How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 73

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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 73
Anyone could see that the title “Next Signal” was copied from our “First Signal,” but the title alone didn’t tell us whether their service was identical to ours. “Public Safety Management” was such a broad term, after all.
“Did you find out what they’re actually offering?”
“No. Apparently they can’t disclose that kind of information as a matter of principle. It seemed like they only mentioned the title change out of pity for us.”
“Money didn’t work either.”
“That’s right. The current Royal Court is conducting strict audits of official misconduct and corruption.”
Sedrick suddenly interjected.
“Then by the same logic, the Shadow Lion Guild wouldn’t know the details of our service either, would they? Maybe they just copied us based on the title alone?”
But why on earth had the Shadow Lion Guild changed their name to match ours?
That’s when Sedrick spoke up again.
“Suppose the Acrylite Guild and the Shadow Lion Guild both present on the same topic. The evaluators probably won’t look too closely at the details and will naturally favor the better-quality presentation. That one will be selected.”
“So the Shadow Lion Guild is just using a dirty trick?”
“And they’re confident they’ll do a better job with the presentation, too! Since we’re already here, Guild Master, why don’t you crush them for us!”
“Looking at the topic alone, the Early Public Risk Detection Service does seem superior to the Personal Information Protection Service. Anyone can do personal information protection—it’s something existing officials handle—but only the Information Guild can do early public risk detection.”
Just as Morian said, they must have realized our topic was better than theirs.
And then they plagiarized ours entirely!
“No, seriously, Next Signal is too much, isn’t it? Why Next instead of First!”
As I fumed, Sedrick appeared lost in thought.
“Sedrick, what’s wrong?”
“There’s something bothering me. I think the Acrylite Guild’s application is absolutely flawless. The Shadow Lion Guild probably couldn’t prepare anything remotely like it.”
“Then isn’t that good for us?”
“If they only mimicked us based on the title, they won’t be able to catch up. But if somehow our detailed content leaked to them, that would be a disaster.”
“Ah, so they could copy everything and even improve on it. But there’s nowhere our information could have leaked from…”
As far as I knew, in this world the Royal Court managed officials very strictly. Even if they knew the title, I doubted they’d leak the detailed service contents. The punishment for getting caught would be severe.
When I voiced this thought, Sedrick’s face brightened.
“You really do trust the current Royal Court!”
“Well, I suppose…?”
Does this guy have some weird royal speech pattern? Does he like the Royal Court or something? No, sometimes when he talks about being an elite nobleman or whatever, he looks like a reactionary…
“But what if the information leaked through a different channel besides the officials?”
Morian offered her opinion in a calm tone.
“Copying the exact same topic is dangerous, but the Shadow Lion Guild must have had confidence they could do better. Why were they so confident they could outdo us?”
……
“They must have obtained our information and plan to take it as-is while upgrading it.”
At Morian’s words, I felt uneasy.
In the original story, the Shadow Lion Guild had proven themselves quite capable. Unlike us, they had informants working in the field.
If they’d used informants to plagiarize our service directly, then we…
“What do we do…”
The moment I spoke in that dismal voice, Sedrick’s eyes widened. They blazed with determination.
“Guild Master, I will absolutely make sure our guild’s project succeeds!”
“Oh, such dedication to the guild…”
“That’s right. I have very strong feelings for our guild.”
“Hmph, you mean for the Guild Master, surely.”
“Either way, isn’t that a good thing?”
“Ugh, sometimes you really frustrate me, Guild Master.”
In any case, Sedrick clenched his fist, his eyes blazing with fire.
“Truth is, until now I’ve only been using 50% of my ability.”
“What are you talking about?”
“But I checked the application requirements again. They state that anyone receiving a Government Stipend from the current Royal Court cannot apply.”
“Well, naturally, right?”
“I don’t receive a Government Stipend from the current Royal Court.”
“Of course you don’t, right?”
“So I’m allowed to use my full 100%.”
What on earth is he talking about? But Sedrick had already lost himself in his own world.
“I’ll now show you the abilities I’ve cultivated while working without a stipend all this time.”
Ah… he’s talking about that old family company. It sounds like he didn’t get proper wages there. That’s rough.
“Well, okay then. I’m giving you command of this project, Sedrick.”
The moment I made that suggestion with some hesitation, Sedrick immediately began directing us.
“Understood! I’ll rewrite the content starting now, and Morian, you change those words for me. Make them absolutely dazzling.”
“I’m very professional in that field.”
Sedrick’s moment was beginning.
“Susanna, please contact the Tower of Stars again. We need to change our collaboration approach.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And Guild Master, you’ll be working with me.”
“Sounds good.”
***
“Wow.”
On the day of the interview, Susanna lifted her head with a hollow expression.
“We actually pulled it off….”
“I’m running on empty….”
Morian’s voice came out barely alive.
In contrast, Sedrick and I had slept well the night before, so our faces looked radiant. We’d done some proper grooming since we had to be at the interview.
Sedrick was handsome to begin with, but today in his neat formal suit with his hair swept back, he looked even more striking than usual.
“Chief Sedrick, your hair pulled back suits you perfectly!”
“Th-thank you. So you prefer it this way.”
I wore a dress with a formal feel. Sedrick had told me that civil servants appreciate a look that’s both open and conservative, so I’d chosen accordingly.
“Guild Master, go out there and crush them!”
“Remember our guild’s motto.”
Susanna and Morian shouted in unison.
“Attack Before Being Attacked!”
With their encouragement ringing in our ears, Sedrick and I arrived at the Guild Administration Building where the interview was being held.
Waiting outside the interview room, we soon watched guilds file in one after another. This one, unmistakably a mercenary guild. That one, clearly an academic guild. This other one, plainly a craftsmen’s guild.
While I was thinking such things, the Shadow Lion Guild made their entrance. It was Guild Master Leon and Vice Guild Master Annamaria, whom we’d seen before.
“Oh my, you didn’t give up after all. Guild Master, those poor things are so pitiful!”
Annamaria played her usual role as the cutting sister-in-law, making snide remarks.
“Guild Master, the Shadow— no, the Shadow Lion Guild has arrived.”
“W-wait, I was about to say the Shadow Lion Guild!”
“My apologies. That was a mistake.”
The way Sedrick said it made it sound entirely genuine, and Leon’s face fell even further.
“Nice work, Chief Sedrick.”
“Y-yes?”
“Guild Number 1.”
Soon, the guilds began being called in sequence.
Our Acrylite Guild was Number 9, and the Shadow Lion Guild was Number 10.
Since we were waiting right outside the interview room, we could hear everything being presented inside. The Shadow Lion Guild would hear our presentation too….
Fine. Let them be rattled.
“Guild Number 9.”
“Yes.”
Our number was called, and Sedrick and I rose from our seats.
Stepping into the interview room, I saw three interviewers seated before us.
Just as Sedrick had described: one man with a strict, bespectacled expression; one woman with a warm, reassuring demeanor designed to let us drop our guard; and one expressionless young man whose thoughts were impossible to read.
“Good day. I am Number 9, Guild Master Odret Lavender of the Acrylite Guild.”
“I am Guild Member Sedrick Alte.”
Our guild’s motto: Attack Before Being Attacked.
We were ready to present that motto brilliantly.

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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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