I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

15 – 4# Children of the Gods (1)

As if there weren’t just claims of heroism for show. Gideon, despite being known as the city of heroes and myths, was also a licentious and wanton city. Most indulged in revelry without hesitation for a night.

There were even specific places set up with poets and plenty of alcohol, where people danced and reveled. Of course, there were heroes who maintained their chastity, but relatively, they were fewer in number.

Naturally, the birth of children without knowing their parents was unavoidable. Most born this way were abandoned in alleys. People called these abandoned orphans the “Children of the Gods.”

People criticized the heroes for callously abandoning children. How could one abandon their own child, no matter the circumstance? But people knew only one side, not the other.

Sometimes, it was more merciful to abandon than to keep.

The Children of the Gods were rarely murdered under the pretext of being sent back to the gods.

Excerpt from “Welcome to the Exiles’ Guild!” Volume 3, page 12.

* * *

Having just completed a mere D-rank request, immense changes came to the Iron Shield Guild. In fact, the Iron Shield had been struggling due to financial difficulties. That was neatly resolved.

The reason being the substantial reward received from Saren. The astute Yuris, who had saved every penny received as a lordship without spending a single coin for personal expenses, handed all that immense wealth over to Isaac as compensation.

Naturally, Isaac vehemently refused. Not only was the compensation massive, but they also had a lot to do at the moment.

What good was it without money on top of that? But Yuris didn’t relent. Eventually, they compromised, settling for only about 30%. Even that was an enormous sum.

“It was just a D-rank request! How did the reward become this massive?!”

“There was a reason. It’s not illegal money, so don’t worry.”

“R-Really? In that case…!!”

It was natural for Sofia, who was in charge of the guild’s accounting, to be concerned. Running a guild required a significant amount of money. Starting with the maintenance costs for the building.

Costs for meals and maintaining and repairing weapons for guild members. Moreover, the guild was heavily burdened with the absurd policy that the master would cover all medical expenses for guild members.

Not only that, but it wasn’t a small amount that could easily sustain them for several years if they saved. From the perspective of accounting, it was a delightful situation. However, the changes didn’t end there. New recruits had arrived.

“N-Nice to meet you! My name is Yurina Pragach!”

“They call me Cain. Be careful when messing with me, or you might see blood.”

Yurina and Cain joined the Iron Shield Guild as newcomers. In fact, Yurina had been planning to leave her territory and see the world for a while. Cain agreed that it was a good idea.

Isaac, who didn’t miss this opportunity, made them an offer. They accepted his proposal. Cain, who disdained heroes, thought it was fine if it was Isaac’s guild.

“See blood, huh? Quite arrogant for a newcomer.”

Cain’s declaration stirred Hans, who valued discipline and decorum. Hans loomed threateningly with his massive physique. However, Cain simply snorted back at him.

“Why? Do you want to test me?”

“You… Damn, your arrogance suits you!”

“Uh?”

“Yeah! A true hero should have such confidence!”

Cain looked dumbfounded at Hans, who jovially slapped his back with a large hand. It wasn’t just a gesture made out of momentum. Hans was sincere.

Hans valued discipline and decorum, but he regarded courage even more highly. To Hans, Cain could only appear as the best newcomer.

“You said your name was Yurina, right? Nice to meet you! I’m Sofia!”

“Yes, yes! Senior!”

“You don’t have to be so nervous, you know? Just call me ‘sister’!”

Sofia also greeted Yurina warmly. Except for Zeke, the guild had lacked a woman who could communicate effectively, so it was only natural to expect this kind of reaction.

“Hans, did anything happen while we were gone?”

“Other than that jerk getting kicked out of the pub, not much.”

“Master!! It’s unfair! Those guys cheated!”

“What’s going on?”

“Don’t take it too seriously. He got kicked out because he pushed his luck when we couldn’t afford it.”

Hans interrupted Isaac, who was asking the question seriously. What could he possibly gain from causing trouble after being chased out due to lack of funds? However, Isaac was different.

“Even if everyone else is dishonest, family should be trusted until the end.”

“Master…!!”

“Even if it’s just a shepherd boy.”

“Yep?”

“Step forward, Dig. I need to personally investigate this.”

“There? What does that mean in the end, Master?!”

Isaac didn’t respond and pushed Dig forward. Naturally, Zig wanted to follow Isaac, but Yulina and Sophia held him back. They shook their heads and said,

“The world isn’t ready for you yet.”

“That’s right, especially Zig…”

“I know that too.”

Yulina and Sophia were taken aback by the sudden atmosphere. Zig had a smile on his face, but the shadowy grin of the girl was eerie, sending shivers down their spines.

“Of course, I trust the Master and don’t doubt him. But you know, just in case, right?”

“Oh, no. Isaac wouldn’t go to the Sangchang-ga!”

“That’s right! The Master is clearly going for the family!”

Yulina and Sophia desperately defended Isaac. It felt like something might happen if they didn’t. However, Zig’s smile didn’t fade.

Yulina and Sophia couldn’t bring themselves to stop Zig, who followed Isaac like a ghost.

—

The culture of the Sangchang-ga and the underworld usually began at night. It wasn’t just to remain unseen by people, but more so to avoid the eyes of the gods.

However, Isaac wasn’t sure if it worked. At least based on the original, the gods here never neglected to keep an eye on the underworld, day or night.

It was quite unfair. Dig was passionately talking about his grievances, but Isaac was only half-listening.

“I’ve heard this several times already.”

“No, but!”

“So? Where is this Sangchang-ga?”

“There! It’s over there!”

In the direction Dig pointed, a rather extravagant building stood. The outer walls were painted platinum with gold and various jewels. Isaac chuckled.

“I feel like I’ve seen that place before.”

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“So, that’s the Sangchang-ga.”

“Oh, damn, that’s unexpected.”

“Zig? When did you start following us?”

At Zig’s voice from behind, both Dig and even Isaac himself were startled. He had left this to Sophia and Yulina. He never expected Zig to follow them to such a place.

“It’s time to go back now.”

“Yeah, kid. We know you’re a bright spark, but…”

“Mr. Dig, could you please shut up?”

“Yes.”

Dig wasn’t that foolish. While he might fall for a scam in the red-light district, he never engaged in anything that threatened his life. Yet, just moments ago, Dig felt a threat to his very existence.

The arrogance exuding from Zik was exceptionally harsh, and there was no way Isaac couldn’t sense it. No, why did the child suddenly change like that? Isaac couldn’t fathom it.

“Do you promise to follow?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“In that case, I won’t stop you.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Because he was the protagonist. Isaac casually dismissed it, thinking there must be a reason. Well, there was no other choice. Even Isaac couldn’t ignore the tremendous arrogance that made his spine tingle.

If he foolishly told them to go back, something truly dangerous might happen. Isaac had no intention of peering into the abyss. Anyway, the problem was now. Isaac spoke to Dig.

“Did you say you cheated at gambling by watering down the alcohol?”

“Yes, that’s right. I saw it clearly!!”

“Fine, then let’s go inside.”

Even if it was family talking, he couldn’t just throw punches without cross-checking. Isaac first had Dig and Zik wait behind. It might be a chance to recognize Dig, after all.

Entering the red-light district with Zik would make the situation extremely odd. Zik didn’t interfere that much. Isaac’s goal lay elsewhere. Isaac entered first.

Indeed, the interior of the red-light district was as splendid as a palace. A red carpet covered the floor, and the walls and ceiling adorned with marble and gold had chandeliers hanging from them.

‘Now I remember. Is this Nox’s Red Tears, the red-light district of the Night King Nox?’

As much as Gideon’s nightlife had prospered, there were also forces specializing in running such places. The difference was that they were closer to unauthorized illegal organizations.

Among them, Nox was famous as a massive organization dominating Gideon’s nightlife. They traded with the large guilds in the city, and, indeed, Hades even kept an eye on them, making Nox akin to the Night King.

Compared to Nox’s influence, the Steel Shield’s power was negligible. If a full-scale war broke out, it would likely be a hundred to one. Expecting the Steel Shield to win was unlikely.

But.

You know what?

Family is crucial.

There is no compromise there.