The new Guild Master was a white-haired man in late middle age who looked exactly the part.
「I’m Takato Ichinose, Master of the Goblin Extermination Guild」
「I am Lloyd Masterg」
He looked like some kind of Force Master from somewhere. He did not seem weakened either, so it was surprising he had become Guild Master.
We shook hands and sat down.
「I still haven’t chosen a secretary, so I apologize for not having much to offer you」
So Guild Masters even hired secretaries.
「No need to worry. I’ll provide something myself」
He did not seem like a sweets lover like Cyrus-san, so I retrieved a portable stove and tea bags and brewed some black tea for him.
「I had heard rumors, but to think such things exist in this world」
「If you become a contractor for the Goblin Extermination Guild and exterminate goblins, you can buy them too」
「That is a tempting offer, but I have already become Guild Master. I cannot accept the invitation」
He seemed like a serious person. Unlike his appearance suggested, he did not seem like a simple muscle-brained type.
「This is good」
The new Guild Master drank the cheap tea as if savoring it. Somehow, he was a man who made even that look fitting.
「If you ever want some, just send someone to my place. I can sell you something better than the cheap kind」
「That would be appreciated. When you live as an adventurer, the only pleasures are eating and drinking」
「I understand that well. I’m practically living for the alcohol I drink at the end of each day」
Back when I worked at the factory, I could only drink Japanese whisky when bonuses came around. Now I could drink that, and even Yebisu beer. It really made me glad to be alive.
「Would you sell alcohol as well?」
「Of course. Then, as a token of friendship」
I retrieved the Hakushu and Yamazaki I had planned to drink next, a tasting set of Niigata daiginjo sake, and two five-hundred-yen cheap wines.
「Is all of this alcohol?」
「Yes. If it does not suit your taste, give it to someone else. Also, anything I provide disappears after fifteen days, so keep that in mind」
「Heh. No wonder Cyrus-sama stepped down as Guild Master」
「After all, that person quit on his own.」
I did not want to think he resigned just for milk tea and sweets.
「Lloyd-san, why did you become Guild Master? You’re not old enough to retire yet, are you?」
His hair was white, but he should still be in his fifties. Maybe even younger.
「That’s true. But I’m at an age where I can’t be reckless anymore. I have grandchildren too」
He already had grandchildren. Must be nice having such a full life.
「Being Guild Master brings many hardships, but I no longer need to risk my life. Cyrus-sama’s offer was perfect timing」
So even someone who reached Gold Seal eventually sought peace. Well, I was still seeking peace even now!
「I pray it stays peaceful」
Saying that, I stood from my seat.
「I came today to offer my greetings, so I’ll be taking my leave now. Once the matter of Miroid Fort is settled, let’s have a drink together. I’ll prepare something suited to your taste」
「I look forward to it. When that time comes, I’ll invite you to my place」
He offered a handshake, so I returned it, packed away the portable stove, and left the office.
When I went down to the first floor, the female staff members gathered around me. W-What now, group extortion?!
「Takato-san. Is Sierra doing alright?」
「Y-Yes, well, she’s doing very well for us」
Were they asking out of concern? Though they had the same expressions women get when they gather in the break room for love talk…
「So that Sierra is obediently following orders now」
Just how twisted had Sierra been? Was she the type other women disliked?
「How are things between you and Sierra?」
「How far have we gone?」
Ah, this was a poisonous swamp. If I stepped in, there would be no escaping.
The moment I judged that, I retrieved a variety pack of chocolates.
「Excuse me. I have preparations for tomorrow, so I must be going. Ah, please share this among the female staff」
I pushed it onto them, and while their attention went to the variety pack, I broke through the encirclement of female staff and fled the Adventurer’s Guild. Sorry, Lloyd-san, but I should stay away from the Adventurer’s Guild for a while.
「Ah, mister! We guarded it properly!」
What was with today? A day of being pressed in on and surrounded. If I had to be surrounded, I’d rather it be by cats.
「O-Oh. Good work」
You kids needed to learn more about personal space. You were way too close.
「Then here’s your reward. This isn’t charity. It’s payment for the work you did. There’s no need to hand it over to the adults. Manage it yourselves」
I did not know what they could do with one copper coin, but making them understand that work earns rewards, and teaching them not to be exploited by adults, was the first step toward stopping this tax collection nonsense.
「If any adult tells you to hand over the reward you earned yourselves, come tell me. Takato of the Silver Seal will go hear their side of the story」
I would settle things physically with trash like that. I had people in power and a useless goddess backing me. Crushing some frontier city church would be easy.
I gave each member of the tax collector legion one copper coin and five candies.
「Also, clean yourselves up and learn greetings. Show smiles to those around you. Be friendly. Win adults to your side and survive」
And stop collecting taxes from me. Don’t treat me like easy prey.
I quickly got into the Pioneer and made my escape at once.
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