How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 31

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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 31
At those words, Cedrian found himself reflexively picturing someone’s face.
But instead of thinking in cliché fashion—*Damn it, why am I thinking of that woman of all people?*—he arrived at his conclusion swiftly.
‘She has a slightly eccentric side to her, but the way she works is genuinely competent.’
The Crown Princess was, after all, a partner who would share his political destiny. He needed someone reliable and capable.
And as a Guild Member, it was only natural that he respect and follow his guild leader.
‘Wait—but aren’t I the Crown Prince?’
He suddenly realized that his identity as a Guild Member had overtaken his identity as Crown Prince, and he was genuinely startled. He must have been far too consumed by work lately.
While Cedrian sat alone with his many thoughts, the Emperor observed him quietly and reached a conclusion.
‘If I leave him be, he’ll soon be insisting he’s fallen in love.’
In truth, he had no intention of pressing his son harshly on the matter. As an only child with no rivals competing for the throne, there was no need for him to marry into a powerful family.
Whoever Cedrian ended up with would certainly be a noblewoman. If she came from a modest house, the lack of maternal relatives wouldn’t be a drawback at all.
So the Emperor had decided to watch with interest whatever noblewoman his son might eventually bring home.
If his son truly had fallen in love for the first time, he would soon begin showing the telltale signs.
***
“Now then, I have an announcement to make today.”
With everyone present that morning, I directed their attention toward me.
Ah, the gazes focused upon me. The taste of power truly is exhilarating.
Even if it’s only the power over three people… the Crown Prince who commissioned me must wield something far greater, no? I’m genuinely envious.
“What’s the announcement? Are you giving us another raise?”
Susanna asked with sparkling eyes, so I hastily redirected the conversation. Though I had indeed increased salaries, our guild was still struggling, and we certainly couldn’t match what the big companies offered, so there was no point in elaborating further—I’d only be shooting myself in the foot.
“We decided to have a one-month probationary period, but as of today, I’d like to appoint Morian as a permanent staff member.”
At that, Morian, seemingly unprepared, adjusted his glasses upward.
“Me?”
“Yes. Morian demonstrated competence in this recent commission, and I’ve determined he’s a talent our guild needs. I’d like to continue working with him.”
The fact that his apartment was what ultimately sealed my decision would remain my secret.
Yesterday, after I’d handed some money to his landlady, she swore she’d keep quiet about my visit. She’d sounded genuinely sincere in her money-obsession, really.
“Congratulations, Morian,” Sedrick offered his felicitations lightly.
Susanna, for her part, made a fuss in her typical over-the-top way.
“Morian, does this mean you’re buying us lunch today?”
“No, I’ll just pay for lunch out of the company budget…”
I couldn’t bring myself to tell him to buy lunch—his living situation was too pitiful. To exploit a recent graduate’s wages like that would make me no different from Park Geo-seong.
“Come on, at least say something, will you?”
When Susanna pressed him like that, Morian stood from his seat. Normally so taciturn, but today his expression was somehow solemn.
“I’m grateful and delighted to be joining you going forward. From now on, I’ll personally monitor the flow of all information, and if any risk appears, I’ll eliminate it. I will pursue only truth and become an outstanding member of the Global Information Network Guild.”
He spoke his gratitude convincingly. The man really did have remarkable ability.
At any rate, we applauded for Morian. The two previous employees who’d passed through had been such villains that both Susanna and Sedrick looked genuinely pleased.
“Let’s grow and flourish together in the guild.”
As I said this, I found myself pondering what I needed to report to the Temple.
When recruiting new talent, protocol required me to report their leverage point—the thing that would keep them from leaving the guild—to the Temple as well.
The only leverage point I knew about Morian was that he had very little money. Would the Temple even approve such a leverage point?
‘I don’t want to be petty like the previous guild leader and dig up other leverage points.’
Ultimately, I had no choice but to get it approved through persuasion at the Temple.
After finishing lunch, I headed to the Temple alone.
Sedrick had asked if he could accompany me, but I told him it was impossible.
I couldn’t invite him into such a den of demons.
Upon arriving at the Temple, I encountered Charles, a priest I’d vowed to someday punish.
“You hired a new Guild Member?”
“Yes, I’ve filled the personnel gap.”
“That’s wasteful spending.”
“I don’t plan to increase staffing beyond this.”
“Hmm…”
Charles examined the personal dossier I’d handed over regarding Morian and tilted his head arrogantly.
“So what’s this person’s leverage point for keeping them from leaving the guild?”
“This person has… virtually no money at all.”
“Pfft, that’s a problem that resolves itself if he just gets a job at another company! He could transfer to somewhere better!”
“Yes, but his circumstances aren’t comfortable enough right now to prepare for an immediate change of jobs. I surveyed the apartment where this employee lives, and the conditions were quite poor.”
“Of course! Are you saying some subcontract worker is supposed to afford a home in the Capital? Living in a shabby place is the natural state of affairs!”
I felt a strong urge to drive my fist straight into Charles’s mouth.
“Go back right now and find me a leverage point!”
“What if there isn’t one….”
“Tch, do I really have to spell it out for you?”
He stared at me, eyes wide.
“Get an internal loan and bind this guild to debt! Once someone takes an internal loan, they can’t resign!”
“Our guild can offer internal loans?”
I asked in genuine surprise. This pathetic little guild had money to lend?
“Hah, that much we can manage ourselves, can’t we?”
“Ah, I see. So the Temple can provide internal loans?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself! That’s well within my discretionary authority!”
“Yes.”
“So you’re going to make sure he takes the loan whether he wants to or not!”
By Sedrick’s definition, it was genuinely unjust.
I nodded dutifully in front of him, but my mind was already spinning.
I couldn’t do this anymore. I’d reached my limit.
I’d been trying to humor this foolish priest Charles and use him, but not now. Not anymore.
Strike first.
I murmured our guild’s motto to myself and smiled faintly.
Charles, intermediate priest—you’re done.
***
“Morian, I need to talk with you.”
After returning to the guild, I called him over.
“You’ve heard we have a parent company, right? That we handle subcontracted work for them?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“That parent company is the Temple. We’re subcontractors for them.”
“Wow.”
To my surprise, Morian looked quite satisfied.
“Subcontracting for such a large organization—this is a better guild than I thought.”
These people in this world still didn’t know about the Temple’s misdeeds, after all.
“Hmm, but I do have one question. Do you have any… leverage points?”
“Leverage points?”
Morian looked at me as if I were strange.
“Who volunteers that kind of information about themselves?”
“You’re right….”
This bastard could be sharp when it counted.
“From now on, I’m going to decide what your leverage point is. Listen carefully.”
I stared into his blue eyes over the rim of my glasses.
“You once engaged in Drunk Horseback Riding. That’s why you have trouble getting hired elsewhere. That’s your backstory.”
“What’s the reason for creating such a backstory?”
“It won’t bring you any harm. But remember this: if someone from the parent company comes asking about your leverage point, you tell them it’s the Drunk Horseback Riding incident that makes employment difficult.”
“I don’t understand….”
“It’s the only way to protect yourself. Even if you have no real leverage point, pretend you do. Later, if someone actually tries to use it against you, that’s when you reveal you never had one.”
Morian still didn’t seem to grasp what I was saying, but I patted his shoulder anyway.
“Remember what I just told you.”
After that, I sent a letter to Charles.
It said we’d failed to get Morian to take an internal loan.
By tomorrow, Charles would surely arrive at our guild in a fury.
That would be the beginning of war.

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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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