The Corrupt Guildmaster, Loved by the Original Heroine
“Zilkein-sama, I’ll take over. Please take a break.”
“Sorry, Emidia.”
“Honestly! Don’t say sorry… you let me take my break first, didn’t you!”
Emidia puffed out her cheeks. Half pushed out of the Guildmaster’s office, I left the room. There were an unusually large number of adventurers hoping to join the guild today. Handling all those interviews had taken a huge chunk out of my normal work hours. As a result, I now had to spend extra time sorting through the remaining paperwork. Paper documents are such a nuisance.
When I came down to the first floor, intending to head to the cafeteria, I ran into Aron and his party, Red Dragon’s Wings.
“You’re back already, Aron. Want to eat together?”
“Nah, I’ve got a party meeting right after this. I’d love to, but invite me again next time.”
Aron pressed his palms together apologetically and went to a seat in the back.
“Sorry, Guildmaster. Our next quest is important.”
“I’ll call you for the victory party!”
Following Aron, the mage Sylvia and the warrior Garias hurried after him as well.
So I got turned down. Aron and his group are the pillars of this guild. I was thinking of using this chance to strengthen our rapport.
(Is this okay, Aron?)
(I feel kinda bad for the Guildmaster…)
(She’s shy, so if we don’t help a little, she’ll never get anywhere.)
Aron and the others were whispering about something. Talking about the next quest the moment they get back—how enthusiastic.
I sat down and ordered a set meal. Iora, the waitress, recommended an ale, but drinking alcohol while Emidia was the one stuck in the office working would feel wrong. I politely declined her offer.
“H-h-h-h-h-he…!!”
A suddenly squeaky voice rang out. When I turned around, Fiel was standing there, stiff as a board.
“What is it, Fiel? Why are you imitating an owl?”
“N-no…! I-I was trying to ask if I could sit here!”
“You’re eating alone too?”
“Y-yes!! I just became an adventurer and I don’t know anyone yet…”
Fiel looked up at me, her head slightly lowered. It’s not like I insist on always sharing a table with someone, but I do want to hear how she’s been doing.
“Sure. Want to eat together?”
“R-really!? Thank you!!”
Fiel glanced behind her. Aron and the rest of Red Dragon’s Wings were there. When she gave them a thumbs-up, they returned the gesture. But the moment they noticed I was watching, they swiftly turned their backs to me.
What? Did I do something?
After placing her order with Iora, Fiel sat across from me.
“Fiel, have you decided where you’re going to live?”
“Yes. I was torn, but I don’t have the funds right now. So I’m staying in the guild dormitory.”
The guild dormitory was something I created. There used to be an unused spinning mill in this town. I bought the land from the lord at a bargain price and had it renovated into a dormitory. The carpenters, desperate for work, finished the job in a hurry.
No upfront payment is required for adventurers moving in. But there is a one-year stay limit. Adventurers must complete a set number of quests each month, and their rent is deducted from their earnings. Anyone unable to take quests must pay a fixed fee. This structure covers the dormitory costs. Essentially, it’s credit-based housing. With no upfront fees, it became extremely popular.
But naturally, rules must be strictly followed. Anyone who breaks them is warned. If they still don’t improve, they are kicked out without exception. After enforcing this thoroughly during the first month, the residents’ discipline improved dramatically.
Other guilds tried to imitate this system, but failed because they weren’t strict with the rules or monthly quotas. They withdrew quickly. Of course. The difference between someone who designed the system and someone who merely copied it is night and day.
“Still… a guild that even provides dorms for rookies? And you’ve personally funded it? I’ve never heard of a Guildmaster doing such a thing.”
Ah, that. It was a painful expense, but I invested to attract more people. Explaining the concept of “investment” to Fiel would be a hassle. Better to give the surface-level reason.
“… If it’s out of my own pocket, the guild association can’t interfere. And this isn’t charity. Because we have this dormitory, rookie adventurers gather in Luminage. A guild that attracts no newcomers will only wither away.”
Of course, some rookies give up. But we then arrange stable work for them in town. What happens after that? The guild’s reputation rises in the town, and my influence grows. The lord would have no choice but to listen to my suggestions. Bringing in manpower and paying large amounts of tax—there’s no better asset for a lord.
“Amazing…! Zilkein-dono, you’re thinking several steps ahead!”
“It’s nothing that grand. If we lose adventurers, I’m the one who suffers.”
If you want to line your pockets, you need investment. Guildmasters who don’t understand that will never threaten this guild. This is my survival strategy.
(Ahh… he’d be troubled if everyone left… what a kind person Zilkein-dono is…!)
“Hm? Did you say something?”
“N-no!? N-not at all!!”
As Fiel frantically waved her arms, the meals arrived. I had the fried fish set. Fiel had the chicken steak set.
“Wow… the food here always looks so delicious…!”
“A guild with a cafeteria has a competitive edge. No point wasting it. I like to put my own touch into it.”
Cutting the fish with knife and fork, I took a bite. The richly flavored fish, paired with the sauce inside, tasted excellent. The satisfaction surveys I collected from adventurers were clearly paying off.
Sometimes I miss the flavors of my previous world. When that happens, I describe the dishes to the head chef and ask him to recreate them.
I add them as limited-time dishes, and if they’re popular, they become regular menu items. Adventurers who’ve fallen in love with the food won’t transfer to other guilds. Over the past month, adventurer retention has skyrocketed.
Well, adding my favorite dishes is definitely a personal perk.
Then I noticed Fiel hadn’t touched her meal.
“What’s wrong? Something you don’t like?”
“N-no… I just wondered if it’s really okay to eat something this good for so cheap…”
“… What are you talking about? Adventurers risk their lives on their jobs. At least eat good food. You’ve earned that right.”
Thanks to them, I can earn money without ever being in danger. If any adventurer ever became dissatisfied with their treatment, that’d be terrible. A strike would be the last thing I want. They need to happily risk their lives for as long as possible.
“…!?”
Suddenly, Fiel began crying.
“H-hey… why are you crying?”
“S-sorry…! The treatment is just so different from the Knights Order… being taken care of like this… the adventurers here are so fortunate…”
Were the knights’ conditions that bad? Even in Japan, samurai historically lived simpler lives than townsfolk. Maybe she was experiencing culture shock.
But Fiel being hesitant is a problem. She needs to become one of our top earners. She needs to get used to things quickly so she can show her abilities.
“You’re one of this guild’s members, aren’t you? Don’t act so distant.”
“… Yeah. After all you’ve done for me… I’ll definitely repay this kindness.”
“By the way, how was your first quest?”
“!? A-ah… well, you see, I’m not good with fast monsters…! B-but! Even if it took time, I did finish it! My first job—hunting the lesser rabbits!”
According to the report, it took her a full three days to hunt the required twelve lesser rabbits. Triple the time a normal adventurer would need, but for a first quest, it’s still a fine result. She’ll get more efficient once she’s used to fighting monsters.
“You don’t have to force yourself to take quests you’re bad at. Focus on escort missions, which you’re good at. You can work on your weaknesses in between.”
“… Heh.”
Fiel smiled. When I asked why, she only said “nothing” and bit into her chicken steak. Watching her enjoy her meal filled me with a sense of accomplishment. You can’t get this feeling without seeing things firsthand.
She stopped again. Embarrassed to be watched eating, her face was bright red.
Then, still red, she spoke.
“Umm… could we… eat together like this again?”
The surrounding area suddenly grew quiet. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aron and the others eavesdropping. It was awkward…
But being invited like this… isn’t bad.
“Of course. Anytime, if it’s you inviting me.”
Instantly, relieved sighs rose around us. Aron, Sylvia, Garias—everyone looked relieved. Actually, all the adventurers nearby had softened expressions. What…? Were they all watching? Thinking about it was embarrassing.
“… I’ll definitely invite you! It’s a promise… okay?”
Fiel looked up at me, her eyes expectant. She was even cuter than in the original story’s descriptions.
What do you think about this chapter?
