The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 38

Chapter 38   The Return of Lucius

The ghoul extermination continued. (Though ghoul extermination wasn’t registered at the quest reception, it was considered the adventurers’ moral duty to hunt them down whenever found, as ghouls would eventually grow into undead or vampires.)

Among Laurent’s unit, there were some who voluntarily trained even after completing ghoul extermination.

Rick was one of them.

“Uoooooooh!”

Rick carried 100 wall stones in the morning.

He had been voluntarily training to enhance his arm strength alongside the ghoul extermination quests.

Rick ostentatiously built a pile of stones in front of Laurent.

“Wow. Amazing, Rick.”

Marina, who was watching beside Laurent, exclaimed in awe.

“How about this, Laurent? I carried 100 wall stones in one day. The same amount as Monica.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. So, is that all?”

Rick twitched at those words.

“What? Who said I was done? I was just about to stack even more,” Rick retorted.

He then ran off to gather more wall stones.

“It’s almost dinner time,” Laurent murmured as he glanced at the clock.

“Marina, could you let everyone know it’s dinner time?” Laurent called out to her, as she had been standing by his side.

“Got it. Everyone, it’s dinner time! Please stop training for now and gather in the dining hall,” Marina announced, repeating the message as she went around.

(Ah, I see. He uses talkative Marina as a speaker to relay messages to the entire unit,) Lerio observed from the sidelines, watching Laurent’s method.

Since learning about tactical retreats, Lerio’s enthusiasm for command had significantly increased. He was now constantly observing Laurent, eager to pick up any of his techniques.

“Lerio, you should take a break too. I’ll keep an eye on things here,” Laurent suggested.

“Yes, sir,” Lerio responded.

As they parted, Laurent assessed Lerio’s status.

Command: 60-90

(A max value of 90, huh? That’s pretty good. All he needs now to fill the gap is some real combat experience,) Laurent thought.

He then decided to assess Rick and Marina’s statuses as well.

Rick Dyer

• • • • Strength Power: 70-80

• • • • Endurance Toughness: 70-80

• • • • Agility: 20-30

• • • • Stamina: 70-80

• • • • Magic: 70-80

Marina Faltuna

• • • • Explosion Magic: C → A

• • • • Ore Possession: B → A

• • • • Equipment Possession: B → A

• • • • Potion Possession: B → A

(Rick’s stats are all 70-80 except for agility. Marina’s ore possession, equipment possession, and potion possession have all upgraded to B. They can definitely be counted as main force combatants!)

Laurent was satisfied with the growth of the newcomers.

* * *

Lucius, having obtained permission from the investors to use 1.5 billion gold, returned to the “Golden Hawk.”

(Phew. I finally managed to get the investors’ approval. Now, the recruitment from the “Guardians of the Magic Tree” should be manageable. What a hassle.)

Lucius was exasperated by the restrictions of using other people’s money.

(But now, the game is as good as won. Even if there’s resistance to transferring, no one would refuse 50 million gold each. If necessary, I can pour the entire 1.5 billion on one person.)

Once one person is transferred, the remaining two will start to regret if they really made the right decision in refusing.

Moreover, the guilt associated with transferring would diminish for the subsequent recruits.

Tension would rise among the main force regarding the transfers, and the damage to the “Guardians of the Magic Tree” would be immeasurable.

(Now the recruitment issue is practically resolved. It’s been a while since I’ve been back. I wonder if those left behind have managed things well.)

Lucius, relieved from his recent worries, entered the guild master’s room in high spirits for the first time in a while.

However, the moment he heard the reports from his subordinates about events that occurred during his absence, veins bulged on his forehead, and he flew into a rage.

“The Alchemist Guild is rebelling? The ‘Guardians of the Magic Tree’ have started dungeon management on their own? Jill is siding with the ‘Guardians of the Magic Tree’? You idiots! What the hell are you doing!”

Lucius shouted at those who had come to report.

Deanna was not among those being yelled at. She stood beside Lucius, maintaining an aloof demeanor, as if to say such matters were none of her concern.

Deanna had skillfully manipulated the information. She had first suppressed reports from Zens, not sharing them with anyone. Then, she leaked the issue through other individuals she had chosen as scapegoats. These chosen individuals, in their efforts to resolve the problem, inadvertently became responsible for it and had to report it to Lucius.

The ones being yelled at never suspected that they were in this predicament because of Deanna.

After being thoroughly berated by Lucius, they were told their ranks as guild members would be downgraded and were ordered to leave the room.

“Damn it. The moment I leave, this happens.”

“I’m terribly sorry. I never imagined things would develop like this beneath the surface.”

“Deanna! You too! Did you not notice how serious this problem had become?”

“In fact, I had suspected Jill’s actions were suspicious. I’ve conducted my own investigation and already put measures in place.”

“What? Really? … I see. I’m sorry for shouting at you.”

“Not at all. I’m not bothered,” Deanna replied with a smile.

“As expected, you’re different from the other fools.”

“I’m honored.”

“So, what are these measures? Tell me quickly.”

Lucius, having regained his good mood, eagerly listened to her report.

However, once he finished listening, veins bulged on his forehead again, and he erupted in anger.

“Jill is… being trained under Laurent?”

It felt like his own property was being meddled with and altered by someone else, causing great discomfort.

“Summon Jill here immediately!”

Jill had returned to town from the dungeon after completing the bridge construction quest.

Laurent had gone to the dungeon entrance to meet her.

By the time the two met, night was already beginning to fall.

“Pant… pant… Laurent, I’m back,” Jill said, utterly exhausted.

“Yeah. Good job,” Laurent replied.

(Perhaps I was too hard on her?)

Seeing how worn out Jill was, Laurent felt a pang of guilt.

She had endured nearly two weeks of grueling labor, surviving only on river water and wild berries without using any potions.

“Pant… pant… So, Laurent, what kind of punishment will you give me next?”

“What!? Punishment?”

“Oh, no, I misspoke. What kind of training will you assign me next?”

“Oh, right. A slip of the tongue.”

(Well… anyway, I’m glad she seems okay.)

Realizing his worries were unfounded, Laurent felt relieved.

“Huff, so? What kind of harsh training will you put me through next?”

“Hold on a moment. Let me check your status first.”

Laurent assessed Jill’s status.

• • • • Strength Power: 105-110

• • • • Endurance Toughness: 115-120

• • • • Agility: 100-105

• • • • Stamina: 195-200

“So, how is it, Laurent?” Jill asked, looking at him with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

“Yeah, it’s amazing. Congratulations, Jill.”

“Huh?”

Laurent removed the clasps on Jill’s armor, disarming her. Freed from the heavy burden, she immediately felt lighter.

She was now dressed only in her simple innerwear.

“All of your basic stats have exceeded 100, with a margin of error within 5.”

“Does that mean…”

“Yes, you now have the stats of an S-class adventurer. There’s nothing more I can teach you. You’ll be able to delve into any dungeon and defeat any enemy.”

“Laurent!”

Overcome with emotion, Jill hugged Laurent.

“Jill?”

“Thank you. I owe it all to you. It’s because you were strict with me, coldly pushed me away, irresponsibly left me alone, and harshly scolded me. Thank you so much.”

“Uh, yeah…”

(Thanking me for all that feels a bit off…)

“Anyway, let’s rest for a bit.”

Laurent draped his jacket over her and guided her to a nearby bench.

“There’s nothing more I can teach you. You’ve done well to come this far.”

“Yes, but it feels a bit sad knowing I won’t be under your guidance anymore.”

“Jill…”

“Laurent!”

Suddenly, Jill turned to Laurent with a serious look in her eyes.

“What is it?”

“I intend to fight Lucius.”

“What!? But, that means…”

“Yes. It goes against the contract. I will face punishment. I might not be able to stay in this town, like Savast. Even so, I will fight.”

“You can’t do that! There must be another way…”

Jill shook her head.

“Jill…”

“I can no longer work under him. Besides, I’ve already sided with you, Laurent. Either way, I will be held accountable.”

Laurent was at a loss for words.

“Even if it means going against reason and the rules, I can no longer follow Lucius’ ways… I cannot follow the one who exiled you any longer. So, I will fight.”