A Story from the Hunter's Tavern
Let's talk about the self-proclaimed traveling female swordsman who called herself Bridget yesterday.
First of all, it's almost certain that that female swordsman is a noble. There are countless reasons to think so, but just a few that come to mind are... the quality of her gear is too high, her manner of speech is too refined, she's too ignorant of the world, and her swordsmanship belongs to some particular school.
Especially the school of swordsmanship. She didn't reveal anything about it, but swordsmanship generally refers to techniques for fighting other people. There aren't many swordsmanship styles meant for monsters.
Now, who fights against other people? Mostly soldiers or nobles who learn it to protect themselves.
In the case of soldiers, the schools aren't secretive. Even the 『Shield of the Earth』 folks use them openly.
Through elimination, it has to be nobles. It's not unusual for hiding the school to reveal one's origins and family.
It's unclear why she hid her status and applied to the guild as an ordinary person, but I can guess. Generally, the pattern's the same.
Either a tomboy who's late for marriage ran away to avoid an arranged marriage, or she's so much of a tomboy that even without an arranged marriage, her lust for battle ran wild.
Either way, the scary part is her parents. If she's been disowned like "you'll never bear our name again" and cast out, there's no problem. But if not, the amount of trouble could be outrageous.
Suppose that tomboy ran away from home secretly to the guild. Naturally, her parents would be worried and would be cautious about any commoners hitting on her.
And if there was a man in the shadows near their daughter before she was married off? They'd deal with it harshly, not wanting rumors or misunderstandings. 「Oh, you're friendly with our daughter? Then die!」
They could go that far.
If there's any parental affection, and if they're thinking like nobles, they'd make sure to erase any interactions between their tomboy daughter and someone of unknown origins. That's just how things are in this world, in this time.
... Ah, being a tomboy is definitely true, though.
Bridget's weapon of choice was a longsword. Handling a sword of that size implies the use of enhancements. And the fact that a woman can walk boldly alone down the road speaks to her well-honed skills.
Nobles are strong. For some reason, they have bloodlines that easily acquire skills and gifts, or they receive such training. I wouldn't know the details, being no noble myself.
These folks, trained with well-funded exceptional education, taught formalized combat techniques—don't mistake such a young girl for an ordinary young girl. She'd probably fight better than your average soldier.
Problematic parents, problematic children.
Want to get close to important people? Want to build connections?
That's akin to committing suicide. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.
Especially if you appear to be a half-blood from Sangreal right from your appearance.
「A time like this calls for huddling in the tavern... brr, it's cold,」
I moaned as I headed straight to the 『Forest's Bounty Inn』 without stopping by the guild.
Being a prudent guild member, I took Bridget's words, "see you later," yesterday quite literally, keeping a wary distance.
Nobles are unpredictable like goblins. When they say 'later', sometimes they really mean it. Even if there's a 1% chance, I'd rather avoid such a place.
Whether Bridget turns out to be a good or bad noble, it's irrelevant. This is the only way to prevent a surprise attack.
「Hey there, open for business even when it's bright out...」
I began as I opened the door to find...
The place was packed with fellow guild members, familiar faces everywhere.
「Hey, Mongrel's here!」
「Figured he'd come.」
「No seats available, hahaha.」
「Where's my ale? Not here yet?」
The moment I opened the door, I felt an unusual heat and noise. Is today some sort of festive Friday? Is it around 7 p.m.? No? It's winter morning? What's up with this bustling scene... well, I get it.
「Why are all of you here, of all places?」
I queried.
「For the same reason as you, Mongrel.」, came Varga's voice from somewhere in the cramped, suspiciously full shop.
「Mongrel, I bet there are good seats open at the guild tavern right now,」
Alex teased from somewhere.
「Where the heck are you, Alex? ... Damn it, no way am I stepping into the guild today. Just to clarify, is there any seating available?」
「Does it seem like it? Some folks are using crates as chairs, you know.」
「Definitely the most packed tavern in Regor, for sure...」
Even with a crowd like this, the prices here are so ridiculously low that profit probably remains elusive. But the owner likes a lively atmosphere, probably watching with a grin from the back.
「Oh, pardon, excuse me, I'm stepping out... hey, don't touch my butt!」, someone protested over the raucous banter.
「Hahaha!」
「You do it again, and I'll aim straight at one of your jewels!」
「Ooh, scary, my bad.」
As I was about to turn back, deciding there was no point in trying to stay, a familiar face emerged from the wall of burly men.
It was Ulrika, Raina's elder or brotherly sister from Artemis with her skill in archery.
「Oh man, such a crowd... Mongrel, if you're heading out, I'm coming with you. You're planning to hit up some place, right?」
「Huh? Well... yeah, I suppose. Not going to the guild today, just looking to pass the time somewhere.」
「Then let me join you. It's way too crowded here.」, she said.
It must be quite the hassle. In a state like this, who knows when your drink order might even arrive?
And whether the guys hitting up Ulrika knew she was actually a guy, who could say.
「Heck, Mongrel seems cozy with an Artemis girl!」 a voice shouted.
「What the heck!? That's against guild rules, isn't it!?」
「What's the purpose of those rules... oh well, you guys want to tag along too? How about hitting the guild counter seats for a drink?」
At my suggestion, the ones who'd been hollering went back to facing their tables.
That's noble power for you.
「Shall we go then?」
「Yeah, let's do that. Man, isn't there someplace cheaper?」
And so, I found myself heading to some tavern or another with Ulrika.
After wandering through the cold, we eventually decided the biting wind was too chilling for a long stroll and stepped into a suitable establishment named the 『Hunter's Tavern』.
Close to the guild and 『Forest's Bounty Inn』, it's one such similar place around here dealing in game meat. Despite the time of year, there were still a few customers dotted around inside.
Though 『Forest's Bounty Inn』 is slightly more expensive, resulting in lower popularity, it offers a more spacious interior and relatively unwatered-down ale. Though, it still feels pricey overall.
「I come here sometimes, you know? When Artemis's had a good catch, we deliver meat here along with 'Forest's Bounty',」
Ulrika informed.
「Really? I should stop by when Artemis pulls in something big.」
「Ah, but I doubt they'd offer much of a discount, though.」
「Really?」
Making a remark like "what a stingy place" could get my ale watered down behind the scenes, so I held my tongue.
「By the way, Ulrika, how come you're not with Artemis today?」
「Oh, um, Artemis is probably at the guild now.」
「... Why the guild now of all times... no wait.」
「Ah, you figured it out. Yep, our leader wants to take on any tasks involving that female swordsman. So they must be at the guild today.」
I never thought they'd jump into such a troublesome topic... I had known Artemis was eager to rise in ranks, but not to that extent.
... What could Sheena be thinking? If they're familiar with dealing with nobles, maybe it's fine.
Ah... plus, an all-female party means no unexpected incidents and minimal risk... That makes sense.
「Seems like you got left out, Ulrika.」
「Well yeah... but it's only for times like this, and it's really for my own sake too.」
「That's true. Best to avoid dealing with important people.」
「Are you not good with nobles, Mongrel?」
「Not good at all, they're close to mortal enemies. See this hair? If someone were to pick at me here, it'd be a hassle.」
「Ahh...」
There's a white streak in my bangs, marking me with Sangrellian blood.
Street punks picking on me over these streaks is fine. It's a nuisance, but at least I can fight back.
Dealing with nobles, though, is different. Could I beat them in a fight? Sure. But what comes after? There's nothing to protect me afterwards.
So, the best strategy is to avoid such situations.
The safest way is to keep out of sight of any noble bothered to pick at you.
But what if I'm caught in such a situation?
I would grovel humbly, begging pitifully for forgiveness, and then make a run for it.
Even noble play wouldn't extend to murdering an innocent citizen, as it would damage their reputation. The guild, which has no particular suits with nobles, would likely step in as a last resort, so I'd wait for things to resolve.
... If they persist with harassment, then there's no choice. I'd have to use Lord Chaos's power to make their industry collapse. I prefer not to, though.
「Ulrika, you've got that light pink hair that suggests mixed blood with a federation, huh?」
「Oh yes. Though apparently, it's a lineage back to my grandmother. I've never even been to the Federation myself. Born and raised right here in Count Regor's domain.」
「Yeah, I hear you.」
Ulrika ties back her light pink hair, supposedly tracing back to one of the vibrant spots in the neighboring federation.
Given the active trade between the nations, such hair isn't uncommon in the Halperia Kingdom.
「Where are you from, Mongrel—is it okay to ask?」
「Me? I was born right by the border, you could say. I'm a mix of pure Halperian with pure Sangrellian.」
「Wow... that sounds dramatic.」
「Not really. It was a small village after all. Seems the two factions were naturally set to merge anyway.」
Such is the nature of marriages in rural areas.
I don't remember much from those days anyway.
In my childhood, I was preoccupied learning the language from the family and villagers, no time to bask in the warmth of family or homeland.
「What's your hometown called?」
「Ah, you wouldn't know it. It got wiped out by the war.」
「What?」
「Right on the brink of the border. It vanished nearly as soon as war began. First, the Halperian army seized everything, leaving nothing. Then the Sangrellian army stormed through and killed everyone. I thought I was a goner.」
That ranks among the top 5 most perilous events in my life.
If I hadn't awakened my gift, I'd have been done for.
「I'm sorry, Mongrel-san. I spoke without thinking...」
The tone from Ulrika plummeted as she realized the gravity of my past.
Ah, the conversation just turned heavy.
「No, no, no, don't worry about it. It's an old story, and I'm not really bothered. I wasn't even ten at the time.」
「Was that... so...」
「So what about you, Ulrika-san? Let's grab ourselves a drink first. How about some warm meal? Excuse me!」
I called out for service.
In time, I managed to lighten Ulrika's mood again, enjoying some delicious drink and food, creating a calming, amiable atmosphere.
But in her eyes, I might now appear to be someone with a sorrowful past.
Honestly, there's no need to worry about it.
The village from my life learning languages amidst wasn't imbued with sentiment.
... Not something I can admit openly, though.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Since apparently Ulrika is LGBTQIA+, I'll be using she/her, since that's probably her preferred pronoun.
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】