Oscar stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing the secret that his mother had given him.
"Something's off."
"…What is?"
"Everything about this guild is suspicious. There were no records left from when the guild was founded. It seems like they were deliberately erased. They must have given us everything except the important documents."
Although he didn't manage to get any information about the guild master, 'Ethan,' Oscar was able to gather some general information about the guild. He submitted the expensive information he had bought directly from the guild to Esteban. After a quick glance through the documents, Esteban nodded.
"Oscar, you're right. The records from the founding are indeed incomplete."
Esteban's gaze stopped at one place. Among the missing records, there was a mention of one of the founding members. One was the current guild master, Ethan, and the other was the deputy master, Casey. But there was another person whose name and gender were unknown.
"Hmm."
"After investigating various hypotheses, I found evidence of a transactional relationship between the Evil Guild and the Duke of Javier. There are indications that a large sum of money was borrowed from the guild."
Esteban frowned at the mention of an unwelcome presence.
"Oscar, do you mean to suggest that there might be a collusion with the Duke of Javier?"
"I think it's best to keep all possibilities in mind."
"Alright, then—."
While answering, Esteban's gaze turned towards the door. In the next moment, Oscar could also sense it. A small presence was approaching the door. A clear voice asked the knight outside the closed door.
"Sir, is Oscar inside?"
"Yes, he is."
"What… I've been looking for him for a while, and he's finally here. Is Dad also here?"
"Yes, he is."
"Great, what a surprise."
Dissatisfied with the knight's repetitive answer, Mabel grumbled, and Esteban and Oscar burst out laughing at the same time. Surprised by the sudden laughter from inside, Mabel grumbled and burst into the room.
"What's so funny?"
"It's cute how a little bean talks so much."
"How can a little bean talk so much?"
Not realizing she was talking about herself, Mabel thought deeply. Esteban smiled faintly and opened his arms. Mabel ran over and sat on his lap.
"Cute kid."
When he stroked her head, Mabel stroked his head in return.
"Dad is cute too."
"You're cuter."
"No, Dad is cuter."
After a while of arguing about who was cuter, Mabel came to her senses. She had a reason for coming to find Oscar.
"Oscar, where did you go today? I wanted to play with you, but you weren't here, so I looked for you."
"Really? Sorry, Mabel. I'll let you know next time. I went out for a bit on a mission."
"What kind of mission?"
"The one I mentioned before, about that organization."
"Ha… ha…."
An awkward laugh escaped him.
'…It's true, my guild!'
*** There was a glimmer of hope that it might not be the case, but it was dashed to pieces. Dad and Oscar are trying to dismantle my guild!
'Why! Why! I pay my taxes on time, and I don't commit many (or any?) crimes!'
Although information gathering is our main business, which can sometimes invade privacy, we don't do anything terribly bad. We're a good and law-abiding company, after all!! It's so unfair! So frustrating! Puffing out her cheeks, Mabel glared at her father and Oscar, who tilted their heads.
"Why are you so upset?"
"It's nothing."
Dad also asked, touching her cheek.
"Are you hungry? Did the nanny not let you have a snack again?"
"She didn't let me have a snack, but…"
"Bring it! Bring Mabel's snack!"
Feeling slightly better with the unexpected snack, Mabel listened to their conversation while eating pudding.
"There's no place that doesn't have some dirt when you dig deep. Something will come up if we dig."
"At least there's no evidence of tax evasion. It might be better to investigate other aspects."
The feeling of listening to my family's plans to dismantle my guild was truly bizarre. If I had really evaded taxes, it would have been the end, and the thought made me shudder.
"Then, Oscar, investigate the relationship with the Duke of Javier."
'H-Havier?'
"Yes. It's definitely suspicious. I'll also continue to investigate the one founding member whose identity remains unknown."
'Could it be me?'
Listening to the terrifying and confusing conversation, Mabel felt dizzy. She had once tried to get leverage on the Duke of Javier, and it had come back to haunt her. If left unchecked, the guild's existence would truly be in danger. Mabel interjected into their serious conversation, trying to subtly add her own input.
"T-This… Evil? Isn't it a really good guild? I heard they donate a lot and such."
Pretending to hear it for the first time, and acting as if she only vaguely knew about it, Mabel tried to portray the guild as good and innocent, but—
"Sure, Mabel, you're still so innocent."
"You're still young and shouldn't know the dirt of the world yet."
…She was treated like an innocent child. As the hidden true master of the guild, she couldn't just stand by and watch. Mabel clenched her fists secretly.
'I will protect my guild!'
*** Casey was in agony. Under the pretext of a sparring session, he had to face Aiden for hours in the guild's training ground.
'He's not just called a demon. He really is a demon.'
If he were to write an autobiography, that would be the first sentence… The price for digging into his superior's background and making contact with Develin was bitter indeed. Casey was bedridden for over a week, unable to leave his house. Honestly, it was fortunate that nothing was broken.
'From now on, I must never, ever, mess with the master again.'
That's how Casey learned a valuable lesson. Barely able to walk, he trudged to work. He wanted to take another month off, but there was a lot of guild work piled up during the week he couldn't do anything.
"Being competent is a sin…"
Not wanting to be fired, Casey arrived at the building used as the guild headquarters. Just as he was about to enter without a second thought, he stopped in his tracks.
'…Huh?'
His gaze slowly moved downward. A very small, white hand was gripping the hem of his clothes. The owner of the tiny hand was wearing a robe that covered them from head to toe, making it impossible to see their face. But it was clearly a child.
'This young child couldn't have sneaked into the estate grounds, could they? Are they the child of a client?'
If they were the child of a client, they would be a precious heir. In an instant, Casey put on a business smile and asked the child softly.
"Little one, did you get lost?"
"…"
The child didn't answer. Worried that they might be scared, Casey's voice became even gentler.
"Where are your parents? Can I take you to them?"
"…Sure."
"What?"
"Big brother, not big brother, but uncle!"
"…?!"
Taken aback by the mental attack, Casey took a step back. While technically correct, it was still shocking. Casey tried to compose his wounded heart. The voice belonged to a young girl.
"Alright, little one. This 'uncle' will take you to your parents."
"It's okay, uncle. I can handle it myself."
"R-Really?"
These days, kids are cute but scary. Casey awkwardly laughed and moved towards the building. He was concerned about leaving the child behind, but he had a lot of work to do.
'I'll just ask another guild member to help find her parents.'
As he moved towards the deputy master's office, he heard soft footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw the child following him. When he stopped, the child stopped too.
'…Is she following me?'
Just to be sure, he took another step, and the child followed with small, determined steps. When he sped up, she even ran, panting.
Eventually, they reached the deputy master's office, and Casey looked down at the child with a perplexed expression.
"Why are you following me?"
"I have something to do."
"With me?"
"Yes!"
The child was so lively and cheerful that Casey was taken aback again. At this point, he wondered if he might know her.
"Um, come in first?"
"Okay."
Once inside the office, Casey first seated the child on a sofa and offered her a refreshing drink. The child grabbed the cup with both hands and drank it eagerly. It seemed quite hot under the robe in the summer. Casey suggested gently.
"It's hot. Why don't you take off your robe?"
"Ah! Sure. There's no one to see me now."
'No one to see?'
Just as he was wondering, the child took off her hood. Underneath was a head of light pink hair. Their eyes met as the child smoothed her hair.
"Em, Em, Em… Emperor?!"
He had seen her face before, so there was no mistake. The adorable girl in front of him was the most famous figure in Ermanno, the young Empress!
"I greet Your Majesty!"
No matter how young she was, she was still the Emperor. Casey hurriedly bowed.
"More importantly, why have you visited our guild? If you're here to see the master—"
"I came to see Casey, not the master."
"You know my name…?"
"Of course. Casey was singing about how much he wanted to see me. Ethan told me everything."
"…What?"
Confused by the cryptic words, Casey blinked. The Empress crossed her arms and sighed deeply.
"I came all the way here because you said you wanted to see me, but you're pretending not to know me? I'm disappointed, Casey."
"What…?"
He had no idea what the Empress was talking about. As he stared blankly, Mabel shook her head.
"The details of the art speculation manipulation scandal from two years ago."
"…What?"
"Sir Gorsan's affair!"
"That's—"
"The last one, the purchase of the Mitron Duke's secondary residence!"
"How…?!"
The sources of the information the Empress mentioned all came from the 'real master.' Only Ethan, himself, and Franz knew this. Franz couldn't reveal secrets due to the contract, so in reality, only two people knew.
'It can't be, it can't be. Am I going crazy? Did I get hit too hard…!'
Just as Casey was denying reality, the door opened, and Ethan entered.
"I was told you would greet her, but you've already met, Your Majesty."
"Yes. I was bored waiting."
"But why is this person acting like this?"
"I don't know…"
Seeing the dejected look on the Empress's face, Ethan glared at Casey.
"Casey, I granted your wish to meet the master. What's your problem?"
"Choke!"
At that moment, Casey was so shocked that he almost choked.
'It can't be true!'
This child being the real master! The adorable, pink-haired little girl, the master?!
***
"Hmm."
I cleared my throat and averted my gaze. Casey's intense stare made me uncomfortable.
'Why is he looking at me like I'm in a zoo…'
Ethan glared at Casey, who was staring at me in amazement.
"Look away."
"Yes…"
Watching Casey, I subtly checked the time. Just telling him I was the master had already taken a lot of time. I had sneaked out during my lesson with Franz, so I didn't have much time left.
"I don't plan to directly interfere with the guild. I'll maintain the current system."
"Wow, you even know about the system!"
Smack! Ethan hit the back of Casey's head.
"Show respect to Her Majesty."
"No, you're making it impossible to talk…"
Casey grumbled and shut his mouth. The room fell silent. I could understand why Ethan wanted to fire him.
"Let's finish this quickly. I have no intention of revealing that I'm the real master."
"I agree. It wouldn't look good for the Emperor of the Empire to be the head of an information guild."
Casey nodded in agreement.
"Yes. That's why I want you to continue handling external affairs while we maintain a good relationship. You're largely responsible for how things have turned out."
I smiled widely and looked at Casey.
"What happened…?"
"Dad and Big Brother are trying to dismantle the guild!"
At my shout, Casey jumped in surprise.
"What? Absolutely not! It's my lifelong job!"
"I can't let that happen either! My slush fund! Develin's extermination!"
Our resolve to prevent the guild's dismantling was in sync. Sensing the crisis, Casey's eyes became serious and solemn.
"What should I do? Just give me the order!"
"Good. If you follow my instructions, you can protect your lifelong job! Follow me!"
"I will follow you with all my trust!"
Casey declared his unconditional loyalty and waited for my orders. Ethan's gaze on us was somewhat lukewarm.
"The first thing to do is to prevent Dad from dismantling the guild. Improve our reputation and dig up the weaknesses of other nobles."
We need nobles to oppose and create a fuss if Dad tries to dismantle the guild.
"I can do that. I already have a lot of leverage."
Casey laughed sinisterly. I liked his villainous side.
"Then I'll leave that to you. I'll handle the reputation."