The Guild Master (part 1)

Ch. XXX - The Guild Master (Elice)

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Everyone was widely shocked.

The horns, the long ears. These are the characteristics that differentiates a human with an ethelen. Aside from the same skin color, I also have the same hair color as them, so it was rather easy for them to mistook me as a human.

But now, now that the mask and hood is off, everyone can see clearly.

That the last surviving ethelen, the very princess of the Velborn kingdom, is standing in the middle of this lobby.

"I see… an offer, huh?"

The guild master said as he pondered about it. From the way he speaks, it's clear that he does not show any animosity towards me.

That demonic rage energy from the guild master is only for Rake, and towards Rake only. He acts differently towards me.

"All right, Princess of Velborn! Let's hear it!"

The guild master finally decided to listen, and I turned my grin towards the guy next to me. Noticing that I am grinning at him, Rake flinched.

"My offer is for us to work for you."

Hearing that, the guild master looked surprised.

"Hoo~? And what exactly is the merit of us hiring you?"

"Two things.

One, you will have the strongest hero of Ardjestyn to work under you. He will do whatever you command, and finish every mission you ever give.

From his achievements, I bet you know that he always completed his missions."

My first offer turned everyone very surprised. Certainly, the man in question did not agree to any of this, and he only turned a very surprised glare to me.

"… That is true. I guess that can be very useful."

The guild master commented while rubbing his chin. His eyes are studying Rake, and the guy cannot look more confused.

Rake took his mask and hood off, and immediately complained.

"Now, hold on just a second--"

"Silence, ape. You do not have a voice."

"Eh-?"

Immediately, Rake was silenced.

The adventurers around us were quite surprised by the fact that the one who previously attacked them was Rake, the number one hero of Ardjestyn. They have mixed feelings, but they are certainly still quite angry.

But if he worked for the adventurers guild, then they can be profited. Certainly, they will agree to the first offer.

The guild master must've noticed by how I silenced Rake so easily, so he knows that I am the one who can put Rake on a leash and control his behavior. So, he can agree to this offer.

"All right. The first offer is interesting enough, but… what about the second offer?"

"The second offer is myself.

For many reasons, I am… being hunted. One of the highest ranking knights of Ardjestyn, a commander ranked person, wants me alive. However, I do not have the slightest intention of getting captured.

But, I'm sure you can find many reasons to use that. I meant, as a bait."

The commander, the guy with the lion mask. He definitely will not give up until he captures me again, for whatever reason. And I don't wish to be jailed again like that time. 

But, maybe there can be advantages to be taken out of this.

"A bait, you say…?"

The guild master mumbled as he gave it some thought. The others wondered what could possibly be taken as an advantage from that fact, but they can't think of anything. But, as the guild master who knows many things, he definitely can think of so many uses.

"True. There are plenty of uses for that. But, are you sure? Using yourself as bait, means that you are risking yourself to get captured."

The guild master asked me out of concern, and I'm glad he asked that. It showed that he is still concerned for my well being, as the other party of this agreement.

"Well, I wouldn't worry too much. Cause I have this guy."

I pointed my thumb at Rake, and he looked even more surprised.

Seeing this, the guild master laughed.

"Hahah!!! You really are an interesting one!!"

Thank you… I think. So far, his reaction seemed to be positive, but I shouldn't let my guard down.

Mom has taught me many things about trade discussions and forming deals. The key to obtaining the most optimal trade is to always maintain composure. Never make decisions based on emotions, and always remain logical.

And judging by the guild master's expression, it seems like my methods have been going well.

"Then, let us hear what you wish for. Certainly, you can't only wish for us to just forgive you, if you are offering those things."

The guild master asked again, and I began pondering.

"First, the previous request that we made. The actors, please continue it. I was worried that you might put a stop to it after what Rake has done, so please don't stop it. We still needed that as the decoy.

Second, we want protection. Well, mostly for me since this guy can protect himself. If not, at least let us hide ourselves within the adventurers guild. Should be fine, right?"

I tried requesting what I think is the best for us first, and if the guildmaster feels that it's too much, then we can go around it. 

To my surprise, however, the adventurer's guild is more capable than I thought.

"Should be okay. Hiding people is one of many things that we are capable of. Anything else?"

"Third is… something I am requesting out of you… personally."

The guild master looked confused, but I immediately continued.

"On the southern part of the slums of this town, right by the hill. There is an orphanage that is housing twelve children under the age younger than sixteen."

Hearing that, the guild master looked shocked.

"Just now, the orphanage was… ravaged by a group of knights. Knights who were previously chasing me, who wanted only me. But thanks to my interference with the orphanage, the knights placed the children into their targets and hurt them.

It was my fault. I shouldn't have gone too close with the children. And it was too late since the knights already knew about it.

The knights are dead. Rake killed them. But, I'm worried that if we leave the orphanage alone, there may be more hunters out there who are hunting me down to come and harm them by following the lead.

I want their protection, as well."

I explained to the guild master, and to everyone who was listening about what I experienced. How the knights were looking for me, and how the children at the orphanage became a victim just because they were close to me.

The guild master, the receptionist lady next to him, even the adventurers around us, all understood what I was trying to say.

I wanted Luca and the others to be safe.

"… That was… a rather odd request, princess Elicia."

The guild master said, which surprised me.

"You are the one being hunted down, not the orphanage kids. As far as my concern, it doesn't matter if the orphanage children are killed. What matters is that you survive and not get hunted down.

So, why? Why are you showing such care for mere human children?"

The guild master asked me, and I'm sure he had many reasons for asking the question. But, I am unsure what to answer.

It's not just because I know and met the children. Even if I haven't met or known or got familiar with the children, I still wouldn't want them to get hurt. Even if I don't know them, I still don't want to see them face consequences just because of me.

In the end… I just don't want to see anyone suffer.

"Even if they are human children… They are still living beings with souls. Even if I am an ethelen, they are still beings who lived in this world. I do not wish for those innocent children to suffer because of me.

I don't want to see anyone suffer anymore."

I answered from the bottom of my heart. That was my genuine feeling, and I'm sure anyone can understand that.

No matter what race they are, where they come from. If they are innocent, they have the right to live. That is what I truly believe.

Rake is turning his gaze at me silently, and I exchanged glances with him. But, I turned back to the guild master immediately.

From the looks of it, the guild master is satisfied by my answer. He then grinned upon hearing the answer, and he immediately stood up from his wheelchair.

W-Wait, he stood up?

"Looks like I won't be needing these."

He began taking the bandages off, showing perfectly healthy skin. There weren't any wounds on them or anything, and he is perfectly healthy.

I quickly turned to Rake, and the guy simply tilted his head.

"… Yeah. I knew."

He said so proudly, and I squinted my eyes at him.

"Why didn't you say anything…?"

"Because it was meant as a test, my lady."

Suddenly the guild master's voice got closer, and I turned to find him walking towards me. After he arrived in front of me, he lifted his hand forward for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, princess of ethelens. My name is Gervish, the head guild master of the entire adventurer's guild network. I have heard many things about you."

He introduced himself to me, but I was more surprised by the last line he said. I shook his hand, and asked what's on my mind.

"T-Things…?"

"Yes. The spies of the adventurers guild, in fact, have never once left your side."

The guild master, Gervish, turned his sharp eyes towards Rake, and Rake can only look away.

Looks like he did not pull the spies away, even after Rake told the spy to stop doing it. And from the sound of it, he does have the reason for it.

"Why did our spies never leave you even once, you may ask? Well, it was because of our own interest."

"Your… interest?"

The guild master nodded, and his grin turned wider.

"You see, we also hated the kingdom."

O-Oh…

"This kingdom has always been rotten, down to the core. The royalties, the military, especially the church. Oh boy, if only you know what the church has done…

Basically, we wanted to take this kingdom down. And for many decades, we have been gathering forces. Intel, strength, anything that we may need to take a whole kingdom down.

Unfortunately, it was never that simple."

The guild master explained to me, but then a thought came to my head.

"This guy took down a kingdom before… my kingdom."

I pointed my thumb at Rake, which, once again, shocked the tall guy.

"I'm very sorry to say this, but taking down the Velborn kingdom was… rather easy. It should not be counted as that big of an achievement--"

"Ouch."

"Once again, I apologize for saying harsh words, princess. But that is the truth. Taking down Ardjestyn… will be fifty times more difficult."

Gervish said with a grim tone, meaning that he knows certain things that we don't. Things that only he, as the head of the greatest network in society, knows.

"How so?"

I asked, but he shook his head.

"That is not information I should be releasing in public. But, we can talk about it in private later on. But right now, just know that the two of you are a very important existence for us.

You two can be our allies that will make the chances of our victory higher. And I'm certain that you have similar goals as us.

Isn't that what you wished for, princess of ethelen? To take down the kingdom that ended yours?"

Gervish the guild master turned to me again, and I nodded grimly.

"It is now my long time wish."

My honesty turned the guildmaster pleased, and he nodded happily to me.

"Then, we can work together. Simply having you existing in our side is already powerful enough, let alone actually having the strongest hero to fight alongside us.

The spies have given me enough information that I needed. You, the princess, have a genuine and kind heart. I'm surprised that you can even forgive a human, especially the one who is responsible for killing your entire race."

He said to me, and boy have I heard this so many times. Rake seemed to be reacting a little bit as he turned his gaze at me, but I only shook my head.

"I don't care. I am just moving on."

"I see. That is indeed the best mindset to have when you are in that situation. You will be a very important key for us."

I nodded at him, and Gervish, the guild master, glanced one final time to Rake. His expression turned super sour immediately, and he snorted before he turned around and walked away from us.

I can sense the air pressure rising from Rake as he gets angrier.