The Guild Member's Wind-down
One day, while I was whimsically doing my usual city cleaning mission, something interesting happened.
「Hey, Mongrel! You're cleaning today too, huh?」
「Yeah, oh, it's been a while, Varga... What's up with that outfit? It's intense!」
When Varga called out to me, I turned to see him clad in armor so battered it would make a seasoned hero blush. It seemed he was coming back from a mission, carrying a large pack on his back. The short spear he held was broken beyond repair.
「What happened to you? Did you resurrect as an undead?」
「I'm alive, but honestly, it's a miracle I'm here talking to you.」
「Yikes.」
With misplaced pride, Varga showed me a small iron shield full of dents and scratches from who-knows-where. There were even gouges nearing complete perforation. If a human body were to take such hits, heavy injury or death would be certain.
「In the process of a guard mission with 『Sword of the Harvest』, we were asked to conduct secondary investigations during our expedition. We took on a job investigating illegal logging near the border, but it turned out to be a complete disaster.」
「Illegal logging, illegal woodcutting, huh?」
「Exactly. We thought it might be bandits trying to profit along the border, but what we found a Harvest Mantis.」
「Ahhh.」
Harvest Mantis — a terrifying mantis-type monster nearly four meters in length, thriving in the forests near the border of the Halperia Kingdom and the Holy Kingdom of Sangreal.
Its scythes sharper than most fine blades could cut through vegetation as if in a harvest, and its jaws were said to crush weak iron armor. While it couldn't fly, the rapid flutter of its sharp wings could slice its surroundings. Ah, those myriad scratches on the shield and armor must have come from that.
「We managed to encircle it with ten of us and take it down, but... two of our companions died.」
「Two!?」
I was genuinely astonished.
「You were lucky that only two were lost!」
「Right? We managed to avoid a lengthy battle, thanks to the one who risked his life to leap into its abdomen and attack. If not for him, we might have been half wiped-out. Oh, the ones who died weren't ones you'd know particularly well, Mongrel.」
「I see...」
Harvest Mantises are ferocious creatures, with their unavoidable scythe attacks and vexatious wing flutters. The constant change in their head's direction made finding an opening difficult.
They were opponents tackled by groups of Gold-rank adventurers. Frankly, if you knew one was present, you'd avoid it entirely. An object of such danger couldn't be underestimated.
Yet, with just two casualties... I see, that 『Sword of the Harvest』 was...
「The guild branch over there compensated us heavily. The death compensations were the most generous ones offered.」
「As they should be. Comparing bandits to a Harvest Mantis is a whole other level. You should wring every bit you can out of them.」
「I heard the party that did the initial survey is going to face huge penalties, though that's little comfort to our deceased friends.」
Varga, having been a Guild Member for a long time, surely faced unfortunate events like these more than once.
Yet, losing longtime comrades would be tough, naturally.
「... Might be the last time I replace this short spear.」
Gazing reflectively at the rugged break of the spear's shaft, Varga muttered philosophically.
「What, are you planning to quit being a Guild Member?」
「Well, I'm getting to that age; it wouldn't be surprising. This incident made me realize I can't move like I did when I was younger. I won't be quitting all at once, but I'll continue a little longer.」
「... Retirement, huh.」
「If you retire after a major injury, finding a job's going to be troublesome, right?」
「That's true. You could always transfer to the Regor Security Force, Varga. The security work there should be less strenuous.」
「Hmm, I'm not ruling it out. It's a good place, I get that. But I do have a bit of attachment to 『Sword of the Harvest』 too.」
「I see.」
Attachment. Yeah, that's pretty important.
「Well, deciding today is rash. See you around, Mongrel. I'm going to be busy, so I probably won't be at the tavern for a while.」
「That's too bad. Well, call me whenever.」
And with that, Varga left.
Watching his ragged shield bob on his packed luggage, I felt that indeed, time does take its toll on everyone, even someone I once looked up to as an older brother figure.
Rising and falling. The mighty inevitably fall.
Varga, steady but quiet, still couldn't best old age.
Despite his rather youthful face, he's over forty. Keeping up with younger members might soon be challenging.
Knowing familiar faces are hinting at retirement somehow tugged at my emotions...
I can't say it doesn't concern me either. Varga's situation mirrored my potential future.
What will I do post-retirement?
I fancy being a café master. Just the master who nonchalantly wipes glasses or cups.
I'd hire others to handle cooking, serving, and accounting.
There is, however, the treacherously high wall of sourcing coffee beans — an almost impossible task; but with a few decades, who knows?
... Thinking about it makes me want to be a café master even more.
Forget waiting for retirement; I want to open a shop now. I'd love to run a place that's a café by day and a bar by night.
Ah, but no. It's still the age to enjoy good meals.
Dropping out should only happen once my body rejects greasy food. Until then, living as I am is more profitable, undoubtedly. I'm quite the life expert.
「Well, let's give it my all again tomorrow.」
I cleaned my inn's street with extra care, concluding this city cleaning mission.
-------------= -------------=
「Hey, look, Mongrel. Check out my new gear. The tip is made from Astwa steel.」
The next morning. I encountered Varga, unusually high-spirited, at the guild.
「... Why is he so cheerful? Shouldn't he be more somber?」
「Seems Varga bought a high-end short spear and small shield that arrived at the armory yesterday. That's why he's all excited...」
According to Alex nearby, it was quite the purchase.
Astwa steel is reputed to be vastly superior to Sangreal's steel.
「And how about this small shield here? It's got a fine design, right? They say if you block in the center, it can even deflect a Sangreal morning star!」
His shimmering smile was akin to an elementary schooler's.
But there's no way it could stop a Sangreal morning star.
「Varga, you seem excited, but are you sure about the new gear? Didn't you say the next set would be your last? Astwa steel is reputedly very resilient though.」
「That's what they say! I'm excited to try it out! Well, with the breach penalties making my wallet cozy, I found these and couldn't resist!」
「What? You realize you won't be retiring anytime soon with that...」
「Seems so, huh? Hahaha.」
「Ha ha ha, yeah, you might.」
「Well, with gear this good, I could stay active for another ten years! Can't let the young ones outdo me!」
This guy really is haphazard! It's rich me saying it, though!
Can he return that rare serious vibe I had yesterday?
「... Saying you won't lose to the young ones is such a classic old man line...」
「Huh!?」
「Alex, give it a rest. The truth can sometimes hurt.」
A lot happened, but it seemed Varga would continue being active.
And with better gear, maybe he'll perform better than before. Great to hear!
... But older folks being overly confident and getting seriously injured remains ingrained, so hopefully he'll consider retiring while he's ahead...