I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

11 – Part 3: The Perfect Plan (1)

[What are you?]

A noble’s daughter and a wanderer. Their paths were never meant to cross. Yet, by an extraordinary chance, their threads intertwined. The noble’s daughter, inexplicably drawn to stroll by the lakeside that day.

And the wanderer, who had taken a liking to the lake’s view and was napping. If just one of them had deviated, they might never have met. The noble’s daughter became curious.

The term ‘wanderer’ refers to someone who roams without a purpose. In that case, perhaps that person knows nothing about the world outside. Naturally, the wanderer seemed taken aback by the noble’s daughter’s appearance.

Usually, attendants of high-ranking individuals either sneered at their own reflection or fled in surprise. Yet here, this one sat beside her, asking for a conversation. What on earth was happening?

[What if I were a bad person? Why bother?]

[I’m sure. You’re not a bad person.]

[What?]

[Truly bad people don’t say it like that.]

[Insane.]

Even now, Yulina would smile when recalling that moment. Clueless and ignorant of each other, but somehow, when together, there was a sense of reassurance, with all the mess and unknowns.

That day, despite hearing everything from her father, Yulina remained composed. Her work and routine continued as usual. Inspecting the estate, studying as a noble. Accumulating virtues as a maiden.

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to push yourself so hard.”

“It’s okay, Dad. I’m doing what I love.”

“….”

Watching Yulina brightly respond with a smile, Yuliss felt a crumbling sensation in his chest. Even the heavens seemed indifferent. Why would such a kind child be involved in this…?

‘…I would have preferred that man to grab my daughter’s hand and run away.’

Yuliss is both a noble and the commander of the Order of Knights. Naturally, he has to sacrifice a pawn for the greater good. But… if only that man had held his daughter’s hand and run away.

“He’s truly a pitiful man.”

“He didn’t run away because he was scared, you know.”

“I am the man who left you behind. Why are you embracing me now?”

“Well, I know about him, you see.”

For someone who introduced himself as a wanderer, he was a man burdened with a strong sense of responsibility. The helplessness of a man who cannot save the person he loves. What could be done?

Instead, she was grateful to him. Though it might be a lie to say there was no lingering regret. Still, she experienced love for the first time in her life. It was too warm and sweet.

Perhaps she would remember it even after death. And, after everything was over. Finally, the sun began to set faintly. Yurina stood up from her seat without any regrets. But…

[Yurina!!! Come out right now!!!]

What she thought she would never hear again.

The voice of the man she loved.

And it was coming from outside the castle. In a tremendously loud voice.

It was a voice that everyone inside the castle could hear. Thanks to it, she, the knight order tasked with protecting her, and even Yuris hurriedly came out to the castle walls.

Outside the castle, three people were standing confidently. However, for Yurina, only one person caught her eye. A man with a face full of scars and gray hair.

“Lord, we must subdue them right away…”

“No, let’s just watch for now.”

Naturally, the knights tried to arrest them immediately. But Yuris raised his hand to stop them. Yurina had already made up her mind. She spoke with a cold expression.

“Why have you come back here again?”

“….”

“That day, you ran away on your own. Are you here now to rescue me?”

Even the knights next to her were visibly startled by the cold, contemptuous tone. Of course, it wasn’t Yurina’s true feelings. But, didn’t he already know that?

If it’s not herself, it could be any noble. Furthermore, it could lead to massive chaos on the continent. That’s why she decided. She would make that foolish man give up.

“You’re arrogant. I am Yurina, the daughter of Lord Fragah Kye, the future member of the knight order.”

“….”

“Do you really think someone like me sincerely loved a lowly man like you?”

“Yeah.”

However, the knights behind her, who were watching her back, didn’t notice. The first to notice was Cain, who was standing right in front of her.

“You, you’re crying right now.”

“…Oh, what is this…?”

Tears that she hadn’t even noticed herself. She wiped them away hastily with her hand, looking flustered. Watching her, Cain smirked.

“Are you good at lying? What’s this? Fool.”

“It’s not a lie…!!!”

“Ah, forget about that complicated stuff! I don’t understand any of it!!”

Ignorance. That’s an appropriate term for the behavior. Otherwise, who would think of trampling that lofty castle wall and climbing it directly? Yet, Cain crawled up the wall.

“I still wish you were alive.”

“I’ve told you countless times that’s not possible!!”

“Whether you’re a noble’s daughter or not! I’ll take care of everything!”

However, the Holy Knights were veterans. Naturally, they weren’t just standing by idly. The moment Cain ascended the wall, they immediately moved to bring him down again.

“It’s a good time.”

“What?!”

“Ugh!!”

“Could you not interrupt?”

A gale. A storm of powerful force pushed the Holy Knights back like the wind. At some point, a man stood before them like a shield, blocking their path like a shield, a vision that everyone present recalled. Thanks to him, Cain could express something to her. His concealed sincerity.

“There’s so much I want to do with you. I want to eat delicious things, take walks in beautiful places, and I want to be with you!!”

“How disgraceful!! That’s something only married people…!!!”

“That’s what I’m saying!!!”

“Let’s just consider an engagement for now. Our feelings might suddenly change, you know.”

His body was filled with scars. Not just on the surface but deep within. Despite swearing never to trust anyone again, he ended up trusting people again—a fool.

“Marry me.”

Perhaps the reason he could change like that was love. Because she knew the man’s heart and his wounded past. Unintentionally, Yulina spoke her heart out.

“I, I’m fine being a woman like me if that’s okay.”

Trembling hands filled with fear held each other. Surprisingly, they stopped trembling. Cain didn’t hesitate and pulled Yulina close. Isaac sighed.

“Since the beginning of time, this has to be the worst confession in the continent’s history.”

“Shut up! You, of all people, with your perfect plans or whatever. I couldn’t hear everything clearly, but you’re sure about it?!”

“Of course. Trust me.”

He didn’t look back. There was no hesitation or anguish in his actions. As a wanderer, Cain understood this type well. A hero who earned everyone’s trust.

Someone who could turn the impossible into possible. A man truly worthy of the title of a great hero. Therefore, Cain could earnestly ask him. To save Yulina, the master, no, all of them.

“Save us all!!”

Challenge Behemoth and the Holy Order?

Ordinarily, such a request would be met with disgust and refusal.

However…

“Understood.”

Isaac responded willingly.

* * *

After Cain leaped down from the castle walls, he disappeared from sight. In that brief continuation of tranquility, the first to break the silence was Ulysses.

“Haven’t you received your reward already? Why have you returned?”

“There was a request to save a loved one.”

“The reward?”

“Well…”

“As expected, you’re fundamentally different from other heroes.”

Ulysses realized that his eyes did not deceive him. If it weren’t for the current circumstances, they might have become friends over a drink. But times being what they were.

“That ruffian mentioned earlier that you have a perfect plan.”

“…”

“If it’s okay, could you tell me? Depending on the situation, I might consider cooperating.”

Naturally, the knights looked at him in shock, but Ulysses did not retract his words. Of course, he knew. There was no way to deal with Behemoth without consequences.

But.

If there was a possibility. What if he could truly handle Behemoth without harm? If such a method existed, Ulysses would willingly cooperate with that man.

“Well, it’s not that difficult.”

“I’m listening.”

“First, Cain persuades Yulina and rescues her.”

“That seems to have worked out nicely.”

Of course, there were moments when anger almost severed his rationality. But in the end, Ulysses bit back his frustration and endured. As if understanding that sentiment, Isaac continued speaking.

“Second, to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, evacuate the territory residents to the castle through a somewhat aggressive method.”

“An aggressive method.”

Boom! Crash!

“Indeed, I understand what you mean.”

Ulysses nodded at the sound of explosions behind him. As expected, not long after, the flames of the territory began to rise. The knights exclaimed in confusion.

“My lord! It’s an invasion!!”

“Calm down. It’s the doing of that leviathan and this man.”

“Is that so?!”

“It is, but… somehow, the address is becoming increasingly…”

“What is the last method, then, instead of that trivial one?”

Yes, that is the most important. If we don’t offer sacrifices, eventually Behemoth will wake up in anger. All the eyes of the gathered Holy Knights focused on Ulysses’ question.

In truth, Ulysses was anticipating this. In such a short moment, he grasped the situation of the territory’s beacon and the holy war and pushed it all the way here. So, the third plan must also be unquestionably reliable.

“The last, third one.”

Amidst all those eyes. Isaac pointed at himself with his thumb. What does that mean? At that moment, when Ulysses was pondering, he answered.

“I, the strongest person, will defeat Behemoth.”

“……”

“Isn’t it a truly perfect plan?”

It was inevitable that Ulysses’ expression soured.