I Stayed Loyal When My Teacher Was Betrayed

33 – Disaster of Matap 3

In life, there were times when pride should be considered a small sacrifice.

Especially in a situation where she was pushed to the limit now, she had to throw away cheap dignity first.

However, she was hesitant even though she knew that fact.

Because of what this action meant.

She knew that this went against the intentions of the person who had pursued walking alone on their own path all along.

But…she still stamped her seal.

While self-ridiculing her incompetence.

And at the same time, apologizing to the person she could no longer see.

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry…Master Rosemary…”

As always, the bustling adventurers’ guild.

The moment I opened the door and entered, I could feel it.

The gazes of people milling around from all directions

and… the quiet murmuring voices that followed.

“Those guys are the Rosetta team, right?”

“That’s right, they’re one of only 12 Grand Master level adventurer teams on the continent. And they are the most recently appointed…”

“It seems they proved their skills by capturing the Arkrich in the northern region. Even the old officials who were opposed shut their mouths after that point.”

“I heard that the Valkyrie members also joined that team? This… seems like another major force has emerged within the guild.”

It’s been almost two months since our teacher became a Grand Master-level adventurer, but there were still many who looked at us with wonder and interest.

Partly because of the value of the Grand Master’s name, but more than anything, it was because those who left the outside received requests were coming back at this time.

To be honest, it was mainly because of the overwhelming power of our teacher, who was surprisingly close to us, that we were able to deal with the work quickly. Usually, it was quite common for an expedition request to take two or three months.

In fact, the people who were here a week ago and the people who are here today are in a different situation.

So now, without paying much attention to the familiar gaze of people who had become accustomed to us, we followed our teacher into the depths of the guild.

It felt quite different from the usual times we used the laboratory or chatted casually.

That’s because the reason we came today was not for those routine matters.

A request.

In other words, to carry out business as adventurers.

As such, we headed to the Guild Master’s room with a solid armor and some tension, unlike usual.

“Welcome, teacher. And the others as well.”

“Yes, I’m glad to see you healthy today. Let’s get straight to the discussion about the request.”

“Yes, of course, teacher.”

As always, the Guild Master, Ovelin, welcomed us warmly.

After exchanging light greetings with her, our teacher immediately requested to move on to the main point.

In response, Ovelin promptly handed over the prepared documents.

Our teacher and the rest of us immediately checked the contents.

And…

“!… Master…?”

“Ugh…”

“Huh?”

Our expressions began to stiffen abruptly after that.

Subsequently, the teacher asked Eobelin in a voice that emanated a cold aura,

“Is this… true? Did we really get hired from the Matap?”

“Yes, honestly, it is quite surprising. I have checked multiple times to confirm it, but it is undoubtedly true. They formally requested our adventurer guild from the Matap. Only limited to the Grand Master-class adventure team.”

“Um…”

“The request is simple. They intend to investigate the movement of demons recently since it has been quite unusual. But since it’s a formal request of Grand Master class, there may be something more to it.”

“Right… It might be highly possible. Since it is typical for Matap to avoid disclosing inner thoughts…”

The teacher showed an expression that didn’t seem eager to comply with Eobelin’s words.

He had his reasons.

Eobelin didn’t know it yet, but the teacher and I are in the position of being betrayed by the bastards who call us traitors and garbage even though we used to belong to the Matap.

Although the teacher’s appearance has changed a lot, and I too, as a demon, have changed form, going back into the lair of untrustworthy betrayers was not ideal.

“Well… if it makes you uncomfortable, you can turn down the request and ask other adventurers. But I think since you are already there, it would be better to allow the teacher in charge of that area to handle it.”

“Um…”

From her perspective, it was considered a kind gesture.

However, there were differences between her intentions and how the teacher perceived this.

In essence, it was like asking us to enter the enemy’s hiding place.

Although the key suspect, Beo-olf, and the rest except for Lokiya were annihilated, there was still a sense of uneasiness.

There was no information on the mastermind behind this.

Moreover, accepting it without knowing the dangers inside the Matap was not a good choice.

Of course, from Eobelin’s perspective, she wanted to restore the broken relationship between Matap and us, gain various political benefits, etc., but that was her problem.

At that time, I was thinking that this was not a simple issue to decide for me…

“…Okay. Let’s accept the request.”

“Ah…”

“M… Master?”

The teacher said something unexpected.

I was quite surprised by that fact.

On the other hand, Eobelin expressed her gratitude with a significant relief in her expression.

“Thank you, teacher! To be honest, I felt burdened even talking about it, but you agreed to it… Thank you so much!”

Eobelin rejoiced without knowing anything about the situation.

Meanwhile, I looked at the teacher, feeling complex emotions.

“What’s going on exactly? Why did the Master…”

After the story was over, the two of us had some time alone.

I naturally showed my doubts to the master right away…

Regarding this matter, the Master spoke with a calm voice.

“Isn’t it your first task as a Grand Master? It’s a giant mission related to Matap. If you refuse such a thing, it will probably be a flaw in our future.”

“But don’t you know what kind of place it is? Master…”

“What do you mean?”

“!…”

The master questioned me after my words.

I felt blocked for a moment, but I looked at her right away and said,

“Aren’t they traitors to the Master? They even stuck with Beo-olf instantly without clarifying the truth… I think it’s too dangerous to be involved in those guys who could create another trouble for you…”

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“…”.

The Master remained silent for a moment after I spoke.

After a while, the Master slowly reached out her hand towards me.

And….

“Thank you for worrying.”

“… M-Master…”

“But it’s alright. I have thought about everything. Above all, to catch a tiger, you must enter its den. Rather than investigating later awkwardly, we should approach in a relatively superior position.”

“Um…”

What she said also made sense.

In the past, there was some balance, but currently Matap was staggering, having lost the leadership layer and many talented people.

Even if it wasn’t because of Rosemary Master’s policies, it was a fact that those who had fought against the Adventurer Guild were bowing their heads like this met at an incredibly weak moment.

“It’s the feel of tactics to strike when the enemies are weakest. By making a hole by approaching the Adventurer Guild, it will be useful in achieving our purpose. Where is it?”

The master smiled with a satisfied expression as she spoke.

Then, looking at me, she said in a sincere voice,

“Don’t you want to see? The guys who betrayed us and lived pretending to be innocent… don’t you wonder how Rokia is doing right now?”

“Ah.”

They might be shedding tears of blood and feeling miserable by now, for all I knew.

Upon the Master’s words, I began to feel a strong temptation from an unexpected place.

“Hoho… Indeed… That part is difficult for me to endure as well. To witness a traitor writhing in agony…”

“Huhuhu…”

While it was work, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of also being able to observe something interesting. Without further ado, I decided to follow my master’s intentions without protest.

*

“Matop… huh…”

Bernier muttered calmly, closing the spellbook he was holding.

It was an unexpected development, but still, she didn’t feel any discomfort about being here.

She found it enjoyable.

This kind of fateful attraction always felt like that.

Her meeting with Edmund was like that,

Her meeting with Master Rosetta was like that,

And this new commission was no different.

It was as if a divine presence was truly leading her path.

Feeling joy from that fact, a deep smile started to form on Bernier’s lips.

“If things go well… Maybe I can have everything in this opportunity. Edmund too… And Master… Everything will be mine…”