How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 88

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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 Modest Guild
Chapter 88
“Did you discover anything?”
“Yes, well….”
I picked up the paper and pointed at the letters with my finger.
“These artifacts—when the academic names are written in the foreign tongue, they all share the same initials: G.S.”
The pattern looked something like this.
Golden Silk Tapestry – 황금 비단 태피스트리
Glass Showcase Cabinet – 유리 진열장
Granite Statue – 화강암 조각상
“So what does that mean?”
“It means… I confirmed in the Sacred Scripture that the Prophet worshipped by the Temple has initials G.S.”
“……!”
“The Temple’s collection of artifacts must be connected to summoning the Prophet.”
“Couldn’t it simply be coincidence?”
The Museum Director, unable to follow our discussion, looked bewildered, but we had reached the conclusion that this too was linked to the Temple’s Summoning Magic.
“Well, thank you for your time.”
We rose from our seats and bid the Museum Director farewell.
I was considering whether to head back home and deal with my accumulated tasks when Sedrian spoke.
“Hmm, so what’s next? Since we’re already here, why not take a look around the Museum?”
“Are there suspicious points here as well?”
“No, just… I thought it might be pleasant to spend some time viewing the Museum.”
I tried to read the hidden meaning behind his words. Was he bored? Did he lack company?
Ah, since he hadn’t yet had a proper meeting with the original heroine, was he living like a lonely wolf? That was the fate of the male lead in these stories, after all.
“I’d like that.”
At my response, Sedrian’s face brightened.
“Then I’ll serve as your guide.”
“Do you visit often?”
“To some degree.”
Wary that someone might recognize him, he pressed his hat down over his head again.
“We should start from Ancient Exhibition Hall 1 and walk through from there.”
“Of course.”
Since I was unfamiliar with this world’s history, I found myself all the more interested in the artifacts. I tried to fill my mind with new knowledge as I looked at them.
“This artifact proves the traces of ancient civilization, so it’s the most famous piece in this hall.”
“I see.”
Sedrian added explanations whenever necessary, which made it all the more helpful.
Then, just as the Crown Prince was continuing his explanation, he suddenly stiffened and asked,
“Did I talk too much?”
“Pardon?”
“I once heard that men who go on explaining things are unlucky.”
“Ha, surely not.”
Of course, men who droned on with endless explanations were somewhat unlucky, but Sedrian wasn’t trying to lecture me—he was providing useful information, and I appreciated it.
“Where did you hear such a thing?”
“…from my adjutant.”
“Is that so? I wonder why they’d say that… ah.”
As something occurred to me, I looked at Sedrian.
“Speaking of which, have you been meeting with Lady Kalliard?”
“K-Kalliard?”
“Yes, that Lady Kalliard who helped you before. I assumed you’d be meeting naturally, but….”
“No, there’s no real connection between us.”
“Really?”
“…it’s not as though we have no connection at all, but I haven’t had any private meetings with her since then.”
“That’s odd.”
In the original story, Lady Kalliard acted purely out of goodwill to help Sedrian, and following the typical rescue narrative, he became deeply moved by her aid.
Later, after meeting her again and falling in love, he displayed the classic obsessive behavior of the trope, and….
I thought he’d encounter her sooner because of my involvement, but was the story still unfolding along the original path? Then again, I haven’t substantially altered that future either.
Finding this acceptable enough, I shrugged and asked,
“Then when you meet Lady Kalliard again, will you become obsessed with her?”
“Obsessed? Why would I? Why would I become obsessed?”
Of course—the obsessive male lead would never admit to being obsessive.
“Indeed. Of course, I respect your position.”
“Why have you been speaking in riddles since earlier? Whatever the case, I have no desire to commit the rudeness of obsessing over a woman.”
But male leads in romance novels always change once they fall in love. I didn’t believe his words for a moment and let them go in one ear and out the other.
“Rather, I tend toward respect and devotion more than obsession, or rather….”
“I see.”
Sedrian shook his head, apparently noticing that I wasn’t paying proper attention to what he was saying. Then he changed the subject.
“Speaking of which, nothing unusual happening lately?”
“Mm….”
Things had been genuinely peaceful lately. The Guild runs smoothly, and I maintain a decent position at the Temple as well.
The one thing that weighs on me, if I’m being honest, is my standing within the Temple itself.
“Truth be told, my position as a mid-level priest isn’t entirely secure yet.”
“As I suspected! That wicked organization is the problem! You should leave at once!”
“But I made a contract to bring intelligence from the Temple.”
“That, that’s… I just mean you don’t need to take such risks… and right now it’s far too dangerous….”
“Well, the mid-level priests who’ve been ostracizing me will come to recognize me soon enough anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”
Recently I earned their respect by providing Matthaeus with useful intelligence about Sedrian’s research into supernatural abilities, and besides, I intend to keep climbing the ranks diligently.
“Heh, those who oppose me will meet ruin and disgrace….”
“You’re scheming something quite elaborate, it seems.”
Despite my rather sinister plan, Sedrian laughed with satisfaction rather than reproaching me. True to his nature as the original protagonist, he too apparently looks kindly upon scheming.
“Tomorrow I return to work at the Temple. I’ll search for documents about why the Temple has been acquiring relics, and I should also look into the plan to summon the… no, the Prophet.”
“Indeed, you shine brightest when you’re devising schemes and executing plans.”
“Really, is that so?”
Is that even a compliment? A woman whose personal color is political maneuvering… it doesn’t sound like praise at all, actually.
“Come to think of it, I suppose I do have some of that nature in me.”
I continued speaking, having reflected on my usual self and accepted the truth of it.
“I think… I can’t stand when things slip beyond my control.”
“Control?”
“That is, I need to be able to control everything for my mind to be at ease.”
I hated it when circumstances flowed in directions I couldn’t command.
Now that I think about it, my rise to Guild Master and my victory over the guild that had taken my place in the original story likely stem from this same impulse.
I refused to let my life spiral beyond my control just because the original narrative dictated it!
But when I spoke thus, Sedrian’s expression darkened noticeably.
“Then you must dislike unexpected elements. I thought I understood you, but it seems there are hidden matters—situations where what I believed wasn’t the whole truth….”
“Exactly! That’s precisely it!”
“Someone you trusted harboring secrets….”
“Yes, exactly that.”
As Sedrian grasped my feelings with such accuracy, I grew eager and continued.
“So even though it’s time to recruit more Guild members, I find myself hesitant. It’s hard to find people you can truly trust. The three members I have now are all people I can rely on completely.”
“That, I see….”
Sedrian’s words grew slower.
“Such a situation… all trustworthy….”
“Of course, I have no need to doubt my Guild members, Sedrian.”
“Ah, that… yes, yes. I don’t doubt them either.”
“You also hold a position of rank, so I imagine you face difficulties when recruiting new people.”
“Yes, that’s… yes. Sigh….”
“Hm? Do you have something troubling you lately? Why the sigh….”
His speech suddenly became halting.
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just suddenly remembered a grave concern that has been weighing on my life.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing of consequence….”

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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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