Volume 3 Chapter 4 The Good-for-Nothing Maid Tries Hard to Serve as Guildmaster
The villainous Guildmaster, Act, is away from the Gem of Heavenly Gift for some reason.
In the meantime, the maid Frederica has taken on the role of acting Guildmaster.
In the morning, at the Guild hall.
"Good morning, everyone!"
Frederica gathered the Adventurers and Guild staff for the morning meeting.
"...Are you nervous, sis?"
"...I wonder if I'll be okay."
The Guild members looked at Frederica with worried expressions.
"Now, I will assign today's Quests."
Next to Frederica was Katrina, the head receptionist.
With Act absent, she was helping Frederica as her assistant.
Katrina started handing out requests to the Guild members.
"Oh, this is..."
"Wow..."
It was... impressive.
She had really thought about each person's skills and condition.
"That's all. Now, everyone, I expect good work from you."
Frederica bowed her head and returned to the Guildmaster's Room.
Phew... The Guild members let out a sigh of relief.
"Wow, Frederica is really doing the Guildmaster job well!"
"Well, she's super capable, so being Guildmaster is easy for her."
"I'm so glad... I was worried she might struggle."
"Haha! Not a chance with her!"
The Guild members chatted happily with smiles.
Katrina watched them quietly.
"Alright, alright. Enough chit-chat, please do your work properly. If you slack off, Act will scold you."
"""OKAY! WE'RE OFF!"""
The Guild members filed out one by one.
Left behind, Katrina sighed and headed to the Guildmaster's Room.
...Now then.
Back in the Room, Frederica was sitting at her desk, working on paperwork.
A mountain of papers piled up around them.
"Frederica,"
When Katrina called her name, Frederica glanced over for just a moment.
"What is it?"
"You're pushing yourself too hard, aren't you?"
Frederica suddenly stopped her pen for a brief second.
But she quickly went back to work.
"Not at all. I was given the role of acting Guildmaster by my Master. I must perfectly follow my orders. That's what a top maid does."
"Your work ethic is impressive, but... are you getting enough sleep?"
Frederica and Katrina had known each other for a long time.
After all, they had both been here since the Guild was first established.
If Frederica is the right hand of Act, then it's not an exaggeration to say Katrina is the left hand.
"I am sleeping."
"Don't lie. You're hiding your dark circles with foundation."
Frederica shook her head and wiped her eyes.
There were dark circles under her eyes.
For someone like Frederica, who usually wore natural makeup, this was heavy makeup.
"It's none of your business."
"It's very much my business. Who are you working for right now?"
"I was ordered by my beloved Guildmaster to protect this place. I will do it perfectly."
"No... Frederica. The Guildmaster didn't order you."
"You should get back to work. I can handle this alone."
With Frederica's stubborn attitude, Katrina sighed.
"If you can handle it alone, then why are you working with such a strained expression?"
Katrina moved closer and started to massage her shoulders.
Twitch!
Frederica stiffened her body suddenly.
"You're too tense. Relax your shoulders, come on."
"D-Don't do unnecessary things. Who ordered you to massage my shoulders?"
"It's not an order. It's the duty of an assistant to appreciate the hard work of the Guildmaster... right?"
Just like you did, Katrina said to her.
Frederica let Katrina massage her shoulders for a moment.
She looked confused by the sudden action, but she didn't push her away.
After a little while...
"Well, I'm going back to work now, but don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
Katrina waved and left.
"...You're such a busybody. Honestly."
Frederica took a sip of the tea she had made.
She felt the tension start to melt away with a soft sigh.
She began to doze off...
"Master..."
Act was away for a while, setting up their second shop in the Royal Capital.
The sadness of not seeing Act was heavier than the stress of being in charge here.
Just then──
Beep!
The Communication Magic Item lit up with an incoming call.
Frederica, almost asleep, grabbed the device in a hurry and answered.
'Hey, you were just about to nod off, weren't you?'
"MASTER!"
Happy and flustered, her hidden dog ears and tail slipped out.
"Master! Oh, Master... Master..."
Hearing Act's voice made her so happy she almost recited a little poem.
Her dog ears and tail wagged excitedly.
'Your work sounds tough.'
Act said firmly.
Even though she hadn't reported anything yet...
Maybe Katrina leaked it.
'Do you feel my struggles a bit now?'
"Yes, very much... deep in my bones..."
More than that, every day without seeing you is the hardest part.
It was easy to say that out loud.
But Act was working hard for the first step toward his dream.
She didn't want to worry him more than he needed.
'You're trying not to worry me... but that's exactly what worries me.'
Frederica's heart jumped──he'd hit the truth.
'Getting a call from you won't slow me down at work.'
"Master..."
'So if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me.'
Her chest tightened with a cute "thump."
"Master... ugh... but won't it be a bother...?"
'I was the one who made you Guildmaster. Taking care of you is *my job.*'
"...Even if I don't have any trouble, can I still call?"
'If it helps you work better, call anytime. If you break down from stress, that's a *waste of my time and trouble for me.*'
Ah... why...
Why does this person always know how to help me right when I'm about to give up?
Frederica honestly speaks her mind.
"...To be honest, I don't think I can do this job."
'That is your own *wrong judgment. Listen carefully.*'
Act speaks in a strict but kind voice.
'I don't trust someone I don't believe in with an important Guild. Do you understand what that means?'
...On the other hand, it means Act trusts Frederica enough to entrust her with it.
"Master... but... I can't do it like you do..."
'I never said you should work like me. You and I are *different people. Our skills and personalities are not the same.*'
Act takes a deep breath and continues.
'Find your *own way to be a Guildmaster.*'
"My own... way..."
'Yeah. Think for yourself. Goodbye.'
Beep! The call ends.
Frederica hugs her magic tool close to her chest.
"Master..."
His words, his kindness, soak deep into her heart.
He cheered up a struggling Frederica.
Act always guides her toward the light.
The boss she respects... trusts her.
How wonderful that feels.
"...I'll do my best."
Frederica gently slaps her own cheek.
She resumes her paperwork with a scratch scratch.
The tension from before is gone; she's relaxed and working well.
"But... how do I find my own way?"
He didn't tell her that part.
She'll have to figure it out herself.
Not giving all the answers leaves room to grow.
Yet, he never pushes her away.
"You are the best boss, Master."
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