Volume 3 Chapter 8 The Useless Dog Maid, Supported by Colleagues
While the Villainous Guildmaster, Act Age, is working in the Royal Capital...
Frederica, who was left behind, has been serving as the acting Guildmaster.
Morning, in the Guildmaster's room of the [Gem of Heavenly Gift] Guild.
"Good morning, Frederica."
The head receptionist, Katrina, enters the room.
"Good morning."
Frederica is already at work, dealing with paperwork.
She's wearing glasses, trying to disguise herself, but there are dark circles under her eyes.
"Hey... are you getting enough sleep?"
Katrina and Frederica are both founding members of the Gem of Heavenly Gift.
Being of the same gender, Katrina's attitude towards Frederica as a maid is quite straightforward.
"...I am sleeping."
"Liar. You've got dark circles under your eyes."
Frederica ignores Katrina and continues her work.
"That pile of documents over there is today's work for the Guild Members. Could you hand them out, please?"
Without even glancing at the heap of parchment, Frederica keeps writing.
"Hey... I'll handle the job assignments here."
Katrina says to her with a worried expression.
"What are you saying? Assigning work to Guild Members and deploying the right people is part of the Guildmaster's job, isn't it?"
"That's... true, but Frederica, isn't it because Act can do that while managing regular tasks?"
Act has the Eye of the Time King.
It speeds up time, allowing him to work at several times the speed of a normal person.
Plus, with his foresight magic eye, he knows exactly who can perform which tasks best.
As the Guildmaster of the Gem of Heavenly Gift, Act is the only one who can handle the job all by himself, 100%.
Katrina knows that.
...Of course, Frederica is aware of it too.
"I've been entrusted with the guild by the Master. It's my duty as a follower to complete the given tasks perfectly."
"...Hah. You're stubborn, you know that?"
Seeing Frederica's determined expression, Katrina sighs.
"Hey Frederica, about Mr. Act—"
"It's almost time to start. Please take that and leave quickly."
Even though her words were cut off, Katrina didn't feel any discomfort.
What fills her heart is pure concern for Frederica.
"Got it. Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"That's impossible."
Katrina leaves the room with the documents.
As the door closes, Frederica buries her face in the desk.
"...Can't sleep. Mustn't sleep. There's a mountain of things to do."
Assigning the guild members to their proper posts.
Meeting with the church headquarters.
Reviewing new job requests...
"Handling this much all alone... really, the Master is amazing."
Standing at the top of the guild, Frederica truly feels the weight of the responsibility for the first time, and the astonishing scale of what he has accomplished.
"...Master."
Yawning... Frederica's eyes begin to close.
When she closes her eyes, she sees the beloved figure.
It's been so many days since she last saw him.
She wants to hear his voice.
She wants to see his face.
She wants to talk to him.
She wants him to... say "You did well"... to praise her...
'Don't sleep, you fool.'
"Huh...!"
Frederica wakes up.
She realizes she's been lying face-up on the sofa.
A blanket has been draped over her.
"Oh, oh no... I fell asleep...!"
She glances at the clock on the wall.
She realizes it's still before noon.
And then... the energy drains from her.
All her morning plans are now completely ruined.
"...Meeting with the Town Mayor. What should I do...? Ah, I need to contact them soon... But, wait... I have today's schedule first..."
And then, at that moment, she heard—
"Oh, Ms. Frederica! You're awake!"
The person who entered the room was Yui, an Act student.
"Yui...? What are you doing?"
"I was sorting out the financial statements."
She gets up and walks to the desk.
Yui had finished her work perfectly.
"Who asked you to do that?"
"Huh? It's Ms. Katrina."
"...That woman?"
"I'm on my way to a meeting with the Town Mayor right now—Ah, I'm back!"
Katrina returns, opening the door.
"Oh, you're awake?"
"You're awake? That's not it!"
Frederica approaches and raises her voice.
"What are you doing on your own? The meeting with the Town Mayor is supposed to be for the Guildmaster..."
"Come on."
Plop, Katrina pats Frederica's head.
"You know... It's not like only the Guildmaster can handle a meeting. I'll make sure to write a report for you to review."
"But...."
"Guh...," Frederica's stomach growls.
"Ah... um..."
She hadn't eaten anything since the morning, and it was now lunchtime.
She couldn't help but feel hungry and her stomach growling.
"Just eat something first."
"I'll go to the cafeteria and get a sandwich!"
Yui runs off with a smile.
"...Why do you... and Yui... do things without being asked?"
Frederica laments her inability to manage her subordinates.
But Katrina seems to see through her.
"A real pro prepares what the person wants, even if no one asks... Didn't someone say that?"
"Ah..."
She recognizes the words.
...Of course.
"Isn't that your catchphrase?"
"...I don't necessarily want help..."
"You really don't? Seriously...? You're so overwhelmed you have to pretend to sleep?"
"Th, that's..."
Katrina could see that Frederica was completely exhausted.
"I brought food! Come on, eat a lot!"
Yui came over with a tray in her hands.
She pushed the tray toward them.
On top of it was a delicious-looking clubhouse sandwich.
"No... I'm not really... hungry..."
Growwwwwl!
"See?!"
"It seems like only your head thinks that."
"I'm hungry too! Let's all eat together!"
Yui placed the sandwiches on the table and got the plates ready.
She quickly boiled water and prepared tea.
"First, let's eat lunch, then we can have a meeting. After that, you should go home and rest."
"I don't need rest."
"But you just wanted to nap?"
"Ugh..."
Katrina smiled wryly.
"You know, you have a strong sense of responsibility. You can be a good leader."
"What's with the sudden compliment?"
"You don't complain in front of others that you can't do it. You try to do your job perfectly. That's admirable. But... remember this."
Katrina said seriously.
"Did Mr. Act ever tell you to do his job perfectly?"
...He didn't.
He said to find her own way to act as Guildmaster.
"Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. You definitely have the same ability to handle tasks as Act. But... you are not Mr. Act."
Of course.
She doesn't have the Eye of the Time King or any trustworthy subordinates.
"You should use what you have to become Guildmaster."
"My... what I have?"
She wonders if she hasn't anything like that.
Maybe her anxious feelings showed, as Katrina gently hugged her.
"I'm here for you. And so is Yui-Yui."
"Yes! Ms. Frederica, please don't try to handle everything alone!"
...She didn't understand why they were so kind to her.
She wonders if Act would tell her.
...Well, he definitely won't tell her the important things.
Asking him feels useless.
"......"
"If you're thinking so hard about tough stuff, why not just enjoy the kindness in front of you first?"
Frederica stares at the delicious sandwich sitting there.
She reaches out and takes a big bite.
"...So yummy!"
"Hehe♪ I made it just for you!"
As her belly fills, a wave of sleepiness hits her hard.
"...Katrina, can I leave the afternoon to you?"
"Of course! You just eat up and take a nap."
Katrina smiles and gently pats Frederica's head.
"...Please don't treat me like a child."
"Honestly, you're just like Mr. Act said. You're a stubborn little kid."
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