ch1-ch20 · 013-ch13

Chapter 13: Remnant Guild

"You got business with one of my members?"

A calm voice, quietly resounding.

Behind the suited men stood another man.

He surveyed the area through dark sunglasses, a faint smile visible.

One of his members?

Could this person be —

"You're his guarantor?"

At that question, the man nodded slightly.

Narashima the Hunter shrugged and continued.

"He needs to have his guild determined through the Draft Rights system between guilds. Of course you folks can participate too, but it'd help if you'd back off quietly. To save everyone the trouble."

The tall man muttered, "I see," then casually removed his sunglasses, revealing his full face.

He looked to be in his early forties?

A calm brown soft mohawk, eyes of the same color. Neatly trimmed goatee and mustache connected cleanly — a sharp-featured, handsome older man.

His build was lean and smart.

The very personification of dandy (with a voice just as smooth).

"If your guild wants to be hostile to mine, be my guest. But my position won't change. He's becoming one of my members."

"You're...!"

Narashima the Hunter showed agitation for the first time.

Murmurs rose from the suited men too.

"The first S-Rank — Momose Ichiro."

"Why would you be here..."

The man continued, unfazed.

"Draft Rights only apply to Association-certified guilds. We're an independent guild that doesn't receive a single yen from the government. Who we hire is none of your concern, nor do we need your permission."

"Tch...!"

Seeing that no one could talk back to him proved the strength of the independent guild my sister mentioned.

Narashima the Hunter pushed back desperately.

"At the very least, the condition is 'a guild capable of handling Descent Arts takes control'! The Hunting Dogs have three S-Ranks, same as you, and access to the country's most advanced facilities. If you've got a better deterrent than that, I'd love to hear it!"

Even at that, the man just kept smiling.

"Do you know Akira Kunimori the Hunter?"

Narashima's smile twitched slightly.

"...Well, yeah."

"Then I'll make it brief — she's back in action."

"!?"

The suited men stirred.

Narashima the Hunter barely swallowed his breath.

The man continued with a calm expression.

"That makes four S-Rank Hunters in our guild. The highest number of any domestic guild. As a deterrent, no guild surpasses us — is that enough?"

Those quiet words silenced the Hunting Dogs.

But Narashima the Hunter still pressed on.

"Even so, Descent Arts is a 'hands-off dangerous skill' on a global scale. Do you really think permission will come through for some random private guild to possess it?"

"Legally, the only thing the government can compel is 'participation in World Clock operations.' Japanese law values human rights — there is no enforcement power, and it's essentially just a request."

"Ughhh, this is so annoying!!"

Narashima the Hunter grabbed his hair in frustration.

I'm also terrible at remembering laws and rules like this, so I totally get how he feels.

The man continued, unbothered.

"In short, we have both the right to add him to our guild and the combat power to respond to Descent Arts at a moment's notice."

A long silence — .

Eventually, Narashima the Hunter pulled out a mobile terminal and made a call somewhere.

"...Yes. Yes. Understood."

After a short conversation, Narashima the Hunter opened his mouth, not bothering to hide his displeasure.

"...Maeda Hagane will undergo a thorough, proper re-examination. If possible, he will demonstrate Descent Arts in front of us. He will have an interview with our Vice President and clear the conditions. If that's acceptable, we'll allow him to join another guild — that's what they said."

Does this mean...?

Does this mean I protected Lumiel from the evil Association (biased)?

"So, so we're free now...?"

"We'll accompany you until the procedures are done, but after that, you're free."

Hearing that, I looked at Lumiel, and we exchanged glances — and then —

"WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!! BANZAI! BANZAI! WASSHOI! WASSHOI!"

Before I knew it, I was tossing Lumiel up in the air in celebration.

She meowed happily, then — for some reason — turned back into human form and leaped into my chest! Fwoomph!

"I don't have to hold back anymore?"

"You don't, but please exercise some restr—"

"♪"

A crushing hug, as if releasing all the pent-up frustration from everything so far.

She really doesn't care about the situation at all, does she.

"So this is... Descent Arts...!"

"I see. What a good girl."

In stark contrast to Narashima the Hunter at maximum alert, the man simply smiled in satisfaction.

"Um, thank you so much. I'm Maeda Hagane."

"I've heard a lot about you from Akira-kun. I'm Momose Ichiro, guild master of the independent guild Remnant."

"Please take care of me. Sorry for the... location..."

Still lying on the floor, we finished our greetings and were led by the Hunting Dogs to a detailed examination facility in Kioka Town.

○○○○○○○

I'd be happy if you could follow, rate, or leave a review, so please do!