Chapter 183

I scanned the faces of the nobles, starting with Elaine. Every single one of them was pale, unable to cope with their shattered pride.

Elaine Roma barely managed to speak. I thought she would storm out immediately, but it seemed she had developed some patience. Or perhaps she was just that desperate.

“…If the Guild Master wishes, we can adjust the terms of the negotiation through an internal meeting. We are hoping for an amicable merger.”

All this time, she’d been saying ‘we,’ but now it was a deferential ‘we.’ A corner of my mouth lifted.

“Elaine Roma, in a case like this, the word is ‘absorption.’ If Bluebird and Guardian were to become one, the only way is for you to be absorbed by us.”

“…”

“Of course, that’s only if I even want to absorb you. But…”

I stood up from my seat. Then, I casually pushed over the glass that had held my mint chocolate drink.

The glass tipped, and the drink—cloudy from the melted ice—spilled across the table. The documents Elaine had presented were stained and splotched.

“Hmm, I don’t think I have the appetite for it. I feel like I’d get a stomachache.”

As I made a move to turn away, Elaine shot to her feet. Her wavering eyes were filled with panic.

She knew that if she let this chance slip by, she would never get another one.

“G-Guild Master, please wait a moment! You have to at least tell us what it would take for you to agree! How else are we supposed to consider it?”

“I already told you. There will be no merger between Bluebird and Guardian. There’s a limit to how big a difference in class can be, tsk.”

“B-But you said we should join forces!”

“Who said otherwise? If you really want to join Guardian, then fill out individual applications and crawl your way in. I won’t stop you from doing that much.”

“…W-We can’t do that. We can never accept those terms.”

“Accept? Don’t make me laugh. Who do you think you are?”

“We are nobles! Nobles who deserve to be treated with respect!”

How could someone like this be a noble?

Duke Ruthius, the pinnacle of nobility, had said countless arrogant things, but he was never this ridiculous. He was a man who truly fit the title of ‘noble.’ I let out a sigh.

“Elaine Roma, I’m only going to say this once, so listen carefully. You are not special to me in the slightest. You’re in no position to act high and mighty, talking about negotiations and whatnot. If you want to be treated with respect so badly, go treat each other with respect. Just not here. Do you understand?”

“…”

“Who knows? If you manage to break into the top 10 rankings, I might just run to you barefoot and beg you to join.”

“…”

“But that’s never going to happen. As you well know.”

Even if Elaine completed her second awakening, it was impossible for someone ranked 70th to climb into the top 10. Their fundamental abilities were on completely different levels.

“It feels a bit wrong to send you away empty-handed after you came all this way, so I’ll give you a chance.”

“A chance?”

“Either give up all this talk of special treatment and join like any other guild member, or if you don’t want to, quietly go back. Oh, and keep in mind that if you cause any trouble or pull any of that noble nonsense after joining, you’ll be expelled immediately.”

“Are you… telling us to become ordinary guild members?”

“You catch on quick.”

“That’s absurd! How can nobles and commoners be the same!”

“Alex, Sir Johan, and Sir Kaiel here are all treated the same as any other guild member. Is there a single thing you’re better at than them? If there is, speak up. I’ll take it into consideration.”

“…”

“This is the last chance I’m giving you. Choose quickly. Will you become members of Guardian, or will you remain with Bluebird?”

These were people who had spent their entire lives steeped in elitism, looking down on others. They couldn’t function unless someone was looking up to them.

If they remained with Bluebird, they wouldn’t just lose the admiration they craved; they’d be treated worse than commoners. The only option left was to join Guardian. They also had to consider Dante, the future emperor.

The blow to their pride would be temporary. They’d believe that if they just endured it for a little while, they could reclaim the past glory they enjoyed as nobles.

Besides, most of Guardian’s members were commoners. They would be confident that as nobles, once they joined, they could easily rule over the other guild members.

“P-Please give us some time to think. We need to discuss this amongst ourselves.”

“Well, it looks like they’ve already decided to join.”

“What?”

When Elaine whirled around, the other Bluebird nobles awkwardly tried to hide something. They were the application forms that the quick-witted Zenia had handed out.

“Elaine, you’re the only one left to decide.”

“…”

“What’s it going to be? If you’re joining, fill out the form.”

“…”

“Hmm, I guess that’s a no. In that case… farewell. You know where the exit is, right?”

“W-Wait!”

“What is it?”

“…I’ll do it.”

“What was that?”

“I said I’ll join!”

In the end, Elaine swallowed her pride and filled out the application form.

I watched her intently for a moment before heading up to my office.

“Zenia, keep a close eye on them. Report to me immediately if they cause any trouble.”

“Don’t you worry, Guild Master.”

* * *

Gates opened one after another in a frenzy.

Fortunately, they were low-risk gates and not difficult to clear, but I was swamped all morning.

“It’s already lunchtime.”

I’d been working without even a moment to drink a glass of water, and half of the lunch hour had already passed.

Zenia hadn’t said anything to me all this time? No matter how busy she was, she always made sure I ate…

“Is she that busy?”

Just as I pushed aside a messy pile of documents and was about to stand up, Alex burst into the office without knocking.

“Astell, what are you doing in here? There’s a fight in the cafeteria, aren’t you going to watch?”

No wonder. So Zenia wasn’t busy, she was just away from her desk. Then again, watching a fight is the best kind of entertainment.

Fights broke out every so often, as many of the swordsman-rank Hunters had aggressive personalities.

“Who’s fighting?”

“Hunter Elaine and Hunter Hailey!”

“…What did you say?”

Elaine was a swordsman, and Hailey was a mage-rank summoner. There shouldn’t be any reason for them to clash, right?

“Hunter Hailey was eating at a window seat, and I guess Hunter Elaine wanted to sit there. So she told Hunter Hailey to move, but Hunter Hailey refused? And then…”

“You can stop. I know what’s going on.”

It was obvious what Elaine Roma would do in that situation. She’d try to teach the disobedient commoner a lesson.

Just a few hours ago, Elaine Roma had been publicly humiliated in front of all the guild members. So I had expected her to lie low for at least a week.

But for her to cause trouble in less than half a day… It seems I underestimated Elaine.

Alex, looking thoroughly excited, jerked his head.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go watch!”

The cafeteria was packed so tightly there was no room to move. It seemed like every single guild member was gathered there.

The incident was taking place by the window.

Hailey was sitting quietly in her seat, while Elaine stood with an arrogant expression, flanked by two handmaidens. Aside from Hailey, everyone involved was from Bluebird.

I stood silently behind the crowd of guild members surrounding them. Just then, I heard familiar voices.

“Lady Astell, what is all this?”

“I was hoping to have a meal with the Princess for the first time in a while… but the atmosphere isn’t very pleasant.”

It was Johan and Kaiel. I quickly covered their mouths.

“Shh! Be quiet!”

I gestured to the guild members who were turning around one by one, signaling them to keep quiet. Then I whispered to Kaiel and Johan.

“Sir Johan, Sir Kaiel, just watch quietly.”

“But Lady Astell, it looks like they’re fighting. Shouldn’t we stop them?”

“It seems the Princess has something else in mind.”

“Sir Kaiel is right. So, Sir Johan, if you don’t want to get kicked out, stay put.”

“Yes…”

Johan replied dejectedly, like a puppy scolded by its owner, and Kaiel let out a soft chuckle.

<Kaiel / Title — The Humble Partner>

<Johan Scha Nute / Title — The One Who Repays Sin>

Kaiel’s title was one thing, but Johan’s was unexpected.

The One Who Repays Sin. Since he’s a paladin, wouldn’t ‘The One Who Forgives Sin’ be more fitting?

My pondering didn’t last long. Elaine’s shrill voice cut through the air.

“Say that again.”

“…”

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”

“…”

“‘Either sit somewhere else, or please wait until I’ve finished my meal.’ That’s what you said just a moment ago! Don’t you remember?”

“…”

Hailey hung her head low. Her face and neck were flushed red.

“Which territory do your parents live in? If I say the word to the lord there, it would be nothing to turn your family into beggars overnight. You knew that much when you decided to be insolent, right?”

“…”

“Regardless… of rank… a commoner… is a commoner. And I… am a noble… whom you… should serve.”

With each syllable, Elaine poked Hailey’s forehead with her fingertip. Her words were meant not just for Hailey, but for every guild member to hear.

“The Guild Master must be out of her mind, letting vermin like this run wild. Hah, how absurd.”

After aggressively wiping her hand with a handkerchief, Elaine picked up a soup bowl. It looked like she was about to pour it on Hailey.

The reason for Elaine’s overly dramatic behavior was simple. She was using this as an opportunity to crush the commoner guild members. To make them crawl on their own.

In an instant, I was behind Elaine, snatching her wrist.

“Whose face were you planning to douse with that hot soup?”

“G-Guild Master?”

Elaine’s face went white. As I twisted her arm behind her back, my eyes fixed on her panicked, wavering gaze, she screamed.

“Aargh! It hurts! It hurts!”

“I’m sure it hurt Hunter Hailey more.”

“I didn’t do anything! I swear! I d-didn’t lay a single finger on her!”

“Does it only hurt if you hit someone? Words can kill, too.”

“I-I won’t do it again, Guild Master! Please let go of my hand. *Sob*! I think my arm is going to break!”

I shoved Elaine away. She and her two handmaidens tumbled to the floor in a heap.

As I stood before them, Elaine flinched, her shoulders trembling in fear. Having been raised delicately as a count’s daughter, she couldn’t endure even this much pain.

“I told you to behave. I guess my words didn’t mean anything to you?”

“G-Guild Master… I-I was wrong. But please, hear me out. There was a reason…”

“I’m not interested in excuses. As of this moment, Elaine Roma is expelled from Guardian. The same goes for the two behind you. From now on, Elaine Roma is permanently banned from joining Guardian.”

“Guild Master!”

Elaine screamed, her face ashen. It was a stark contrast to the suddenly brightened expressions of the other guild members.

I glared at the guild members who were silently reveling in Elaine’s misfortune.

“What are you all smiling about? Instead of helping a colleague in a difficult situation, you just stand by and watch? And you call yourselves members of Guardian?”

The reason I had been watching silently was because I believed the guild members would side with Hailey and stand up to Elaine.

But not a single person did.

Of course, it would be difficult for a commoner to defy a noble who was threatening their family. I wasn’t unaware of that.

But in that case, they should have run to me. They shouldn’t have just stood there watching.

The guild members knew that the situation could be easily resolved if they used me, who was on their side, yet they remained silent.

It was probably because, deep down, they thought of me as just another noble, the same as Elaine.

I glared at the guild members, who were all looking at the ground, and opened my mouth.

“From now on, all guild members are temporarily—”

It was at that very moment. Someone wrapped their arms around my neck from behind.

“Why is my darling so angry?”