I Stayed Loyal When My Teacher Was Betrayed

5 – This is what adventurers call despair, part 1

Located at the eastern edge of the continent, in the remote outskirts,

Karmel, the metropolis.

Strategically positioned at the border of the monster domain,

this city was the main hub for countless warriors and mercenaries as it housed the largest adventurer guild in the continent, Balhala.

Due to its geographical characteristics, in the past, it had become a battlefield where blood was shed in wars caused by monster invasions.

However, at this moment,

a joyous news that engulfed the entire alliance of races arrived.

This place, where news about the death of the Demon King Ordin had reached, was captivated by a bustling atmosphere unlike any other city.

“Muahaha! For the fallen Demon King!”

“For the hero Baeovelf and the others who defeated that Demon King!”

“What a mood! Today, I’ll buy you all drinks!”

“We shall also pour unlimited amounts of alcohol tonight!”

“Haha! Let’s eat and drink to our heart’s content after such a long time!”

Thanks to its proximity to the border, Karmel could receive information from the battlefield faster than elsewhere.

The news of one of the three Demon Kings, who threatened peace, being defeated was enough to bring great joy and hope to the mercenaries, adventurers, and residents present here.

And in the lively square, where the festival atmosphere prevailed, there was a woman diligently serving glasses of alcohol.

With her neatly tied silver hair on one side and blue eyes,

while wearing a somewhat eye-catching maid outfit,

she had a bright smile on her face as she immersed herself in her work.

“Here’s the drink and grilled skewers you ordered. Enjoy your time.”

“Thank you.”

She, dressed as a maid, placed the food in front of the two people wearing robes.

The man, presumed to be a gentleman, responded in a soft voice,

After sending them a bright smile, the lady in maid attire moved to take the next order.

Fulfilling their hunger with the ordered food, the man in robes spoke in a quiet voice.

“To be honest, I was quite surprised. Who would have thought that rumors would spread so quickly and lead to such a grand festival already…”

“Rumors are always like that, they spread quickly and exaggerate over time. A wise person should never believe rumors at face value.”

“Yes… Indeed, in situations like this, those words seem more relevant. It’s incredible… We, who saved the continent, are portrayed as heroes, while we are considered dirty traitors…”

“I expected it, but you’ve certainly wrapped things up nicely.”

“That’s true. From that perspective, you resemble our master… no, our mentor.”

“…I can’t deny that.”

With those words, the two immediately started their meal.

Cutting the meat and tilting their glasses, expressing a slight annoyance.

*

We finished our simple meal and emptied our cups.

Feeling the fatigue from the past few days of travel somewhat alleviated, I cautiously questioned my mentor.

“So, can you finally tell me? Why did we come to Caramel in the first place?”

“Didn’t I mention it before? We needed a place to quietly stay and strengthen ourselves for a while.”

“Well, that’s true, but what does it have to do with adventurers? They had no connection with our sect… Could there be any acquaintances hiding here?”

Since our time at the sect, we had completely distanced ourselves from the Adventurer Guild.

Although we occasionally received unexpected help in dealing with demons, Rosemary mentor explicitly avoided getting involved with the Adventurer Guild.

So, I couldn’t help but question her motives for coming to a place that is practically synonymous with adventurers.

In response to my question, Rosemary mentor spoke with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

“Acquaintances… I suppose you could see it that way. They are acquaintances who knew me before the contract was formed… In other words, people who knew me as I was, carrying out activities in my original form. It seems they have established themselves quite well here.”

Since she transformed her appearance using a disguise mask, she had severed all connections with those who knew her before.

The reason for doing so was unknown,

Using the contract itself as a means to wash away her identity.

In reality, the Great Sorceress Rosemary appeared in the world and became the owner of the tower about eight years ago.

No one has ever known the past before.

And now, after the contract was lifted and I regained my original appearance,

The master was trying to use the connections from Rosemary’s past.

“I see. But that means they cut off contact for at least ten years. Can we really trust someone like that?”

“Don’t worry about that. He’s a bit strange, but he’s not without conscience enough to throw away favors like some bastards.”

The master spoke with a hint of longing and trust.

I felt a little uneasy about it, but I reluctantly agreed for now.

“Regardless, I hope everything goes well. To those betrayers… and to the one who orchestrated this, I will exact revenge without fail.”

“I agree. But personally, rather than revenge…”

At that moment.

“Gue… guest… I’m in the middle of work. It’s inconvenient if you’re like this.”

“Inconvenient? Stay still.”

“…”

“Tsk…”

Voices suddenly came through, giving an unpleasant feeling.

The master quickly licked his lips, and I glanced in that direction.

*

A woman dressed as a maid, radiating a bright smile while taking orders.

However, now there was someone holding her back, who was diligently focused on her work.

“You too, have a drink! Wasn’t it Bernia? Even though you’re a newbie, you should have a little on a good day like this!”

“Haha, I would love to, but I have too much work today. Please save me a drink next time when I have the chance.”

She politely declined with a playful charm, resembling a wild boar, in the words of the man.

Bernia.

Even in a slightly tense situation, her fresh and cheerful response carried lightness, without any factors of discomfort despite implying rejection.

But…

“Don’t say that, just come here.”

“Gue… guest?”

In the next moment, the man forcefully grabbed her wrist.

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With a face already flushed, he roughly pulled Bernia’s body towards him.

“Um… it’s inconvenient if you’re like this…”

“Trouble? Not at all. Just behave yourself. I’ll make you feel good.”

A man with thick cheeks began to smile ominously, wiggling them.

Forcing Bernie across from him, he slowly moved the hand that was holding her wrist up onto her shoulder.

“It’s a rare good day, so you should take a little break too. Come on, quickly, drink it all.”

“Sir… You shouldn’t do this. Follow the rules… Ah!”

With regained appetite, the man puts the glass to Bernie’s mouth.

At the same time, his touch slowly starts stroking her shoulder.

Unable to resist, she reluctantly swallows the drink that forced its way into her mouth.

Immediately after, she tried to get up from her seat.

“Cough! Cough! Can I… can I be excused now? I should stop working…!”

However,

“Why are you trying to leave after drinking the alcohol? You have no sense at all! How can you do business like this?”

“That… What is… Ah!”

“I told you already. I am none other than a high-ranking officer in the Adventurer Guild. Even though I haven’t been in Carmel for long, I will surely let you know what that means.”

“That… Ah…”

Alongside his intoxication, his usual character becomes rougher, and his touch becomes more forceful.

The hand that was stroking her shoulder suddenly grabs her chin.

The other hand gradually moves towards her chest.

Despite the clear signs of refusal from the other party, this mockery continues.

But even in this situation that furrows their brows, the people present here had no choice but to ignore it.

“Of all people, he had to target her…”

“It’s unfortunate, but we can’t help it. We can only think that luck wasn’t on her side.”

The man mocking Bernia,

Gloss Boot.

His personality is far from admirable, but he is one of the officers in the Valhalla Adventurer Guild.

His position is almost equivalent to the commander of the knights, and personally, he possesses great power.

Apart from these factors, his appearance alone is grotesque and terrifying like an Ogre, making Gloss an intimidating figure whom hardly anyone would dare approach.

A strong man who holds both power and authority.

There was practically no one who could restrain his actions.

While everyone was watching with caution,

Gloss was trying to satisfy his carnal desires by using a trembling woman, trapped in fear.

Gloss licked his saliva-drenched tongue as he contemplated the pleasure of enjoying this woman, who was like a young lamb, and began inserting his hand between her tempting breasts.

Suddenly,

“Oh… Where is that piglet making such noise on a lovely day?”

“!”

“Huh?”

A voice suddenly reached their ears.

Gloss stopped his ominous touch and turned his head with a sense of deep unease.

What he saw was a man he had never seen before.

A slightly gaunt man wearing his robe inside out.

Looking much smaller… He appeared rather insignificant.

Gloss spoke angrily in a voice filled with rage.

“What did you say… Are you speaking to me like that?”

“Of course I am. Who else here would make such an irritating noise while rolling around on the ground?”

“You… you bastard…”

The man’s words were filled with blatant disrespect.

Upon hearing this, Gloss immediately stood up from his seat.

Though it may have seemed like a trivial provocation, the already tense atmosphere quickly worsened, and Gloss began feeling increasingly ill-tempered.

“Just stay put over there! I’ll finish you off later.”

“Eek!”

After pushing Bernia aside, Gloss picked up the axe he had laid on the floor.

“To insolently offend me… You must be prepared, right?”

Gloss started emanating his sincere aggression, raising his boiling magical power.

Meanwhile, observing these actions, the man slowly rose from his seat as if he had been waiting for it.

And then,

-“Well then, I request you to proceed with the plan.”

-“Oh… You really ask your master to do everything. Fine. It’s something necessary anyway…”

A brief conversation composed of small voices that wouldn’t reach others.

With that,

The man with his hood pulled low continued to walk forward.