Mongrel the World Restorer
The experienced party 『Sapling's Staff』 that came from the royal capital drew much attention at Regor's guild. Simply having several magic users made them a talking point, but the added spice of being from the "royal capital" or "returnees" only fueled the gossip further.
This was mostly not in a bad sense. Since they established a base in Regor three years ago, there were plenty of familiar faces, with a predominant reaction of "Welcome back".
Conversely, those who treated them as "Who are these guys?" were considered impostors.
As a result, a natural space for 『Sapling's Staff』 emerged at the guild's tavern. Of course, this led to some people feeling displaced.
「Why are the folks from the capital suddenly important now?」
「Are they only returning to Regor when it's convenient for them?」
Occasionally, these kinds of conversations could be heard in the tavern. It was more like grumbling or jealousy than anything else. They probably didn't appreciate newcomers acting as if they owned the guild where they had been working hard for so long. Honestly, I thought it was all trivial, but that kind of territorial thinking was something guild members often had. Though they weren't really gangsters, they sometimes talked like they were, making it more sentimental than logical.
Particularly since 『Sapling's Staff』 reportedly consisted mostly of magic users. They had no archers and just a few close combat members. They seemed like a fantasy party with the power to overwhelm from start to finish using pure magic—which mocked the reality of 「Oh sure, like those kinds of magic users actually exist.」
It was like skilled players with premium equipment crashing into a local weapon shop filled with people using standard gear. Approaching them would definitely be daunting, especially with their sophisticated air from living in the capital for so long. I could somewhat understand feeling disgruntled. Because of this atmosphere, 『Sapling's Staff』 felt somewhat isolated at the Regor guild.
Still, it seems unreasonable to target them for harassment just because of that.
「Hey, aren't you one of those magic users from 『Sapling's Staff』?」
「Come hang out with us.」
「Where do you live?」
「Uh, well...」
Outside the guild, I overheard a rather unsettling conversation. It looked like a trio of men was pestering a girl.
The area near the guild should have decent safety, but they might have targeted a less frequented street. The men appeared at a spot where guards wouldn't usually be, making it a convenient place for minor mischief.
「She's a cute one.」
「Is she the one you mentioned before?」
「Yeah, that's her.」
「Uh, um...」
I hadn't been around the guild much lately, but I didn't recognize the men. I figured they were folks from another town. Their shoes and gloves had a familiar quality—those guys must be from Baysen, the neighboring town. I couldn't argue, their gear's affordable and decent quality.
But ganging up on one girl isn't right.
「If you're from a Gold Rank party, you must have some money.」
「Since you're from the capital, you probably don't know much about Regor. We can show you around the city. Don't worry, we'll make it cheap.」
「Hey, don't back away. Haha, what's with the face?」
They likely felt minor mischief was tolerable against 『Sapling's Staff』.
They figured some teasing wouldn't cause complaints. That's probably how lightheartedly they were doing this.
...but still. I get irritated watching anyone who justifies bullying with twisted logic.
「You should stop.」
「Huh?」
「Who's this guy?」
「Mind your own business.」
I rested my bastard sword on my shoulder and stepped into the alley. It was odd. Normally, spotting me would make them react with "Oh crap," but these guys didn't flinch at all.
Maybe they just transferred here this spring?
「Hey, come play with us, will you?」
「Please... stop it...」
「Come on, let's have fun.」
「That scared look is cute.」
Wait, are they ignoring me? Snubbing someone making a cool entrance isn't right.
「Hey, 『Sapling's Staff』 girl. Leave this to me and go home. You can pass through here.」
「Hey, don't just—ah, hey!」
Pointing to a nearby route, the girl took the opportunity to dash away. Her quick retreat impressed me. Even a magic user could move deftly. That's the capability of someone from Sally's party.
「Hey, hold it!」
「You're the one who should stop.」
「Who the hell are you?!」
「My name is Mongrel. The strongest guild member in Regor.」
「Never heard of you, white-haired bronze bastard.」
「Go die, Mongrel.」
「So what if the girl ran? What are you gonna do about it?」
The men mocked bronze, yet two were Bronze 3, with one at Silver 1. But all three carried long swords. They seemed confident in their skills and didn't back down.
「If you're gonna flirt, try one-on-one instead of surrounding her. Three guys...」
「Shut up.」
Ugh. I got punched trying to make a cool statement.
「Damn, is my nose bleeding...?」
「This guy's weak. Let's rough him up.」
「Leave it to me.」
「We'll make sure he can't stand against us.」
「Wait, hold up—Gah!」
As I tried engaging in witty exchanges, they grabbed my collar and punched me. Three of them, taking turns hitting my belly or twisting my sides—there wasn't an ounce of restraint...
「Isn't he kind of solid...?」
「We'll mess you up more, hehe... hey, raise your head.」
Ah, they grabbed my bangs.
「Don't touch my hair.」
「Ugh!」
Fueled by anger, I delivered a reflexive body blow to the guy lifting my head by my hair. He doubled over, vomiting gastric juices—not pretty, but deserved. A near 30-year-old man's hair shouldn't be handled carelessly.
「H-hey...」
「You're gonna pay for that!」
「You shouldn't underestimate Regor's guild members, newbies from Baysen. Let me show you how strong Regor's bronze can be—free of charge, no less.」
They didn't seem inclined to draw swords yet. Good. Let's wrap this up with a peaceful fight. But if it escalates, they might draw swords, so I'll just have to subdue them swiftly.
「Die, old man!」
I braced to absorb a rookie's telegraphed punch with my forehead, intending for him to hurt his own fist—but it hit my cheek, and it stung bad.
「Haha, take that, and stay down...」
「It's my turn now.」
「Ugh!」
I delivered a toe kick to the overconfident guy's stomach. He joined his buddy, doubled over. Damn, fighting with style is tough. My hand-to-hand skill is lacking. I knew that, but still...
「You, you...」
Ah, he reached for his sword. Can't have that.
「No sword drawing.」
「Guh!」
No blades involved. That's criminal. Consider this kick a gesture of mercy.
「Swear you won't do anything cowardly in this town again. If you can't promise that, get up and face me again. I'll take you on as many times as needed.」
「...」
「Haa... haa...」
「Crap...」
「This isn't a break.」
「Oof!」
I kicked the silver-ranked guy who was eyeing me sharply. It felt solid—seemed like he was reinforced, but my sheer power overcame it.
With that heavy kick, I think they got a sense of my strength.
「W-we're sorry...! We won't do anything cowardly again... or pick a fight with you...」
「Please, no more...」
「Why's a guy like him here...?」
「If I annoy you, feel free to come at me again, all three of you. I haven't fully repaid how you guys hit me. Honestly, I'd like to hit you a bit more.」
「! W-we won't do anything! Let's go, guys!」
「S-sorry about that...!」
「W-wait, don't leave me...!?」
With a bit of intimidation, the men hurried away from the alley. Well, well. Didn't I just do something heroic like a protagonist, helping someone out?
... Usually, the rescued girl would come back and thank me... but she didn't. She seems to have decided to run away thoroughly. Smart move—coming back to a dangerous alley isn't safe. Avoiding it was the right call. There's no benefit in a heroine needlessly getting into danger when the hero's already handling it.
「... No nosebleed, good.」
I checked my face in the dull blade of my bastard sword, seeing my usual smirking self reflected, and walked out of the alley.
「Oh!」
「Huh? So, you decided to come back after all?」
Once on the main street, the girl was there waiting. Thought she was the smart heroine type, but maybe she's the type to jump right into danger. Well, it's endearing.
「Um, thank you so much. I was in trouble, and you really helped.」
「Don't mention it. Just tell Sally the leader that 'Mongrel helped, so that's one favor owed'.」
「A favor to Sally... yes!」
「And try to stick to the main streets for a while.」
I kind of ended my words on a preachy note, but I suppose that's fine.
「Thank you again, really.」
「Yeah, no problem.」
「Sapling's Staff」 shouldn't stumble over something so trivial. It'd be best to handle the groundwork promptly. That way, Regor and the guild can focus on future development projects and large-scale construction.
It starts from there—develop the town further, increase the population, and enhance production capabilities. That should lead to more stores doing business for Lord Chaos's product development.
I hope Regor becomes an even more livable place, and maybe they can step up the guard patrols too...
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
If anyone forgot, Mongrel doesn't personally make innovations himself, he just let others do it for him by sharing blueprints anonymously. Due to his cowardly/cautious nature, he doesn't want to get noticed by powerful people.
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】