How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 82

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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 82
‘That’s strange. Why did Matthias react so sharply to that?’
When I mentioned I’d been researching Abilities, Matthias couldn’t hide his agitation even in front of me, his subordinate.
His reaction struck me as odd, but for now I continued with my duties at the Temple.
I now had access to much of the Temple’s information—financial records, personnel rosters, and the like.
In the process, I’d carefully gone through the personnel list to see if anyone from the Temple was hiding nearby, but there was nothing suspicious.
‘Still, I need information that the Temple harmed the royal family…’
Since I’d given the Crown Prince information that he was conducting research at the Tower of Stars, it was likely the Temple would move soon.
If things went well, I’d be able to seize that moment and take down the Temple.
“I’m going to grab lunch.”
“Yes, of course.”
I ate lunch with the Intermediate Priests I now shared an office with.
“I think I’ll take a walk before heading back.”
“Sure.”
Wanting some time alone, I decided to walk around the Temple for a bit.
As I strolled slowly through the Temple, making a silent vow to investigate anything suspicious I found, a familiar face caught my eye.
“Stella!”
“Wow, sis!”
It was Stella, the High Priest’s daughter.
Stella, who seemed to be enjoying her free time on the weekend, waved enthusiastically at me.
“This is amazing, sis! I heard you made Intermediate Priest!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“That’s record-breaking speed for a promotion! Everyone must be jealous of you!”
“It’s a bit much, I suppose.”
That was also why I’d separated from the Intermediate Priests to walk alone.
They’d shown clear wariness toward me for rising to Intermediate Priest so abruptly.
I’d grown used to getting snide remarks from Park Geo-seong during meals, but truthfully, no amount of exposure could make that comfortable.
“It makes sense. I’ve never seen anyone promoted as fast as you.”
Stella chattered away beside me.
“Probably faster than Aria or Seraphine or Etienne!”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Oh, but slower than Matthias! He’s still number one in promotion speed!”
“You seem quite close with the High Priests, Stella.”
I probed gently for information, and Stella answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Of course. They’ve always been around me since I was little.”
“I see. But there’s something I heard—that if you become a High Priest, you can directly experience the High Priest’s Miracle…”
“Yeah.”
“What does that mean?”
I was silently praying for her to explain, and Stella answered in her innocent voice.
“Oh, just what it sounds like. You experience a lot of miracles.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Yeah, because doing that makes you stronger too! You can get close to the High Priest’s power, right?”
“What do you mean by—”
“Shh, this part is a secret!”
Stella winked at me.
“It wouldn’t be fun if I said more!”
……
I still couldn’t grasp it. How exactly do High Priests get closer to the High Priest’s power?
“That’s right, Stella.”
It would be helpful if Stella sided with Lady Caliard and left the Temple, just like in the original. But maybe only someone of the original heroine’s caliber could melt her heart?
“What do you usually do in your free time here at the Temple?”
“Me? I just wander around and chat with people… Oh! When you have time later, let’s play treasure hunt together!”
“Treasure hunt?”
“It’s my favorite game!”
“Sure, let’s do it sometime.”
After saying that to win Stella’s favor, I ventured a careful question.
“Stella, have you ever left the Temple?”
“I don’t go outside. Why would I leave this safe place?”
Then Stella added something more.
“Every autumn, when the Grand Temple Festival is held, I sneak out to watch. It’s tremendous fun!”
“The Grand Temple Festival….”
In the original story, that was the festival where Lady Caliard had rescued Stella.
‘I should reach out to Lady Caliard soon and ask for her help.’
Lady Caliard had been extraordinarily favorable toward me ever since I revealed that I was her biological daughter.
If all went well, perhaps she could rescue Stella. That would give me access to far more information about the Temple.
“Sister, is that all you wanted to say?”
“Hmm?”
“Oh, there’s Ans!”
Stella’s interest in me evaporated at once, and she scampered off in another direction.
Honestly, I couldn’t fathom what had become of this world’s Temple. Truth be told, from the moment Park Geo-seong’s essay appeared, I’d lost all sense of the original narrative.
***
“Odret!”
“Sedrian?”
I was trudging home from the Temple when someone called out to me in an urgent voice just before my house.
We hadn’t made any plans for today—what brought Sedrian to seek me out first?
At my puzzled expression, he spoke to me hastily.
“Could we talk somewhere quiet?”
“Ah, would you like to come inside?”
“That is… to enter a lady’s home….”
“Really, it’s perfectly fine.”
I opened the door, and Sedrian hesitated several times before stepping inside.
He sat on the sofa stiffly, as though he might die if his hand touched anything in my house.
“Well… while researching with Luna Moor and Ratel, we discovered something new. It’s about Abilities.”
“What is it?”
“That Abilities can be granted to other people.”
“…What?”
“Anyone exposed to an Ability in a specific way can use a small portion of that Ability themselves.”
As I listened to Sedrian, the puzzle pieces fell into place.
“So that’s why Matthias…!”
“What happened at the Temple?”
“When I reported the information I’d discovered, they seemed shocked and wary. As if they were guarding against you researching Abilities.”
“This means they already knew….”
At the same time, Stella’s words surfaced in my mind.
“It’s exactly what I said. Experiencing Miracles very often. If you keep doing that, you grow stronger yourself! You can approach the High Priest’s power, right?”
“The High Priests already use Abilities!”
I felt a strong conviction that I’d hit upon the answer.
“The High Priests have experienced the High Priest’s Ability and gained the capacity to use part of it!”
As I explained what I’d discovered, Sedrian’s expression grew grave.
“Then the Temple we’re facing could be far more powerful than we thought….”
“That must be it. Just as you said, it seems they’ve grasped Abilities faster through unethical experiments.”
“This is…no, in the end justice will prevail.”
Having delivered a line befitting a male protagonist, he looked at me with determination.
“I’ll research how to use my Ability more powerfully. You be careful not to get hurt at the Temple.”
“Yes, I’ll try to learn what specific powers each of the High Priests has.”
“…All right. Always be cautious.”
After our conversation about Abilities ended, Sedrian asked a question as though something had occurred to him.
“By the way, how are the Guild members these days?”
“Everyone’s doing well. The work is busy, but there are results to show for it, so they’re managing fine. Lately we’ve been doing remote work.”
“Th-that junior employee you mentioned last time?”
“Sedrick? I did say he was kind and hardworking, didn’t I?”
I paused to consider before answering. Sedrick’s performance in this government support project had been nothing short of….
“He’s a capable employee.”
“Finally!”
“What?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Oh, that reminds me—I should ask Sedrick how far he’s gotten on the government support project report. I left remote work in his hands, and I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t been paying proper attention to the Guild members.”
“Ah, I should be going—I have something to attend to.”
“Already? I was hoping to offer you a drink.”
“That is… there’s unfinished work.”
“Indeed, the position of Crown Prince is quite demanding.”
I nodded and watched as he hurried back to the palace.
As great station brings great responsibility, Sedrian always seemed perpetually occupied. I found myself grateful that my own position demanded far less.

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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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