Chapter 27 – Guild of the Setting Sun 5
In contrast to Aix and his friends’s sweet atmosphere, a heavy tension hung between the guild master and the receptionist on the way back.
It was because of the guild master’s incomprehensible statement at parting, “I’m sorry, Aix-san. I’ll withdraw! The guild and Aix-san are no longer related, so I apologize!”
Of course, the receptionist was not convinced by this and finally couldn’t suppress her dissatisfaction anymore. She pointed her finger at him and began to vehemently rebuke him.
“Guild Master! What was with that flimsy conversation earlier?!”
“W-Well, that is…”
In reality, there was an ulterior motive for the guild master’s strange behavior – if Aix left the town, he would be punished by the viscount.
The reason for this was that he had already spent the large sum of money (11 gold coins) that he had received from the butler Yesman-san.
But the receptionist didn’t know that, so she couldn’t understand the guild master’s inexplicable actions.
“Certainly, negotiations with Aix-san were hopeless. However, if we showed the enthusiasm to chase after him to the next town, we still had a chance!”
His life would end when he went to another city so the Guild Master desperately prevented her from saying anything disturbing.
“It’s no good! We can’t drive Aix-kun to another town because of us.”
“Indeed, But what should we do now?”
“Don’t worry. I still have a secret plan.”
Since peaceful negotiation was no longer an option, it was certain that things would not be good.
“A secret plan?”
“Ah, from now on, responsibility for this matter now belongs to me. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
The receptionist’s tone quieted down.
“Y-Yes.”
“More importantly, your role is to persuade the adventurers to wait for three days. Can you do it?”
The guild master smiled.
“I understand. I also have to polish myself up as a woman before Aix-san returns.”
“I’m counting on you.”
As he watched the receptionist skip away happily, the guild master hurriedly walked around the warehouse and stopped at a thick pillar.
“Finally, the time has come to use it.”
Upon confirming that there was no one around, the guild master disappeared into the hidden room inside the pillar. “It’s a waste to use it on a defective magician like him, but I can’t compromise my safety,” he said. Upon opening the only treasure chest in the room, he took out a suspicious black ring emitting a strange aura. This was his secret weapon!
[Ring of Slavery]
Lowers the wearer’s abilities by one stage.
Absorbs the wearer’s mental energy.
Forces the wearer to receive telepathic messages.
Cannot be removed by the wearer. “Hehehe. A Ring of Slavery. If persuasion fails, I can just use force. Aix, you’ll regret ever getting greedy and not being satisfied with my proposal.” The guild master chuckled, reading the appraisal paper that came with the magic item. However, as he read, his expression twisted and he eventually crumpled the paper in his hand.
“Shit. What the hell!… Lowering all abilities by one stage? If I use the Ring of Slavery on Aix, who can only use basic magic, he won’t be able to use any magic!” he exclaimed angrily.
This unexpected statement came as a shock, especially after building up so much anticipation. He had ridiculed Aix for only being able to use basic magic, but now he was about to suffer because of it?!
“Why? Why can’t you use anything besides basic magic? Aix!! At least learn some intermediate-level magic,” the guild master demanded.
Unaware of Aix’s voluntary decision to abandon advanced-level magic, the guild master would have been even angrier if he knew.
“Ughhh… I can’t believe this! A basic-level magician! I climbed all the way up to being guild master, and now I stumble because of someone like him!” he roared, punching the wall in anger.
To his surprise, it hurt and he grimaced in pain.
The once reliable Ring of Slavery had been rendered useless by Aix’s inexplicable ability, so the request failure was confirmed.
The Guild Master scratched his hair with his fingers anxiously.
“The request has failed. I can’t afford to reimburse him… I have to run… However, I need money to run away….”
His recent purchase of a new house turned out to be his biggest mistake, as it was incomplete and could not be sold for cash. “I need money… I’ll die without it.” He didn’t quite understand his own thoughts, but that was his current predicament.
He even began to pale as he trembled in anticipation of the coming events. Suddenly, his movement halted and he smirked darkly. “Wait a minute… hehehe,” he chuckled, an idea coming to him. The idea was his last-ditch effort to save himself. “There is money, after all.”
The Guild Master with bloodshot eyes opened the door and to their surprise, it was the guild’s vault filled with shining piles of silver coins that reflected their ugly pig face.
“As expected of me. With this, I can start anew! What’s more, adventurers, don’t you dare complain for my sake.”
Without hesitation, he packed his guild member’s gold into his bag and also threw in any valuable items he could find.
“Oh, I’ll take this too.”
Finally, he added a slavery ring to their bag, and dark miasma rose from it.
He spread the map on the table and considered their escape route.
“The gate won’t do. I’m a well-known figure, and there’s a risk of being caught. Should I escape through the forest and enter the main road? Alright, let’s do that.”
He walked through the dimly lit night, and the lukewarm wind brushed against their cheeks.
As he entered the forest, the scent of dense trees filled his senses.
Mana filled the air, and a crackling blue light ran straight through the forest, burning his way into his eyes.
“What was that just now? Is that the rumored new type of barrier?”
He was certain that this barrier was only effective against monsters as he could hear the distant howling of beasts.
“Well, forget about it. Although I’m extremely hungry, I’ll run now, and I’ll definitely come back stronger. Remember that, Aix!”
And so, the Guild Master escaped the city with the guild’s shared funds, and his escape began!