How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 94
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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 94
9. Possession Fantasy Peculiarity: Original Story Derailed
‘This week, they’re performing the ceremony at the Temple to make me a High Priest.’
The thought struck me that I’d become far too entangled with the Temple, but there was no backing out now.
After all, I’d discovered that my Possession itself was somehow connected to the High Priest’s ‘Miracle.’
‘So… could I possibly return to my original world?’
The thought crept up from somewhere deep in my heart.
If given the chance, would it even be right to return to my original world?
But I’d already achieved so much in this world.
Without realizing it, I’d grown too attached to this place—and the prospect of leaving didn’t sit well with me at all. Back in my original world, I was just an ordinary office worker, but here I was a Guild Master with connections to powerful people. How could I not feel drawn to that?
‘I shouldn’t be so greedy.’
I was still weighing my promotion to High Priest against the question of my Possession when Susanna spoke up.
“Guild Master, that guest you mentioned earlier has arrived.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Don’t mention it! We’ll just head out for lunch then!”
Behind Susanna, I caught sight of the Kaliyad noblewoman peering awkwardly around the doorframe.
“Hello, Miss Lavendel…!”
“My lady!”
The Kaliyad noblewoman had arranged to visit during lunch, and I’d been curious about her circumstances and wanted to know how the second part of the original story was progressing, so I welcomed her warmly.
“What brings you to visit us, my lady?”
“Aren’t we friends now?”
“Ha, yes. We’re friends.”
The Kaliyad noblewoman seemed to genuinely consider me a friend. Knowing her anxious nature, I greeted her as warmly as I could.
“By the way, would you mind if I called you Odret? Of course, I haven’t made my debut in society yet, and I’m hardly a social expert, but…!”
“Th-there’s no need to be a social expert just to have a friend. You can call me Odret.”
“Then please call me Lucia!”
“My goodness, I couldn’t possibly…”
Even as I protested, we agreed that I would call her Lady Lucia.
“By the way, I heard the news. You’re making your debutante bow next month.”
“That’s right—I knew you’d already heard! It’s given me so much to worry about.”
“What are you worried about?”
When I probed gently, Lady Lucia, true to her low self-esteem, began listing absurd concerns.
“They say there are remarkably talented ladies in society, and I’m only ordinarily beautiful…”
“You’re incredibly beautiful.”
“My eloquence extends only to defending my thesis…”
“That’s more than enough.”
“And my brothers worry me too.”
“What? Why?”
“Any man who approaches me in society will get himself cut down.”
“Oh… yes, that’s definitely worth worrying about. You can worry about that one.”
So the Romance Fantasy brother was purely fictional after all. It was amusing, really, but I nodded along.
“Actually, I didn’t just come to steal your lunch hour. How about we share a meal? I’ve made a reservation at a nice place nearby!”
“I’d love to!”
A meal on the noblewoman’s dime? I had no reason to refuse, and I gladly followed her out.
“Wow…”
Soon we found ourselves seated in an elegant restaurant in the heart of the Capital. From the best table by the window, I gazed out while savoring the taste of an expensive appetizer.
I was enjoying mussels topped with cheese and dressed generously in olive oil when Lady Lucia spoke.
“There are probably ladies in society who’d like to tear me apart. My status as a legitimate daughter was only recently revealed, but… some people probably suspect that article was a fabrication to cover up my bloodline, others worry my appearance will upset the balance of power, some houses stand opposed to the Kaliyad Ducal House… and so on.”
“Surely no one would dare express hostility toward you, my lady?”
“But I’m still worried about what they might plot behind the scenes…”
“I see.”
“So I was hoping you might help me, Odret.”
“Help you, my lady?”
How was I supposed to help someone who was already the perfect heroine of the original story? I opened my eyes wide, and Lady Lucia answered.
“I’d like you to investigate beforehand the information on which noble ladies might clash with me…”
“Attack before you’re attacked! It’s our Guild’s motto!”
“N-no, I’m not thinking of attacking anyone. Just… preparing, you understand?”
Lady Lucia looked at me with alarm, so I felt a bit embarrassed.
“And one more thing—I’d like to know which noble ladies have connections to the Crown Prince.”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince?”
So the original heroine was aware of the male lead after all? Even if the source material claims she helped Sedrian out of pure goodwill, there’s no way that’s the whole story.
She hid her own identity and went so far as to rescue Sedrian when he was in danger—surely there must be some deeper feeling involved!
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding, but that’s not quite it.”
The lady Odret quickly added, as if she’d sensed what I was thinking.
“It’s just that the young noble ladies who wish to marry the Crown Prince would likely see me as their biggest rival.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because there are people who believe the Crown Prince and I will become engaged.”
“Ah, I see.”
So that was the pretext. I accepted the lady’s request.
What if she found out I met with Sedrian frequently? Would she suspect me of harboring feelings for him?
No, thinking about it, that seemed unlikely. After all, I’m a commoner—I wouldn’t even be considered a candidate in the first place. I shouldn’t overestimate myself.
After finishing my meal with the lady Odret, I returned to the Guild alone. The Guild members who’d eaten lunch on their own noticed me the moment I walked in.
“You went somewhere fancy without us!”
“Susanna, is that really what you’re curious about? Well, yes, I did eat somewhere expensive. It was a full course meal.”
“How cruel!”
As Susanna and I bantered lightly, I felt an intense stare from Sedrick beside us.
“Did the lady of the Kaliyad Ducal House perhaps make a request in preparation for the social season?”
“How did you know?”
“In these circumstances, it seemed the only reason for the Guild Master to arrange a private appointment.”
“You have impressive deductive skills.”
Sedrick was the one who’d initially lacked good judgment and even negotiated a lower salary just to join our Guild, but look at how much he’d grown. I felt oddly proud.
“That works out well. Since you know nobles so well, Sedrick, I’d like you to help me with this task.”
“What exactly would you like me to do?”
“I’d like you to find out which young noble ladies are connected to the Crown Prince. Ones who’ve had private meetings with him or are being considered as engagement candidates.”
“Yes, yes?”
Why was he reacting so dramatically? Sedrick seemed to notice his own response was strange, so he added an explanation.
“I-I was just surprised you’d ask me to investigate the Crown Prince.”
“Oh, it’s nothing serious. The lady simply made this request because she’s worried those engagement candidates might see her as a threat.”
“I understand.”
Then Sedrick spoke to me carefully, watching my expression.
“But from what I know, the Crown Prince hasn’t been romantically linked with any woman.”
“How would you know that?”
“A cousin of mine works as an attendant at the Crown Prince’s Palace but doesn’t keep in touch with me. When we met during a holiday once, he mentioned that the Crown Prince has no interest in women.”
“Come on, how much could an attendant possibly know? There’s definitely something he’s hiding.”
……
Of course, true to form for the male lead, he hadn’t given his heart to any woman, but there must still be young noble ladies who were once discussed as engagement candidates.
“Well, well then, Sedrick. Let’s investigate together.”
“Yes….”
Unlike usual, Sedrick answered in a gloomy tone. Everyone has days when they don’t feel like working, so I didn’t reproach him.
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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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