CH 120

Guild Master – i novels

()x16-20 minutes

“Eltina, has that spirit mage been found yet?”

“Um, no, since he hasn’t come to the Adventurer’s Guild, I haven’t received any information. Hasn’t the punitive force been able to locate him?”

Even if I asked Eltina at the reception, she wouldn’t know. It seems like I still can’t calm down.

“There’s no sign of him entering the labyrinth or leaving the labyrinthine city. They said he disappeared like smoke.”

“Um, Master. I apologize for the intrusion, but you seem tired and need to rest…”

“Shut up… No, sorry. But I can’t rest even if I want to. When I go home, I just end up thinking about unnecessary things. It’s more relaxing for me to work at the guild. I got the report, you can continue your search.”

I’m getting irritated. Ever since that spirit mage disappeared, rumors have spread rapidly. If I had trapped him, everything would have been fine, but that spirit mage managed to avoid all of my traps.

On top of that, he declared that he defeated the Fire Dragon and threatened those who harassed him before leaving. He grew troublesome plants all over the guild as well.

What was the reason for hiding the fact that he defeated the Fire Dragon? Wasn’t it to conceal his strength? I still couldn’t find any weaknesses of the spirit mage, and I have no strategy.

With the spread of rumors about the spirit mage, many people who are suspected have left the labyrinth city, and it has become difficult to gather people to eradicate the plants. In the midst of all this, rumors of a falling out with the adventurer who defeated the Fire Dragon have spread even further, and merchants, nobles, and military personnel have been complaining.

Especially the Porius Trading Company, which had a close relationship with that spirit mage, is protesting every day. They are not only spreading the word among their own company, but also among various guilds and individuals who supplied them with valuable materials, fueling the commotion. There will be a meeting of the labyrinth city’s influential figures in three days. It’s probably a gathering to put me in a difficult position.

Currently, the Adventurer’s Guild in the labyrinthine city is in disarray. The number of adventurers who can handle ordinary requests has decreased, and securing materials beyond the 50th floor, which was expected, has become close to impossible. This issue is also a concern at the headquarters of the country’s Adventurer’s Guild.

The completion of the facility to defeat the Fire Dragon on the 49th floor is also imminent, but in this situation, it is even difficult to request support from the headquarters.

The guild, which is already cautious about the actions of S-rank adventurers, will undoubtedly demand that I somehow repair the relationship with the talents who can defeat the Fire Dragon. Just thinking about it makes my stomach ache.

What was supposed to be a cold treatment or a change in profession for an incompetent spirit mage has turned into such a big issue. It won’t be long before an envoy from the headquarters comes to question me.

I feel like requesting the assassination of that spirit mage from the assassination guild, but if I take such measures against someone who has embarrassed me this much, I will naturally be suspected. Even if he dies, they would most likely know about this commotion. Assassination is out of the question.

Ah, I never thought I would stoop so low for profit, but now I can’t bear to bow down to that detestable spirit mage.

Should I abandon my status and go into hiding? If I do that, I can say goodbye to all these troubles and spend my remaining years in peace. I have enough savings for that. It might be a good idea… No, I can’t just give up everything carelessly, or I might end up offering myself to that spirit mage to appease him. I have to do something, or things will become troublesome at the gathering in three days.

—————-

“Are you kidding me? Do you think such lawlessness will prevail?”

“It’s not lawlessness. It’s a legitimate claim for the damages caused by you. You look quite unwell, so why don’t you settle this quickly and take a break? Those dark circles under your eyes are terrible, and you look quite aged.”

The irritating old man from the Porius company speaks with a triumphant expression. It couldn’t be more unpleasant.

“And why does that lead to talk of my retirement and confiscation of my personal assets? There have been times when we couldn’t obtain labyrinth materials. Why should I be responsible for the losses incurred?”

“That’s because this incident didn’t happen due to irregularities in the labyrinth, but rather it happened under your instruction as the master of the Adventurer’s Guild. Of course, we don’t expect your personal assets to cover everything, but the rest will be covered by the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Shut up! A mere chairman of one trading company dares to interfere? And why are you even here?”

“Why am I here? It’s because you harassed a spirit mage who had a close relationship with me. It was our Porius Trading Company that supplied materials to everyone. The Adventurer’s Guild should be aware of that. What are you even talking about now?”

Damn it, that sly fox from Porius is getting carried away. We had a hard time because they secretly sold the materials…

“But sticking your nose into the internal affairs of the Adventurer’s Guild is presumptuous. What’s wrong with expelling those who bring disadvantages to the organization? I did what was expected of me, so why should I take responsibility?”

“Well, I understand that I wouldn’t hire a spirit mage as my escort because they are terrible, but in this case, you were just unlucky. The opponent you harassed turned out to be an incredibly skilled person. I can sympathize with that, but when someone in a position of leadership in an organization takes action, responsibility comes with it. You should have sincerely apologized to the spirit mage, things could have turned out differently. Accept it.”

Who said I would accept it? Retirement aside, confiscating my personal assets is no joke.

“I don’t care about that. What I want to know is when will the distribution of materials return to normal? As a culinary guild, even the availability of roughbird meat is scarce, and the lower ranks are in a state of panic.”

You think it’s irrelevant that my personal assets are on the line? I want to beat you to a pulp, but this woman, who leads the male-dominated world of chefs, has an odd forcefulness that I’m not fond of. That thin neck should easily snap, but…

“As long as the labyrinth exists, adventurers will gather soon enough. The restoration of material distribution is a matter for the near future.”

“That doesn’t seem right. I’ve heard that many of those who left this time were mid-level and high-level adventurers in the Adventurer’s Guild. It’s hard to believe that such talents will gather quickly. Do you have any countermeasures?”

That damn fox from Porius keeps interfering.

“…I’ve sent messengers. Talents should be dispatched from various branches soon. Even if they were high-level adventurers, at most they were B-rank adventurers. There’s no problem.”

The fact that the top-tier individuals were not involved with the spirit mage in the construction request for the 49th floor base in the labyrinth was fortunate in the midst of this unfortunate situation. Up to B-rank adventurers, there are still a considerable number of them. The various branches should be grateful and willing to send reinforcements. They shouldn’t refuse the dispatch.

“In that case, the scarcity will continue until adventurers gather. Vegetables are fine, but we need to secure meat as soon as possible. Please inform the remaining adventurers to actively hunt roughbirds, at least.”

“Understood, I’ll issue the notification.”

“In that case, I would like you to help me as well. The Pharmaceutical Guild was ecstatic about the supply of magic grass and cure grass. But now we’re dissatisfied with the uncertainty surrounding the next shipment. Unless the relationship with the spirit mage is repaired or we obtain magic grass and cure grass, we won’t be able to contain our frustration.”

The Pharmaceutical Guild… they’re troublesome. The members of the Pharmaceutical Guild are strong in their role as researchers. The master of the Pharmaceutical Guild in front of me seems to be smiling, but his eyes don’t show any amusement. A half-hearted answer won’t satisfy him, but right now, I have no countermeasures. I have to buy some time.

“We’re currently constructing a strategic base on the 49th floor. I’d like a little more time.”

“Time, huh… Have you considered repairing the relationship with the spirit mage?”

“…There’s no point in that. Although there’s a possibility that the adventurers who were driven away by threats might come back, we don’t know what will happen. In that case, it would be better to choose a more reliable method.”

If I can defeat the Fire Dragon, the value of that spirit mage will diminish. In that case, no one would have any complaints. After all, the Adventurer’s Guild has a significant advantage in the labyrinth city.

“Hmm, is challenging the Fire Dragon, who has failed to be conquered multiple times, a reliable method? To me, it seems more certain to search for the spirit mage and repair the relationship.”

Why not pursue both paths simultaneously? Since I’m retiring anyway, it would be good to discuss a successor with them.

The master of the Commercial Guild speaks as if my retirement has already been decided.

“Why do you, of all people, decide on the personnel matters of the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Hmph, this notice is our compassion, the compassion of those who have supported the labyrinth city together until now. Take care of yourself before it’s too late. Retire and allocate your personal assets. That way, things won’t get any worse.”

What’s this? The gaze of pity from everyone here pierces me.

“You seem to be lacking in judgment. No matter what, this matter won’t be resolved within the labyrinth city. Each guild has already reported to the capital. Envoys will be dispatched from the capital soon. If you cling to your position as it is now, you will not only lose your wealth. You’re already finished.”

“Damn it, but the strategy for the 49th floor was my idea. It’s true that messengers from the capital will come to question me, but if I explain this strategy, I’ll be given some time. If I can defeat the Fire Dragon during that time, everything will work out.”

“That’s something that can be done even without you taking the lead. It would be easier if the relationship with the spirit mage is repaired. It won’t be a reason to give you time. If you haven’t done anything, the punishment will be severe without a doubt. Give up.”

“…Am I really finished? Are they telling me that struggling from this point on is futile?”

“What do you think?… It’s true that someone else could take the lead in the strategy. Repairing the relationship with the spirit mage might go more smoothly without you. It’s impossible to contain the situation within the labyrinth city when the commotion has spread to various guilds.”

Ahhh… I must be finished. That pitiful gaze is the answer. I, who should have had significant power in the labyrinthine city, who should have held the source of their profits, have fallen so low as to be pitied.

“…I understand. I will retire and allocate my personal assets.”

“That’s good. You’ve made up your mind.”

When I returned to the Adventurer’s Guild, Eltina ran up to me. She seemed flustered. Did something else happen?

“Master, the Grandmaster has arrived from the capital.”

…Already here? And it’s the Grandmaster. So what that old man said has become a reality so quickly.

“Understood. I’ll go immediately.”

I hurried back to my room, and the Grandmaster immediately called out to me.

“Oh, you’re back. You’ve really messed up.”

His attitude hasn’t changed. His casual tone, but his trained physique and sharp gaze show no signs of decline.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting. Yes, I have caused inconvenience. I just spoke to the influential figures in the labyrinth city about my retirement and using my personal assets to compensate for the damages. I’m sorry for what happened this time.”

I bowed my head.

“I see. Taking responsibility on your own, huh? That’s a good determination. But that alone won’t settle the matter.”

“Do you mean I will be punished by the Adventurer’s Guild?”

It seems I was too late.

“Yeah, well… The Commercial Guild, the Pharmaceutical Guild, the country, and the military won’t stop complaining. There needs to be a complete overhaul of the Adventurer’s Guild in the labyrinth city, and punishment for those involved in this incident.”

“But my subordinates acted on my orders, so I request leniency.”

“Even so, we have to clearly communicate that punishment has been given to those who have complained. Especially those who were directly involved with the rumored spirit mage will face severe punishment.”

“But then…”

“But well… a complete overhaul of the Adventurer’s Guild in the labyrinth city is inevitable, but we can lighten the punishment a bit. Swallow your pride, apologize to the spirit mage, and secure his cooperation. If you succeed, your life won’t be taken.”

“But that spirit mage has committed hostile acts against the guild. Apologizing would tarnish the guild’s reputation.”

Even though I thought I had regained my composure, I’m surprised by my own reluctance to bow down to that spirit mage.

“Yeah, the one who instantly grew thorny plants all over the guild, right? I’ve heard the story. But have you ever heard that a spirit mage could do something like that?”

“…No, I have heard that there are clans capable of manipulating and growing plants, but I have never heard of anyone being able to do something to that extent.”

I didn’t even know what exactly he had done or when he chanted his incantation.

“That’s how it is. What good does it do to antagonize someone who possesses abilities beyond our imagination just for the sake of our reputation, going against them? It’s not only futile, but it can also be harmful.”

“But if we dispatch S-rank adventurers, there is a possibility of punishing that person.”

“Hah, in the plan you submitted to headquarters to defeat the Fire Dragon, how many S-rank adventurers were required? How many personnel did you request?”

“…All three S-rank adventurers in this country and as many A-rank adventurers as we can gather.”

“Right, and even with that level of firepower, people doubt whether we can defeat the Fire Dragon. We’ve had a failure in the past with a similar plan. It resulted in not only damages but also humiliation.”

“But the current S-rank adventurers have skills effective against dragons.”

“That’s true. That’s why we weighed the benefits and the valuable S-rank adventurers and proceeded with the plan, making sure we were fully prepared to support them. But what would happen if we threw those valuable S-rank adventurers at the spirit mage who defeated the Fire Dragon? Are we going to sacrifice S-rank adventurers on the uncertain chance of protecting our reputation?”

“But…”

“But nothing. You have two choices: either apologize yourself or punish your subordinates and apologize on behalf of the Adventurer’s Guild. Which one will you choose?”

“…I will apologize myself.”

“I see. Well, even if they are the main culprits, they won’t be killed if they receive forgiveness. Do you know the whereabouts of the spirit mage?”

“No, I searched the entire labyrinthine city, but I couldn’t find any leads.”

“I see. In that case, we will make a big announcement about your retirement and the confiscation of your personal assets, as well as a complete overhaul of the Adventurer’s Guild in the labyrinth city. If we convey that the Adventurer’s Guild is changing, he might show his face. You stay in the Adventurer’s Guild, don’t miss this chance. It’s not only your life but also the lives of your subordinates that are at stake.”

“I understand. I will bow my head with all my might.”

“Good. Do it properly. You have caused significant damages to the guild. If you fail, your life will be on the line.”

“Yes.”

Heh, in the end, I ended up bowing down to that spirit mage. And not just apologizing, but doing so without any pride… But I was the one who got the guild involved. If I don’t do it, I’ll undoubtedly lose my life. My subordinates will also face severe punishment. I should practice how to bow my head properly. It’s such a pathetic situation.

———————–

From the author: This marks the end of the Guild Master’s story. There are only a few additional details about the punishments mentioned later, so the Guild Master’s appearance will be minimal from now.