****(POV)

Why is he reacting so much to the wolf part?

That is what I am initially asking myself.

Then what follows seems like a dream.

You know one so insane it makes you realize instantly you are asleep.

Except I know it is all real.

They talk.

The mage asking for more details about the white wolf.

Then going from surprised to understanding.

Then the ex-captain starts describing his friend.

The one that apparently got rid of a rank 4 monster.

That's when I finally put 2 and 2 together.

He is talking about that king slime story.

It seemed especially sketchy at first.

Incredibly so.

After all, there is no way there would be a monster that strong in the sewers.

There is also no way anyone random could simply defeat it.

All of this was obviously blatant lying.

Add to that the testimony of the star tamer and this becomes ridiculous.

Except here he is, still talking about it.

Still believing in it.

There are other guards too that are believing him too.

I'm not sure where their confidence comes from.

Still, this isn't what matters here.

Now from what I am understanding this rank 4 ally…

Seems to be the same guy the mage is saying not to offend.

The same fucking one.

A captain going crazy is possible.

What about one of our only mages?

I know him personally for his professionalism.

Well, mostly because his life depends on it.

Now, these guys are all saying the same thing.

That's when a crazy thought comes to my mind.

I order one of them to go get that guy from the guild.

At first, he says he doesn't have time.

That he needs to coordinate the search.

Then I ask him to describe the individual he's looking for.

That we will help him look.

He happily starts talking.

With every one of his words, I see the mage's expression turn weird.

Same for the ex-captain.

Yep, that confirms it.

Are you fucking kidding me?!

What gathering of powerhouses?!

What upcoming war?!

There is one rank 4 guy in there.

I tell him that he's inside.

He doesn't believe me.

Saying that the hostage situation would have ended already.

That he would not be restrained easily.

Yeah, that's the problem.

He's the one organizing it all.

Still, this is madness.

How the hell did a simple worker…

Turn out to have so many identities?!

A rank 4 monk.

A rank 4 tamer allied with the guild.

A rank 4 enemy of the guild.

What the hell happened?!

Why this farce?

If this is all true, he has the power to reduce this city to rubble.

Why is he toying with us like so?

I cannot see any logical reason to do so.

Ah, maybe he is simply messing with us.

Talk about an insane bastard.

Wait a minute.

That is the guy we never paid for clearing the sewers.

Oh fuck.

That explains it.

He was being benevolent and helping us for free.

Such small change has no meaning to such a powerhouse after all.

It's not a matter of money.

It's a matter of principle.

We shunned him.

Oh god, this may end badly.

This is what we get for cutting corners.

I take the emblem representing my identity.

Tell a subordinate to go get the lord.

As quickly as possible.

He needs to get his ass over here and apologize.

In-person.

For the whole sewer fiasco.

This is the only path of survival for us.

In the meantime, I command some people to get snacks inside the library.

The most delicious food we can get in the shortest lapse of time.

All the stuff we usually reserve for the visit of VIPs.

Better bring it all out now.

So what if we run out later?

At worst a supervisor from the diplomatic city will complain.

It doesn't compare to repairing the relationship with this guy.

Then we wait.

The good news is that they seem to be comfortable inside.

Playing games and reading.

This only confirms my belief.

We cannot make an enemy of him.

We are no threat to him.

Only insects he can squash at any time he so desires.

They come back with the food.

Sadly the lord is nowhere to be seen.

Apparently, he is locked in his room with a sound-blocking formation.

That asshole.

He'll try to make people believe he was training in seclusion all this time.

Probably say that no one told him about the situation.

At that time I'm freaking out.

There is no way my apologies alone will suffice.

I'm just a pawn.

Then the ex-captain comes closer and reassures me.

He'll put in a good word for me.

This guy is such a saint!

I can't believe we misunderstood him that much.

I tell him that from now on I'll consider him a sworn brother.

That I'll try to get his job back and…

He stops me.

Snorting.

He points at the city lord's residence.

I understand his meaning.

This lord is trash.

There is no honor in serving such a dumbass.

That's when I resolve to quit.

Screw that job as an assistant.

So much of a pain in the ass.

They can deal with my absence.

After this, I'm out.

Fucking out.

We are out here risking our lives.

Meanwhile, he's hiding.

Screw that asshole.

Still, now is the time to deal with this.

The ex-captain and I will represent the guards.

That one tamer will come with us too.

He still can't believe that the one he's been searching for has been inside all along.

He is confused, but at this point, he wants to confirm the facts too.

We prepare to head inside.

In my head, I can't help but rehearse what I will say.

I need to kneel to apologize.

Whatever he asks I need to comply.

If he is too angry, I'll try to beg for my subordinates' lives.

Try and accept all the blame.

Better I am the only one dying than the city.

Ah, I need to somehow drag that fucking lord into it too.

This is the most stressful moment of my life.

Here goes nothing…