The Corrupt Guildmaster, Encouraging the Chosen Ones
Two days after the exam, the day arrived for those who passed the selection test to depart for the Demonic Void Dungeon.
On the first floor of the guild, Aron, Sylvia, Galius, Fiel, Lizette, and Yolm were making their final departure checks. In addition to confirming items and equipment, they were discussing the route to the dungeon and reviewing coordination… as far as I could tell, there didn’t seem to be any major issues.
What was truly astonishing was the number of spells Yolm Andersen had acquired. Normally, when it comes to magic, it’s customary to learn a main spell and a sub spell among offensive, recovery, and support magic. Even then, the total number usually tops out at around fifteen per person.
However, Yolm had an astonishingly large variety of usable spells, ranging from offense to support and recovery. The total numbered an incredible forty-seven. His setup allowed him to cover a wide range of roles on his own.
Yolm had traveled alone across various regions until he reached this guild. Solo activity as a mage is extremely difficult. For him to continue operating solo until this age… it made sense that the range of spells he could use was so broad.
“What is it, Guildmaster? Is there something on my face?”
“No, I was just thinking I’d like you to lend everyone your wisdom.”
“Hohoho. The only thing I have going for me is the wisdom that comes with age. Leave it to me. I believe I have a fair amount of knowledge about the Demonic Void Dungeon as well.”
Yolm laughed heartily. With this attitude, there shouldn’t be any problems. He would undoubtedly become a key figure in this quest.
“Zilkein-sama. It seems everyone is ready. Please say a few words.”
Prompted by Emidia, I looked over everyone. The guild at dawn was silent, and the six adventurers waited for my words.
“You all worked hard during the selection exam. But from here on out is the real thing for you. Don’t let your guard down, give it everything you’ve got.”
“Guildmaster.”
Sylvia, the leader of Red Dragon’s Wings, stepped forward. She bowed respectfully, then fixed her gaze firmly on my eyes.
“I promise. I will return safely with everyone. To repay even a little of what the Guildmaster who devised that exam has done for us.”
Sylvia clenched her staff tightly. She noticed the nature of the exam, did she? Or perhaps she’d heard about my conversation with Cassandra.
“Sylvia. Your insight and combat commands are solid. I’m counting on you to lead everyone.”
“Yes.”
Sylvia bowed once more. When I glanced over, I saw Aron watching her with a gentle smile. Our eyes met.
“Aron. If it’s you, I’m sure you can pull it off.”
“If the Guildmaster expects that much of me, then I’ve got no choice but to deliver.”
Aron has started talking with confidence. He’s beginning to exude the aura of a strong fighter. Perhaps his battle with Zeiss boosted his confidence even further. That’s a good thing.
“Zilkein!!”
Suddenly, Lizette burst out from the group. She leapt forward and hugged me. Beside us, Emidia’s eyebrows shot up, but when I glanced at her, she quickly returned her expression to normal. Lizette, oblivious to all this, beamed at me with an innocent smile.
“I’ll do my best! So wait for me, okay!”
“Yeah. Make sure you listen carefully to everyone’s instructions. They’ll cover for your lack of experience.”
“Yep!”
Lizette grabbed both my hands and tugged insistently, as if telling me to put them around her back. With no choice, I embraced her lightly, and she buried her face against me in satisfaction.
“W-well… I suppose we can allow this much at the moment of departure.”
Emidia muttered something under her breath. Seeing her like this was oddly rare.
After separating from Lizette, Fiel stepped forward next.
“Zilkein-dono.”
She lowered her eyes hesitantly for a moment, then looked up with resolute determination. Seeing that look, one that seemed to ask me to say something, I decided to speak what I had felt during the exam.
“Fiel. Your coordination with Galius during the exam was superb. That combat style will surely be useful in the Demonic Void Dungeon as well.”
“Yes. My skill is the power of defense. I’ll stop any attack, no matter what. So… umm…”
Fiel suddenly began fidgeting. Then, as if she had made up her mind, she opened her mouth.
“When we return safely! Umm… I want you to do the same for me as you did for Lizette…”
Voices of admiration slipped out from Aron and the others. When Galius whistled, Fiel’s face turned bright red and she waved both hands frantically.
“I-it’s a life-or-death expedition! It’s fine if it’s just this much!”
“So you finally got honest, huh~? Mm-hmm, you’ve grown a step, Fiel!”
“Shut up, Lizette!!”
Fiel and Lizette began arguing. Or rather, it looked more like Lizette teasing Fiel. What are those two doing? Fiel said she wanted me to do the same as I did for Lizette… but was my response to that all right?
“It’s fine with me, I don’t mind polygamy, you know?”
“I mind!!”
I didn’t really understand, but Fiel was clearly getting hot-headed. Well, if she’s fine with it, then I suppose it’s fine.
At that moment, a cracking sound rang out. When I turned around, I saw Emidia standing there, completely stunned. In her right hand was a snapped pen. I frowned reflexively. Noticing my reaction, Emidia hurriedly hid the broken pen.
“No, Zilkein-sama, please don’t concern yourself. It’s just a personal matter.”
With that, Emidia turned her back and began muttering to herself again.
(I won’t give him up I won’t give him up I won’t give him up I won’t give him up I won’t give him up I won’t give him up I won’t give him up I won’t give him up I won’t give him up…)
Emidia’s eyes narrowed, her expression going blank. Fiel and Lizette both took a step back when they saw her.
(That’s scary……)
(I’ve never seen Emidia-dono like that before……)
The two huddled together nervously. Since Emidia was completely lost in her own world, I called out to her.
“Emidia. It’s about time for Aron and the others to depart.”
“Hya!? Y-yes, understood! Everyone, please be careful…! Zilkein-sama, please say a few words as well.”
Emidia’s words caused the tense atmosphere to deflate a little. This won’t do. I should tighten things up at the end.
“Listen carefully. If even one of you here were missing, the Luminage Guild would lose its vitality. I could not bear that.”
Adventurers are those who bring money to me. Anyone who claims the guild could function without them is someone who looks down on the guild as an organization. Especially this time, great expectations rest upon them. I don’t want even a trace of dissatisfaction mixed into the success of this quest.
Only results that the client can praise without reservation will elevate the guild’s reputation, and in turn, bring even more money to me.
That’s why I’ll say this to them.
“Therefore… come back without losing a single one of you! When you succeed, we’ll hold a victory celebration for the entire guild! For that sake as well.”
The moment I finished speaking, all the adventurers raised their voices.
“Guildmaster!! We’ll make it a success for sure!!”
“I will lead everyone to victory!”
“I’ll smash any enemies in one blow!”
“Ho hoho. Leave the support to me.”
“With me around, stirring up the enemy will be easy~”
“I will be everyone’s shield……!”
Their motivation was more than enough. Each of them understood their role. This quest was as good as ours.
And so, the Demonic Void Dungeon selection members set out on their journey.
…….
Left behind at the guild were Emidia and myself. The guild at dawn. The interior, which had been so lively just moments ago, was now wrapped in surprising silence.
“They’ve gone, haven’t they…”
“Things are going to get tough from here on out, Emidia.”
“Huh?”
Seeing Emidia tilt her head, I said this.
“Even without Aron and the others, we have to keep this guild running. When they return, this guild must still be the same familiar guild to them.”
What would happen if the guild’s management faltered by the time Aron and the others returned? They would surely feel uneasy. In order to make them believe they can remain affiliated with this guild for a long time, we must run the Luminage Guild with everything we’ve got.
“Zilkein-sama…”
“Let’s go, Emidia. It’s about time for work.”
“Yes!”
Together with Emidia, I climbed the stairs, toward my workplace… the battlefield that is the Guildmaster’s office.
While Aron and the others went out to fight, our own battle had just begun.
What do you think about this chapter?
