The Strongest Spear Accompanied by a Shield
There were no missions in the winter.
But, that didn't mean there weren't any at all.
This was because, of course, events still happened, and for some unknown reason, bandits would occasionally surface in the brutally cold, out-of-season weather.
Normally, with these temperatures, staying outside for too long would be lethal. There was no decent cold-weather gear, after all. But really, there were still some things that happened.
To handle the rare missions that came up sometimes, the guild members still made their way to the guild even on snowy winter days.
It was simply because they were bored.
Staying cooped up in the clan house or an inn was one option, but it got tedious when you had the same conversation partners over and over.
Moreover, it cost money to keep your own place warm. It was more economical to just hang around the guild and warm themselves wit someone else's firewood, a thought I could sympathize with.
Actually, despite having mostly stone-constructed buildings, the guild's structure was quite sturdy and insulating.
「Insect-type creatures are tough, aren't they? Even if you think you've slashed them, they're often just deflected or misaligned.」
「Sometimes even thrusts get deflected.」
「Yeah, fighting those with fur is decidedly better.」
So, when the guild members gathered, they surprisingly and seriously discussed work-related matters.
Sure, when they drank, they often got cocky and engaged in ridiculous talk, but if they ended up using their idle time to lay their equipment out on the guild's table for oiling and maintenance, naturally the conversation turned to such topics.
「Well, we're not specialists in insect creatures anyway. Even if we learn how to hunt insect monsters, it's not that useful...」
「There's no harm in learning it, though.」
The ones making such remarks were members of the currently most popular party, 『Sword of the Harvest』.
Since the harm caused by the Harvest Mantis, their vigilance toward insect-type monsters had reportedly increased.
Indeed, challenging insect types with swords and such was quite risky. Their carapace behaved like bizarrely flexible armor, making it hard to cut properly. In that regard, the Sangreal army's morning star was remarkably effective.
「Hey, how do the people from 『Shield of the Earth』 over there fight if they encounter insect types?」
「Huh? Us? Well, against insects, piercing or striking would be best... But slicing isn't bad if there's a soft spot.」
「Oh, so it ends up like that, huh?」
「With a Visarfjell, there are many soft spots, so they're easier to fight.」
「I've never seen one.」
In such discussions, the 『Shield of the Earth』, known for their practical experience, were reliable.
As former soldiers, they've likely fought their share of insect types. Alex often provided accurate advice.
「You don't often encounter insect types until you get close to the border...」
「That's right. Sometimes you get surprised and encounter them, but without combat experience, you can't read their movements at all.」
「My party's the same. It took five of us two minutes just to corner something that looked like an insect goblin.」
「You can't read their emotions, insects.」
In the Halperia Kingdom, insect-type monsters were rare. Sangreal was the one with lots of bugs.
Instead, there were plenty of beasts and humanoid monsters, which were tough to handle... but at least swords and blades worked well against those.
「Even with a Pike Hopper, if you're not holding your shield right, you might get seriously injured.」
「They come out again in spring. It's something to look forward to or something to dread.」
「They don't bring any money...」
Pike Hoppers were dog-sized grasshoppers.
They were troublesome creatures that used their pointed heads for charging attacks, causing serious injury when they surprised you.
But if you know they're coming, you can somehow block with a shield, and except for their frontal leaps, they were slow-moving targets. While their burst speed was dangerous, they were good practice for beginners. Halperia still saw quite a few of them.
「Hey, what about Artemis on your side? Does a bow work on insects?」
In response to the question from Sword of the Harvest, the members of Artemis, who were quietly inspecting arrows at a round table, looked up.
It was understandable that they would linger in the guild during this season.
「Normal shooting is difficult. Skills can bypass the carapace, but unless you hit a good spot, they won't flinch, so they're a troublesome opponent. That's why we use poison arrows against insect types.」
「Poison, huh... I guess that makes sense.」
「But even that poison doesn't work immediately. We essentially avoid them or leave them to magic and close-combat roles. The melee fighters need a shield, though.」
「I see...」
「I'm so jealous; I want a magic user.」
「I want Nastasha-san.」
「Any of the Artemis girls would be welcome.」
「We refuse any attempts to steal our members.」
「None of us are considering a transfer.」
With Artemis present in the guild, vulgar talk... well, most of the time it didn't pick up much momentum.
Everyone knew getting too fresh with Artemis would lead to painful consequences. Yet still, there were always those who would try their luck.
「Sword bearers really have no choice but shields.」
「It's gotta be kite shields. I don't know how Varga-san fights with that small shield. You'd wreck your wrist, wouldn't you?」
「When a shield's sturdy, the weight isn't negligible. You wouldn't want to carry it around... but you have to think about what could happen.」
「You can't just take a sword and vanish into the forest. ... Though I hear there's a weirdo who dives into the forest with neither shield nor companions.」
Hey, don't point at me. That's rude.
「What's with you guys? Do you have a problem with me or something?」
「... Hey, newbie, pay close attention. Don't imitate a guy like that. Types like him die just like that, remember that.」
「Yes!」
「Don't use me as an example for rookie education. Well, it's very true that it's better not to imitate my style.」
If someone followed my lead and got killed, the shock might have me bedridden for a day.
「Besides, listen up, you might be misunderstanding, but I do have a shield, okay?」
「No way, I've never seen Mongrel with a shield.」
「Put on some decent armor first.」
「It's time you replaced that sword.」
「You sure talk a lot of smack...」
「Well, whatever shield you do have, it must be something weird.」
「It's probably something you throw at an opponent and it boomerangs back, right?」
「Gahaha!」
「Y-you guys...」
They mocked my equipment...!
「Alright, fine. I get it. I'll go to the inn right now and bring back my shield. I'll show it to you, my precious shield...!」
「You should just use it instead of keeping it secret...」
「Now that you mention it, Mongrel-senpai did say you'd show me your shield.」
「Ha, you guys can yap now, but when you see it and want it, I'm not selling it, no way.」
I pushed open the heavy guild doors and stepped outside.
Ugh—it's cold!
「Hey, close it quickly! Cold air's getting in!」
「Shut up, you idiot! Just wait!」
「He's really going to get it, that guy.」
I jogged through the cold to the inn.
Midway, while running through the chilling air, thoughts like why the heck am I doing this flashed through my mind, but my pride wouldn't let me stop. This was about my dignity as a guild member.
Watch closely, you barbaric people of another world. I'll show you a choice made with practicality by a modern person.
「Hah, hah... it's so damn cold...」
「Ah, Mongrel-senpai's back... What's up with that big bundle...?」
Covered in snow, I opened the guild doors to find some tables inexplicably set and waiting with ale.
They clearly intended to drink while using my gear as a topic for conversation. Unforgivable.
「... What is that... a shield...?」
「It's wrapped in cloth, but it doesn't look like a shield silhouette at all...」
「Ah, it's warm... Well, be amazed. This... just let me assemble it.」
「Assemble...?」
I unwrapped the large bundle, revealing the shield.
「... What's this?」
「This is a Lantern Shield.」
A Lantern Shield.
It was an innovative piece of armor featuring a large round shield attached to a gauntlet covering the arm.
From the gauntlet, a sword about the size of a short sword could shoot out, and multiple attack blades could be equipped. An integrated offense and defense.
The shield's center could also be fitted with spikes, turning a shield bash into a deadly attack.
「And the middle part of the shield works as a lid where you can put a flame inside! It lights up inside!」
I opened the lid with a creak, but everyone's reaction was dull.
Huh, that's strange.
「... The inside is meant to reflect light into the opponent's face, blinding them...」
「It won't happen... not with this level...」
「No, at night it could somehow...」
「If you wore something this bright at night, you'd just make a good target...」
But still, it's a Lantern Shield...
「It's too heavy for a shield. And those spikes often look like they're difficult to remove if stuck.」
「Would probably catch on everything in the forest.」
「The joint between the gauntlet and shield looks unstable...」
「Maintenance sounds like a pain. Do you have to polish the inside of the shield every time?」
「Can't you just equip a lantern, a shield, and a sword separately...?」
Hey, you aren't supposed to say that! You guys just said what must not be said!
「It's about the harmony of everything coming together in one piece!」
「Yeah, yeah.」
「It feels more cluttered than harmonious...」
「Still a weirdo, huh.」
「Gahaha, bought something strange again!」
「Mongrel, get something else interesting. It makes the drinks better.」
Wh—what's with this brutal storm of disapproval. Each one of them has no appreciation for my Lantern Shield...!
They had no idea how much this cost me on the Black Gloam Market...!
「 M-Mylene-san! They're bullying me!」
「...」
Mylene-san merely gave me a quiet smile, keeping her professional composure...
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Does MC have a gift for weapon proficiency? Or to be more precise weird weapon proficiency?
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】