Intermission: Guildmaster Ziek’s Thoughts

Intermission: Guildmaster Ziek’s Thoughts

I was born the son of a woodcutter in the Trundle domain. I followed in the footsteps of all those who live in Trundle territory by pursuing strength; I went through a variety of experiences, and I became a full-fledged adventurer in my teen years.

Around that time, I hit it off with a black-eyed man named Geintz who I met at the guild. We teamed up when we had time to complete commissions together, and soon we were known as the Wind and Thunder Gods of Trundle.

My friend was actually the master of our domain, which I found out after he went into the military, but I never thought too much of it. Strength meant everything in Trundle Guild. I respected Geintz because he was strong, and I was proud that a strong man like him was our lord. That was all.

Geintz eventually married a frightening woman who used a short lance. I couldn’t have done that even if I were offered a million gold. I respected him for being able to sleep next to a woman like that.

As we grew older, Geintz was often called to leave the territory as the general, and he asked me to manage the guild in his place. I retired as an adventurer and devoted myself to mentoring the next generation.

“Hello!”

One day, a lovely, cheerful voice resounded through the guild. I turned from the counter to see a girl who looked like my best friend, but younger and much more beautiful. She had chestnut hair and black eyes, and she stood smiling brightly with a large longsword on her back.

“I’ve been waiting for you, young black-eyed fairy.” The previous guildmaster knelt down.

However, those fulfilling days came to an end without warning. Lady Liruphione, beloved by all the people of the domain, died with the family she married into. Geintz fell into a deep grief and thinned out rapidly, and the formerly strong man died soon after.

I continued to protect Trundle Guild, just as I had promised Geintz. At the end of the year, I had a meeting with the master of our domain with a yearly report detailing the updated ranks of all the adventurers.

Erza, after all this time of not seeing her, was full of energy, her eyes sparkling with life. I hadn’t seen her like this since before Liruphione got married, when we were drinking tea together cheering on Geintz and his daughter as they crossed swords.

“Has something good happened, Lady Erza?”

Erza chuckled. “I can’t keep anything from you, Ziek. You see, I’ve finally fulfilled my life’s calling, this late in my life.”

“Your...life’s calling?”

“Yes. I can finally complete my duty as a Trundle.” Erza’s eyes sparkled fiercely.

My heart was going wild. “What do you mean?”

“It’s too early for you to know, Ziek. They’ll come running from afar when the time is right. You’ll be missing out if you die early, Ziek. My husband was a fool. Strengthen the guild more than ever. This is an order. We must be strong to protect them.”

Five years had passed since then. I’d rebuilt the guild, per Erza’s orders, into an organization with no weak points. Erza created an invincible private army of her own in her domain through her hellish training.

And then, the second black-eyed fairy came into my life.

After I saw Serephione off as she clutched her silver B-rank plate and jumped for joy, I called an emergency meeting with the guild’s executives.

“Lady Serephione is extremely shy and reserved, so we shall use an informal, friendly nickname with her as she wishes. However, keep in mind that she is still the hope of Trundle, our one and only master!”

The twenty other executives nodded in silence. I heard some of the more senior members begin to cry.

“She must be the strongest in history in terms of both magic and swordsmanship.”

“How wonderful...!”

“Lord Geintz...”

“However, there are some who would harm our lady. The fact that Lady Erza has hidden her until now is proof!”

“Hurt Lady Serephione?! Unforgivable...”

“Please permit us to subdue them, Guildmaster Ziek!”

“Wait,” I demanded. “Lady Erza wishes us to watch silently and prepare ourselves for the time being. Our greatest duty as a guild from now on shall be to protect Lady Serephione’s life. Do not tell anybody outside the guild about her! And if she is ever in danger, we must come to her aid at all costs and fight for her with all our might. If anybody objects to this, you would do well to leave the guild at once. I will give you a letter of recommendation to a guild of your liking.”

“No objections!” they all responded.

“You really were a fool.”

I stood grinning on top of a small hill overlooking the Trundle domain, facing my best friend’s grave.

“It looks like I’ll get to have one last rampage! Ha ha ha!”

My life had suddenly become a lot more interesting.