Upon arriving at the General Guild, I opened the menu to check the time.

"It's 7:26. Looks like I'll have a bit of time to relax after checking in."

Closing the menu, I lined up at the counter for the Adventurer Department, but...

"Umm, are you Lady Elaina?"

For some reason, a staff member from the General Guild came up to me and called my name.

Could it be... they want to talk about the exam in the reception room?

"Yes, that's correct. Do you have something to discuss, perhaps regarding the D-rank promotion exam?"

The staff member confirmed my suspicion with a relieved expression.

"Yes, that's right."

My guess was spot on.

"Mr. Aid is in the reception room. You can hear the details from him."

"I see. Understood."

"In that case, let me guide you to the reception room. Please follow me."

"Yes."

Without thinking much, I replied and followed the female staff member. When she stopped in front of the reception room, she knocked on the door.

"I've brought Ms. Elaina."

"Understood, send her in!"

Hearing Instructor Aid's voice from behind the door, the staff member opened it, and we entered the reception room together.

"Good morning, Instructor Aid."

"Ah, good morning. No need to stand on ceremony. Take a seat on the sofa."

"Ah, yes."

After responding, I sat on the sofa, wondering if this was the appropriate way to explain the exam.

"Sorry to say this so abruptly, but... your D-rank promotion exam scheduled for today has been canceled."

"What!? Canceled?"

The exam canceled... why?

"That's right. I was also called out to deal with the zombie outbreak two days ago, and I don't have the time to conduct the exam.

Plus, they even need more manpower for the investigation, so staff from surrounding cities are also joining the effort."

It was such a big deal? Wait, wouldn't it be bad if I got found out?

"So, your D-rank promotion exam is canceled. We'll inform you of the new date as soon as it's decided."

"...Understood, Instructor Aid."

Aw man, I was so determined to pass... and now it's canceled...

Seeing my disappointment, Instructor Aid smiled wryly as he looked at me.

"Well, I understand your disappointment, but don't you think this extension gives you a better chance?"

"Hmm..."

"Don't you think you can plan better?"

I should think about it. But realistically, all the preparations I made for this exam will now have to be postponed. It's disappointing... but maybe if I change how I look at things, there's no need to feel down after all.

"...You're right, Instructor Aid. Perhaps it's best to see this as an opportunity to prepare even more thoroughly."

"Exactly. So don't feel too disheartened."

"Yes, thank you, Instructor Aid."

Yeah, I'm grateful to Instructor Aid.

"Got it? ...Alright, I'm done here, so you can come in now!"

Huh!? Who is Instructor Aid talking to?

As I pondered this, the door swung open without a knock, and familiar faces entered the room.

"Good morning, El-chan."

"Ms. Lizlina!? What are you doing here?"

"Well, we came here because we have something to talk to you about."

Mr. Guell is here too!?

"Elaina, thanks for the other day. Thanks to you, I wasn't violated by the orcs."

"Nyau!?"

And Ms. Myurina is here too?!

"She really does have a cute reaction."

"Hinyuuuh!?"

"Now now, Keith-kun, don't tease Elaina."

Mr. Keith! And even Duke Valdeck is here!?

"E-, e-eweryone... wh-what's... g-goin' on h-here?"

I could barely get my words out, but I needed to ask why everyone was here.

Guell started speaking while looking at me.

"We came to the General Guild, because there's something we want to ask you about, Elaina."

"W-wait... m-me? A-ask me something?"

I asked, and Guell nodded.

"Yes, that's right. We want to ask you about the incident with the large number of zombies being defeated on the grasslands the other day."

"Huh? Uh, yes, I understand. What do you want to know?"

I can't believe it... they don't know, right? There's no way they know... It's okay, right!?

"Were you the one who defeat the horde of zombies the other day?"

"No, it wasn't me."

For a moment, my face seemed to tense up, but I calmly responded to Guell and the others.

"...I see. So it wasn't you."

"...Yes."

It seems they don't suspect me. Maybe they're just speculating whether it was me who defeated them?

But now, Duke Valdeck addressed me.

"Actually, Elaina, we investigated your actions at the time."

What!? Duke Valdeck investigated me without my knowledge!? This is seriously bad!

"R-really?"

"The day before yesterday, after enjoying a meal with Guell and the others you left the inn at 4 p.m., right? What were you doing?"

Oh no! I just realized I've been trapped!

They invited me to the reception room at the General Guild and then interrogated me. Mr. Keith is standing by the window, and Ms. Myurina is standing in front of the door, so I can't escape. If I did, I'd definitely be suspected!

I see, so that's how it is! The reason Duke Valdeck and the others didn't come to the inn where I was staying yesterday to hear the truth was because they thought if they approached me to ask about it or asked for me through the General Guild, I might run away. So, they planned to corner me like this on the day of my D-rank promotion exam!

"Um... I went to the grasslands for training at night."

"Training, huh? Now that you mention it, the innkeeper said it felt odd for you to go to the grasslands at night. And when you came back, you looked quite exhausted. That's what she testified, right?"

What!? They asked that old lady without my knowledge!?

"I went out for training with my usual equipment."

"And you know that the large group of zombies was defeated to the west, right?"

"Yes, I'm aware."

"Then why did you leave from the west gate to go to the grasslands?"

"Th-that was just a coincidence. I returned right after training."

Calm down, me. If I get agitated or angry now, it'll only raise suspicion! Stay calm.

"...I see, understood."

Did I pull it off?! ...Did I?

"Aid, bring the Truth Crystal here."

"Understood, Chairman Valdeck."

As I watched Instructor Aid get up from the sofa and leave the reception room, I realized that I really need to do something about this! What should I do!?

"...Um~, Duke Valdeck?"

"Hm? What is it, Elaina?"

"I think I've been honest, so I don't think you need to go that far..."

"Oh? Is that so? Then would you say the same after hearing Guell's account, which was the initial investigation?"

Guell's account?

Despite my seemingly wanting-to-say-something expression, Guell ignored me and began speaking.

"Two nights ago, we received a message from the palace to investigate the disturbance to the west. So, our Second Knight Order quickly assembled an investigation team and headed west."

So, was it Guell and the others who I saw through the UAV?

"When we arrived at the scene, there was a horde of zombies lying around. When I saw that sight, I was truly astonished."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, and upon investigating the scene, we found three things."

"The first was that most of the zombies had injuries that looked like parts of their bodies or their entire bodies had been blown away, but some of the zombies were different."

"Different? How so?"

"They had hole-like wounds. I recognized those wounds."

"Are those hole-like wounds from arrows?"

"No, it wasn't like they were pierced by arrows. Let me continue."

Tch!? He's not letting me change the subject!

"The second thing was that there were footprints of someone. The footprints were those of shoes, but they had strange patterns on them. Normal footprints wouldn't have any patterns, right, Elaina?"

"Huh!?"

I unintentionally looked at my combat boots. And as Guell and the others watched my reaction, they became convinced.

"The third thing was that there was a faint smell of you among the group of zombies. So I started to wonder if you were the one who defeated the zombies. So, Elaina... Can you answer honestly?"

Th-This is bad... They totally know, don't they!?

"Uh, uuugh..."

Wh-What should I do... How can I escape from this situation!?

As I was holding my head down, Lizlina came and sat next to me.

"Hey, El-chan. We're friends, right~?"

"Huh!? Y-yeah..."

When did we become friends again? I just nodded reflexively without thinking.

"I believe in you, El-chan."

Lizlina smiled as she took my hand.

Stop it, Ms. Lizlina! Don't smile at me with that radiant smile after saying you believe in me! I feel guilty for what I said earlier!

While I was feeling that way, there was a knocking on the door, and Aid entered.

"Excuse me. Chairman Valdeck, I have brought the Truth Crystal."

"I see, leave it here."

"Understood."

After Aid responded, he placed the Truth Crystal on the table and, for some reason, gave me a smirk that felt unsettling.

"Now, Elaina. Place your hand here. After that, all you have to do is answer our questions honestly."

As Aid pointed to the Truth Crystal with a smile on his face, I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Because he was looking at me with such a triumphant expression! No matter how you look at it, that smug face is irritating!!

"I... have the right to remain silent."

That's it! Now they can't interrogate me!

""""""There's no right to remain silent! Hurry up and place your hand down!!""""""

"Eeeeeh!?"

How can this be!?

Afterwards, I was cornered into answering truthfully, with every detail probed.