- Myra -

Hmm, I'm wholly unsure how this will play out.

For some reason, the guild leader assembled our team, as well as several others, in the guild hall. I'm not directly sure about the criteria he used to decide who to call, but the reason is obvious enough. I'm rather sure not a single one in this town doesn't know by now about the small army at the north gate. Due to our work with those two slimes, it's rather easy to guess what they're here for. If the criminals they're hunting have a brain at all, they should be able to figure it out as well. This means the city is on the brink of blowing up. So it only makes sense that guild leader Elkon decided to call for an assembly. The only question is, why only this particular group? However, I suppose the guild leader, who is right now moving in front of this assembly, is going to tell us.

"Thank you for coming today." (Elkon)

"Thank you my ass! You threatened to throw everyone out of the guild who didn't come!" (adventurer)

Not quite untrue. Our group as well wasn't given much of a choice on that matter.

"Which could still happen. However, I'd like to begin and tell you that all of you who gathered here are safe. To be precise, I called you today because I require your assistance and know I can rely on your loyalty." (Elkon)

Is that so? Hmm, when I look around, I see quite a bunch of high-ranking teams. This makes sense, as those taking offers from gangs and nobles don't really have to go out into the Evergrove as much anymore. The others, on the other hand, end up killing quite a lot more monsters, which plays into their reputation.

"Guild Master, would you mind telling us for what reasons we had to come here today?" (older adventurer)

"Xoran, I understand that you all have questions, and I'm willing to answer them." (Elkon)

Now it comes. The extent of what he's going to ask next might have a huge impact on the guild in Ekoras.

"It is quite simple. I suppose most, if not all of you, are aware that all of Ekoras is in a time of upheaval. Let me tell you, yes, it's true that this very day the guard will move out and start attacks on every single criminal foothold in town. We can expect fights of severe magnitude on the street and a high chance that this wildfire will reach our guild as well." (Elkon)

"So what are we supposed to do against this? You must have a plan if you brought us here." (adventurer)

"Take this as the final rehearsal to what's going to happen next. This meeting takes place for the simple reason that I need to ascertain myself of your loyalty." (Elkon)

"What does that mean?" (Xoran)

"It's a rather open secret that a not ignorable portion of Ekoras' adventurers let themselves get paid by the gangs and also even greater threats to public order." (Elkon)

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"So what are we supposed to do about this? Fight the other members? That's not part of our contract." (adventurer mage)

"If it's necessary. But no, Venia. We won't go in that direction. The only thing I promised for today is that we would get all of them out of the way while the operation commences. No adventurer will join the fight to support criminals. In return, I was guaranteed that there wouldn't be an investigation into guild affairs. No arrests of our members, no repercussions for past transgressions. A deal that would benefit the guild very much." (Elkon)

Seems so. It would allow the guild to stay mostly operational. On the other hand, losing like fifty percent of the members would be quite a blow to operations. Not to speak of the consequences for the city if so many of the monster-culling workforce would vanish.

"As much as I would like to just do nothing and sit this out, the guard captain made the rather convincing argument that we can't truly position ourselves as neutral if we allow members to partake in the fighting on the other side. Therefore, we simply won't let that happen." (Elkon)

"But how's this our problem? You just said before that all of us are clear. Something I guess we know best about ourselves. In this sense, you only assembled those here who wouldn't benefit the slightest bit from this kind of deal." (Xoran)

This man speaks the truth. Even upstanding citizens can't just be expected to risk their own necks for justice and crap like this.

"I understand. While I'm sure an orderly town would benefit all of us, I don't intend to treat you even worse than your immoral fellow members. Of course, this will, for once, serve as a fully recognized mission, assigned, together with a handsome reward, directly out of the town's treasury. In addition, we'll also make it so that this will be classified as a rank A mandatory assignment. In this sense, any of you who'll partake will gain freedom of any pest control jobs for a whole year through your simple participation. Just think about it. No slimes for a whole year!" (Elkon)

Wow. This man knows how to take us. The slime assignments are among the least liked jobs an adventurer can be forced to do, not even taking into account the toll on our weapons. Also I, due to recent acquaintanceships, feel weird while killing them, though I would be lying if I'd say I didn't use them for quite some time to vent my frustration and anger. Unfortunately, the cores were in such a bad condition afterward, that the receptionist almost wouldn't take them. But I should get back to the issue at hand.

"As much as you're trying to sell this to us as an easy job where we'd just have to sit and idle the day away, you are certainly aware that it could just as quickly turn terribly violent." (Venia)

"Which is one of the reasons why I'm telling you in advance. This way, you'll hopefully all appear tomorrow fully geared up. Something not all of the others will hopefully go through with. In addition, I requested assistance from the state troops, so they may confirm the existence of the deal and will help us go through with the first rough bumps." (Elkon)

Yeah, that's one way to call a possible open revolt of very able warriors who are all used to violence. While it seems that the guild leader planned this through quite well, I'm not sure if I want to risk my life for this.

At this, one of the receptionists suddenly puts a black envelope on the blackboard. Immediately, one is at it to check what's written there.

"What the hell?"

Okay. Now I'm curious. Adventurers shouldn't be so easily swayed. Prompted by this reaction, more gather at the blackboard.

"Seriously?"

"For real?"

"Hey, can anyone give us others who don't want to walk all the way over a brief summary?!"

Very thoughtful. Even if it was purely self-serving, I have to give my thanks.

"It's the assignment. Aside from the other stuff, it says one whole gold for every single participant, irrelevant of rank!"

One whole gold?! That's totally over-commissioned!

"Wait! That's just the base requirement! It says we'll receive five more silver if we actually have to fight!"

This is unbelievable! Outside of get-rich schemes, such numbers are unheard of among adventurers of normal ranks. At the very least, with this, all inhibitions are gone. One after the other signs up and eventually, tomorrow's event is a safe thing to happen. Towards the end, the guild leader comes over to us.

"Good to see you here. I hope I'll see you tomorrow as well." (Elkon)

"Of course, sir! If I may say so, I'm proud to be able to fight for such a high purpose as making this town a better place." (Lorel)

"You heard him, Elkon. The youth is with you." (Jacob)

"Good to know, but if everything works out, we hopefully won't even have to fight. The rest is already going to be bothersome enough. See you tomorrow." (Elkon)

And so he leaves. Let's hope tomorrow will go as smoothly as he thinks.

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