The duel ended with Eden's victory. And now, only the confernt of reward was left.
The reward situation was honestly crazy, but since Dean and Crown Prince himself acted as notary, it went without any hiccup.
Of course, with how the arena works on a booking basis, we couldn't hog it for long. So, the reward ceremony was simply the referee announcing victor, and what Temple Saber were bound to give it to us. It was broadcasted to the whole audience. We left imdiately afterward.
There should be another group already waiting to use the arena.
"Zephyr-sama!"
It happened when we exited out of the arena's waiting room. Soone crashed—no, soone ca in running and hugged .
"Woah—huh? Tabase-senpai?"
I was a little caught off-guard. It was Tabase-senpai in her nun's habit.
My mind was preoccupied with reminiscing over the guild battle, so I didn't get who it was for a mont.
"Err, thank you really very much, Zephyr-sama."
Pulling into a hug, Tabase-senpai uttered as she looked up at .
......What was going on? Did sothing happen? Wait, this is just her showing gratitude, right? Right? I don't know if I was imagining it, but the other girls' gazes were killing a bit. Please, let it be an illusion.
No, wait a minute. Did she just call Zephyr-sama? Since when was it? Never mind. I can think about it later. I need to first settle the brewing awkward atmosphere sowhere.
I hurriedly accepted senpai's words, and replied.
"It's my pleasure. You're also one of us now. If anything, I, too, am counting on you."
"Yes, with pleasure. With all my sincerity, I swore my allegiance to you, Zephyr-sama."
"Err, it's not that serious, Senpai. So you don't have to take a pledge or anything."
Ah, I just rembered. I did hear Tabase-senpai also hailed from a family of knights. So, her allegiance must be like Ester's. I can feel the radiating sincerity from her eyes!
"Also, do you mind releasing your arms? I can't exactly walk like that."
And also, the glances behind are seriously killing .
"Oh my. Please excuse . I often forget to conduct myself when excited."
"(.....What enviable excuse.)"
"(Sheesh, get a grip on yourself, Zephyr. You're flirting too much.)"
Tabase-senpai finally freed as I urged her. I picked up so mumbles from behind . They're quite inaudible to make anything out of it, but it scared to be frank.
I need to quickly move on.
"Ahem. We are going to receive the reward of Duel. Would you like to join us, Tabase-senpai?"
"It would be my pleasure. I may not be perfect, so I hope to learn from you."
At my ntion, Tabase-senpai clasped her hand before her chest and politely accepted. ...Talk about elegance.
With that, we resud our stride. The place wasn't that far to begin with. It was a building adjacent to the arena. Typically, that's where the transference of reward was done.
We were whole guild mbers, of which only three of us would be inside as representatives. Apparently, it's not seen as good manners to go in full force. In particular, it's a bad spotlight for the defeated guild.
From Eden, I, Sierra, and Aegis would be stepping inside. Celestine was absent due to so other errands. Rina would've worked too, but negotiations were already one. So there really wasn't much to do. It was enough with Sierra.
We took a pick for the last candidate, and Aegis's na ca up, and that's how we decided.
It was the last mont of Temple Saber in its current form before they switched to White Saber. As its forr mber, Aegis might have wanted to see through it. With that in account, she was allowed. On the other hand, Tabase-senpai didn't count as duel's condition, so she was obviously excluded.
We entered the award room under the gazes of our guild mbers. The three mbers of Temple Saber—Renandal-senpai, Cassand-senpai, and a female knight, I think she was called Lucy—were already present. (T/N - I think I got the na wrong in previous chapters. Will fix them asap.)
Their complexions were quite pale. Cassanda-senpai, in particular, appeared as if blood was drained from his face.
There were also three mbers from White Saber present, naly Guildmaster Diaus-senpai,
Sub-guildmaster Ningalon-senpai, and lastly a senior student with a face like a rock. I recall seeing him once, though we obviously didn't exchange introductions. Aegis later told his na, Dan.
In stark contrast to downcasted expression of Temple Saber, White Saber's mbers were visibly excited. Their expressions are as bright as the sunny sky.
And the last party to be present—Dean and Yuri-senpai. I wondered if they should be here given their swamped schedule.
We took a seat across from Temple Saber. Confirming that, Yuri-senpai nodded and imdiately led the eting.
"Now that all parties are present, let's begin with the award ceremony. You both played well. I was honestly impressed. Temple Saber's spirit to fight till the bitter end is comndable. And Eden, who shattered through their defense, displayed their excellence that they're truly on par with elites. The battle was so dazzling I had forgotten you're still a freshn guild."
Mhm-mm. I had the sa thoughts.
I, too, believe everyone fought well. The opponent, an elite guild with plenty of advanced job mbers, should prove to be a learning material for our participating mbers too. It would ultimately beco another pushing force for Eden to reach the top.
"Then, as decided earlier, hand over the command, Temple Saber."
Dean issued his command.
With a shaky gesture, Renandal-senpai, the guildmaster of «Temple Saber», passed a key and docunt to Diaus-senpai, the guildmaster of «White Saber». With that, White Saber was now the leader.
"White Saber shall lead as the parent guild here onwards. I would like to start with a list of the items first. The inventory had too many materials and items to bring in «Item Bag», and as such, they shall be handed along with the guild house."
"Hmm."
With the acknowledgent of Dean, White Saber was now officially the parent-guild while Temple Saber stepped down to subordinated guild. There was no more reaction from Temple Saber's mbers.
I wasn't surprised. Their glory had all co to cease, pushed into the barrel of the bottom after all.
Incidentally, the three healers who had participated in the match as Temple Saber's mbers were originally mbers of White Saber. And after the match, they'd returned to their previous post.
The parent guild should now be chiefly administered by the present three mbers of White Saber I presu.
Sierra and Aegis then confird the list with executives of White Saber.
anwhile, Dean addressed the Temple Saber. Well, it was more of a pep talk, like "It's rely a bump in your long journey ahead. Disheartened not, for this also signifies a new chapter in your life. All is not lost, so aim for a greater height anew." It appeared Dean, too, was impressed by their performance.
Renandal-senpai and Lucy-senpai had an earnest expression, clearly accepting Dean's teaching. Cassand-senpai, however, seems to be in a strange state. He sat quietly on his seat, listless, as if his soul had left.
"Sir, everything has been verified. All now belong to Eden."
"Umu, very well."
Dias-senpai chid in, and soon Sierra, Aegis, and Tabase-senpai stepped forward.
Tabase-senpai was quietly sitting in the corner of the room. She approached fast as soon as permission was granted.
I wasn't exactly sure, but she had the sa montum when she hugged earlier. Err, should I stop her? Or should I not? Just as I was caught in my hesitation, two shadows suddenly covered either of my side.
"This is enough, Tabase-senpai."
"I respect you, Senpai, but this is off-limit."
They were Sierra and Aegis. They spread their hands as if creating a blockade, and stopped Tabase-senpai.
"......Um, Aegis?"
"No ans no."
"Sierra-san?"
"Tabase-senpai, we already have this discussion. Can you not try to tempt our guildmaster?"
"But...!"
Ah, Tabase-senpai... puffed her cheeks. At the sa ti, I was feeling so tepid gazes boring into . Maybe we should change the spot?
"Hahaha. It appears you're already being trusted, Zephyr-dono."
"Now is not the ti to tease , Dias-senpai."
"I am sincere though. We also have heard of Tabase's situation. Aren't you glad to find a better guild now, Tabase."
"Mhm. I also appreciate all your help too, Dias."
A smile suddenly blossod on Tabase-senpai's face as she nodded at Dias-senpai's statent.
One of the objectives of the Duel was the transfer of Tabase-senpai. If she wasn't satisfied, then it would be all for moot, after all. Alright, let's make sure that smile never sees another dark cloud again.
After that, I ran my gaze through the list. Wooh, we got ourselves a major haul honestly. As a forr A-rank guild, Temple Saber's warehouse was loaded. The biggest wins among them were the two «Rare Monster Flute (Boss)» and «Ocarina» each. And putting aside other super-rare items, they also had a recipe deciphering item «Recipher-chan». (Reci of Recipie pher of Decipher)
There were also many recipes, interdiate-dungeon materials and so sprinkles from advanced dungeons too! There was also the recipe for Tabase-senpai's equipnt. That was nice. Technically, she had been transferred to our guild with her equipnt intact, but those equipnt's status were barely passable. It was probably a work of basic production job, I guess? This recipe would co handy when I was going to have them remake.
They also had various equipnt eating dust that were unsuitable to their knight jobs. They should co handy too in gearing our guild mbers who lacked them. This would be our next task once we settled down.
For the rest, I would have «Helper» Maria, lina-senpai, and Satoru go through them.
But, beyond that, next was our grand prize.
"So, Zephyr-kun. Visit the «Guild Reception Office» once. You're a C-rank guild starting this mont. And that guild house now belonged to «Eden»."
"Thank you very much, Dean."
At last, Eden had risen to C-rank.
Starting with C-rank, the guilds no longer had to settle with guild rooms, but actual guild houses. We also had a license to run a big shop too. There were no changes to the upper limit of guild mbers, but guild house was a great enough bonus. It should delight Hannah,
Temple Saber were currently in use of the guild house, so we would have to first wait for them to shift before we move in. At maximum, it would take a week and we can finally bid goodbye to the guild room. We had been in them for quite a few months, so I can't say it didn't feel a bit lancholic.
Anyway, the «Duel» ca to an end with Tabase-senpai joining Eden, and our guild rising to C-rank.
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