Chapter 136 - The Document Delivered
This is the first update of 2019.
Thank you for your continued support this year.
The problem with the delinquent adventurers has been resolved. At least in the Kikyo Society's territory, things should be peaceful for a while.
We literally crushed them all. Given this fact, anyone foolish enough to cause trouble in our territory should be a rare exception. There are always a few fools, adventurers or not, and we'll deal with them immediately. It's not something to worry about excessively.
It's still early morning. After the early morning training and breakfast, I enjoy a moment of elegance alone.
As I immerse myself in a book in the now cooler air of the garden's shade, I'm called away due to an unexpected visitor.
"...I'll be right there. But this is unusual. They usually make an appointment beforehand."
"Sorry to disturb your break, President. They seemed to have an urgent matter and looked quite serious..."
Hmm, this sounds troublesome. Reluctantly, I set aside my book and head over.
Upon arriving at the designated area in the office, the person stands up to greet me.
"Please forgive my early and sudden visit, Lady Yukarinowe."
"There must be a good reason for it, right? Don't worry about it, Jallens-san."
He is a trustee of the Commerce Guild who usually doesn't drop by without an appointment. This pattern usually doesn't bode well. After greeting me, he hesitated a bit before diving into the matter, as if it was hard to explain.
"...Actually, this letter was delivered to the guild in the middle of the night."
Jallens, still tense, took a deep breath and pulled out an envelope from his pocket.
"Whatever it is, it can't be good. What does it say?"
Instead of explaining it himself, he handed me the paper, apparently finding it hard to put into words.
The paper is high-quality, with a unique pattern, often used for official documents from government offices or guilds. This means it's an official letter from somewhere.
Let's see what nonsense it contains.
I unfolded the document and quickly scanned it.
Hmm, the sender is the Guild Master of the Adventurer Guild Exembra Branch.
The recipient is not just the Commerce Guild but multiple parties, with the same message sent to several addresses.
Now, the main content—
This document is issued by the Adventurer Guild Exembra Branch on behalf of all its affiliated adventurers.
The following matters are non-negotiable, and as a guild that seeks justice, we hereby declare the complete eradication of the mentioned organization.
1. The Adventurer Guild has decided to take decisive action against the criminal organization known as the Kikyo Society.
2. The heinous crimes committed against good and righteous adventurers, who are the protectors of the citizens, are abhorrent and unforgivable. The Kikyo Society, a group of utmost foolishness, has committed a grave sin that cannot be tolerated.
3. The Adventurer Guild strongly condemns the Kikyo Society and urges all recipients to completely sever all business plans and transactions with this organization.
4. Any group or individual that continues to engage in business with the criminal organization known as the Kikyo Society, regardless of their size, will be deemed and treated as part of the Kikyo Society.
5. We are confident that all guilds and guild members in Exembra, as well as the administrative offices, various organizations, and individuals, will stand against such evil. We demand the absolute exclusion of the Kikyo Society and its affiliates from Exembra.
Adventurer Guild Exembra Branch
Guild Master: Norwich Curtis Valid
...What is this?
When anger reaches its peak, it turns to calm. It seems to be true.
Phew... But this isn't a situation where calmness is appropriate. If we're going to act, it needs to be immediate and thorough.
"Siegrune, gather all the executives for an emergency meeting! Especially Josephine and Ortlinde—bring them here immediately!"
"!? I'll send the standby members to find them right away! It's an emergency meeting called by the President and Vice-Commander, hurry!"
"Y-Yes! Everyone, come on!"
I entrust the emergency arrangements to the Vice-Commander, who is on standby on the same floor. Siegrune, although still unsure of what's happening, responded without hesitation, sensing the urgency in my demeanor.
"Yukari, what's going on!?"
From the Secretariat Unit on the same floor, the Head of Operations, Frederica, asks on behalf of everyone. It's understandable they're curious; this is the first time we've called such an emergency meeting.
"It's war. I'll explain everything once everyone is here."
"W-War!?"
Everyone is shocked. They look at me, but no one dares to ask, remaining silent.
The storm of magical energy that threatens to rage is probably just a waste. I need to control it now.
"...Lady Yukarinowe, we did not wish for such a situation. May we have a representative from the Commerce Guild attend your emergency meeting? Of course, I have information that may be useful."
True to form, the seasoned trustee of the Commerce Guild. Even in this tense moment, he knows what to say. That's reassuring.
"Fascinating. I look forward to it."
It will take some time for all the executives to gather. Some are out of town, so it will take a while to bring them back.
The current Kikyo Society can function smoothly even if some executives are absent, a sign of our growing strength.
Yes, we've finally reached this point.
After all the hard work, they want to completely eradicate our Kikyo Society? Absolute exclusion? Bring it on, if you think you can.
No, I can't lose myself in anger.
"I'm going to cool off. Call me when everyone is here. In the meantime, Siegrune and Frederica, listen to Jallens-san's information. And make sure Josephine and Ortlinde are informed first. I'll talk to the others."
Our group has many combatants. If they hear such a ridiculous story, some might act rashly. It's better to address everyone at once.
"Understood. May we use your room for the meeting? The secretariat staff are having trouble focusing next door."
"Sure. The door is unlocked, so go ahead."
My room has a reception set for situations like this. We might need additional chairs, but they should handle it.
Leaving the bustling office behind, I literally go to cool off.
I shed my clothes and stepped into the bath, dousing myself with a cold shower.
"......Achoo!"
The chill is refreshing, but the water is cold. Still, a sneeze clears my head. The cold water cools my heated mind.
The water flows from my indigo hair to my pale toes, and I can feel it all. Despite the cold, it feels oddly soothing.
Phew, I'm more alert now. My mind is clearer.
The anger doesn't subside, though. The more I think about it, the more it boils.
But my calmness is even stronger.
I can now perfectly control the magical energy that threatened to burst. From the outside, I look like my usual self.
Even a slight release of that energy would cause an unstoppable outpouring of anger.
Cooling off my head was more effective than I thought. The cold, clear water gives me strength.
Calmly, coldly.
More effectively, more intensely.
I will give the best possible retaliation. I will prove that everything we've done together is not a joke.
I won't lose.
"...President, everyone is here."
Just as I was shivering from the cold, the call finally came.
"I'll be there soon."
I must have overdone it. The cold has made it hard to speak.
Dragging my stiff body out of the bath, I dress and warm myself from within with a super recovery hot tea.
As I slowly drink it, my senses return. Yes, I should be fine. I can recover completely on my way back to my room.
I deliberately walk slowly and return to my room.
Opening the imposing, heavy door, I sit down with a regal demeanor. I absentmindedly play with Valeria's hair, a sign that I'm still not fully calm.
Everyone seems to sense the unusual atmosphere around me, but Gradena breaks the silence first.
"...So, Yukari. What's this emergency meeting about? You don't look particularly rushed."
"Exactly. I thought we were under attack or something. I rushed back, and here we are."
"President, Vice-Commander, what's going on? The Commerce Guild's Jallens-san is here too."
It seems they haven't heard yet. I thought those on external duties might have received the information through other channels, but they haven't.
I ponder how to explain it. Hmm.
"Yukari-dono, shall I explain?"
"Hmm, let's start with the document itself. It'll be quicker that way. Jallens-san, put the letter on the table."
"Understood. Please, everyone, take a look."
Everyone leans in to read the open document.
The silence that follows is brief but heavy.
I, Siegrune, Frederica, Josephine, Ortlinde, and Jallens, who brought the document, stand back to give them space.
The Intelligence Unit members, whether they were informed earlier or not, are already taking action. The Commerce Guild is likely using its connections to gather more information and might have already taken some steps. Jallens wouldn't be here with this letter if he wasn't acting on his own initiative.
As everyone reads the document intently, the silence continues.
Then, they erupt in anger.