I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 9 - Progress

Chapter 9 – Progress

“Hey, sir. Why don’t you just admit your guilt and turn yourself in? It’s not too late.”

“…W-Wait a minute. What do you mean, turn myself in?”

“Ha ha ha, I’m joking, joking.”

The man was eating at the diner attached to the inn today as well, and was having this exchange with the owner, with whom he had become good friends.

“Well, I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong, but if you keep hiding your whereabouts, it’s going to make it harder for you to stay. I don’t mean to meddle, but…”

“Um, I can’t stay…?”

“I don’t know if they’re in a hurry because they haven’t got any good information, but they haven’t stopped searching.”

“Huh?”

Since the day he found out that he was being searched, he had been staying in the inn, relaxing and regaining his spirits without going out into the town.

It was as if he was blocking himself from outside information.

“As a result, all kinds of rumors are flying around, you know? They say that the person they’re looking for has damaged the Duke Aldi’s family name, that he has defiled the Ansages of the Holy Church, that he has tried to destroy the commercial structure of the Albrella family.”

“……”

The inn-keeper, who replied with a straight face, said it in a roundabout way.

Because of the man in front of him— was none other than the treasure hunter with jet black equipment.

All this is to avoid the misunderstanding that the man is “the one being searched”.

“If there’s absolutely no clue to this extent… Is it possible that the one they’re searching for isn’t actually me?”

“What was said was ‘jet black’, right? You’re the only one who fits the bill.”

“What are you talking about?” said the man while laughing dismissively. “Well, let me ask you something… If the rumors are true, what do you think the punishment will be?”

“Even if it’s the lightest punishment, you won’t even be able to step foot in this city. It would be a piece of cake for the three powerhouses if they collaborated.”

“……”

The man was stunned by the powerhouses that seem to run this city.

On his first day in this world…

If only the man hadn’t been so ignorant of the girls’ full names, he would have been able to guess the reason for the search… It was because their names were too long that the man couldn’t bother to remember.

“Even our cleaner turned pale when she saw the equipment in your room.”

“…I-I’m sorry for any inconvenience. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you at the inn to apologize.”

“I’d like to see this problem solved as soon as possible. It’s bad for my heart to have to hide you.”

If the inn-keeper said so, the man had nothing to say in reply.

“I did say all that, but here’s some advice. It’s better not to change the place you’re staying at.”

“Hmm?”

“It was communicated to me that they would reward the person who gave information about where you are staying with 1 million regils. All three of the powerhouses are doing it, so that’s a total of 3 million regils.”

“I-I would definitely be ratted out… Wait, what if the cleaner who saw my equipment ratted me out?”

Three million was that much money. It was a wonder why the man wasn’t reported by now.

And coming from far away from the city means staying at an inn. This thought process was probably the reason why the powerhouses were targeting “places to stay.”

It shows how serious they are.

“But this reward stuff is strictly confidential among us inn-keepers. Spreading the word is strictly prohibited. It would be more efficient to make it public, though.”

“You could’ve started with that…”

“It’s too late for that now.”

The inn-keeper gave a manly reply with a raised eyebrow.

“And you’re actually a really great person, aren’t you?”

“W-Why?”

“Those three powerhouses are strangely being cautious and considerate in their search. It’s evident that they are searching in a way that doesn’t draw too much attention or make those around them desperate. It’s difficult to put into words, but…it’s like they’re searching while being mindful not to attract excessive attention, even though they’re spending money. There must be a reason behind their strategic maneuvering.”

“W-Well, I’m not great at all, though…”

“Ha ha, is that so…?”

The man wasn’t actually some big shot or anything, but he felt really glad that the inn-keeper talked with him without changing his attitude.

Furthermore, he was given the utmost care.

Reflecting upon it, the man felt regretful about causing any further inconvenience to such an inn-keeper in the future.

“…But I’ve decided. I’ll stop procrastinating, just like you said.”

“If you do that, I’ll be much more relaxed. And this is just my speculation, but I don’t think you need to worry too much. If you’ve done something wrong, I think their search would be more extreme.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

The man felt a little better after hearing those reassuring words.

“Then I’ll put on my equipment and go to town…tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Because there may be unexpected situations, I’ll enjoy sightseeing today…”

“Heh, that sounds nice. It’s a nice town, have fun.”

“I appreciate it.”

The man who had thus decided on his future schedule was somewhat refreshed.

On the other hand—At the Treasure Hunters’ Association—an event occurred that made the branch manager rack his brains.