Abandoned Manager
In this world, the oldest magic was song. Before spells that summoned flames, before techniques that honed blades, people chanted melodies. Swordsmen, scholars, wounded soldiers, heartbroken youths—all found solace in the ballads of bards. Song soothed ailments, washed away the weariness of battlefields, and drew forth miracles to bless the individual. No one in this land could live without it.
Not even me, suddenly dropped into this isekai one day.
…It was the same for me. In my ear, amid the anxiety of an unfamiliar land, rang the voice of a bard. I still can't forget that song. The beautiful melody of that middle-aged woman. Perhaps, in that moment, I chose my own isekai fate.
To live with song.
"We want to go bigger. We'd like to end the contract here and go our separate ways."
"…What?"
I laughed and asked again, thinking I'd misheard. But the eyes of Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara standing before me held no tremor. Their faces clearly declared it was over—final, irreversible. As that cold reality sank in, my own expression hardened bit by bit.
"After all I've done to raise you…"
I'd truly given everything. When there was no food, I starved myself. If there were warm clothes, I gave them away and shivered in the cold. Even if I slept outside, I made sure they had a cozy inn room. For those kids, I wanted to provide everything without shortage.
"Think it over again."
I forced a steady breath, mustering a smile laced with clumsy hope to lighten the mood.
"Did I do something to upset you? Tell me anything, I'll fix it."
"Forget it."
Maribel stepped forward, arms crossed. Her red hair gleamed fiercely under the sunlight, matching her fiery temper. Blunt and emotional to a fault, she could seem outright rude in her straightforwardness.
"This is our lives on the line. You can't take us higher. You've hit your limit."
"We were supposed to head to the capital next, right? We'd conquered the provinces. Everything was going smoothly—what was missing? I helped you… taught you… served you diligently."
"Enough."
This time, Lilfrea cut in. Her pale purple eyes pierced right through me. She was the masterpiece I'd cherished and built—my pride. Now, that pride stabbed my heart like a blade.
"We're leaving now. Let us go without regrets. It's best for everyone."
A surge of anger nearly made me shout, but I barely held it back.
"Did the Partita Guild poach you? Stab me in the back and promise to work together?"
My trembling voice was low and clear—not suspicion, but certainty. The three furrowed their brows in unison. Lilfrea averted her gaze, Maribel clicked her tongue, and Clara bit her lip with teary eyes. Faces that screamed I'd hit the mark.
"Yeah, that explains it…"
I chuckled bitterly, shaking my head. Lately, I'd noticed them hanging around those guys too much. The massive bard guild, Partita.
"They must've lured you with their endless funds, promising the world. Sure, better than me in some ways. But…"
I turned to Clara, the most fragile-hearted of them, pleading.
"Those types discard people easily! The moment your popularity dips even a little, they'll dump you without mercy! I've got loyalty! Even if you're sick, aging, or can't sing anymore, I'll stick with you for life!"
"You can't live off loyalty."
Maribel tsked lightly, slicing through my words. Her eyes were ice-cold.
"Fine, maybe they bought us with money like you said. So what? The world speaks in results. You just weren't the one who could really take us to the top."
"Maribel…"
"Stop appealing to emotions."
Lilfrea added it like an adult scolding a child, her tone laced with weariness and disdain.
"We want to learn more. You taught us well, but there's limits to what one person can do. Our dream is to join the Seven Seats of the present era, and for that, we need structured guidance and support from a proper organization."
Clara was last. After a hesitant pause, she spoke softly.
"…Thank you for everything."
Her neat ponytail exposed her ears, her hair a deep navy like the night sky. Calm and calculating on the surface, gentle but ruthlessly pragmatic in choices.
"You're a good person, Teacher. Warmer and more devoted than anyone… That's why I'm even more sorry. But that… has nothing to do with leadership qualities. Compared to a big guild, there's a clear limit to what you can do alone…"
"That's it? Let's end this."
"If you really cared, let us go now."
Their words crashed over me at once, and I finally snapped, losing all reason. I yelled in frustration.
"You think you'll thrive there?! They can't do what I did! Stay here—no regrets!"
My voice rose against my will, bursting out.
"I'll tie you down if I have to!"
That was my mistake. I should have soothed them, not shouted. The air froze. Their faces hardened in sync. Clara clasped her hands and stepped back, Maribel glared, and Lilfrea's expression turned arctic.
Stay calm. Don't yell.
I realized my error and tried to steady myself. But then—
The door burst open with a bang!
"What did I tell you? Words won't work."
Heavy armored boots thudded as five knights stormed the inn room. Shining armor emblazoned with the Partita crest. So that's how it was—they'd anticipated my outburst and hidden knights in wait. A hollow laugh escaped me.
Lilfrea, Maribel, Clara. How little faith did they have in me to prepare this thoroughly? Were all those years together truly devoid of trust?
"Beautiful birds."
The knight captain approached me, blabbering.
"Guys like this don't listen. A good beating's best."
I recoiled instinctively, but his hand was faster. It seized my collar like lightning—
"Hey, Han Seru."
Expressionless face. Trimmed mustache. Iron-hard fingers choked my throat.
"Wh-what… let go."
"No manners in front of ladies."
Whoosh!
The world flipped. Thud!
I hit the floor hard, skull cracking against it. Dazed, I watched the other knights swiftly escort Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara away.
Lilfrea glanced back briefly before leaving—her eyes held no pity or lingering attachment. Just cold, resolute determination.
Maribel didn't even look. She chatted and laughed with a knight, a stranger to the girl I knew.
Clara hesitated at the door, turning back. Then, almost silently, her lips moved.
"…Sorry."
With that, the room emptied.
"Remember this. Those three ladies are Partita Guild now. Don't show your face again. First and last warning. Next time, won't end with words. Guard your balls."
Metal boots clanged away, the door slammed shut. Silence filled the empty room. I slumped against the wall, grimacing at the bitter taste. Blood trickled from my mouth.
My precious rising stars were gone, and I couldn't even chase them. It felt utterly over. I gave up too.
"Fine, go… Chase your dreams, gain fame, live well."
I closed my eyes slowly. Inside, I mulled it over.
I really thought I could raise them right…
Lilfrea, Maribel, Clara. Memories with them flashed like shattered glass shards.
First, Lilfrea. On a rainy day, a girl standing umbrella-less at a street corner. Too beautiful for words, yet achingly lonely, speaking to no one. I stopped, offered my hand.
Maribel, in a dingy tavern on the city outskirts. A small, feisty girl mouthing off to a rowdy patron, grabbed by the collar.
Clara, at a rural chapel. Amid a children's choir during a service I stumbled into, she shone brightest. The last piece—completing the trio. I knew instantly: these three as a girl bard group would soar. From Earth, armed with idol knowledge, I dreamed of crafting one in this fantasy world.
They gathered by my side. Penniless, I poured my soul into raising them. Advised, cried, walked together. Three years. Tough, but rewarding. Their smiles were my greatest prize.
Now, those girls I'd nurtured shoved me aside.
"We don't need you anymore."
Laughter bubbled up—not self-mocking, not resentful, just absurd at the ridiculous reality. A fool's chuckle.
"…What now?"
Haha. Haha. Hahaha…
At least I'm positive. Brushing off the sorrow, I staggered to my feet.
"Not the time for this."
I'm proactive. No bending to momentary defeat—I'd find the next step right away.