As the days passed, the annual festival finally opened its doors!

The city became incredibly vibrant, even more so than it already was, with this event. In the evening, the plaza was bustling with activity, with tables set up for dining and stalls offering a variety of food, accessories, souvenirs, and more!

Naturally, it was crowded with people, all enjoying the festivities. Everyone eagerly awaited the City Lord's appearance on a small wooden stage specially erected for the occasion, while artists played music to entertain the waiting crowd.

"Oh, you have to try these, Argenta!"

I was exploring the stalls with Joey and Elizabeth when Joey suddenly grabbed my attention.

"What?" I asked.

"They're covered in chocolate!" he exclaimed, pointing at a stall in front of him.

The vendor behind the stall was selling what appeared to be small fried balls skewered on a long, thick toothpick, coated in chocolate or various sweet spices.

"Oh, it does look tasty," I admitted as I approached the stall. "Give me one, please."

"Me too, please," Elizabeth joined in.

The vendor handed me a stick with three fried balls, generously coated with warm, dripping chocolate, along with a paper napkin.

As soon as I got the stick in hand, I ate one. It was warm, not too hot to blow on, nor too cold to spoil the experience. As I bit into it, a burst of chocolate exploded inside my mouth. So, the heart of the treat was also made of chocolate...

I used the handkerchief to cover my mouth just in case something spilled, but nothing happened. Instead, I savored the delightful blend of chocolate and the sweet, fried component, which practically melted in my mouth as flavors danced on my tongue.

"It is good," I said after eating the first fried chocolate ball.

"Don't you want to try it, Joey?" Elizabeth asked him.

"I'm afraid it might be too sweet for me... I prefer savory snacks," he replied.

"He's weird," I remarked as I reached for another chocolate-coated treat.

"Try it, come on," Elizabeth urged, offering him her stick while using a handkerchief to prevent the chocolate from dripping on the ground.

"Are you sure?" Joey asked.

"I am. Come on, take one," Elizabeth insisted.

Joey relented and leaned in to take a bite.

"Hm... it's delicious," he said while still chewing.

Elizabeth took the next bite. "Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise. "It really is! And it's also warm... I was beginning to feel cold."

I blinked. When did these two become so close, exactly...?

"The cold seasons are coming, aren't they?" Joey commented.

Elizabeth turned around, pointing at the center of the plaza. "Why don't we go take a seat there? Soon, the City Lord should appear."

"Sure, let's go," Joey approved.

I nodded in agreement, still partially perplexed, and we all moved to take a seat.

As we walked through the crowd, we spotted Leonard and Crimson already at a table, so we joined them. Although reluctantly for me, as I ended up next to Crimson.

"By the way," Crimson turned to Leonard, "where's the boss? They're about to announce the top guilds and he's not here?"

"He's not here, but I'll make sure he gets the results," Leonard assured her.

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"Still... I hoped to share a drink with that old geezer," Crimson said, crossing her legs over the table and resting her arms behind her head.

"By 'boss', you mean the Guild Master?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she confirmed. "It's been a while since I've seen him around."

"I haven't even met him yet," I commented.

"Really?" Crimson looked at me with surprise, her eyes wide. "That's weird. He used to hang out in the guild often. Leonard, is something going on?" Crimson asked him afterward.

Leonard, with a flick of his index finger, pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "It's... complicated," he replied with a weary sigh.

"If I may ask, how exactly do the guild rankings work?" Joey asked. "I know they're based on contributions, but is there more to it?"

"Correct," Leonard replied. "The rankings are all about the contributions. The rewards from quests are split between the guild and the local tavern, which has connections with other taverns worldwide, and thus all the guilds. The level of contribution determines a guild's position. Higher-ranked dungeons are typically more profitable, although luck also plays a significant role. Our latest dungeon was profitable, but not as much as I had hoped. That's why I'm feeling uneasy...."

After Leonard finished speaking, everyone's attention was captured by someone on the stage announcing the presence of the City Lord. With that, the City Lord took the stage, delivering a long and somewhat tedious speech about the city's prosperity and expressing gratitude to various guilds and contributors.

Finally, the eagerly awaited guild rankings were announced.

As the City Lord began announcing the rankings, starting from the tenth position and working upwards, tension filled the air. When the eighth guild was announced, Leonard's expression turned pale. The Envokers had taken that spot.

Crimson, however, seemed unimpressed, emitting a 'tch' as if she disapproved.

"How did they end up so low?!" Leonard asked her, almost afraid. "I knew they were struggling, but to lose so many positions... They were third!"

"You look disappointed," I remarked to Crimson.

"The bastards managed to stay high... I aimed for them to drop out of the top ten," Crimson replied.

Leonard looked at her with concern. He didn't know what Crimson had done, and neither did I. But it was evident to him that Crimson had played a role in their decline.

After that, we returned our attention to the rankings.

As the announcements continued, the Armonia moved from seventh to sixth, while we, the Abyss Reavers, reached the third position, officially entering the top three. The first and second positions remained unchanged.

"Everyone, good job," Leonard congratulated with a faint, but genuine smile, seemingly as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Keep yourselves available in the coming days. We should expect a letter from the King. Either way, await my instructions on our next steps."

We agreed, and after the festival, everyone returned to the guild.

Well, not everyone. I had other plans...

"Bianca."

And just like that, another life was extinguished, another person said goodbye to this world.

"This should be the last one..."

I had to slow down since the news of a serial killer had spread throughout the city, and many would avoid going out during the late hours. Bunch of cowards...

I even asked Leonard if he had any jobs for me, but unfortunately, he didn't, and told me to wait and be around in case something major happened.

I waited for the demon to show its claws, and just as I predicted, it didn't show any this time. Zero.

"... Well? That's it?"

I was confused; I literally scratched my head out of confusion. I expected some kind of signal, at least... It just disappeared as usual, but without showing anything this time.

"Maybe I can use the skill now?"

I wondered...

"Hmm... Just to be sure, I'll kill another one."

- - - - - - -

"Sir, I understand that you're troubled. I can see it... But being absent at the festival, as the Guild Master... The members are confused, to say the least, and not only them. And soon, the King will most probably contact us. Are you going to not show yourself even in that case, were the King to request your presence?" I, the Guild Leader, asked him.

I am understanding and empathetic towards his situation, and I am grateful to this man. But his recent actions are putting both me and the guild in a difficult spot. Fortunately, I have still managed to fulfill my duties as Guild Leader and lead the guild to the top three. However... continuing like this will prove exhausting, and even unsustainable. So, even if it's with a heavy heart, I must be firm and decisive. The Guild Master must confront reality.

"But how can I, Leonard?" he replied, huddled on the floor, avoiding my gaze as he trembled. "How am I supposed to face her? Face those eyes? And how could I ever face them? I ran away from my responsibilities, and now here I am, hiding, because I am afraid of the consequences... I'm a coward. I am just a fool in man's shoes. Nothing but a coward..."

"Sir, I excuse myself, but you must act," I told him, my tone almost scolding. "Even if the result you wish is not met, at least it's going to be a result, and you can act accordingly. But if you stay here... nothing will change. You don't have to reveal everything head-on, but at least take the first step; we shall confront what comes next afterward. You know you have my support, just as I have helped you thus far and will continue to do so in this matter. So, please..."

He fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed downward.

"You're right, Leonard..." he said, using his hands to push himself up, finally meeting my eyes. "Inevitably, this issue will impact the guild. I must face the consequences... I must confront reality. I'm afraid to face them... but I will. I'll take that first step. I hope... you'll continue to support me, despite all the assistance you've already provided, Leonard."

"Of course, Sir. I stand by you, always."