Another World’s Highest Guild Leader ~I’m the weakest in the guild, but I can’t quit the guild because of the heavy love of all the guild members~ - Chap 49.5: Pancakes will collapse if the air is let out

“——Could you give Crow back to me?”

It took me a while to comprehend what Ceris had said.

Give Crow back. Meaning Crow would leave the Devil’s Triumphant Return. He would drift away from me.

That’s something I just cannot——

“But getting this out of the blue makes one anxious, right? I’m not planning to pull him out without consent.”

“……Is there a reason?”

“Of course. Crow came to consult with me before about wanting to leave the guild.”

“We’ve heard about Crow wanting to leave the guild. At that time, it was a ‘what if’ scenario.”

“But no one took it as a joke, right?”

“……Of course not.”

That conversation is still vivid in everyone’s mind.

Words like ‘leaving’ had never been used before. He’s not someone who’d say such things lightly. That’s why it gave me goosebumps when he mentioned it.

If Crow leaves the guild——we won’t be able to control him.

“So, you’re defending Crow’s desire to leave the guild?”

“Hmm, yeah.”

“What’s with that hesitant tone?”

“Well, there’s a lot to it. So, you guys would try to stop him, right?”

“Of course.”

“Even I, as formidable as I am, wouldn’t come out unscathed if I attacked your whole guild. If our guilds fought, it might even destroy the country.”

Ceris laughed, “Ha ha,” but it was far from a laughing matter. If she tried, she could cause significant damage, even if not destruction.

“……Are you willing to fight us?”

My voice was low, dripping with hostility.

“I’d like to avoid that. By the way, there’s a way to prevent it. For example… capture Crow’s heart so he doesn’t want to leave the guild.”

“……”

Capture his heart. In other words, make Crow fall in love. If that were easy, I wouldn’t be struggling.

“You can’t just let him be. Being so dense, he might just follow any cute girl.”

“I, I know that!”

I don’t intend to let him roam free. I’m sure I’ve been… filling the moat.

“Anyway, I want to confirm whether Crow wants to leave the guild. If he’s serious. I want you to verify it yourselves. Then decide. Capture Crow, or battle me.”

At first, I thought she just wanted to take him, but it seems she cares about Crow, or rather, about us, the Devil’s Triumphant Return. As expected from Crow’s master.

“Give me some time.”

“Of course.”

The discussion has concluded. I stand up. My business here is done.

“Wait, what about the pancakes?”

“I don’t want them. Goodbye.”

Why did I so easily accept this one-sided arrangement?

Because…

◆

……I really can’t win against gratitude.

“Lulu left the cafe without eating these delicious pancakes.”

Two untouched pancakes lay there, slightly deflated over time.

“Would you like a replacement, sir?”

“No, no need for a change. They’re still delicious as they are.”

Smiling, the waitress blushes and walks away.

The specialty here is fluffy pancakes, the key being the meringue. But as time passes, the air escapes, and if left alone, it deflates and eventually collapses.

Of course, they’re still tasty, but people are never satisfied with enough.

Crow often humbly says he’s like air, dispensable.

The air seems insignificant at a glance. However, it’s an essential, though invisible presence.

If it were gone…

“Alright, Crow, I’ve flipped the switch. The rest is up to you. I’m looking forward to it.”

I can’t help but think.

I am——a wicked master.