Volume 6 Chapter 40: A Simple Question

"...Understood." Herrick paused. He understood the situation was unfavorable. But a low growl came out of his mouth. Just one word from them. One word would be enough to set him off.

"..." Since Herrick calmed down, the others did the same.

"Madison, can you tell us what's going on?" Keith questioned. Those guys must have said something since the other adventurers cautiously stared at them.

"Keith, Mork and those adventurers accused you of monster-passing." Monster-passing. It was when one party intentionally led monsters to another group. It was a forbidden action for all adventurers. And if it was found out, the consequences would be severe.

"They're accusing us?" Keith tilted his head. No wonder everyone was looking at them like this.

"These bastards!" "How dare you accuse us!"

"Do you want to die?!" Alfia and Carolyn stepped up to the plate. Even the calmest people would have a tipping point.

"Keith, can you tell us what happened?" Seeing how his other group members were so furious, something must have gone down.

"I want to say that what he said is correct. But it's actually the other way around." Keith took a deep sigh.

"EH?!"

Mork and the other adventurers shouted, "You're the one who did it to us!"

"Yeah!"

"No, you guys did it!" Herrick roared back. Like that, a shouting match ensued between the two groups. It was something. The onlookers were confused about it.

"Enough with the yelling." A shout caused everyone to stop. Everyone looked up to see Kaiser standing at the top.

"Vice guildmaster!" All the adventurers shut up when they saw him. Herrick and the other's eyes widened as they watched him come down. He's the vice guildmaster?!

Vice guildmaster. That was the second in command! It was only one step lower than Guildmaster!

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Enough with this pointless banter." Kaiser shook his head, "If you continue with this, I will punish both parties."

"..." That shut them up.

"You understand there are consequences to either one if it's true, right?" His question was directed to Keith and Mork.

"I do." "Y-yes."

"Tell me each side of your stories." Kaiser wanted them to speak.

"My party was returning from exploring the dungeon. However, as we were about to return, these guys ran past us with the monsters, leaving us to die! He even destroyed the tunnel to make it impossible to follow." Mork scowled as he pointed at Keith.

"This is so bull!" Dennis shouted, "Keith would never do some-"

"Dennis, you're not a part of this. Be quiet." Kaiser scowled. That shut Dennis up, but the guy continued to have a scowl.

"What is your side of the story?" Kaiser turned to Keith.

"It's the same story. However, my party was the victim of this matter." Keith answered calmly.

"That's-" "Be quiet."

Kaiser paused before repeating, "Both sides have the same claim but different positions. So there could only be one person wrong." Keith raised his hand.

"What's the matter?"

"I have one question I want to ask the other side, Vice Guildmaster."

"Hmm?" Kaiser looked intrigued, "What question would you like to ask?"

"Why did you guys arrive here before us?" It was a simple and direct question. But it was more than enough.

"Hah?!"

"If you guys were the victims of monster-passing, how did you arrive here first." There was a severe flaw in their logic.

"Now that he mentioned it." "That makes sense." If Mork had to deal with monsters while Keith and the others headed out, Keith's group would be the first to return. It didn't make sense for Mork's party to be here first.

"That's because we took the shortest routes out!" Mork shouted.

"And what were the shortest routes?" Keith asked another question.

"What do you mean?"

"You should be able to remember the distinction it has compared to the other routes," Keith smirked.

"Hah?" Everyone looked at one another. Some adventurers didn't understand what Keith said, while others understood.

"The shortest route possible has a different shade and texture compared to the other tunnels. But it has a certain smell to it as well." Keith calmly stated.

"You're lying!" Mork screamed.

"No, he's correct." Kaiser added, "There are certain distinctions the shortest route has compared to the others. Some of these distinctions are the smell and shade of the tunnel."

"..."

"We can't remember! We were too busy dealing with the monsters!" Mork added. How could they remember something like that when they focused on dealing with monsters.

"Quick question, Vice Guildmaster. Didn't he say a route was blown up?"

"Mhmm."

"That was the shortest route."

"That wasn't the shortest route!" Mork retorted.

"But Keith remembered all of them," Arlo muttered.