This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist-Chapter 329: Maple Burn · Feeling Helpless · A Vow

Managing a guild, balancing the power and ambitions of different factions, is an art form. But managing people is an even bigger test for a leader’s mental health.

Take Rita, for example. She can maintain a superficial friendship with RickZoey and others, but that’s only because she’s secretly causing them losses behind the scenes. After stealing their stats and gear, she acts friendly toward them. This isn’t driven by negative emotions; on the contrary, it brings her pleasure, much like a murderer returning to the crime scene to admire their work.

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But when you’re the leader of a guild...

Sometimes, when Rita sees certain Oak Owls, she really wants to kill them. If Sanchez were leading Maple Mu, half of the Oak Owls in Afternoon Tea would be dead by now, with Sanchez taking a break for lunch before continuing his killing spree.

However, Maple Mu is able to endure. Even if an Oak Owl is utterly worthless, as long as they haven’t insulted Maple Syrup, Maple Cang, or Maple Burn, and their Divine Gift is useful, she will still embrace them with a smile, even if it means risking injury to save them on the battlefield. Rita once had to heal her so much, she almost developed high blood pressure from the stress.

One time, an Oak Owl, who was supposed to be a tank, failed to interrupt a beast’s ultimate attack when it was his turn. Rita witnessed him glance at Maple Mu, not only failing to act but subtly guiding the attack towards her. Rita nearly lost her temper, but Maple Mu withstood it, leaving her HP at 0.19%. Rita immediately threw all her healing skills at her.

After the battle, the Oak Owl bowed and apologized, claiming it was an accident. Maple Mu, sensing something was off but unable to prove it, didn’t take immediate action. If she had killed him, it would have been hard to justify. More importantly, the Oak Owl’s tank ability was essential—losing him would be disastrous. He gave her an out, so she graciously accepted his apology.

Rita, on the other hand, felt as though all her accumulated frustrations were nothing compared to what Maple Mu endured in a single day. That day, Rita missed Sanchez so much. If Sanchez had been there, the Oak Owl would likely have been dead on the spot.

Months had passed since the incident, but Rita still felt furious when she thought about it. Even though she was cautious, she couldn’t ignore the bigger picture. If it had been her, she would have swallowed her anger for the sake of their external image, but she would have found a way to sneak into that Oak Owl’s house and kill him while stealing his stats. Maple Mu, however, had endured until now without taking action.

As for Maple Syrup wanting Maple Mu to be the leader of Afternoon Tea, Rita had no objections. Not that she could change anything, since historically, Maple Mu was always meant to be the second-in-command. She clapped her hands in support and said, "Mother, I support my sister."

Seeing Maple Burn’s relieved expression, Maple Syrup seemed to reflect on the past. Her gaze turned serious as she looked at Maple Mu and said sincerely, "I’m sorry for burdening you with this, but I’m proud of you. Although I’ve already made my decision, I should have asked: are you willing to accept this guild?"

Maple Mu shook her head, frowning. "Mother, you won’t be in danger. You’ll definitely return safely."

Rita’s smile froze. Her pupils contracted. This was the perfect answer—high emotional intelligence!

Maple Cang, witnessing the sudden change in Rita’s expression, almost spat out her food from laughter. She quickly covered her mouth but couldn’t stop grinning. Luckily, Maple Syrup didn’t seem to mind.

Looking at Maple Mu with warm eyes, Maple Syrup said, "I will do everything I can to make Afternoon Tea even better, so it will live up to your sacrifice." That statement was so earnest, it felt like a vow.

...

After Maple Syrup’s departure, it was as though she took Maple Mu’s rationality with her. Maple Mu transformed into a more ruthless version of herself, using extreme methods to deal with anyone who dared question whether Maple Syrup would return or who sought to challenge her leadership of Afternoon Tea. She crushed any dissent with bloodshed.

Rita privately asked Maple Mu, "Didn’t you say that this would make them lose faith in you?"

Maple Mu responded calmly, "It’s fine. As long as they trust and support Maple Syrup, that’s enough."

When Maple Syrup was around, Maple Mu’s role was to manage Afternoon Tea so that Maple Syrup wouldn’t be troubled by the small details. But with Maple Syrup gone, her focus was entirely on protecting Afternoon Tea. The more ruthless she became, the more the Oak Owls would yearn for Maple Syrup.

Rita and Maple Cang naturally supported Maple Mu. For Maple Cang, everything Maple Mu did was right because she was family. For Rita, it was because Maple Mu had given so much.

After learning archery from Maple Syrup, Rita had received seven archery skill books, all starting at B-level. After Maple Syrup’s departure, Maple Mu took on the responsibility of finding the best bows, arrows, and shooting skills for Rita. Though not as good as what Maple Syrup brought back, Maple Mu did her best to bring back valuable items for Maple Burn and Maple Cang. The most precious ones, of course, she kept for Maple Syrup.

In mid-7197 of the Ruin Core calendar, all Oak Owls heard an announcement. Their life levels had increased, and they celebrated. But Maple Mu, Maple Cang, and Rita were the only ones feeling sorrowful.

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Maple Syrup had returned, missing one eye and one leg. Rita immediately began using her healing skills, and to her surprise, even Maple Cang was crying. But the one who cared most for Maple Syrup, Maple Mu, showed no tears.

After healing, Maple Syrup smiled and embraced Maple Mu, Maple Cang, and Rita. Then, with some members of Afternoon Tea who had supported Maple Mu after her departure, they used a portal to reach High Tower.

Rita had once thought it was just an oak tree, but after living in Forest Sea for over two hundred years, she realized it was an extremely special tree. It was not only the first oak in Forest Sea but also the only oak to have grown from a Mu Tree seed. It combined the best qualities of both oak and Mu Tree, standing as the tallest, strongest, and most beautiful tree in the entire Forest Sea.

Though "High Tower" looked different from what Rita had seen in Lania Kaia, she knew that in the near future, the Oak Owls would modify this tree and move the dungeon projection here.