Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 58: A Day in the Life of Guild Master Alaric

The sun rose over Loyrn, casting long shadows across the stone streets. I was already awake, as usual, the quiet rhythm of the morning my companion as I made my way to the guild headquarters. Being a guild master came with its share of responsibilities, most of which involved balancing the interests of adventurers, handling delicate negotiations, and, of course, keeping the guild itself running smoothly. But there were moments—brief, fleeting moments—when it felt like I was living a different life altogether, one where I didn't have to be 'Alaric the Guild Master.'

But those moments never last. Not for long.

By the time I arrived at the guild, the halls were alive with the hum of activity. Adventurers were coming and going, preparing for their own missions or celebrating the completion of previous ones. My gaze swept over the familiar faces, each one carrying their own story, their own reasons for being here. Some were young, eager for fame and glory. Others were older, seasoned by countless battles, and some… were just trying to survive.

I entered my office, the door creaking softly as I pushed it open. The room was as orderly as ever, a collection of maps, papers, and weapons arranged with meticulous care. The scent of ink and parchment filled the air, along with the faint smell of polished wood. I walked over to my desk and began sifting through the pile of documents that had accumulated during the night. Another day, another stack of contracts and requests.

"Guild master." A voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me from the paper maze. It was Celeste, my most trusted assistant, standing in the doorway with a bundle of reports in her arms.

"Good morning, Celeste," I said, leaning back in my chair. "What's the news today?"

She stepped forward, dropping the reports onto the desk with a practiced motion. "Another batch of requests came in from the surrounding villages. A few people are missing, presumably taken by demons. There's also a report about a creature sighted near the northern forests."

I nodded. "As usual, then."

She gave me a quizzical look, but I didn't elaborate. Life in Loyrn was filled with mystery, and adventurers were always willing to put their lives on the line to investigate those mysteries. That's what made them adventurers.

I picked up the first report and skimmed it. A few missing villagers—nothing unusual. The missing person reports were frequent, sometimes because of simple accidents, sometimes because of dark forces at work. The usual routine for me as guild master. I glanced over at the stack of documents on the left side of my desk, the contracts that needed signing, and the reports on the guild's various assets. It wasn't glamorous work, but it kept the guild afloat.

I picked up the next report, a more urgent one this time. A village to the south had reported a rise in monster activity. The local guard was overwhelmed, and they requested assistance. Another task for the adventurers, another opportunity to prove their worth.

I set the report down and leaned back, my fingers tapping the edge of the desk thoughtfully. The trio—Lucian, Seraphine, and Quintin—were off on a mission today. I had sent them to investigate some strange occurrences near the coast, hoping to get more information about the Crimson Witch's activities in the area. The tree with the ability to grow ammunition had been interesting, but there was something deeper at play, and I needed them to uncover it.

I had no doubt they would succeed, though. They had already proven themselves on multiple occasions. Lucian's sharp instincts, Seraphine's wit, and Quintin's raw potential made them formidable assets. They had a long way to go before they fully understood the gravity of the forces they were up against, but I was confident they'd learn quickly.

I sighed and leaned forward, picking up the next report. The rhythm of the day continued as it always did, a dance of letters and negotiations, requests and contracts. My thoughts drifted back to the previous day, to the encounter with the Crimson Witch's lackey. It was a simple skirmish, but it had reminded me how unpredictable these days had become. I had been able to handle the situation easily enough, but there was always the possibility that things could escalate. The Crimson Witch's reach was growing, and I had to be prepared for whatever came next.

A knock on the door broke my reverie.

"Come in," I called, and the door opened to reveal another adventurer. A young man, looking slightly nervous, stepped into the room, holding a small letter.

"Guild master," he said, bowing his head slightly. "I have a delivery for you."

I raised an eyebrow. "A delivery? At this hour?"

The man nodded. "It's from a source in the northern territories. They say it's urgent."

I took the letter from him, breaking the seal with a single motion. The handwriting inside was familiar—sharp, clean strokes that I knew all too well. It was a message from one of my more… questionable contacts. I skimmed through it, my eyes narrowing.

"The northern territories, huh?" I muttered to myself. The letter spoke of strange movements in the area, of forces gathering in the shadows, but there was no real evidence to back it up. A series of unsettling coincidences, perhaps, but nothing concrete. Still, it warranted further investigation.

I set the letter down and stood up, stretching. Another mission. Another series of cryptic messages that required attention. But that was the life of a guild master, wasn't it? Always solving problems, always responding to the unknown. The world never stopped turning, and neither did the responsibilities of my position.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. The day was wearing on, and I had already spent several hours going through reports and responding to requests. It was time to take a break—if only for a moment. I made my way to the window, looking out over the bustling streets of Loyrn. The city was alive with energy, the adventurers in the market, the locals going about their business. Life was simpler for them, in a way. They didn't have the weight of a guild on their shoulders, nor the looming shadow of enemies they didn't fully understand.

But I did. And that's what made my role so crucial. I was the one who kept the guild together, who ensured that it could weather the storms that were bound to come. There would be more battles, more missions, more days like today. I had to remain vigilant.

Just as I was about to turn away from the window, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts once more.

"Guild master," Celeste called, stepping inside with a new set of reports. "Another urgent matter. The eastern border patrol sent word of an unknown ship spotted off the coast."

I smiled wryly. "It never ends, does it?"

Celeste raised an eyebrow. "It certainly doesn't, sir."

I chuckled softly and took the reports from her, already bracing myself for the next wave of problems. There was no shortage of challenges, no shortage of enemies. But that was the price of power, and I had learned to pay it without hesitation.

As I sat down again, the trio's faces flashed through my mind—Lucian, Seraphine, and Quintin. They were out there now, facing whatever dangers lay in the shadows. They were part of the guild now, and their future was intertwined with mine. I had made the choice to guide them, to lead them on this journey, and I would ensure they had the tools they needed to succeed.

The sun was setting outside the window, casting an orange glow over the city. It was a quiet evening, but I knew the calm wouldn't last. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new missions, and new decisions. As guild master, I had no time to rest.

But for now, at least, I could allow myself a moment of peace. I reached for the next report, my focus returning to the task at hand.

Another day in the life of Guild Master Alaric..