Chapter 54

As the second team members celebrated their victory in securing a compromise from Roland, Miguel, Aina, Oscar, and the others, who had been ordered by Roland to change their equipment and training, gathered at a corner table, sipping their drinks uncomfortably.

"Hey, are you guys drinking?"

One of the second team's officers approached Miguel and the others.

"Oh, yes."

"A little while ago, Captain Isto gave us new instructions. It seems the second team will continue negotiating with the Guild Master until the 22nd. You guys should also continue to ignore the Guild Master's orders."

"Hmm..."

Miguel and the others, unsure of what to say, looked down.

"What's wrong with you guys, looking so down? Listen, you haven't done anything wrong. Just be proud. Miguel, no matter what the Guild Master says, don't follow his orders. If the Guild Master targets you, come to me for advice. I'll protect you for the sake of the second team's reputation."

"...Yes."

The officer said this and then returned to where Isto and the others were.

Miguel and the others sighed.

"Wow. We've gotten ourselves into a real mess."

"Seriously, I wish the upper management would stop involving us in their power struggles."

They all wore gloomy expressions.

At the 'Golden Eagle,' such situations were commonplace.

They, as adventurers, had their own thoughts about neglecting their training and only paying attention to their superiors, but they couldn't deny the stability it provided.

"What are we even doing?"

"There's nothing we can do. At the 'Golden Eagle,' we don't even have the right to voice our opinions."

"Anyway, we shouldn't make any rash moves. We don't know where the bullets will come from. We should try to be nice to everyone and just get through this."

"Yeah."

"That's the best we can do."

While Isto and the others were drinking at the bar, Roland had called Clarissa to the Guild Master's office.

"Did you call for me, Guild Master?"

"Clarissa, thanks for coming. I have a favor to ask."

Roland invited Clarissa inside and then briefly looked around the corridor to make sure no one was listening.

Diana had already gone home, but Roland double-checked to be safe before returning to his seat.

Clarissa, seeing his actions, realized that she was about to receive a top-secret mission.

"Is it something you can't tell anyone else?"

"Yeah. To be honest, I was hesitant to ask you to do this... but I trust you."

"Please tell me what it is."

Clarissa leaned forward and said.

"If I can be of any help to the Guild Master, I will gladly accept any task."

"Alright. But this is a top-secret mission. You must not tell anyone, not even me. Especially be careful around Diana..."

"Diana? Understood. I'll be careful."

Roland, satisfied that Clarissa understood the gravity of the mission, began to speak carefully.

"An investigation into the second team...?"

"Yeah, lately, I've been feeling something off about the second team."

"...What do you mean?"

"They're being too aggressive in negotiations. It's as if they know our financial situation and are pushing for the maximum they can get. I suspect someone is leaking information to them..."

"I see. So you want me to investigate the information leak?"

"That too. But more importantly, I want you to find out the true purpose of the second team (since the informant is Diana, it's fine to let them continue for now)."

"True purpose?"

"I don't think their goal is to sabotage my plans. They've compromised when we've offered concessions. I suspect they're aiming for some kind of promotion, but they haven't said anything. It could be a raise, better treatment, or a contract renewal... I know they're competing with the Alik team for some reason, but they're still hiding their true intentions. Whether they're deliberately not saying it or can't say it, we can't afford to waste any more time and money on this. I need you to find out what they want from me and what they're hiding."

"Understood. I'll do my best. But..."

"What is it?"

"Do you think I can handle such a difficult task?"

Roland, taken aback for a moment, couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha. Don't worry. I'm sure you can handle it without any problems."

This time, it was Clarissa's turn to be surprised.

[Clarissa's Skills]

Secret Treaty: B → A

Information Extraction: B → A

(Clarissa, you don't even realize your own talents.)

Roland couldn't help but feel affectionate towards people who were unaware of their own abilities.

(When I first appraised your skills, I wondered if it was right to cultivate them... but now I have no doubts. Even if your skills turn against me, I won't regret anything. I need to guide skills that are lost and confused. That's my duty, as Lily taught me.)

"You can take a break from 'Spirit Factory' and 'Guardian of the Magic Tree' related tasks for a while. Focus on this case."

"Yes, understood."

"Clarissa, and one more thing..."

"Yes?"

"You don't have to call me 'Guild Master.' Just call me 'Roland' like before."

"Yes, Roland."

Clarissa said, looking pleased.

After that, Roland quietly handled routine tasks.

He ignored the negotiations with the second team and the management of the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld,' focusing only on tasks he could control, spending his time waiting for Clarissa's report.

If he made any rash moves, there was a risk that Clarissa's actions would be exposed.

Clarissa, following Roland's orders, had been subtly gathering information from the second team members.

The second team, having recently lost popularity due to a lack of notable achievements, readily accepted the advances of a young woman.

They easily revealed their inner workings to Clarissa, who treated them to drinks and flattery.

They even boasted about it.

"......So, the S-class monster hunting team will have to wait a bit longer."

At the 'Spirit Factory,' Roland said to Jill, looking apologetic.

"......I see."

"I'm sorry. We were just about to improve the 'Dragon Slayer Hammer.'"

"No, it's fine. Roland, please prioritize your work. Being a Guild Master is a tough job."

"Yeah. Thanks."

(Roland, are you okay?)

Jill, worried, observed Roland's troubled expression.

What came to her mind was the conversation she had overheard in the waiting room.

They had said that Roland was isolated among the 'Golden Eagle' officers.

(I want to help Roland, but I don't understand the business side of things...)

In the end, Jill focused on the tasks Roland had assigned her.

In her free time, she patrolled the 'Golden Eagle' headquarters, looking for anyone spreading rumors about Roland.

When she found such people, she interrogated them without hesitation to find out who was behind the rumors.

(I don't know who is trying to bring Roland down and for what purpose, but if I find them, I won't wait for orders. I'll bring them to Roland and expose them!)

However, despite her efforts to eliminate the troublemakers, she couldn't find the mastermind spreading the rumors.

The person trying to bring down Roland was operating very skillfully.

On the 21st, Clarissa finally returned with the information Roland needed.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Roland."

"Clarissa. Did you get any good information? What happened?"

"Yes. After probing a few members of the second team, they readily revealed their true intentions."

"Really? Then, tell me what you found out."

"Yes. The second team is afraid that the Alik team will be assigned to the 'Dungeon of the Mines' next season."

"The 'Dungeon of the Mines'? Why would they be afraid of that?"

As he said this, Roland suddenly realized.

(Come to think of it, they were fixated on the 'Dungeon of the Mines' during the meeting.)

"They believe that the Guild Master's focus on the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld' is temporary and that, in the end, the 'Dungeon of the Mines' will receive the most benefits. They have also been dissatisfied with the Alik team being favored over them since before Roland became Guild Master. During the Lucius era, the second team was originally responsible for the 'Dungeon of the Mines,' but they were replaced by the Alik team, which they still hold a grudge over."

"But, considering their overall strength and achievements..."

"Yes, so they have been trying to surpass the Alik team in overall combat power, even by embellishing their skills and stats..."

"So, they are unhappy that the Alik team might be favored over them in the next season's dungeon exploration. Is that it?"

"Yes, that seems to be the case."

Roland put his hand on his forehead and bowed his head.

(In the end, it's just territorial. Competing over this and even falsifying reports, which ultimately weakens the team's combat power. This is counterproductive.)

"Did you find out anything about the informant leaking our information?"

"I'm sorry. I tried to get information, but they wouldn't talk... However, the person inciting them is not Diana. I tried to probe them using Diana's name, but they didn't show any suspicious behavior."

"...I see."

(The second team is not directly connected to Diana... So, there is someone else inciting the second team?)

"Thank you, Clarissa. I now understand what the second team is thinking. I'll handle the rest. You can return to your regular duties."

After that, Roland called Isto and the others to the Guild Master's office again.

They stood before Roland with stern faces, showing no signs of compromise or relaxation.

"What is it, Guild Master?"

"I need your help with something."

"Help?"

"Yes, I want you to develop the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld' with the Alik team."

"Guild Master, as we've said before, we can't work under the Alik team..."

"But in exchange!"

Roland interrupted Isto.

"I plan to allocate the highest budget to the second team next season."

Isto's expression changed, and he stopped speaking.

"Furthermore, I want you to take charge of the 'Dungeon of the Mines' next season. If you can successfully explore the 'Dungeon of the Mines,' I will allow you to call yourselves the 'Golden Eagle' first team."

When Roland finished speaking, the room fell silent.

(Will they refuse? This is the best compromise I can offer now...)

"Guild Master..."

Isto, breaking the silence, spoke solemnly.

"Yes?"

"We, the second team, swear our loyalty to you."

Isto smiled and said.

The second team members saluted Roland.

"Then, about the dungeon management..."

"Of course, we will fully cooperate."

(These guys... Is it okay? Taking charge of the 'Dungeon of the Mines' next season means they will have to fight Roland's team, the 'Guardian of the Magic Tree.' Is it really okay?)

Roland observed Isto and the others, but they all had clear, smiling faces.

There was no sign of hesitation or doubt about fighting Roland's team.

(Without Sebastien, you can't possibly win against Roland's team... Is it really okay?)

However, since they had agreed, there was no point in further interference.

Roland informed Alik about the second team's cooperation in the management of the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld' and their assignment to the 'Dungeon of the Mines' next season.

Alik's face clouded with dissatisfaction.

"I understand that you prioritize the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld,' but the 'Dungeon of the Mines' has always been our responsibility. There was no need to go so far to accommodate the second team..."

It seemed he had expected to be in charge of the 'Dungeon of the Mines' next season.

He grumbled for a while.

However, when Roland explained that the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld' had more potential resources and that it was for the sake of protecting the 'Golden Eagle' and, more specifically, the Alik team's employment, Alik reluctantly agreed.

Even Alik seemed to be attached to the superficial face-saving competition.

(Roland, even after all that, the officers don't understand what you're trying to achieve with the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld.')

Roland, realizing that his ideas had not permeated the guild, felt disappointed.

(Sigh. The people of the 'Golden Eagle'... Really...)

Roland sighed deeply.

After that, the second team became surprisingly cooperative.

The issues regarding the development of the 'Dungeon of the Netherworld,' the training policy, and cooperation with the Alik team were quickly resolved.

Roland's reforms were starting to take shape.

Time passed quickly.

The power struggle seemed to be coming to an end, and the 'Golden Eagle' members focused on their training and work with relief.

Roland, with his concerns resolved, dedicated himself to guild management.

The management of the dungeons, the training of the teams, and the operation of the 'Spirit Factory' proceeded without any major issues.

As the current season's dungeon management entered its final stages, Roland called a man to the Guild Master's office.

The man entered the room, yawning and looking sleepy.

"Yawn. What is it? At this critical time for the dungeon management. I'm busy with the final push."

"Are you Gilbert?"

"Yes, I'm the lowly team member Gilbert. So, what does the Guild Master want with me at such a busy time? If it's not important, I'd rather do it later."

"I've investigated the skill and stat embellishment that was rampant between the second and third teams. It seems you were the one who gave the orders."

When Roland said this, Gilbert's sleepy expression vanished, and he became serious.

He glared at Diana, who was standing in the corner of the room.

Diana quickly looked away.

(Damn, she ratted me out.)

Gilbert turned back to Roland with a sly smile.

"Yes, that's right. The skill and stat embellishment that started during the Sebasta era was led by none other than me, Gilbert."

Roland appraised Gilbert's skills.

[Gilbert's Skills]

Spear Mastery: B

Incitement: A

Cultivation: A

Skill Appraisal: A

(With 'Cultivation A' and 'Skill Appraisal A,' you could have cultivated adventurers without embellishing skills...)

"What were you thinking? How much trouble have you caused the guild..."

"True, I embellished skills and stats. But what's wrong with that? I just gave a temporary taste of success to those who would never have a chance otherwise. In fact, many adventurers, suffering under Lucius's tyranny, were able to renew their contracts and stay. Heh. In other words, I saved them."

"Stupid. Do you really think this will last forever?"

"Listen, Roland. You should know this from your own experience. In this guild, what matters more than actual performance is how loud you can speak and how you present yourself. Even if you lack substance, as long as you have a good facade, it doesn't matter. I used to advise everyone to improve their skills, but the people in this guild... They only think about short-term gains and superficial evaluations. I was disappointed. Roland, you've seen their attitudes, haven't you? They don't even feel guilty when questioned about embellishing their skills and stats. It's pointless to try to improve the guild with sincerity. It's ridiculous."

Gilbert shrugged.

Then, he sent a friendly smile to Roland.

"Listen, Roland, you, who were once expelled, should understand. This guild is rotten to the core."

"But that ends today. Now that I'm the Guild Master, I won't overlook such corruption! Gilbert, I'm expelling you from the 'Golden Eagle.'"

Gilbert twisted his lips into a sneer.

"Heh, I see. That's fine. I'll observe from the outside. I'll watch as you, Roland, corrupt the 'Golden Eagle' just like Lucius did."

"I won't become like Lucius."

"Is that so? Roland, you're already making the same mistakes as Lucius. Favoring the second team, who committed fraud, over the Alik team, who have been loyal to you. You're already getting used to the taste of power. 'If you associate with the red, you'll turn red.'"

"Is that all you have to say? No matter how much you try to justify yourself, my decision won't change."

Roland pointed to the door.

"Leave this guild immediately. Forever!"

Gilbert snorted and reached