now, the knight had only lifted the visor of his helmet, but now he removes his helmet and bows his head.
I hadn't realized since he had been facing away from us earlier, but he seems to be a female knight.
Her voice has a slightly husky quality, and she's tall, making it hard to tell she's wearing a helmet and surcoat.
"It's too late now!"
"Jasper!"
"Shut up!"
When he's reprimanded by his companions in a strong tone, Jasper clicks his tongue and leaves the scene with heavy, hasty footsteps.
"...Thank you, Theodore."
"Not at all. We're always grateful for Heather's help."
It's nice to hear you say that. Sigh...
Perhaps because the mediation didn't go well, Heather seems somewhat dejected. She probably sees handling these kinds of troubles as part of her job.
"...I apologize for causing a commotion. I'm not used to the labyrinth, and I was a bit on edge. I am Mercedes Corbett."
Knight Mercedes offers a bow to the adventurers.
"...No, we were at fault too. We admit that we may have lumped you in with the others."
The remaining group of adventurers conveys their gratitude to Mercedes and departs. Well, except for Jasper, it seems the others have understood.
Depending on the situation, Jasper might leave the adventurer group. I don't feel responsible for that aspect, but Heather seems to.
"You all, I apologize for causing you extra trouble. It might not be my place to say this, but I'll raise the issue with the knight order and implement measures to prevent a recurrence."
"That would be appreciated. That man, Jasper, was angry not because of logical reasons but due to pride or something similar. Rather than being a knight order issue, it might be more about Greg's faction, don't you think?"
"...Well, that might be true, but..."
As I say this, Mercedes scratches her head, looking troubled. It's probably not easy for her to answer, being in the service of the palace.