Volume 2 Chapter 16 A Flame War I Shouldn't Be Able to Win Against a Mere Administrator
Cedal was in the middle of his speech.
The SS-rank guild 'Worldsworn' guildmaster, Ivan, stepped in to stop him.
Then Pastor, an executive from the Adventurers' Association headquarters, cut in.
Ellie, the chief merchant of the Luster Report, smiled as she jumped into the fray.
This was exactly what they meant by "one after another."
Suddenly, people appeared who were completely out of Cedal's league, freezing the very air around them.
"...Sigh. Should I start, then?"
Ivan fixed Cedal with a cold stare.
"Cedal. You're expelled from 'Worldsworn.'"
"Wha──!? What did you say?!"
"──That's quite troubling, isn't it, Mr. Ivan? What exactly has he done?"
"No matter what Cedal does under the banner of 'Worldsworn,' as long as it doesn't bother me, I won't say a word if it's about obtaining the 'unknown,' Pastor. But as long as this world is under 'Divine Blood Travels,' Adventurers must *remain* Adventurers. Cedal's alliance outright denies that."
"Oh? So you think the current hero community's stance and role are just? If they choose their path, surely they can live on lands ten times bigger than this mansion. Is defeating the Demon Lord──the greatest feat the world's ever seen──really worth no more than this mansion and a tiny kingdom's citizenship?"
"...I see, that's how this debate's going."
Ivan let out a heavy sigh.
Crossing the boundaries of 'Divine Blood Travels' isn't just about power──it's about shaking the balance of the entire world.
That's why even within the hero community, if you're truly an Adventurer, it's better not to overstep your limits.
From that standpoint, it's understandable there's some discomfort about the fact that they've still 'gained nationality' on top of it all.
But as long as the hero community doesn't push for 'voting rights in the Dragonstone Kingdom,' they haven't yet crossed the line to become a real problem.
At the heart of it all, the Dragonstone Kingdom deems it legally feasible to grant 'Adventurers access to the depths of the Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai) and the right to take all acquired materials.' However...
To avoid the trouble of being grilled about 'nationality' later, the hero community 'officially' obtained citizenship, yet they mostly continue to operate as 'Adventurers.'
Acquiring something and exercising it are 2 entirely different matters.
They've obtained nationality and citizenship, but have 'suspended' them, living in this city under the special exceptions granted to Adventurers.
Yet, there exists a certain 'logic.'
"A hero who saves the world deserves much more than just this mansion and citizenship. It's too little, too modest. Don't you think it diminishes the 'hero's' value?"
Despite such trivial concerns, it's only natural for one bearing the title of 'hero' to be granted various 'privileges' and 'benefits.'
The Demon Lord, a being that threatens the Divine Blood Travels, and the hero who vanquishes such a Demon Lord should have rights that transcend the boundaries of the Divine Blood Travels.
But for now, they are left with only a small mansion and the nationality of a minor kingdom.
This will not set a good example for future generations.
"It's a bit late for that."
"What?"
"The world still 'adores' both the hero and the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord's 'traits' were more terrifying than their strength, leading many to believe they 'had to fight, despite having the power to give up.' That's why there's no end to those who think 'if we actually fought, we'd be stronger than the hero.'"
Ivan lets out a sigh.
"I've seen that sort too many times. The arrogance of those who use the Demon Lord's male-dominated traits as an 'excuse not to act' still persists."
"Yes, that's precisely why the world must acknowledge the hero properly──"
"The biggest king at the world conference... reportedly 'thanked' the Hero. You, on the other hand, did not. Figures. To you, the Hero is still just something you can 'manage,' isn't he? What a joke."
"T-that has nothing to do with... this incident!"
"It has *everything* to do with it. Because you think like that, this whole 'mess' is happening. 'The Adventurers defeated the Demon Lord, so now it's the Adventurers' era'? Some idiots just can't be helped."
"..."
Pastor's cheek twitched, but he managed to keep it together, barely.
"──So, what does your hero community *really* think about the 'Court Adventurers'?"
Ivan asked Ellie.
She was an executive in the Luster Report, but not the leader, so her words didn't automatically speak for the entire organization.
But... her words, the ones that controlled the Luster Report's 'funds,' were something the world couldn't ignore.
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