It seems that what Mitera said about the staff quitting one after another was true, as there was no one at the counter.
Itโs practically a closed shop.
Apparently, even the remaining staff are slacking off.
Things can really fall apart in an instantโฆ
When I was around, at least I felt like they were maintaining the appearance of a mid-tier guildโฆ
I climb the stairs with everyone. The Guild Masterโs office is on the second floor.
โI 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.
โExcuse me.โ
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.
โฆIt was my former colleague who had thrown me out through the back door.
The Guild Master, noticing Miteraโs visit, stood up with a strained smile.
โOh! Iโm so glad you came. Everyone here has been so useless. Letโs tackle these difficulties together today.โ
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 Miteraโs back, but I could tell her shoulders slumped ever so slightly.
โI have something important to discuss with you today regarding that. Please, take this.โ
As she said, seemingly prepared, Mitera pulled out her resignation letter and handed it to the Guild Master.
The Guild Master and my former colleagueโs eyes were glued to the piece of paper. Their movements froze completely.
โAs of today, I, Mitera Loll, am resigning from ใBarbaใ. I have already prepared a handover document, which is stored at my former desk, so please check it.โ
โWh-what?โ
โHuh?โ
Both of them let out sounds as if the air had been knocked out of them.
Miteraโs voice, however, remained steady.
โThough, judging by the current state of things, Iโm not sure how useful the handover document will be. Thank you for everything up until now.โ
โW-wait, wait, wait, โAh!?โ
The Guild Master pointed at me.
He finally noticed.
His exhausted face flushed with anger.
โYou, 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!?โ
โWith all due respect.โ
โIt 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 Miteraโs presence.
โI decided to resign of my own will. The reason is quite simple. โI can no longer follow this guild.โ Thatโs all. From now on, I will be in the care of Mr. Isto Rilos.โ
A pause, about three full seconds.
Finally, the Guild Master swallowed and responded.
โB-but heโs a useless, jobless man. What could he possiblyโโ
โOh, may I speak?โ
Griffo-san stepped forward, stroking his beard.
The Guild Master opened his eyes wide in shock, but Griffo-san looked somewhat amused.
โYou call him โuselessโ and โjobless,โ but I saw with my own eyes what Isto didโhow he repelled the โWhale of the Earthโ with incredible skill. On top of that, heโs 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.โ
โOโฆughโฆ!โ
The Guild Master looked as if heโd been punched in the stomach.
Next to him, my former colleague kept muttering, โWhy?โ
It was as if I could hear his inner thoughts.
โWhy him?โ
โWhy him over me?โ
โWhy is he recognized?โ
Sweat-drenched wrinkles formed all over his face. His expression had become strange, a mixture of too many emotions.
โPathetic.
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.
โItโs been a while.โ
โGโฆIsto Rilosโฆ I never thought you would be so highly regardedโฆโ
โI told you back then, didnโt I? Neglecting administrative work will lead to serious problems.โ
โGโฆguhโฆf-fine. Iโll overlook your mistakes and rude behavior. How about we get through this crisis together?โ
โโฆโ
โAlright. Iโll apologize. I was wrong. Iโm sorry. See, Iโm bowing my head.โ
โโฆโ
โโฆSurely, youโre not going to refuse, with me, the Guild Master, bowing my head like thisโฆright?โ
โโฆโ
โH-heyโฆ Isto Rilosโฆ?โ
โSorry, but itโs too late.โ
Pathetic.
But more than that, infuriating.
I was just a pawn to be used as they saw fit.
Iโve had enough of being mocked!
โIโm no longer a member of this guild. So, Iโm going to speak my mind.โ
I slammed my hand on the desk.
The Guild Master and my former colleague flinched as I spoke decisively.
โDonโt look down on the pride of those who work diligently every single day!โ
โโโ
โAhhhโฆโ
As soon as we left Guild ใBarbaใ, Mitera stretched her arms high.
โAhhh, that felt great!โ
โEven you say things like that, Mitera?โ
โYes, I do. I had a lot built up, you know. So many things.โ
She smiled mischievously. It wasnโt the icy expression that made men tremble.
โYou were cool too, Isto-kun. You said it perfectly. Well done.โ
โโฆDonโt treat me like a child.โ
She laughed softly. Then she pointed at the bag I was carrying.
โBy the way, what are you going to do with all those guild documents?โ
โThese? I thought I could use them as teaching materials for the kids. The guild is a treasure trove of trivia. Iโm planning to hold simple study sessions so the kids wonโt struggle when they eventually go out on their own.โ
โThat sounds great.โ
โMitera, youโre good at this sort of thing, right? Will you help me?โ
โOf course. Iโm now officially working for you, after all.โ
We clapped our hands together in sync.
Griffo-san gave us both a hearty pat on the shoulder with his large, rough hand.
โWell then, you two. Iโll guide you to the Guild Union. Follow me.โ
โOh my, Griffo-san seems to be in a good mood.โ
The two of them walked ahead.
I glanced toward the back alley.
It was about the same time of day as when Iโd been banished from ใBarbaใ. The alleyway was still dim.
Back then, I thought it led to the end of the worldโbut not anymore.
โIsto-kun.โ
โWhat are you doing? Weโre leaving.โ
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.