How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 86

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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 86
“And so, that’s what happened….”
When I laid out the full account of the incident to the Golden Balance Guild, Kerddick’s eyes went wide.
“Using more aggressive marketing tactics than we do! That seems to overstep the bounds of marketing altogether!”
“Yes, quite so….”
At this point, wouldn’t you call it viral marketing?
“Well, regardless. Thank you for letting us know. Should we just copy what they’re doing….”
“No, if you copy them directly, you’ll fall behind. The Golden Balance Guild needs to try something new.”
I met Kerddick’s gaze and spoke with conviction.
“In fact, I happen to know a few methods that could prove helpful.”
“Methods that could help?”
“Yes. If needed, I could even provide consulting services….”
“Good. If it’s a method that’ll turn a profit, it’s only right we pay for it.”
So he’s promising to pay, then?
Soon enough, I began rattling off all manner of viral marketing strategies that hadn’t yet been introduced to this world.
The more he listened, the wider Kerddick’s eyes grew, until eventually he was even taking notes.
“Oh, this is it! Such methods exist? Excellent, simply excellent!”
When I finished, Kerddick was fixing me with an intense, admiring gaze.
“You’re truly impressive. I’ll add an incentive on top of the fee.”
“I’m grateful. I hope the results prove favorable.”
Kerddick handed over both the promised commission and the incentive bonus.
While it was still too early to call the Golden Balance Guild our ally, at least I’d forged a connection that could narrow the distance between us.
‘But still….’
How on earth was I going to deal with that artifact that turned up at our guild’s construction site?
***
“Your Majesty, why exactly did you request the Aion Kingdom’s artifact registry on loan?”
Eric grunted as he set down a stack of thick volumes in front of Sedrian.
“I’ve even brought the Library’s rare books.”
“There’s a place where all of it is needed.”
“Yes, yes. It must be related to that guild again. Please, do not lose sight of your identity as the Crown Prince.”
“A person should have multiple selves for psychological balance—or so the scholars say.”
“I doubt that was meant to justify disguises.”
Ignoring Eric’s grumbling, Sedrian began sifting through the rare volumes.
“Blast it. No matter how I look at it, this is an artifact of the Aion Kingdom….”
From the start, the fact that an artifact surfaced underground had been troubling. If it wasn’t an ancient relic, then who would have buried it there in the first place?
‘But if it really is a genuine artifact, Odret’s construction will be postponed, and she’ll be suffering….’
Unable to suggest, as a Crown Prince, that they simply ignore the artifact and proceed with construction, Sedrian found himself mired in deliberation.
While he sat there in grave thought, the Emperor appeared, and Eric straightened to offer a formal bow.
“Father.”
The Emperor, having just entered Sedrian’s study, casually remarked upon seeing the tower of books covering his desk.
“Studying state affairs? You’ve been running about outside lately—it seems you’ve finally come to your senses.”
Sedrian considered for a moment whether he should mention this was an external matter, but possessing at least some judgment, he kept his mouth shut.
“So when exactly will things work out with the woman you’re seeing?”
“…Pardon?”
“I know you have someone on your mind. When exactly will you bring her to court? You’re ignoring all counsel about taking a Crown Princess consort.”
Seeing how he couldn’t even fathom that the other party was a commoner, Sedrian held back a smile. He offered a vague excuse instead.
“To be frank, I haven’t even confessed my feelings yet.”
“How infuriating! If you confess, what noblewoman would refuse a Crown Prince?”
“I think she might refuse. I have a fairly clear-eyed view of myself.”
“Good heavens!”
Watching his son lose his sense of privilege with each passing day, the Emperor was momentarily at a loss for where to begin his reproach.
“Should you need anything, I’ll help. So stop with these strange affairs outside and think about finding a woman who will support you.”
Sedrian nearly said that she wasn’t supporting him but rather that he was assisting her, then caught himself. He thought his own judgment was reasonably sound.
‘…Wait, that could work.’
Suddenly, Sedrian thought of a plausible excuse to take Odret on a date.
Though he’d have to go as Sedrick rather than Sedrian, it didn’t matter either way! His face brightened as he seized upon the pretext.
***
“You want to meet with an appraiser?”
“Yes, Guild Leader.”
I blinked at Sedrick’s sudden proposal. I had only just entrusted him with the construction site artifact matter….
“There’s an appraiser in the back alleys who trades in artifacts. He doesn’t ask where they come from, so we should be able to make a judgment on our end.”
“We might hear that it’s not an ancient artifact at all. But… what if it turns out to be genuine?”
“Well, surely the kingdom would provide appropriate compensation in that case?”
“But I heard these things only hurt the building owner! They said there’s no recourse!”
“There’s… there must be a way.”
“Don’t you think?”
As I recalled my connection with the Crown Prince, my composure returned. Perhaps he might be willing to help me.
“All right then, let’s go have the artifact appraised.”
Sedrick pulled on gloves and carefully extracted the artifact from amid the construction debris. He cradled the Holy Grail gently and examined it.
“By any measure, it looks like an artifact from the Aion Kingdom, but it might not be.”
“Really? You seem quite knowledgeable about history.”
“I’ve seen many artifacts.”
“Is that so? Do you visit the Museum often?”
“Yes, I… I’ve been a regular visitor at the Museum.”
As always, Sedrick had an odd quality about him. His familiarity with Aion Kingdom artifacts only deepened my unease, yet I decided to follow him toward the back alleys.
“Is this a safe place?”
As we ventured deeper into the alleys, the atmosphere grew increasingly sinister. Semi-basement taverns with lights on even in daylight, shops that looked suspicious….
“It’s not illegal. It merely dances along the razor’s edge of legality….”
“Yet usually you pursue justice so earnestly. What’s changed?”
“…I suppose you could say the Guild Master also falls within my definition of justice.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Simply that I am a devoted Guild member.”
As always, his loyalty toward me seemed excessive. We soon stopped before a dimly lit shop.
“I heard it was this place….”
“Where did you hear that?”
“From someone trustworthy….”
He hesitated, then glanced at me sideways before pushing open the shop door. It creaked as it swung inward, but the interior was empty.
“Is anyone here?”
While Sedrick called for the proprietor, I surveyed the small shop’s interior. Valuable-looking artifacts lay scattered about in no particular order, and there were various appraisal tools—magnifying glasses and prisms among them.
“What is it?”
Presently, an old man emerged from the adjoining room, his expression stern.
“What brings you at this hour?”
“But it’s daytime, isn’t it?”
“Damn it! If you’re going to visit a place like this, you should come at night!”
I nodded, absorbing this new piece of knowledge from the old man’s rebuke.
“So it won’t do at the moment?”
Unlike me, who had grown somewhat subdued, Sedrick stood firm and posed the question, whereupon the old man clicked his tongue and approached us.
“If there’s money in it, there’s nothing that won’t do.”
“We were hoping you might appraise something.”
Sedrick spoke thus while handing over the Holy Grail, which he’d wrapped in cloth. The old man donned gloves, received the chalice, and examined it minutely through a magnifying glass.
“It looks like an Aion Kingdom Holy Grail, and yet it also looks like a fake….”
I swallowed hard, and the old man—having even handled the chalice—rifled through a box in the corner.
“I need to assess the passage of time, so wait a moment.”
“Yes….”
“But what brings such a well-mannered young couple to a place like this? You both look perfectly respectable.”
“Haha…. What sort of people usually come here?”
“Usually people in financial straits. Those whose businesses have failed, who’ve had to liquidate everything and plan to flee in the dead of night.”
Oh, what a dreadful fate to speak of. I resolved never to meet such an end.
“Nearly every artifact of note in the Capital has passed through my hands.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Even the Temple itself trusts me.”
“The… the Temple?”

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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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