Eternally Regressing Knight
Chapter 67 - 67 - Taking Over the Guild
Chapter 67 - Taking Over the Guild
Krais evaluated the situation and quickly identified the most efficient way to turn it into an advantage.
"Even if it's called a thief guild..."
When you look closely, it's essentially a business.
Collecting protection fees, eliminating petty thefts, and leveraging only the positives could turn it into a proper enterprise.
More importantly, Krais already had business ideas centered around the thief guild.
This was Border Guard, a place known for its strict law enforcement.
Normally, a criminal guild wouldn't thrive here.
But this wasn't the case now.
Gilpin's Guild had managed to establish itself quite effectively.
Whatever they had done wasn't achievable by ordinary means.
For instance, the thermal pelts—how much were those worth? And here were over a dozen of them.
There were also coins and notes worth more than 100,000 Krona.
Although some IOUs turned up, they didn't seem particularly useful.
If Krais could consolidate his plans with the resources of this guild...
"There's no way I'd lose out."
This involved money, and Krais applied his wisdom, worthy of a sage, to assess and accept the situation.
"Become thieves?"
Enkrid repeated the suggestion, staring at Krais.
He had said his dream was to become a knight, to reach greater heights.
Proper training and quality equipment would require Krona.
Knights were, after all, professionals who also earned through war.
They weren't called "masters of slaughter" for no reason.
"You don't need to think of it as a bad thing. Gilpin's crew is finished now. How long do you think it will take before another thief guild takes its place?"
Krais's mind was racing, calculating.
Blood pumped through his brain, fueling its rotation.
Given Gilpin's setup, this was a golden opportunity.
"At most, a month."
Enkrid nodded instinctively, agreeing with the assessment.
"It's so warm!"
From the side, Rem exclaimed, wearing a coat made of thermal pelt.
"Well, of course, it's warm!"
Ragna scolded him for stating the obvious.
Krais's voice brought Enkrid back into focus.
Calm but with a subtle intensity hidden beneath, Krais spoke.
"In that case, we leave Gilpin, who seems decent, in charge. Then we reform the guild into one that doesn't kill or steal."
It was a plausible idea, genuinely tempting.
Preserving honor as a knight?
Even that required Krona.
Enkrid was well aware of reality.
Sure, knights of a certain skill could have wealth come to them naturally.
But there were also knights who worked for money.
Enkrid believed that a knight's honor was about following one's principles.
Krais's suggestion didn't conflict with that.
Viewed positively, it even seemed like a better option.
"If it improves people's lives, even slightly..."
Then fewer children would cry.
Parents raising their children would have less to worry about.
Every city had its share of people struggling to survive.
Perhaps this would provide them with some comfort.
Initially, they had only been looking for firewood to survive the winter, but if this opportunity allowed them to help others...
There was no reason not to take it.
"Doesn't sound bad, does it?"
"Not at all."
"I'll divide the profits appropriately and give your share, Squad Leader. In return, please keep the other squad members in check."
Enkrid realized why Krais was so focused on convincing him.
It was because of Rem and the others.
If Krais announced his intentions to take over the guild, they wouldn't simply let it happen.
"What's in it for you?"
Enkrid was curious.
Why go to the trouble of taking over a thief guild and even paying dues?
Did Krais know how much profit he could actually expect?
"Information."
Enkrid was once again impressed by Krais's sharp intellect.
Information was valuable.
Even trivial details within a city could translate into useful resources for the unit.
For instance, even knowing the name and hobby of a flower shop girl could have people lining up to buy that information.
There were countless other ways it could be utilized.
"You catch on fast. That's why I like you, Squad Leader."
Krais extended his fist, and Enkrid met it with his own.
That sealed the deal.
Enkrid would gain Krona and keep the other squad members in line.
Krais would secure the guild for himself.
When Enkrid returned to the fireplace,
"I don't mind. Let Krais take it," Jaxen said first.
...A terrifying man.
His hearing was unnervingly sharp.
They had spoken at least ten steps away, but he still overheard.
"Gilpin, sort out the corpses and identify anyone who has committed murder, inflicted significant harm on the weak, or could cause future problems. We'll take them to prison."
This didn't mean they'd let things slide as they were.
"Hm, seems like you'll have to hand over a few people."
"And from now on, this guy is the guild leader. You're free to stay, but if you quit and start another guild, we'll meet again."
"I wouldn't dare."
Gilpin habitually scratched his sandy-blond hair and asked hesitantly,
"But, uh, soldier?"
"What is it?"
"I think disbanding is the better choice. If we stay, we'll all end up dead."
Dead?
Why?
Enkrid's gaze demanded an explanation.
Gilpin hesitated but eventually explained the situation.
It turned out that the deceased guild leader had been working as an agent for Aspen, not just a spy but someone who handled various tasks for them.
"There's someone who regularly checks on the guild's situation. Otherwise, we would've disbanded and disappeared long ago."
Despite his seemingly gentle demeanor and care for his people, Gilpin was still part of a thief guild.
He wasn't in his position by mere chance.
The visitor, however, was the problem.
"If the dead guy doesn't show up, it'll cause an uproar. We were already planning to sell off the estate at a low price and disappear entirely."
"How many people are we talking about?"
"It's just one person, but..."
"But?"
"They're a Frog."
The children of heart-stopping terror.
A race with physical strength far surpassing that of humans, bred for combat.
Enkrid had once been kicked by a Frog and ended up in the infirmary for it.
"A Frog, coming here?"
"Yes."
Now, what should they do?
But why would a Frog monitor a small thief guild in a border city?
There's a saying that any Frog found outside their territory is already a recognized elite.
By Naurilia's military standards, they would be at least a special-grade warrior.
"What's so special about this place?"
"Only the dead guy would know the full details. What's certain is that the Frog always brought funds—Krona—for operations."
Not taking money, but giving it?
Seriously, what is this?
Even Krais couldn't deduce the reason.
"How curious."
"The guild is ours."
Nothing changed.
There was still time before the Frog arrived.
Whatever came next, they would deal with it when it happened.
Or perhaps, when the time came, they could disband and abandon their plans altogether.
And so, they decided to take over the guild completely.
Gilpin had no complaints.
He considered himself fortunate just to be alive.
Enkrid, however, couldn't shake the thought that although these thieves agreed now, they might pose problems in the future.
Would such a group really stay obedient indefinitely?
Of course, this was Krais's problem to handle from now on.
He had agreed to take responsibility, and Enkrid left it at that.
"This one's mine."
Jaxen collected a few rings and ornaments, likely intended for a woman.
Rem grabbed a heated coat and some furs to use as bedding, then began rummaging through the vault to see what else it held.
Ragna briefly examined the swords amassed by the guild, dismissing them all as junk.
After that, he showed no further interest in wealth.
Audin was the same.
"They say a gaze fixed on riches blinds the soul."
He simply offered a prayer.
But when Enkrid asked for his help, Audin complied.
"Could you open the vault?"
"Yes, brother."
The guild leader's vault was securely locked with a heavy padlock, wrapped tightly in chains.
Audin stepped forward and took hold of the lock.
Crunch.
What followed was practically a feat of superhuman strength.
With his bare hands, Audin crushed the lock.
It was almost unbelievable.
"Well, aren't you a strong one," Rem remarked in awe.
Once the lock was destroyed, the chains were no longer an issue.
What would have required hours with a hacksaw was finished in an instant.
This was the strength of a squad member capable of opening locked doors with just a knock.
Curious about what the vault contained, Enkrid walked over briskly.
"Are you going to open it yourself?" Rem asked, looking at him.
"Why not?"
Pure curiosity drove him.
As he approached the vault, Enkrid posed a question.
"So, when is that Frog supposed to arrive?"
Walking alongside him, Gilpin replied, "When the first season begins. They come once at the start of the four seasons and once in the third season."
Once in spring and once in autumn.
That meant there was still time.
Enkrid nodded and positioned himself before the vault.
What could be inside?
He was eager to find out.
With a flick of his fingers, he lifted the latch.
Screech.
The rusty hinges made a grating sound as the lid was pushed back.
Thunk.
The heavy lid fell open, hitting the vault body with a loud clang.
The sound reverberated faintly in Enkrid's ears.
Thoom. Thoom. Thoooom.
He felt something indescribable envelop him.
It couldn't be seen or touched, but he sensed something wrapping around his body.
A sudden isolation from the world overwhelmed him.
Everyone around him seemed to vanish.
When he tried to blink, his body didn't respond.
'What is this?'
Even opening his mouth was impossible.
"What's in there? Something good?"
Rem's voice snapped him back to reality.
Enkrid blinked and opened his mouth, finding himself unharmed.
"Did something feel... odd just now?"
"Squad leader, you're always a bit odd. I know that well," Rem replied with his usual quip.
No one else seemed to notice anything unusual.
Dismissing Rem's nonsense, Enkrid chalked it up to his imagination.
"Let's see what we've got here."
He shook his head lightly and examined the contents.
Inside the vault lay a leather cuirass.
"What's this?"
Enkrid voiced his curiosity and looked at Gilpin.
"I'm not sure. I just know the dead guy treasured it."
When he picked it up and pressed a finger into it, he felt its remarkable elasticity.
"Looks like valuable leather. Squad leader, you should take it. Keep that belly of yours from getting punctured."
"It seems like a good piece of gear."
At Rem's suggestion, Krais examined the item.
He had an eye for quality.
They decided to keep it.
A well-crafted piece of armor was worth far more to someone living by the sword than most weapons.
"This one's mine."
No one objected.
After sorting out the spoils, they left the remaining work to Krais.
"Think they've cleared the snow by now?"
Rem stepped forward again.
Enkrid considered the time and glanced out the window.
The snow hadn't melted yet.
If they returned now, they might spend the night shoveling snow.
It wasn't a tough decision.
Enkrid murmured his thoughts, seeking his squad's consensus.
"Our mission ends tomorrow morning."
By then, they wouldn't have to deal with the snow.
"Works for me. Seems there's plenty to do here still," Rem agreed, settling in by the fireplace.
For now, he was uncharacteristically docile.
That was understandable.
Rem was savoring the warmth of his heated coat and the fireplace, immersed in thoughts of comfort and happiness.
"True, there's still much to do."
On the other side of the fireplace, Ragna had also found his spot.
"Yes, to spread the word of the divine."
Audin added his thoughts.
"I'll return by morning, then."
Jaxen requested permission for some solo activities.
At times like this, no one objected.
They worked together seamlessly.
If only they were always this cooperative.
It was a recurring thought during this mission.
"Squad leader."
Krais called out to Enkrid and gave him a subtle thumbs-up, a gesture of high praise.
"All squad members present and accounted for. We located the thieves' guild and wiped it out."
Enkrid reported, addressing the company commander wrapped in a thick coat.
It was the commander's private training ground.
Even with fires lit on two tall poles, the day remained bitterly cold.
On the frozen ground that felt like solid stone, the commander turned and questioned him.
"Wiped out?"
What did this man know to ask such a pointed question?
Enkrid answered flatly.
"Yes, wiped out. We sent the ones fit for prison there and executed the rest who resisted."
"I see."
The commander rotated her shoulders as if loosening them up.
Did she truly know something?
Of course, Enkrid couldn't openly say, "Krais took over the guild."
"We brought back the goods from their base as well."
"Good."
Aside from a few heated furs and ornaments, everything was handed over to the commander.
That was standard procedure.
Any incidental gains from operations belonged to the unit.
Of course, skimming a little here and there was an unspoken tradition.
"Well done."
Fortunately, the commander didn't press further.
Instead, her emerald-green eyes locked onto Enkrid's blue ones as she made a proposal.
"A bout?"
"...Pardon?"
"Don't you want to test the Fairy's Sword?"
"A sparring match?"
The Fairy's Sword—light yet sharp—was well-renowned.
Enkrid had faced it a few times during his mercenary days.
Encounters with fairies weren't uncommon in that line of work.
But back then, his skills were laughable.
Their sharp reflexes had rendered his mercenary blade useless, leaving him embarrassed to even call it a proper fight.
"I hear you never decline."
"Yes."
A sparring match.
It would be a rare opportunity.
He had recently come to believe one thing:
'The more you fight, the more you gain.'
Enkrid knew he wasn't naturally talented.
Experience was his best asset.
Each battle honed him for the day when his skills would truly shine.
Even without such rationale, he would never have declined.
That was just who Enkrid was.
"Let's do it."
"Good. Come at me."
The fairy commander drew her sword.
Shing.
Nadyr, the blade of the fairy.
A real sword for a real duel.
Enkrid unsheathed his own blade.
Clang.
Their longsword and Nadyr met in a swift clash.
Ping.
Both stepped back two paces simultaneously.
Enkrid was cautious.
He remembered the fairy commander effortlessly toppling him once in a medic's tent.
How much had he improved since then?
He didn't know.
Now was the time to find out.

Comments

Loading...