Chapter 41

At the headquarters of the 'Golden Eagle,' Lucius received a shocking piece of news.

He had just thought that the issues concerning Jill were finally coming to a close.

"What! Ramon has been expelled from the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree'!?"

(Damn. I went through so much trouble and spent so much time to prepare the funds to poach Monica. If Ramon has been expelled, it's as good as losing the channel for negotiation.)

From now on, he would have to negotiate directly with Roland and Lilianne.

The poaching operation was as good as a failure.

(What the hell. Why can't anything go right?)

Lucius held his head in his hands.

His troubles were not limited to Monica and the others.

Jill was already showing signs of rebellion again.

When Lucius recently instructed her to submit a plan for the next dungeon, she had rebelled.

"I only accepted the position of squad leader; I never said I would follow your orders!"

The tension between Lucius and Jill continued.

Moreover, Jill seemed to be plotting Roland's reinstatement.

"The 'Golden Eagle' has only gone downhill since Roland was expelled. If we bring him back, the 'Golden Eagle' will return to being a healthy guild focused on nurturing members."

Jill was spreading this message to those who held a grudge against Lucius, gradually laying the groundwork for Roland's return.

At first, her efforts were not understood, but gradually, more and more members began to remember Roland, saying things like, "Yeah, he was a good guy," or "He was indeed capable. Why did Lucius expel Roland?"

As a result, a group calling itself the "Roland faction" was steadily forming, replacing the "Jill faction."

Lucius bitterly thought about Jill's actions, but given the situation, he couldn't afford to make a rash move.

If this issue became public, the investors in the 'Golden Eagle' would become even more critical.

They feared risk above all else.

Lucius had no choice but to promise Jill that Roland would be reinstated, at least for the time being.

However, Jill responded that she would never cooperate with Lucius until Roland was actually reinstated.

There was no way Roland would be reinstated.

For Lucius, the series of issues related to Jill were becoming an endless problem.

Additionally, Lucius tried to pressure the city's alchemy guild to stop trading with the 'Spirit Factory,' but this also met with resistance.

They were already tired of Lucius's methods and united in their opposition.

"Are you kidding? We won't be pushed around any longer!"

The more Lucius tried to command them, the more they resisted, firmly maintaining their contract with the 'Spirit Factory.'

(Something must be done... something must be done...)

The next day, a banker was scheduled to ask Lucius about the success of the poaching operation.

If he couldn't show some results, Lucius's position would become precarious.

Meanwhile, Roland was heading to the quest reception area to prepare for the dungeon.

(This time, I need to prepare quests not only for Monica and the others but also for Rick and his group. Sigh. It's a lot more work with more people.)

"Mr. Roland? Is that you?"

"Yes? It is me. What is it?"

"Sure enough. It's been a while."

"That voice... Could it be Clarice!?"

"Yes, it's me."

Roland was surprised to see Clarice.

Her former elegance was gone, and she looked disheveled.

Moreover, the cleanliness she had as a receptionist was nowhere to be seen. Her clothes were tattered, her hair was a mess, and she looked like a homeless person.

"What happened? Why do you look like this?"

"That's right, Mr. Roland, please listen!"

Clarice clung to Roland and tearfully recounted her story.

After being reported by Roland, she was fired from her job as a receptionist.

Furthermore, she was fined three months' salary by the court, and her property was seized.

Unable to find a new job due to her previous dismissal, she couldn't pay her rent and ended up in dire straits.

"Without a job and unable to pay the fine, I was evicted from my lodging a few days ago."

"Evicted from your lodging... Did you have any savings? ...You didn't, did you?"

Roland remembered her appearance when she was a receptionist, with expensive accessories that were far beyond her means.

Given that, she must have lived a lavish lifestyle that was beyond her means.

"I haven't taken a bath for several days and haven't eaten properly."

"That's terrible. I have something urgent to do now. I'll see you later."

"Wait!"

Clarice firmly grabbed Roland's arm.

"I heard you became an investor in the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.'"

"Yes, well, sort of."

"Please hire me."

"What!? You?"

"That's not fair, Mr. Roland. Please help me too."

"Even if you ask me to help..."

Roland checked Clarice's skills.

Item Appraisal B → B

Skill Appraisal C → C

(Uh, it's a bit... delicate...)

"Clarice, I'm sorry, but with your skills..."

"Please, don't abandon me."

Clarice clung to Roland even more.

"Hey, Clarice!"

People on the street started whispering about Roland and Clarice.

It looked like Roland had treated her badly.

"I just followed my boss's orders. It's not fair to end up like this."

"Calm down. I understand. I understand."

Roland calmed her down and gently pulled her away.

She sat on the ground and continued to cry.

"Um, how about being my secretary?"

"I'll do it. I'll do it. I'll be your secretary, or even your lover, if you want."

"Stop it. Let's not say silly things. First, let's clean you up. You can't work in this state."

"The top of the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' has changed," the banker said, pressing his cigar into the ashtray in the heavily furnished guest room.

Lucius could only remain silent.

"The poaching failed... That's what you're saying, right?"

"..."

"What do you plan to do? If the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' outperforms you again this month, I'll have to withdraw our funding."

"Please rest assured. I will definitely turn things around."

"Turn things around? With this disparity in strength?"

The banker said this with a sigh.

"..."

"Well, since you say so, I'll give you one last chance. But this is really the last one. If you can't show tangible results this month... you understand, right?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do you really understand? It's no longer a matter of words or attitude. You need to show action."

"..."

"Take responsibility. The position of Guild Master of the 'Golden Eagle' will be stripped from you. The board will be completely replaced. You will also have to compensate for the losses we investors have suffered."

"Understood."

Lucius reluctantly agreed.

Diana, who was listening, was shocked.

(What? The board will be replaced? Could I be fired too?)

Diana's face turned pale.

If she was fired from the 'Golden Eagle' and became an ordinary worker, what would happen?

She would work hard every day, and from her meager salary, she would have to pay compensation, and live a frugal life with the remaining money.

This was a future that made her shudder just thinking about it.

(No way. I can't be fired just because of Lucius's mistakes. I need to find a way to save myself...)

To fulfill his promise to the banker, Lucius immediately took action.

A dungeon strategy meeting was held at the 'Golden Eagle' headquarters.

However, now that Sebastia was gone and Jill was sabotaging her duties as a squad leader, the only squad leader present was Alik.

(Damn. What a mess. This guild, which once had such strong members, now only has Alik to rely on.)

Thus, the meeting was dominated by Alik.

"Three dungeons will appear in this city this month. But we no longer have the luxury of dividing our forces!"

With Sebastia gone and Lucius losing his political power, no one could oppose Alik.

"The positions of the 'Golden Eagle' and the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' have completely reversed. The 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' now has a plethora of promising adventurers. Our advantage is completely gone. In this situation, dividing our forces among the three dungeons would be a foolish move. The only way for us to defeat the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' is to concentrate all our forces on the 'Mine Dungeon.' If we can secure the 'Mine Dungeon,' we can win back the hearts of the alchemy guild. Then we can return to being the strongest adventurer guild."

Alik spoke passionately.

Indeed, if they could secure the 'Mine Dungeon,' which yields a lot of metal, the alchemy guild would have to rely on the 'Golden Eagle' again.

"Therefore, I believe we should send our strongest adventurers and squad to the 'Mine Dungeon.' I, Alik, the only A-class adventurer in the 'Golden Eagle,' and my squad, would like to take on the 'Mine Dungeon.' Surely no one will object?"

The meeting room fell silent.

No one opposed or challenged Alik.

Everyone nodded in agreement with his words.

Even Lucius had no room to argue.

(How did it come to this, where I have to rely on Alik?)

Lucius felt a sense of helplessness when he compared his current situation to a few months ago.

While Alik was making his passionate speech at the 'Golden Eagle,' a dungeon strategy meeting was also being held at the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.'

"Since Sebastia is gone and there is internal conflict, the only squad we need to be wary of from the 'Golden Eagle' is Alik's."

From the seat closest to the Guild Master, Roland spoke.

"I see. So you're saying that as long as we deal with Alik's squad, the others are not a significant threat. Is that correct?"

From the Guild Master's seat, Lilianne confirmed.

"Yes."

"Then let's send our strongest squad to face Alik's. The 'Golden Eagle' likely wants to regain control over the alchemy guild. Alik's squad will probably head to the 'Mine Dungeon.'"

"I agree. Even if they don't, we can adjust our strategy based on Alik's movements."

"Right. So, which squad will the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' send to face Alik?"

"Since you are new as Guild Master, it might be best for you to stay at headquarters for a while."

"I see. Then for the 'Mine Dungeon'..."

"I'll go."

Rolan said this calmly but firmly.

(I will deliver the final blow. To the 'Golden Eagle,' and to Lucius!)