The guild did not sleep that night.
Doors clicked.
Footsteps echoed.
Rumors moved faster than ink.
Everyone knew a new order was coming—
but no one knew what shape it would take.
They only knew one thing:
Montig Levan now breathed in the center of the guild's heart.
And the guild had changed its rhythm to match his.
The First Meeting of the New Era
Risenne stood at the door of the council hall, holding a rolled-up document.
Her posture was perfect, disciplined—
but her eyes softened when I approached.
She still didn't know how to handle it.
How to be the hardened soldier and the woman who had confessed her heart in the same breath.
But she tried.
"Morning," she said, voice unusually gentle.
"Morning," I replied.
A faint blush touched the tips of her ears, quickly suppressed with professionalism.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"For what?"
"For what you're about to do to this guild."
I smirked.
"Yes."
Inside the Chamber
The remaining officers gathered—
those who weren't corrupt, indifferent, or incompetent.
And the ones who were too afraid to leave.
They stood when I entered.
Not because I demanded it—
but because they felt they had to.
Risenne took her place at my right, the crest of the guild still in her hands.
I raised my palm.
"Sit."
They obeyed instantly.
Good.
Authority didn't need to be shouted.
True power was silence others followed.
Montig's First Rule
I walked to the head of the table—
but didn't sit.
"Until further notice," I announced,
"there is no guildmaster."
Confusion murmured through the room.
Risenne's gaze flicked toward me in curiosity.
I continued:
"There is only a Reformation Head. That is me."
One officer stood nervously.
"W-why not just take the seat, sir?"
"Because I don't rule broken systems," I said.
"I rebuild them."
Silence.
Risenne's lips twitched—
a tiny smile she hid quickly.
Montig's Second Rule — Division of Power
I unrolled the document Risenne had brought.
"This guild will no longer have seven isolated leaders.
That structure created corruption."
I pointed to the newly designed chart.
"Instead, we will operate under three divisions:
Trade, Security, and Finance."
A murmur.
Three divisions meant three leaders—
not seven.
More efficient.
More balanced.
More controllable.
Risenne stepped forward and placed another sheet beside mine.
"And these divisions will report only to Montig," she added, her voice calm, authoritative.
She caught herself at the last second and corrected:
"…the Reformation Head."
But the slip was noticed.
Several officers glanced at her—
and then at me.
They understood something changed.
Risenne's Appointment
I pointed to her.
"Risenne will serve as Deputy Reformation Head."
The room erupted.
"S-sir, she's a guard!"
"Is that appropriate?"
"She's never overseen trade—!"
Risenne's hand dropped to her sword hilt by instinct—
not threatening, just silencing.
I stepped forward.
"She is not merely a guard."
My voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"She is the only person who stood beside me through every reform.
She is disciplined, incorruptible, and loyal."
The word loyal made her posture tighten slightly.
She pretended not to react, but her heart definitely skipped at that one.
"As of today," I said,
"She is my second-in-command."
No further objections.
Not because they agreed—
but because they were too afraid to disagree.
Montig's Third Rule — Bringing in New Blood
"We will not refill the old leadership seats," I said.
"Instead, I will recruit eight new officers from outside the guild."
Shock.
Risenne shot me a quick look—this part was new to her.
"Outsiders?" an officer asked nervously.
"Why?"
"Because outsiders have no stake in our corruption," I said.
"And no fear of tearing apart what's left."
The officers paled.
Risenne's eyes gleamed with approval.
"You've planned far ahead," she whispered.
"I always do."
Tension Behind Closed Doors
After dismissing the officers, I remained in the chamber.
Risenne waited until the last man left before slipping closer.
"You blindsided them," she murmured, leaning slightly against the table.
"I needed to."
"You blindsided me too."
"Did it bother you?"
She shook her head slowly.
"No… I think I like it."
Her voice lowered.
"It reminds me of why I confessed."
I stepped closer, unintentional—or maybe intentional.
"Why did you confess, Risenne?"
She inhaled sharply.
"…Do you want the long answer or the short one?"
"Short."
Her eyes met mine.
"Because you make me feel alive."
Silence.
Heavy.
Charged.
Then she looked away, embarrassed.
"…And you make me afraid. But not in a bad way."
I moved a fraction closer.
"Do I make you uncomfortable?"
Her breath hitched.
"Yes," she whispered.
"But I want to stay uncomfortable. With you."
Her honesty cracked my calm for the first time.
But I didn't let it show.
Not yet.
The Meeting Interrupted
A young clerk burst in, panting.
"Sir— Montig— Deputy— there's a delegation at the gates!"
"From where?" I asked.
He swallowed.
"From the Goldmare Consortium."
Risenne's expression tightened immediately.
"They're one of the largest trade powers in the region."
"Yes," I said.
"And one of the most predatory."
The clerk trembled.
"They demand to speak to the new ruler of the Seawave Guild."
Risenne looked at me.
"You're not officially guildmaster," she said.
"No."
"Then what will you tell them?"
I smiled.
"The truth."
I stepped forward.
"They will speak to the Quiet Tyrant."
Risenne's pulse visibly jumped at the name.
"…Montig," she whispered,
"You're really embracing that title?"
"It fits," I said, walking past her.
"Doesn't it?"
She followed me, hand brushing mine for half a second—
a silent promise,
a quiet vow,
a woman choosing her tyrant.
"Yes," she said.
"It fits perfectly."