Volume 1 Chapter 19 The Villainous Guildmaster, A Former Noblewoman Seeking Help After Her Engagement is Broken Off
One day, in my (Guildmaster's) room.
"Yui. Starting today... you're training for the reception desk."
"Yes! I'm looking forward to it!"
Her bright eyes gleamed with excitement, oblivious to what awaited her.
I rose from my chair, my cloak trailing behind me like a shadow.
With Yui at my side, we descended from my room and made our way toward the Guild Hall on the first floor.
"The Guildmaster!"
"It's the Guildmaster!"
"Train me again, will you?!"
Tch.
A wave of voices crashed against me, the weight of a hundred desperate hopes pressing in.
"As expected of Sir Act... you're as popular as ever!"
Yui's voice was light, amused, as if the chaos around us was some kind of joke.
"I don't care," I muttered. My gaze turned cold as steel.
"It's a waste of time. You lot—get back to work."
But even as I barked the order, they kept closing in.
"How about a drink with us today, Guildmaster?"
"W-well, how about a date for a change?!"
Pathetic. Like moths throwing themselves at the flame.
Then—
"Everyone! The Guildmaster is *clearly* in trouble~"
Her voice rang out, smooth as silk and sharp as a blade.
From behind the reception desk, a figure approached, cutting through the clamor like the eye of a storm.
Tall. Poised. Effortlessly elegant.
"""Ms. Katrina!"""
The Guild members sighed her name, some in relief, others in reverence.
With a radiant, almost dangerous smile, she stood before them.
"Come on, everyone. If you don't work... you'll get *fired~*"
"""I don't want that! I'll work!"""
Panic scattered them like leaves before a gale.
"...Sorry about that, Katrina."
"No worries~," she said, her tone light, but her eyes were sharp.
"This is perfect. Yui, you'll learn the ropes from her. This is Katrina, one of the receptionists."
"Nice to meet you~," Katrina said, flashing a smile as polished as a noble's dagger.
Yui's eyes sparkled as she gave an eager bow.
"I know! Ms. Katrina is the most popular receptionist here, right!"
"Oh no~. I'm not that special."
Her modesty was a practiced lie, but an effective one.
But then—
"Ms. Katrina! Get back to the reception! There's a huge line!"
A junior staff member tugged at her sleeve with visible desperation.
And sure enough, the line stretched long, restless like a coiled serpent.
"It wouldn't matter who was at the reception, would it?" I muttered.
"Everyone loves Katrina-san," Yui whispered. "She's so kind... and beautiful. And she has this noble aura... sigh... I'm so envious."
I led Yui toward the reception desk, where Katrina was already slipping into her role like a blade into its sheath.
She worked with ruthless efficiency, guiding Yui through each task as though she had done so a thousand times.
"As expected of Katrina," I said quietly.
"Oh, come on~. Anyone could do this much. We're all chosen by the Guildmaster, after all," she replied, voice light... but something trembled beneath it.
"You're special. I like you."
Her hands faltered for a fraction of a second.
"...Ah, haha~. Um... th-that... thank you. I appreciate it~..."
Her cheeks, usually pale, bloomed scarlet as her gaze flickered, restless.
"I guess Cathy is the Guildmaster's true love, huh~."
"Grr, I'm so jealous of the Guildmaster."
"Well, I can understand though. The Guildmaster is handsome and the most reliable guy."
"Strongly agree."
The Guild members whispered among themselves, their voices low and envious.
And then—
"Katrina! Is Katrina here!?"
The heavy wooden doors slammed open with a deafening *crack*.
A young man with wild, blonde hair stormed into the Guild Hall.
His steps were unsteady, but his eyes burned with desperate purpose.
I narrowed my eyes. That face... I recognized it.
"...Sir Zaltchim..."
Katrina's voice trembled as she spoke his name, her face paling as if she'd seen a ghost.
Zaltchim lowered his head, shadow swallowing his expression.
His energy coiled like a cornered animal about to strike.
"...Could it be... that guy?"
My voice was cold.
Katrina nodded. Once. Twice.
Her hands shook.
"...Yui. Take Katrina to my house. Use the back exit. Don't let him follow."
Yui flinched but nodded.
"Huh? Ah... th-that... who is he?"
Her voice wavered.
"...I'll explain later."
Without another word, Yui took Katrina's hand and slipped into the shadows.
Zaltchim's head snapped up.
"Hey! Where's my girl?!"
He strode toward me, his glare burning with accusation.
"Who are you talking about?" I asked, voice flat.
"Katrina! My *ex*-fiancée should be working here!"
Ah. So this was him.
The man Katrina had spoken of in bitter fragments.
"Beats me."
"Don't play dumb!" he snarled. "It's futile! I've already done my research! Hand over Katrina *now*, you commoner!"
There it was.
The smug, rotting stench of noble arrogance.
"What the heck!"
"You show up outta nowhere and start barking orders!"
"Get lost, you spoiled brat!"
Zaltchim's temple twitched, his composure cracking.
"...You think you can mock me and walk away unscathed?"
His voice quivered with rage.
The doors slammed open again, and heavy boots stomped in.
Armed men. His hired goons.
They filled the hall, weapons already gleaming in their hands.
"What the heck is this?!"
"Are you seriously gonna try something?!"
Zaltchim sneered.
"Foolish question. You've insulted a nobleman with filthy words. That's a grave sin."
His hand dropped.
"Kill this wretched scum."
The mercenaries lunged forward, blades raised.
The Guild members didn't even flinch.
They didn't reach for their weapons.
They waited.
For me.
"That's enough," I said.
My voice echoed like a death knell.
*BOOM.*
In an instant, the mercenaries dropped, collapsing like puppets with their strings cut.
Zaltchim's eyes widened, sweat slicking his brow.
"W-what the hell did you do?!"
"I just put them to sleep," I replied.
A slow exhale.
A unique application of Time Acceleration.
By slowing their consciousness to the edge of stillness, they could do nothing but fall.
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