The Corrupt Guildmaster, Arrival of an Opportunity
About two weeks had passed since we welcomed Lizette into the Luminage Guild.
“The new D-rank girl, she’s got real potential!”
Aron’s voice bounced with excitement. On the first floor of the guild, inside the reception room, I was conducting an interview with Aron and the members of Red Dragon’s Wings.
“Her movement speed helped even during wyvern hunting.”
“And that one-hit-kill technique of hers, she’s trained it to a remarkable level!”
Their leader, the mage Sylvia, as well as the warrior Galius, also praised Lizette. It seemed her aptitude as an adventurer was quite high. I’d asked them to train Lizette, and it looked like that had been the right decision.
“Hehe. And Lizette isn’t used to being treated kindly. She’s kinda adorable.”
Sylvia, in particular, seemed to feel a deep kinship with Lizette. The way she interacted with her was practically that of an older sister. Whenever she found time, she was apparently also teaching Lizette all sorts of things about the city.
“By the way, Aron. Do you feel anything when you look at Lizette?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“Well, how should I put it… It feels like you and she have some kind of fateful connection.”
Aron blinked in confusion. Perhaps misunderstanding my words, Sylvia narrowed her eyes sharply at him.
“Aron? Lizette is cute, yes, but you mustn’t touch her, understand? Making a move on a newcomer would be disgraceful for an A-rank adventurer.”
A suffocating pressure hit the room. Aron frantically waved his hands.
W-what are you talking about, Sylvia!? I don’t have any such intentions! Guildmaster, don’t say weird things!”
Sylvia… All I said was “connection,” and she somehow turned it into romance. That’s right, Sylvia harbors feelings for Aron. Maybe she panicked at the thought of a love rival.
“? What is it, Guildmaster-san?”
Noticing my gaze, Sylvia tilted her head. This woman… In the original story she wasn’t explored much, so I still don’t quite grasp her. With such a calm, cool expression… she might actually have a surprisingly chaotic inner world.
Well, whatever. Judging from Aron’s reaction, Aron and Lizette were supposed to be rivals in the original story, but because of the changes I caused, they’ve ended up simply as guildmates.
“But if you’re going to say that, doesn’t Guildmaster-san also feel something about Fiel-san?”
Sylvia’s refined face shifted instantly into a mischievous grin. Me? About Fiel? What?
“Come on, don’t you feel anything? Some kind of destined connection with Fiel?”
Aron nudged me with his elbow, wearing the same teasing smile. A destined connection with Fiel…?
I see. If Lizette’s fate changed because of the modifications, then Fiel’s might have as well…? It’s possible she’s walking a completely different path from the original.
I recalled Fiel’s behavior up until now, her gestures when speaking to me, her tone, and—
—the way she always spoke to Aron so familiarly.
Before speaking to me, she was usually talking with Aron.
As expected, Fiel still has feelings for Aron. That means Sylvia has it rough. She’ll be forced to fight a losing battle against an original-story heroine.
“That’s definitely the face of someone who doesn’t get it…”
“Fiel-san has it tough too. We should cheer her on more!”
“If you ask me, Emidia also… kuuuhh, the difference between us makes me wanna cry!!”
Aron looked exasperated. Sylvia clenched her fists with determination, and Galius cried manly tears. Somehow, I felt like they were making fun of me.
… Damn it. I said something unnecessary and derailed the conversation.
“Anyway, let’s end the interview here. Also, keep an eye on Lizette when she’s struggling, alright? I can’t teach her everything about living in this city. It would help if you, Sylvia, supported her as someone of the same gender…”
“Of course! I’ll take great care of her until she settles in!”
Sylvia thumped her chest proudly. Lizette seemed to be gradually opening up to them. That alone was progress. The first report I’d send to Count Sarandia would be a good one.
We’d also been taking more quest requests than before. The new guild supervisor seemed to think highly of us. As expected, while I was away from the guild, bandits had tried to break in, but Aron and the others apprehended them. The guild wouldn’t be targeted again anytime soon.
Everything was going smoothly. Even my wallet was about to grow wonderfully heavy.
Just as I was thinking that, a knock sounded at the door and Emidia peeked inside.
“Zilkein-sama, there is something I wish to report.”
◇◇◇
After parting with Aron and the others, I returned to the Guildmaster’s office. Emidia then presented me with a single letter.
“This arrived earlier. The addressee… is the King of Fress Kingdom.”
“From the King of Fress…?”
Fress Kingdom was the headquarters of the Knights Order Fiel used to belong to. Don’t tell me they want the former knight captain Fiel back. We poured a lot of money into raising her as an adventurer. To demand her return now would be a problem. If that’s the case, I’ll have to lodge a protest.
I carefully opened the sealed letter. It began with a formal tone, then contained something unexpected.
“...…”
“Zilkein-sama… Forgive me for asking, but… what does it say? Is it something to do with Fiel-san?”
Emidia looked at me anxiously. She was undoubtedly worried about Fiel in her own way. However, the contents of the letter were the opposite of her fears.
“No, it says this: National Quest Request. They want me to come to the kingdom so they can explain the details.”
A national quest, as the name suggests, it’s a request issued directly by royalty. The letter also bore the signature of the guild supervisor confirming approval. A direct royal commission… Could it be dungeon-related?
I checked the date. It was the seventh month. In the original story, this was the time when a new dungeon appeared in the Western Nations. The original plot had Aron and the others being asked by villagers near the dungeon to investigate. And now, the request had come to the guild instead…
If left alone, that dungeon would cause a monster overflow. Naturally, the kingdom wanted to deal with it.
From what Fiel once told me, the kingdom’s Knights Order wasn’t experienced in combat against monsters. Their primary duties were guarding the borders and protecting the royal family. That explained why they would turn to the guild. Interesting. Very interesting.
“This is our chance, Emidia. A perfect opportunity to spread the name of our Luminage Guild across the entire continent. We can’t afford to pass this up.”
“!? Zilkein-sama and the Luminage Guild will finally be recognized—!? We must do it! Absolutely do it!! I’ll prepare at once!! Leave the guild to me while you’re away!!”
Emidia’s face lit up all at once. The nervousness from earlier vanished as she began briskly preparing—arranging a carriage, coordinating with the receptionists, hiring escorts… Her expectations for this were enormous.
But they were justified. If the Luminage Guild became known across the Western Nations, clients from other countries would begin requesting quests by guild name. And when such designated requests were issued, the guild supervisor would have no choice but to allocate them separately. The commission fees would also rise.
I couldn’t help smiling. Good. This was a good flow. A huge chance to earn even more…
I would absolutely make this quest mine.
What do you think about this chapter?
