SGB: Episode 161

Episode 161: Negotiation (3)

I'm walking briskly through the city.

Not in City Mode with just a breastplate, but with my shield and mace out.

"No, wait! Just wait a minute!"

Lady Urbans is following behind, practically running, and trying to stop me.

"I know what you're trying to do, but doing that won't help you, Mr. Yandel."

"......"

"I, I'll take care of it. Of course, I need your help... You lend your strength, and I'll use my head. How about it? We're a pretty good combination, aren't we?"

What is she talking about?

I ignore her chattering and continue walking. Lady Urbans, who's being treated like an invisible person, tries to block my path or grab my arm, but...

Come on, would that even work?

"Ah, seriously!!"

Lady Urbans, who's being dragged along helplessly, throws her parasol on the ground in frustration.

But was it just a momentary outburst?

She picks up the parasol within 3 seconds and continues to follow me.

"Um, I, I'm sorry."

"...?"

"Maybe... it's my fault that you're getting caught up in this. If I hadn't approached you, my father might have just left you alone."

"At least you have a conscience."

I answer for the first time at her sincere apology.

Of course, I don't stop walking.

That's one thing, and this is another.

In the first place, she doesn't seem that sincere.

"No, but I apologized!!"

I increase my speed, and Lady Urbans, who clearly grew up sheltered, wipes her sweat with a handkerchief and diligently follows behind.

It seems like she judged that there's still room for persuasion.

"Phew, phew, phew...!"

Lady Urbans continues to chatter despite her ragged breathing.

"Give me a chance to fix this. I know it's shameless of me to say this, but... I, I'll repay you several times over if I inherit my father's position...!"

Is she reaching her physical limit?

Lady Urbans' voice gradually fades.

I hesitate for a moment and then slightly slow down.

Of course, it's not because I've changed my mind and decided to help her...

'It might actually be better to have her next to me when I meet the Regional Manager.'

Come to think of it, I could easily prove my innocence using her reactions.

But if we go too slowly, she'll definitely be noisy, so I create some distance and adjust my speed to maintain it.

After about 30 minutes...

...we finally reach our destination.

[Explorer's Guild, 7th District Central Branch.]

It's the headquarters located in each district of the city.

Although I've seen it a few times while passing by, it's much bigger than other branches. And since there are tasks that can only be done at the headquarters, there are many explorers.

I stand in front of the door for a moment and contemplate.

'Should I smash it?'

But did my appearance seem hesitant?

Lady Urbans, who's practically drenched in sweat, quickly speaks.

"Right, it's not too late..."

What is she talking about?

"Okay, I've decided."

"Yes?"

"To smash it."

As expected, this is more satisfying.

_________________

Kwaaang!

I kick the closed door with all my might.

I need to show him the image of a reckless barbarian so that he'll change his mind.

Ah, if I hurt her, I'll be in deep shit.

'Well, if the conversation goes well, she won't be able to ask for repair costs.'

And besides, I have the money to pay for it.

But did they use good wood for the door just because it's the headquarters?

It doesn't break as cleanly as I thought.

Therefore...

"Kyaak! Wh, what are you do—!"

Whether Lady Urbans screams or not...

...I pull back my leg that pierced through the door and calmly grab my mace.

And I completely smash the door.

Kwagic! Kwagic! Kwagic!

The main entrance has evolved into an open-door type, allowing for better air circulation.

I see the gazes of the employees and explorers beyond it.

"...Robbery?"

"No, if it were a robbery, why would he come here instead of a bank..."

From those who express reasonable doubts to those who are just staring blankly, those who are looking at me like I'm crazy, and lastly, those who see this situation as an opportunity, as expected of cunning explorers.

"Miss, will they give us achievement points for taking care of that?"

"Yes? Yes! I think a rule like that was created about six months ago!"

"That's good."

The bald man who was standing next to the female employee approaches me, stretching his arms as if warming up.

Come to think of it, there was a guy like this before.

Six months ago, when I became a free barbarian.

'...I didn't expect a 5th-grade explorer to appear right away. Is the level of visitors higher because it's the headquarters?'

The badge he's proudly wearing on his waist indicates that he's a 5th-grade explorer.

Well, that doesn't mean I'm inferior, but...

I even have the thought that he might be a good opponent to gauge my combat strength.

But...

"I didn't come here to fight you. Move aside."

As a modern person, I try to talk first.

I judged that there's no need to fight an explorer unnecessarily.

However, the bald man doesn't seem to want to miss the opportunity to gain achievement points.

"Hey, barbarian. It seems like you have some kind of complaint against the guild, but if that's the case, you should have filed a formal complaint."

"Complaint?"

"Ah, you don't even know the procedure? Well, that's understandable for a barbarian."

I smile bitterly.

Barbarian. It's not wrong.

Even barbarians consider themselves barbarians.

But only we're allowed to call each other that!

"...You have a problem with your head. That's probably why you're bald."

"What? You bastard...!"

As expected, he shaved his head because of hair loss. The bald man is enraged and charges towards me.

No, to be precise, he was about to.

"St, stop it!!"

Lady Urbans shouts, blocking my path and the bald man's. The bald man stops, as if he can't hurt a civilian.

"Get out of the way. That guy is a criminal who dared to cause a scene at the guild. I don't know who you are, miss, but if you take his side—"

That's when the situation takes a new turn as an employee recognizes Lady Urbans while the bald man is threatening her.

"...Miss Urbans?"

"What? Urbans? Then she's the Regional Manager's daughter?"

"Why would a woman like that be with that barbarian..."

The bald man, sensing that something is wrong after realizing her identity, stealthily retreats.

Is it because he's 5th-grade?

As expected, he's quick-witted.

"Is my father upstairs?"

"Yes? Yes! He is, but..."

"I'll go up with him. That's alright, right? Here... please take care of everything."

"Yes! Of course!"

Thanks to Lady Urbans' status, we're able to calm down the commotion on the 1st floor and head upstairs.

Creak, creak.

The wooden stairs groan, unable to withstand the weight of a barbarian in heavy armor.

I stop for a moment and ask,

"Why did you help me just now?"

"You wouldn't have changed your mind anyway."

Uh, well... that's true...

But that's why I don't understand even more.

If she judged that she couldn't win me over, why did she try to help me?

"I thought my proposal would ultimately benefit you, Mr. Yandel. But since you don't want it, this is the right thing to do. I'm sorry that you're getting caught up in our family matters. I'll talk to my father properly when we get inside."

Hmm, this time, I can feel her sincerity.

But...

"I see."

I nod nonchalantly and continue walking.

"Huh? That's it?"

What, did she think I would change my mind?

"Solve your family matters yourselves."

It's the first reason I came here today.

"You're saying you'll betray my daughter?"

"Betray? We were never even allies. And we never will be."

The Regional Manager looks at me with a meaningful gaze as if trying to hide his true intentions.

I don't bother making excuses.

It's up to him to judge.

"Then why did you come here with my daughter?"

"She kept bothering me, so I thought it would be better to just tell you directly. But she followed me. Like a goblin."

"Th, that's because I was trying to stop you from doing something reckless before you entered...!"

Lady Urbans explodes at the word 'goblin', and as expected, her reaction helps.

"I see. I'll believe you."

The first goal, clearing the misunderstanding, is achieved.

"But if that was your purpose, why are you being so rude?"

The Regional Manager then asks, looking at the shattered door.

"It has nothing to do with my feelings. What will people think of me when they see that broken door?"

Well, a clean and honest representative who values communication with his employees and has nothing to hide?

I chuckle as I have that thought.

I understand what he's trying to say.

That I've tarnished his reputation.

"I could arrest and detain you right now, and no one would say a word."

He's not wrong, but I'm not scared.

Because he can't do it.

That's why I'm acting recklessly.

"Try arresting me. Then everything you've done will be revealed to the world."

"...You trust that scout friend of yours?"

"No way."

I shake my head firmly.

I have no intention of involving Rotmiller in this.

And besides, I have a much better card.

"I have a copy of the recording from when you tried to bribe the mage during the prison break."

"That girl from the Artemion school lied to me."

"I told her I wouldn't show it to anyone, but I don't think I said I wouldn't make a copy."

I tilt my head innocently and add,

"Just so you know, she recently joined our team as the mage."

In short, it means he should give up on trying to bribe Raven.

The Regional Manager's eyes turn cold.

Geez, does he still not understand the situation?

I'm not the powerless barbarian I was when we first met.

"The Regional Manager who tried to frame and kill the successor of the barbarian tribe. I heard there's an election next year, that would be a nice scandal to use against you."

"...Successor?"

"You're slow on the uptake. It happened recently."

The Regional Manager keeps his mouth shut and then asks after a brief pause,

"...What do you want?"

It's a complete surrender.

It's time to move on to the second reason I came here.

The Regional Manager tried to use Rotmiller to harm me. It's a grave sin, worthy of having his head smashed in three times over.

Of course, to make him pay for his crime, I would also have to go through a lot of trouble, and we would become sworn enemies afterwards.

Therefore, I'll end it with a warning today.

One Dragonslayer is enough of a headache.

But...

"Whether it's another misunderstanding or you just don't like me, it doesn't matter. If you try something like that again..."

I continue,

"I won't talk."

The Regional Manager flinches as I glare at him, unleashing my killing intent. Although it's not as dramatic of a reaction as in Ghostbusters, it should be enough of a warning.

"......"

I get up from the sofa without hesitation as soon as I finish my business.

The Regional Manager asks bluntly,

"You're not going to hear my answer?"

Well, would it even matter if I did?

I chuckle.

And...

Crackle!

...I grab the edge of the table between us with both hands and fold it in half with just my arm strength.

"The table is quite old too."

Today's negotiation ends here.

But if I ever come back here again...

"Then I'll be on my way. I'm hungry."

...he won't just lose a door or a table.

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