I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

8 – Before Becoming a Hero (3)

Yuris kindly guided them himself through his castle. In fact, there were no servants or maids to guide them, so he had no choice but to do it personally.

Of course, there were knights stationed in the castle as well. But according to Yuris, it was not proper etiquette. Zeek looked around the inside of the castle. There was no decoration whatsoever.

Either they didn’t clean properly, or most of the interior of the castle was covered in dust. It had a very desolate feel. It was like an abandoned castle where no one lived.

“Sorry for the appearance. I am in the midst of important matters, so I haven’t had time to clean.”

“It’s fine. But I don’t see any servants at all. Is something going on?”

“I don’t employ servants. If cleaning needs to be done, I do it myself. Though I haven’t had time recently.”

Yuris’ words were quite shocking. Noble individuals rarely performed menial tasks themselves. However, perhaps because of this, the place was never tidy.

After about 15 minutes, Isaac and Zeek finally arrived at the reception room. There, already cooled tea, biscuits, and bread were laid out. Yuris smiled gracefully.

“I apologize. It’s been a while since I’ve had guests, so it seems I prepared too early.”

“It’s fine. I’m thankful for your hospitality alone.”

“Well then, enjoy your meal!”

“Don’t be nervous, kid.”

It must be because it’s my first request. Zeke felt a surge of strength as he responded. Calming down Zeke, Isaac took his seat. Ulis looked at them with shining eyes and spoke,

“Is that child a newcomer?”

“Yes. But I can guarantee that I can handle my share.”

“I didn’t ask for that purpose. It’s just fascinating.”

“Fascinating? What does that mean?”

“It’s unusual to see such a young child being accompanied like this.”

Ulis’ words had depth. As Ulis said, in order to become a hero in Gideon, one usually has to handle requests alone. Occasionally, guild seniors would lend a hand, but that was rare. Most of the time, they were simply left on their own. Although they would talk about how not standing alone would lead to hardship later, it was ultimately a way to suppress newcomers from revealing their potential.

And at the same time, I also went through hardships like this. The psychological factor that I can’t let that guy be comfortable is probably one reason as well. Isaac took a sip of his tea while responding to Ulis’ words.

“Protecting growing sprouts is a colossal task. Not letting them be uprooted by the storm. Not letting them wither away under too strong of a sun.”

“Someday, those sprouts might overshadow the giant, right?”

“That doesn’t matter. If they can become the foundation of a new era.”

While answering like that, Isaac stroked Zeke’s head. Zeke, still young, couldn’t fully understand their conversation. He just closed his eyes and felt the gentle touch on his head.

“…You seem very different from the heroes I’ve seen so far.”

Ulis, as the leader of the Holy Knights and a lord, had met many people until now. Therefore, at least, he could easily determine if the other person’s words were fake or not.

“That’s why I trust you more.”

And in Ulis’ view, there was no trace of pretense in Zeke’s actions. He sincerely thought so. Never did he expect to meet a hero who had such thoughts.

“You barely answered. Turn on the lights and come in.”

But Zeke was wiping his chest in his mind. Even though he was called a “concept kid,” not all answers were in his head. The answer he came up with was squeezed out while buying time.

“It’s fortunate. With you, I can entrust my daughter.”

“Yes. Will you tell me the details of the request?”

“Just as it is written on the contract. There’s a certain pest that’s been approaching my daughter recently.”

The gist was simple. When his daughter goes out to the domain, prevent any pests from approaching her. However, as Zeke listened to Ulis’ words, he couldn’t help but feel doubtful.

“So, um, does this mean there’s a pest that is equal to a demon crawling up from hell targeting my daughter?”

“That’s exactly right. My child is quite smart.”

“If that’s the case, for the sake of safety, shouldn’t we restrict my daughter from going out for a while…?”

“That’s absolutely not possible.”

Ulis decisively shook his head. Zeke was slightly surprised and flinched at his firm attitude. But as if he already knew that, Isaac nodded his head. Zeke spoke.

“Do you have any reason for it?”

“I don’t want to prevent my child from doing what she wants. I want her to do everything she wants to the fullest extent possible.”

‘Why…’

It would likely be the words of a gentle father.

‘Why does it seem so lonely?’

Like autumn leaves about to fall at any moment.

* * *

Zik heard the detailed request from Yuris. Isaac was also there, but he kept quiet about the request, merely observing to ensure Zik could handle it alone.

After finishing the conversation in the parlor, Yuris indicated where his daughter’s room was. There, Zik felt a sense of puzzlement. Why wouldn’t he go directly to his precious daughter’s room?

“I’m sorry, I’ve been… busy.”

By now, even Zik could understand. Yuris was hiding something. But there was no sign of fear. What could be the reason? Zik pondered deeply.

“What are you thinking?”

“Master, it’s… I feel like Lord Yuris might be hiding something…”

“Hiding something? What?”

“I’m not sure exactly. But… Lord Yuris’s words and actions contradict each other.”

Outwardly, he seemed like a very caring father to his daughter. But he avoided meeting her directly. There must be an unknown cause between these two things.

“Being cautious is good, but being too deep can be poisonous.”

“Pardon?”

“It means it’s never too late to think after seeing and hearing everything.”

That’s true. If he hastily drew conclusions based on his own impressions, it would be difficult to make an objective judgment. Thanks to Isaac, Zik finally realized this.

Isaac and Zik headed to the room Yuris had pointed out. It was located in the sunniest spot on the third floor. Unlike elsewhere, this room was beautifully decorated, even its door.

As Zik was about to just open the door, Isaac stopped him and knocked. After a while, the door opened, revealing a young girl with white hair.

“Nice to meet you. I am Yulrina Fragach, the eldest daughter of the Fragach family.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Isaac Silvertear.”

“We have a cute little guest too! Please feel comfortable calling me however you’d like.”

“I-I’m Zik! Uh… no, elder sister.”

“Elder sister?”

Yulrina momentarily tilted her head at the ‘elder sister’ remark. But soon, she clasped her hands together, her eyes twinkling. And her sparkling gaze was directed right at Isaac.

“So, you’re the heroes Father mentioned?!”

“You could say that.”

“Wow! That’s amazing! I’ve never seen a hero in my entire life!!”

Yulrina had never left Sallen. Naturally, as the headquarters of the Holy Knights, heroes never visited. Because their relationship wasn’t good.

The Holy Knight dismisses mercenaries who only seek fame and fortune, while the Hero insults the Holy Knight as a hypocritical sanctimonious person. Thus, if one were only here, they could see the Hero for the first time.

“If it’s okay, could you share your stories?”

“It’s not difficult, but… do you have the time?”

“Oh, my, look at the time! It’s already time for the inspection tour!”

“Inspection tour?”

Still young and unfamiliar with the meaning of an inspection tour, Zeke tilted his head, placing a question mark above it. At that moment, Yulina smiled, bent her knees, and sat down, meeting Zeke’s eyes.

“An inspection tour means personally checking the territory. Making sure the residents are doing well, addressing any issues. The Lord has to examine everything one by one.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

There was no hint of anxiety or worry in her kind voice. Zeke, who had thought she was a pretty and kind person, immediately turned his gaze towards Isaac.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing!”

‘Why am I so uneasy?’

Without any reaction, just looking at Isaac, who remained calm as usual, Zeke sighed with relief. Suddenly, he questioned his own actions. There was absolutely no reason for him to be like this.

“Just wait a moment! I’ll be ready and come out right away!”

Hurriedly, Yulina opened the door again and went inside. While Yulina was getting ready, Isaac and Zeke stood quietly in front of the door, waiting for her like stone statues.

“Hey, how do I look to you?”

“I don’t know. When Yulina looks at me… it doesn’t seem like there’s a problem.”

“Keep watching. You might find an answer someday.”

Certainly, Isaac already knew everything about this request, although it was not the main story but a side story. As an avid reader, he must have read the side story.

However.

The reason he remained silent.

‘Spoilers are a sin.’

But Zeke interpreted it differently.

‘This is the task I received. I shouldn’t rely on others for help alone. The Master is now talking about that.’

Well, whatever.

A good thing is a good thing.