Chapter 91: Clan Founding
Chapter 91: Clan Founding
“Alright, I’m going to go cash in the magic stones first.”
As soon as we arrived at the Guild, Guwon addressed the party as he always did.
What do I need to leave out this time? Just the Transcendent Orc and the Layer Boss? Ah, I’ll have to leave out the orcs we killed on the 2nd floor, too.
Having secrets was such a pain.
“No. Let us just go today.”
“Huh? Why? Don’t worry, I won’t get sidetracked this time.”
“If you do it now, you will just have to leave things out again anyway, will you not? I have something important to discuss regarding that matter, so for now, let us go.”
Persuaded by Diana, the party headed back to the inn together.
They ordered room service for dinner and gathered in Guwon’s room.
“Let us form a clan,” Diana said, looking around at the group.
“A clan? Just the four of us?”
“Mm.”
“…Why bother?”
A clan was usually an alliance of several large parties, formed to foster camaraderie or for mutual benefit.
Was there any reason for a mere four people to form one?
“A clan is not something one forms only when a group becomes large. While it is essential for larger groups, there are many cases where smaller ones form clans as well.”
“Explain it to me.”
“Hm. I suppose it is unfamiliar to you, having come from another world. First, a clan is an entirely different concept from a simple party of adventurers. It is a group officially recognized as a power by the state. For that reason, when many people gather, they are obligated to register as a clan for management purposes. But conversely, registering as a clan means you gain the right to formally assert your claims. In short, instead of unilaterally handing over information about the secret areas we frequent to the Guild, we can assert our right to the profits gained from them.”
I see. To sum it up, she was saying it was a waste to just give the Guild information on the secret areas, and we should get something out of it.
But…
“Will things really go that smoothly if the four of us form a clan? I feel like they’d just try to strong-arm us.”
It would be one thing if everyone here was a good person who abided by the rules.
But among the major powers, there were bound to be those who would try to forcibly take that ‘right’ from a party that was still weak.
“You truly seem to forget who I am.”
Diana stared at Guwon, a look of disbelief on her face.
Oops. Right.
It was easy to forget, but Diana was the great Archmage, revered by all.
No matter how small our clan was, with someone like her as a prominent member, no one without a death wish would try to use force against us.
“But then you’d be telling everyone where you are. Is that okay? You ran away from home, didn't you?”
“I-I did not run away from home! As for that… well… I am sure it will work out somehow.”
‘Work out somehow?’ Don’t ask me, I don’t know either.
Still, a clan… It might be a good idea.
It wasn’t just about asserting our rights in the dungeon. Thinking about the future, forming a clan seemed like a sound plan.
Ultimately, Sara’s and my final goal was to grow strong and defeat the Demon King.
Creating a power base by forming a clan could be helpful in some way.
“Alright, let’s do it. Let’s register a clan. So, what do we need to do to create one?”
“The procedure is not complicated. We just need to fill out the relevant documents at the government office and go through a few screenings. I know the process, so do not worry. You need only follow me.”
As expected of her. In situations like this, no one was more reliable than Diana.
“But this means we’ll be revealing the secret route, right? Will that be okay?”
“Hm. Until now, only one passage to the next floor has ever been discovered. But with our recent find, another has been found. This seems too significant a matter for us to simply keep to ourselves. Besides, once we move on to the 2nd floor completely, we will have no reason to go to that area anymore. In that case, would it not be better to reveal it, take the profits, and build our reputation?”
“Profit, I get. But reputation… I didn’t think you cared about that sort of thing, Diana.”
“I do not particularly care for it, but there are moments in life when a reputation is necessary. And that will be especially true for you. Are you not all still just rookies who got a little known for finding a Transcendent Species at the dungeon entrance? Take this opportunity to build some renown.”
Ooh. For the first time in a while, she was saying something that befitted her age.
But why was it especially true for me? She spoke as if I would absolutely need a reputation in the future. What was that about?
“Why especially for me…”
“The problem is how to manage the mana pool habitat after we reveal that route.”
She had a point. No matter how secretly it was hidden, once people started using that route, someone was bound to discover that room, just as we had.
But it felt like a waste to reveal that as well.
Considering the growth rate of the mana pools, we would be losing a significant source of steady income.
“The best method would be to post someone there to manage it directly, but we do not have the manpower. I wonder, could we perhaps entrust it to someone?”
“Entrust it?”
“Yes. You said the Temple needs a lot of mana pools. We could tell the Temple about the location, have them manage it, and receive a portion of the profits in return. Would that not work?”
The Temple probably had enough personnel to manage the place full-time.
“Yes! It will work! It definitely will! I’ll speak to the High Priestess! Please, let’s do that!”
At Guwon’s suggestion, Leia sprang from her chair as if launched, grabbing Guwon’s hand with both of hers and pulling it to her chest.
Mmm. What a magnificent feeling. And look at those sparkling eyes.
There was no way I could refuse an angel looking at me like that.
“Alright. Let’s go talk to the Temple. We have to go there anyway.”
Even if it’s for my studies.
And so, the conversation proceeded with the plan to reveal the secret route.
There were a few more details to iron out, but we could figure those out as we went.
Right now, something else was more important.
“Alright. That settles that, right? Good work, everyone. Dismissed for today!”
Perfect timing, as everyone had just finished their meal.
Guwon shouted, a huge smile already spreading across his face in anticipation of what was to come.
“We will be busy tomorrow, so do not stay up too late. Be moderate. Moderate.”
As if she’d guessed why Guwon was so excited, Diana’s face scrunched up slightly as she spoke, and then she left the room.
Was I that obvious? A little embarrassing.
But Sara and Leia both seemed to have no intention of leaving Guwon’s room.
It was only natural for Leia, who had blushed the moment she heard Diana’s words and was now unable to meet Guwon’s eyes.
After all, they were about to get down to business.
In fact, her attitude was quite desirable. How utterly precious she looked.
The problem was Sara.
“Um… Miss Sara?”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Dismissed for today…”
“Oh, I’ll just wash up here. It’s better than you having to come all the way back to my room, right?” Sara said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Don’t tell me she thinks that after every dungeon trip, she automatically goes first?
“No, it’s Leia’s turn today.”
Guwon looked Sara straight in the eye and stated it clearly.
These things had to be decided firmly before they became a problem.
At that, Sara’s face darkened slightly.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
Is she unhappy?
No, even so, this wasn’t right.
Just as Sara had her own reasons for being with Guwon, Leia’s reason for joining the party was to fix her condition.
Sara wasn’t the only one in a hurry.
“Just a minute, Leia. Why don’t you go take a shower first?”
Guwon steeled his resolve and followed Sara out into the hallway.
“Sara. It’s not that you automatically go first after the dungeon. We’re going to take turns, one by one.”
“Of course. Did you think I was that selfish?” Sara replied, sounding rather hurt by his words.
Huh? What? That’s not it? Then what is it?
“So. When we’re taking turns, one by one… is it really Leia’s turn today?” Sara asked, her voice laced with meaning.
Guwon thought for a moment, then froze as he understood the implication of her words.
N-no way…
He swallowed hard without realizing it.
“Um… well… you see… something a little strange did happen in the dungeon…”
Lying will only make this worse.
Guwon sensed this instinctively and confessed to Sara.
“So. If we’re going in order, is it Leia’s turn?” Sara asked again, her face a perfect, emotionless mask.
No, on closer inspection, it seemed the flames of fury were burning quietly within her eyes.
She knew all along.
Was she awake then? Why didn’t she say anything? No, thank god she didn’t. If Diana had found out, I’d really be dead.
“S-Sara. Calm down and listen to me.”
“Oh? But I’m perfectly calm.”
No, you’re terrifying right now.
“The thing is, when Leia gets stimulated like that all of a sudden, her personality flips and she tries to devour men. And she herself doesn’t remember what happened. It happened because I touched Leia in my sleep, just like I did to you that one time. And the important thing is, we didn’t go all the way.”
In the end, Guwon had no choice but to confess the truth.
Sorry, Leia. I was trying to keep it a secret. But Sara isn’t the type to go blabbing about it, so please forgive me.
“So that’s what happened… Hmph. You think that excuses you? Is it over just because you didn’t go all the way? Fine, then. Have a wonderful time with Leia.”
Now that Sara knew, claiming it was Leia’s turn was nothing but an excuse.
Whether they went all the way or not wasn’t the point.
Leia’s goal was to cure her Gumiho transformation, and that incident had clearly provided a clue.
If they were going in order, it was definitely Sara’s turn.
Guwon’s plan to be with Leia tonight was nothing more than a ploy to keep her from finding out about that day.
From Sara’s perspective, Guwon had broken his promise.
What had Sara said would happen if he neglected her?
The thought made Guwon hastily grab the hand of Sara, who was about to walk away.
“Wait a minute.”
“What is it?”
“Where are you going?”
“You said we were dismissed, didn’t you? Wherever I go from now on is none of your business, is it?”
Dammit. Just as I thought.
Guwon was caught between a rock and a hard place.
If he let Sara go now, she might just go and fool around with another man.
But if he gave up on being with Leia tonight and was with Sara instead, Leia would find out what happened in the dungeon.
Given his suspicion that a priestess might consider it taboo for others to witness her acts, letting her find out was far too risky.
What should I do?
“I’m sorry you can’t have your turn today. I have no choice, since Leia doesn’t remember that day. You know why Leia joined our party, right? I’m absolutely not neglecting you.”
In the end, all he could do was tell her the whole truth and beg.
The thought of Sara with another man… It might be selfish of me, since I’m with multiple women, but I just couldn’t tolerate it. Just imagining it made me want to tear the other guy to shreds.
“Hmph. Is that really true?”
“Of course it is! There’s no way I’d neglect you. In fact, I think you’re incredibly precious to me. So please.”
In his desperation to stop Sara, Guwon bowed his head and blurted out words he would normally find far too embarrassing to say.
As he went that far, it seemed Sara felt some of his sincerity. He felt the hand he was holding twitch.
“It… ahem. It seems you’re telling the truth. Alright. I’ll let it go, just this once. But there won’t be a next time.”
Sara tried to say it coolly, but her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and said it again, coolly.
When he looked up at her face, it was bright red, as if she was embarrassed herself.
Normally, Guwon would have laughed the moment he heard her voice crack, but that wasn’t important right now.
“Sara!”
“Gah!”
Guwon pulled Sara into a tight hug.
She accepted my selfishness. I knew it from the moment we met.
She might look like this, but she’s a really good kid.
“Thank you, Sara.”
“O-Okay, just let go!”
Sara pushed against Guwon’s chest and face with both hands and quickly pulled away.
“Just this once. There won’t be a next time.”
With those parting words, Sara turned and hurried back to her room.