I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

36 – 7# Golden Deer (3)

The deal with the Golden Deer was successful.

Upon resolving the request, not only did they officially handle various transactions and contracts through the Golden Deer, but they even offered to mediate future requests. However, Hans and Sophia didn’t react positively.

Hans, in particular, displayed the most negative response. Striking such a favorable deal with the Golden Deer meant that the request was beyond imagination.

“They’re the ones who never suffer losses no matter the situation.”

“Hans is right. Those bastards can pull that off and still leave others in the dust.”

“But what can we do? The seniors said the deal was blocked?”

“Isolation is a serious issue, especially in Gideon.”

Conversely, Cain and Yurina had a rather positive reaction, appreciating their straightforwardness and cleanliness. While traders might resort to tricks, they rarely break contracts.

From the outset, upper echelons that didn’t honor contracts properly couldn’t grow to the colossal scale of the Golden Deer. Trust was paramount in deals, and forfeiting it was akin to relinquishing everything.

“It’s the first time for a large-scale expedition departing on a guild-wide basis.”

“Indeed. It being the first request makes it a bit nerve-wracking…”

“…”

Unlike the relaxed expressions of Hertz commenting on the expedition, Diego and Sasha appeared tense. It wasn’t surprising; this was the first time the youngsters participated in a request.

Since it involved all members of the guild, they had no choice but to rent an entire carriage. Fortunately, the Golden Deer provided support up to that extent.

“Why are you so quiet today of all days?”

Las, who had been observing guild members from behind, turned his head to speak to Dig, seated right beside him. Normally, he’d be chuckling and cracking jokes, but today was different.

“…Just annoyed watching those guys.”

“Annoyed? Because they’re not playing along with you?”

“Do you seriously believe they can change in this situation?”

“What? Change right now?”

Dig nodded quietly. Perhaps hope would be visible right in front of him soon. Hope that somehow he could change the unhappy reality. However, in the end, nothing would change.

Was there a backstory? Such thoughts crossed Las’s mind, but he didn’t delve deep. It wasn’t worth caring about others’ stories, especially in a place like Gideon where there was no room for such indulgence.

Those people were strange, rather. Pursuing the intangible value of family in Gideon. Yet, our master sincerely believed in and actively practiced that value.

“It’s natural not to believe.”

“…”

“But I want to believe.”

In the changing Gideon that person was influencing. The Gideon being created by that person would be better than the Gideon Las had seen so far. Las genuinely believed that.

“So, that’s the problem.”

Dig couldn’t hold back any longer and sighed. Nothing would change unless he seized it himself. And the world wasn’t easy enough for that to be possible.

In the end, there was no choice but to give up.

Why bother trusting others and facing despair again?

Dig couldn’t truly understand.

* * *

The request from the Golden Deer was simple.

To subjugate a matsu living on the mountain Erythros. Erythros was a mountain the Golden Deer had purchased directly with money. Originally, they had planned to carve a road through the mountain and build a highway.

However, suddenly a giant wild boar appeared and began causing trouble. Thanks to it, the Golden Deer suffered a headache. Zeke smirked.

“The Golden Deer has considerable influence, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“But why can’t they subdue one matsu?”

“Because that matsu is an exceptionally powerful one.”

In reality, the Golden Deer had exhausted all their efforts. Opening a road through Erythros would immediately connect the coast, drastically reducing the cost of transporting various resources.

So, the Golden Deer mobilized all their forces to subjugate the matsu, but all attempts failed. Even the Hades Guild refused the Golden Deer’s request. The reason was a previous friction between them.

In fact, Erythros’s wild boar was a formidable matsu that couldn’t be subdued without the power equivalent to the Hades Guild. But when Hades refused to subdue it, the Golden Deer found themselves in crisis.

Erythros Mountain was a place where substantial resources could be obtained, even aside from the road. Unable to abandon it, the Golden Deer continued their matsu subjugation efforts.

However, all attempts to subjugate the matsu failed. As a result, the Golden Deer faced ruin. They had spent too much money, and the opposition from commercial guilds that opposed the Golden Deer only added to their troubles.

‘Is saving the Golden Deer the right path?’

Isaac’s dilemma began there. In the original work’s perspective, the Golden Deer emerged as a guild barely maintaining its lineage. It wasn’t described in the past glory for no reason.

The problem was the aftermath of saving the Golden Deer. Even without saving them, the Golden Deer itself was a considerable problem. I remember reading about the difficulties they faced. And now, dealing with Erythros’s wild boar?

If so, the Golden Deer would likely gain tremendous benefits. Even the current merchant alliance barely holding the Golden Deer in check could end up being consumed by the Golden Deer’s capital.

“Well, I don’t know for sure.”

However, Isaac shook his head, dismissing his concerns about the original development. After thinking about it, he immediately realized that such worries were unnecessary.

The original? What does that have to do with me?

The path I walk is the original.

If the Golden Stag causes trouble, he will handle it himself. He does not worry about things that haven’t happened yet. That is the way of Isaac Silverteira.

“Where is Eristos’ wild boar?”

“He is asleep halfway up the mountain.”

“I see. Then we should deal with it right away.”

“Just a moment, Master. Are you planning to handle it alone?”

In response to Hans’ objection, Isaac looked at him with an expression that seemed to say, “Is that not allowed?” Seeing that, Hans sighed. Of course, he knew that the Master was very strong.

“But this way has its limits.”

“What specific limits are there?”

“Experience in fighting against formidable enemies and risking your life. And being able to learn from defeat.”

“So, am I being too overprotective?”

“That’s right.”

Not sending inexperienced children on missions yet. And placing the restriction that newbies must go with a senior on their first mission. He understood, but it was too much protection.

“We have to let them do some things on their own. Even if the opponent is a formidable monster. It’s about accumulating and accumulating experience to make them veterans.”

“That is indeed not a wrong statement.”

“Then I will take command myself. If the Master goes out, it will end immediately. Don’t worry, not a single person will die….”

“But that is not enough either.”

Isaac took a step forward with a smile. At the same time, a tremendous roar echoed from the middle of the mountain. It felt as if it sensed Isaac’s presence. Then, the ground began to shake.

Kwoong! Kung!!

What seemed like the footsteps of a giant rapidly closed the distance. Finally, what appeared was a massive wild boar, as big as a mountain. It was even enough to astonish the veteran Hans.

Its black skin bore no scars, even after countless battles. But its furious red eyes were fixed only on Isaac. It instinctively sensed him.

The fact that there was only one person in this place who could harm it. But Isaac paid it no mind. He drew his sword immediately.

必殺

Kill.

一揮掃蕩 血染山河

With one swing, blood dyed the mountain and river.

It was the only sword that a talentless person had devoted their life to honing. The ultimate strike that could cut through even the sky and the earth instantly cleaved the wild boar.

Hans swallowed dry saliva. As a seasoned veteran with countless experiences, Hans was able to immediately recognize the power of Isaac’s attack. Right now, he saw it for the first time.

“Why are you just running away?”

“If you’re a man, there are times when you have to fight with all your might!”

“Is this not the time for that?”

“Of course! I fight with all my might for the sake of my family!”

‘Back then, I just dismissed it as nonsense…’

Looking back, Isaac’s reasons for always running away seemed clear now. That man already knew what we didn’t understand at that time – that there was no such thing as justice for us.

“Hans, this is what I think.”

“…”

“Learning from victory is better than learning from defeat.”

It’s only natural to hope that family doesn’t have to walk a difficult path. Of course, I’m not saying it’s either this way or that. Still, isn’t it better to learn from something good rather than something bad?

‘Torn. Stained on my pants.’

It would have been better if I hadn’t added that last bit.