“Governor Dupey sir,” an elf saluted as he entered his boss’ room. “There’s been an unexpected development concerning the competition taking place in two weeks.”

“Oh, what is it?” The question came from behind a massive black chair. Its back was facing the entrance, obscuring the elf’s boss from view.

“The SSS-ranked adventurer, Alice Lowenherz, has signed up for the competition along with three of her companions: two unknown SSS-ranked adventurers and an E-ranked fairy queen.”

“…What? Why?”

“…Perhaps she’s seen the glory of the dwarves and wishes to join us?” the elf asked.

“You know that’s impossible. The Lion of the East is the strongest defender of human rights. There’s absolutely no chance for her to join us. Has she taken a disliking to my competition? She’s here to sabotage it, isn’t she?” The chair shook, and the elf assumed the dwarf sitting on it was nodding. “Deny her application.”

“We tried that because we knew you wouldn’t approve, but she, no, her companion was extremely insistent on joining.” The elf paused. “Right. Her companions were odd. One seems to be an undiscovered species, possibly a hybrid between a fairy and an elf, and the other is…” The elf’s forehead scrunched up as he chewed on his lower lip.

“…Is?”

The elf winced. “Developmentally challenged…?”

A sigh came from behind the chair. “The worst kind of SSS-ranked adventurer then. Someone who believes they can do anything and actually can—that type of person?”

“Yes.”

“So he’s like His Gloriousness…” There was another sigh. “Let them compete then. Make sure to advertise as much as possible before the competition starts. You can even delay the competition to ensure maximum profits. There should be hundreds of people looking for the chance to fight the Lion of the East. She might be trying to fleece us of our equipment, but I can use her to make just as much money back.”

“As you command, General Dupey sir.”

***

“Have you heard? The berserk librarian is going to be competing in the next competition.”

“What? Really!? No way, why would she ever do that?”

Alice gritted her teeth as the fork in her hand snapped into two pieces. She muttered, “I hate that name.” She raised her head. “Do I really look like a librarian?”

“You look like a rogue,” Tafel said from across the table. Alice was wearing a cloak that obscured every part of her face except for her mouth.

“Whose fault is that? Why did I have to sign up for the stupid competition too!? I hate anything that promotes dwarven supremacy.”

“Stop looking so glum,” Tafel said with a smile. “Admit it, you actually enjoy fighting a lot. I could tell during our duel.”

“Well—”

Vur raised his glass, interrupting Alice. “I couldn’t.”

“You know, it’s been a very long time since I’ve been mad at a single person.” Alice pursed her lips while glaring at Vur.

Vur’s brow furrowed. “Being mad is no good. What if you destroy a few towns by accident?”

Alice snorted. “Then it’ll be your fault for being so infuriating.”

“That won’t hold up in front of a jury,” Tafel said while shaking her head. “Anyways, what are the competitions like?”

“It’s a simple tournament. Parties are matched against each other until there’s only one party left.” Alice glanced at Vur. “Killing isn’t allowed.”

Vur snorted. “I don’t kill people.”

Tafel thought back to the flying dwarf who used Vur’s kick as fuel. “We should relegate Vur to healing only. It won’t be a challenge if he fights anyone.”

“Not like any of you would get hurt if I’m the shield,” Alice muttered. “I can’t believe I agreed to this.”

Stella frowned and flew over to Alice. She tapped the guild master twice on the forehead with her knuckles. “You should be more honest. No lying, okay?”

“What do you mean?” Alice asked and furrowed her brow. “I nev—lie to hide my true feelings all the time.” Her eyes widened as her hands froze. “Did you just…?”

Stella giggled before flying into Vur’s hair, disappearing from sight. A tiny voice came from his head. “Honesty’s a virtue!”

“I really want to eviscerate her.” Alice’s eye twitched as she covered her mouth with her hands. Her words were muffled, but they were still easy to discern.

“Whoa, so violent,” Stella’s voice said from Vur’s head. “It was just one tiny yearlong curse.”

“…A year?” Alice asked. “I’ll be fired from every job I ever take if I don’t remove this curse!”

“We won’t fire you,” Tafel said and turned towards Vur. “Right?”

“Right. Work for us for a year,” Vur said with a nod. He smiled at Tafel. “You were right. It really is convenient to have a planner.”

“I hate both of you! Die painful deaths!” Alice glared at them as she spoke through her hands. “Remove this curse, right now!”

“Too tired. Used all my energy on the curse. Good night…” Stella’s voice faded away.

“Wait, you goddamn fairy! Who said you could sleep!?” She lunged towards Vur, knocking over the table in the process.

“Berserk librarian is very fitting,” Vur said with a nod as he sidestepped Alice’s lunge.

Alice grabbed the miniature shield that was strapped to her wrist like a watch. It expanded into a buckler before expanding into a tower shield. “You really piss me off!” Her shield glowed with a red light as she swung the side of it at Vur, holding nothing back.

Vur caught it with one hand and finished the drink he was holding with his free hand. He tilted his head to the side. “Weren’t you trying to be sneaky?” Everyone in the restaurant was staring at Alice, mumbling to each other.

Alice’s shield shrank as she collapsed to her knees. Her head lowered as she buried her face in her hands and began to sob. She flinched as Tafel walked up to her.

Tafel bit her lower lip. “I think we should be a bit nicer to her in the future.” She stopped Vur before he could say anything. “And don’t tell her to stop crying because it makes her look ugly. I know you were going to say that to comfort her in your own twisted fairy-like way.”

Vur scratched his head. Was it that obvious?