Chapter 14

On that day, I, along with Frederica and Yui, had come to the headquarters of the Guild Association.

"Wow... it's huge... such a magnificent building..."

That was Yui's comment upon arriving at the association headquarters.

We were led to the guild master's room and waited for a while.

"Hey, Act-sama. What is this place?"

"It's the headquarters of the Guild Association in the capital."

"Is it the Adventurer's Guild?"

Frederica shook her head.

"This place is not just the Adventurer's Guild; it serves as the head office for various guilds, including commercial and magic tool guilds. It's a place like the headquarters of all guilds."

"Besides providing support to guilds, it also consolidates quests and assigns them to various guilds."

"Ah, I see... So, some requests come directly to the guilds, while others are assigned by the association."

Yui was taking notes.

This kid has a good memory; she will surely become an excellent guild master in the future.

"What brings you here today?"

"A quest request from the head of the association. Most of the time, it's a troublesome case."

Just then,

"I kept you waiting, I'm here!"

The door slammed open, and a petite woman entered.

She had silver hair tinged with purple and amethyst eyes.

"Is this the head of the association? She's young... the same age as me?"

"She's not the head. This is the guild master of another guild."

The woman in a dress with a ponytail approached me.

"It's been a while, Act."

"Indeed, Miria."

Miria, seeing Yui standing behind me, frowned.

"Who is this?"

"She's my disciple."

"Hmm, I see. Another girl. Your guild is full of girls!"

"It's not like that. What are you angry about?"

"I'm not angry! Stupid! Humph!"

Meanwhile, Frederica whispered to Yui.

"She's Miria, the guild master of the S-rank No. 1 Adventurer's Guild, 'Crimson Laurel.' She's 14 years old."

"14 years old and a guild master... amazing..."

"By the way, the master and her father are old friends."

Miria cleared her throat.

"You also received a summons from the head, didn't you? Perfect timing."

She pointed at me.

"Act, today you will finally be mine."

Yui's eyes and mouth opened wide in shock.

"Wh-What!?"

She eventually raised her voice.

"W-What do you mean!? A-Are you getting married!?"

"Wh-What!? No, no way! Who would marry such a terrible-looking and awful-tempered man!"

Miria's face turned red as she shouted.

Frederica stifled a laugh.

"What's so funny, cold-blooded woman?"

"Nothing, just thought you were a tsundere."

"Ugh! What a fool!"

Miria cleared her throat again.

"Act, give up on your weakling support guild. I think it's better for you to focus on training a large number of elite members under me. You're just wasting your talent."

Miria's expression was serious.

"I highly value your eyes and your talent for training. You're excellent. If you join, our guild will solidify its No. 1 position."

Miria extended her hand to me.

"Act, come to 'Crimson Laurel.' I have a position as deputy guild master waiting for you."

Yui, standing behind me, gasped.

"Amazing... to be headhunted directly by the S-rank No. 1 guild master..."

"Indeed, Act-sama. What will you do?"

My answer was already decided.

"Sorry, Miria. I have to decline."

"What! Why!?"

"I have a mountain of things to do in my guild. Your offer is appreciated, but it's too early for me to leave."

Miria gritted her teeth.

"Really? You can't change your mind?"

"No."

"Even if I offer you the salary you want and better treatment?"

"No."

Miria looked down and wiped her eyes.

"Hmph! What a foolish guild master. To reject my offer! If you change your mind later and come crying to me, it will be too late."

"Don't worry, that won't happen."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she turned away.

"Stupid! Stupid Act! Humph!"

★

Soon, the head of the Guild Association arrived.

He was 60 years old but had a robust build and a youthful appearance.

He sat down in front of me and Miria, who were seated on the sofa.

"I'm sorry to call you here on such a busy day. A rather troublesome [Monster] has appeared, and it's a job only you can handle."

He activated a magic device for recording images and displayed a 3D image in the air.

However, due to the lightning strikes around it, the image was blurry.

"What is this? Is this the monster?"

"...[Qilin]."

I said, and the head nodded.

"Indeed, Act. Your eyes are sharp. It's a raging divine beast that summons thunderclouds and scatters lightning around it."

The image cut off due to a lightning strike.

"An SS-rank monster, indeed, this will be a tough one."

"Act-sama, isn't S-rank the highest?"

"Usually, but ancient dragons and similarly strong enemies are given a rank beyond S."

The head nodded and continued.

"It's a job for the hero party, but they are currently unavailable. The task has been passed to the adventurers. They are to repel it."

Not to slay but to repel.

"Working with Miria's guild should be fine."

"Wait a minute."

Miria said, looking unhappy.

"Repel? What are you saying? It's a dangerous beast that harms people. It should be slain."

She said confidently, puffing out her chest.

"We, 'Crimson Laurel,' will take this slaying request!"

The head frowned.

"Indeed, 'Crimson Laurel' is S-rank No. 1 and has a team of elites. But..."

"What? Are you dissatisfied?"

"Act, I'm worried, please come with us."

But Miria shook her head.

"No need. We can handle it alone."

"Hey, don't be reckless."

"It's not reckless, head. We are S-rank No. 1, the top of all adventurer guilds. We don't need help from others."

'Crimson Laurel' has many S-rank adventurers, and Miria has a special skill that boosts her confidence.

"I'll do it. Any objections, Act?"

"I don't disagree with your approach, but I think it's better to observe for a few days."

"What? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Normally, your guild could handle it, but the timing is bad now."

"Hmph! Timing doesn't matter. Our elites are always in top condition."

Miria snatched the request from the head, stood up, and tried to leave.

"Miria, don't do it."

"Shut up! After you rejected my offer, don't interfere with other guilds! Stupid!"

She glared at me and left.

"Sorry, Act. Miria is excellent but still a child."

"It's fine."

I picked up a communication magic device and made a call.

"It's Act. About this matter..."

After finishing the call, I put away the device.

"Indeed, Act. You work fast."

"Let's go, both of you."

I left the room with Frederica and the others.

"Act-sama, will our guild support 'Crimson Laurel'?"

"Don't be silly. Miria took the request. If another guild intervenes without her permission, it would violate the association's rules."

"Then, will we just leave them alone?"

"Yes. We won't interfere. We won't."

Yui looked down, worried.

But Frederica smiled and patted her head.

"Don't worry. The master is a compassionate person and won't ignore a life in danger."

"But, not interfering..."

"The master has his reasons. Trust the skills of our best guild master."

【To the Readers】

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