How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 21

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Survive in a Small-Scale Guild
Chapter 21
“This is rich. They were embezzling government funds behind our backs.”
Charles, the priest sitting before us with his legs splayed out in that insufferable way, had just spoken. I felt a sudden urge to strike his knee and force them together.
“Of course this shouldn’t have happened at all. How dare they pocket money without our knowledge?”
Fortunately, Charles seemed to agree with dismissing the previous Guild Master.
“Still, it was presumptuous of you to act without reporting to us first.”
“I apologize. But the previous Guild Master was trying to destroy evidence, so we had no choice.”
“What do you mean, no choice? You could have found another way.”
Here we go—nitpicking has begun.
Susanna, unaccustomed to the Temple’s tyranny, seemed barely maintaining her composure, while I tried to respond with greater composure than she managed.
“You’re absolutely right, Charles. We’ll learn from this. Thank you for the guidance.”
“So we’ll need a new Guild Master. Are you thinking of taking that role, Odret?”
He looked down at me with a contemptuous smile. I felt an urge to punch him in the face.
“I’m skeptical whether someone as incompetent as you can actually serve as Guild Master.”
“I’ll do my best for the Temple.”
“Hmm, we could always dispatch one of our Junior Priests instead. Actually, now that it’s come to this, we might as well bring it under our direct control and manage it ourselves.”
No, that won’t work. I felt unease rising and began rolling my eyes mentally, considering what skills I could deploy.
Just as the Art of War exists, I too had the Corporate Survival Strategy to rely on for navigating the corporate world.
Wait—Charles the Intermediate Priest probably wanted to be promoted to High Priest anyway.
“Of course, I’ve always trusted your judgment. If you felt I wasn’t adequate, then your assessment must be correct.”
Corporate Survival Strategy skill number 32: Flattery.
“But I truly want to work by your side, Charles. Aren’t you someone with great promise? I’d like to learn under your guidance.”
Corporate Survival Strategy skill number 19: Line Riding.
“Hmm… so you’re saying you’d ride my coattails, is that it?”
“Ha, shameful as it is to admit, there’s no one with a stronger foundation than Intermediate Priest Charles, surely? You’ll naturally climb the ranks.”
“What? Are you mocking me? There’s no position to climb to right now.”
Corporate Survival Strategy skill number 42: ‘The fault lies with those above who fail to recognize your talent’ activation.
“The higher-ups may not yet recognize your talents, Intermediate Priest Charles, but with the guild management, things will surely work out. Our guild’s achievements will be your achievements.”
“Hmm, that’s good.”
He slowly reached for his seal.
“Actually, I don’t have to worry about betrayal from you. You can’t exactly get a job anywhere else, can you?”
“No, this is the only place I have to go.”
“I find it grating that you have heretic parents, but I’ll show you special mercy. This is the very picture of tolerance, isn’t it?”
“Your embodiment of the Prophet’s will is truly admirable.”
Finally, the seal pressed slowly onto the document.
Looking at my Guild Master approval papers, I barely managed to hold back tears of gratification.
“Good. Do well from now on.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Oh, and you know that if you excel in the Guild Master position, we’ll accept you as an Intern Priest too, right?”
Is an Intern Priest below a Junior Priest? This really is like a modern corporation.
“Yes, that would be an honor.”
Once I’m promoted to Intern Priest, I can extract even more Temple information, can’t I? My eyes gleamed.
Right then—I’ll build achievements as Guild Master, earn recognition from the Temple, and extract information to cooperate with the Crown Prince.
Wait, though—why hasn’t the Crown Prince been in touch lately?
***
Unable to wait any longer, I decided to call the Crown Prince myself. I had his contact number, which I’d received from his aide Eric the last time.
“Yes, this is Odret Lavendel.”
—Ah, one moment please.
I heard Eric’s voice on the other end, and then it was quickly replaced by the Crown Prince’s.
—So, what’s the matter?
Hmm? But the voice sounds somehow familiar.
Well, I’ve never been good at distinguishing people’s voices. It must be a mistake.
“I’m calling to report that as of today, I’ve become the new Guild Master.”
—I see.
“Wait—did you already know?”
—How could I have?
“You seem so unfazed by it.”
—I… when I’m truly shocked, I become calm. That’s quite impressive!
What’s with that sudden theatricality?
“In any case, I’ll make sure to gather information well from now on. But you haven’t been in touch lately. Are you perhaps very busy…?”
—I’ve been rather occupied these days. Work piles up.
“Ah, I see.”
Well, the Crown Prince must be busy with his own duties as well.
—Your Highness, dual responsibilities like this are truly too much—.
—Be quiet, Eric.
Before the call ended, I heard what sounded like bickering voices through the receiver, though I paid it no mind. The Crown Prince and his aide seemed to be quite close.
***
Today was the inauguration ceremony for the new Guild Master. Of course, the only attendees were myself, Susanna, and Cedric—just three of us—and the venue was our company office.
“Good day, everyone. I am Odret Lavendel. As of today, I am taking office as the new Guild Master of the Global Information Network Guild.”
Susanna offered mechanical applause. Cedric glanced about uncertainly before following her lead.
“I owe my rise to this position entirely to your support. I am truly grateful for the encouragement you’ve all shown me. I intend to develop this guild by…”
Yawn—.
Susanna yawned openly. Well, there was no helping it. I shifted tactics on the spot.
“Starting now, the guild will be able to purchase coffee mix, tea bags, and snacks for the break room out of guild funds!”
“Hooray!”
Susanna’s face brightened at once as she cheered.
“Now, when guests visit, we no longer need to make those awkward excuses about buying coffee with our own money—we can serve it generously, courtesy of the guild!”
“The welfare of the empire’s citizens appears to be improving.”
Cedric nodded, as though he’d been observing this guild long enough to feel the weight of that sentiment.
“Furthermore, I will be raising everyone’s current salary by seven percent!”
“Eeeee! Guild Master Odret, you’re the best!”
Susanna’s expression turned touched. Even if she earned income from her essays, a stable job mattered.
“Additionally, I will grant each guild member one paid day off per month—fully paid, mind you, not unpaid leave!”
“The justice of the empire is being set right.”
That Cedric certainly knew how to lay on the flattery.
“That’s not all! I will be installing dividers at each of your workstations!”
“Excellent!”
“The working environment is being properly improved.”
This was genuinely important for welfare—important enough that any new recruits would expect to see it listed among the benefits. At last, everyone could escape that oppressive feeling of being watched constantly and work comfortably within their own partitioned space!
My inauguration ceremony concluded peacefully amid the cheers of the two guild members.
As I was moving my belongings to the Guild Master’s desk, Cedric asked a question.
“So then, deputy… no, Guild Master. Do you have further plans ahead?”
“First, we need to recruit more staff. To become a business with five or more employees, there are complex procedures involved, so perhaps it’s still early, but… I’d like to hire one more capable person. Preferably someone with experience.”
Though I had my doubts about whether any experienced professional would actually want to join a guild like this.
“We’ll be changing the guild’s name, renovating the building… there’s much to do ahead. I look forward to your continued cooperation, Cedric.”
“…Of course.”
“Guild Master, why don’t you ask me for my cooperation too?”
“Because our Susanna here has already earned my trust?”
“Hehe, you do have a way with flattering words, don’t you?”
“Ha, shall we reminisce about our past together?”
“Oh no, I just think this side of you—as Guild Master—is rather nice…”
Watching the guild tumble along chaotically as usual, I smiled with quiet satisfaction.
Since I’ve now firmly seized control of this guild, all that remains is to change the original story’s future.
I will make this guild strong, stand alongside the Crown Prince—the protagonist of the original tale—and survive come what may.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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