The room grew restless, and the emperor before me crossed his arms with a displeased look.

“Was that... disrespect?”

“Naturally. What insolence, to complain about a reward from His Majesty the Emperor!”

The bloodlust from the knight standing behind swelled. Perhaps because he was in the emperor’s presence, he didn’t go so far as to grip the hilt of his sword, but the atmosphere suggested he was ready to strike at any moment.

Unable to bring myself to kneel before people like these, I slowly stood up while glaring back at the knight and the robed figure.

“Y-You intend to defy us here and now!?”

“I only came because I heard His Majesty wanted to thank us. I didn’t expect to be handed a reward without even asking whether we wanted it.”

In situations like this, I expected to hear something like, “Do you have any requests?”

“For a C-rank adventurer, this is an extravagant reward. What more could you possibly wish for?”

The robed man spat the words with a sneer in his tone.

“C-rank?”

Now that I think about it, the delivery request for the spoils was made when we were still C-rank. I wonder if the empire still doesn’t know we’ve become S-rank.

While C-rank adventurers are considered veterans, from a country’s perspective they’re just easily replaceable manpower. That’s probably why we’re being treated like this.

“It seems you’re unaware, so let me reintroduce myself.”

I pulled out my adventurer’s ID from my collar and made sure to display the mithril plate more prominently among the two metal plates.

“I’m Hiiragi, an S-rank adventurer.”

“I’m also S-rank.”

Rio took out her adventurer’s ID in the same manner, placing her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest.

“W-What...!?”

Things are different when it comes to S-rank. Considering their strength, countries generally want to keep them close. ...Oh, maybe that’s why they’re trying to give us titles now, assuming we’d become S-rank soon. Still, it feels way too forced.

“Indeed... that is a mithril adventurer’s ID...”

“Hmm... It seems you have no need for a title. Then, is there anything else you desire?”

Following the robed man, the emperor now spoke, as if flipping a switch.

Honestly, at this point, it’s a bit late.

S-rank adventurers supposedly hold decent sway even within the guild and often refuse direct requests from nobles. In fact, S-rank adventurers are often wealthier than many barons or viscounts, making it hard for even nobility to boss them around.

“A wish, huh...”

We’ve earned a fair amount of money ourselves, so there’s nothing in particular we want... I mean, I’d like some soy sauce or miso, but it feels wrong to ask for that here.

When I looked around at the surrounding nobles, I noticed the way they looked at us had changed. We’d gone from common C-rank adventurers to S-rank assets they wanted to exploit. The calculating glances had noticeably increased.

Most nobles are purely self-interested. They don’t care about inconveniencing others, and they use their power to cover up crimes. Sure, there must be some upstanding nobles out there, but personally, I think they’re rare.

—Ah, that’s right.

“Let’s see... I’d like to ask that nobles who abuse slaves be properly punished.”

“Slaves...? Of course. That is enshrined in our nation’s law. Criminals are to be duly punished.”

The robed man responded as if I had stated the obvious. But it’s precisely because this “obvious” isn’t functioning that I’m bringing it up.

“I’ve heard about it. Please ensure that Mellow Lagroi, who abused slaves, is properly apprehended.”

“...W-What did you say!?”

As soon as I said the name, one of the nobles standing beside us raised his voice. I knew I’d seen him somewhere—he was Marquis Dogesha Lagroi. If someone told you your son was doing such things, of course you’d want to object.

“Mellow ... my son would never do such a thing!”

I figured he was working in the military at the port city, but maybe he’d returned to report on the sea emperor turtle hunt or something.

“Yesterday, we visited House Lagroi as adventurers and happened to witness the scene ourselves. He even personally asked us to dispose of the slaves.”

Could there be any more reliable witnesses than us?

“Haaaah!?”

“Silence! You are in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor!”

As Dogesha tried to continue his heated objections, a knight stationed behind the emperor roared at him. The previously noisy audience chamber fell into a sudden hush, and the emperor opened his mouth.

“I understand your wish.”

“That’s good to hear. I hope that no crimes are swept under the rug, and that everything is handled appropriately.”

Several individuals averted their gaze upon hearing my words. For now, I used appraisal and memorized their names.

“Of course.”

The emperor gave a big nod, but of course he had no reason to shake his head. He wouldn’t openly declare that he wouldn’t uphold the law.

“Then let us adjourn for now. I plan to hold negotiations this afternoon regarding the purchase of the sea emperor turtle. If you have other requests at that time, feel free to speak. ...You may go.”

“Understood. Then, please excuse us.”

And with that, we left the audience chamber, carrying an unshakable sense of frustration.

The guild master had told us to make sure we received what we were owed, but once again, I found myself wanting to go home immediately.