Volume 1 Chapter 1 The Corrupt Guild Master Expels His Subordinate
'You don't need to come here anymore, [Act Age]. You're unnecessary to this guild, a useless human.'
Those were the words of my scumbag boss, the one who banished me, Act.
'That's outrageous! I've contributed to this guild for years! How can you fire me like this!'
'We can't afford to keep useless people around. Pack your things and get out already.'
'But... What am I supposed to do now?'
'How would I know? You're no longer a member of this guild.'
Those words from that damn guild master still echo in my mind, even after all these years.
That day, I was unfairly kicked out of the guild.
That's why I made a decision.
I vowed never to become someone as awful as him.
* * *
"You don't need to come here anymore, [Cage Baron]. You're unnecessary to this guild, a useless human."
In the guild master's office.
Cage, the adventurer, stares at me with a pale face, sitting before my desk.
"That's outrageous! I've contributed to this guild for years! How can you fire me like this!"
Cage shouts at me, the guild master, his face ashen.
"We can't afford to keep useless people around. Pack your things and get out."
Everything in the world has its limits.
That includes money, and it also includes manpower.
It's a waste to keep unnecessary people around indefinitely.
I wonder if the scumbag boss who expelled me a few years ago felt like this.
"But... What am I supposed to do now?"
I answer Cage's disheartened question in a flat tone.
"I've arranged a position for you as the vice head of the Blacksmith's Guild [Hammer of the War God], at the royal capital's headquarters. Go there."
"I have no other connections, and I don't have any parents, so if I get fired as an adventurer, I'll be on the streets... Wait, what?"
Cage stares at me with a blank expression.
"Um... Mr. Act? What did you just say?"
"An acquaintance, the guild master of the Blacksmith's Guild, was looking for someone capable. You've honed your blacksmithing skills in this guild and reached a certain level of proficiency. Show off your skills in this new place."
I glanced at the young woman, my secretary, standing beside me.
"Frederica, hand him the documents."
"Of course, Master."
She was a young girl with blue hair, dressed in a maid outfit.
Frederica passed the file she was holding to Cage.
"You're getting married soon, right? Then it would be more efficient to take a stable management position and earn a fixed salary rather than being an adventurer in such an unstable job. Your pay would triple. Are you worried about moving costs? It's a necessary expense, so of course, we'll cover it."
Cage trembled as he looked at the file.
"I've already informed everyone to transfer your current tasks to others. Just get out of here already."
"Thank you, Mr. Act! For me... you've done so much..."
"Don't get the wrong idea. This isn't for you. I'm the Adventurer Guild. We don't need a blacksmith. Paying unnecessary money is a waste of resources, and letting your talent rot away here is a waste for society as a whole."
With tears streaming down like a waterfall, Cage bowed his head repeatedly.
"I'm sorry... I haven't been able to repay this guild or you for anything yet..."
Cage reminisced.
"You hired me when I was expelled from my previous guild for being useless, and you discovered and nurtured my talent for blacksmithing that I didn't even realize I had..."
I had the talent to recognize and cultivate others' abilities.
Cage had been unaware of his blacksmithing talent while working as a combat adventurer.
I had hired him and trained him to stop wasting his potential.
"Don't think about those you're leaving behind. You're no longer a part of this guild. Just leave without worrying."
Cage wiped his tears and nodded firmly.
"Mr. Act, I will never forget this kindness! I'll work hard over there, become successful, and definitely repay you a hundredfold!"
"I see. I'm looking forward to it."
"Yes!"
With a bright expression, Cage bowed repeatedly before leaving my room.
"Was that alright, Master?"
Frederica said, glancing at me.
"Cage was quite a capable person, you know? I don't think it would've been a waste to keep him around."
"That's enough. That guy will definitely make something of himself someday. My [Appraisal Eye] says so."
My [Appraisal Eye] is a powerful tool, able to see hidden talent and potential.
"He'll become the top of some major organization. At that time, it would be more profitable to have him owe me a favor. I made a rational decision."
"I see, you cast out the young fish, letting them fatten up on power, and then Master scoops up the best parts later. As expected of Master, what a masterful villainous plan. I'm impressed."
Without any change in expression, Frederica applauds.
"By the way, Frederica."
"Yes, Master?"
"Why was Cage thanking me?"
I thought I had banished Cage for my own benefit, but for some reason, he had tears in his eyes and bowed his head.
"As expected of Master. A truly impressive villain."
"Are you praising me?"
"Yes, of course. Sir Act is a wonderful Guild Master, I think so."
That self-proclaimed Guild Master's words still linger in my mind, even after all these years.
That day, I was unjustly expelled from the guild.
So, I made a decision.
I won't let anyone else be treated this way.
...I won't let anyone else be kicked out like I was.
That's why I created it.
The Guild [Gem of Heavenly Gift].
Gather those who were cast aside by the world, raise them, and then release them into the world.
A gathering (guild) of those who were banished.
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