Chapter 3 - 10 My Home My Life – Serious Crime

When we arrived at the Adventurer's Guild, Yashisu strolled in and asked the girl at the reception desk to call the guild master to notify him to come.
Meanwhile, I was being spoken to by one of the adventurers I had come to know.

“Mister, what the hell is wrong with you today?　Why are you with Yashisu?” (Adventurer)
“You know, we got into a troublesome problem...” (Itsuki)
“Troublesome you say........ Is it Renge-san from the Red Front who is wavering there?” (Adventurer)
“Well, she's the one who caused it...” (Itsuki)

I took a glimpse of my armpit and it was already bruised.
Wow, that's pretty bad.

“Uh..... well, I know I'm not supposed to say this, but can you please let it go if you can?” (Adventurer)
“I get it. Even I don't want this kind of trouble. But when Yashisu said he couldn't just let it go...” (Itsuki)
“For Mister, you're thinking moderately, right?　Then I'll believe it” (Adventurer)
“It's just that Yashisu looked so serious......... Honestly, I'll try to avoid the worst, but I don't think I could go any further than that...” (Itsuki)

The attention from the adventurers is not on me, but on Renge and Yashisu.
Since that incident, I've been visiting the adventurers' guild more often, and I've gained a certain amount of trust, and I'm able to talk to adventurers I know....
Well, the only orders I usually give to Aina and Solte are also just to collect materials, and I'm sure they think I'm not a bad guy based on that.

“Thank you for your patience. Well, well, Yashisu-dono. What business did you have with me for coming today?” (Guild Master)
“Yes, I am. Today, this is about my current slave, Renge-sama, who has committed the crime of becoming a criminal slave. I'm here to report to you. More than that, her party member, Solte-sama, is also suspected of aiding and abetting murder.” (Yashisu)
“What......” (Guild Master)

Guild Master can't hide his surprise as Yashisu says bluntly.

“...Should we have the conversation over there?” (Guild Master)
“No, I must have some other adventurers listen as well, for there is a risk of resentment among you members to customer depending on the outcome” (Yashisu)

Guild Master points to a room, but Yashisu declines.
He said someone would hold a grudge against me...... Oh, I see.
I certainly don't want it to be like the previous time I was here.

“...I understand. Sorry, make some space for them” (Guild Master)

Guild Master made adventurers vacate their seats, and me, Yashisu, Renge, and Guild Master sat down in chairs, with Wendy and Shiro behind me.

“So how did Renge become a crime slave?　Now, I'm pretty sure she was enslaved for a minor offense that would free her as soon as she paid her debt. And I can't believe Solte is suggesting murder....” (Guild Master)
“First of all, Aina-sama and Solte-sama, you all know that they are this customer's slaves. And you know that this customer is not the kind of person who does injustice, right?” (Yashisu)
“Yes, of course. I've heard from both of them that he's been good to them” (Random Adventurer)
“Then can you tell me why Renge-dono is being a slave?” (Random Adventurer)
“I'm pretty sure she forced herself to go through the inspection, right?　It was something about skipping the queue and trying to get through without paying” (Guild Master)
“Do you know the reason she has done that?” (Yashisu)
“I have no idea......” (Guild Master)

With that, Guild Master turned to the adventurers and asked them as well, but they all didn't seem to know.

“Renge-sama received a letter from Solte-sama, and she believed that they were being treated unfairly by this customer and forced them into it” (Yashisu)
“Ridiculous....” (Guild Master)
“Sending content that is not true, that puts this customer at risk, and that has the power to do so. This customer was actually assaulted. One false move and the customer could have died. Fortunately, Shiro-sama protected him, but if he had died, the entire party members would have been sentenced to the extreme penalty of death. Yes, they would not spare from a public hanging” (Yashisu)
“......” (Guild Master)
“And the story of this customer enslaving the two of them was the responsibility of the Adventurer's Guild in the first place. Even they become slaves because of the responsibility of the Adventurer's Guild, and then one of them betrays the customer and makes a mistake. If the murder had been committed, the reputation of the Adventurer's Guild would have been destroyed. And the kingdom would probably punish them severely” (Yashisu)

Neither Guild Master nor I can speak out.
No, wait. It really should just her being a mistaken.
Whatever Solte sent in the beginning, I'm sure she doesn't feel the same way now, and for me, I'm partly grateful to her.
Even I feel, the death penalty is extreme....

“Obviously, this is attempted and abetted murder by a slave. This customer is not at fault in any way. I was about to take her to Lord and get a statement from him, but just to make sure she's okay, I come here with her to confirm the Adventurers' Guild” (Yashisu)
“Wait a minute. I think we've cleared up the misunderstanding for now, so we can let it go, right?” (Guild Master)
“A serious crime is not just a matter of forgiveness for the other party. We cannot stop people who do the same thing in the future unless we show them the power of the law. If we forgive her, we must forgive the next time the same person appears. No matter how hard the victim is to forgive” (Yashisu)

I guess it's called legal precedent in a former world.
Was it like if there was a similar case in the past, it was more likely to be applied?
But since I didn't file a lawsuit, I wonder if there's anything I can do about it.

“By the way, how much does Yashisu think it is” (Guild Master)
“Personally, I think the death penalty is appropriate. However, since the customer, the victim, is asking for a reduced sentence, we are probably on the front lines in undeveloped areas. I thought she'd be hustled to death on a mission, and since they're beautiful, of course, treat as an adventurer slave, or like other slave that get forced to do as a comforter on the front line” (Yashisu)
“Huh.......” (Guild Master)
“Guild Master-tsu, I'm sorry......” (Renge)
“No, it's fine. No, not good at all” (Yashisu)
“Naturally, I'd ask you to lighten up, but Renge you are not good with man, do you?　In the end, you're in hell...” (Itsuki)
“Oh. You don't have to work so hard, Mister-tsu. I was responsible for what I did” (Renge)

Renge replies forcefully, but there's no sign of liveliness in her voice.
Her eyes are downcast, too, and she seems too desperate to cry, though she may be crying, but the despair is too great for her to cry.

“Well, well, please wait. Now I need to make sure that Solte-sama knows what happened” (Yashisu)
“Okay......... With Gale’s party member and, pick them up. They should be in the vicinity of the gates by now. Don't get into any strange thoughts. If the two of them escape, you won't even have any excuses” (Guild Master)
“I know. Hey, mister. The Red Front is our admiration. So, please” (Gale)
“Sure....” (Itsuki)

But I wonder how far I could go if I was asked to do so.
Death penalty or forced labor.
I think both are too heavy, to be honest.
It's true that I was almost killed, but that wouldn't have happened if there hadn't been a misunderstanding.
But that doesn't mean I, personally, want to put everything on Solte.
She's been a big help to me.

“Hmm......” (Itsuki)

After a moment's wait, Gale's party comes back with a dark look on her face, having tied Aina and Solte behind their backs.
Their faces were also in wonderment, as if they didn't know what was going on.

“What's going on, Guild Master?　Why are we tied up... I mean, Renge?” (Solte)
“Hey, Renge. You okay?” (Aina)

Solte is surprised at Renge being lifeless face, and Aina looks worried, too.

“What the hell is my line. I don't know why you did something so stupid...” (Guild Master)
“What, me?　What's stupid?　And why is Renge wearing a slave collar and don't tell me you enslaved Renge too!” (Solte)
“Enough!” (Guild Master)

Don! Guild Master hits the desk and stands up.

“You, why did you send a letter to Renge that unfairly disgraced your owner?” (Guild Master)
“Letter...?　Ah.......” (Solte)
“Because of that, Renge cannot escape the death penalty or forced labor.　It's not just Renge. It's you two too....” (Guild Master)
“Wait, wait a minute!　Explain it to me!” (Solte)
“It's us who want an explanation, though. Solte-sama?　This customer was almost killed by Renge. Don't tell me you don't know what this means. Let me ask you to explain first” (Yashisu)

Renge, Solte, Guild Master and Yashisu move to another table to listen to what's going on and start taking statements.
In the meantime, I told Aina what happened and she started to cry in a daze.

“Lord, I'm really sorry!　...... I, I wonder what I should do.......” (Aina)
“I don't know... But I'd like to make this as peaceful as possible” (Itsuki)
“That's not possible.... This country is tough on crime, but it's even tougher on the crimes committed by slaves. Even if Lord, the victim of the provisional decree, were to plead his case, it would be difficult........” (Aina)
“No, but I'm grateful to you both. I'll protect you somehow” (Itsuki)
“Well ... it's an impudent request, but I hope, if possible, I hope ...” (Aina)
“I know. Of course, I'll protect Renge, too. I know she's important to you and your comrades” (Itsuki)

That being said, I'm not sure what to do.
He said he's going to get Lord to give him a statement, but no matter how I think about it, there's nothing I can do to stop him if he goes that far.
And I can't stand the idea of these three being used as comforters on the front lines.
The two of them have really helped me.
Renge is also guilty of too much sin for this to happen from a misunderstanding, and I feel sorry for her.

“Customer. I've got the letter. This letter was definitely sent by Solte-Jou” (Yashisu)
“No, I wrote that on my first day of being a slave, so I didn't trust you, and now it's a whole different thing” (Solte)

When I get the letter from Yashisu, Solte is on her knees, grabbing my clothes as she squirms and crying.
“I know, so don't cry...” (Itsuki)
“It's true.... It's different now....” (Solte)
“Ah, for God's sake. Like I said, it's going to be okay......” (Itsuki)

I hug her tightly and pat her back.
Ah damn.
I don't know what to do.

“Mister-tsu, I'm really sorry” (Renge)
“And Renge, you can stop crying too” (Itsuki)
“I'm not crying-tsu......” (Renge)

Then what is that liquid flowing down........
Your face is soggy with snot and tears, too.
I gestured to her to come and get me, and Renge also pressed her face to my chest and cried out to me.
Hmmm........no, I was just trying to wipe her face but.......
I patted her back as I had no choice.
I mean, aren't you supposed to hate men?

“Hey, Yashisu. Can't you do something about this?” (Itsuki)
“I agree. I understand how you feel, but there is nothing I can do about it once I get the word from Lord” (Yashisu)

I guess that's the dead line.
Moreover, it's a word from Yashisu.
I suppose this meaning is an unchangeable fact.

“Hey, can't you just pretend it didn't happen?” (Solte)
“There were too many witnesses to do that. It would be a bad idea for the kingdom to keep it a secret” (Yashisu)
“Hmmm ... for example, what if I'm not hurt or anything?” (Itsuki)
“I have a letter of evidence and I assume the customer has a bruise left on you, right?　If there's nothing else, the crime is considerably less, but it still can't be zero” (Yashisu)
“Come to think of it, why didn't the bruises heal and the pain go away after I took the recovery potion?” (Itsuki)
“That's my skill-tsu. It's a skill called <Strike Blow>, it's an attack that leaves wounds easily and is hard to recover from... but...” (Renge) (T/N: I describe “痛打” as “Strike Blow”)

Yeah, I guess it helps as being an adventurer.
But that's apparently the worst evidence left in this case....
Oh, I get it now, so don't cry again........

“Hey, Wendy, what do you think I should do?” (Itsuki)
“I would never forgive them” (Wendy)
“No, don't be so angry, please...” (Itsuki)
“...... if there are no scars or letters left behind, I could take care of it somehow but I don't think there's anything I can do about the scars, let alone the letter” (Wendy)

I guess that's right.
Hey, a scar.
Or rather, a bruise.
Bruises are like internal bleeding of the skin......
Oh.......I came up with one idea and I don't like it.
But I wonder if this is the only way....

“Hey, Yashisu. Why am I in the Adventurers' Guild now?” (Itsuki)

With that, I began to burn the letter I had received from Yashisu.

“Customer!?” (Yashisu)
“That’s right, Guild Master. I forgot to make today's delivery” (Itsuki)
“I don't have time for that...” (Guild Master)
“Ah. Crap. I didn't take raw material together today. Can you get the stuff?　I'll make it there” (Itsuki)

But I can't think of anything else.
I can't tell Wendy. I'm sure she will stop me.
When I tried to get up, my clothes were squeezed and I was pressed against the head, I knew who it was, but I knew she would have a worried look on her face, so I gave her a pat on the head to reassure her.

“Solte. Don't worry about it” (Itsuki)
“But...... But you look different. What are you going to do?” (Solte)
“It's all right. Just sit tight with Renge” (Itsuki)

Then she lets go of my clothes.
If they know what I going to do, it's going to change the way they deal with each other in the future.
Oh, well, it's fine.
My resolve was made.
I got to see something rare, like Solte's crying face.

But I still think girls look better when they smile than when they cry.
It's just painful for me to never see Solte's smiling face again in the future.
So I'm going to push myself a little harder.

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