How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 71

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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 71
“Phew, honestly, this is the first time I’ve applied for a project like this….”
It was work I’d never handled in my previous life either, so I fell into deep thought. Sedrick spoke from beside me, his eyes still on the documents.
“Don’t worry. This kind of project is my specialty.”
“I’ll trust only you, Sedrick.”
“Yes, yes!”
“That’s definitely Stockholm Syndrome.”
“I had the same thought.”
So Sedrick was more genuinely devoted to our guild than Susanna and Morian. When I looked at Sedrick with admiration, his face flushed with pride.
“All right, then….”
I read through the project carefully.
<National Public Safety Cooperation Guild Recruitment>
-The state hereby recruits public safety cooperation guilds as follows, seeking to establish a collaborative system with private guilds to strengthen public safety:
The project’s purpose was national public safety, and our guild met the qualifications among the recruitment targets….
-Selection Procedure
Phase 1: Document Review
10 guilds selected from applicant pool
Phase 2: Interview and Comprehensive Evaluation
In-person assessment of guilds passing Phase 1
Final 3 guilds selected
-Support Provided to Selected Guilds
Government capital investment and operational funding provided
Partial access to public safety information granted
Priority participation opportunities in national projects and commissions offered
Recognition of official partnership status with government and local administrative agencies
※ Support details may be adjusted following agreement execution
If we secured this project, we wouldn’t just receive funding—we’d also gain access to national information necessary for the work. With partnership opportunities on top of that, it was truly an excellent chance for our Information Guild.
“What kind of work could we do? Let’s start the meeting!”
At my words, the guild members seated around the table raised their voices and began discussing.
“Since we’re an information guild, how about collecting and organizing data on dangerous areas?”
“Data collection is a good idea. But I think what’s most important is us being proactive in preventing crime.”
“Then what about consolidating reports that we receive from security forces and similar authorities?”
“Good. We’d gather that information and create a system that alerts us to danger signals early.”
That’s Sedrick for you! Every time Susanna and Morian offered an idea, he systematized it immediately.
“So we’d create a system that consolidates reports on missing persons, pickpocketing, theft, and the like—and alerts everyone beforehand.”
“But how would we actually build such a system?”
“I think it could work based on statistics….”
At Sedrick’s words, the Tower of Stars immediately came to mind. There would certainly be experts in statistics there.
“How about we include the Tower of Stars as a partner in our proposal? I’ll go into the Tower of Stars myself and try to persuade them.”
I spoke confidently.
“I have a Master’s Degree in Cactus Thorn Evasion, after all.”
“Yes, as long as you establish the partnership well, there should be no problem.”
“If we mention cooperating with the Tower of Stars, I think we’d get bonus points too.”
“Very astute. That would likely fall under bonus point criteria… or so I believe.”
We immediately set about preparing the project proposal.
I went back and forth to the Tower of Stars to meet with experts in statistics, Susanna allocated budgets for how funds would be used, and Sedrick handled all the paperwork.
“It’s complete. This is extremely standard documentation.”
After several days had passed, we had sufficient preparation to submit the project proposal.
The documents Sedrick had written contained the following:
-Public Risk Early Detection Project
This guild judges that most threats to public safety stem from overlooking minor warning signs before incidents occur.
This project aims to detect danger signals early before crime happens, then relay them to the state’s response system.
This guild seeks to contribute to public safety by leveraging the on-site accessibility and information interpretation capabilities unique to private guilds, thereby identifying initial warning signals that the state finds difficult to detect, and hereby applies for this project.
Sedrick’s documents were absolutely flawless.
Project definition and objectives, detailed project content, our guild’s strengths and differentiators, collaborative methods with the Tower of Stars and government, and expected outcomes….
It was precisely the kind of documentation a government office would select as a model.
“Director Sedrick, how did you write something so perfect?”
When I asked with admiration, he avoided my gaze as he answered.
“Well… I tried it a few times at my previous company.”
“Oh, so it was quite a sizeable company after all? Supporting projects like this.”
“Yes, well….”
No matter how much I thought about it, Sedrick’s former company seemed genuinely strange. I’d have to look into it soon.
In any case, while we were marveling at the flawless application, Morian spoke up.
“There is one point I find lacking.”
“Hmm? What point is that?”
“I think adding just one word to the project title would improve it.”
With that, Morian revised the project name as follows:
-Public Risk Early Detection Project
→ First Signal Public Risk Early Detection Project
“Oh! It’s so much better with just that one word! Using foreign language that the government loves, making it look refined while keeping that rustic feel!”
“Exactly. I too believe that captures the government’s mood.”
“…So the government looks refined while being rustic?”
“Ha, that’s not quite it, is it, Sedrick?”
“Yes, well….”
Sedrick, his expression gloomy, handed me the documents.
“At any rate, I’d appreciate your signature, Guild Master….”
“Of course!”
***
After submitting the documents, about a week passed.
During that time, we’d become far more famous thanks to the Kalliard Princess incident, and we found ourselves busy with a flood of incoming work.
Around the time when cooperation with the government had become absolutely necessary, the first-round results were announced.
Since the results were to be posted in front of the Guild Management Bureau, we went to the building at the appointed time. Many people from other guilds had come to check the results as well.
Soon, a staff member emerged from inside the building and posted the paper. And naturally…
“We passed!”
The list showed ‘Acrlight Guild’ holding a prominent place. We had passed the first round of screening.
Now I just hoped we could make it through the second interview. If we do, I’ll need to practice the presentation a bit. I should probably create new presentation materials too.
As I was pondering how to approach the presentation, Sedrick’s expression turned serious.
“However, passing the second round might be somewhat difficult.”
“Why is that?”
“They said only three guilds would advance. Typically, they’d want to select three guilds from non-overlapping fields.”
“Ah, of course. Look—those four over there are Mercenary Guilds. The competition among Mercenary Guilds must be fierce.”
“Yes, but since Mercenary Guilds play an important role in public safety, at least one will definitely be chosen.”
“And then one from the Merchant Guilds, two from the Artisan Guilds, and one more from the Scholarly Guilds.”
“Among those specialized categories, there’s a high probability they’ll pick one. From what I can see, the Scholarly Guilds look like the strongest contenders.”
There were only two Information Guilds in total, including us.
“Surely they’ll pick one Information Guild too, right? Our application was flawless, and with just two of us competing, the odds seem favorable… Oh.”
I fell silent as I confirmed the name of the other guild.
-Darkness Messenger Guild
The Darkness Messenger Guild was a quite well-known establishment. While our guild had recently risen to prominence, the Darkness Messenger Guild, unlike us, was a guild with a long and storied history.
Though their membership wasn’t large, they were known for handling work with capable and refined methods.
“I see. The Darkness Messenger Guild is there.”
“Yes, from my investigation, the Darkness Messenger Guild had been selected for projects like this in the past. This means they have connections with government officials.”
“Hmm….”
“Don’t worry. I’ll still prepare the materials well….”
Perhaps noticing my dampened spirits, Sedrick said this, but my mind was occupied with something else entirely.
‘Darkness Messenger Guild… I’ve heard that name before….’
Not in this world, but in the original work. Why did it appear in the original?
Racking my brain, I finally managed to recall the scenes in which the Darkness Messenger Guild appeared.
‘Ah, that’s the guild that sided with Sedrian in the original after I went to prison!’

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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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