How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 39

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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 Decent Small Guild
Chapter 39
I was still making sense of why Cedric possessed such abundant information when the door opened and an elegant middle-aged woman with her hair swept up made her entrance.
“I’m not sure which individuals requested to see me….”
“Good afternoon, Madam. We’re from the Aclite Guild.”
“The Aclite Guild? I’ve never heard that name before.”
“It’s an information guild. We had a different name originally, but we changed it recently.”
“I haven’t the faintest idea. But what brings you here?”
She folded her arms, regarding us with a look of disdain.
“Don’t tell me you’ve come to ask us to hand over our clients’ information. I’ve received such brazen proposals from information guilds before, but we would never betray our clients’ trust in such a manner, would we?”
“And yet, I believe you yourself are in need of assistance.”
“Hmm.”
The Madam’s gaze turned toward Cedric.
“This is precisely the opportunity you need to surpass the Wave Salon. If you join hands with us, you’ll be able to reach the top of the industry.”
“And why should I trust you?”
“Aren’t you curious how we discovered your true name? We have sufficient capabilities as an information guild.”
“I’ll grant you have ability, but… I have much to offer, whereas what you can offer me remains unclear.”
“Just as you provide us information about the nobility, we will furnish you with the information necessary to conduct your business.”
“Business? What sort of—”
While the Madam still held her chin high, Cedric spoke in a low voice.
“In two days’ time, a Tax Audit will be conducted at the Imperial Palace targeting salons.”
“…What did you say?”
Wait—how does Cedric know this? I sat quietly, trying to mask my astonishment, when the Madam leaned forward with excitement.
“No, if that’s true… Well, two days gives me time to prepare. But how can I trust—”
“You can simply verify whether my words are true in two days’ time, can you not?”
“…I suppose you’re right.”
“And if my words prove truthful, what will you do?”
“Well then, I’ll join hands with you. Though I won’t know if this is genuine until we see what happens.”
“Excellent. I will call on you again in four days.”
As we left the Madam to her conflicted thoughts, I caught hold of Cedric and asked him.
“Chief Cedric, how did you know that?”
“…It’s nothing remarkable. I noticed a pattern in the Imperial Household’s recent Tax Audit records.”
“A pattern?”
“Yes, recently they’ve been investigating places connected to the nobility, and salons are all that remains. Thursday in two days is the best timing—if they conduct the audit on Friday, the establishments would have to work through the weekend to recover.”
“Ah….”
I was impressed by Cedric’s competence, which exceeded my expectations. With abilities like that, other companies would surely want to recruit him.
“It’s unjust work, abandoning my principles, but to envision a long-term future, this much is….”
“Chief Cedric, you absolutely must stay with our guild.”
I suddenly grabbed both his hands and looked up at him. His brown eyes wavered, startled.
“If you want, I’ll adjust the terms further, so you need to stay in my guild. Understood?”
“…O-of course.”
***
“Hehehehe, I succeeded!”
Susanna announced triumphantly.
“I naturally infiltrated the Fan Club, made many friends, and signed a contract to exchange information going forward!”
“That’s amazing, Agent Susanna! Youth and sensibility really do make a difference!”
Seeing that she craved praise, I flattered her generously, and she beamed with satisfaction.
“Did you know? That popular stage actor Robinson has a woman living with him!”
“Is it an affair?”
“No, he just has a woman living with him.”
“Then why is that a problem?”
“Oh, you really don’t understand fans’ hearts, Guild Master! This is a betrayal of his fans!”
Hmm, the hearts of fans are a realm I know little about, so I’ll leave future matters concerning celebrities to Susanna.
“And Agent Morian?”
“I too have achieved success. I became friends with the civil service exam study group, signed a contract, and gathered considerable information.”
“For instance?”
“A Jeonse Scam occurred recently in District 8.”
Damn it! Another poor early-career worker got fleeced! If only this kind of thing matched modern Korea, what are we supposed to do?
“Precisely the sort of matter the Imperial Household ought to address.”
Cedric muttered something solemnly to himself, but I paid it no mind. The man was so fond of justice, after all.
More importantly, the fact is that we’ve also entered into a contract with the Music Salon.
“Good heavens, a Tax Audit really did come!”
The information Cedric had provided turned out to be accurate, and Madam Ariana had come to trust us completely. Only after confirming that we had much to gain from each other did we finalize the contract.
“This expands the channels through which we can gather information quite a bit.”
“Hehe, you said it! It’s all thanks to you, Guild Master!”
“Susanna, why are you flattering me again? Do you need something?”
“Well, today’s lunch could come from the corporate budget….”
“Fine, I’ll cover it.”
“Yes!”
We each ordered pasta and ate while boasting about the progress we’d made so far.
Thanks to Cedric’s publicity, the guild’s new name had spread, Morian had gathered a variety of information, and Susanna had methodically organized the budget. The guild was finally beginning to take proper shape.
“It’s all thanks to you all. Now that we’ve sealed the contract, I’ll add a bonus to this month’s salary.”
“You’re the best, Guild Master!”
“Always in your debt, and thank you, Guild Master.”
“Morian, why do you insist on mixing in foreign words with grammatically incorrect usage?”
As we continued our casual conversation that way, I found my thoughts turning back to our work.
“So… what other potential partners might be left to connect with?”
We’d already formed links with nobles, celebrities, and commoners—so what remained was….
“Knights or mercenaries?”
The moment I muttered that, Morian responded immediately.
“Most information guilds do have connections in that sector.”
“Then we should build one too. But not just any ordinary outfit—I’d like to establish links with reputable mercenary guilds and knight orders.”
“That sector is equally secretive, so it won’t be easy.”
This time, Cedric offered his counsel.
“They can resolve most matters themselves, so they likely won’t feel the need to seek help from an information guild.”
“Is that so? Then there’s nothing for it but to seek them out directly.”
One place came to mind first.
The Platinum Mercenary Corps.
Along with the Red Rose Salon, the Tower of Stars, and the Golden Scale Society, a faction that held considerable power in the original work.
“Would it be difficult to establish a cooperative relationship with the Platinum Mercenary Corps?”
“That would be nearly impossible.”
Cedric spoke with certainty.
“The Platinum Mercenary Corps is likewise a secretive organization whose leadership remains unknown.”
“I see….”
I called to mind what I knew from the original work.
Of course, I knew who the leader of the Platinum Mercenary Corps was.
But I had no way to win the favor of their commander.
Even if I sought out the mercenary captain, I had nothing to offer him….
‘Wait, perhaps….’
I recalled someone who might serve as an intermediary.
‘If it were that person, wouldn’t they be willing to help me?’
***
Not long after, I sat across from Marquis Heindel alongside Cedric.
“It’s been a long time, Marquis Heindel.”
“Yes, quite some time indeed….”
For some reason, Marquis Heindel was addressing Cedric as he spoke.
But why has he been speaking to us in formal tones since last time?
“How are things with your wife these days?”
At that question, the marquis broke into a smile.
“I was able to deal with the one who dared threaten my wife, and we’ve managed to preserve our relationship. Now my wife no longer needs to sacrifice herself for my sake—I’ve made sure to secure that promise as well.”
“I’m glad to hear that. It’s turned out well indeed.”
After exchanging these pleasantries, I broached the main topic.
“Marquis Heindel, do you happen to know of a way to approach the Platinum Mercenary Corps?”

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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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