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“Understood. Thank you,” Frank acknowledged, sharing a knowing glance with Ector before redirecting their gazes to Caron.

“As the Luneville branch, we will take initiative and begin our actions independently, without waiting for instructions or decisions from the headquarters. Please inform them that our utmost priorities are rescuing lives and restoring the transportation network.”
“Understood, sir.”

Then, Frank turned towards me.

“Illya, I wish to know more about the situation.”
“Understood.”

Frank, demonstrating his leadership as the branch master, was making decisive decisions. I wondered if the troubles he had faced so far have served to be a good experience, but still, I couldn’t help but think that it would be even better if he stopped having me accompany him. Especially for my own sake.

As Frank and Ector began discussing the operations of the Lunevillous patrol team, I excused myself and left the room. On my way to the branch, I contemplated the tasks that needed to be accomplished.

First and foremost, I needed to make commissions to secure the personnel for the investigation and gather resources and magicians to repair and restore the roads and infrastructure.

Before I could fully organize my thoughts, I arrived at the branch. The hall was filled with numerous individuals who were bewildered by the ongoing abnormal situation. However, as explanations were provided and people found their assigned tasks, the confusion gradually subsided.

For now, all they could do was wait. Yet, taking the time to rest and recuperate was equally crucial amidst this crisis, and executing it effectively was no simple matter.

I have to get back to my work too. Or so I decided but the situation didn’t end simply at that.

When most people started engaging in things they could do… such as cleaning up and investigating, and I finished processing it all, I was left with nothing to do at the reception.

“Illya please come.”

I was summoned by Frank from the back office, and as I made my way there, I noticed an unusual atmosphere that caught me off guard. It felt strangely quiet, considering there should still be a lot of administrative tasks and processing of information from headquarters and other branches.

Frank proceeded to address my concerns.

“We currently can’t get in touch with other guilds.”

Based on that statement alone, one might assume it was merely a result of the communication disruptions caused by the ground fissures, but he wouldn’t bring up that topic now. Frank’s demeanor indicated that the situation was more critical than that.

“…Does that mean that you can’t use the communications network?”
“…Yeah.”

I’ve been had… I never anticipated it would come to this. With a hint of regret for underestimating the gravity of the Apostle… the World Tree’s actions, and feeling somewhat crestfallen, I listened to Frank’s words.

“Others are unaware of this… They likely have no knowledge of the ‘communication network’ either.”

Though his tone implied that I already knew…

Well, I did know. The communication network. It’s an ultra-confidential system known only to a select few within the guild’s upper ranks. Simply put, it utilizes the roots of the World Tree to establish a network.

Wow, I put that too simply…now is not the time for jokes, I guess.

The communication network served as a means for swift communication and information sharing between the headquarters, other branches, and selected individuals within the guild.

At present, it had become apparent that excessive communication through the network could lead to an increase in monsters. As a result, a rule was set to “Limit the network to important matters concerning the nation, guild, and humanity, as well as urgent requests that require immediate information sharing with surrounding guilds,” however, thanks to this function, the guild had obtained the ideal victory under the name of “coexistence with the kingdom” during the guild-nation war.

However, with the current dysfunction of the communication network due to the World Tree’s interference, the guild had suffered a significant setback. They had lost the guild’s biggest advantage, the fastest information sharing.

If problems on the same level or surpassing what happened to Rondoville were happening throughout the world as the Apostle said, the inability to use the communications network would be a painful blow.

It went beyond disrupting the chain of command; it hampered the swift dissemination of information about available forces, resources, the extent of damage, and the ability to strategize effectively. In essence, this setback posed not only a painful blow but also a potentially fatal blow to the guild’s operations.

And now, I find myself needing to adjust my plans. I’ve truly been caught off guard.

“As our top priority, we need to establish close communication and focus on securing personnel and providing explanations.”

I heard Frank’s voice, prompting me to raise my head.

“I’ll come up with the reasons for it. Illya, I’m entrusting you with the task of securing personnel and explaining the situation to our employees… Illya?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“What’s the matter? You seem tense.”

He lightly tapped my head.

Agh, I feel defeated for some reason. I hate it. …But thanks to that, my head cooled down. …I’ve come to realize that I was allowing myself to be too heavily influenced by the Apostle’s intentions.

I’ll definitely not get involved. No way I’ll let things play out as you want—maybe I was too stubborn thinking along those lines. Just because I was facing an unforeseen situation and was unable to follow the original plans doesn’t mean I was completely powerless.

The nation was in turmoil, its functions impaired and dysfunctional. The guild was stuck, unable to see or hear clearly. But they weren’t completely immobilized yet. Nothing has been set in stone.

Perhaps I underestimated them. Perhaps I looked down on them. Even if it was subconscious, maybe I didn’t have complete faith in everyone.

“Thank you,” I said.
“…Did I do something?”
“No, I was just thinking that you were dependable.”

I hid my true feelings with that statement.

“I’ll be going then.”
“…Okay. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, let’s do our best.”

Let’s confront this together, with the power of everyone. As I implicitly suggested that, Frank smiled as well.

“Yeah, let’s do our best.”

Indeed, with a strong resolve.

…Actually, how long is he gonna keep his hand on my head?