Chapter 52: The room where it happened.

No one knew how long had the woman been there, only that she was always there, in the biggest office of any branch of the Adventurer’s Guild. With doll-like beauty, long black hair flowing down like waterfalls, and eyes so beautiful it was as if they were carved out of amethysts.

That was the Guild Master. She was as strong as she was terrifying. With a flicker of her wrist, shadows formed like blades as countless powerful monsters were cut as easily as cutting butter. She had perfectly mastered all three styles of swordsmanship, and it was likely that she knew a variety of magic spells, both modern and ancient.

She had always had a cold demeanor. She was not angry, nor was she inherently cruel. She doesn’t react at all. Perhaps time itself had withered down her emotions, as that woman kept working, working, and working in her office with soulless eyes.

Rather than a person, it was as if she were a soulless puppet searching for a soul. That is, until she found her missing piece. The Adventurers Guild Master has been showing a lot more reactions as of late.

She gets irritated at things, turns happy, annoyed, … The vivid emotions she had been showing were a surprise for the Guild members, but it wasn’t unpleasant… at least she seemed more human. At worst, her glare turns harsher, and her office would freeze over.

Rumors had spread that she started dating. And oh how everyone loves to gossip about these types of things. But what stunned them was that instead of a prince charming, the Guild Master had brought back a child. Some were even convinced it was her own flesh and blood.

Unfortunately, that kid was not. Laurel was just a kid that somehow managed to catch the Guild Master’s attention. He was a good kid, and certainly a very likable one. After the Guild Master brought him here, a third of the paperwork seemed to magically disappear.

Personality-wise, he was quite adorable. Hard-working, polite, and ready for work. The reputation of this branch had elevated, and people were looking at them with smiles all thanks to him.

It was no wonder as to why the Guild Master would look favorably upon him. A raise in salary, no overtime, and a good environment… What else was there to say? Anyone would appreciate such a lucky charm.

Sadly, Laurel did not seem to get along with the Guild Master. He seemed to be somewhat afraid of her, even if he didn’t really talk about it. Not that he was to blame; the Guild Master’s cold demeanor could even scare off monsters, let alone a child.

But sooner or later, he would eventually realize how kind and gentle the Guild Master is, unlike the icy expression she always shows. Or at the very least, that was what they had initially thought.

“Guild Masterrr~" Can’t you spare some love for your tiny subordinate? Please?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

… Were the two of them secretly dating? An office relationship between the coworker and the boss? Laurel and the Guild Master? THAT Guild Master???

…

Laurel’s POV

…

Those who were walking had tripped, and those who were drinking had choked. Even the cool and composed Guild Master had cracked. She did not show it in her expression, but her tea was boiling to the point where it was spilling. Everyone I knew was staring at me… Fuck.

Silence ensued between us. No one had said or asked anything as they tried to find their own conclusions to this matter. But why isn’t anyone saying anything? If it looks ridiculous, then go ahead and laugh, and if it looks bad, then just jeer or something. Don’t just watch!

“N-No. No means no.”

Said the Guild Master, waving her arm and closing the door, kicking out Angel in the process. Did she just stutter? I didn’t know whether that was a good sign or not. However, I can’t just stop now, especially since she had reacted.

“Guild Master Melantha~ You know how much I treasure you~”

“…”

Since no one had said anything, I’ll assume my skills are of standard. I knelt down at her side and started to tug at her shirt. Even cold ice would melt; why wouldn’t I be able to melt the cold heart of a grandma?

“Guild Master~ Guild Master~ Guild Master~”

“… Hah… Why do you want to go to the Begaritt Continent in the first place?”

Finally, after grinding her defenses with cuteness, the master had relented. And once there’s a crack in the dam, there'll be a flood crashing in. It’s time for some crocodile tears, Laurel.

“There’s a high chance my mother’s there. I need to find her.”

“… Is there any evidence?”

“… None.”

“Then that’s that.”

M*therfucking…

“… Guild Master~”

“… Tch.”

“Can’t you dish out just a tincy-wincy bit of favor just for yours truly?”

“…”

“Guild Master~ You know how loyal and useful I am. Come on~ Guild Master~”

“Hah… Pay off your debts first.”

“Guild Master~ Guild Master~ You know I’ll pay them all up eventually. I’ll slave the rest of my days to pay them off. I’ll even repay them with my whole body if I have to. Guild Master~ Please help me~”

“Anything?”

The Guild Master asked; her tone suddenly became interested. It was a tone I had never heard her using before. It felt as though she would pull out a demonic contract from her boobs and hand it over to me right there and then, so I backed off without a shred of hesitation.

“Well… Almost anything. There are things I can’t do, after all, ahaha…”

“… A pity.”

… What the? Did I just dodge a bomb? Guild Master. Just what in the devil did you plan on taking from me? As expected, one should never, ever, ever trust the words of a beautiful woman. They’re all foxes, vixens waiting for you to let your guard down and rip out your heart.

“… Alright.”

“?”

“I’ll allow you to go there in two months.”

Wut? Huh? What the heck? Why did she suddenly allow it after rejecting so many times? I turn skeptical. What is this demoness planning this time?

“… Why two?”

“You’d be able to finish sending Vast Expanse to the North.”

"…How do you even—"

“I can tell.”

“… I… see.”

That doesn’t explain anything. But it’s not like we’re close enough to be sharing our secrets, so just as she couldn’t ask me, I too cannot force an answer from her. She’d probably planted an informant or three in Vast Expanse. Tch, no wonder things were going so smoothly.

“And the personnel you’re sending over are?"

The Guild Master flashed a smile. It was such a breathtaking smile that makes one’s heart skip a beat. And with that smile, the Guild Master announced a single word that drove all my feelings back to dread.

“Me.”