The Guild Master Whose Hobby Was Helping People Found Himself Surrounded by the Strongest, Overly Attached Members - 32

Chapter 32: The Young Lady’s Old Man Is Terrifying

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At the back of the guild, there was a small room usually used as a storage space. We had hastily arranged a table and some chairs, and I sat down in what looked like the interviewer’s chair—not that it actually was.

On either side of me were Lisette and Sera, while Ragnar stood like a sentinel at the entrance. Opposite us, chairs had been lined up for the applicants.

“Then, we will begin the interviews.”

At the same time as Lisette’s calm voice, Ragnar called for the first candidates, and the first adventurers walked in. I folded my arms and deliberately lowered my voice.

“…Alright then, first. Tell me your reason for applying.”

“Uh, um… I admired the way Shin-san, known as ‘the Bloodstained,’ fights, and—”

“Rejected.”

“Eh!?”

Lisette tilted her head slightly.

“The reason?”

“Uh… My fighting style only shaves away at my own life, so I’d rather no one try to imitate it.”

Next, the second applicant.

“I’m skilled in combat, and I can handle both the sword and spear! Leave escort missions to me!”

“…Not hired.”

“W-Why not!?”

“What we need right now isn’t a combatant but a helper for odd jobs. There’s definitely a better workplace out there for you.”

The third applicant was a ridiculously muscular man who squeezed through the doorway. But what he held in his hands was—a ball of yarn and knitting needles.

“Uh… What’s your hobby?”

“Knitting!”

“…Combat experience?”

“None! But, I can knit socks and scarves for the Leader for an entire year!”

Lisette’s brow twitched.

“Quite the talent, but… Shin-sama’s winter preparations are mine to handle.”

“Looks like you’re rejected.”

“N-No way…!”

Personally, I thought he was kind of a decent pick. Lisette was supposedly looking for an errand-runner too, yet she was being pretty strict. As he left, the ball of yarn he dropped rolled across the floor, and Ragnar scooped it up with all his might before tossing it back outside. And from then on—

“Your eyes are too scary.”

“Your smile is too refreshing.”

“You talked to Sera.”

One ridiculous reason after another piled up for rejection. By the end, it had become a simple task of saying, “Next,” the moment someone walked in. Lisette sorted the papers without pause, Ragnar shoved the applicants out the door, and we had a complete division of labor.

Half a day passed like that.

“…The next applicants will be the last interviews of the day.”

Only two documents remained. Lisette read the final name aloud, and the door quietly opened. First to enter was a girl in a vibrant red dress, accompanied by what seemed to be a butler in a formal suit. 

A young lady? Her glossy blonde hair was curled like drills, and while hiding her mouth with a fan, she walked toward me with a gaze looking down upon me. Definitely the typical ojou-sama.

“Fufu… So you were this close all along! You, the gentleman from the ball!”

With a sharp snap, the young lady thrust a finger at me. Her eyes sparkled so brightly it seemed as if gemstones might pop out any moment.

“…Who are you again?”

“Have you forgotten? I am Ceres Auguste de Montfort Elminarie!”

That name was way too long. And I had no recollection whatsoever about her.

“Sorry, but I don’t remember—”

“You do!”

Cutting off my denial, Ceres stepped forward and snapped her fan shut with a bang.

“It was… About two years ago. I was attending a royal ball. I was quite drunk at that time and near the garden fountain, I lost my footing and fell.”

“…Uh-huh.”

“And the one who appeared then—was you!”

Ah…Now that she mentioned it, I was starting to remember. That day, I was assigned to security duty. I heard a flashy “Hyaaah!” scream coming from the garden, and when I went to check, a woman in a gown was crouched on the lawn.

Seeing that I had no other option but to help her, I picked her up without even looking at her face. I carried her to the carriage at the venue, and that was the end of it.

“I did not see your face… But my soul trembled. I knew, without a doubt, that this man was my destiny!”

You are mistaken.

“The next day, I commanded the entire estate: ‘Find that gentleman! You must find him!’”

How exactly did you plan on finding someone when you didn’t even know their face…

“Afterward, my butler pulled some strings, and we learned that the man who saved me was known as ‘the Bloodstained.’”

Behind her, the dignified butler—absolutely the model of an old retainer—nodded at me. I was relieved he didn’t betray the stereotype. However, he was pleading at me with his eyes. 

“Please, for Young Lady’s sake…”

His gaze exerted quite the pressure.

“And last night, at long last, we tracked the footsteps of ‘the Bloodstained,’ and now, we have met again! Therefore, I too shall join this guild!”

“No.”

“Why not!? We are bound by fate!”

“We are not. I didn’t even remember your face.”

“Faces do not matter! My heart yearns for you!”

“No, listen—”

“How else would you explain this pounding in my chest!?”

Maybe because you’re excited right now…

“Um… In the first place, you—”

“It’s Ceres!”

“…Ceres-san, judging by your appearance, you’re a lady of a distinguished household, right? Isn’t it unwise for someone like you to take on the dangerous job of an adventurer? Forgive me, but may I ask your rank?”

“I’m S-rank!”

Now ,why are you that strong?

“So, there is nothing to worry about. Rather, I shall be the one protecting Shin-sama!”

This was bad. If things went on like this, I would be steamrolled. I had to find a way… Yes, I’d convince her butler to take her back.

“…Ceres-san’s butler.”

When I addressed him, the butler quietly stepped forward. His back was as straight as a rod, like a sword itself.

“Yes, Bloodstained-dono.”

“You’ve served her for a long time, so you must understand. For Ceres-san to become an adventurer is far too dangerous—”

“I am in favor.”

“In favor!?”

“Since childhood, Young Lady would leap over the estate walls, chase off wild dogs, subdue bears in the forest, and singlehandedly bind up bandits before returning. Frankly, it seems safer if she became an official adventurer.”

Those are not the kind of heroic tales an ojou-sama should have.

“Furthermore, her gratitude toward you, Bloodstained-dono, is genuine. I see no reason to stop her.”

“But still…”

At that moment, the butler suddenly beckoned me closer. His expression softened into a gentle smile, brows and eyes lowered. Ah, I get it. He couldn’t go against Ceres directly, so he’d share his true feelings only with me. Maybe he was planning to say something like, “Actually, I’m truly against it, but I can’t say it here.”

Clinging to that sliver of hope, I leaned my ear toward him.

“If you don’t let Young Lady join this guild, I’ll kill you.”

“—?!?!”

Sirens rang in my head, and I instinctively stepped back. He was still smiling kindly, crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes. His voice was gentle like a grandfather praising his grandchild.

But just now, he had definitely said, “I’ll kill you.”

He beckoned again. Maybe I misheard. Just to be sure, I leaned in once more—

“—If  you lay a hand on Young Lady without thinking it through, I’ll beat you to a pulp.”

When I looked back up in resignation, Ceres wore a self-satisfied smile. She hadn’t heard what her butler said, but her expression was clearly that of someone thinking, “I’ve won.”

Last chance. I should at least get Lisette’s opinion.

“Lisette-san, what do you think?”

She made a show of considering for a moment, then spoke.

“The Montfort family is a well-known noble house. If we could gain their backing, it would be a wise choice. And my place as Shin-sama’s number one will remain unchanged.”

“Ah… I see. You’re hired…”

Ceres hid her mouth with her fan as she laughed proudly. Behind her, the butler nodded in satisfaction.

“A fine decision.”

He said softly.

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