Chapter 385 The Guild“s Game Plan
"Don't get disheartened when I do finally pass. Okay?"
Jack opened his mouth but, still, no words managed to come out.
After gaining more strength, rising in level, and unlocking new abilities, Jack felt more confident than ever in his ability to protect his party. Add the arrival of gods to the Leisure Guild and it amounted to Jack believing himself able to never lose a party member again, so long as he followed Daruun's advice.
Then this decision came to exist.
It was only made worse by the false sense of achievement that he felt while Tralon spoke so highly about his and Jack's greatest moments together. That only made Jack more desirous of creating those moments again, to share those moments while he was physically with Tralon and not present through a computer screen, while he could truly consider Tralon a friend and companion instead of a mass of pixels doing whatever Jack ordered.
But even Tralon was against that. Jack understood that logically it would endanger everyone far more than the other option. However, there was no way to choose the other option without hesitating.
"Jack, I can see that you're unwilling," Tralon added, "but you shouldn't risk the life of an already-dying member of your family at the risk of the entire family being hunted in the end. Don't you agree, Jack?"
Swallowing his half-baked responses, Jack answered, "Yeah…"
"Then it's settled. We'll focus on aiding Lunara in successfully parting from the Holy Gods," stated Tralon. "And I'll focus on building up the guild. I'll make sure we remain organized while taking in all the recruits we've already started to receive. Also, I'll make sure that the guild is safe while you're away. Then you'll have no need to worry about things and can focus on your goals."
"... But what about after your passing?" Jack squeaked out a question.
Tralon again patted his hands on Jack's shoulders. "That's simple. By then, I'll have taught the managers everything they need to know. And since you've been reinstated as the guild leader as of last night, that won't be an issue either."
"What?! You've already--"
"After you left the banquet with Daliea, I made the official announcement. Though I'm now the senior vice guild leader, I'll still handle everything with Vixus's help. Once I'm gone, Vixus will be able to run the guild with his business experience and the managers will be more than capable to keep things in order," reasoned Tralon, not giving Jack the chance to turn down the position. "Now, you're practically guaranteed a council seat. You might even be elected as the next spokesman."
"I guess… But you should've at least told me beforehand," argued Jack.
Tralon chuckled, "If I had told you beforehand, you would've done something to keep me from making the announcement. Now, you have no choice but to accept the responsibility and position that was made for you. Now, the guild will follow your example and prosper like times of old."
"But… I guess you're right…"
Jack could see the sincerity in Tralon's eyes and sense the confident demeanor he had. Even while talking about his own death, Tralon's smile never wavered. If anything, Jack could sense a feeling of relief buried in Tralon's words.
"Then no more arguing about my passing, Jack. It's inevitable and only natural. Let this old man finally get some rest," added Tralon, putting the final nail in the coffin to end that discussion for good.
"Okay… But don't you dare try to end it sooner," stated Jack. "And if some way comes up for you to keep living, will you take it?"
"Jack, there won't be--"
"Will you take it?" Jack repeated.
Sighing with a soft smile, Tralon nodded. "Should another option arise to prolong my life, I'm willing to accept it. But should you force yourself to act contrary to your true mission, I'll end my life myself. I refuse to be the cause for compromising your mission as Daruun's champion."
Jack's smile faded slightly. "I understand."
"Then let's get everyone else back in here," Tralon added, walking toward the door with his smile still present. "Remember, don't worry about me."
Jack nodded, watching the others reenter the room while Tralon held the door open. When everyone was accounted for, including Bowzer and Phoro who had slept in earlier, the discussion began.
"Our current focus as a guild will be the removal of Lunara from the Holy Gods," Jack stated loudly, putting a smile on Tralon's and Sterfen's faces. "That means Lorwynn will be assisting Sterfen. Should you two need anything, don't hesitate to ask me or anyone else, okay?"
"Of course, Jack. I wouldn't have it any other way," responded Sterfen. The god then approached Lorwynn with a smile. "Since you have no blessing, I'll be giving you my mythic level blessing for the time being. That should give you passive invisibility at no cost to your mana. However, while you can wield a weapon, you won't remain invisible while attacking."
"Alright… But is it such a good idea to try this right after I faked my death?" asked Lorwynn.
"Do you think Daruun would be wrong about it?" Jack replied with a question. "I've been stupid enough to not listen to Daruun before and that resulted in the death of a party member. Would you like to try it for yourself?"
Lorwynn promptly shook his head, no longer denying Jack's order.
"With that covered, then let's talk about what the rest of us are doing," continued Jack. "Me, Tralon, Vixus, Kims, and Argyle will be joining the election for council seats. To do that, we'll be making use of our two captives. Are there any objections?"
No one raised a hand or replied, so Jack continued, "Once we've guaranteed my seat, then me and the party will be leaving for Drulgen."
"Why's that?" asked Eliza.
"Because that's where we'll find Rikko, the God of Trickery and Sleight of Hand," answered Jack. "With him, we'll have the support of two gods, offering better protection of Gilga and the guild at large. Also, this will increase our influence again and help us recruit even more people thanks to their offered blessings.
Hadurt then raised his hand but spoke without waiting, "Then what am I going to do? I thought me and Lorwynn would be running dungeons?"
"Hadurt, I'm hoping that me and you will become fast friends because we'll occasionally be doing dungeon runs," answered Jack. "But in the meantime, I'm not quite sure what else you can do besides chill in the guild as a last line of defense."
"But that's boring… There's gotta be something I can do? Can I go with Lorwynn and Sterfen?" Hadurt asked with a longing smile.
Shaking his head, Sterfen replied, "Sorry, but no can do. I would love to do this on my own, personally, but Lorwynn is my ticket in and out of the Holy Gods' stronghold. Most of that mission will be me on my own while Lorwynn waits patiently for who knows how long. Once I'm inside, I still have to wait for a proper moment to steal Lunara's contract. If I rush things, then it would only make things worse."
Frowning, Hadurt sighed, "I get it. I'll just make things worse cause I'm impatient. Then can't I do some other important thing?"
Scratching his head, Jack tried to come up with something. "I still want you to tell us more about the syndicate. You can discuss that with Tralon and come up with a game plan to keep us safe, then maybe you can play around with Dragov. How does that sound?"
Hadurt showed everyone a curious look and shrugged, "That's not a bad start I guess. But you'd better give me more to do once I get bored with that. You'll have plenty of time to figure something out by then."
"You got it, Hadurt." Glad to have Hadurt's and Lorwynn's support, Jack looked to everyone else. "As for those staying in the guild, focus on expansion. Argyle will also be focusing on cementing the Fat Goose in Gilga. And since Hurmot of the Celestial Crane should be arriving any day now, then we'll be able to build up the market of Gilga as well. Any objections or extra thoughts?"
With everyone agreeing, Jack bowed his head to everyone. "Then let me thank you all for your support. Without you, neither the guild nor me could handle what needs to be done. Thank you."