WHFIO10

Episode 10

“It won’t take long.”

After a brief hesitation, Elses sat down across from Perse.
If it came down to it, she could easily overpower him, so there was no reason to worry.
Besides, something about the man across from her didn’t feel dangerous.

“Do you drink?”

“Well… a little, I suppose?”

She wasn’t sure how much this body of Elses Lohain could handle, but she figured at least a little wouldn’t hurt.

Perse waved over a passing guild member and ordered another round of beer.
Soon, a large mug was set down in front of her.

“Are you buying this for me?” she asked.

“I owe you a drink today.”

“Owe me? For what?”

“I made a bet with those guys.” Perse jerked his thumb toward the guild members lingering behind her. “On how long it would take you to bring down that beast and come back.”

When Elses turned, the guild members who’d been sneaking glances quickly averted their eyes.

“And you guessed closest?”

“That’s right.”

“How long did you say?”

“Two hours.”

Elses blinked, genuinely impressed.
Most of the others had probably bet she’d run away or come back late, if at all.

“Thank you. For believing in my ability.”

“No, I just took a shot in the dark.”

“You know, saying you believed in me would’ve left a better impression.”

“Hmm. Should’ve thought of that.” Perse laughed at himself, unbothered by the misstep.

And strangely enough, Elses found his candidness rather likable.

“So. What’s your real business with me?”

“Why don’t you join our guild?”

Elses blinked at the unexpected offer.

Joining a guild had its perks—reduced commission fees on quests, for one.
For the guild, the more competent members they had, the more requests came in. It was worth losing a bit of commission.
On top of that, guild members often helped each other in danger or teamed up for hunts too difficult to take on alone.

Should I join?

Since she needed to earn money as quickly as possible, joining would be the smart choice.

She was about to agree when she stopped short.

Wait. Elses Lohain is a noblewoman.

The House of Lohain wasn’t among the most prominent, but it was noble nonetheless.
And some people might recognize the name.

Even if they don’t know Lohain, someone might recognize the fiancée of Duke Ritenhaus.

If it got out that a noble’s daughter was working in a guild, it would be nothing but trouble.

But with no capital, it’s not like I can start a business. This is the only way I can make money right now.

Just then, their conversation was interrupted.

“Forget that—why not join our Glory Guild instead?”

“No way. If you want proper recognition, our Flash Guild is where you belong!”

“You two don’t even know how to play fair. Perse asked her first—she’s coming with us. Right, friend?”

The man with a southern accent clearly belonged to Perse’s guild.

But the Glory Guild man, realizing he was losing ground, shoved him aside.

“That guild of yours is brand-new. No structure. You need history and stability.”

“History, my foot—it’s a retirement home for fossils. Ever heard of the Rising Sun?”

“What did you just say? Fossils?”

“Yeah. Fossils.”

“Why, you—!”

“Friend, listen. Our guild takes requests even from overseas. Our leader’s pretty damn capable. And one more thing—”

The southern man raised his voice meaningfully, ignoring the heckling around him.

“All the other guilds are full of rough, ugly mugs. But our guild’s leader? He looks like this.”

He stuck his thumb up proudly.

“…Though he doesn’t have much in the way of manners,” he muttered under his breath, drowned out by the fresh round of insults.

“What did you just say?!”

“Not like I’m wrong. Ugly’s ugly. Funny how ugly guys always flip out when you call ’em on it.”

Elses sat back, watching middle-aged men bicker like children.

This feels like… a newbie stumbling into a group of jaded veterans.

Still, she had to admit—it was nice being fought over.

Finally, Perse rapped the table with his knuckles.

“Enough. You’ve all made your pitches. Now let’s leave the decision to her.”

All eyes turned back to Elses.
She glanced over them one by one, then gave her answer.

“I’ll join.”

Elses chose the guild where at least one person had recognized her talent.

Perse and the southerner—whose name turned out to be Jack—led her to their guildhall.

“Here we are.” Jack gestured proudly.

Elses looked up at the sign above the entrance.

Eternal.

Whoever came up with that name must’ve been trying a little too hard.

She kept the thought to herself and followed them inside.

Just like the last guild, members were lounging around with drinks after their quests.

Their eyes widened at the sight of her.

“Jack, who’s this? Your secret daughter?”

“Idiot.”

“Yeah, right. Like Jack could have a daughter that pretty.”

The guild member cackled as Jack hurled the nearest object at him.
He caught it easily and laughed harder.

“This here’s the ace I landed with my best sales pitch. Way more capable than any of you sorry lot. So treat her right if you see her around.”

“Yes, sir!” they chorused.

Then Jack leaned close and added in a low voice, “And if some punk gives you trouble, just plant your fist right here.” He tapped his jaw.

Elses chuckled. The atmosphere here wasn’t bad at all.

She sat with Jack and Perse at a table.

“Since you’re new, let me buy you a welcome drink.”

Jack pushed a beer toward her.

From what she’d seen, Jack did most of the talking while Perse mostly listened.

After a long swig, Jack asked, “By the way, what’s your name? Feels weird just calling you ‘friend’ all the time.”

“Oh, right. I never introduced myself.” She hesitated briefly.
The name of a noble lady might not be widely known—but better safe than sorry.

“My name’s Elses.”

“Pretty name.”

Most commoners had no surname, or didn’t bother with one. He didn’t seem suspicious in the least.

“I’m Jack, as you heard. And this here’s Perse.”

Jack grinned mischievously, holding out his hand.

“Welcome to the guild, Elses.”

She clasped it with a smile. His grip was firm, calloused by years of work.

“Pleased to meet you, Jack.”

Jack downed another gulp of beer and leaned forward.

“You must be curious about the guild. Ask me anything—about us, or anything else.”

Elses considered for a moment, then asked the question closest to her true goal.

“How much would it cost to buy information from the Mage Tower?”

At the word Mage Tower, Perse flinched. But Jack answered without noticing.

“That’ll cost you plenty.”

“Expensive?”

“Very. Used to be more reasonable, but ever since the Tower Master changed… the price went way up. He’s a mad dog, that one. Step foot in there without permission, and it’s—”

Jack drew a finger across his neck.

“If you can’t sneak in, your only option is bribing one of the tower mages. But even they won’t budge these days. Too scared of their boss.”

Elses’s expression stiffened.

“But if you need information from the Tower, you came to the right guild.”

“Why’s that?”

“Didn’t I say our leader was capable? He’s got a… friendly relationship with that crazy Tower Master. Might be able to get you inside.”

Elses’s eyes widened.

Had Rasiel actually made a new friend?

“Really?”

“…They don’t get along,” Perse cut in quietly.

“Huh? They don’t?” Jack blinked. “Did they fight or something?”

“No idea. But they’re not on good terms.”

Elses’s curiosity about this mysterious “leader” only grew.

She asked another question.

“Then… do you know what Duke Ritenhaus is like?”

“Oh, that young duke? He’s one hell of a mad dog.”

“…Mad dog?”

“Yeah. See, he was the illegitimate son of the old duke. Became a war hero, then one day stormed back, killed his father and brother, and took the title.”

Elses froze in shock.

First one kills his master. Another kills his own father and brother…

“But the Emperor said the former duke had plotted treason, and that the new duke had saved him. So he recognized him as the rightful heir.”

“The Emperor… himself?”

“That’s right. Since then, the duke’s been the Emperor’s hound. Kill who he says kill, spare who he says spare. Lately, with His Majesty sick, he’s been serving under the Crown Prince.”

Elses’s brow furrowed.
She had never trusted the imperial family. And neither had Tezet.

And yet… he had become their right hand?

“Since the Crown Prince is acting regent, the duke’s probably hunting down the Tower Master right about now.”

Her stomach sank.

They never got along… but still!

Perse’s face was equally grim.

But Jack, oblivious, went on.

“Not long ago, there was talk of marrying him to the princess. But rumor has it he already has a fiancée.”

At that, Elses stiffened.

So that’s why he needed one.

A man like Tezet would never be content taking orders.
Whatever made him the Emperor’s hound, his refusal of a royal marriage spoke volumes.

“Anyway, stay clear of the Ritenhaus estate. One wrong move, and it’s—” Jack sliced a finger across his throat again.

“Y-yes, of course.”

Elses forced a smile and drained her mug.

But the beer sat bitter on her tongue.

***

By evening, more guild members were returning from quests.

Time to slip out before I attract attention.

“Enough. Let’s go home and eat cookies.”

She shoved back the tiny paw that was reaching for snacks inside her coat pocket and rose from her seat.

Jack was already drunk and joking loudly with another table. Perse had stepped out on some errand.

Pulling up her hood to avoid notice, Elses made for the door.

Just as she reached it, she collided with a broad chest entering from outside.

“Ugh—”

She stumbled, but the man caught her arm and steadied her.

“Sorry—”

She looked up, and froze.

Under a mane of fiery red hair, a pair of crimson eyes burned with unmistakable intensity.

And the voice—one she knew all too well.

“A new face, I see.”

Before she could process it, Jack’s voice rang out from behind.

“Hey, Captain! Back already?”

Elses’s eyes went wide as the truth struck her.

…Cassian?

What in the world was he doing here?