The Oath Etched in Gold (2)
Lenoir Astirnus gazed at the enormous symbol embedded in the wall of the guild hall. The motif of a single pair of wings unfurled within a circular ring, soaring toward the heavens, now faded by time, stirred memories of brighter days. It had been back when he still held hope for humanity.
Viewing them merely as the beautiful legacy of the gods, with the heart of a shepherd guiding lost sheep, Lenoir had stood before them. He had gathered the wayward humans, built cities with them, and established laws to turn those cities into kingdoms. Yet the suffering never ceased, so to aid those outside the laws, he had conceived this guild.
"I met a boy on the road. Even in hunger, he shared his daily bread, saving two lives. His calculations were so meticulous that scarcely any child in his band starved. It was a purity that hunger itself could not break."
"Who was that?"
"The first Pterin. The child I appointed as my agent to establish righteous laws in this land."
"...How long ago was that?"
"Several hundred years past."
Sara's mouth fell open. Lenoir continued undeterred.
"Knowing the pain of hunger, I thought he would use his amassed wealth for relief without hesitation. I gave the boy a single gold coin and the knowledge of riches. He multiplied his fortune and swore an oath to me regarding charity. Donating a tenth of the guild's wealth to the poor—that is the vow."
"Whoa, that's like an ancient legend...."
"Indeed, little Sara. The relief teams that occasionally visited your city are proof of my ties to them."
That was the beginning.
"I raised the Pterin name high and entrusted the poor's relief to them. I believed the world would improve, but I was mistaken."
No matter how much a tenth of the great guild's wealth circulated, there were always more poor to outnumber it. Uneducated, they were savage and insatiable in their greed, ignorant of contentment.
"There were paupers who raided the guild's granaries. Forgiveness had its limits, so I taught them a sword art."
"Whoa, was that the Pterin Orthodox Swordsmanship?"
"You know of it."
"Of course! One of the back-alley bosses crumbled to that very sword art!"
"The poor remain unchanged. Teaching them martial arts is a regret I do not harbor."
A long sigh escaped Lenoir's lips.
"In conclusion, relief through a massive mercantile entity was a failed endeavor. Yet there was no reason to disband it, so it persists as is."
Still, he visited them from time to time, receiving gold coins. It was capital support as a token of respect.
In the midst of this, Sara tilted her head curiously.
"So the benefactor's family is...?"
"A temporary identity. Explaining my unchanging appearance over centuries to them is a tiresome affair. The inexplicable often breeds fear, so must I add explanations each time to those who remember not that day?"
Lenoir showed Sara the token he had displayed to the guard.
"Ah, it's the same emblem as my pendant."
"Yes, the symbol of Immaculate Fate."
The motif of seven graceful curves embedded neatly above the circle was the symbol Lenoir had used since becoming her agent. It would become the emblem of the goddess's faith henceforth.
"In any case, I shall secure their financial support to build a temple. You will be the symbol as the goddess's incarnation in the church, amassing faith from multitudes to change the world."
Sara blinked. The tale felt too distant to grasp. Lenoir paid it no mind. As faith accumulated, she would awaken to the purpose in time.
Immaculate Fate returns. Only then could Lenoir end this long wandering.
'When that time comes...'
He was studying Sara's face for a moment when—
"Patriarch of the house."
A well-dressed elderly servant approached, bowing his head.
"The guildmaster has arrived."
"I shall meet him alone first. Explore the interior as you will."
"Yes! Safe travels!"
Lenoir cleared his thoughts and followed the servant. This was no time for reverie.
The Pterin guild was the continent's finest. The feats they had accomplished throughout history were monumental, and the fame that naturally followed made even noble houses seem trivial.
As a legitimate lineage, their direct descendants were equally formidable.
"Ah, miss...!"
"Out of my way. This is the benefactor's house, which appears once every few generations. Does it make sense that I, bearer of Pterin's rightful blood, cannot meet them?"
A sharp-featured woman with pale sky-blue curls neatly pinned up spoke. The navy dress she wore was of exceptional material. Even her small accessories were treasures that would drop jaws upon inspection. She was a walking mansion, her wealth self-evident. She was Rnier Pterin, one of the five direct heirs of Pterin.
The servant grew even more flustered.
"Th-there are rules, miss. You cannot simply push through...!"
Rnier nibbled her red lips lightly at his words. The head of the so-called benefactor's house, Astirnus, was a noble among nobles whom only the guildmaster himself could meet privately. Denying that was tantamount to denying the guild's history—even as a direct heir, one needed ample justification.
With that point raised, he fell silent. The fourth daughter, whose ambition was second to none, fumed as her plan to befriend him and bolster her position unraveled. She needed stress relief.
"Haa, what a pain."
"Eek...!"
"Bring some liquor. I need to soothe my nerves."
Clack-clack. She turned from the reception room barred by guards. Upon entering her private chamber, she raised one eyebrow.
"Hm?"
A blonde woman stood by the wall. More precisely, a girl on the cusp of womanhood. Her pure white attire was of fine quality, and her face was strikingly beautiful. Cheeks flushed with curiosity, she admired the wall paintings, even on tiptoes to peer closer—a pathetic yet endearing sight.
Rnier loved beautiful things. All the more if they possessed irreplaceable uniqueness. Her irritated mind cleared somewhat.
"What's that?"
"Ah, that lady is... "
"Never mind. Probably some merchant's daughter. Unfamiliar face, no noble symbols either. Mid-tier guild spawn? Whatever."
Ignoring the servant's trailing words, Rnier strode toward Sara.
"Hey, kid?"
"Y-yes... Eek!?"
Rnier pinched Sara's cheeks, turning her head this way and that.
"Come serve my drinks. Nice face. You'll be my snack today."
"B-but I have to wait for someone... "
"That person's just here for Pterin's help anyway, right? I'll vouch for you, so follow along."
Yet Sara hesitated, unable to decide. Rnier had no patience for pointless arguments.
Ting! She casually dropped a gold coin from her handbag onto the floor.
In a near-spinal-reflex motion, Sara dove for it, snatched it up, and looked up at Rnier. Her sparkling eyes were those of a squirrel spotting a giant acorn.
Rnier smirked at the girl's transparent greed. She felt amused.
"Follow me. Obey well, and I'll give more."
Sara rubbed her palms together with military precision.
"Would I refuse, miss? Did I mention I'm skilled at pouring drinks!? The successor to the Red Rose, Sara Lorojin, will pour like magic!"
"Feisty. Where you from?"
"From Hilton!"
"Hick town? Your nickname's now Hick Girl."
"Yes'm! Hick Girl Sara Lorojin reporting!"
"Heehee, cute little thing."
Sara grinned like a sycophant and followed Rnier. Pride and waiting be damned—a single gold coin was too much.
Colvin Pterin, the current guildmaster of Pterin, was etched with indescribable tension. Who was his interlocutor, after all? Astirnus.
The house foundational to Pterin, the master's lineage that had taught them commerce and martial arts. Its historical significance alone was immense, yet their ties ran deeper.
'The house that has saved Pterin from crises time and again.'
A colossal guild spanning centuries faced horrors aplenty threatening its pinnacle. Astirnus appeared each time, eliminating the threats. The timing was uncanny. His sudden arrival now was all the more dramatic, as the current Pterin faced a peril beyond their power alone.
Heaven-sent salvation, perhaps. In their private meeting, Colvin showered him with utmost courtesy. The topic at the end puzzled him slightly, but it was welcome news.
"You intend to establish a church?"
"Indeed. I have found the one I must truly serve."
Astirnus as someone's limb? Astonishing. Yet the teachings passed from the first guildmaster to successors alone mentioned Astirnus often.
'Question not the reason.'
The precept safeguarding centuries of wealth. Colvin's pure adherence had made him guildmaster.
"All your desires shall be fulfilled. You possess the qualifications."
"I remember you have not forgotten the oath. Your name shall endure in the church."
Good tidings. Money would be spent, but temple costs paled against the guild's survival. Moreover, his emergence into the light meant more frequent sightings of the elusive Astirnus. Best to pay respects without overstepping, strengthening ties.
Colvin treated him with utmost deference. Postponing undecided matters, they concluded.
"Allow me to offer a meal."
"The goddess's incarnation came with me; I was about to introduce her."
"Oh... such an honor!"
Not just anyone could front a church. Astirnus spoke no folly, so surely a remarkable guest.
Thus, Colvin exited the reception, escorting him like a servant to the hall. But no standout figure caught the eye.
Colvin asked a servant.
"Hm? Hey. Where is the guest who came with the noble one?"
"Th-that is..."
The servant's hesitation sparked thoughts of his fourth daughter. Arrogant in belittling others—that flaw. Had she perhaps manhandled the guest? The servant's face confirmed his unease.
"Wh-where is she!? Speak quickly!"
Sweat pouring, the servant glanced warily.
"In... in the miss's private room...!"
"Damnation!"
In frantic haste, Colvin quickened his pace. Lenoir followed silently. They arrived at the room thus.
"Miss, another round!"
"Ahaha! Yes, pour away. How are you so adorably matched?"
"Hehe, I've heard I'm cute plenty!"
"Here. Another gold coin."
"Kyaa! Miss! I'll serve you forever!"
"Kekeke! Come closer! Let me see that face up close!"
"Yes'm!"
Colvin's eyes quaked like an earthquake. It was obvious. The pretty girl fawning with arms around his daughter's waist was the guest. Treating Astirnus's master like cheap bar service.
"Ah, aaah...!"
Colvin felt his sweat turn ice-cold instantly. His gaze turned to Lenoir, who had eyes squeezed shut.
This scenario lay beyond any guildmaster's tenets. Lenoir merely felt stymied by Sara's lack of etiquette, but Colvin could not know that.
"Take my head, benefactor...!"
Colvin dropped to his knees. Darkness clouded his vision.