“Adventurer Sai, we have concluded that you are in violation of the guild’s regulations, which all adventurers must uphold,” Rozie began, her tone intense and stern.

“Me? Violating guild rules? Hmm… I don’t believe I’ve broken any rules, so could you tell me exactly which one?”

Rozie’s temple twitched as she slammed the table.

“Are you seriously pretending you don’t know!?”

“Oh, I’m very serious. How would I know unless you explain it clearly? Pal, do you understand?”

“No idea. It seems this person may have some mental shortcomings.”

“What did you say!?”

Rozie glared at Pal, brimming with hostility.

“Calm yourself, Rozie,” said the Guild Master.

“But…! I… I apologize,” Rozie stammered as she reluctantly sat back down.

Despite her composed appearance, Rozie seemed quite fiery. Looks truly can be deceiving—I need to sharpen my people skills.

“Sai, as a member of the Adventurer’s Guild, you are required to bring any monster materials to the guild first. Were you aware of this?”

The Guild Master had an almost ageless appearance. Like Pal, elves have a way of concealing their age.

“Anything wrong, Master?”

“N-No… nothing…”

Even the Guild Master was visibly tense. I glanced at Pal.

“Pal, could you ease up on the pressure?”

“Oh, pressure? I don’t know what you’re talking about, Master.”

Pal finally let up. The three officials caught their breath, clearly relieved.

“What… what is wrong with you!?” Rozie protested, still shaken by the pressure.

“I apologize. I just had an idle thought.”

“Huh?”

“Silence, airhead,” Pal interjected, making Rozie’s face flush with anger.

But she collapsed face-first onto the table, out cold. Pal’s aura had intensified far beyond the level of mere intimidation.

“Pal, stop.”

“My role is to eliminate anyone hostile toward you, Master,” she replied.

“I think they’ll understand with just words. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be guild executives.”

“Are you sure? That woman seems rather incompetent.”

“Regardless, no more intimidation, please.”

“Very well, Master. In that case, I’ll just silence them by slicing their throats.”

Scary words from such a lovely face. The Guild Master and Darnan looked at me, bewildered.

“That’s also forbidden. No attacks unless I’m in immediate danger.”

“…Understood.”

With Pal’s intimidation finally lifted, Rozie slumped in her chair, drooling and quite out of sorts, while Darnan seemed on the verge of fainting.

Remarkably, the Guild Master managed to hold his composure, though his body was trembling slightly.

With a wave of magic, I cast a refreshing spell on them to clear their minds and woke Rozie, helping her back to her seat.

“Ahem. My apologies. Pal is very sensitive to hostility. Please refrain from any further displays of it; I can’t hold her back forever.”

“Master, I am your loyal servant.”

“You mean self-appointed servant, right? But please, really refrain from any more intimidation, Pal.”

A silent nod from Pal told me she’d understood—at least for now.

“As for the Guild Master’s earlier question, I am indeed aware of the rule requiring us to bring materials to the guild first. They explained it when I joined.”

Hearing this, the three reacted differently: Darnan looked puzzled, Rozie seemed pleased, and the Guild Master seemed surprised.

Rozie was about to speak, but the Guild Master stopped her.

“You understand that the Red Dragon you sold to the Johnson Trading Company should have been brought to the guild?”

“I understand that, yes.”

“Do you also realize that failing to do so constitutes a violation?”

“I don’t believe I’ve violated anything.”

Rozie glared at me as though she wished I’d drop dead on the spot, while the Guild Master and Darnan seemed baffled.

“And why do you believe that—”

“Guild Master! Enough! He’s just admitted to his crime! Let’s punish him!” Rozie shouted, cutting the Guild Master off.

Not exactly behavior befitting a subordinate.

“Darnan, seize this man!”

Impulsive. Though it’s not my concern, does Rozie even have the authority to order Darnan around?