Chapter 24: Jealousy, resentment, and conspiracy
{TL: By Creed}
Certainly! Here's the passage with the change from "incompetent" to "useless" and the English translation:
"Damn it!!!"
Sigurd's voice echoed in the corner tavern.
He seemed to have already had several drinks, his face was red.
His eyes were hazy, unfocused.
Yet he continued to drink.
"That useless as a hero? Seriously, it's just impossible, right? Hey, it's seriously impossible, isn't it?"
"Indeed, it's an unimaginable event... How did this happen? Even the goddess herself wouldn't predict such a thing."
Mira and Lector, sitting together, had also consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.
Their faces flushed with drunkenness as they complained.
The center of their conversation was... Fate.
"That worthless, useless slave is a hero? Hah, speak sensibly. There's no way someone like him could be a hero."
"But, you know, he supposedly defeated Fenrir and saved a fort on the verge of collapse? That's how he became known as a hero, right?"
"The one who defeated Fenrir was the Sword Saint. It's not a monster that a useless could defeat, and, on the contrary, they would be eaten in an instant. Oh, right... that useless bastard took credit for the Sword Saint's achievement! Damn it, unforgivable... it's a disgusting story."
In reality, it was Sofia who was saved by Fate.
Unaware of this fact and unwilling to acknowledge it, Sigurd and the others simmered with discontent.
They wanted to make Fate suffer somehow.
Fate had refused their invitation.
Not only that, he embarrassed them during the exam.
It was unforgivable.
In reality, he had simply lost in a fair competition.
But he wasn't willing to accept it.
Fate must have cheated.
As a result, they lost, and they believed they had exposed themselves to disgrace.
And that wasn't all.
They were accused of enslaving Fate and other acts of interference in the exam, leading to an inquiry by the guild master.
Fortunately, due to a lack of conclusive evidence, they avoided losing their adventurer qualifications.
They didn't fall into the category of criminals.
However, their guild evaluation plummeted, and the appropriateness of their current rank was reconsidered.
Furthermore, a three-month activity ban was imposed.
Nothing good came out of it.
This only added to their frustration.
"This is information I obtained through my own network... the guild has apparently decided to promote that useless to E-rank."
"What!?"
"Huh, that's impossible. That useless became an adventurer just about a week ago, right?"
"No matter who it is, to rank up, you need a period of at least one month. That's the rule set by the guild!"
Sigurd uttered coarse words and slammed the table forcefully.
Though there were customers around, disturbances were common in the corner tavern, so nobody paid it much attention.
"There have been numerous requests from other adventurers, it seems. They're demanding rewards fitting for this achievement."
"Despite being a stickler for rules, the guild must have received an overwhelming number of requests, leading them to consider special treatment. Damn, what kind of trick did he use?"
"At this rate, he'll be known as the promising rookie adventurer who achieved the fastest promotion in history."
"Damn it, there's no way we can accept that! That useless, who can't do anything without us!"
As if unable to endure without drinking, Sigurd drank more.
In a provocative manner, the overflowing beer spilled onto the table.
"By the way, have you heard the rumors about us?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ah... I'm telling you two now, but..."
"Just get to the point."
"Fine. But remember, I didn't say it. Don't get mad at me, okay?"
After emphasizing multiple times, Mira spoke with a displeased expression.
"Our 'Flarebird' reputation is declining."
"What!?"
"That useless left... then later, he teamed up with the Sword Saint, right? And he excelled. If it continues like this, he'll rapidly climb the ranks in an unprecedented manner. 'Flarebird,' who let go of such a talented individual, what on earth are they thinking?"
"What the...!?"
Mira's statement was a very natural evaluation.
The talent they let go turned out to be incredibly outstanding.
If this fact were to come to light, it was only natural that the reputation of the one who let him go would suffer.
They lacked foresight.
But there was one more thing.
Mira had been hiding it, but...
Lately, they had continuously failed missions.
Was it related to...
Fate's absence?
'Flarebird' had existed because of Fate, and now, with him gone, it would be difficult to maintain an A-rank.
There was speculation that they would be downgraded to B-rank at the next rank evaluation meeting.
Or worse, they might drop to C-rank.
"That is truly an unpleasant story, isn't it? For us to be underrated and that useless being regarded highly, it's an unacceptable mistake."
"Besides, we didn't exile him. It's that Sword Saint's fault for meddling unnecessarily."
"Moreover, we once extended our hand to him. We were willing to welcome him back under favorable conditions. It was that useless who refused."
From Fate's perspective, forcibly enslaved, this was a discussion with no possibility of returning...
Without realizing this, Lector wore a disgruntled expression.
Mira also had a sulking expression.
Sigurd, on the other hand, emitted an anger close to murderous intent.
The three of them were displeased with Fate's success.
They absolutely refused to acknowledge the current situation where he ascended while they descended.
Once they admitted it, there was no turning back.
Their pride would shatter into pieces.
However...
The pride of the three was very cheap, utterly worthless.
"Darn it, at this rate..."
Seemingly feeling anxious, Sigurd clicked his tongue.
Then, he stirred his drink, contemplating the future.
Contemplating.
Contemplating.
Contemplating.
He came up with an idea that seemed hopeless.
"Hey... I guess I'm a genius after all?"
"Hm? What's up, all of a sudden?"
"Did you think of something?"
Sigurd grinned with a wicked smile.
"Oh, it's a simple story. Yes, a very simple story."
"Don't keep us waiting, tell us."
"That useless gaining fame is just impossible. We need to firmly teach the others that it's a mistaken perception. He's truly an unbelievable useless and a scumbag."
"Oh... I think I'm starting to understand what Sigurd is thinking."
Lector also had a malicious expression.
Unable to grasp the situation, Mira puffed up her cheeks.
"So, what does it mean?"
"It's a simple story. That useless gained achievements by borrowing the power of the Sword Saint. Since there are plenty of witnesses, it's difficult to overturn that now, to pretend it never happened. However..."
"If he committed a failure significant enough to revoke the achievement of the fastest rank up in history, what do you think would happen?"
"Ah... I see, I see, that kind of story."
Understanding the plot of the two, Mira lifted the corner of her lips.
"Let's make that useless fail in something and showcase his incompetence, that's the plan, right?"
"That's right. It will be framing him, but... our actions are justified. Exposing his true ability and nature to the world is necessary."
"All right, sounds interesting. Let's peel off his disguise."
From this point on, it would be problematic if anyone else overheard.
The three of them whispered, devising a scheme to trap Fate.
TL Note: The trio is on it again........
And going to make him more popular.
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