Chapter 27

Let's talk about the self-proclaimed traveling female swordsman who called herself Bridget.

First of all, that woman is almost certainly a noble.

There are countless reasons, but just to name a few... the quality of her equipment is too good, her speech is too refined, she's too naive about the world, and her swordsmanship belongs to a particular school.

Especially the school of swordsmanship. Although she didn't reveal the details, swordsmanship generally refers to combat against other humans. There are almost no schools of swordsmanship for fighting monsters.

When it comes to fighting humans, it's either a soldier or a noble who has learned it to protect themselves.

And the schools of soldiers are not something to be hidden. The "Shield of the Earth" people use them normally.

By process of elimination, she must be a noble. Hiding her school is common because it can easily reveal her background and family.

The reason why that woman came to apply to the guild while hiding her status is unclear, but I have a pretty good idea. In fact, the pattern is pretty standard.

Either a late-marriage, rebellious daughter has run away to avoid a political marriage, or she's so rebellious that even without a political marriage, her blood as a combat enthusiast has been stirred.

In any case, the scary part is her parents.

If she was disowned and told, "You can never use our name again," then there wouldn't be a problem. But if that's not the case, the level of trouble could be unimaginable.

For example, if that rebellious daughter had secretly run away from home and come to the guild.

Her parents would naturally be worried and would be on guard against being tainted by the lowly and base.

If there were any signs of a man before her marriage? They would certainly take drastic measures. They wouldn't want rumors to spread, and the source of any mistakes must be cut off. "So, you're close to my daughter, are you? Then die!" They would do something like that.

If there's even a hint of affection from the parents, and if they have the mindset of a noble, they would thoroughly erase any connections, even if the daughter is rebellious. In this world, in this era, such things are done as a matter of course. Because they are nobles.

...Ah, she's definitely rebellious, no doubt about it.

The weapon Bridget was equipped with was a longsword. Being able to handle a sword of that size is proof that she can use enhancements. And the fact that she can walk the streets alone and confidently suggests that she has solid skills.

Nobles are strong. For some reason, they either have bloodlines that make it easy to acquire skills and gifts, or they receive such education. I don't know the details because I'm not a noble.

Such people receive elite education with ample budget and are drilled in systematized combat techniques. You shouldn't think of such a girl as just an ordinary girl. To be honest, even such a girl should be far more capable in combat than an ordinary soldier.

If the parents are troublesome, the child herself is also troublesome.

Want to get close to a noble? Want to build connections?

That's suicidal. Personally, I don't recommend it.

Especially if she has the appearance of a half-Sangrean, it's even more dangerous.

"In situations like this, the best thing to do is to hang out in a tavern... ugh, it's cold."

Under the cold sky, I bypassed the guild and went straight to "The Bounty of the Forest."

I'm a smart guild member, after all. I'm taking the words "another day" that Bridget said yesterday literally and being cautious.

Nobles are unpredictable, like goblins. If she says "another day," she might actually come another day. If there's even a 1% chance, I'll avoid such places.

Whether Bridget is a good or bad noble doesn't matter. This is the only way to prevent a first-meeting kill.

"Hey, you're open even though it's bright out..."

When I opened the door,

The tavern was packed with familiar guild members.

"Hey, Mongrel's here too."

"Of course he'd come."

"There's no seat. Hahaha."

"Is Ale here yet? He's not here?"

The unusual heat and noise I felt the moment I opened the door. It was noisy.

Is it a Friday? Around 7 PM? No, it's different? A winter morning? What's with this bustling scene... I understand, but still.

"You guys... why are you all here...?"

"It's the same reason as you, Mongrel. We heard about yesterday. Can you stay in the guild?"

Burger's voice came from somewhere in the crowded room, but I couldn't tell where.

"Mr. Mongrel, I think there are good seats available at the guild's tavern now."

"Where, Alex? ...You idiot, I'm definitely not going to the guild today. Just to be safe, are there any seats?"

"Do they look empty? Some people are even using wooden boxes as chairs."

"Definitely the best tavern in Regal..."

Even with this many customers, the prices are surprisingly low, so they probably don't make much profit...

The owner likes a lively atmosphere. He's probably looking at this scene happily from the back of the shop.

"Hey, I'm going out, make way... Hey! Don't touch my butt!"

"Hahaha!"

"Next time, I'll shoot one of your balls."

"Scary, sorry, sorry."

Just as I was about to turn around and leave, thinking there was no point in staying here, a familiar face came from the other side of the sweaty wall of men.

Artemis' archer, Ulrika, who is like a senior sister... or brother?

"Wow, so many people... Mr. Mongrel, if you're going out, I'll go with you. You're going to some shop, right?"

"Hmm? ...Yeah, I guess. I'm not going to the guild, but today is just a day to kill time."

"Then take me with you. It's too crowded here."

It must be tough. In this state, even drink orders might take forever.

I don't know if it's because she's known to be a woman, but she might also get weird attention.

"Hey! Mongrel is getting along with an Artemis kid!"

"What! Is that against the guild rules!?"

"What are the rules for... Well, you guys want to come with us? How about a drink at a seat near the guild's counter?"

When I said that, the guys who were barking just a moment ago turned back to their tables.

This is the power of nobility.

"Let's go then."

"Sure. Damn, is there a cheap place around here?"

So, I ended up going to a tavern with Ulrika.

We walked around the chilly town for a while, and eventually, because the cold wind was too harsh to linger, we decided to go into a random place.

The name of the tavern is "Hunter's Tavern."

It's not far from the guild or "The Bounty of the Forest," and it's a place that handles similar game in this area. Even in this season, there are a few customers inside.

It's a bit more expensive than "The Bounty of the Forest," so it's less popular, but the interior is spacious and doesn't cram customers together, and the ale isn't too watered down. It's a bit expensive, though.

"I come here sometimes. When Artemis has a lot of game, we deliver meat here and to 'The Bounty of the Forest.'"

"Really? Then maybe I'll stop by next time Artemis gets a big catch."

"Ah, but I don't think they'll give you much of a discount."

"Seriously?"

If I say "What a cheap place" here, the ale might get watered down, so I can't say it out loud.

"Hey, Ulrika, what about Artemis today? Aren't you with them?"

"Ah, yeah. Artemis is... not at the guild today, I think."

"...Why the guild of all places... No, wait."

"Ah, I get it. So, our leader wants to take on jobs related to that female swordsman. That's why they're at the guild today."

I didn't expect them to dive into that troublesome job themselves... I thought Artemis was ambitious, but I didn't think they'd go that far.

...What is Sienna thinking? Maybe she's used to dealing with nobles and is fine with it.

Ah... If it's an all-female party, there's less chance of mistakes and lower risk... I see.

"Are you being left out, Ulrika?"

"Well... but only at times like this, and I don't mind. Besides, being left out is for my own good."

"That's true. It's better not to get involved with important people."

"Mr. Mongrel, you don't like nobles either, do you?"

"I don't like them, they're almost like my nemesis. You know, with this hair, if a noble picks a fight, it's not going to end well."

"Ah..."

My bangs have a white streak, proof of Sangrean blood.

It's not a big deal if some street punk picks a fight over this white streak. It's a hassle, but I can just fight back.

But with a noble, it's not that simple. Sure, I could beat them, but what's the point after that? There's nothing to protect me afterward.

So, the best thing is to avoid such situations.

The safest thing is to stay out of the sight of a noble who might pick a fight.

If I end up in such a situation?

I'll grovel and beg for mercy as pitifully as possible, and then run away.

Nobles wouldn't chase and kill an innocent citizen just for fun, as it would be troublesome and affect their reputation. The guild, which doesn't favor any particular noble, would likely back me up, and I would just wait for a resolution.

...If they persist in harassing me, there's no choice. I'd have to use Lord Chaos' power to ruin the other noble's industry. I don't want to, but...

"Ulrika's light pink hair suggests some blood from the Federation, right?"

"Yeah, that's right. But it goes back to my grandmother. I've never been to the Federation. I was born and raised in the Regal earldom."

"Well, that's about it."

Ulrika has her light pink hair tied back. This color is said to originate from somewhere in the chaotic Federation next door.

However, since it's a friendly country with active trade, it's not that rare in the Halperia Kingdom.

"Mr. Mongrel... um, is it okay to ask this?"

"Me? My hometown was right on the border. I'm a mix of pure Halperia and pure Sangrean."

"Wow... that sounds dramatic."

"Not really. It was a small village. Maybe it was destined to happen."

Rural marriages are like that.

Besides, I don't remember much from that time.

Actually, during my childhood, I was busy learning languages from the conversations of my family and villagers.

I had no time to be wrapped in the warmth of family or hometown.

"What was the name of your hometown?"

"Ah, you wouldn't know. It was destroyed in the war."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it was right on the border, so it was destroyed almost as soon as the war started. First, the Halperia army came and took everything, leaving us dry. Then the Sangrean army came and killed everyone. I thought I was going to die."

That was one of the top 5 most dangerous events in my life.

If I hadn't awakened to my gift, I would have been done for.

"...I'm sorry, Mr. Mongrel. I was too hasty..."

As I was lost in nostalgia, Ulrika's mood had dropped to rock bottom.

No, no, the atmosphere is dead. This is a heavy topic.

"No, no, don't worry about it. It's an old story, and I don't care at all. I was less than ten years old, you know?"

"Such... that's what happened..."

"Ah, Ulrika, how about you? Let's drink first. How about ordering some warm food? Excuse me!"

After that, I tried hard and managed to restore Ulrika's brightness.

We had a cozy time with delicious drinks and food.

But she might now see me as someone with a really sad past.

It's not something to worry about, really.

I didn't have much attachment to my hometown when I was desperately learning languages for the second time in my life.

...This is something I can't say in public, though.