"We'd like to prevent the Adventurer's Guild from collapsing due to the Grandmaster's unilateral decision and its fallout — that's something even we want to avoid."
I get why Geese would say that, but...
"Couldn't you have handled it within the Guild?"
Seriously, I've never even laid eyes on the Grandmaster once.
"He's almost never at the Guild. He's always off on some martial pilgrimage or whatever, and he only ever shows up when there's trouble. And chances are, no one other than you, Master, could beat him."
Enrique says it with a guilty expression.
"Is he really that strong?"
"He is. He possesses [Fist God]."
Seriously?!
The pinnacle of martial arts!
Then that settles it — I'm getting it too.
So I reversed my martial arts aptitude and snagged [Fist God] for myself.
◇◇◇
"So, who's stronger — him or Mist?"
"There's no question — the Grandmaster is. Even if Mist prepared as meticulously as possible, I doubt she could pierce that steel body."
"Huh. Either way, I'm taking that guy down. After that, Enrique, you're becoming the Grandmaster."
"Yes, Master. ...Huh?"
"You always wanted to become Grandmaster badly enough that you'd have been willing to suck up to Lean, steal my White King Tiger Wolf, and make an enemy of me, didn't you?"
"W-wait, please don't say that, Master. Besides, I stopped caring about that ages ago."
"No way. Come on, Geese-san."
"You're right. That would be for the best."
"‘For the best'... I came here to discuss something with you, and now you expect me to say no?"
Unable to refuse given the circumstances, Enrique let out a resigned sigh—just as a guard from the estate burst through the reception room door without even knocking, out of breath.
"Lord Geese, we're under attack! Lord Ward is holding the line, but the defense is about to break! Please, evacuate immediately! You must flee at once, and please, tell your guests to hurry as well!"
Oh man, you've gotta be kidding me.
To come at a time like this...
"To think someone would actually be foolish enough to assault this ducal household. I'll go out there myself. ...Alan, if something happens to me, I'm counting on you."
"I'm sorry, Duke... If only I hadn't asked you for help in the first place..."
Enrique apologized, but Geese didn't respond to that.
Wait—is he trying to use the chaos as an excuse to push Nina onto me?
◇◇◇
"Hey—someone stop that bearded brute!"
"I-I can't! Even Lord Ward can't beat him! Send word to the master right away!"
"Oh, don't get the wrong idea, you little whippersnappers. It's not like I came here to attack. I'm just saying you should hand over the fellow called Alan since you're sheltering him."
Standing against the hulking man was the ducal household's head butler, battered and covered in wounds.
The estate's garden had been turned into a pockmarked mess of craters. The flower beds that Nina normally kept so beautifully tended had been completely obliterated beyond recognition.
"Ward, you've held on well."
"Master, I have failed to eliminate the insolent rabble who dared cause a disturbance at your very doorstep. I have no excuse for my failure."
Geese stepped out into the central courtyard where the attacker and his butler stood.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse][Divine Eye][Sword God][Gentleman Thief][Dark Magic][Rock-Iron Magic][Holy Magic][Spacetime Magic][Scorching Heat Magic][Freezing Ice Magic][Magic Hand][Temptation][Pain Dampening][Complete Status Abnormality Resistance][Protection of the Fire Spirit][Phantom Demon][Swift Wind Thunder][Protection of the Dark Spirit][Monstrous Strength][Thunder God Sword][Fortune][Clear Storm Magic][Humility][Heaven's Gate][Ninja Master][Eloquence][Seeker of Truth][Whispers of the Abyss][Super Intuition][Spear God][Fist God]
Rank: Orichalcum
Thank you always for reading😊