Taking Over the Bankrupt Guild (3)
After the man named Leonar left, Leana cleaned up the disastrous state of the guild interior. She'd spent the last few days drowning in booze, and it showed. Ever since her dad died and the guild started declining, there wasn't a single member left. And Leana, who'd only ever handled administrative work, couldn't exactly go out on requests herself. She'd hustled hard, trading on her dad's name, but people just dismissed her as a woman. So what else could she do but drink herself silly?
As she cleaned, Leana replayed their earlier conversation. So, what that guy was saying was he'd use her as a figurehead guild master to run the guild through some loophole. To establish a guild, the guild master needed either an academy diploma or at least ten years of guild-related experience. But since most people struggled to meet either requirement, setups like this were common. They'd put someone qualified but lacking capital—or just uninterested in the hassle—in as the nominal master, happy with a steady paycheck, while handling everything else themselves. In the business, this was called a "paper guild." The "paper master" sitting pretty was often just a front for the real owner behind the scenes.
But a Demon Hunter? He didn't look the part at all. The typical image—gloomy, gaunt, half-corrupted by demons themselves—was the polar opposite. Stick him in armor with a bright cape, and he'd pass for a holy knight, all upright and noble-looking. Well, you can't judge a book by its cover.
Leana still hadn't decided whether to sell the guild or not. Just like she'd told Leonar earlier, this place was too precious to her. After her mom passed early, she'd built it up with her dad. For the last ten years, the guild was her life. Until recently, closing or selling it had been unthinkable. But she couldn't revive a fallen guild on her own. And wallowing in nostalgia over "legacy" and "memories" while boozing it up would just embarrass her late father's memory.
Deep down, she knew she had to sort it out and start fresh, one way or another. For now, she'd wait. The guy claiming to be the Demon Hunter who slew the great demon that descended on Grangtest said he'd bring back its head. After her dad died to a demon, Leana had obsessively studied them for revenge. She knew better than anyone how nearly impossible it was for an ordinary person to kill one. Only those born with innate talent—Demon Hunters—could stand against them.
If Leonar really brought back that head, he'd be the real deal, and maybe he could revive the guild. Demon Hunters, scorned by the world yet risking their lives against demons, were exceptional in every way. At the very least, better than Leana scribbling ledgers at a desk.
"Is it really okay to do that?"
Leana asked as she dusted her dad's portrait frame. In the picture, he beamed, cradling a young Leana in his arms.
"I can't do it alone anymore, so can I hand the guild to that Demon Hunter? Honestly, who the real master is doesn't matter much. As long as this building buzzes with clients and members again."
But the dad in the portrait gave no answer.
In the end, she'd have to decide herself. She was the guild master now, not him.
Just then, the door opened, and Leonar walked in. It had been only half a day since he'd strutted out promising to fetch a demon head. She'd figured it'd take at least a week. Coming back this fast meant it was all hot air. As if Demon Hunters grew on trees, and one would just up and start a guild on a whim...
"Take a look."
Leonar set down the heavy sack slung over his back.
No way...?
Leana approached dubiously and untied the sack.
"Gasp?!"
She stumbled back, gasping as her eyes met the pale, blood-drained red gaze.
Leonar bent down and hoisted the head by its horns—rough and curved like a mountain goat's, attached to a massive skull. Violet hair typical of demons, crimson pupils, fangs jutting past the lips. And skin mottled gray and black in an eerie hue. Undeniably a demon.
"This one's been hiding near the duchy border, scraping by on grape frost."
"H-how did you get it so fast...?"
"I told you. I'm a Demon Hunter."
"That's... really real, right...?"
In her disbelief, Leana asked the pathetic question she hated herself for.
"Could you fake something like this?"
"Well... no.... Holy crap...."
Running her hands through her hair to steady herself, Leana stepped closer for a better look.
"It's a real demon.... First time seeing one this close...."
"Mount it and hang it up; it'll look impressive."
"Yeah.... Those horns are huge...."
As she inspected it absentmindedly, Leana suddenly looked up at Leonar.
"Um, have you eaten yet?"
He'd arrived around lunchtime, and now the sun was dipping low—it was perfect dinnertime.
"No, not yet. Came straight here."
"Then let's head out. We can talk over food."
"Sounds good. I'm starving anyway."
Leonar carefully stowed the head back in the sack and tucked it behind the sofa. Meanwhile, Leana locked the windows and back door, then shoved the piled papers from the desk into her bag.
Leana and I headed to a nearby eatery just a short walk from the guild building. It was a plain, humble spot that lit its outdoor tables with oil lamps, giving off a decent vibe. The menu stuck to cheap stuff like meat stew and freshwater fish dishes. Nothing fancy to choose from, so I went with grilled fish.
A server soon brought glasses of wine we hadn't ordered.
"We didn't order wine."
"Every place here gives you a free glass. It's the same wherever you go in the duchy."
The continent's top wine producer—must flow like water. I mimicked Leana, holding the glass under my nose. A fresh, sweet aroma unfolded elegantly, calming the mind. One sip filled my mouth with smooth grape flavor: sweet and rich up front, balanced by perfect acidity. Not overpowering or heavy, but deep in taste and scent. Nant Duchy wine lived up to the hype. Free aperitif like this? What a place.
As I dug into the crispy bluegill steak, Leana spoke up.
"So... you're still set on buying the guild?"
"Why else would I lug a demon head all the way here?"
"True...."
Leana nodded slowly, picking at her fish.
"Still undecided?"
"No, a deal's a deal. I'll sell. But like we agreed, I stay on as nominal guild master?"
"Yes. You can join in running it if you want. Truth is, I don't know much about guild admin."
"Yeah, yeah.... It's not hard work... but more hands make it easier."
The more she talked, the more deflated she seemed. She'd decided to sell, but handing her dad's legacy to an outsider still stung. Still, it was mutual agreement, not me forcing it.
"Now, about the price. What do you want for it, Leana?"
"Hmm.... Haven't thought that far. We'll have to calculate."
She pulled out certificates and a small abacus from her bag and started crunching numbers on the spot.
"Building residual value... plus nominal master fee... fixtures... uh, gear's all worn out, so skip that...."
After rattling the abacus, she announced:
"Fifteen thousand gold coins. Just the building and my name usage. Furniture's junk anyway."
Fifteen grand wasn't bad. Clemence at city hall said starting a new guild cost fifty thousand. With my imperial payout and savings, I'd have change left over.
"Um, Leonar. You said I could help run it, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then instead of a salary for admin work, we could knock some off the name fee. And I've been living upstairs. If possible, could you cut me a deal on that too? I'd appreciate it."
No reason to refuse. It was just lump sum versus installments. Plus, Leana had ten years of experience.
"Works for me. Let's do it."
And so, Leana and I sealed the deal on the guild sale—or rather, setting up a paper guild the backdoor way. Snagging it cheap with one demon head? Great deal for me. Reviving it was another story, but with Leana's help and the knowledge in my head, no sweat.
Time for some healing content until the great demon resurrects.
"So, how old are you, Leana?"
"Twenty-two this year."
"Cool, casual speak it is then. I'm older."
"Huh? Whatever, do what you want. I'm just an employee now anyway."
"Let's make it work, Guild Master."
"Yes, Paper Master. Feels off somehow...."
I went to the Schlessi branch of the Duchy Bank and transferred twelve thousand gold from my account to Leana's—two thousand less than fifteen, since we'd agreed on installments of three thousand. The rest would go to her in two-thousand chunks ongoing. No other paperwork needed. On paper, she was still guild master, and I was her paper admin hire. Reality was reversed, but documents stayed the same. Guild name: Lucas Guild, unchanged.
I parted with Leana outside the bank and headed straight to city hall. Now a proper guild owner, time to snag my glorious first request.
The board out front was plastered with posters and notices. Scanning carefully, I spotted a good one.
'Urgent: Request Regarding Anomalies at Rezobuar Reservoir. Schlessi City Hall.'
Government emergency gig—no risk of stiffed pay, perfect debut request. I ripped off the poster and strode inside.