The Rising Star of Halperia
The guild had become lively yet slightly tense with the influx of unfamiliar faces.
When surrounded only by familiar members, the atmosphere tends to be somewhat relaxed. However, when there's someone whose thoughts are unknown, it naturally instills a sense of caution.
Moreover, in the guild, being underestimated can be disastrous. Often, a good reputation is necessary to receive favorable requests. Just a rumor about losing a fight can adversely affect business, which is quite common.
「The Regor subjugation mission isn't very profitable...」
「Feels like there are a bunch of small fry. It's like the countryside.」
「Not suitable to hit it big. Feels like my skills might get rusty.」
These foreigners, identifiable by the silver tags around their necks, were discussing among themselves.
The gist of their conversation was probably something like, 「The monsters around Regor are just weaklings, not worth the exercise.」
Though they likely meant no ill will, it sounded somewhat disparaging to those guild members who called Regor their home.
The present atmosphere had that prickly tension that I found irresistibly thrilling.
At any moment, someone might burst forward and say, 「Why don't we see which is stronger, a Regor guild member or you?」
It wouldn't be surprising.
The air felt like a grim beef bowl place that's a hair's breadth from an explosion... savoring milk in such an environment was simply unparalleled.
「Hey, Mongrel. You're drinking already even though it's daytime?」
Immersed in what felt like the atmosphere of a Western, I was approached by a rare acquaintance.
「Oh, it's been a while, Sally. How long has it been, like three years? Didn't you move your home base to the royal capital? Or are you just passing through Regor for an escort mission?」
「It really has been a while. Escorting was indeed part of it, but I'm thinking of moving my home base back here. Mind if I take the seat next to you?」
「Sure. Oh, by the way, this is milk.」
「Oh, it really is.」
Her black bob cut and harmless-looking slitted eyes, coupled with the mage's robe rarely seen around Regor's guild. She appeared to be around my age.
She was Sally, the leader of the adept party 『Sapling's Staff』, which had been based in Regor a few years ago. Her golden tag bearing three stars gleamed at her neck.
Her party possessed enough strength to manage well even in the royal capital's guilds, but I wondered what she aimed to achieve by returning to Regor now.
Those picking requests earlier were also lamenting that the subjugation-related jobs in this city were quite stale.
「There were plenty of rewarding jobs in the royal capital too, but lately Regor seems to be bustling even more. After all, isn't Lord Chaos from here? I thought I might benefit from that, so I decided to come back here.」
「Ah, I see. You're also here because of something related to Lord Chaos.」
Regor, the birthplace of new products. Along with that came plenty of work, and the vibrant economy made it easy to foresee further development for Regor.
Road maintenance discussions extending to Baroa Forest had come up in the noble district, and though guild-related work might not increase significantly, it wouldn't decrease either...
「From the capital's perspective, Regor's momentum is evident. The flow of people and goods too. The nobles are green with envy, and it's amusing to watch. But we decided to make a small gamble to not miss the flow. We're not too worried, and if it doesn't pan out, we can always return to the capital. But Regor seems bound to grow even more.」
「Hoh, so that's how it looks from the capital's perspective.」
As Halperia Kingdom, the capital likely wished to keep everything at the forefront, but apparently, due to me, their calculations got thrown off. One can't understand the atmosphere until they visit the place, so getting it through hearsay was invaluable.
「Between you and me, the trade guild from the Amalthea Union is also extending to Regor.」
「Seriously?」
「Really serious. We came as the escorts for that trading group. It appears several major commercial houses plan to open branches in Regor.」
「That... should boost the economy even more than before.」
So, even the union started moving.
Well, they're an ally, after all. Though the distance is quite far, it's not an impossibility.
They must have found profit in the new products emerging from Regor.
Hiring a Gold Rank like 『Sapling's Staff』 as escorts must mean they're serious.
... It's crazy; the expansion of Regor's outer walls could begin anytime.
The development expansion into Baroa Forest might be pushed forward at an accelerated pace. The work for guild members could legitimately increase.
Now, what should I do?
I need to consider which inventions to introduce to the world amidst this opportunity. What should take priority... it's tough to decide.
「Are you still solo-ing, Mongrel? ... Ah, still Bronze. I'm rather impressed.」
「A guild member chasing the ultimate relaxation thus gives birth to someone like this, Sally.」
「I see. Then, I suppose inviting you to join our party wouldn't work out.」
「Looking for new members?」
「Well, yes. Thinking of having a few guild members familiar with the current Regor. But we'll take our time searching.」
It's been this way with Sally for the past three years.
We somewhat sync in conversation tones.
However, she has a sharp side too, so I'm careful not to reveal too much to her. Due to some mishap, she might know me as Lord Chaos. In that sense, she's someone I'm most wary of.
「Incorporating young ones is good, but don't forget to check in with the old friends first. Everyone would be surprised to hear you've come back.」
「Oh, right. I almost forgot. Did I surprise you, Mongrel?」
「Somewhat.」
「Somewhat, huh.」
Without waving or exchanging parting words, Sally stood and left the guild.
That's essentially her basic move. Her way of entering and wrapping up conversations is uniquely her own.
「Oh, right, Mongrel. This is information I heard in the capital.」
Then, from the entrance, Sally returned.
You're really carefree.
「Apparently, a magic supply store from the capital plans to open a branch in Regor soon.」
「What did you say? Is that true?」
「I heard it directly, so there's no mistake. One of the apprentices was permitted to open a branch. If you're still interested in magic, you should visit. It's a bit pricey, but it's a quality store, so I recommend it.」
「Thanks for the valuable info. Maybe I'll try water magic again.」
「I'm looking forward to seeing you learn magic, Mongrel.」
With that, Sally left the guild once more. She indeed never said goodbye. What a fascinating woman.
「... With the union's trade and the magic store, it's indeed bustling.」
As I drained the lukewarm milk, I pondered.
How to bolster Regor from behind the scenes. How to guide it toward change.
... The larger the city's scale and prominence, the harder it would be to control it as I wished. It was unsettling.
Perhaps I should proceed more cautiously from now on. Although that doesn't mean halting my actions.
Well, it's good that there's liveliness here. Especially having active trade is excellent.
I wonder if some cool weapons from the union might find their way here.