How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 29

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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 Guild
Chapter 29
“Sigh, what do I do…?”
Monday morning found me hunched over documents, drawing lines through them in frustration.
“Could there be a new suspect? Do I need to infiltrate somewhere again? Well, I have a master’s degree in Cactus Spine Evasion Studies, so I can get in!”
I drummed my fingers anxiously and went through the candidates I’d written down once more.
Luna Moor had sworn to me with complete sincerity that she hadn’t leaked anything, so she was absolutely off the hook.
Could I have missed something about the remaining two suspects?
“Park Guard… should I have asked which park his son works at?”
“Park Guard?”
An unexpected voice interrupted my muttering.
It was Morian, who’d been keeping his head down and focusing intently on his assigned work the entire time.
Up until now, he’d been so absorbed in his own tasks that we hadn’t exchanged much conversation, so what was this?
“Yes, park guard.”
“Forgive me, but I must ask—did you interpret that as a park security officer?”
“Well… it’s a loanword, but yes?”
“Not quite.”
Morian pushed his glasses up sharply as he spoke.
“Park Guard is a homeless person.”
“…Pardon?”
“What was the situation?”
“It was like this…”
I outlined the general circumstances to him, and Morian nodded as if understanding.
“He simply couldn’t stand what his son was doing, so he threw him out of the house. But he was too embarrassed to admit he’d kicked him out, so he said he was a park guard instead.”
……
It was absurd, but my trust in Morian actually went up a notch. Maybe he’d turn out to be more useful than expected?
“Morian, so you know who the culprit is?”
“Well…”
Morian tilted his head as he studied the last section of the documents I’d organized.
“You wrote here that Viscount Hyacinth frequents the Magic Tower while scheming to target the Military Department’s minister.”
“Yes.”
In my assessment, Viscount Hyacinth is the culprit.”
“Why?”
“Look at the title of the leaked paper that you noted down, Guild Master.”
—Research on Defense Asset Preservation Paradigms through Non-Linear Moat-Based Threat Mitigation Systems
“I have absolutely no idea what that even means.”
“It seems to basically be saying to use moats during combat.”
……
“In conclusion, it’s a paper related to military affairs.”
“But then why would Viscount Hyacinth…?”
“If a defense-related paper from the Beneti Empire leaks to the Norian Kingdom, the Norian Kingdom will naturally begin to suspect there’s a spy stealing military secrets. Their vigilance about military strength will heighten considerably, and he likely intends to exploit that opportunity.”
“Ah! That’s right. When I investigated, Viscount Hyacinth’s academic background was in military science.”
With that, the pieces started falling into place. If I dug deeper into Viscount Hyacinth, I’d figure it out.
“Thank you, Morian.”
“No problem.”
Hmm…
I glanced at Morian’s retreating back.
This time I’d had no expectations whatsoever, but Morian might actually be a competent employee beneath all his bluster and packaging.
I’d need to watch him a bit longer and properly integrate him into our guild.
***
“Ratel, based on our investigation, the culprit is Viscount Hyacinth.”
When Ratel visited again a few days later, I sat down with Cedric and handed him the materials containing the additional evidence we’d gathered.
“Creating danger just to throw himself into politics! How utterly unjust!”
Cedric seemed both shocked and furious upon learning the truth. He really did have a passion for justice.
“Indeed…”
Ratel’s eyes widened as he examined our evidence.
“Yes, with this the case is resolved.”
“Thank you. I should be going then—”
“Wait a moment!”
I quickly caught Ratel’s arm.
“You’ll need to pay the balance before you leave.”
This was a crucial matter. The advance covered half the commission, but the rest was due on completion.
Ratel then patted his pockets as if he’d suddenly remembered, only to have his expression fall.
“I don’t have it on me….”
“I’m sorry?”
No, absolutely not—I can’t let someone skip out on payment! Wait, no. But they’re from the Tower of Stars, so they’ll come back and settle up, won’t they?
“Then perhaps you could return with the payment at a later time….”
“That won’t suffice.”
Just then, Cedric, who’d been sitting beside me, chimed in with a suddenly grave tone.
“Compensation for labor is a serious matter. Interest should be charged as well.”
Oh, Cedric. Interest over a few days? Still, I suppose there’s no harm in it—and I rather like this mercenary streak of his. Very fitting for a guild member, and it pleases me.
“Since I don’t have it now, then….”
Ratel reached into his coat instead and produced something. It was a ring with a plain, sturdy design.
“I’ll bring the money when I return, so for now, take this as collateral….”
“What is this?”
“A Disposable Appearance-Changing Ring.”
“An appearance-changing ring?”
This is the same item that the original heroine, Princess Calliard, used in that investigation I conducted for the Crown Prince’s commission!
From what I understand, this “item” occasionally exists in the Empire as evidence of miracles worked by the High Priest.
There’s no magic in this world, but there is Supernatural Ability.
When the High Priest performs miracles, he sometimes channels his power into items, and I’ve heard such things command astronomical prices.
Ordinary people never even get a glimpse of them, yet here I am receiving something so valuable!
“But don’t appearance-changing items require registration when they’re traded?”
Even in private transactions, ownership records should be kept. It’s such a strictly controlled item precisely because it could cause chaos in the Empire.
“Ah, well, since it’s a disposable… it has a short duration, and it’s slightly defective anyway….”
“So a low-grade disposable doesn’t require registration, then.”
I readily accepted Ratel’s gift.
“So if I wear this, my appearance will change?”
“It’s pre-set, so when you put it on, your eyes will turn brown….”
“That’s truly an amazing item!”
“There are bracelets and watches too, in various forms, but this was all I had with me….”
At those words, Cedric’s expression became oddly strained. Was he thinking the item wouldn’t fetch much money? I tried to reassure him.
“It’s fine. In any case, it’s made of gold, so we can sell it for cash if needed. Or we could use it for Information Guild work.”
“True enough, haha.”
Why was he laughing like that—with an artificial smile that didn’t suit him?
In any case, I looked up at Ratel with bright, eager eyes.
“But is there a reason the automatic eye color change is brown?”
“Yeah, it’s the most popular option….”
“Why is that?”
“Because brown doesn’t stand out as much….”
“I suppose that makes sense.”
Cedric flinched again. Perhaps it bothered him that brown was his own eye color—but as Ratel said, when the main character needs to disguise themselves as a background extra, brown is the least conspicuous choice.
“I had no idea such an item existed. Thank you so much!”
“The pleasure was mine….”
After Ratel left, I gazed down at the ring with delight.
“Guild Master, how do you intend to use that ring?”
“If finances become tight, I could sell it. But I think it’ll be far more useful than that. We could wear it during infiltration missions when gathering information, couldn’t we?”
“I suppose so….”
Something occurred to me, and I joked lightly.
“Or, imagine this—I put on the ring, work overtime, and when the government gives a thank-you gift for the overtime work, I insist we’re two different people. Might come in handy if someone’s shorting us on overtime pay.”
“.…”
At those words, Cedric’s face grew serious. Oh, I’d forgotten—I’m the Guild Master now. That joke wasn’t really appropriate for someone in my position, unlike when I was just an ordinary member.
“I, I was just joking. Besides, you said it’s disposable anyway.”
“.…”
“Could you stop looking at me like that with such suspicious eyes…?”

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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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