Dawn's Farewell (1)
Leana, who had been watching Celestine corner me without meaning to, grabbed her arm and dragged her away.
"Come here, Celestine. I'll explain it to you."
"Huh? You, Guild Master?"
"Yeah. Come on. Stop bothering the Boss."
"I wasn't bothering him.... I was just curious and asked...."
"Anyway, over here."
Leana dragged Celestine into the consultation room and slammed the door shut with a bang.
Whew, that startled me. Even if she's a bit dim, how does she ask something like that so bluntly? It felt more overwhelming than facing a high demon.
I let out a sigh and sat back down at the round table, scanning through the list of requests to handle today.
A moment later, the consultation room door opened, and Celestine and Leana walked out. Celestine's face was beet red as she hunched over, taking quick little steps and sneaking glances at me. When our eyes met, she bolted across the floor.
Thud thud crash bang!
"She's cute, but sometimes she's just so clueless it gets to you."
Leana sat down next to me and brushed back her hair.
"Everyone knows Celestine's a bit slow on the uptake. What'd you tell her?"
"Oh, you know, this and that. It's not a bad thing, but don't do it too often?"
"Mm, yeah. That'll do."
"It's only natural that when your stamina improves, your libido goes up too."
Leana brushed back her hair again and looked at me.
"You be careful too, Boss."
"Huh? Me? What'd I do? I haven't done anything."
"When you're sweating and exercising side by side, weird thoughts can creep in."
Leana took the request list from my hand, picked up a pencil, and continued.
"No, really, I don't have those kinds of thoughts!"
"It's not you that's the problem—it's Celestine."
"Celestine?"
"Girls like her act on impulse and regret it later. They can't see a few steps ahead and just chase whatever urge is right in front of them."
"I see...."
"Right now, our guild's just the three of us? One can't go out on requests, and the other isn't officially registered."
"Right."
"If we get more members later, and you don't have to head out yourself anymore, and Celestine's situation improves enough for official registration, then maybe. But as it stands, if something happens to the three of us, we're really in trouble. What if Celestine got pregnant? My head would explode."
"Yeah, yeah, got it. I'll be careful."
Leana handed back the request list. The ones we absolutely had to do today were neatly checked off in pencil.
"Hurry and get going. I'll assign Celestine some requests separately."
I skimmed the list and smacked my lips.
"Sigh, all minor stuff."
"Can't be helped. But these little things add up to guild assets. You'll have to take over full guild master duties eventually, so work hard."
Leana smiled and pushed my back.
"Finish today's assignments, and I'll make something delicious."
"Guess I'll have to hustle then."
"See you later."
Leana stood in front of the guild, waving until I turned the corner out of the alley. Like a mom, like a big sister. I really like Leana.
In the meantime, Celestine had fled to her room and was tearing at her hair, berating herself.
Even if I'm an idiot, how could I ask the Boss something like that?! You stupid moron!
Haa, how am I supposed to face him now? This is a total disaster.... Even if he sees me as some filthy, lewd woman and kicks me out, I wouldn't have a leg to stand on.... God, how did I ask that so boldly and shamelessly? I must be crazy....
"Celestine! Time to work!"
Leana called from downstairs.
"Ah, y-yes! Coming right down!"
Celestine threw on her cloak and hurried to the first floor. Leana, arms crossed and waiting, smiled warmly at the sight of her.
"What were you doing up there?"
"N-nothing...."
"Feeling embarrassed, huh?"
"Haa...."
Celestine sighed deeply, and Leana laughed, pinching her cheek.
"You should've asked me first."
"I didn't know it was something so dirty...."
"Dirty? It's natural for healthy people. Here."
Leana handed Celestine her assigned request list—mostly things she could handle easily with holy power. Another list sat on the desk; that one was Leana's. Her wide reception desk was buried under ledgers and documents related to guild business. Sorting accounts, managing staff pay—these were piecemeal jobs outsourced from small operations that couldn't afford full-time accountants. Leana had earned various certifications over the past decade while handling guild work, which let her take on these minor gigs. A license gets you fed anywhere.
The Guild Master's amazing. While we're out there, she's handling all that tough stuff inside. And she cooks, cleans, does laundry. Up at dawn to shop. She's incredible. I love her so much, Guild Master.
"Stop grinning like an idiot and get out there. The clients are waiting."
"Ah, yes!"
I wrapped up a few morning requests with some time to spare, so I stopped by city hall. Clemence spotted me, flashed her dimples, and greeted me cheerfully.
"Welcome, Leonar!"
"Thinking of recruiting some guild members."
I sat in the chair opposite her, and Clemence's eyes darted around.
"Hmm, guild recruitment. One sec?"
She rummaged through the piles of papers and books on her desk and pulled something out—a thin ledger divided into sections, scribbled messily in pencil. No idea what it was.
"This is the city's list of adventurers and mercenaries. But it's outdated, so not totally accurate."
I skimmed the handed-over list. Names in various formats and pronunciations—not just from the duchy, but the Empire and neighboring kingdoms too. Figures; folks in this line of work don't stick around one place—they're always drifting.
Next to each name was their specialty, like job or class: swordsman, archer, healer, druid, wandering knight, bard, black mage, qi practitioner, hunter.... A ton of them.
Let's see. Healer? Got Celestine. Druids? Weirdos who aren't much help—pass. Bards? Inferior healers—no need. Black mage? Too shady. Qi practitioner? Later, when the guild's bigger. Hunter? Overlaps with me too much—not right now. Wandering knight? Old, stubborn, cheapskate—strictly no. So, safe bets are swordsman or archer. Swordsmen have the most versatility anyway. Maybe meet some swordsmen.
No mages, huh. Good ones can match several regular guild members solo. But anyone that skilled wouldn't join a guild unless they're nuts.
"Oh, and can I post a job ad? On the city hall board."
"Sure. Just pay the fee."
I paid on the spot and gave Clemence the ad copy—super plain and neutral, since it's the official board.
"Alright, see you."
"Bye, Leonar! Come back anytime you need help!"
Clemence waved brightly. Cute.
"What the hell's this guy?"
In a tavern downtown. A swordsman reeking of booze in broad daylight eyed me up and down from his slouched chair. Bearish build, filthy leather armor long neglected. Hilt worn, boots caked in mud. And already drunk, cursing at a stranger. Total fail on self-care and personality. No way I'd take someone like that.
"What're you, you punk-ass bitch? You call someone, you state your business."
"Got no business with a drunk spewing curses at noon."
"What'd you say?!"
As I turned to leave, the swordsman shot up and grabbed my shoulder from behind. He spun me forcibly and swung a massive fist at my face. I tilted my head to dodge, seized his wrist, and flung him. He spun a full arc and slammed back-first into the floor. Splayed out like a starfish, he stared up at me in shock, wheezing like a deflating flute.
"Don't touch people without permission."
"Guh...."
Outside, I pulled out Clemence's list. That guy's out. This one died months ago. That one joined another guild. This one's missing. That one's talentless but demands absurd upfront pay. Tough gig.
Truth is, for simple muscle, even a guy like that would've been fine. Guild work's high-risk; most treat members as expendable. Dead? Hire new. Run? Hire new. But I won't run my guild like that. To offer top service and rake in cash post-Great Demon revival, I can't have randos. Need skill and character. But who with both would join a three-person guild—officially two?
Head back for now. Knocked out some easy morning jobs, stomach's rumbling. Whistling, I turned into the guild's alley. Sunny, wide road, neat buildings, friendly folks. Love Nant Duchy. Especially Schlessi.
"Boss!"
Glancing back, I saw Celestine bouncing toward me.
"Heading to the guild?!"
"Yeah. Lunch. You too?"
"Yup! Together!"
Walking side by side to the guild, Celestine chattered about her morning requests.
"So there was this sick cow, but it wasn't actually sick—it was...."
I laughed at her story until I spotted people in front of the guild. Several laborers bustling with a long ladder, thick ropes, and gear. Leana, arms crossed watching them, waved when she saw us.