How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 62

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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 62
About ten minutes passed before our guild members came to their senses.
Since Lucia’s Ability had only just awakened, it was still weak—fortunately, we weren’t permanently trapped by the Ability of Falsehood.
“Did we really fall under an Ability?”
“Amazing!”
“We absolutely weren’t acting. We were certainly—”
I told the Kallierd family as much, just in case, but they were already lost in joy.
“Don’t worry, we understand! We can instinctively recognize an Ability of Falsehood this much!”
The Second Prince, now warm toward us in a way he hadn’t been before, shouted those words.
Held in the arms of the Duchess Kallierd, Lucia wept with happiness for some time before coming to herself and speaking to us.
“Thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay this debt….”
“We cannot let our benefactors leave without even a meal. Prepare a lavish dinner at once, I command it.”
Duke Kallierd approached us after instructing his steward.
“I must offer you my deepest gratitude for finding my daughter.”
He shook hands with proper courtesy, and even bowed at the waist.
Goodness, we were being treated like this.
This was truly a rise in status for our guild—if word of this spread, we might even surpass the already-established popular Information Guilds.
Though I don’t know how the Temple will respond… surely they’ll be pleased thinking we’ve earned the gratitude of the Kallierd family?
“I’m sorry for my disrespect. Thank you for finding my sister.”
Even the Second Prince, who had been so frivolous, said those words.
“Thank you once again.”
The First Prince also bowed with proper courtesy.
Finally, the Duchess gazed at us with glistening eyes.
“I thought the past was something that couldn’t be helped… but thanks to you, I’ve been able to ease my guilt, and my daughter’s heart seems more at peace as well.”
“We were only doing what we ought to have done.”
“Our daughter awakened an Ability… how did you discover it?”
When Duke Kallierd asked, I smiled and answered.
“Lucia seemed to lack confidence in herself. Before that, I had already deduced through a Criminal Investigation expert that she was truly your daughter, but she didn’t believe me. So I simply created visible evidence for her.”
“Ah, how can we ever thank you enough….”
“What a capable guild! Acrylite? I’ll remember that name for sure!”
The Second Prince cried out excitedly.
“Duke, dinner is prepared.”
“Ah, yes. Shall we move then.”
Shortly after, dinner proceeded in a warm atmosphere.
Throughout, Duke Kallierd showed interest in our guild.
“I hear you changed the guild’s name to Acrylite Guild. Were you the guild master from the beginning?”
“Oh, no. Originally I was just a lower member of the guild….”
As I told him the story of how I drove out the corrupt guild master and rose to this position, the Duke’s eyes lit up with interest.
“Oh! It seems you had the charisma of a true guild master from the start! To drive out even a corrupt guild master and corrupt members!”
“Ha ha ha, that’s right.”
I exchanged a knowing glance with Susanna, and she laughed back, remembering that she had been one of those “corrupt members.”
“Ho ho, Guild Master. Why are you looking at me?”
“Ha ha, just because Susanna is dear to me.”
“Ho ho ho, I hope you’ll continue to see me that way….”
But why is Morian eating so intently over there?
“Morian, were you very hungry?”
“Ah, recently someone keeps stealing the ingredients I store in the kitchen refrigerator, so I’ve been a bit famished. If I seemed impolite, my apologies.”
…….
Once I get the performance bonus from this job, I’m telling them to move out of that insane shared house.
“But how did the corrupt guild master escape the Labor Law?”
“Ah, well….”
As I explained about businesses with fewer than five employees and the Empire’s Labor Law, Lucia opened her mouth in shock.
“Goodness! They don’t pay workers their proper wages!”
“That’s right….”
“I understand that feeling too…. I went through hardship at the Orphanage, though the Current Emperor supported us and things improved now. To feed my younger siblings, I was willing to work any job, but people always took advantage of me because I was just a child….”
“Oh, Lucia….”
Surprisingly, the original heroine seemed quite interested in Labor Law. Even I couldn’t make sense of what this fantasy world had become.
“By the way, there’s one more thing I should tell you.”
I spoke without missing the moment.
“We’ve recovered Lucia safely, but we haven’t yet identified the mastermind behind the criminal organization.”
“What do you mean?”
“It appears there’s someone orchestrating the entire criminal network. We’re committed to uncovering them.”
“Is that so…!”
The Duke’s eyes widened.
“Do you have any suspicions?”
“Well, we lack concrete evidence yet… but I do have one request to make.”
Recalling the original story, I spoke.
“If you identify the culprits, please act immediately. They’ll flee at the first sign of discovery. To keep them off guard, I’d ask that you keep the recovery of your true daughter confidential for now.”
“Yes, we now trust the Acrylite Guild above all others.”
The Duke nodded gravely.
Presently, he gestured to his butler, who returned carrying several boxes.
“Modest though it may be, we’ve prepared gifts as repayment for your kindness.”
What are those boxes? My heart’s already racing.
I opened the first box to find it brimming with gold coins and jewels.
“This is our payment for your service in locating my daughter.”
Goodness—since it’s cash, I won’t have to log it in the Guild’s ledgers and can use it freely. I’ll distribute some as performance bonuses and invest the rest in renovating our Guild. First priority: that sofa with the busted spring….
When I opened the second box, an Identity Badge emerged.
“Whenever you require assistance, please do not hesitate to seek our aid. This badge certifies you as someone under the protection of House Kallierd. Additionally, should you have need, our knights stand ready to serve you.”
“I truly cannot thank you enough.”
As we prepared to depart the Duke’s residence, Lucia took my hand.
“Guild Master, would it be all right if I called you Lavendel?”
“Of course.”
“If you don’t mind… I’d like for us to become friends.”
“With me?”
“You seem very intelligent, and I was deeply moved by your words about labor reform.”
“I… what?”
“Though I’ve only read thirty-eight books on labor, I would very much like to become your friend….”
“For a noblewoman to have read that many texts on the subject, I’d say that’s quite impressive.”
…This friendship subplot with the original heroine—I’ve seen it before in many stories, but is this really how it goes?
“Well, it would be an honor for me.”
“I don’t have many friends, so I’m not skilled at friendship, but I’ll do my best to be a good one…!”
“You don’t need credentials or exams to make friends, after all.”
“Really? I’ve always regretted not obtaining my social certification, so thank you for saying that…!”
The original heroine’s character is truly unique.
Just as we were about to leave, the Duke’s voice called out from behind.
“Your name is Sedrick, isn’t it?”
“…Yes.”
“Might I have a word with you?”
What’s this about? I was about to say I’d go with Sedrick when he spoke first.
“Of course.”
“Sedrick, what is this about….”
“…It seems to relate to his former company.”
What in the world does Sedrick’s old company do? I decided I’d need to look into that soon enough, and for now, I let him go.

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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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