Chapter 17

It seems that what Mitera said about the staff quitting one after another was true, as there was no one at the counter.

It’s practically a closed shop.

Apparently, even the remaining staff are slacking off.

Things can really fall apart in an instant…

When I was around, at least I felt like they were maintaining the appearance of a mid-tier guild…

I climb the stairs with everyone. The Guild Master’s office is on the second floor.

—I remember.

A few days ago, I climbed these stairs filled with doubt and anxiety, and I descended them wrapped in disappointment and despair.

The door to the office was left wide open.

Papers were spilling out of the room, preventing the door from closing.

“Excuse me.”

In an eerily quiet tone, Mitera entered the office.

Griffo-san and I followed suit.

As soon as I stepped inside, I bit my lip slightly.

The Guild Master was slumped over his desk, buried in piles of paperwork.

Nearby, a male staff member was so exhausted he looked like he might fall off his chair.

…It was my former colleague who had thrown me out through the back door.

The Guild Master, noticing Mitera’s visit, stood up with a strained smile.

“Oh! I’m so glad you came. Everyone here has been so useless. Let’s tackle these difficulties together today.”

He plastered a forced smile on his face, with dark circles prominent under his eyes.

My former colleague had a similar look.

Neither of them had noticed me.

From where I stood, I could only see Mitera’s back, but I could tell her shoulders slumped ever so slightly.

“I have something important to discuss with you today regarding that. Please, take this.”

As she said, seemingly prepared, Mitera pulled out her resignation letter and handed it to the Guild Master.

The Guild Master and my former colleague’s eyes were glued to the piece of paper. Their movements froze completely.

“As of today, I, Mitera Loll, am resigning from 【Barba】. I have already prepared a handover document, which is stored at my former desk, so please check it.”

“Wh-what?”

“Huh?”

Both of them let out sounds as if the air had been knocked out of them.

Mitera’s voice, however, remained steady.

“Though, judging by the current state of things, I’m not sure how useful the handover document will be. Thank you for everything up until now.”

“W-wait, wait, wait, ―Ah!?”

The Guild Master pointed at me.

He finally noticed.

His exhausted face flushed with anger.

“You, you! Isto Rilos! So it was you pulling the strings behind the scenes. How dare you! Banished because of your incompetence, you now resort to such underhanded tactics! How did you deceive Mitera!?”

“With all due respect.”

—It felt like the temperature in the room suddenly dropped.

Not only the Guild Master, but even I held my breath without realizing it.

Even Griffo-san shrank under Mitera’s presence.

“I decided to resign of my own will. The reason is quite simple. ‘I can no longer follow this guild.’ That’s all. From now on, I will be in the care of Mr. Isto Rilos.”

A pause, about three full seconds.

Finally, the Guild Master swallowed and responded.

“B-but he’s a useless, jobless man. What could he possibly—”

“Oh, may I speak?”

Griffo-san stepped forward, stroking his beard.

The Guild Master opened his eyes wide in shock, but Griffo-san looked somewhat amused.

“You call him ‘useless’ and ‘jobless,’ but I saw with my own eyes what Isto did—how he repelled the ‘Whale of the Earth’ with incredible skill. On top of that, he’s now rebuilding a lost orphanage and protecting the children. A respectable job, if I say so myself. I fully support this man. In fact, I plan to request support for him from the Guild Union in the name of Griffo Moni.”

“O…ugh…!”

The Guild Master looked as if he’d been punched in the stomach.

Next to him, my former colleague kept muttering, “Why?”

It was as if I could hear his inner thoughts.

‘Why him?’

‘Why him over me?’

‘Why is he recognized?’

Sweat-drenched wrinkles formed all over his face. His expression had become strange, a mixture of too many emotions.

—Pathetic.

Mitera and Griffo-san both looked my way.

I quietly nodded and stepped forward to face the Guild Master, sparing a glance at my former colleague.

“It’s been a while.”

“G…Isto Rilos… I never thought you would be so highly regarded…”

“I told you back then, didn’t I? Neglecting administrative work will lead to serious problems.”

“G…guh…f-fine. I’ll overlook your mistakes and rude behavior. How about we get through this crisis together?”

“…”

“Alright. I’ll apologize. I was wrong. I’m sorry. See, I’m bowing my head.”

“…”

“…Surely, you’re not going to refuse, with me, the Guild Master, bowing my head like this…right?”

“…”

“H-hey… Isto Rilos…?”

“Sorry, but it’s too late.”

Pathetic.

But more than that, infuriating.

I was just a pawn to be used as they saw fit.

I’ve had enough of being mocked!

“I’m no longer a member of this guild. So, I’m going to speak my mind.”

I slammed my hand on the desk.

The Guild Master and my former colleague flinched as I spoke decisively.

“Don’t look down on the pride of those who work diligently every single day!”

◆◇◆

“Ahhh…”

As soon as we left Guild 【Barba】, Mitera stretched her arms high.

“Ahhh, that felt great!”

“Even you say things like that, Mitera?”

“Yes, I do. I had a lot built up, you know. So many things.”

She smiled mischievously. It wasn’t the icy expression that made men tremble.

“You were cool too, Isto-kun. You said it perfectly. Well done.”

“…Don’t treat me like a child.”

She laughed softly. Then she pointed at the bag I was carrying.

“By the way, what are you going to do with all those guild documents?”

“These? I thought I could use them as teaching materials for the kids. The guild is a treasure trove of trivia. I’m planning to hold simple study sessions so the kids won’t struggle when they eventually go out on their own.”

“That sounds great.”

“Mitera, you’re good at this sort of thing, right? Will you help me?”

“Of course. I’m now officially working for you, after all.”

We clapped our hands together in sync.

Griffo-san gave us both a hearty pat on the shoulder with his large, rough hand.

“Well then, you two. I’ll guide you to the Guild Union. Follow me.”

“Oh my, Griffo-san seems to be in a good mood.”

The two of them walked ahead.

I glanced toward the back alley.

It was about the same time of day as when I’d been banished from 【Barba】. The alleyway was still dim.

Back then, I thought it led to the end of the world—but not anymore.

“Isto-kun.”

“What are you doing? We’re leaving.”

Ahead of me was a bright road, fitting for the start of a new day.

All I have to do is trust in the future, and in everyone, and keep moving forward.