How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 99

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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 99
I returned to the ballroom, thinking I’d accomplished my purpose for attending the gala. There was Lucia, surrounded by a cluster of noble ladies and other debutantes.
‘She’s certainly popular.’
The dance had ended, and all eyes remained fixed on Lucia now that she’d made her debut. Everyone wanted a piece of her attention.
But Sedrian was nowhere to be seen. Where had he gone?
As I scanned the room for someone worth talking to, a familiar face approached me.
“Young Lord Calliard.”
It was Dominic, the second son of House Calliard, drawing near to my side.
“Well, where have you been? I didn’t see you around.”
“I was just thinking of taking a look at the garden for a moment….”
“By the way, where might the Crown Prince be?”
“I’m not sure…?”
Why was he asking me about Sedrian’s whereabouts? My blank expression must have been obvious, because Dominic scratched his head sheepishly.
“Speaking of which, did the Crown Prince and the Princess share the first dance?”
“Yes, they did.”
“Are you all right with that? You’re quite fond of her, after all.”
I’d assumed he’d be jealous about the princess meeting the male lead, but his response caught me completely off guard.
“I was a bit concerned too, but after listening to them talk, something seemed… off.”
“Off?”
“There was no trace of romantic excitement. They were just passionately discussing their shared interests.”
“They already have shared interests?”
“No, not something I need to worry about. It all seemed perfectly wholesome.”
……?
“They launched into an animated debate about the empire’s labor laws.”
Wait—something felt wrong. Even for Korean Low Fantasy, this development didn’t fit the pattern I expected.
In the original story, Lucia was supposed to have a heart-fluttering, thrilling conversation about saving Sedrian.
I must have been wearing a confused expression when Lucia herself approached.
“Odret! I see you were chatting with my brother!”
“Yes, Princess. But about that dance just now….”
“Oh, the Crown Prince was such a wonderful person! We had such a good conversation!”
Good conversation meant romantic compatibility, didn’t it?
“The Crown Prince and I even share the same favorite book!”
“Don’t tell me it’s….”
“Yes! How Elites Oppress Workers – Structural Violence and the Silence of Systems!”
That was when I finally understood.
I’d already realized the original story had derailed, but its direction felt stranger than expected.
‘It must be because of the Temple….’
In the original, the Temple hadn’t been some cult worshiping Park Geo-sung.
As the Temple changed, everything in the original story was shifting with it….
***
“Your Highness.”
Sedrian looked down at Calliard as she approached him.
Damn. He’d been hoping to keep watching Odret, but having an open conversation with her would raise suspicions.
Odret looked truly beautiful tonight—captivating yet radiating vitality. Sedrian wanted to grab Susanna and demand to know what she’d done to achieve this transformation.
Reluctantly tearing his gaze from Odret, Sedrian turned his attention to Calliard.
“You look quite different without the disguise. It’s refreshing to see you like this.”
“…Thank you for keeping the secret.”
Calliard already knew from her father that Sedrian was the Acryte Guild member in disguise. The revelation made Sedrian feel shamefully exposed.
Besides, the House of Calliard already knew he’d infiltrated the Guild because of his feelings for Odret. The thought only deepened his embarrassment.
“Odret looks particularly beautiful tonight, doesn’t she?”
…….
Calliard’s words struck directly at the heart of the matter, and Sedrian squeezed his eyes shut.
His gaze drifted toward Odret. He saw her take a small step backward as she felt his eyes on her.
After pulling his attention away from Odret once more, Sedrian spoke to Calliard.
“How did you help me back then?”
After all, that incident had been the beginning of everything—the reason he’d first sought out Odret’s Guild.
There had been a time when he’d gone hunting and fallen into the Temple’s trap, getting lost and finding himself in danger. Calliard had appeared suddenly and saved him.
She’d given him a Recovery Potion and shown him the way out of the forest.
“I think we’d better discuss the details while dancing. Everyone’s watching us right now.”
“I see.”
He extended his hand, satisfied by her words. Calliard took it, and together they made their way toward the Dancing Hall.
‘One day, perhaps with Odret as well….’
He felt a twinge of regret that he had never once danced with Odret when the young lady offered her answer to his earlier question.
“I already knew what the Temple was plotting. I’d met someone from the Temple before, and my brother used his Ability to see through their lies. That’s when I grew suspicious and looked into their true intentions.”
“I see. Thanks to his Ability….”
“I investigated what schemes they were laying against House Calliard, and quite unexpectedly, I discovered that Your Highness was entangled in the matter. I couldn’t simply overlook it, so I offered my assistance….”
“You didn’t expect me to find out?”
“I thought you would, eventually… but sooner than I anticipated.”
“It’s all thanks to Odret.”
“That’s true—Odret is genuinely capable.”
Even as she spoke, Calliard maintained her flawless rhythm, but now she turned her head and pouted slightly.
“Hmm? Where is Odret going?”
Following her gaze, Sedrian noticed that Odret had disappeared toward the Garden.
“That’s dangerous out there.”
“Then finish this dance and hurry after her. I wonder why she went that way?”
“I have a suspicion.”
“Ah, it’s because of Your Highness, then. I do like Odret very much.”
With that, Calliard launched into a spontaneous stream of praise for Odret, unprompted.
“She’s clever, has excellent instincts, and her heart is truly good. The way she throws herself into everything is admirable too.”
“Indeed.”
As Sedrian listened to this praise, he felt as though the compliments were directed at himself, and his mood lifted considerably.
“And last time, I also spoke with Odret about labor.”
“Labor? What about it?”
Suddenly, it seemed as though flames ignited in Sedrian’s eyes.
“It’s my life’s book. There’s this work called . Though it would be rather improper to recommend to Your Highness….”
“You’ve read that book!”
Sedrian exclaimed in genuine astonishment.
“That’s my life’s book too! I’ve read it three times through!”
“Goodness, you as well, Your Highness?”
Their half-hearted dance suddenly quickened. Their eyes locked, and they launched into a fervent conversation. Their steps began to accelerate in tandem.
“How this society structure oppresses and conceals the labor force! What a striking book it was!”
“Because of it, I came to understand the true value of labor and grew interested in Labor Law reform!”
“To think I’d meet someone with whom conversation flows so naturally!”
“I would be delighted if you became my friend!”
“Wonderful, Your Highness! We are labor companions!”
“It’s an odd term, perhaps, but I find it splendid!”
As they engaged in this earnest discourse, Calliard’s second brother, who had drifted over to watch, clicked his tongue.
“I love my sister, but occasionally she says the strangest things…. To think there’s another person just like her. There’s not a shred of romance in sight.”

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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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