I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

30 – 6# Hydra Guild (2)

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

Before taking direct action, Veronica thoroughly investigated the human named Isaac Silverterra. A mercenary who has worked in many countries, including the kingdom and the law kingdom.

He formed a guild in Gideon with the ex-knight Hans, who withdrew from the law kingdom due to dissatisfaction, and the Holy Maiden Sophia as his comrades. However, no information about Isaac’s skills could be found.

Even when she asked the Hades Guild for information, she received no response. Veronica caught a whiff of something there. The fact that Isaac Silverterra was someone who should not be tampered with recklessly…

Snap!!

However, knowing something and acting upon it are two different matters. Veronica raised her hand and slapped Isaac’s cheek. Everyone, excluding members of the Hydra Guild, was shocked by the sudden turn of events.

“That trashy woman…!!”

“Hold on!! Isaac!!”

“Let go. I’ll handle that woman myself!!”

The only one who immediately reacted was none other than Isaac. He was about to rush at Veronica in open anger when Sophia, who happened to be nearby, barely managed to restrain him.

Of course, that didn’t mean Sophia and Hans were taking the situation lightly. Just looking at Hans, blood dripped from his tightly clenched fist, displaying a fierce demeanor.

And Veronica was reveling in it all. Yes, this is it. Angered, aren’t you? Want to kill me? But what can you do? You’re powerless.

Chilling.

A shiver seemed to run through the body for a moment. The slightly turned head returned to its original position. He said nothing. Just watched quietly.

“It’s dangerous, I might actually die. I feel like…!”

He did nothing. Yet, Veronica realized it. The depth of endless power Isaac Silverthorne possessed. She had felt a similar sensation only once before.

“Die.”

The guild master leading the Hades Guild. A monster dubbed the embodiment of death. A feeling similar to that monster of death. Yet, because of that, Veronica didn’t step back.

Death?

What’s there to fear about that?

You die when you die.

Meanwhile, Isaac was deeply contemplating. Was he startled by suddenly being slapped? No, it wasn’t that. He was pondering how to respond in line with his concept.

“No matter how you look at it, killing someone just because they slapped you is a setting error.”

It was unpleasant, that much was true. But Isaac wasn’t someone to abandon his concept over such a thing. Let’s calmly recall the concept once again. Experienced but unwavering when it comes to family matters.

The important thing here is experience. Isaac, who has accumulated a lot of experience until now, hasn’t even touched his family. It’s unreasonable to recklessly rampage swayed by emotions.

“What do you want?”

“Indeed, the information was accurate!”

Veronica felt tremendous elation. The thoroughly researched information finally came to light. Isaac Silverthorne, the guild master who never overlooks anything related to family matters.

Then let’s reconsider.

If he doesn’t touch family?

If he only touches himself?

According to the information she gathered, aside from the variable of family, Isaac Silverthorne is a seasoned hero who has been through thick and thin. There’s no way such a hero wouldn’t understand the current situation.

Of course, that was only a conjecture. In reality, just because he feels irritated, he could draw his sword. But Veronica didn’t care. She was just doing what she enjoyed.

“Kneel.”

“…”

“Right now. Then we won’t touch your family.”

That’s what breaks a strong man. Even the Guild Master of Hades, who had surpassed his own preferences, did not object. Isaac Silverter was different. In response to Veronica’s words, Isaac nodded.

“I understand.”

The Hydra Guild is not just a sub-guild under the Hades Guild. It has the authority to monitor other guilds of Gideon and, if necessary, even the power to carry out immediate executions.

And Isaac Silverter was a man who could willingly sacrifice himself for his family. That was the man Veronica had thoroughly investigated so far.

Veronica’s intuition was correct. In front of everyone, the Guild Master kneeled like a mountain. Just that sight alone excited Veronica, and she couldn’t bear it any longer.

“How about it? This is your Master that you follow. Isn’t it truly pathetic?”

However, Veronica did not take such an action because of personal preferences. A Guild Master who loses the trust of guild members is done for. For example, if he shows a pathetic appearance like now.

Usually, guild members, while realizing the mighty power of the Hades Guild, also find the Guild Master, who can’t even properly resist, pitiful, even if they think it’s unavoidable.

This is the way of Hades.

Survival of the fittest.

Only winners define justice.

Anyway, business is business. To make things more certain, Veronica deliberately stepped on Isaac’s shoulder with her boot. However, at that moment, something grabbed her ankle.

“A piece of advice.”

Chilling. Chilling.

A fierce aura. The pressure was such that it seemed as if she had been bitten on the ankle by a wild beast. Although his knees were bent, his eyes, unyielding, made Veronica’s body tremble.

“Never touch family.”

Ah, what a strong gaze.

Just imagining surrendering to that gaze.

It was already making her lower parts moist.

‘Bowing down for the sake of family. Great! Yes, this is the attitude for true family protection!’

Meanwhile, Isaac was silently smiling to himself.

***

“Hans, Sophia. Can I ask for a moment?”

Veronica disappeared somewhere with Isaac. Isaac followed her without resistance. No one moved. Except for one person, Zeke.

Sophia grabbed Zeke’s shoulder firmly. Just by the force, she knew what this kid was planning. Zeke nervously shook off her hand.

“Let go of this.”

“Zeke! Now is not the time. We have to endure!”

“Endure? While the Master suffers such disgrace?!”

“That’s why we have to endure even more.”

Finally, Hans’ tightly sealed lips opened heavily. The Hydra Guild, the most notorious blade that Hades boasted. Countless guilds had been executed by them so far.

Guild Master Isaac knew this well. Put aside emotions and be rational. Let’s objectively assess the situation. The fact that the Hydra Guild has emerged means it’s Hades’ will.

What about the Shield of Iron in comparison? Objectively, the power of the Iron Shield is nothing compared to Hades, not even worth mentioning. Therefore, Isaac willingly kneeled. For us.

“It’s unacceptable to act recklessly like this.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it’s Guild Master Isaac’s will!!”

“….”

“Not for himself. For all of us! The master sacrificed himself!! Don’t you still understand that?!”

It was frustrating. If it continued like this, the meaning of Isaac kneeling in disgrace would fade away. Did these foolish newcomers really not know? Of course not.

With just a little information from Nemea Fortress, Zeke realized that the Lion Tribe was not an ordinary lion tribe. An intelligent child like him couldn’t fail to understand the current situation.

“We know the master sacrificed for us.”

“Yeah, so…”

“That’s why it’s unbearable.”

“Don’t whine, kid. Look at reality with seriousness…”

“If! If the situation were reversed!”

Unable to endure any longer, Zeke shouted. Even beyond the boiling black emotions inside. Let’s think slowly. If this were the opposite, if it were.

“Would the master have stayed quiet?”

“….!!!”

At that, Hans couldn’t say anything. Isaac, who cherished his family more than anyone else. Even if the opponent was not Hydra but Hades. He would have drawn his sword.

“Is it inevitable to turn away when it comes to family?”

“….”

“At least, you should give back as much as you received!!”

Suddenly, tears were flowing from Zeke’s eyes. Excessively idealistic. Reality is not that easy. Hans himself knew it better than anyone.

For some reason.

His throat was blocked.

He couldn’t say anything.

Zeke roughly wiped away the tears flowing from his eyes. It’s enough, I don’t need anything. Even if I’m alone, I’ll save the master. Thinking that way, Zeke turned his head and furrowed his brow.

“What about you guys? Do you also want to say I was wrong?”

Three children were standing in front of him. Diego, Hertz, and Sasha. As if trying to block the way. Zeke reacted sensitively. Diego sighed.

“It’s nonsense all of a sudden. Why would we stop you?”

“What?”

“Oh, I mean, I want to help.”

“Who asked for your help?! I just don’t like those guys, that’s all!”

Diego, clenching his fists, glared at Hertz, who was interpreting his words on the side. In truth, the kids were just like Zeke. The master is their savior.

But the savior kneeling.

Just watching from behind?

To hell with that.

“Wait…”

“It can’t be helped, senior.”

Hans tried to stop them. As an adult, he had the obligation to stop kids who didn’t know the reality. However, Cain laughed lightly as he passed by Hans. How could he stop this?

“Kids! Let us join in too!”

“Reality? Screw off.”

“Yurina, don’t use language like that.”

“I couldn’t bear it any longer. I’m sorry.”

Someone says helping others without any reward has no meaning. People are beings who forget favors. It’s not entirely wrong. But the answer isn’t clear either.

Because.

There are surely those who don’t forget kindness.

Watching them, Zeke silently vowed.

“I’ll definitely tear that ragged woman apart.”

…Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.