I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

35 – 7# Golden Deer (2)

People reveal their true nature when pushed to the extreme.

Everyone she had met so far had been like that. Even those with decent beliefs eventually broke against the wall of reality. But who could truly mock them for it?

There’s no such thing as an ideal utopia. Especially for a guildmaster leading a guild, one had to be more prepared than anyone else to face reality. That was her belief.

The most frightening situation is not the cutting of the purse strings. It’s having money but being unable to use it. In other cities, one could probably find a way around. After all, there’s no one who doesn’t want money.

But this is Gideon. In this place thoroughly dominated by Hades, one can only be completely isolated. In such a situation, if sacrificing just one person could save the entire guild, even if all guild members opposed it, the guild master had to choose.

That was the master’s duty.

But Isaac rejected a way where only one person would be sacrificed for everyone to survive. From then on, he was already disqualified as a guild master. Instead of seeing the whole forest, he was fixated on a single tree.

At first, she thought that way.

But that was Tyth’s arrogance. An overwhelming force pressed down on her entire body. It felt like a mountain was weighing down on her shoulders. The pressure was so intense that she felt like she would want to strangle herself right away.

“This force… it’s like… looking at her…!!”

The embodiment of death leading the Hades Guild. It felt similar to the pressure she felt from her. It meant that Isaac Silvertear, the man, was also a monster that an ordinary person couldn’t handle.

Only then could Tyth understand. He didn’t make a shortsighted choice. He came with the intention of taking everything, thinking that he might even take it all. And he was doing this against none other than the Golden Deer.

Because he believed in himself. The confidence that it was okay to make the Golden Deer an enemy! Tyth clicked her tongue. She had misjudged. The opponent was a monster of a different caliber, one who had even dealt with Veronica.

However, due to unnecessary curiosity, he ended up ruining everything from the first button. And now, she stands at a crossroads. Will she respond as the Golden Deer or lower her tail?

“Please forgive my rudeness, Master Silverter.”

“….”

“Oh, I see. This was a deal, right?”

Although Tayte even lowered her tail and bowed deeply, Isaac still hadn’t regained his composure. But Tayte also had her own thoughts. She casually flicked her fingers.

“What the?! Where did all this stuff come from all of a sudden?”

“On the Golden Deer, we buy and sell everything. It’s a basic principle in a place like that.”

What appeared with just a gesture was obviously an enormous amount of accumulated goods. There were even separate provisions for preserved and fresh food, along with numerous useful equipment.

“This is enough material to sustain a large guild for a year.”

“….”

“At this point, can’t we consider it as paying the price for our lives?”

What made the situation ambiguous was Isaac himself. The moment he touched his family, he couldn’t just let it slide. So he came out strong, but he never expected Tayte to bow down so easily.

‘… What should I do?’

Should he demand more in exchange for his life? That would seem too greedy and not fitting Isaac’s style. But wiping his mouth and accepting this was also a bit much.

Isaac thought desperately. Once a concept is decided, he never changes it. If he changes the concept just to suit himself, then it’s no longer a concept. That’s Isaac’s belief.

So what is the closest answer to the concept Isaac Silverter can uphold here? After desperate contemplation to prevent the collapse of his concept, he finally came up with an answer.

“Do you think you can overlook your mistake with such materials?”

“Then, is there anything else you need separately?”

“Apologize to that girl. Sincerely and in person.”

“….!!”

Isaac pointed at Sasha and answered firmly. In a way, it seemed like a foolish choice. Even though he could have such enormous resources, he chose to settle with just an apology?

‘Yes, this is right.’

It’s inefficient. The guild master didn’t make the decision. Isaac knew that too. So what can he do? No matter how much he thinks and contemplates, this is the answer to keep his concept.

“….Damn!”

Diego, who had watched Isaac’s actions from behind, involuntarily clicked his tongue. He felt so pathetic for even doubting for a moment whether Isaac would yield to Sasha.

‘What a fool. Suspecting the master of all people.’

Haven’t they all owed a debt to the master that they could never repay in their lifetimes? Yet, he unknowingly doubted. Diego chastised himself and made a resolution.

From now on, he will never doubt the master. The other guild members had similar reactions. Even though it might be a decision that could be considered foolish, no one opposed it. And that included the original members, Hans and Sophia.

“Family is something you can never silence.”

“I’ll take care of my family better than anyone else.”

At first, Hans thought he was a fool looking for his family even on the battlefield. But now, he had just come to realize that it was real, not fake. He had no choice but to choose at the moment though.

Hans and Sophia were sincerely believing in Isaac and following him now. Isaac had such power to make them follow. Taitte, who had been watching Isaac for a moment, finally moved.

“Miss, would you please forgive my rudeness?”

Taitte soon stopped in front of Sasha. In contrast to her glamorous dress and blond hair, she bowed her head and asked Sasha for forgiveness. Watching Taitte like that, Sasha nodded her head.

Finally, Isaac was able to remove his hand from the sword, gaining momentum. Taitte breathed a sigh of relief watching that scene. It was dangerous for a moment. You should never resist such monsters.

Then, the real negotiation began.

* * *

The negotiation itself was successful. It was actually very beneficial for Golden Deer. They were the ones who could help relieve their suffering. That’s how Taitte judged it.

However, there were those who were unhappy about Golden Deer going out in such a posture. Gerts, an old man who had previously guided a shield of iron directly to Taitte, was a representative.

“Are you okay? Miss.”

“Gertz, what does that mean?”

“It means are you okay going out that way in public?”

The power of Golden Deer was considerable. It had enough influence not to be inferior to Hades. However, as much power, so much responsibility followed. Her position was also the same.

“Gideon Jubu is a poison cup. You can get tremendous wealth and power, but if even a little weakness is shown, it will devour you.”

“…….”

“People will definitely come out to gnaw at this opportunity.”

Has Golden Deer lowered its tail to some small guild? Even Gerz, her right-hand man, was appalled. However, Taitte smiled and replied.

“That’s what happens when I fail.”

“…..You’re asking them for a request.”

“Yes. I didn’t know Master Sylverter knew, though.”

Even Taitte was surprised by the condition that Isaac Sylverter put forth, which supplied various materials to Iron Shield in return for providing contracts and deals from Golden Deer to Iron Shield. Did they investigate it that far…?

The terms of the negotiation were simple. If Iron Shield subdued one monster, Golden Deer would provide trade and contract with Iron Shield. Gerz, who knew that, opened his mouth with surprise.

“Do you really think they will succeed?”

“Of course. Why do you think we’re making a deal if not?”

“It’s something that Golden Deer failed, even when using all of their power.”

Gerz showed a negative reaction to Taitte’s words. Golden Deer had been trying to handle that monster all along, even using Gideon’s heroes. But it all failed. Moreover, for some reason, Hades Guild refused Golden Deer’s request. But then again, could such a small guild like Iron Shield subdue it?

“No, he will surely succeed.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I saw something like the embodiment of death in that figure.”

“The embodiment of death? Surely not…?”

“Yes, Master Reaper.”

Master Reaper. The master of the Hades Guild, the woman who held the reins of Gideon’s power. Alongside Isaac, she was one of only two individuals bestowed with the title of master by Tite.

“Perhaps those two will soon collide.”

If the path Master Reaper walks is Pandora’s, then the path Master Silverter treads is the royal road. Opposed yet unwavering in their beliefs and overwhelming power, they are bound to clash.

So, as a merchant, there’s only one thing to do.

Since no one knows who will emerge victorious, stand ready to support both sides.