Vol. 7 - Ch. 371 - ‹White Saber›, Reflecting On Their Experience

Following Zephyr's return, the stagnant air in the guild room of ‹White Guild› finally had a chance to be refreshed. It was as if the nervousness hanging around everyone had finally dissipated,"What terrific self-confidence he had."

Daise, the guildmaster, murmured to no one in particular.

He wasn't expecting any answer, nor was waiting for anyone to affirm his feeling, it's just the transitioning of atmosphere spurred him to mutter it out.

But, there was someone who didn't let the words disappear in air without meeting any response—Nisogoran, sub-master and the right hand of Daise.

"Indeed. He was a man of character more than what I had imagined from the rumors. It was hard to think he was someone near our age."

"I know right~? I also thought the same. He was giving the same vibe as the senior from the high-ranking guild."

"Same here. So that was the Brave in talk huh......"

Nisogoran's work met an affirmation from the 3rd year boys. The one to use flimsy speech, and slender in appearance was the Kappa, while the one sporting a rock-like solid body and face was Dan.

The quarter of Daise, Nisogaron, Kappa, and Dan were among the longest-standing members of the ‹White Saber›. Their abilities were apparent from the fact that they had even worked together with their parent guild, ‹Temple Saber›, for a short period.

Although they were currently tasked with managing the ‹White Saber› due to certain circumstances, their abilities were unquestionably superior to those guilds of the same rank.

For these individuals, the Guild Master of ‹Eden›, the guild that had risen to prominence like the dormant volcano erupting from dormancy in the ‹Labyrinth Academy - Main Branch›, was simply 'unbelievable'.

"Did you investigate the highest floor ‹Eden› has reached?"

"Yeah. They seems to be helping out their members in leveling up in Int-low dungeons, there isn't yet any record of them entering Int-mid."

"In that case, his levels shouldn't be higher than 65, right? What explains his aura then?"

"A formidable persona for sure, a head or two above even us, who are at level limit."

"Could this be the effect of ‹Training Manual› Brave is spreading? Or just the presence of his job?"

The thing that they all had sensed from Zephyr—his peculiarness, or the 'aura of a strong' some liked to say.

Perhaps due to their long tenure in an A-rank guild where strong individuals congregated, they had learned to sense the strength of others through their senses.

It was like experiencing shivers down the spines when facing a truly strong individual. They possessed such a sense.

They had seen and understood with their own eyes—he, who was supposed to be having low level than them, looked like someone on par with the top figures from S-rank guilds. Even that wasn't enough to describe what they had felt completely however. The more fitting word could be the 'wartime veteran', his confidence was something that only those who have first hand experienced the thing have.

"He left us with quite the declaration in the end. Conquering an Advanced Dungeon, huh?"

"I doubt that can be shrugged with just 'huh'. If others had said it, I could have brushed it off, but with him, it might actually happen, right? His words were anything but idle talk."

"Even so, it shouldn't be a problem. We should actually be delighted."

While Nisogaron and Kappaa wore an intricate expression, Dan affirmed the sentiment.

At the words of Dan, everyone's gaze falls on one particular person reflexively—Aegis. Even as everyone recounted their feelings, she kept having a befuddled expression, her mind being the captive of nothingness.

"H-Hiyuu!?"

And finding herself suddenly the center of everyone's attention, a strange yelp spilled out of her lips.

"Aren't you glad, Aegis-senpai? Your dream comes true."

"Oh please, guild master. What do you think about his announcement?"

"......He was serious."

Guildmaster Daise coughed ever so slightly to refresh the air in the room that had once again assumed the seriousness.

"Still, Aegis-chan is accepted~. I am so envious~for real."

Calling to Aegis in a childish manner was Freck D, in the same year as her.

He was also the one who intently wished to be transferred to ‹Eden›, his eyes were the open book that clearly showed how envious he was. Not just him, the girls behind were wrapped in the same expression.

Kappa was also someone who had been harboring the desire to transfer, though in his case, he was more looking out for the profit he could have made, so he wasn't as envious.

But alongside the envy, they were also burning in irritation, since Freck D and other two could sense Zephyr only had interest in Aegis.

"B-But I still can't believe it..."

"Well, even we don't get the full story. But god dammit, this was the rare chance to get close to Princess, for damn sake—."

"Freck, your behavior is going out of the line."

"That was a wise decision to not bring him into the guild. Perhaps, Brave have the eye for people."

While Dan warned Freck for his complaint, Dais spoke to bring the topic back.

"But if anything, his words were strangely persuasive."

"Ah, you mean that when he accepted Aegis. I must say it went over my head as well, but it really me all jittery."

Kappa nodded to Daise's words.

Undoubtedly, one of the reasons she was accepted was ‹Dragon Knight Princess›. It was obvious with how Brave reacted to her remark.

However, it remained a mystery why Brave accepted Aegis. ——‹Let's discover the ‹Dragon Species›, ‹no need to give up on dream›, and ‹conquering Advanced dungeons›, each of his words like words out of fairytale.

Yet, Brave had stated them as if they were the most natural thing in the world. It was as though there were no barriers; there were only slight steps to be lightly stepped over.

His words were laced with a peculiar power of persuasion. They made it seem as though becoming the ‹Dragon Knight Princess› was a real possibility. In fact, it left the impression that the Brave would make it a reality.

But it didn't feel unnatural. It was a strange sensation.

"In any case, Aegis's transfer has been approved. That's a matter to be rejoiced." S~ᴇaʀᴄh the n0vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Y-Yes, Guildmaster. Thank you very much."

"Don't mention it. Now, there are seven more. What about Freck and the others? Do you wish to transfer, or are there other guilds they're considering?"

Seven more. That was the number of members from ‹White Saber› who must change the guild.

If ‹Temple Saber› were to drop to B-rank, the burden would have to be borne by ‹White Saber›.

Initially, ‹White Saber› had 20 members.

They were the reserve members of an A-rank guild, gathered due to the fame of ‹Temple Saber›.

In March, when guilds were either closed or merged, and during the upheaval in guild ranks shifting in April, A-rank guilds experienced no fluctuation, so the fame of ‹Temple Saber› and ‹White Saber› ensured no shortage for talents.

‹White Saber› might be D-rank but their true performance could go toe-to-toe with C-rank guild without losing it.

Their arrogance was shown in the way they filled their guilds to the upper limit, they had expanded to a mega-size guild with 60 members. The thought of them losing their momentum never crossed anyone's mind. ——No one thought, but it happened. Just a defeat crumbled their momentum and further beyond that.

They had lost the supreme treasure that had pushed them to be the ‹Temple Saber› of today. They only had ‹White Throne› that was comparable to the ‹Carriage› recipe that time, nad it was no denying that was a hasty move.

‹Temple Saber› and ‹White Saber› were also famous for accepting ‹Knight› category holders. It wasn't hard to imagine the benefit they would get back if they got their hands on a recipe and arranged ‹Carriage› for their knights.

Blinded by the prospect, ‹Temple Saber› rolled their dice, and went for ‹Duel›. Having suffered virtually no major setbacks, members were all brimming with unshakable confidence.

It need not be said, the dice they might have rolled, but they forgot, outcome was yet dependent on chance. Their opponent was ‹Beast King Gal-Tiger›, also knows to other as ‹Mega Mercenary Corps›

A bit more awareness and they could have recalled the unpredictableness of the game they were playing, yet they committed the folly.

Only a part of ‹White Saber› had realized that, with Daise being the first one, as he swiftly sprang into action. As a result, three had already transferred to another guild.

"There is not much till the guild battle ban lifts from ‹Temple Saber›. If any of you still have an option, just say it. I will try to have them accept the transfer as much as possible."

"We really appreciate your effort, guildmaster, but...... are you sure that ‹Temple Saber› will drop from the rank?"

"Absolutely."

Daise cut short the doubt of Freck D, who still couldn't believe the prediction, shortly.

2nd year students swallowed.

"They are taking the guild battles too lightly. They had kept their status so far due to the attack, exceptionally solid ‹Defense›, ‹Toughness› of their ‹Cavalry›, and finally the long-range healing through ‹White Throne›."

Daise closed his eyes. Behind his closed eyelids, the spectacle he had witnessed when he was taken into ‹Temple Saber› was playing.

‹Temple Saber› was a guild of many ‹Chevalier› and ‹Knight› job holders.

Triumphing in the group battle, the high defense characteristic to knights, along with both the mobility through riding and offensive power, coupled with the uninterrupted long-range healing, they were the very embodiment of indomitable knights.

They had never tasted defeat. It would be more correct to say they didn't know the concept of losing.

If they had, they might not have gone to such length to recruit Daise and others. And they must have never imagined that they would fall so hard from their status, all but due to them losing just a ‹White Throne›.

"The era of ‹Temple Saber› is over. There is no saying if their downfall will stop just at the B-rank. If they even dropped to C-rank, the number of members would dwindle down to 20. I need not to emphasize the internal conflict that might ensues following that."

The relaxed atmosphere in the guild had effectively been returned to that one of tension at Daise words.