Chapter 32

"Let me introduce you. This is Lucius, the guild master of 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Hi, nice to meet you."

Lucius smiled warmly at Monica.

"..."

Monica stared intently at Lucius.

(This is Lucius, the guild master of 'Golden Eagle'...)

Indeed, as the representative of a guild, his attire and demeanor were refined and smart, giving an impression of a seasoned businessman.

However, Monica felt that there was something artificial about his attitude.

The guild master of 'Guardian of the Magic Tree,' Ramon, was relieved that he could introduce the two without Roland and Lillian noticing.

The two were currently out and not present.

(If I want to transfer Monica, I need to act while those two are away.)

"Monica, Lucius specifically wanted to meet you and took the time to do so."

"Huh? Why would the guild master of 'Golden Eagle' want to meet someone from 'Guardian of the Magic Tree'?"

Monica took a step back, wary.

"Well, just sit down. Lucius will explain it to you directly."

Monica sat down at the guild master's urging, facing Lucius.

"Let me be frank. I want to scout you as a senior member of 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Wh-What? Scout... me?"

"I've heard about your performance in the 'Forest Dungeon.' I really want to work with you after hearing those stories."

Lucius said with a smile.

"Ah..."

"If you join our guild, 'Golden Eagle,' I'm willing to offer you a contract worth 12 million gold per year."

"Twelve million gold per year!?"

Monica let out a strange sound at the amount offered.

Lucius inwardly smirked.

"Of course, we will cover any breach of contract fees with 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.' Not only that, but if you join us, we will offer various benefits beyond just the salary. We will provide any equipment you need and support you in developing any skills you want."

"Ah, ah..."

"Eventually, I want to appoint you as the captain of the second team of 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Captain...?"

"How about it? Are you considering joining us?"

"Um..."

"Isn't this a good offer, Monica?"

Ramon interjected.

"Whether or not you can become a captain in 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' is uncertain. Roland apparently intends to keep you in his team."

"Wh-What? Is that true?"

"Yes, you might never become a captain under Roland."

"What? That's unacceptable. To keep such a capable member as a regular team member forever..."

"Lucius is offering you a chance for advancement. I think this is a rare opportunity."

Lucius and Ramon were trying to persuade Monica, but her mind was preoccupied with other thoughts.

(Roland wants to keep me in his team. He still needs me.)

Monica looked at Lucius.

"Um, Mr. Lucius, this is a very generous offer, but... can I have some time to think about it? I still prefer 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.'"

"What!?"

"Wait. How about this. I'll appoint you as a captain starting next month, or even immediately."

Monica was taken aback.

(What, captain immediately? That's impossible for me. It was already difficult in the 'Divine Realm' without Roland. I can barely handle myself, let alone take responsibility for a team.)

Monica, who had already experienced the challenges of leading a team, was intimidated by Lucius's proposal.

(If Roland keeps me in his team, it's better to stay with 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' for a while. If I transfer and get a job beyond my capabilities... )

Being given a heavy responsibility in an unfamiliar environment with a new boss, subordinates, and staff was a daunting prospect.

"Is there something you're dissatisfied with in our offer?"

Lucius, with his usual smile, applied pressure.

Monica sensed the danger.

"Um, I'm sorry, but I have to leave now. I'm keeping the painters waiting."

"Hey, wait a moment."

"No, I'm sorry."

Monica said and hurriedly left the room.

(Roland wants me in his team. You still need me, Roland, right?)

Monica's mind was consumed by this thought.

Just this fact alone transformed her meetings with Roland from a dreary event into one filled with anticipation and hope.

After Monica left, an awkward silence filled the room.

Lucius glared at Ramon.

"Ramon, this is not what we agreed on. You said 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' was prepared to let Monica Vermare go."

"Um, yes. We were fully prepared to let her go."

Ramon wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

"But in reality, she not only didn't agree to our proposal but fled the room like she was running away. Do you really want to transfer her?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then why did she run away like that?"

"Um, maybe it was a mistake to offer her the position of captain."

"Captain? Why...?"

"She tends to be timid despite her capabilities. She might have been intimidated by the idea of becoming a captain."

"I see. That makes sense."

(An A-class adventurer who lacks confidence. The stubbornness of being in a second-rate guild for so long hasn't changed.)

"Understood. Let's put Monica Vermare on hold for now. First, I'll negotiate with the other two, Shakma Hakim and Yufine Reyes. I will make sure they agree. Got it?"

Lucius glared at Ramon.

"Um, yes. Of course, of course."

"Then, please bring one of them here as soon as possible."

Ramon hurriedly left the room.

"Hmm. You want to scout me?"

Shakma said to Lucius.

She was much more positive about the negotiation than Monica.

(This is a good sign. I might be able to poach her.)

Lucius was satisfied with Shakma's expected reaction.

"Yes, I want to welcome you as a senior member of 'Golden Eagle.'"

(Finally, I might be poached by the top guild in the city. It's a tough decision to leave Roland, but if I can join the top guild, it might be worth it depending on the benefits.)

"That's a generous offer. I'll consider it positively. What kind of benefits do you offer?"

"Um, if you join 'Golden Eagle,' I'll offer you a salary of 12 million gold per year."

"Anything else?"

Shakma asked with shining eyes.

Lucius became a bit more cautious.

(I put too much pressure on that girl, Monica, and scared her. I need to be careful not to do the same with this one.)

"Sure. You can start as a regular member of the first team and learn the basics of team operations under Arik, ..."

Shakma was disappointed by what Lucius said.

(What? I won't be made a captain. Is that all 'Golden Eagle' thinks of me? Sigh.)

Shakma had already received an internal offer from Roland to be trained as a captain.

(Staying with 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' and being Roland's subordinate seems more interesting.)

"Can I have some time to think about it?"

Shakma gave vague answers to all of Lucius's proposals.

Lucius's negotiation ended in failure once again.

"I'll promise you the position of captain immediately if you want it, and you can start as a regular member and take your time. I'm willing to offer you the benefits you desire."

Lucius passionately spoke to Yufine.

(Failure to poach Monica and Shakma means I must succeed with Yufine.)

Lucius was anxious.

Yufine stared at Lucius with emotionless eyes.

This was her usual attitude when meeting someone for the first time.

Her demeanor further agitated Lucius, who was already anxious.

Recently, no one had turned down an offer from 'Golden Eagle.'

Lucius, who was always the one doing the evaluating, was not used to being evaluated.

Feeling an unpleasant sweat on his forehead, Lucius was exposed to a scrutinizing gaze for the first time in a long while.

On the other hand, Yufine became increasingly calm.

Silence dominated the room for a while.

"If..."

Yufine muttered.

Lucius and Ramon tensed up.

"If I become an A-class healer, what happens?"

"What do you mean by 'what happens'?"

Lucius desperately tried to read her thoughts by staring into her eyes.

"For example, will my salary and benefits increase?"

"Of course. If you become A-class, I'll promise you a higher salary."

Lucius answered immediately.

Yufine thought.

(If my benefits increase when I become A-class, it's better to get Roland to make me A-class before transferring.)

"Sorry, but I can't give an immediate answer. Can you give me some more time?"

Lucius's poaching attempt failed completely.

Roland, who had returned to 'Guardian of the Magic Tree,' was deep in thought as he walked down the corridor.

He had visited 'Spirit Factory' for a dungeon management meeting and was consulted by members of other alchemy guilds.

"The communication from 'Golden Eagle' is taking too long."

The visitor from the alchemy guild said.

"Especially now that the dungeon has been cleared and it's a good time for business. When we go to consult them, they keep saying the person in charge is out. 'Golden Eagle' seems to be in turmoil over the Sebast issue."

"Sebast issue? I'm busy and not well-informed about the city. What happened to Sebast?"

"It seems Sebast left 'Golden Eagle' after a conflict with Lucius."

"Sebast left!?"

"Anyway, 'Golden Eagle' hasn't been communicating with us at all. We're following them reluctantly, but if they don't hurry, we'll miss out on business. Roland, can you do something about it? I thought you had reconciled with 'Golden Eagle'?"

He looked completely exhausted.

(The fact that an alchemy guild under 'Golden Eagle' is consulting me means Lucius's influence is waning.)

Roland saw an opportunity to break down the alchemy guilds under 'Golden Eagle.'

(But why? I thought he would use the 'Alchemy Guild' to harass us again.)

"Roland!"

Rolan shuddered at the voice calling him from behind.

He was often troubled by members wanting skill appraisals, so he tried to return to the guild during less busy times.

But when he confirmed it was Lillian, he relaxed.

"What is it, Lili? Why are you so flustered?"

"Roland, the guild master is trying to transfer Monica and the others to 'Golden Eagle' without our knowledge."

"What!?"

Roland was shocked.

"That's not acceptable. They are guild-born members. They are important pillars who will support 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' in the future."

"Yes, exactly. I can't believe the guild master would do such a thing."

"Damn. What is he thinking?"

"Lucius has already visited the building multiple times and negotiated with them."

Lillian was clearly flustered.

(Lucius. I thought he was unusually quiet. His target was them.)

"Anyway, now that we know the guild master is colluding with the enemy, we need to take countermeasures. We need to increase their salaries, breach of contract fees, and contract duration to make it impossible for Lucius to poach them."

"Yes, that's the best course of action."

Lillian immediately got to work.

Lillian visited the guild master's office with the newly created contract.

"Guild master, here is the new contract for Monica and the others. Can you sign it, please?"

"Hmm, I'll look it over later."

"Please sign it now."

Lillian said with a smile but a firm tone.

"There's no need to rush..."

"It's not good to dilly-dally. 'Golden Eagle' might take them if we're not quick."

The guild master was taken aback.

"You're not trying to sell them to 'Golden Eagle' for money, are you?"

Lillian leaned in, smiling but applying pressure.

The guild master, intimidated by Lillian, tried to laugh it off.

"Well, but... You say that, but Roland is demanding an outrageous amount of money for their equipment. Plus, increasing their salaries... We'll run into financial trouble if we keep this up. If you want to keep them, you need to find a way to secure funds. Do you have any ideas?"

"Guild master, securing funds is your job. Roland has invested a lot in their development, but they have produced results that match the investment. Now it's your turn to reward Roland and their hard work."

"But, even if you say that, the money issue..."

"We've produced an A-class adventurer. You can go to the bank or wealthy individuals to secure funding. We need to present them with the new contract as soon as possible. Please sign it."

Lillian pushed the contract towards the guild master.

"Ugh, fine."

The guild master reluctantly signed the contract.

The new terms were a 5-year contract with a salary of 10 million gold per year.

The breach of contract fee was set to the remaining years of the contract multiplied by the annual salary.

This meant Lucius would need 50 million gold to poach each of them.

Later, Roland presented the new contracts to the three and negotiated with them.

Despite the slightly lower annual salary compared to 'Golden Eagle's' offer, the three signed the new contracts without hesitation.

The next day, Roland took Monica out for lunch during their break.

Their schedules happened to align.

"That's great. You seem more energetic."

"Huh?"

"Your status is back to normal."

"Oh, I see. Yes, I'm sorry for the worry."

(I can't keep my status messed up forever, can I?)

Monica thought with a wry smile.

"You signed the new contract, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Why? 'Golden Eagle' offered a much higher reward, didn't they?"

"...I want to learn more under Roland."

"Is that so? Thank you."

"Um, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, I'll answer anything I can."

"The guild master said Roland wants to keep me under him."

"Yes, that's true."

"Why?"

"Because I believe I can bring out more of your potential. Can you spare a moment?"

"Sure."

Roland led Monica to the quest board.

"Look at the monster kill rankings, item acquisition rankings, and quest completion rankings. There's no archer in any of the top spots."

"Really?"

"But I believe you can achieve one of these. I really do."

"Me...?"

"Yes, archers are currently seen as support attackers, and they are used that way."

Roland's gaze turned distant, a look Monica had seen many times in the dungeon.

"I believe archers are undervalued. But with you, I think we can change that."

(Roland, you really only see me as a subordinate.)

Monica felt a pang in her heart.

"I want to aim higher. For that, I need your strength. Monica, will you join me?"

"...Yes."

(Even if my feelings don't reach you, I'll grow under you. I want to be someone you can be proud of.)