* * *
They’d managed to buy a week of breathing room, but that didn’t mean his mind was at ease.
The mere fact that multiple nobles were moving to frame Bati and get him arrested—it weighed heavily on him.
What the hell is their reason?
These nobles barely have time to fight over their own profits.
Why would they suddenly band together to help some poor debtor?
If they had any real sympathy for Gaspar, they wouldn’t have let him live like that to begin with.
They wouldn’t have kicked him out of the family in the first place.
Which means Gaspar’s and the nobles’ intentions must somehow be aligned… and that’s the basis for Bati’s false charges?
It doesn’t make any sense.
Are they planning to paint Bati as a criminal so they can overcharge for a high-risk commission?
Think they’ll get monsters in the region exterminated on the cheap that way?
But that’s such a low-efficiency plan with too much hassle involved.
What, they think proud Bati will just surrender quietly and let monsters roam free until then?
“Raul.”
“Yeah?”
Lost in thought, Raul looked up when Bati called his name.
Without a word, Bati pulled him into his arms.
‘…….’
Warm.
That warmth seeps into his restless heart and makes everything feel okay.
Just being like this makes him feel like things will work out.
He wants to melt into Bati’s embrace and stay there, relaxed and safe.
Maybe he really did look that stressed out.
God, he’s sweet.
“I’ll do my best!”
Thinking of Bati’s silent hug as the biggest show of comfort from a man who doesn’t talk much—made Raul happy.
Right! If he keeps moping around, his boyfriend will just worry!
He’s not some genius, so no point in breaking his head over it.
Time to get moving and investigate!
He rushed straight to the Adventurer’s Guild headquarters and threw the door open with a bang.
Everyone’s eyes turned to them at once.
First, because the door had been flung open so violently.
Second, because no one could ignore Bati’s overwhelming presence.
“You all seriously believe those rumors? That Bati assaulted someone? Kidnapped someone?”
“…Bati?”
“Bati! I said!”
“What the hell did you just call him!?”
Ah, crap.
Yeah, it’s even worse here.
“Th-That’s not the point right now!”
“You bastard, you actually corrupted Lord Zerbin!”
Hey! What do you mean “corrupted”?! It was mutual!
“Throw him out!”
“I knew it the moment I heard they left the same inn!”
“What did he even do? Did he coat himself in honey or something…?”
“Damn it, why Raul Florenti of all people?! He’s got nothing going for him besides his face!”
The barrage of words was even harsher than what he’d heard back in Grid, and Raul was already feeling dizzy.
The only upside?
Even with Gaspar spreading all these ridiculous rumors, people’s goodwill toward Bati hadn’t dropped at all.
Which meant Raul was taking the heat instead.
“What’s wrong with Raul? He’s good-looking and capable!”
“You can’t trust someone so flirty.”
“He sleeps around!”
“Well, true.”
Aren’t you guys being a little too much?
Still, he wasn’t too hurt—he knew most of this was just ugly jealousy.
No matter how much they try to tear him down, it won’t change the fact that ‘Bati likes him!’
Bati likes me!
Mwahaha!
“Enough.”
Bati shut them down with a single word.
The guild hall instantly went quiet.
As expected—he’s incredible.
“I’ll listen to your trash talk later. For now, let’s have a serious conversation.”
“Thief… shameless bastard…”
“You do realize insulting me means insulting Bati’s taste, right?”
“…Eep.”
Nice. Silence at last.
“So? Anyone got something to say in defense of the great Zerbin Batista you all claim to admire and love?”
One adventurer cautiously raised their hand.
Raul had only said one line coming in, but no one had questioned what was going on.
News must’ve spread fast among adventurers.
“Did Lord Zerbin ever snub a noble or something?”
“Yeah. The way they’re reacting, it feels like someone took it personally and is lashing out.”
Others chimed in.
“If he’d hit someone, they’d charge him with assault. If they heard him say anything, it’d be defamation. But they’re not using any of that—just slapping on vague charges.”
“Basically, he didn’t do anything clearly wrong, but they’re pissed off because he’s just so hard to ignore.”
That… actually made sense.
Raul had been thinking the same thing.
Whether or not Gaspar was assaulted or kidnapped wasn’t the point.
The nobles were using his name to justify something they already wanted: to benefit themselves.
But he hadn’t considered they might just be doing it out of pure spite.
Raul had always been good at getting along with everyone, so he’d never had to deal with that kind of backlash.
‘Out of spite…’
They’d go so far as to frame someone over hurt feelings?
Actually… if we’re talking about nobles whose pride is their whole personality, then yeah, that tracks.
Suddenly, he remembered the count’s attendant who had stared daggers at him and Bati before disappearing.
The one who’d even offered a cryptic warning:
“The Count will be… disappointed.”
So the count got “disappointed” once and decided to gather all his noble buddies to publicly humiliate Bati?
What kind of petty-ass lunatic does that?
When Raul asked if the count’s name was on the cooperation letter, the answer came back—yes, proudly.
“Ugh!”
Maybe he should’ve just gone that time!
Even if Bati had begged sweetly for some alone time together, Raul should’ve forced himself to go for the future’s sake.
But seriously, this is what happens when you reject a guy once?
It’s not like he told him to screw off. He turned him down politely.
He even said he was sick and would visit if fate allowed.
If it looked like Raul had a legit excuse, couldn’t the guy wait a bit and invite him again?
Raul would’ve gone rather than turn him down a second time.
Why the hell’s he being this intense?!
“Hmm… but you know, I don’t think Count Navin gathered these nobles all by himself.”
Raul’s friend, who’d been listening, suggested another angle.
“Look here. Viscount Norton is also on the list.”
“Ah!”
Viscount Norton and Count Navin hate each other.
Work with Norton, and you can’t work with Navin.
Work with Navin, and you’re blacklisted from Norton.
That’s how extreme their rivalry is—adventurers even have a saying about keeping a careful balance between the two.
No way Norton would jump in just because Navin asked for help.
Which means this wasn’t just Navin’s doing.
Then what?
Did everyone who ever got rejected by Bati form some kind of club and decide to get back at him?
…Wait a minute.
Suddenly, Bati’s words strike my head like a blow.
“You’ve done well so far without doing those kinds of shameful things.”
“Hey, Bati… can I ask you something? When nobles invited you… have you really never accepted a single invitation?”
“That’s right.”
Ah.
So “those kinds of shameful things” weren’t about flattering nobles to make them potential clients.
It included just accepting an invitation and visiting them, too.
It’s not that he turned them down this time just because he wanted to be alone with me.
He genuinely didn’t want to go!
Aaaagh!
And even so, he still managed to keep getting requests?
That’s Batista Zerbin for you.
* * *
