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Chapter 6
My name is Hector.
I will become the future manager of the Mare Guild! Well… if you really want to be exact, I’m a beastman.
“Ah!”
“Oops, sorry.”
“Hey, mister! Where did you leave your eyes?!”
“Huh?”
“Ughhh!”
That annoying Manager Henry stepped on my tail and still had the nerve to pat my head and run away! I wanted to chase him and complain, but I held it in today. He’s busy because of our guild master’s wedding.
“Hector, please deliver these documents to the Merchant Department.”
“Yes!”
And this great me, the future manager, is busy too. The stack of documents was heavy, but for a beastman like me, it felt light.
“Merchant Department! Documents from Support Team!”
“Hector, thank you.”
Kind smiles and warm voices. Everyone in the Mare Guild is like Guild Master Edward. That’s why I like it here even more.
After going back and forth between departments delivering documents, the morning work ends. Then I can go down to the dining hall to eat.
“Hector, come here.”
The head chef always gave me warm milk, rare steak, fresh bread, and a pile of leafy greens.
“If you leave the salad again today, I’ll tell the guild master.”
“I-I’ll eat it all!”
No, I usually eat vegetables well. Yesterday… I just forgot.
I don’t know why I have to eat these crunchy, bitter leaves, but they say I must. Since I’ll become the future manager, I have to be perfect. So I eat everything. Somehow.
“…Ugh.”
It tasted terrible.
After leaving the dining hall, I had some free time. Normally, I would play in the guild master’s office, but today he went to the Kailum Grand Ducal House, so I couldn’t.
He said I could still use his office even when he’s not there, but that felt rude.
So today, I’ll review my studies!
At the top floor of the Mare Guild, at the end of the hallway, is my small, cozy room.
Hop.
I jumped onto the chair and looked at my records.
A few diaries and study notes. Just looking at them made me feel proud. The diary I wrote when I first learned to write is filled only with stories about the guild master. I wanted to describe how amazing he looked when he saved me from the burning village, but I couldn’t write it well, so I had to draw it instead.
Whenever I feel tired from work, I read this diary.
It reminds me of his warm hands that pulled me out of the flames and held me.
“…I want to repay the guild master.”
The guild master I respect is getting married. I want to give him a great gift, but I can’t think of anything. He once told me to come to him whenever I had worries, but… I can’t ask him about his own gift.
Knock knock.
“Future manager, are you busy? If not, take this to the Elton Guild.”
“Knock and wait, mister!”
“So picky. Are you going or not?”
“…If you listen to my problem?”
Even that bad-tempered Manager Henry is someone I can talk to.
Can I find a gift the guild master will like… in three days?
“Beastmen…”
Diana sighed as she looked at the guest list sent by the Mare Guild last night.
Craftsmen and merchants were fine. But beastmen were troublesome guests.
“They have beastmen working for them?”
Dietrich spoke with interest.
Beastmen were very rare. Because of hunters, many had disappeared. They were often captured and sold as illegal slaves or killed for trophies.
“I heard the Mare Guild employs beastmen, but there are more than I expected.”
“Each one has a sad story.”
Diana skimmed the notes written by Edward beside the names.
“Stories?”
“This one, Hector. He was rescued by the Baron a few months ago. When beast hunters attacked a wolf-beastman village, he went there with mercenaries.”
“He must have angered powerful people.”
“Probably.”
Usually, high-ranking nobles hired beast hunters—for slaves or trophies.
“Officially, it says he resisted interference with trade.”
“In a beastman village? I doubt a rich merchant went there for trade.”
Beastmen needed supplies to live like humans. Edward had been providing them, even at a loss.
“Killing beastmen isn’t a crime, but interfering with trade is… clever.”
“Even nobles couldn’t oppose a man who controls the empire’s wealth. Look—he paid a large fine.”
Diana frowned.
Charity and justice were good. But this would create many enemies.
“Hector thinks his village burned down. The truth about the hunters is secret.”
“…Careful… or overly kind.”
“…Yes.”
“What about the invitations?”
This wedding was already under the empire’s attention. The imperial family was watching closely.
“I will invite them all.”
“…Even though you hate trouble?”
Diana thought of Edward.
“I am already using him… and he knows it well.”
“Do you feel sorry?”
“…No.”
Just… she wanted to.
“It’s just a whim.”
Dietrich smiled quietly.
“Oh! Baron Edward!”
“It’s been a while.”
Edward shook hands with the craftsman. The man looked nervous and quickly brought him inside, serving hot herbal water.
“I’m sorry I have nothing better to offer.”
“If someone expects luxury in a leather workshop, they are the problem.”
The man stood awkwardly.
“Why are you standing?”
“…Sir?”
“Sit. You are the owner.”
“…But…”
“You used to sit with me before I became successful. Will you refuse now?”
The man quickly sat down.
“I came to give you an invitation.”
“…An invitation?!”
“If you come and bless this marriage, it would make me very happy.”
“…Baron…”
“I don’t have much time. I need your answer.”
“Yes! I will attend!”
“Good. I would be disappointed if you didn’t.”
Edward handed him the invitation.
“Don’t feel small. You are a master craftsman.”
“…Yes!”
“Then I will see you at the wedding.”
After Edward left, customers rushed to the man.
But he just stared at the invitation.
For some reason, his heart felt warm.
Edward’s invitations caused surprise—but not complaints.
He invited:
Skilled craftsmen recognized by Mare
Major merchants in the capital
Nobles connected to him
And even some random guild members
Those who were invited felt lucky.
Those who were not received a thank-you card.
That’s why he became successful.
“I didn’t expect the Lady to allow this much.”
Diana looked up briefly, then continued writing.
“You even allowed craftsmen, beastmen, and commoners.”
“…They seem important to you.”
“Yes. They are.”
“Don’t misunderstand. This marriage is too unfair for you. That’s why I allowed it.”
“Is that so?”
“Don’t smile.”
“I’m not.”
Diana clicked her tongue.
Edward turned away, quietly laughing.
“Just the fact that she cares… is enough.”
