Chapter 67: Taking Over the Entire Guild
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 67: Taking Over the Entire Guild
Krais had already calculated the most efficient way to profit from the unfolding situation.
‘They call it a thieves' guild, but...’
Looking closely, it was no different from a business. It was an enterprise where they could collect protection fees, suppress petty pickpocketing, and simply skim the cream off the top. Above all, Krais had a specific business model in mind that used a thieves' guild as its foundation.
The Border Guard was a place originally famous for its tight security. Normally, it wouldn't have been easy for a criminal organization to make a living here, yet the Gilpin Guild had done remarkably well for themselves. Krais didn't know exactly how they had managed it, but it would have been impossible with ordinary skills alone.
Take the thermal leather, for instance. He didn't know its exact market value, yet they had over a dozen sheets of it. There were also over a hundred thousand krona in coins and several promissory notes. Some IOUs turned up as well, though those would likely be difficult to cash in.
If he combined his ideas with the assets of this establishment...
‘There's absolutely no way I'll lose money.’
Krona was on the line. Exercising a level of pragmatism worthy of being called wisdom, Krais assessed and accepted the situation.
"Become thieves?" Encrid asked.
Krais looked at his squad leader for a moment. Encrid had said his dream was to become a knight. He had said he wanted to reach higher. To obtain proper training and high-quality equipment, he would need krona. Knights, by their very nature, were people who made their fortunes through war. They weren't nicknamed 'specialists in slaughter' for nothing.
"There's no need to think of it negatively. The Gilpin crowd is finished now. If we just walk away, how long do you think it will take for another thieves' guild to take root?"
Krais's mind raced, blood rushing to his brain as his thoughts spun. Judging by Gilpin's character, this was a golden opportunity.
"A month at most," Encrid replied, nodding reflexively. It was the truth.
"It's so warm!"
Off to the side, Rem, who had draped a coat made of thermal leather over his shoulders, let out an exclamation of awe.
"Of course it is. Did you think it’d be cold?" Ragna scolded him.
Encrid's gaze drifted for a moment, but Krais's voice quickly pulled him back. It was calm, yet carried a strange, hidden heat.
"Instead of letting that happen, since Gilpin over there seems decent enough, we leave him in charge. We build a thieves' guild that doesn't kill people or steal their belongings."
It sounded plausible. It was highly tempting. Upholding the honor of a knight? That was a luxury only those with krona could afford. Encrid knew reality all too well. Of course, if one possessed the martial prowess of a knight, krona would naturally follow. But even among those with such skills, there were many who moved solely for money.
Above all, Encrid believed that a knight's honor lay in following one's own heart. There was nothing in Krais's proposal that troubled his conscience. Viewed in a positive light, it was actually for the better.
‘If it makes people's lives easier...’
Then, there will be fewer crying children.
And the worries of parents raising those children will lessen.
As in any territory, there are always those who struggle to scrape by. This might offer them at least a small measure of comfort.
At first, he had only intended to shake them down for some winter firewood, but if he could use this opportunity to help people, there was no reason not to do it.
"Sounds good, right?"
"It does."
"I'll distribute the profits properly and give you your share, Squad Leader. In exchange, keep the other squad members in check."
So that was why he had pulled him aside. It was because of Rem and the rest of the group. The moment Krais stepped forward to take over the guild, they wouldn't just let it slide.
"What do you get out of this?" Encrid asked, suddenly curious. Was there really a need to own a thieves' guild if he had to pay out so much in tribute? Especially when he didn't even know what the actual profits would be.
"Information."
Encrid once again marveled at Krais's cleverness. Information was money. Trivial rumors within the territory could be turned into high-quality krona inside the military unit. For instance, if they found out the name and hobbies of the flower shop girl, soldiers would line up to buy that information. It could be utilized in countless other ways as well.
"You catch on quick. This is why I like you, Squad Leader."
Krais offered his fist. Encrid extended his own and bumped it. With this, a promise was made and a deal was struck. Encrid would get krona and keep his squad members in check; Krais, in turn, would get the guild.
As Encrid walked back to the fireplace, Sachsen spoke first.
"I don't mind. Krais can have it."
...Terrifying bastard. He had incredibly sharp ears. They had been talking at least ten paces away.
"Gilpin, clean up the bodies," Krais commanded. "Filter out anyone among the survivors who kills without hesitation, anyone who has severely harmed the weak, or anyone who might cause trouble in the future. I'm taking them to prison."
Leaving them be didn't mean leaving them exactly as they were.
"Hmm, sounds like I'll have to hand over a few guys," Gilpin muttered.
"And from now on, this guy is the guild master. That means you can stay here. Oh, but if you quit this place and start another guild, we'll meet again."
"I don't have the guts for that." Whether out of habit or nerves, Gilpin scratched his platinum-blonde hair as he spoke. "But, excuse me, Mr. Soldier."
"What?"
"Well, I really think it's best if we just disband. If we stay, I think we're all going to die."
Die? Why? Encrid asked with his eyes.
Gilpin hesitated before giving a brief rundown of the situation. Though most of the members hadn't known, the dead guild master had been a contractor who took money from Azpen to handle dirty work. He was a contractor, not a spy.
"There's someone who periodically comes to check on the guild. If not for that, we would have packed up and moved a long time ago."
Even if he looked gentle and cared for his people, Gilpin was still a member of a thieves' guild. He wouldn't have reached his current position if he were ordinary. The visitor he mentioned—that bastard was the problem.
"If the dead guy isn't around, there's going to be chaos. Honestly, we were planning to sell the mansion for dirt cheap and go into hiding."
"How many of them come?"
"Just one, but..."
"But?"
"It's a Frok."
The embodiment of terror. A combat race with physical strength far superior to humans. Encrid had been kicked by a Frok before; he had ended up in the medical tent because of it.
"A Frok is coming?"
"Yes."
What should they do about this? And why would a Frok come all the way to a thieves' guild in some backwater territory to keep watch? There was a saying that any Frok who made it to the continent was a recognized warrior. It meant they were already proven powerhouses. By Naurilia's soldier grading system, they would be at least Special Class or higher.
"What on earth is this place?"
"Only the dead guy knows the details. One thing is for sure: every time that Frok came, he left behind krona as 'operating funds'."
He didn't collect money, but gave it instead? Encrid couldn't begin to fathom the reason.
"That's strange," Krais muttered. Needless to say, the others felt the same.
So, what now?
"We're taking over the guild."
Nothing changed. They still had time. What came after was a problem for later, or they could simply disband and give up when the time came. And so, they decided to take over the entire guild. Gilpin didn't have any complaints; he was just glad to have survived.
Encrid thought that while these thieves agreed for now, they might become a problem later. Would a gang like this really continue to listen quietly? Of course, from here on out, it was a matter of Krais's capability. Since Krais had decided to do it, Encrid would leave it to him.
"I'm taking this." Sachsen took a few rings and accessories, perhaps intending to give them to a woman.
Rem grabbed the thermal coat and some leather to use as a mat, and was now peering to see what was inside the safe. Ragna glanced over the swords the guild had gathered and dismissed them all as trash. After that, he showed no interest in the treasure.
Audin was the same. "It is said that focusing on wealth blinds one's eyes," he said, doing nothing but praying. However, he did grant Encrid's request.
"Open the safe."
"Yes, brother."
It was the dead guild master's safe. A tightly locked padlock was secured with chains wrapped around it multiple times. Audin stood before it and gripped the lock.
Creeeeak. Crunch.
In that moment, he was no different from a professional strongman. He crushed and broke the lock with his bare hands. Encrid wondered if such a feat was even physically possible.
"Damn, you big bastard, you've got some real strength," Rem marveled.
With the lock broken, the chains were useless. What would normally have taken ages with a hacksaw was finished in an instant. This was the power of a squad member who opened locked doors with a "knock."
Encrid was also curious about what was inside the safe. He strode over.
"Going to open it yourself?" Rem asked.
"I might as well."
As he approached the safe, Encrid asked, "So, when is that Frok coming?"
Stepping up beside him, Gilpin replied, "He'll come when the first season begins. He said he comes once at the start of the four seasons, and once during the third season."
Once in spring, once in autumn. That meant they still had time. Encrid nodded and stood before the safe. With a click, he gripped the latch with his fingertips and lifted it.
Screeech.
The sound of rusted iron grinding together rang out, as if the hinges hadn't been oiled in ages.
Thud.
The safe opened. The heavy lid swung back, clanging against the body of the safe. That sound echoed faintly in Encrid's ears.
Thuuud. Thuuuud. Thuuuuuud.
It couldn't be seen. It couldn't be touched. But he felt something clearly wrapping around his body. He felt isolated from the world, entirely alone. Suddenly, everyone around him vanished from his sight. He tried to blink, but his body wouldn't obey.
‘Huh?’
He tried to open his mouth, but even that was impossible.
"What is it? Is there something good inside?"
Suddenly, Rem's voice broke through. Only then did Encrid snap back to reality. He blinked and opened his mouth. There was no problem at all.
"Didn't things feel a bit strange just now?"
"You've always been a bit strange, Squad Leader. I know that all too well."
It seemed no one else had felt anything. Brushing off Rem's nonsense, Encrid figured it had just been his imagination.
"Now, let's see." He shook his head to clear it and looked inside the chest. Inside was leather armor designed to wrap around the torso. "What is this?" Encrid asked, looking toward Gilpin.
"I don't really know. Other than the fact that the dead guy treasured it like his own life."
Lifting it out, it didn't seem like an ordinary item. When he pressed it with his finger, he could feel its elasticity.
"Looks like some rare leather. You take it, Squad Leader. Lest you get a hole in your stomach," Rem suggested.
"It looks like a decent piece of gear." Krais examined the item. He was a fellow with an eye for quality.
Encrid packed it away for now. For those who lived by the sword, an excellent piece of armor was several times more precious than a good weapon.
"I'm keeping this."
There were no objections. After securing it, the rest of the matters were left for Krais to handle.
"Do you think they've finished clearing the snow by now?" Rem chimed in.
Encrid calculated the time in his head and looked out the window. The accumulated snow had not yet melted. If they went back now, they might end up shoveling snow all night. Since it wasn't a difficult decision, Encrid gathered the opinions of his squad members.
"Our mission ends tomorrow morning."
By tomorrow morning, there would definitely be no snow left to shovel.
"Sounds good to me. Seems like there's still plenty to do here," Rem agreed as he settled in front of the fireplace. For now, he was exceptionally docile, savoring the warmth of the thermal leather.
"Indeed, there is still much to do," Ragna added, taking his seat.
"Indeed. For there is a purpose in spreading the word of God," Audin said.
"Then I shall return tomorrow morning." Sachsen requested to act independently.
In moments like this, they were perfectly in sync. Encrid wished they could be like this all the time.
"Squad Leader." Krais called out to Encrid and gave him a subtle thumbs-up. It was high praise.
*
"Reporting the return of all squad members under my command. We located the thieves' guild and annihilated them."
At Encrid's words, the Company Commander, wrapped in a thick overcoat, glanced up. They were at the commander's private training ground. It was a cold day, despite the fires burning on two torch stands. Standing on the dirt ground, frozen rock-hard by the frost, the Company Commander asked, "Annihilated?"
Did this man know something? Encrid replied calmly.
"Yes, annihilated. We sorted out those who should go to prison and executed the rest who resisted."
"I see," the Company Commander said, rolling his shoulders as if warming up.
Did he really know something? Even so, Encrid couldn't exactly blurt out that Krais had swallowed the guild whole.
"You brought the treasures from their headquarters back to the unit?"
"Yes."
Except for a few sheets of thermal leather and some accessories, everything had been handed over. It was only natural; since it was a side benefit gained during an operation, it rightfully belonged to the unit. Though, it was also customary to turn a blind eye to a little pocketing here and there.
"Good work."
Fortunately, the Company Commander didn't pry further. Instead, he simply looked into Encrid's blue eyes with his jewel-like green eyes and made a proposal.
"A round?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Don't you want to experience an elven sword?"
"A spar?"
"I heard you never refuse."
Elven swords are light, yet sharp. Such was the world's evaluation. Encrid had faced elven swords a few times before during his mercenary days, but back then, his skills had been terrible. Their sensitivity was such that a Valen-style mercenary sword couldn't even touch them.
"Yes."
A spar would be a valuable experience. ‘The more I fight, the more I gain,’ Encrid thought. He knew his talent was lacking, so the more experience he had, the better. All of it would shine when he faced today—the day that repeated endlessly.
"Very well."
"I like your spirit. Come at me."
The elven Company Commander drew his sword.
Shring.
A Naidel, the sword of the elves. It was a spar with live blades. Encrid drew his own sword as well.
Clang.
The two crossed their longsword and Naidel, clashing once.
Ting.
Simultaneously, both took two steps back. Encrid was cautious. He remembered being brought down by a single gesture from the Company Commander back in the medical tent.
How much had he changed since then? He was about to find out.