Chapter 14 — The Uproar

​「You don't have to say Master, you know that, right?」​「I know, but it's like a sense of comfort.」 Saalin replied softly, unused to this kind of gentle concern.​「...Sighs... Fine. But this is what's going to happen when we take requests. Listen well.」​「O-oh, OK.」​Jay looked her straight in the eyes, his expression serious.​「If Iris seems worn out from using her magic, you defend her. And if it looks like I can't defeat the enemy, you don't die for me. You run away with Iris and your little sister. Got it?」​「Err... But Mas—」​「No! Listen! Your lives are just as important as mine and Iris'. So, Saalin, this is my first and most important order to you. If you don't follow it, then I'll treat you like the rest of the other slaves. Is that what you want?」​「...A little scared... N-no, Master Jay.」​「Then follow this order to the letter, and it won't happen. Got it?」​「OK.」​「A'ight, let's go buy your clothes.」​「Yes, sir.」​【It's weird. Most would say a slave should die for their master, but his not like that. Am I really lucky, or is he just acting?】
​At The Guild...
​Iris greeted them with a wide smile, carrying a bag of new clothes.​「I gotta say, you picked some nice clothes there for Lena... So how does she look ...Teasing... Papa.」​「Hey, don't you start with that too!」​「...Giggles... OK.」​「Let's go in.」​「OK.」
​Jay led the group directly to the front desk.​「Yo, Liani.」​「Oh, hey, Jay! How can I help you today? Oh, and thank you for building that freezer!」​「It's nothing, really.」​「OK, so what can I help you with?」​「Saalin and Lena. I want them to join mine and Iris' party.」​Liani's expression tightened with professional regret.​「That can be done, but...」​「But what?」 Iris demanded.​Saalin stepped forward, explaining the silent rule.​「Human adventurers never let slaves become official members, 'cos they use them as meat shields.」​「Which goes against any Guild's rules, but we can't do anything since they are not officially members of the Guild. ...Sighs...」 Liani admitted.​「So that's why they're looking at us weird.」 Jay observed, noting the hostile glares from the other adventurers.​「Err... Yes, that's why.」​Jay faced the entire bustling Guild Hall, his voice cutting through the noise.​「OK. Let's be adults about this. Raise your hands if you don't like Saalin and Lena.」​Every single adventurer in the hall raised their hand.​「OK, I see. ...Faces Liani... I believe you told me we could be seen as a separate entity in the Guild, but still part of it?」​「Err, yes, but that also means we can't send other parties to help you, and if a request includes the whole Guild, you might not be paid highly as the others.」​「Tch. If that's it... then I'm cool with it. And from now onwards, it means I don't have to share my spoils of war, right?」​「...Giggles... Yes, it does.」​Jay lifted Lena onto the counter, placing her directly in front of Liani.​「So, who are you, little one?」​Lena looked up at Liani, her face a mask of seriousness.​【She loves Papa... This should be fun.】​「I'm Lena Lancer! ...Points at Jay... And that's my Papa!」​A wave of shock rippled through the hall, and then silence.​【Ooohhhh. Seems like me and little Lena will have a lot of fun.】 Iris grinned.​Liani's mind scrambled, grasping for the most logical conclusion.​「Oh, is that the case... Seems like he has a daughter... That explains why he wants her to be an adventurer, to hide it!」​「Err... Look, Liani, it's not like tha—」​Liani’s professional demeanor snapped, replaced by a surge of pure, murderous aura directed at Jay.​【Damn it, she's really pissed!】​「...Sinister... Just shut up and let me do my job, OK?! ...Then she made their ID cards...」​「Yes, ma'am.」​「...Grins... 【Damn, this is so good!】」​Liani finished printing the cards with furious efficiency.​「There you go, Lena and Saalin. Anything else you want to tell me, Jay?」​「Err... No, ma'am.」​Lena, perched safely in Jay's arms, made one final declaration to the silent hall.​「Oh, and before we go, my Papa's the strongest here in the Kingdom!」​The other adventurers immediately burst into mocking laughter.​「Hey, Lena, stop, OK?」 Jay whispered nervously.​「But it's true! ...Serious... If Papa wanted to, everyone in this room could've been laying dead on the ground the moment they started laughing.」​The laughter immediately died. The Guild Hall was plunged into a stunned silence.​「Err... Lena, it's not nice to lie like that.」 Liani said weakly.​「It's true! If Papa can take on thirty Were-Rabbits and come back unharmed, think what he can do if he fought people!」​「...Chuckles nervously... Oh, OK, Lena, you can stop now.」​Liani looked at Jay, her eyes demanding an answer.​「Wait, Lena, how do you know?」​「I got sensory magic, and ever since I came in here, the power Papa is hiding overshadowed everyone else's... I can't even sense the Guild Master!」​「Err... Jay, tell me she's lying!」​「...Sighs... Argh, fine. OK, I'll tell the truth. The kid's right, and that's why your father seemed interested in my ideas regarding magic the whole time I built the freezer at your place.」​「What?! No way! So that's it, huh?」​「Yah. And we're going to leave now, OK?」​「Um... OK.」