Chapter 12: If this happens, then let's go directly!
{TL: By Creed}
"Now... Stuart has successfully passed the first and second exams. He has shown both strength and knowledge. With this, the third exam may not be necessary."
After completing the written test and reuniting with Sofia...
Aizen brought up such a topic.
"Does that mean you'll be his recommender?"
"Well, yeah, that's... "
"Wait a second, can you hold off on that conversation?"
Suddenly, a third voice interjected.
When I turned around, I saw the three figures of Sigurd, Mira, and Lector.
Sofia released a murderous aura and glared at them.
"Do you have business with us? We're in the middle of a very important conversation."
"Uh..."
Sigurd hesitated for a moment, but...
"I also have an important matter to discuss. It's not good for outsiders to interfere."
"Oh... You're calling me an outsider. I can acknowledge your courage, but sometimes, having a loose tongue can cost you your life, you know?"
Sofia reached for the hilt of her sword.
So, her temper is short.
"Stay calm, Sofia."
"But..."
"For now, let's hear what Sigurd and the others have to say. It might be an important matter."
Well, I think the likelihood of it being uninteresting is high.
Nevertheless, I can't ignore it.
If they're planning something, I want to stop it here, even if it's uninteresting.
I have unfinished business with Sigurd and the others from the past.
"Sigurd and the others... What do you want? Well, it's convenient timing. I heard you forcibly made him a slave, right? I'd like to hear more about that."
When Aizen asked, Sigurd laughed while saying.
"No, we didn't force him into it, you know? He became a slave because of money, and we just bought him. There's no problem."
"Do you have any proof to back up that statement?"
"I don't. But there's no proof that we forced him into slavery either, right?"
"Hmm..."
"Is it okay? For the Guild Master, who values rules, to pass judgment without any evidence? That's a bit awkward, isn't it?"
"You..."
Because there's no evidence, Sigurd is quite confident. Aizen seemed to feel anger, but he couldn't do anything more, and he looked frustrated.
"All right, don't worry about me."
"But..."
"I'm free now, and I don't mind it that much. I've been able to reunite with Sofia, so that's enough for me."
"Alright, if you say so."
I thought the conversation had been settled, but I was mistaken. It seems that Sigurd and the others have something else to discuss.
"By the way, the Guild Master says he confirmed his power. Is that true?"
"Yes, no doubt. Stuart not only completed the tasks but also defeated a Wyvern."
"I've heard that, but it's hard to believe. An utterly useless person defeating a Wyvern is something that shouldn't happen in a million years. He probably bought fangs and claws somewhere and made it look like he defeated it himself."
"That's not..."
"Can you assert that it's not true? Do you have evidence?"
"Um..."
Aizen seemed to be in pain, as if he'd been hit in a sore spot. Since he usually values rules, he probably can't argue back in this situation.
It may seem like they're making a valid point, but Sigurd and the others are probably much more cunning than Aizen's knowledge allows him to understand.
"Guild Master, Fate did nothing wrong. I secretly followed him. I saw him defeat the Wyvern with my own eyes."
"Well, however... We can't just ignore Sigurd and the others' claims."
"What!? But..."
"Just Ascart's testimony is a bit weak. Since you two are childhood friends, some might suspect false testimony. We need more solid evidence to quell those doubts."
"You're so stubborn."
"That's what being a Guild Master means. I apologize."
Aizen directed his gaze towards Sigurd and the others.
"Nevertheless, there's no evidence that Stuart committed any wrongdoing. So, I intend to proceed with the exam as a pass. Are you planning to object to my decision?"
"We don't intend to do that. It's just that your judgment seems hasty."
"Oh, really?"
"Whether he has the strength or not is still questionable. So, perhaps it's a good idea to thoroughly confirm it once more through a mock battle in front of everyone, don't you think?"
"Hmm..."
Aizen stroked his chin as he contemplated Lector's proposal.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"All right. Let's make the final exam a mock battle, and based on that, we'll decide whether to register Fate Stuart as an adventurer or not."
"We appreciate you considering our opinions, Guild Master."
"However, later on, I'll have some questions for you."
"Sure, that's fine. Now, there's one more thing we'd like to propose."
"Let's hear it."
"I'll be the opponent for the mock battle. What do you think?"
As Sigurd said that, he looked at us with a sly smile.
It all makes sense... this was probably his intention from the beginning. Likely, he got upset about us declining his invitation yesterday and proposed a mock battle to officially beat me up.
It's just... "You guys really have twisted hearts and souls, don't you?"
"What did you say!?"
Sofia sighed, and Sigurd's voice grew louder.
But for her, it was no more than the howling of a puppy. She looked back at him without any fear.
"What a waste of thought."
"Well, you could put it that way. I just want to teach this useless one about what it means to be an adventurer before he gets crushed by the harsh reality."
"Well, you're just looking for an outlet for your frustration, right? You've done it many times, hurting my Fate... Shouldn't I cut you to pieces, after all? Hehe."
"Yikes!"
Sigurd took a step back.
"Enough with the jokes, Sofia."
"Oh, I'm quite serious."
Sofia is terrifying when she gets angry.
"Well, there are various things I'm thinking, but... still, as I said before, Sigurd isn't doing anything right now. There's no evidence regarding my case... if something happens here, Sofia will be held responsible."
"S-So, that's right! And if something happens to me, this guy will never become an adventurer!"
"Um... if something does happen, I think another adventurer would be more suitable to be the opponent for the mock battle."
The receptionist, who had been listening from a distance, chimed in.
Upon hearing this, Sigurd turned pale. Mira and Lector also paled.
"Uh... for now, can you let me do my best? After all, I'm also a man. I want to do my best in front of Sofia."
"Well, Fate is very kind. But, understood. If that's the case, I won't interfere for now."
So, I ended up taking the exam alone.
That's good.
When Sofia gets involved, she might seriously go after Sigurd and the others.
I don't really care what happens to them, but...
Even so, if we're going to settle this, it should be me.
"So... I have to fight Sigurd, and if I win, I pass, right?"
"Huh? Who said you could call me like that? it's Sigurd-sama for you, useless one!"
Sigurd's angry voice made me tremble.
Calm down, me.
I'm already free.
I'm not their tool anymore; I'm a member of Sofia's party.
I need to become a man worthy of the Sword Saint.
"I'm not your slave anymore. There's no need to use that kind of language."
"What did you say!?"
Sigurd glared at me, and I glared back. The pain and fear ingrained in my body made me want to look away.
But Sofia is watching.
I grit my teeth, enduring it desperately.
"Che."
After a while, Sigurd clicked his tongue, looking away.
Phew... I managed somehow, I think.
"Well, fine... I don't like it, but we're professionals. We'll do what we have to do. Hey, get ready."
"Yes, yes."
"Leave it to us."
Before I knew it, Sigurd and the others had taken control of the situation.
"Are you okay?"
Aizen spoke to me. He seemed concerned, and there was a hint of regret on his face.
"Normally, I'd be the one to spar with you, but I'm getting old, and my body isn't what it used to be. Sigurd is a troublemaker, but he has the skill. If you can defeat him, you won't hear complaints from me anymore, and we won't have similar people coming forward."
I see.
Aizen had been thinking about it in his own way.
"However, your opponent is the leader of an A-rank party. I wonder if you can win safely..."
"I'll win."
With a strong determination, I firmly gripped the hilt of my sword.
TL Note: Now the time has come for the Fate to overcome his past fears and get back his dignity.
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