The King's System

The Guildmaster walked towards me, allowing me a better look at his build.

Standing at around 200 cm, he towered over me like a mountain.

With a broad back, wide shoulders and rock-hard muscles, he could give any bodybuilder a run for their money.

"So you're Daniel, huh?" (Guildmaster)

"Yes, that's me." (Daniel)

"Then you must be Miss Catherine." (Guildmaster)

"Ny- Yes." (Catherine)

Where did he here about us? From Sivod? More importantly, is he hostile to us?

"I apologize for allowing you to see such a horrendous sight. Please, follow me to my office." (Guildmaster)

We did as we were told. Two young figures and a hulking lump of muscle walking through the hall sure painted a weird scene.

The Guildmaster's office was on the second floor. Several minutes later, Catherine and I arrived in front of the Guildmaster's office.

"Please, come in." (Guildmaster)

The door was opened, and a rather luxurious office was revealed.

The velvety red carpet on the floor provided a place comfortable enough to sleep on, let alone stand on.

Glass cabinets lined the walls, with various weapons sparsely dotted throughout.

In the middle of all this, lay an antiquated wooden desk with paperwork smeared all over it.

The chair behind it combined gold which was laced throughout and red cushion lining to provide a seat that was fit for nobles.

Yet we were not the only ones in the room.

Leaning on the table was a skinny figure with a blonde mop for hair.

Dressed in luxurious purple robes, his handsome face had a slight smile decorating it.

Wait... why would I call any man other than myself handsome? Something is wrong with this narration.

"Earl Prudor! What are you doing here?" (Guildmaster)

"Is there a need for a reason when I want to visit my old friend, Cairne?" (Prudor)

"I'm at work here though!" (Cairne)

"Well, this time I actually came because of those young ones you have with you." (Prudor)

Us? Is this guy trying to avenge Sivod? Or maybe Kerda...

"Relax. I've received a letter from Sivod, who detailed your 'exploits' in Erast. Hahahaha, it was quite a laugh!" (Prudor)

"Eh? You aren't angry?" (Daniel)

"No, why would I be? In fact, you did me a great favour! Viscount Sivod comes from a rival house to mine, and now that house is being forced to buy weapons against their will! Hahahahaha!" (Prudor)

"Ahem, Earl Prudor. I'm sure you didn't come here to boast, did you?" (Cairne)

"Sadly, I did not. Daniel, Catherine, I wonder if I could enlist your help in the upcoming beast wave?" (Prudor)

"Why? We're bound by Guild rules to participate anyway, right?" (Daniel)

"That may be the case, but willing compliance is much more effective than forced compliance." (Prudor)

While what he said is technically true, what makes him think he has anything to offer us?

"I'll give you information on the Church and the Dark Guild." (Prudor)

How did he know that's what I wanted? No, wait... it makes sense. If he's Sivod's rival, then he'll definitely know all about his connections. He might even have been monitoring me ever since I left Erast. If that's the case, then there's no point in going against him. He could have attacked us at any point but he didn't. Also, he's more likely to focus on Kerda as a Necromancer than me.

"Very well. What do you want me to do?" (Daniel)

"It's very simple. Help defend the town, forge some weapons for the garrison and I'll tell you everything you want to know." (Prudor)

"Alright, deal." (Daniel)

"Then it's settled. I'll leave Cairne to iron out the details." (Prudor)

With that, Earl Prudor left the room while humming a happy tune.

"Sigh... you really are quite something, lad. Not just anyone can deal with an Earl like that." (Cairne)

"Then you would be even more impressive, Guildmaster. Since you seem to be the childhood friend of the Earl." (Daniel)

Walking over to his seat and sitting down, Cairne replied.

"I don't want to talk about that. People will think I used connections to get this job." (Cairne)

"Whoever thinks that would be an idiot, especially if they've seen your size." (Daniel)

"Hehe, that's the second time anyone has said that to me." (Cairne)

"Then who's the first one?" (Daniel)

"Prudor himself. Anyway, enough of that. Let's restart with proper introductions. I'm Cairne, the Guildmaster for the Hull branch." (Cairne)

"I'm Daniel, and this is Catherine, my girlfriend." (Daniel)

"Alright, now that is out of the way. As Prudor said, we want your help. Sivod's message described you in a bad light, but we are smart enough to figure out the truth. We'll give you 1000 gold for every piece of equipment you forge." (Cairne)

"You should know the quality of swords I can make, right? Why is the price so low?" (Daniel)

"Because we're expecting you to mass produce them. There is absolutely no need to make extremely high-quality equipment at all." (Cairne)

"Do I still get rewards for killing beasts?" (Daniel)

"Of course, if you can manage doing both things." (Cairne)

Sounds good. I can just make Noxia equipment with my Bone Control, and my Guards can kill beasts.

"Alright, that's fine by me. When do I start?" (Daniel)

"Straight away. Come, let me guide you to your forge." (Cairne)

After that, we left his spacious office and made our way to the industrial sector.

The local industries are on a steep decline, because imports from other towns and kingdoms are much cheaper. Therefore, the industrial sector is more like a collection of houses that stick out like a sore thumb.

Many of the previous buildings had been purchased or sold to newer shops which purchase from caravans.

"This is a far cry from the environment in Erast, but hopefully it will be sufficient." (Cairne)

"I don't need a good environment to work." (Daniel)

After all, I really don't need a forge to make weapons.

"That's the spirit! I'll take you on a tour through the walls and troops tomorrow so you know what you have to make. For now, get settled down. Oh, your other girlfriend has been notified as well." (Cairne)

Just how much do these people know?

I'm seeing a real urgency in making my own spy corps right now.

Also, I really don't want to be enemies with Prudor and Cairne anymore. At least not without a counter-information plan in place.

Oh well. As long as the beast wave hasn't ended, I'll still be their allies. As for after that, I'll have to develop a plan during the defence.