I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

40 – 8# Elise’s Filth (4)

Prince Phileas of Elise.

The younger brother of the young reigning king who ruled Elise twenty years ago. The prince who had gone missing without a trace. There was a person claiming that he was the original member of the Iron Shield, Dig.

Of course, it was nothing but a suspicion, but it was a rather plausible one. Isaac remembered it more vividly than he thought. He couldn’t believe that the suspicion might have been true. He silently admired.

Even this place had been found based on a speculative article. On the map depicting Elise’s slums, there was a part of the hill in the back. There was an unnamed grave there.

[After the Yamato-level conclusion of the original work, this grave also remained as a lingering mystery. To cut to the chase, there’s a high possibility that this grave is the tomb of the young king, Phileas.]

How could one deduce so much from fragments of information in both the original work and the setting book? Isaac wondered, thinking perhaps it was the author.

“So, you’ve stolen from the guild funds.”

He had intended to say it precisely. If only Zeke, right next to him, hadn’t intervened. Unlike Isaac, Zeke was in a highly agitated state with horns sticking out.

“It’s not that much money, really.”

“What are you saying, this guy?”

“Calm down, Zeke.”

Isaac and even the guild members watching quietly from behind were bewildered by the reaction, more intense than imagined. Of course, the guild members had a lot to say, but they held back.

It was just Isaac’s nature to endure, knowing his temperament. Zeke, on the other hand, couldn’t stand it any longer, especially when the opponent was a rogue.

Especially considering his usual beggar-like behavior that didn’t leave a good impression. And now, he had even run off with the master’s money? Naturally, Zeke couldn’t tolerate that.

“You can earn the money back. It’s a matter of trust.”

“…”

“I think you must have had your reasons.”

“You’re really unbearable, you know that.”

Phileas just smirked and said nothing more. Typically, stealing from the guild funds would lead to tracing and confiscation of all property, and in the worst case, losing one’s life.

Actually, Phileas thought there was nothing to say even if it happened. In fact, such a mild reaction was unreasonable. Phileas reached into his pocket.

Unable to speak against the master’s wishes and with an expression of displeasure, Zeke glared at Phileas. He tried to draw his sword, but Isaac stopped him.

“Don’t draw your sword. There’s no sense of threat at all.”

“But…!”

“That’s right. I’m actually trying to repay the debt.”

Ching.

A brilliant sound of jewels clashing echoed from the pouch Phileas pulled out. What he took out was a small pouch. Phileas threw it towards Isaac without hesitation.

Isaac easily caught the worn-out pouch. Upon checking, it was filled with faintly shining gems. Phileas chuckled.

“I don’t know the current market value, but it should be at least ten times the money I stole. That should be enough as repayment.”

“Ten times that amount?!”

“But… why did you steal the money in the first place?”

“To quickly get to Ellis without using teleportation, I needed money. You could call it petty cash.”

There were quite a few ways to move quickly to another area without using teleportation. For example, flying through the sky. Anyway, all the guild members remained silent.

In fact, the money Phileas stole from the Iron Shield was by no means a small amount. But now, he was giving a sum that was a whopping ten times that. Naturally, there was nothing to say.

“Without a doubt, with that amount, you can buy a decent estate. I think it’s a sufficient reward.”

There was even arrogance in Phileas’s voice. However, there was no retort because it was true. But only one person, Isaac, had an immediate response.

“I said it before, but money is not important.”

“……”

“Phileas, do you need any help?”

“Master really reminds me of someone I know.”

I really want to see him. Whether it’s because I resent him for wanting to see him or just because I want to see him as a family member again, I don’t know. What a foolish person. Phileas answered.

“I don’t need anything, so go away now.”

* * *

“What the hell is wrong with that guy!!”

In a tavern overlooking Alice’s scene, Zeke was throwing an unnecessary fit. The guild members who gathered in this place felt similar to Zeke’s state of mind.

On the other hand, Isaac was calmly having his meal. Perhaps he didn’t feel bad at all. Sophia, who had been quietly watching Isaac by his side, spoke up.

“Master, are you not feeling bad? After receiving such treatment?”

“That’s right! Master! We can’t just let this slide!”

It may be an intense reaction, but I also agree with this, Master.”

The status of the Master is no different from the status of the guild. And yet, the Master was disregarded. Of course, anger would naturally arise. No, even setting aside the reasons.

Precious family members were being completely ignored.

Nobody would naturally stay calm.

However, unlike the other guild members, Isaac didn’t show any sign of disturbance. Unlike the others, Isaac knew some of Phileas’ circumstances.

“Don’t hate him like that. He’s like a hedgehog.”

“A, a hedgehog?”

“It’s an animal with spines like fur. But why did that come up?”

“Wow! I want to see one!”

“He probably said that for us, thinking about us.”

Everyone responded with a bewildered expression to Isaac’s unexpected response. No matter how you look at it, it wasn’t a tone meant for considering others.

“He said that thinking about us?”

“That’s right.”

“Where did you see that?”

“You probably wanted us to leave this place quickly. You were planning a rebellion against Alice.”

Ignoring the fact that Dig and Phileas were the same person, there was not even a detailed explanation related to Dig. However, Phileas’ fate was briefly introduced in the original work.

[But not everyone turned their backs on Alice. The young king used golems to eliminate side effects. His younger brother, the abandoned prince Phileas, tried to regain Alice with his power.]

[However, ultimately, both royal attempts ended in failure. The young king was betrayed by the very people he trusted. Phileas fell short of having enough power to reclaim Alice.]

Based on the description that Filles lacked strength in this place, it is likely that he attempted to raise an army and regain Ellis by force.

However, unless he’s a fool, he probably doesn’t think he can succeed in rebelling against the current Ellis. After all, she is described as being at the level of an egg throwing rocks.

“A rebellion?!”

“Shh, lower your voice.”

“If that’s true, it’s absurd.”

The guild members’ reactions were not much different. Even the golem that greeted Ellis upon her arrival could easily replace soldiers.

No, there is even a possibility that it has been modified into a powerful weapon that surpasses that level. There were even guilds and knights that operated based on Ellis as a base.

“It’s like a suicidal act.”

“Yes, at the level of egg throwing rocks.”

“I also think so.”

Hans and Sophia, who had experienced countless battlefields, came to a cold conclusion. Even if they had gathered considerable forces, there was no qualitative way to become a match for the enemy.

“Then the story is over.”

“Let’s leave early in the morning tomorrow.”

“What?! I haven’t even properly explored yet!”

“But you heard the story, didn’t you?”

“Yulina, the view tomorrow won’t be very good.”

If Master’s words are true, a war will happen in the near future. And it will end in one-sided slaughter. It won’t be a pleasant sight.

Especially if there are familiar faces among them. So it is better for us to leave here before that. Everyone thought the same way.

However, Yulina shook her head as if she really didn’t know. At that moment, when Cain tried to explain again, Yulina raised her question first.

“But Master can’t just leave his family behind, can he?”

And that was a very natural thing to say. Everyone’s gaze instantly turned to Isaac. Isaac took in each of the guild members’ gazes and quietly smiled.

Nod.

“No, not a nod!”

“Do you know? Opposing Ellis is the same as opposing the Knights and Gideon Guild altogether.”

“This time the opponent isn’t very good, Master.”

It’s a natural reaction. Of course, it’s not believed that the Master would lose by force. But once he gets involved in a fight, the Shield of Iron Guild’s external relations will be greatly damaged.

First of all, Ellis will no longer receive mana regularly. They will be at odds with the other guilds of Gideon and, in the worst case scenario, they may end up on the purification list of the Kingdom of Laws.

“That guy hasn’t crossed the line yet. He can still come back.”

It is true that he made a mistake. But is it an irredeemable sin like murder? Not to that extent. Rather, he tried to evacuate us because he was afraid of being involved in the war.

Knowing that he will be opposing everyone, Isaac casually answered the guild members. It’s not just empty words. His voice had the power to make everyone follow him.

“Then, let’s secure it first and talk slowly afterward.”

That’s all there is to it.

Surprisingly, there was no echo of the past.

Everyone already knew.

That this was our master.

“Once I secure it, then I’ll handle it myself.”

However, Isaac’s intentions were quite different from their thoughts.

Even if I have to peel it myself.

I won’t let others criticize it.