Chapter 47

One day, in my guild, "Heaven's Gift."

In the guild master's room.

"[Shilm]. I'm going to expel you from this guild."

The boy, Shilm, standing before me, widens his eyes.

"Wh-what... Why?"

"It's simple. You are unnecessary to this guild."

"Unnecessary... But I've been working hard for this guild..."

Shilm is on the verge of tears.

"Indeed, you have contributed to the guild. However, that's a different matter."

As the top of the guild, I must sometimes make ruthless decisions.

"Am I... fired? Then, what should I do from now on?"

Shilm, looking like an abandoned dog, is dejected. I tell him,

"I've arranged a position for you in the [Ain Royal Guard]. You should go there."

"I... I don't have much education, and I don't have a hometown... Wait, what?"

Shilm's mouth opens wide in surprise.

"Excuse me, what did you just say?"

"I said the Royal Guard wants you."

"Are you talking about the [Ain Royal Guard], the best knight order in this country...!? Why would such a prestigious place want me?"

Surprised and confused, Shilm looks at me.

"Your [Paladin] skill, with its strong defensive power and ability to take damage for allies, is very useful as a tank. You are well-suited for the Royal Guard."

Not only for allies, but if there were an assassination attempt on a VIP, a paladin could protect them.

You've also improved your healing skills under me, making you ideal for VIP protection.

"Guild Master... To prepare such an amazing position for me..."

Sniffing, he starts to cry seriously. Perhaps being expelled was a shock to him. But I must be ruthless.

"...I was unjustly expelled from my previous party for being a tank... Even my childhood friend's girl was taken... I was at a loss, but you encouraged me and helped me grow... And now, even a position in the Royal Guard..."

Everyone in my guild has a story. This one was also expelled from his previous party.

"Why are you so kind to me, to this extent?"

"Don't misunderstand. This isn't for you. It's for me."

"Huh...?"

"The more you excel as a Royal Guard, the better the reputation of the guild that trained you. This is a strategic move. It's not out of kindness."

Shilm's eyes widen, and he chuckles.

"You really are a kind person, Guild Master. You're saying it like that so I won't feel bad about leaving."

I didn't mean it that way, but...

Shilm wipes his tears and looks at me with a bright expression.

"I accept this offer with gratitude!"

"Good. I'll inform the other party. Once everything is ready, head to the capital."

"Yes!"

"Don't forget to request moving expenses. You'll also receive a severance package. Make sure to apply for it."

"Understood! Thank you, Guild Master! I'm truly grateful!"

Shilm leaves with a smile.

"Quite impressive, Master."

Frederica, who had been waiting in the background, serves me tea at the perfect moment.

"Securing a position in the Royal Guard isn't something that can be done easily."

"Edward wanted excellent knights. This will also create a favor with him. If Shilm excels, the guild's reputation will rise."

I take a sip of tea and say,

"I only act for my own benefit... I don't understand why everyone thanks me."

Frederica chuckles.

"Master, you should understand that your actions make people happier than you think."

"Hmph... Who's next?"

There's a knock on the door.

"Excuse me, Guild Master♡"

Roselia, the top adventurer of Heaven's Gift, enters.

"Sorry to call you here when you're busy."

"No, no♡ I'll come running for anything for the Guild Master."

She is known as "Roselia the Crimson" and is a famous adventurer.

Requests for her services come in daily, in large quantities.

"So, what's the matter?"

"I'll be brief."

I look at her and say,

"Roselia, I'm going to expel you from this guild."

★

S-rank adventurer, Roselia.

She has made significant contributions to this guild.

"You've done well. However, it's about time you leave the guild and shine in a different place."

I signal to Frederica with my eyes.

Thud! A thick file, like a dictionary, is placed on my desk.

"There are countless places that want you."

"Me... So many people need me...?"

Roselia's eyes widen as she looks at the file from a distance.

"Yes. Among them, I think this is the best fit."

I flip through the file and hand her a request.

"The hero party of the neighboring country, you say."

Hero party.

The elite chosen by each country to defeat the Demon King.

"That country is forming a new hero party to defeat the Demon King. I've arranged a hero position for you there."

"Hero... I, a hero..."

Roselia's sword skills far surpass those of ordinary people.

"Your combat skills, personality, leadership, and everything else make you a top-tier candidate. You are worthy of being a hero."

"I'm honored. All of this is thanks to the Guild Master."

Roselia smiles and returns the request to me.

"Thank you for the offer, but I must decline."

She bows deeply before me.

"Why are you declining?"

"I still have something to do here."

"What is it?"

"It's the Guild Master. I want to repay my debt to you."

Roselia places her hand on her chest and smiles, reminiscing.

"When I was a wicked noble lady, despised by everyone, and exiled abroad after a broken engagement... You were the one who was kind to me, Guild Master."

She approaches me, takes my hand, and says,

"The bad rumors from others don't matter. I want you to want me as an individual... You evaluated me based on my true self, not on prejudice. How much you have saved me."

She smiles like a blooming flower.

"I want to wield my sword for you, by your side. I want to repay my debt."

Well, well, it's come to this.

"Understood. Then, excel even more. Serve me."

"Yes♡ Understood♡ By the way..."

Roselia leans in close and smiles.

"How about dinner this weekend? I've reserved a high-end restaurant and a hotel. We can enjoy the night view together..."

"Ah, sure, sure. Master is very busy. Please leave quickly."

Frederica pulls Roselia's arm, trying to make her leave the room.

"Stop it! I'm inviting the Guild Master to a date..."

"Master is extremely busy. He has no time for dates. Please leave quickly. Goodbye."

Frederica pushes Roselia out and sighs.

"I'll protect Master from any danger."

Frederica, chest puffed out with pride, is doing something incomprehensible.

"But Master, if you had said, 'Go and shine as a hero to repay your debt to me,' she would have accepted the expulsion quietly, wouldn't she?"

"Maybe."

But I didn't want to do that.

"Still, Master is kind. You leave the decision to expel them to them in the end."

"Don't misunderstand. Shilm wanted to be a knight. But Roselia didn't. No matter how suitable, if they lack the drive, sending them would be a waste and damage my reputation."

I sip my tea and say,

"That's why I decided not to expel her. In the end, it's for my own benefit."

"Hehe."

Frederica laughs and tidies up the wasted file.

"What?"

"Nothing... I just admire your excellent villainous guild master skills today."

"Are you mocking me?"

"No, no, not at all. I love your kind side."

[To the Readers]

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