Chapter 22

While Guild Master Act was active, at that time, the guild master who had expelled him, Ilankus, received an order to appear at the headquarters of the Guild Association in the capital.

Entering the building and heading to the chief’s office, he heard whispers from the people visiting the headquarters.

"Hey, look, there’s a fallen guild master."

"His guild members all ran away, didn’t they?"

"Is he still in this industry?"

"Why doesn’t he just quit? He has no talent."

Ilankus heard the people’s gossip.

"What are you looking at! You guys! This isn’t a freak show, damn it!"

He glared at them with bloodshot eyes, but they only sneered at him.

"Hey, Ilankus-san."

"! Y-You’re the deputy guild master!?"

A man who had once served in Ilankus’s guild, "The Homegrown Hero," approached him with a smirk.

"You had the nerve to show your face to me after all that!"

"Come now, that’s all in the past, isn’t it? Besides, I’m not the deputy guild master anymore."

"What!?"

The man had a golden badge on his chest, a bird’s wing, the symbol of freedom.

"Y-You... became the guild master of the Adventurers’ Guild...?"

"Yes, that’s right. I’ve just established a new guild."

Ilankus also had the golden wing badge on his chest, as did Act. This badge, issued by the Guild Association, was proof of being a guild master.

"We started at the bottom of Class C, but we’re having fun. At least more fun than when I was under you."

"Damn it... Well, fine. Now that we’re both guild masters, we’re competitors. Since you’re below me, show some respect."

The man looked puzzled and then burst out laughing.

"Haha... Hahaha!"

Suddenly, he started laughing, holding his stomach.

"What! What’s so funny!?"

Clearly mocked, Ilankus’s face turned red as he shouted.

"This is hilarious! You still think you’re a guild master, don’t you?"

"What? What do you mean!?"

The man shook his head with a malicious smile.

"No, nothing. Well, Ilankus-san. I’ll be going now. ...We might never meet again, you know."

Laughing, the former deputy guild master left.

"Hmph! I won’t ever see that scum’s face again. But... it’s good to know there’s someone below me."

Proud of his former top guild, Ilankus couldn’t bear being at the bottom.

"Having someone below me is a good thing. Always looking up is tiring... hehe!"

Ilankus touched the guild master badge on his chest.

"As long as I have this, I’m a guild master. Watch me, deputy guild master. I’ll show you a phoenix-like comeback from here...!"

...That was as far as his confidence went.

Ilankus made his way to the chief’s office.

"Ah, you came, Ilankus. Sit down."

The two moved to the sofa set. Sitting down, the chief began.

"How’s work been lately?"

Confused by the sudden question, Ilankus answered.

"To be honest, it’s not going as well as it used to."

"Figures. Your guild is in a tough spot. Members are leaving, and no new ones are joining. You used to be a popular guild, 'The Homegrown Hero.'"

"...Yes. But! It’s from now on! I can still do it! I have a plan to turn things around!"

"Oh? What’s your plan?"

Ilankus puffed out his chest.

"Act!"

"Huh?"

"Act Age! If he comes back to me, the guild will regain its former glory!"

"..."

"I’m currently approaching Act! Eventually, he’ll come back to me."

"That’s enough. That’s enough, Ilankus."

The chief sighed.

"To be honest, I had high hopes for you. Despite the tough situation, I thought you might be able to turn things around."

"Chief...?"

"But you’re still relying on others to solve your problems. ...It’s too late now."

Frowning, the chief said,

"Ilankus, you’re dismissed."

"Huh...? I don’t understand what you mean?"

The chief reached out and tore the golden badge from Ilankus’s chest.

"Ilankus, as of today, you are relieved of your duties as guild master."

Ilankus’s eyes and mouth opened wide in shock.

"Huh? ...Huh? What does that mean...?"

"The Homegrown Hero is to be disbanded."

His spine froze. The coldness told him this was real.

"No, right? Disbanding... it’s a lie, right...?"

"No. The chief has the authority to appoint and dismiss guild masters."

Ilankus’s body trembled as if he were in a freezing land.

"No... No..."

"What?"

"No... Noooooo!"

Ilankus cried pitifully like a child.

"I can still do it! I can still do it! Chief!"

He stood up and clung to the chief’s legs.

"Please! Revoke the dismissal! Give me back the badge!"

But the chief held onto the badge.

"No. You’re too far gone. I can’t trust you with the role of guild master."

"No, no! I can still do it! I can work hard! So! So give it back! Give it back to me!"

"Enough! That’s enough!"

The chief pushed Ilankus away and stood up.

"That’s all. I’ll inform you of your future arrangements later."

"No, noooooo!"

Ilankus stood up and tried to cling to the chief’s legs as he left.

But he tripped and fell.

"Rest now. You’re no longer fit to be a guild master. Take some time to calm down and think about your future."

"Ughhhh! No! Noooooo!"

The chief looked down at Ilankus with a pitying gaze.

"...You used to be a good guy. The Ilankus from back then is dead."

With that, the chief left without a backward glance.

"Why did it come to this! Where did I go wrong!"

Ilankus’s anguished cries echoed in the room.

...His fall was far from over.

【To the Readers】

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