The Corrupt Guildmaster, Relied Upon by the Original Heroine and Knight Commander
Three months had passed since I sent Bash off on what I called a “training journey”—in truth, an exile.
The A-rank party Red Dragon Wings had remained with the guild under Sylvia the magician’s leadership, with Aron supporting her. For both Aron and Bash, this arrangement was likely the most agreeable conclusion.
I even received a letter of gratitude from a distant guild for sending Bash their way. I had suggested he introduce himself as “dispatched from the Guildmaster of Luminage” when taking on quests in far-off lands, and it seemed he’d done just that.
The more he excelled, the better Luminage Guild’s reputation became. Bash was still dancing in the palm of my hand.
My ruin had been averted. I had no more worries. All that remained was to enjoy my second life.
“Still, I’ve got work to do.”
Money feels best when it’s earned before being spent. The Guildmaster’s duties, once you get used to them, were just the right amount of work. I had set holidays, and if I had errands, I could take the afternoon off. There was responsibility, yes, but the freedom of how I worked made up for it—it was much like being a business owner.
Seated at the desk in the Guildmaster’s office, I signed document after document—mostly quest reports and payment authorizations. Thanks to Zilkein’s memories, my work went smoothly. Reincarnation really was convenient.
As I worked through the stack, there came three knocks. When I told them to enter, Emidia bustled in with a pile of papers.
“You look pleased about something, Emidia.”
“Adventurers are coming one after another wanting to register with the Luminage Guild! Everyone wants to work under you, Zilkein-sama!”
Hugging her papers to her chest, Emidia’s expression turned dreamy as she gazed off into the distance.
“But it’s all thanks to your skill, Zilkein-sama! I was shocked when you lowered the guild’s brokerage fees! No other guild would ever do such a thing!”
“When adventurers earn more, skilled ones gather. I simply followed the basics of trade.”
Not only Zilkein from the original story but every Guildmaster in this world was greedy for gold. None of them had ever considered simple business tactics like price competition. Collusion and monopolies ruled their cushy world—it was no wonder they were so complacent.
With more adventurers registered, the Guild Association assigned more quests. That, in turn, attracted even more adventurers. A good cycle was in motion.
Aron had proven a fine attraction as well. The scandal of his being expelled from an A-rank party had fired up the pride of every self-proclaimed elite. Just this month alone, the number of adventurers coming to see him had increased by one and a half times.
My purse had grown pleasantly heavy. Everything was going so smoothly it was hard not to laugh out loud.
“Ahh… to think a day like this would come. Soon this place will surpass the central and northern nations and be called the best in the world!”
… As usual, Emidia found joy in the oddest things.
Just then—
“I told you already! Let me meet Guildmaster Zilkein!”
“I-I’m sorry! The Guildmaster is far too busy—!”
A loud voice echoed from downstairs.
“What’s this?”
I went down with Emidia. The first floor, now bustling with adventurers, was filled with noise. A woman in armor was demanding something from a receptionist. A female knight with blue hair braided down her back. I knew that face. Why was she here?
I stepped between them.
“I’m the Guildmaster. What business do you have with me?”
“Oh! To meet you so soon after arriving—my luck is truly fine today!”
The knight smiled brightly and extended her hand. As I shook it, my eyes fell on the lion crest engraved on her gauntlet—the emblem of the Fress Kingdom.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Fiel Valencia, Knight Commander of the Fress Kingdom. I’ve come to ask a favor of you, Guildmaster.”
As I thought. Fiel Valencia—the “heroine” from the novel Godhost.
If I recall correctly, her father had forced her to retire from the knights and marry into nobility. But just before the wedding, it came to light that her fiancé had been with multiple women. Enraged, she struck him, severed ties with her family, and left the kingdom.
While wandering the Forest of Death, she met Aron and joined his party. But what was she doing here now?
“A favor? If it’s a quest, you should go through the guild clerk.”
“No, it’s not a quest…”
Fiel lowered her voice so others couldn’t hear.
◇◇◇
Since it seemed a complex matter, I brought her into the Guildmaster’s office. Seated on the sofa, she began to explain.
“The recent expulsion scandal involving a member of an A-rank party was the talk of the royal castle. The reversal of ranks in combat—and that the one who granted Aron-dono such strength was you, Guildmaster Zilkein-dono.”
Fiel leaned forward eagerly.
“When I heard that, I decided I had to come. Please, teach me as well!”
“I’m busy running the guild. My apologies.”
“Ugh!? T-that’s… troublesome…”
Her expression shifted instantly to dismay. Having already averted my own ruin, I had no reason to help anyone out of goodwill. Unless she offered a large sum of money, that is.
Fiel looked downcast, eyes glistening.
Hmm? There’s something behind this.
“Zilkein-sama? Let’s at least hear her out,” Emidia said gently as she placed tea before us.
… Fine. I’d rather refuse, but tarnishing the guild’s reputation by doing so would be unwise. I’d hear her out first.
“Alright. I’ll listen before deciding.”
“Truly!?”
Her face lit up, and she began to speak.
…
According to her, in a month there would be an exhibition match between the knights of the Fress Kingdom and the Sirius Empire.
But the Sirius Empire was unmatched in military strength—the Fress knights had no hope of victory. Last year’s match had been a disaster. Yet political balance forced them to accept again this year.
“Especially their Knight Commander, Galgale. He crushed me with a single blow last time.”
“So you want me to train you until you can win?”
“Exactly. Please! I must win…!”
Her near-tearful face gave me pause. The intensity of that expression—this wasn’t just about pride.
Then it struck me.
“Your engagement…”
“Eh!?”
Her reaction said it all. So it was true—her father must currently be pressuring her into a marriage arrangement. That explained everything.
“So, you’re being forced into marrying a noble. You’ve agreed, but you’ll be retiring from the knights. You don’t want your last match to be disgraceful, am I right?”
“H-how!? Can you read minds, Zilkein-dono!?”
What a dramatic reaction, as always in this world.
“I want to show everyone who’s sending me off… that our knights can still stand equal to the Sirius Empire’s. If the Knight Commander herself wins, it will give them hope. Is that… too selfish a wish?”
Looking up at me from beneath her lashes, Fiel seemed the picture of sincerity.
Given the situation, her retirement was inevitable. Her breaking free from her family afterward was, too. But that hadn’t happened yet—she hadn’t gained her true strength. Which meant there was still a chance for me to act.
“Fiel. What’s your unique skill?”
In the novel, by the time she joined Aron’s party, she already had a powerful one.
“My skill? It’s called Iron Wall. It nullifies physical shocks—or rather, lessens them.”
… Alright. Her skill isn't something I know. Judging from the defensive name, it's probably still pre-evolution. As for whether there was a scene in the original where she acquired the skill...
I racked my brain at full speed. Strangely, the story of Godhost remained vivid in my memory. From the conversations between the protagonist Aron and his companions, down to the details of even the mob characters. This is the ability I noticed within the three months since reincarnating.
There must be some hint in here...
Then, one scene came to mind. It's the moment when Fiel confessed her feelings to Aron. I recalled her lines clearly:
When I left home, I swore I’d never accept a marriage arranged by my parents. I wanted to be with someone I chose myself. When I wished with all my heart to fight for someone dear to me—that’s when my skill evolved from Iron Wall to Eisen Maiden.
A power born of the will to protect a loved one.
From the timeline, her evolution was about three months away. If Aron met her here, as he was meant to later, then…
Yes. I could alter this route slightly—make her fall for Aron now. That would trigger her evolution early.
Then she’d win her duel, owe this guild a favor, and when she fled her homeland, she’d come straight to us. I’d gain a front-line knight for minimal effort.
Yes… this could work nicely.
“Very well. I’ll take on your training.”
“R-really!? Yes!!”
Fiel clenched her fists in delight, practically bouncing with joy.
Alright then—first, I’d have her spar with Aron to assess her strength. Keep them together as much as possible. Let her fall for him naturally.
“Isn’t that wonderful, Fiel-san? Zilkein-sama can never ignore someone in need!”
“Ahh… truly, what a kind man. Unlike my fiancé, he doesn’t try to force his will on others.”
Emidia, as usual, spouted nonsense, and Fiel nodded along, convinced.
Doesn’t force his will, huh? I recalled her saying something similar in the novel. To a knight like her, submitting to a husband must have been humiliating. Marrying into nobility really is a hassle.
I glanced out the window—adventurers were returning from their quests, among them Aron and the Red Dragon Wings. I’d need to talk to him soon.
When I looked back, Fiel was staring at me.
(Guildmaster Zilkein-dono, huh…)
“What is it? Something on my face?”
“N-no! Nothing at all!”
She flustered, eyes darting before looking down. Strange behavior… but no matter.
Time to head out. To the Forest of Death where Aron awakened his power—and where I’d awaken hers.
Her defensive skill Iron Wall would soon become Eisen Maiden.
What do you think about this chapter?
