Mongrel the World Restorer
The experienced party 『Sapling's Staff』 that ca 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 "Welco back".
Conversely, those who treated them as "Who are these guys?" were considered impostors.
As a result, a natural space for 『Sapling's Staff』 erged at the guild's tavern. Of course, this led to so 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 newcors 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 sothing guild mbers often had. Though they weren't really gangsters, they sotis talked like they were, making it more sentintal than logical.
Particularly since 『Sapling's Staff』 reportedly consisted mostly of magic users. They had no archers and just a few close combat mbers. They seed 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 equipnt 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 sowhat understand feeling disgruntled. Because of this atmosphere, 『Sapling's Staff』 felt sowhat isolated at the Regor guild.
Still, it seems unreasonable to target them for harassnt just because of that.
「Hey, aren't you one of those magic users from 『Sapling's Staff』?」
「Co 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 n was pestering a girl.
The area near the guild should have decent safety, but they might have targeted a less frequented street. The n 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 ntioned before?」
「Yeah, that's her.」
「Uh, um...」
I hadn't been around the guild much lately, but I didn't recognize the n. 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 so 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 so 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
would make them react with "Oh crap," but these guys didn't flinch at all.
Maybe they just transferred here this spring?
「Hey, co play with us, will you?」
「Please... stop it...」
「Co on, let's have fun.」
「That scared look is cute.」
Wait, are they ignoring ? Snubbing soone making a cool entrance isn't right.
「Hey, 『Sapling's Staff』 girl. Leave this to
and go ho. 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 . Even a magic user could move deftly. That's the capability of soone from Sally's party.
「Hey, hold it!」
「You're the one who should stop.」
「Who the hell are you?!」
「My na is Mongrel. The strongest guild mber 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 n mocked bronze, yet two were Bronze 3, with one at Silver 1. But all three carried long swords. They seed 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 statent.
「Damn, is my nose bleeding...?」
「This guy's weak. Let's rough him up.」
「Leave it to .」
「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 . 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 ss 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 mbers, newbies from Baysen. Let
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 rcy.
「Swear you won't do anything cowardly in this town again. If you can't promise that, get up and face
again. I'll take you on as many tis as needed.」
「...」
「Haa... haa...」
「Crap...」
「This isn't a break.」
「Oof!」
I kicked the silver-ranked guy who was eyeing
sharply. It felt solid—seed like he was reinforced, but my sheer power overca 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 co at
again, all three of you. I haven't fully repaid how you guys hit . 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 ...!?」
With a bit of intimidation, the n hurried away from the alley. Well, well. Didn't I just do sothing heroic like a protagonist, helping soone out?
... Usually, the rescued girl would co back and thank ... 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 co 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 ntion 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 sothing so trivial. It'd be best to handle the groundwork promptly. That way, Regor and the guild can focus on future developnt 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 developnt.
I hope Regor becos 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.
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