“Is it true that you defeated the Sea Emperor Turtle!?”

Without so much as a knock, the door burst open, and the guild master entered the room, spitting as he spoke. Nir, startled, lifted his head from where he had been resting it.

“Yes, and as proof, we’ve brought two of its heads.”

“T-Two, you say?”

“It was a two-headed turtle, so naturally, there were two heads.”

“W-What in the world…”

Hearing that there was proof, he was too shocked to react, standing frozen on the spot. Lowell had also stopped writing, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

“So, what would you like to do? If you want to confirm the evidence, we can show it to you.”

“A-Ah… Y-Yes, of course.”

Just as I was about to step outside, I glanced at Lowell, who was still holding his pen, seemingly hesitant.

“No, perhaps we should hear the full details first.”

Reconsidering, he sat down in his chair. He looked a bit restless, but I hoped the guild master would calm down.

“So, since you’ve brought back two heads, it’s safe to assume the Sea Emperor Turtle is dead, correct?”

“Yes. Our appraisal confirmed that its status is ‘deceased.’”

“Oh! I see, I see! That’s a relief.”

Hearing my words, he exhaled in relief, clutching his chest. If the appraisal had confirmed it, there was no need for further concern. Given its monstrous endurance, it wasn’t unreasonable to think that a half-hearted attack wouldn’t be enough to bring it down.

Even I still found it hard to believe. The blow that Rio and I had landed, at a glance, only left a small hole and a few cracks in its shell.

“So, I’ve heard that after the Sea Emperor Turtle surfaced, it launched an attack?”

“Yes, it appeared to release a beam of light from its mouth. I assume it was some kind of breath attack.”

“Hmm… To think it would behave that way. The records from 150 years ago are completely unreliable now.”

The guild master stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“I see. Then, could you tell me more about the subjugation process?”

“Ah, yes.”

I explained how we had developed a new sniper magic with Linford’s help, how we had protected an important military official from the turtle’s attack, and how we had taken it down in a single strike.

“I see, I see. I understand the situation. We’ll leave the cleanup to the empire. …Now then, it’s time to go see the heads of the Sea Emperor Turtle.”

After satisfying the guild master with our account, it was finally time to present the proof.

“They’re quite large, so we’ll need a spacious area.”

“…Would the dismantling yard be too small?”

“Each head is over fifty meters long. I didn’t measure precisely, so I can’t give an exact figure.”

“…As expected of the Sea Emperor Turtle.”

“How about the port? Most of the fishing boats are out at sea right now, so it should be a suitable location.”

Lowell, who had been taking notes, made a suggestion, and the guild master clapped his hands together.

“Oh, yes! That would work. If we make a grand announcement about the subjugation, we can lift the fishing ban sooner.”

“Then, let’s go at once.”

“Yes.”

Following behind the guild master and Lowell, we left the room and descended to the first floor. As soon as we did, a swarm of adventurers rushed toward us.

“What happened to the Sea Emperor Turtle!?”

“I heard it attacked you!”

“Is it true that it was subjugated!?”

As expected of the guild master, he handled the situation with ease.

“Silence!”

With just one commanding shout, the crowd instantly fell silent.

After scanning the room and curling his lips into a grin, he spoke.

“As proof of the subjugation, we will be displaying its heads at the port. If you wish to see for yourselves, come and witness it.”

For a moment, there was complete silence. Then, all at once, the adventurers erupted in excited shouts.

“Oooohhhhhh!!!”

“They really took it down!?”

“I can’t believe it!”

“Of course we’re going to see it!”

Despite the noisy commotion, the adventurers began rushing outside, eager to get to the port first. The news that the Sea Emperor Turtle’s heads would be displayed quickly spread throughout the guild.

“By the way, Lowell.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Go ahead and file that request as well.”

At this, Lowell glanced at both Rio and me.

“For the two of them?”

“Yes, for both.”

“Understood.”

With that, Lowell retreated to the counter to handle the paperwork, while the guild master, Rio, Nir, and I left the guild and headed toward the port.

“What was that about?”

“It seemed like something involving us.”

After witnessing that exchange firsthand, it was hard not to be curious.

“Hahaha, you’ll find out soon enough. Look forward to it.”

“…Alright.”

I had no idea what it was, and it didn’t seem like he would answer even if I pressed him. Well, if we’d find out soon enough, I supposed there was no need to worry about it now.

When we arrived at the port, we saw that, just like the naval port, there were several damaged ships, some even stranded on land. Among the crowd, there were not only adventurers but also a few ordinary citizens, some of whom looked unaware of what was about to happen.

The guild master began instructing people to make space for the display. As expected, there wasn’t a single resident who didn’t recognize him, and they cooperated without resistance. Several guild staff members were also on-site, assisting with the preparations.

“Alright, Shu, bring them out.”

“Understood.”

At his command, I exchanged a glance with Rio.

In the next moment, two massive heads of the Sea Emperor Turtle appeared in the open space.

The air filled with a mixture of cheers and screams from the surrounding crowd.