The humble guild leader

"Let's go back, Guildmaster," Felix said quietly. He had already given up all hope of getting any money.

With so much noise behind the main doors, his voice was hard to make out.

"What?" VanCleef was clearly surprised. He suspected he had misheard.

"I said, let's go back now. Let's not stay here any longer!" Felix's voice abruptly rose an octave.

"We can't do that!" VanCleef clearly had not given up yet. He pulled a sheet of paper, already somewhat blackened, out of his filthy pocket. Dozens of names were listed on it, including but not limited to Bazil, Joseph, Angus, Jack, and others.

Edwin carefully scanned every name on it and continued, "I still haven't gotten the money for these brothers. Felix, let's... let's go wait in the reception room."

It would be a miracle if you managed to get any money. Felix gave VanCleef an unfriendly roll of his eyes and followed him back to his seat.

They waited there for another hour. When the butler approached them again, he even gave VanCleef a fright.

"Please follow me. The master is waiting for you."

The butler led them to a small reception room on the third floor, then left again to attend to his other duties.

Felix silently watched VanCleef walk up to the full-length mirror and straighten his clothes with great care. He even took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead before finally opening the door.

Felix did not go to so much trouble. He simply followed him inside and immediately saw the duke resting on a sofa whose decorative style was entirely different.

Wishock sat on the velvet sofa, his face flushed red, still panting slightly. Felix had only a vague impression of him. He remembered only that this man had something to do with alcohol and seemed to love drinking more than life itself.

The room's backdrop was as beautiful as a painting. By comparison, Duke Wishock himself seemed out of place. He was the one spoiling the scene.

In front of Duke Wishock stood another human in formal attire, sturdy and radiating a fierce air. His cold eyes were like steel blades. One look was enough to tell that he would not be easy to talk to.

Felix merely stood behind VanCleef. As a nobody, he clearly had no right to speak and could only listen from the back.

In fact, he rather doubted whether Duke Wishock could still converse with them normally, but just then-

"Esteemed Duke Wishock, savior of the kingdom, great counselor, awe-inspiring, respected and revered lord, merciful noble, forgive me for presuming to disturb you. I have come today to..."

VanCleef spoke with his head lowered, his tone utterly humble. Before he could finish, however, he caught sight of the duke's eyes out of the corner of his own. A light plainly called "contempt" shone in them.

VanCleef twitched and continued, "...to beg you to show mercy and extend a helping hand to the Stonemasons' Guild in its hour of need. As you know, the Stonemasons' Guild began rebuilding Stormwind City four years ago. We made this city, the home of the people of Stormwind, magnificent, yet to this day, we haven't received even the most basic payment."

"We worked tirelessly like... like worker bees, building up our great nation, so-"

"Have you said enough yet?" Duke Wishock interrupted him irritably. "VanCleef, we... we don't have any money right now."

"My apologies, esteemed Duke, but we truly need the money-"

The noble beside Duke Wishock spoke up.

"VanCleef, the kingdom was devastated in the war against the Orcs. Now it is utterly impoverished, with everything waiting to be rebuilt. Every citizen ought to contribute their strength toward improving the Kingdom of Stormwind's image, rather than, out of selfish interest-"

"Ridgewell, why... hic... waste so many words on this rabble? It's not... not as if they can't get by without this little bit of money... Money, money, money. Can't you do anything without money?"

"No, my lord, we cannot do without money, especially now!" VanCleef grew desperate. "You must understand, some of the brothers under me urgently need money right now. Lives are at stake!"

"Please look." VanCleef hurriedly handed over the sheet of paper. "I've listed the reasons here. They truly need money very badly right now."

Earl Ridgewell took the paper and, without so much as glancing at it, folded it up and held it in his palm.

"VanCleef, I could write ten sheets like yours in a day. You could even list every member of the Stonemasons' Guild on it. Would that prove that everyone in the Stonemasons' Guild urgently needs money?"

"You're a veteran of the Second War. You've fought the Orcs face-to-face, so your thinking and awareness ought to be more elevated!"

Ridgewell spoke in an unending torrent. "Take today, for instance. King Varian personally led a great army to the Redridge Mountains to fight those Orcs and keep the region safe. Do you think that military expense can be spared?"

"But I think-"

VanCleef was about to say something, but Ridgewell gave him no chance.

"The Bloodsail Buccaneers and the Blackwater Raiders of Booty Bay constantly harass the kingdom's sea transport routes. Do you think the Kingdom of Stormwind should send Colonel Kurzen there with an army to suppress the pirates?"

"But-"

"Enough. There are no buts. VanCleef, as the leader of the guild, you ought to learn to be more understanding of the kingdom's difficulties, rather than use this to slander the royal family! Prince Anduin will soon turn one, and many senior figures in the Alliance will come to Stormwind City for the celebration. I don't want your people damaging the nation's image then!"

"But my brothers truly need money! My lord Earl, without money, their parents may very well die of illness, their children won't be born healthy, or their older sisters will be sold off-the kingdom's finances are indeed in dire straits, but you are wealthy, aren't you? If you would just lend us some money first, you could help us through this crisis."

"Really? Are your people truly in such difficulty?" An amused smile appeared on Wishock's flushed face. He plainly did not believe VanCleef. "VanCleef, everyone in the Kingdom of Stormwind lives in peace... and contentment. Saying this is... is slandering the great King Varian. You... you'll be held responsible..."

"VanCleef," Ridgewell reminded him gravely, "you must understand that the kingdom's money and our personal money are two different things. Private property is sacred and inviolable. Even King Varian cannot appropriate our private property. If you want us to take out our own money to help you, you must give us a more convincing reason."

A more convincing reason? Felix almost felt like laughing.

My noble lords, if you don't want to give us money, just say so. There's no need to play our dear Guildmaster VanCleef for a fool.