Volume 1 Chapter 14 Villainous Guildmaster, Scouted by a Rival Organization
That day, Frederica, Yui, and I stood in front of the Guild Association headquarters.
"Whew... big... impressive building, huh..."
That was what Yui said as she stared up at the towering stone walls like they might swallow her whole.
We stepped inside. The air was heavy—like even the silence here had authority.
We were led through gleaming hallways until we reached a set of enormous doors.
And then we waited.
"Excuse me, Sir Act. Where are we?"
That was Yui again. Her voice was small, careful. She was gripping her notebook like it was a shield.
"This is the Guild Association headquarters, located in the Royal Capital."
That was my answer. Basic stuff. But she still looked like she needed more.
"The Adventurers Guild, is it?"
That was her follow-up question. She tilted her head, squinting like the walls might give her an answer if I didn't.
Frederica shook her head.
"This isn't just the Adventurers Guild," she said, calm as ever, "but the main base for every Guild. Commercial, magic tool craftsmen, everything. This is the center."
That was Frederica being thorough. I let her handle it.
"The Guild Association not only supports Guilds," she went on, "but they're in charge of Quests too. They distribute them to various Guilds across the Kingdom."
"So sometimes quests go straight to a Guild, and sometimes they come through the Association like this."
That was Yui, nodding, jotting things down in neat handwriting.
A diligent one, this girl. Someday, she'd probably be better at this job than me.
"What's the purpose of our visit today?"
That was Yui again. Direct, sharp.
"A quest request," I said. "From the Headquarters Chief."
I sighed. "Usually... they're the kinds of jobs no one sane wants."
And then—
BAM!
The doors SLAMMED open with a crack like thunder.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I'M HERE!"
That was the voice that shot through the room.
And in she came—a short girl with purplish silver hair, twin-tails swishing as she marched right up to us.
Eyes like sharp-cut amethyst. Her expression said she was already two steps from picking a fight.
"Are you the Headquarters Chief? Wow... young... are you the same age as me?"
That was Yui. She blinked fast, clearly caught off guard.
"Not the Headquarters Chief," Frederica replied, her tone flat as ice. "This is the Guildmaster of another Guild."
The girl didn't even blink. She stopped right in front of me and gave me a grin that was half smug, half trouble.
"Long time no see, Act."
That was Milia.
Guildmaster of the S-Class, first-ranked Adventurers Guild: Crown of Blood.
Fourteen years old.
Terrifying.
"You too, Milia."
That was my reply. Short. Careful.
I'd learned to be cautious with this one.
Then she glanced behind me.
At Yui.
"...Who is this?"
That was Milia's question. Her frown deepened.
"My disciple."
That was my answer. Simple. But I felt Yui tense behind me.
"Hmm. So it IS."
Milia's eyes narrowed.
"Another girl, huh? You sure do have a LOT of girls in your Guild!"
That was Milia, raising an eyebrow, but her tone was sharp.
Trouble.
"That's not true," I said. "Why are you so angry?"
"I'M NOT ANGRY! SHUT UP! HMPH!"
That was Milia, snapping as her face went red.
Classic.
Frederica leaned in close to Yui, whispering loud enough for me to hear anyway.
"...She's Milia. Guildmaster of Crown of Blood. Fourteen years old."
"...She's fourteen... and a Guildmaster..."
That was Yui, whispering back, wide-eyed. "Amazing..."
"By the way, her father and our Master are old friends."
That was Frederica, sounding like she was adding gossip to a shopping list.
Then Milia coughed.
Twice. Loud.
"You got a call from the Headquarters Chief, too. Just in time."
That was Milia again. And then—
She pointed straight at me.
Sharp. Like a dagger.
"YOU, TODAY YOU BECOME MINE!"
That was what she shouted.
Yui's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"EH—EEEEHHHHHH!?"
That was Yui, freaking out in real time.
And then—
"W-WHAT DO YOU MEAN!? A-ARE YOU SAYING WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!?"
That was Yui again. She practically shrieked.
I sighed.
"N-NO! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"
Milia shouted back, flailing her arms.
"WHO WOULD MARRY A GUY WITH SUCH A TERRIBLE FACE AND PERSONALITY! I WOULDN'T—!!"
That was Milia. Her whole face was red.
Frederica chuckled under her breath.
"What is it, cold-hearted woman?!"
That was Milia snapping again, spinning toward Frederica.
"I'm not," Frederica said, almost smiling. "I just think you're a Tsundere."
"UGH! WHAT THE HECK!"
Milia stomped her foot.
Then she coughed again, hard enough I thought she might pass out.
"Act."
Her voice was steady this time. Serious.
"Forget about that pathetic Weakling Relief Guild."
That was her insult. Direct hit.
I didn't flinch.
"You should be training a large number of Elites under me. Otherwise, you're wasting their talent."
That was her argument. Clean. Brutal.
"I highly rate your eyes and your training skills."
Milia's expression sharpened.
"They're remarkable. With you, our Guild stays number one. No contest."
And then she extended her hand toward me.
Confident. Expecting.
"Act. Join Crown of Blood. I've reserved a spot as Deputy Guildmaster for you."
That was her offer.
A big one.
"W-wow... headhunted directly by the number one Guild..."
That was Yui, whispering behind me.
"A-amazing..."
"Sir Act... what will you do?"
That was Frederica.
Though she already knew.
My answer was decided.
"I'm sorry, Milia. I have to decline."
"WHA—WHAT!? WHY!?"
That was Milia, shouting as she leaned forward, eyes wide.
"I have a mountain of responsibilities here. I appreciate the offer, but it's still too early for me to leave."
That was my answer. Firm.
Milia gritted her teeth.
"...Is it really impossible? Come on... isn't there a way?"
"It's impossible."
That was me, not budging.
"I'll offer you any salary you want. Benefits. Name it!"
That was Milia, desperate now.
"Still not good enough?!"
"It's impossible."
That was my final word.
She looked down for a moment.
Then she wiped at her eyes.
Once. Quick.
"HMPH! You're such a FOOLISH Guildmaster!"
That was Milia, shouting as her voice cracked.
"I went out of my way to invite you, and you just REFUSE!"
"Tsk... if you come back crying, saying you want to join me—"
Her voice caught.
"—it'll be TOO LATE!"
"That won't happen," I said. "So don't worry."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She looked away. Fast.
"DUMMY! DUMMY! ACT'S SUCH A DUMMY! HMPH!"
That was Milia's parting shot.
And even knowing her...
It still hit a little harder than I expected.
* * *
Shortly after, the Chief of the Guild Association Headquarters arrived.
He was 60 years old, but had a strong build and gave off a youthful impression.
He took a seat in front of me and Milia, who were sitting on the sofa.
"I'm sorry to call you out when you're busy. There's a rather troublesome [Monster] that can only be entrusted to you."
He activated a magical tool for video recording and displayed a 3D image in mid-air.
However, due to the lightning striking around, the image was rather unclear.
"What is this? Is this the monster?"
"...It's a [Kirin]."
As I said this, the Headquarters Chief nodded.
"As expected of Act, your eyesight is exceptional. That's right, it's a beast of the storm god that summons thunderclouds and scatters Thunderbolts around."
Perhaps due to the lightning, the image abruptly cut off.
"An SS Rank monster, huh. This is certainly going to be a tough one."
"Sir Act. Isn't S-Rank the highest?"
"Typically, yes. However, Ancient Dragons and similar powerful foes are rated above S-Rank."
The Headquarters Chief nodded and said.
"It's a Hero Party case, but unfortunately, they seem to be tied up at the moment. The Adventurers have received the call. We need to repel it."
"We're not exterminating, just repelling, right?"
"We can handle it if we cooperate with Milia's Guild."
"Just wait a moment."
Milia says with a clearly displeased expression.
"Repel? What kind of half-baked idea is that? They're pests, not something to name! We should just exterminate them."
She declares confidently, puffing out her chest.
"This extermination request, we [Crown of Blood] will take it on!"
The Headquarters Chief speaks with a frown.
"Certainly, Blood Glory is the top S-Class guild, with an elite team. But still..."
"What is it? Not satisfied?"
"Act, I'm worried, so you go with them."
But Milia shakes her head.
"It's fine. We can handle it on our own."
"Hey now, don't be ridiculous."
"It's not ridiculous, Headquarters Chief. We're the top S-Class guild, standing above all other Adventurers Guilds. We don't need anyone else's help."
Blood Glory is home to a multitude of S-Rank Adventurers, and Milia has a unique skill that serves as the source of her confidence.
"I'll take care of it. Any objections, Act?"
"I'm not going to argue with your methods. But I think it's better to wait and see for a few days."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Normally your guild could handle it, but now is a bad time."
"Hmph! The timing doesn't matter. My Elite is always in top condition."
Milia snatches the request form from the Headquarters Chief and stands up to leave.
"Milia, it might be better if you stop."
"Annoying! Don't interfere with my invitations after rejecting mine! Idiot."
She glares at me, then turns on her heel and walks out.
"Ah... sorry, Act. Milia is talented, but she's still a child."
"It's fine."
I pick up a Communication Magic Item to make contact.
"It's Act, about this case..."
After finishing the call, I put away the magical tools.
"I see, as expected of Act. You work quickly."
"Let's go, you two."
I leave the Room with Frederica and the others.
"Sir Act, will our Guild also mobilize to support Blood Glory?"
"Don't be ridiculous. This request was accepted by Milia. If other Guilds intervene without her permission, it goes against the association's regulations."
"W-well, are you just going to leave them alone?"
"That's right. We won't get involved. We won't."
Yui looks down with a worried expression.
But Frederica smiles and pats her head.
"Don't worry. The Master is a compassionate person; he won't overlook a life about to disappear right before him."
"But to say you won't intervene..."
"The Master has his own thoughts. Let's trust in our greatest Guildmaster's Skill."
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