Chapter 99

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It had been about a month since my former subordinate, Lawrence, and his team defeated the Four Heavenly Kings' Jakki.

One day in early summer.

In my room at the guild, "Heaven's Gift."

"Marcos, you're fired as of today. Leave this guild."

A male guild member stood before me.

I told him he was fired.

"Wh-What? You're expelling me? Why!"

Marcos shouted, his face pale, clearly surprised by the expulsion.

"Think back on everything that's happened since you joined the guild."

"Indeed, I was expelled from my previous guild for the unreasonable reason of being a commoner."

There are many guilds with elitist ideologies that expel commoners.

"But you took me in! I've worked hard for you!"

"Yes, you've worked hard. I appreciate your efforts. But you don't need to come back anymore."

"Wh-What? Then, what am I supposed to do from now on?"

Seeing Marcos dejected, I said:

"Go to the Royal Treatment Clinic starting tomorrow."

"It's tough to be unemployed at my age. I have a wife and a son... Wait, what?"

Marcos looked bewildered.

"What did you say?"

"Go to the treatment clinic in the capital. The director is looking for an excellent healer. Your skills should be sufficient."

"The treatment clinic in the capital... Isn't that the largest medical facility?"

"Indeed. I've arranged a management position for you there. Your salary will be three times what it is now. This way, you can provide a better life for your family than you could as an adventurer."

At first, he didn't understand what I was saying.

But soon, tears welled up in Marcos's eyes.

"Guild Master... Thank you."

Marcos wiped his eyes and said:

"You even considered my family... before expelling me."

Tsk, Marcos seems to have misunderstood something.

"It's not for your sake."

"Huh?"

"I wanted to do a favor for the treatment clinic, so I sent you there. In other words, I just used you. There's no need to be grateful."

Marcos looked even more confused than before.

"Really, Master is as always."

A woman in a maid's uniform, who had been watching silently from behind, sighed.

This silver-haired, sharp-eyed woman is my personal maid, Frederica.

"Sir Marcos, here are the documents."

Frederica handed him a brown envelope containing the employment terms and my recommendation letter.

"Master's words are just a cover. Please don't take it to heart."

"I see..."

"No, that's not it. Stop saying unnecessary things. You dog."

Frederica's true form is a legendary magical beast, the Ice Wolf.

She usually takes on a human form.

"Guild Master... Thank you so much!"

With a bow, Marcos bent his waist at a right angle.

"I'll work hard there too! I'll do my best to make my family comfortable. And... I'll definitely come back to repay you one day!"

"I see. I look forward to it."

"Yes! Excuse me!"

Marcos left the room with a bright expression.

"Good work."

Just as I was feeling thirsty, Frederica placed a cold coffee in front of me.

"I didn't ask for it."

"A top-notch maid can sense when her master is thirsty and provide a drink at the right time."

"I see."

"...Master."

Frederica's dog ears and tail appeared, drooping down.

"Thank you."

I ruffled the dog's head.

"No, it's my duty as your personal maid."

Her ears and tail wagged.

Tsk, taking care of a dog isn't easy.

"By the way, Master... I'm sorry to interrupt your relaxation, but we have a schedule for the next expulsions."

"Right."

I took the list from Frederica.

A long list of members to be expelled.

"The number of guild members has increased recently, hasn't it?"

"Indeed. It's due to the hero Lawrence and his team's success, which has improved the guild's reputation."

Lawrence was originally a member of my guild.

He left to defeat the Demon King, traveling with his companions.

"The more the hero succeeds, the more the guild that discovered him is praised. As expected, Master, you had that in mind when you expelled him."

"Of course. Everything is for my benefit."

Expelling guild members helps me get closer to my ambitions.

In other words, I'm using them for my own purposes...

"Still, why do they thank me?"

"Who knows?"

Frederica sighed, sounding exasperated.

"What's with that attitude?"

"No, no. Master is still Master."

"Hmph."

"If you don't like it, should I be expelled?"

Frederica said this with a laugh, testing me.

"Shut up. It's too early to expel you. I have more plans to use you."

"Sure, I'm happy to! Master, Master!"

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching, Frederica hugged my head tightly.

"You're annoying."

"It's fine, isn't it~?"

Usually a cool woman, she only acts this way in front of me.

Well, she is a dog, so she probably wants attention from her master.

"However, Master. While the guild has grown due to Lawrence's success... there is one problem."

"The guild is getting too crowded, right?"

"Yes. Originally, Heaven's Gift was a small, elite guild... the number of people joining and leaving was about the same. But recently, more people are joining."

As a result, the guild has grown, making the guild hall feel cramped.

"What do you suggest?"

"I've already taken care of it."

I took a document from the drawer and placed it on the table.

Frederica picked it up and read it, nodding in admiration.

"Of course, Master. You work quickly. Impressive."

She clapped her hands.

"But why not just expel half the members today?"

"Shut up."

I glared at Frederica.

"You can't just expel them without finding them a new job first."

Anyone can just kick people out of the guild.

But it would damage the guild's reputation.

And it would take me further from my "ambition."

"Of course. Anyone can just expel members for no reason. But you, Master, prepare a new job for them before expelling them. You are indeed the best guild master."

To Frederica, who had misunderstood, I snorted.

"Shut up. I'm a corrupt guild master who expels members one after another from the adventurer's guild."