In the great hall of Black Phoenix guild.
Astrid was sitting on the guild leader's throne with Jon kneeling before her.
"Minerva Nimue, the chief executive of the Black Phoenix Guild, was the senior disciple of the former guild leader, and because of that she holds a fairly high position! So you're saying that she along with enforcer Wilson and others are engaging in dealings to force me to abdicate? Do you have any proof?" Astrid was skeptical about Jon's findings.
"Miss matriarch, everything I told you is true. Enforcer Wilson must be sucking up to the chief executive; He's even secretly collecting her underwear. I didn't dare to take the secret letter for fear of inadvertently rising the alarm, but the underwear was quite odd, so I made a drawing of it from memory." Jon explained his theory 'And because of that I ended up taking a big loss, as I had to put back everything I had intended to steal' Jon thought presenting the drawing he made of the garment on a piece of paper.
"Also, the garment doesn't seem to be made out of silk or cotton, but it seem to have been made out of scaled leather." Jon added as Astrid was inspecting the drawing.
"As expected, it's Minerva's. She's the only one in the whole guild who wears this kind of snakeskin leather underwear." Astrid concluded after inspecting the drawing.
"Me and the chief executive have some differences in opinion, but I didn't imagine that she would dare do such a thing and risk splitting up the guild." Astrid vocalized rubbing her head trying to soothe the headache that was forming due to the current situation.
"Minerva Nimue is completely delusional. As long as miss matriarch gives me the order, she'll be apprehended and brought before you to answer for her crimes." Jon offered on his knees.
"Things aren't as simple as you might think…" Astrid sighed at Jon's ignorance.
"My master, the previous matriarch, passed away prematurely and I ascended to the position of guild leader at a very young age. In addition to my young age there are four executives in the Black Phoenix guild who's power's are just a little inferior to my own. Each of them have their own factions and control most of the guild's valuable assets. They also control branches of the guild set up in different parts of the empire. As such it is very hard to deal with an executives even though they are answerable to me. Chief executive Minerva Nimue in particular, as she always felt that I had robbed her of the guild leader position. Although I'm the guild leader, my actual power is severely limited." Astrid explained her current position and power dynamics of the guild.
"Miss matriarch, you have looked after me all this time, so I'll always stand by your side!" Jon pledged his allegiance to Astrid on his knees with his right hand above his heart.
"I would have never imagined that at the moment of truth, I could only rely on a man who I have known only for a few days. In views of your words, if I'm able to bring the factions under control, I promise you that no one in the Black Phoenix guild will pick on you ever again." Astrid promised Jon for his loyalty.
"Miss matriarch, I'm not sticking with you on the same front just for the sake of benefits. When everyone in the guild looked down on me for being a house husband for Cersei, you where the only one who never looked down on me. You alone saved my life and offered me a position in the guild by your side." Jon said using his cape to hide his face and apply saliva to his eyes to fake tears.
"It was thanks to you that I was able to see that there is still a shining glimmer of light in this dark merciless world. If I don't show my gratitude how will I call myself a man." Jon proclaimed with fake tears in his eyes.
"You… Your mind is quite set on this. You should go for now. I will call upon you if anything happens." Astrid was very touched by Jon's display.
"Then I'll take my leave now." Jon said turning to leave.
"I know I'm just a one star initial stage mage and I'm of no use, but I'll do everything in my power to reach the point where I can help the matriarch out of her plight as soon as possible!" Jon declared as he was leaving the great hall.
'Loyalty is found in the most unexpected places with most unexpected people.' Astrid thought thinking about Jon as he left.
'Shit! I was finally riding on her coattails and now I've been dragged into the guild's power struggle. I don't seem to have any more time to waste writing porn. I have to quickly improve my strength. Otherwise if I get caught up in this, I won't be able to fend for myself!' Jon thought as he left the great hall.
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A few days later. The most awaited last volume of the book 'The Young Married Woman Cersei' was released.
On the last chapter of 'The Young Married Woman Cersei': "Cersei's light pink lips gently opened letting out a lovely moan, her whole delicate body enveloped her husband, Jonathan Dayne, and then… Suddenly a meteorite fell from the sky and killed them both whilst on the act. -The end- By Author Jonathan Dayne
"Your ass! This last chapter is a load of crap! Not only that, how dare the author disclose his identity, with this crappy ending?! He must have a death wish!" All the readers where in an uproar. Even the members who where stationed outside the guild fortress rushed back and brought with them a box full of equipment's to castrate Jonathan.
However what they didn't know was that Jonathan was already an eunuch who was castrated for trespassing into the ancestral crypt. And so, with no one and no where to vent their anger on they became even more enraged, frustrated and annoyed.
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Meanwhile in Jonathan's residence.
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (ANGER): 0.01 (MARKUS) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (ANNOYED): 0.01 (MARKUS) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (FRUSTRATED): 0.01 (MARKUS) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (ANGER): 0.01 (AUSTIN) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (ANNOYED): 0.01 (AUSTIN) ]
[ SOURCE POINTS OBTAINED (FRUSTRATED): 0.01 (AUSTIN) ]
…
…
…
'Excellent… I've gathered a great deal of source points in one fell swoop. My preparations are almost complete. The next challenge is to practice the Mana Guardian up to the introductory level.' Jon thought making plans to improve his strength, looking at the system panel.
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Black Phoenix guild fortress training field middle of the night.
'Although the system can instantly upgrade my skills, the most basic level (LEVEL 0) must be practiced in person, so I have no other choice but to work up a bit of sweat.' Jon thought practicing the Mana Guardian skill.
This has been going on for a few nights now, where Jon would serve the guild leader during the day and practice the Mana Guardian skill during the night, even so he was not even close to reaching the introductory level yet. But giving up was not an option for Jon, especially in the current political situation.
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A few days later. The great hall of the Black Phoenix guild.
The Black Phoenix guild holds a regular guild meeting ever month. In the past, the four executives seldom attended and only sent their disciples on their behalf, but this time the chief executive Minerva Nimue came in person.
Astrid was sitting on the guild leader's throne with Jon standing to her right behind the throne. Chief executive Minerva was seated to the right of the throne and to her right sat Carl Wilson the chief of law enforcement and other participants where seated according to their status. The seats where arranged in a U-shape with the guild leader's throne at the center.
'Gosh, if I want to quickly reach the introductory level of the Mana Guardian, it would be best to get an expert to give me some personal guidance. It's too troublesome to practice it by myself…' Jon thought with a yawn standing behind Astrid.
"I'm very pleased that chief executive Minerva Nimue came personally to attend the meeting this time." Astrid commented, starting the meeting.
"Matriarch, I've returned to the guild fortress to fulfill my duty as an executive of the guild. If the matriarch is handling her affairs in an inappropriate manner, it's only right that I should speak up and admonish her. Your personal servant Jonathan Dayne intruded into the ancestral crypt without permission, but was only castrated. Aren't you afraid that if word gets out it will be hard to convince the masses?" Minerva admonished Astrid.
"That's right, matriarch. Your handling of this affair was biased." Carl Wilson chief of law enforcement backed up Minerva's statement in a dissatisfied tone.
'Hah! What a load of crap. They only want to further crack down on the matriarch's prestige. So that the neutral factions would think that she can't even protect her own personal servant.' Jon thought, waiting to see how Astrid was going to respond.
"If you don't kill Jonathan Dayne, how will you appease the masses?!"
"I suggest that enforcer Wilson carry out the sentence!"
"The matriarch has her own reasons. I don't think it's necessary to kill Jonathan Dayne."
"Chief executive, what do you mean by this? Don't you care about the rules of the Black Phoenix guild?"
Everyone present started to voice their own opinions on the matter, each trying to trying to curry favor with either Minerva or Astrid. This showed the internal strife that exists within the guild. It's because of this internal strife that the Black Phoenix guild has been gradually falling into decline. The Kree empire is known for the 9 major dark guilds and the 9 major holy guilds. And due to it's decline over the years the Black Phoenix guild is considered to be at the bottom of the 9 dark guilds.
"Enough! All of you, shut up!" Astrid had enough of their bickering.
"Although Jonathan Dayne trespassed into the ancestral crypt, it is difficult to find someone with his blessing of mana and his natural aptitude. So I decided to take him in as my disciple. It is difficult to come by such a gifted disciple. How could I possibly kill him without a second thought!" Astrid explained her reason for sparing Jon to everyone present.
"Blessing of mana? Gifted? How do I know that you aren't exaggerating to protect your servant?" Minerva asked Astrid.
"When did the Black Phoenix guild fall so low as to consider a honeypot a treasure?" Minerva asked everyone present, trying to discredit Astrid's claims.
"This is Sigyn Fel, my last direct disciple. She has only been practicing for three months, but has already reached 3 star initial stage." Minerva said introducing her disciple who was standing behind her to her right.
Sigyn Fel was a young slender girl with brown hair and brown eyes with a kind face. She stepped forward and bowed in front of the guild leader.
"3 stars in three months?" everyone was surprised by Sigyn's talent.
"In three days, she'll have a match with him. If he can hold a candle to her, I'll accept that he's indeed gifted and won't pursue this matter any further." Minerva proposed to Astrid.
"When it comes to practicing magic, Jonathan has only just started, and it hasn't even been a month since he was used to drain life-force. Hence, it would be rather unfair, so why don't we…" Astrid was aiming to gain more time, but Jon stopped her.
"Matriarch, we can't give in! I am unable to stand anyone being disrespectful to you. They mighty take you for a liar or a coward if we back down now. I, Jonathan Dayne shall fight for your sake in three days time." Jon declared striking a mighty pose.
----------- END OF CHAPTER ----------