The Merchant Guild’s Hidden Threat

Gideon sat across from the Guild Master, discussing the usual guild affairs.

Few knew the truth, but he and Julian were the true founders of the Merchant Guild.

Yet despite their success, they still lacked noble support.

Their guild's philosophy was simple—anyone with innovation and skill was given a chance, regardless of status.

And that was precisely why the nobles despised them.

At present, their only backing came from Julian's elder brother, a mere Count. His influence kept them afloat, but he lacked the power to provide real protection.

Even so, Gideon had more pressing matters to attend to.

A new invention had caught his eye.

His gaze locked onto a blueprint laid out on the table—a tool the guild had recently developed.

The blacksmiths were already working on it, and within just a few days, they had made a shocking profit.

Gideon studied the design and immediately understood why.

It was simple. Easy to produce. Easy to use.

"Who came up with this?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

Julian smirked. "I already introduced you to her in the hallway."

Gideon's eyes widened. "That small blackhead?! That child?"

Julian chuckled. "Don't underestimate her. She's far more than what she seems."

But then, his expression darkened. A flicker of unease—perhaps even fear—passed through his eyes.

His fingers tapped against the desk as if debating whether to speak.

Gideon's sharp gaze locked onto him.

"What is it?"

Julian sighed. "She's been living in the slums… with a group of children. All of them are no older than her."

His voice turned heavier.

"Last night, they all came here. Apparently, they were attacked by that bastard's thugs—the same ones he uses to kill anyone who displeases him."

Gideon remained silent for a long moment.

His voice, when it came, was cold.

"And they made it back alive?"

Then, a sharper addition—

"All of them?"

Julian nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Yes… but one of the boys was seriously injured. That girl—Seraphina—saved him."

Silence.

Then—

Gideon's lips curled into a slow, wicked smile.

"Interesting… very interesting."

Julian immediately cringed. "Would you not smile like that? It's creepy."

That expression gave him goosebumps. He knew all too well—whenever Gideon got excited, that face appeared.

Julian let out a breath. "Do you realize, if word gets out that the Merchant Guild sheltered the children who took down an entire slum gang, we're screwed?"

Gideon merely shrugged. "You don't seem too worried."

"Yeah… well…" Julian hesitated before continuing, "I sent people to investigate. Only two gang members died. One looked like a suicide, and the other… he died from breaking a magical oath."

Even as he said it, his own words didn't make sense.

"The more I think about it, the stranger it seems…"

Gideon arched an eyebrow. "And the most interesting part is?"

Julian's voice dropped slightly.

"All the other gang members seem to have completely forgotten everything."

A pause.

"As of now, they're just looking for honest work—like nothing ever happened."

Gideon's expression sharpened. "What?"

Julian exhaled. "It's almost as if they were brainwashed."

Gideon leaned back, eyes narrowing. "A skill?"

"Yeah… and not just any skill." Julian's voice was grave. "It's powerful."

His expression turned even more serious.

"And the only possible suspect for this mess is—"

"Seraphina."

The moment her name left Julian's lips, a chill settled over the room.

Gideon sat motionless, his fingers drumming against the table.

His thoughts raced, calculating, analyzing.

But then—

Julian muttered something under his breath.

Gideon's ears caught the words instantly.

"…seems like we finally found that child you mentioned."

The world snapped into focus.

Gideon shot up from his seat.

His urgency was palpable.

"Where is he?! Take me to him this instant!"

His voice carried both joy and sorrow, his expression betraying emotions he rarely showed.

Julian sighed. "I'll tell you—but only if you promise not to lose your temper."

Gideon's sharp gaze pierced through him.

"What happened to him?"

A tiny flicker of fear, mixed with overwhelming anger, laced his voice.

Julian stood up, straightening his clothes.

"Calm down. Don't overreact, okay?"

It was useless.

Gideon took a step forward, his patience wearing thin. "Tell me already!"

Julian let out a deep breath.

"The boy Seraphina saved—"

Before he could finish, Gideon bolted for the door.

But in his haste, he collided into a frail figure.

A small oof escaped the child as she stumbled back from the impact.

Gideon immediately halted.

His mind screamed at him to keep running, but—

Something about that frail child stopped him in his tracks.

She groaned in pain, rubbing her forehead.

She looked so small.

And for the first time in years, Gideon hesitated.

Because at that moment, she reminded him of his young master.

Of Lucian.

Before he could say or do anything, Seraphina raised her head—her dark eyes locking onto his.

A beat passed.

Then—

"So… you know Lucian?"

Her voice was light, curious even.

But her eyes…

They gleamed with silent calculation.

Her expression was a perfect mask of innocence, as if she had only overheard something interesting in passing.

As if she had no idea that Gideon had just been rushing to see the very boy she had saved.

It was a question wrapped in feigned ignorance—but Gideon wasn't fooled.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips.

She's sharper than I thought.

And for the first time since he had stepped into this room, Gideon felt truly intrigued.