How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 32

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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, Respectable Guild
32
“Why can’t you do your job properly!”
As expected, the next morning Charles stormed into the Guild Office with a flushed face.
Susanna, already familiar with Temple people, signaled Sedric and Morian to greet him. Charles’s gaze turned toward them.
“So these are the new recruits, then.”
“Yes, Morian and Sedric, sir.”
“What, just because you’re Guild Master now, you think I’m easy to push around? Don’t my words mean anything anymore?”
Then Charles signaled me—a gesture to move to the Reception Room where the other guild members wouldn’t hear.
Once we were inside, he vented his anger at me again.
“I told you to arrange the Internal Loan!”
“Ah, my apologies. The thing is, they wouldn’t—”
“Make them do it anyway!”
Charles barked at me.
“That’s how you get leverage!”
“I’m sorry, Charles. You said you would help arrange an Internal Loan from Temple funds at your discretion, but I’ve made a mess of it.”
“That’s right, I definitely—!”
The moment he spoke, the Reception Room door swung open.
“……!”
Charles’s face went white as he turned toward the door.
A woman with long blonde hair adorned with a Star-shaped Yellow Hairpin stood there.
“Oh, High Priest Aria!”
Charles panicked and bowed deeply. I too inclined my head slightly.
‘I didn’t expect a High Priest to show up in person.’
The day before, as I’d delivered that letter to Charles, I’d also sent one to the higher-ups at the Temple.
It contained, in essence, information that Charles was embezzling Temple funds for his own purposes.
‘The whole thing about the Temple providing Internal Loans is a lie.’
A temple as corrupt as the one depicted in the original work wouldn’t have such benefits. From what I’d seen, the Temple itself was a black company through and through.
Charles had said he could do it “at his discretion.” There was no doubt he was misusing the budget through illegal channels.
So I’d sent the letter to give other priests—those who kept Charles in check—the bait to bite on.
‘I never expected it would reach a High Priest, though.’
I had no direct way to contact someone high up in the Temple.
So I’d used an indirect method.
I’d visited a Restaurant near the Temple—one that advertised frequent deliveries to the Temple.
There, I’d given an employee a small tip and asked a small favor.
The favor was to slip the letter I’d written into “the single most expensive menu item that’s never ordered consistently by one person.”
Whoever ordered something like that would surely be someone of high rank.
But I never expected it would reach all the way to a High Priest!
“Aria…”
The woman called “High Priest Aria” by Charles the Lower Priest regarded him coolly.
“What? Why are you groveling like that? You didn’t do anything wrong to me. Lift your head.”
“It’s just…”
“Managing the Subcontract Guild was your job to begin with. If you act like this in front of them, you’ll lose face.”
Wait? She seems to be taking Charles’s side…
“I mean, yes, you secretly misused Temple funds, but when did we ever have an Internal Loan system? Haha, it was such a novel term I’d never heard it before. Truth be told, even I didn’t know such a system existed—very enlightening of you to tell me!”
Oh no. She’s thoroughly tearing him apart.
Aria was a master of backhanded compliments delivered with a smile.
As her barrage continued, sweat began streaming down Charles’s face.
“Should I report this to the Arch Priest?”
“High Priest Aria, please, just this once—forgive me!”
“You don’t think I’m some kind of Temple thief, do you? No, surely not. Haha!”
“No, of course not!”
“Well, Charles, this isn’t the place for you anyway. You’re probably busy, so go ahead and head back to the Temple. I’ll take care of things here.”
“Yes…?”
“Haha, you’ll probably be demoted to Lower Priest anyway. You’d better hurry back and clear out your office, don’t you think?”
She’s truly remarkable.
Charles left the Reception Room with tears streaming down his face.
Now only Aria and I remained. I bowed quietly before her.
“Your name?”
“Odret Lavandel. Guild Master of this guild.”
“Yes, Guild Master of Lavandel.”
She’d called my name correctly? Just that alone made her far more likeable than that bastard Charles.
“You’re more capable than I expected.”
“Thank you.”
“The way you used your connections to deliver that letter, and finding out beforehand that I like Burnt Cream Rose Pasta—was that it?”
…Was there anyone else besides Susanna who ordered such a dish?
“No. I simply selected the most expensive menu item.”
“You’ve got a sharp mind.”
She smiled as she looked at me.
“The real problem was that the original director was exploiting his employees’ weaknesses, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, but I’ve already gathered information on those weaknesses separately, so there’s no concern.”
“I see.”
Aria studied me thoughtfully.
“A subcontract guild master, capable, with nerve, and… exactly what I need right now.”
“…….”
“I have a proposal for you.”
Aria extended her hand to me. I hesitated, uncertain of her meaning, and she spoke.
“Would you become an Intern Priest at the Temple?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It’s only an internship, you understand. There’s a vast difference between an Intern Priest and a Lower Priest. But as an Intern Priest, you’ll receive compensation, and you’ll have the chance to be recognized as part of the Temple.”
It was an incredible opportunity.
For me, who had been scheming how to extract information from within the Temple and pass it to the Crown Prince, this was a golden chance!
“I hardly know what to say.”
Still, out of propriety I demurred, and Aria spoke as if granting me a favor.
“It’s a freelance contract—you earn based on what you work. The more you do, the more you make, and it’s fine if you take fewer jobs because of your guild work.”
Ah, a freelance contract… Something told me I’d be earning less than minimum wage by the time each task was done.
In any case, after a moment of pretended consideration, I took her hand.
“I’m deeply grateful. I shall gladly follow your will, High Priest Aria.”
“Ha ha!”
She laughed brightly, shook my hand lightly, and then left the Reception Room.
The guild members rose from their seats and stood restlessly. Their eyes darted between me and Aria.
“The new hire?”
“That one over there.”
I pointed to Morian, and Aria asked lightly.
“So the guild master found out your weakness?”
“Pardon? …Ah, well, I actually have this issue with Drunk Riding, so getting hired was basically impossible….”
“Ha ha, makes sense! Never mind! Keep working hard at this guild!”
Aria waved her hand dismissively and left the guild.
Now the office was ours again. The tension drained from me as I sank into my chair, relieved that the plan had succeeded.
“Phew….”
“Guild Master!”
Just then, Morian looked at me with what appeared to be sparkling eyes. Morian, whose gaze usually seemed dull, was making such an expression?
“I’m moved!”
“What?”
“I heard everything—some angry priest shouting inside! Demanding that I take out an Internal Loan….”
“Ah….”
“So you were protecting me from such trouble!”
“Well, yes, something like that….”
My eyes grew distant.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that his family situation had simply been too pitiful, so I deflected vaguely.
“After all, you’re one of my guild members, no matter what anyone says….”
“Good grief, that sense of ownership.”
This time, the comment came from Sedric’s direction.
“That’s exactly the mindset one should emulate. Even in difficult circumstances, the determination to protect your subordinates. That’s the essence of Royal Studies.”
“……?”
“I respect you, Guild Master.”
“Oh, well… yes.”
Since when did Sedric, usually so reserved, show such enthusiasm?
I felt a bit awkward, but Sedric was genuinely looking at me with deep admiration. I could understand Morian, since he was involved, but why Sedric…?
‘What’s gotten into him?’
‘Your judgment was always lacking anyway.’
I caught Susanna’s eye, hoping for support, but that was all the answer I received.
Well, at least I’d earned the guild members’ trust — that had to count for something.

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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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