Chapter 50

"Conditions?"

The banker asked back, puzzled.

"Yes, if you cannot accept these conditions, I will have to decline this offer."

"..."

The room was suddenly enveloped in tension.

The banker took out a cigar and lit it.

"Hmm. Let's hear it, then."

"First, regarding my treatment, I would like to concurrently hold the positions of Guild Master of 'Golden Eagle' and the positions of Guild Master of 'Spirit Workshop' and Director of 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.' In return, I am willing to accept a salary of zero at 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Interesting. Well, that shouldn't be a problem. Is there anything else?"

"For six months, I would like you to bear the losses."

The banker's face darkened.

"Roland, that's a bit much... We're not doing this for fun, you know."

"I understand. However, it's also true that the excessive targets have led 'Golden Eagle' to its current state. If we try to pursue profit recklessly in this broken state, it will inevitably collapse again. The reason I was expelled from 'Golden Eagle' was due to poor performance."

"..."

The banker nodded reluctantly, though with a difficult expression.

"And the last condition..."

"Is there more?"

The banker looked exasperated.

"Yes. I would like the right to appoint a co-representative."

"Co-representative?"

"Currently, I hold positions in 'Spirit Workshop' and 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.' I cannot neglect either of these roles. There will be times when I cannot be present at 'Golden Eagle,' so I need someone who can act on my behalf."

"And who would that co-representative be?"

"That is yet to be determined. But I will find someone."

"I see. So, in other words, we have to bear the losses for six months and take on the risk of bringing in someone we don't know as a manager. We have to bear that risk as well."

"That's right. I am willing to forgo my salary for that reason."

The banker grimaced.

(That's a bit much.)

The banker began to regret offering the position to Roland.

He considered canceling the offer, but at the last moment, he changed his mind.

(Let's see how he reacts.)

"Alright. However, given the conditions you've set, we, as investors, cannot remain silent. You will have to bear the corresponding risks as well."

"Risks?"

"If, after six months, you fail to turn a profit, we will sell Jil Arwin to another guild to cover the losses, and we will also seek damages from you."

"Sure, I can accept that."

Roland agreed readily.

"..."

The room fell silent again.

(Is he serious?)

The banker stared intently into Roland's eyes, trying to gauge his intentions.

Roland, for his part, was impressed by the banker's shrewdness.

(He's not someone to be taken lightly. Lucius must have had a hard time negotiating with him.)

The banker puffed on his cigar for a while, then let his gaze wander as if in deep thought.

After a while, he pressed the cigar into the ashtray and stood up.

"I understand what you're saying. However, I cannot make such a decision on my own. I need the approval of the other investors. I will discuss it with them and get back to you later. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Then, I'll take my leave."

---

The banker relayed Roland's conditions to the other investors.

The investors' opinions were divided, and there was a brief commotion, but in the end, they accepted Roland's conditions.

Roland became the Guild Master of 'Golden Eagle.'

---

In the morning, as the streets of the adventurer's town were filled with people heading to work, Jil was running as fast as she could.

Her body was screaming in pain from the exertion, as her status had not yet recovered, but she was determined to reach her destination as quickly as possible.

She ran with the pure passion of someone meeting a lover of ten years.

She ignored the people she nearly collided with on street corners and the times she almost tripped on the cobblestones, sprinting through the streets.

"What the—?"

"Watch out!"

The people Jil nearly collided with frowned.

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Please move aside."

The people on the street looked at her curiously.

Her destination was the headquarters of 'Golden Eagle.'

She was rushing there to hear an announcement that seemed unbelievable.

(That this could happen. It's hard to believe. But that's why I have to go. I have to see it with my own eyes.)

When Jil arrived at 'Golden Eagle,' she rushed into the auditorium without looking around.

The main members of 'Golden Eagle,' from the top to the bottom, were already gathered there.

Following the guild's tradition, they were lined up in class order, standing neatly in rows.

Everyone was facing the slightly elevated stage at the back of the auditorium.

A lectern was set up on the stage, and behind it hung a banner with the emblem of 'Golden Eagle,' with the guild's flag fluttering.

These solemn decorations would undoubtedly enhance the authority of whoever stood at the lectern to speak.

The people were watching the stage with a mix of anxiety and curiosity, preparing for what was to come.

"Hey, look at that..."

Someone in the line spoke up.

"What is it?"

"It's Jil. Jil Arwin is here."

The people nearby turned to look at her.

Her arrival quickly spread throughout the auditorium.

People reacted in various ways.

Some looked surprised, some looked bitter, some watched with curiosity, and some showed clear hostility.

But Jil was not particularly bothered by any of this.

Her eyes were fixed intently on the stage.

She needed to confirm with her own eyes who was standing there.

And there, on the stage, was Roland, about to take up his position as the new Guild Master.

(Oh, I never thought this day would come.)

Her whole body trembled with joy.

She had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep from sobbing.

To her, Roland looked almost divine.

(Roland. I never thought you would return to 'Golden Eagle' as the Guild Master. It's wonderful. Now I can serve you as a knight in both name and reality...)

---

Roland gave a brief greeting and then began to talk about the guild's future management strategy.

"First, the reason for the decline of 'Golden Eagle.' I believe it is because the guild has neglected the development of individual skills, status, and equipment quality. 'Golden Eagle' needs reform. Therefore..."

Roland continued his speech, outlining a coexistence and mutual prosperity with 'Guardian of the Magic Tree,' a revenue model not dependent on dungeon exploitation and equipment sales, and other slogans. He spoke for several minutes.

"That's all from me."

There was a scattered applause from the audience.

A confused atmosphere hung in the air.

The people, who had been bracing themselves for drastic restructuring, were taken aback by the relatively mild content. For many, Roland's speech was unfamiliar.

They were unsure whether to welcome Roland or not.

Roland sighed as he looked around the room.

(It's understandable. 'Golden Eagle' has been set in its ways under Lucius. Changing the guild's mindset won't be easy. But I will make it happen. For Jil's sake...)

"The Guild Master's statement is now complete. Thank you all for your attention."

Diana, standing beside Roland, announced this with a cheerful smile.

She seemed genuinely happy to be standing there.

---

After his statement, Roland immediately began his duties in the Guild Master's office.

He checked various documents.

Roland sighed as he looked at the financial statements.

(Lucius, you've been even more wasteful than I thought.)

According to Roland's calculations, they needed 20 million gold by the end of the month.

(20 million gold by next month... I'll have to start with participating in dungeon management. I'll help with 'Guardian of the Magic Tree's' dungeon management and ask them to delay the entrance fees. But that won't be enough. We need to reduce the deficit more.)

"In some cases, we might need to inject funds through 'Spirit Workshop' again. Sigh."

Roland sighed at the daunting debt.

(While securing revenue through dungeon management is good, the question is whether the teams will follow my orders.)

The teams of 'Golden Eagle' were traditionally self-centered, more focused on their own interests than on cooperation.

Moreover, when Roland was previously a member, everyone looked down on him, and that attitude likely hasn't changed.

Just because Roland became the Guild Master doesn't mean they will obediently follow his orders.

He had already instructed the team leaders to come to the Guild Master's office for interviews.

Thinking about it made Roland feel even more burdened.

(Well, there's no point in worrying. I just need to talk to each person and adjust things.)

"Is something wrong?"

When Roland looked troubled, Diana spoke up.

"Huh? No, nothing's wrong."

"Are you sure? You seemed worried..."

Diana looked at Roland with concern, her expression free of any pretense.

Although she was now a subordinate, Roland still felt a chill when she spoke to him, remembering how coldly she had treated him before. But in this normal interaction, she was a genuinely pleasant person.

It was hard to believe that the cold Diana and the current Diana were the same person.

"No, it's fine. By the way, where's Alik?"

"He's already here. He's waiting in the waiting room."

"Okay. Can you bring him in?"

"Of course."

Diana bowed and respectfully left.

---

"Alik, the Guild Master is calling you. Please come in."

"Alright."

Alik, called by Diana, entered the heavy door of the Guild Master's office with a heavy heart.

He had always found it difficult to enter this office, but today it felt even heavier.

He knew it wouldn't be easy.

It was a mystery how Roland had been chosen as the Guild Master, but it was clear that the will of 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' or the investors was reflected.

His team was likely to be weakened or face restructuring.

(After such a complete defeat, I can't expect to escape without consequences. But at least I need to protect my subordinates' treatment.)

When Alik entered the heavy door of the Guild Master's office, he saw Roland sitting behind the heavy desk.

Alik stood in front of Roland with a complex expression.

"It's been a while, Alik."

Roland smiled warmly.

"Since the last time we explored a dungeon together when you were still a B-class adventurer."

"Indeed, I never thought we would meet again under these circumstances."

"Well, don't be so formal. Please, have a seat."

Roland pointed to the guest area in front of the Guild Master's desk, where a low table and sofa were set up.

Roland himself moved from his seat and sat opposite Alik.

Alik was surprised by Roland's unexpectedly courteous attitude.

Such humility was unheard of when Lucius was the Guild Master.

"So, about the future of Alik's team..."

(Here it comes.)

Alik braced himself.

"I want to keep Alik's team as it is."

Alik's ears rang.

"What did you say?"

"Alik's team is the only A-class team left. I want you to continue as the backbone of 'Golden Eagle.'"

"But, is that really possible? The financial situation..."

"Of course, it's tough. That's our biggest challenge right now. But I want to do everything I can to keep Alik's team going."

"Roland..."

"For now, it's about dungeon management. 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' needs a team capable of developing large-scale mines. Can you help with that?"

"Of course. I'll do anything to protect my subordinates."

(You haven't changed, Alik.)

Roland felt a nostalgic warmth as he spoke to Alik.

Alik had always been a man with a strong sense of responsibility, and Roland respected him for that.

"However, it can't be completely unconditional."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"I need your cooperation with the reforms I have in mind."

"Reforms... What you mentioned in your speech? What exactly do you have in mind?"

"As I said in the speech, the approach of earning profits through alchemy guilds and the operation of 'Mine Dungeons' and weapon manufacturing has been taken over by 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.' I don't think 'Golden Eagle' can compete with them in this area."

"..."

"I need to find a new source of revenue quickly. I want to start with the management of 'Demon Dungeons.'"

"'Demon Dungeons'?"

"Yes. 'Mine Dungeons' provide alchemy materials, and 'Forest Dungeons' provide potion ingredients, but 'Demon Dungeons' contain many items whose potential is still unknown."

"You want to focus on that?"

"Yes. We need to urgently develop adventurers with high 'Item Appraisal' skills and 'Observation' status."

"..."

Alik nodded, though he was not entirely convinced.

Can we really find items in 'Demon Dungeons' that will generate that much revenue?

It seemed hard to believe.

"Anyway, I need you to prepare to take your team to a 'Demon Dungeon' by tomorrow. Can you do that?"

"Understood. I'll do my best."

The meeting