Chapter 35

When the Iron Class members advance, I don’t know if it’s because they are considered the “minimum standard,” but the recruitment activities become more active.

Or rather, it might be better to call it poaching. It’s like, “Why don’t you leave your current party and join us?”

After serving for a considerable time and developing enough skill to protect themselves, the newbies who are judged to have reached this level start walking their own paths again. This pattern is quite common.

After all, when they first become guild members, they can only form parties with their fellow hometowners. There are no kind adults here to protect inexperienced and unpredictable kids who have no background. If there are any kind adults, they are probably just kidnappers.

“Alright, Roland. From today, you’re one of us, the ‘Harvest Sword.’ Compared to others, we might be a bit lax, but we still pride ourselves on our genuine strength. To avoid disgracing the party name, I’ll be strict with you at first. Be prepared!”

“Yes, sir! Thank you!”

At this time of year, the most popular party among young people is undoubtedly the “Harvest Sword.” The legend of the Harvest Mantises they defeated, even though it was an accidental encounter, is told as a heroic tale, and it’s said that minstrels sometimes sing about it in taverns. Local tales of bravery are always popular, so the “Heroic Tale of the Great Mantises” will likely be passed down for a while. With such a topic, many newbies hope to join the Harvest Sword. Since they can operate with a large number of members, they are quite strong in such situations. In Regol, I thought multiple major parties were in a good balance, but recently the Harvest Sword has stood out.

“…What should we do?”

“Don’t worry. We’ve advanced too. We’re probably not being shunned. …Why don’t we find other stragglers and form a new party? That way, we’ll have enough members…”

“Yeah… It’s still winter, so we can take our time choosing partners…”

The sad part is for the remaining parties whose members have been poached. They came here in small groups after leaving their hometowns, but if the most capable member is taken, it’s a big problem. Things they could do easily before become impossible. Such groups usually find similar others and form new communities. At this stage, most of the pretentious party names disappear, and they settle on more mature names, like high schoolers growing up. People grow up fast…

“…Hey, Mongrel-senpai.”

“Hmm? What’s up, Rina?”

I was leaning against the wall by the guild’s fireplace, warming myself, when Rina called out to me. Artemis was probably watching the new archers today.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m just watching the meetings and partings that happen in the guild.”

“…That sounds pretty suspicious…”

“To me, it’s like watching a live movie…”

“What’s a movie…? I don’t really want to know… No, that’s not it…”

Rina pointed at the fireplace. More accurately, at the small pot boiling right next to it.

“Is that yours, Mongrel-senpai? What is it?”

“Yeah… It’s my special honey.”

“Honey? You’re heating it over a fire in the guild?”

“Elena said it’s fine as long as it’s within reasonable limits.”

“…Elena is looking at you with a very suspicious eye from the reception desk.”

“It’s honey with herbs, a few spices, and some citrus juice. …It should be ready soon.”

It’s nice to be a wallflower in the guild, but I can’t let the food burn. I took a large bowl and walked to the guild’s entrance.

“Hey, Mongrel-senpai! The fire! What about the pot?”

“It’s fine, I’m just getting some necessary ingredients.”

“But it’s already boiling…!”

I heard Rina’s panicked voice as I stepped outside. It’s so cold.

I quickly returned inside.

“I’ve got it.”

“What? That’s snow?”

“It’s packed snow.”

The bowl was filled to the brim with fresh snow, which I had borrowed from an untouched area. Even if there’s a bit of dust, it’s as clean as the water used to make snow crystals in this world.

“I’m going to pour the boiling, thick honey on top of the snow, like this, in short lines.”

“Oh… Are you making something?”

“Just watch. I’ll pour the honey in lines like this… That’s good. Then I’ll touch the end of the honey with this stick…”

I rotated the stick, winding the honey around it, starting from the edge where it had dripped onto the snow. This way, a honey-flavored candy with a slight snow coating is formed.

Let’s call it Honey Taffy. It’s actually a Canadian treat made with maple syrup, but since I can’t find any maple trees, I’m using honey as a substitute.

“Wow!”

“Here, it’s honey candy. Try it.”

“Really? Can I?”

“Sure, sure. I have plenty.”

“Yay!”

The honey production has increased with the new beehives, so it’s all good. The price of sweets has gone up because the effectiveness of oral rehydration solutions, developed by someone, is known, but this is a valuable form of culinary entertainment. It’s worth the money.

“Okay, I’ll try… *munch*. …Mmm!”

Rina moaned happily with the honey candy in her mouth. That’s right, it’s delicious. This candy is good for the throat.

Now, I’ll have a taste… Mmm, it’s honey candy. I prefer a lighter honey flavor, but the spices are a good addition.

“What’s going on, Mongrel? Are you making something weird again?”

“Barger, you don’t have to eat anything weird.”

“Sorry. …Hey, can I have one?”

“…Fine, I’ll give you one to celebrate the new member. Here.”

“Thanks. …Mmm, it’s sweet! A bit too sweet for me, though.”

“Yeah, that’s expected.”

“Mongrel-senpai, can I try winding the honey?”

“Sure, sure. Press from the edge.”

“Okay.”

The crunch of the snow in your mouth is actually quite nice. It’s like the pleasure of eating ice cream with the heater on in cold weather.

“Hey, everyone! What are you doing in front of the fireplace?”

“Hey, Elena.”

“Hey isn’t enough. You’ve been making that honey smell all over!”

As we were having fun, Elena, with a puffed-up face, came over.

“You said it was within reasonable limits, but…!”

“Here, take these.”

Since both the pretense and the truth were completely transparent, I handed her three sticks of Honey Taffy. That’s what she wanted, right?

“…I get it!”

Even though I didn’t try to persuade her, Elena took the three treats and stomped back to the reception desk. This is almost like a bribe, but in such a small society, it’s important to smooth things over…

“Look, the receptionists are happy.”

The honey candy seems to be well-received by the receptionists. Women are easily won over by this.

“Ah, right. Excuse me, can I have some milk?”

“Milk… I see! That’s the way to go, senpai! Me too, please!”

“You get it, Rina. This flavor goes well with milk.”

“Criminal!”

After that, we replenished the snow in the bowl a few times, mass-produced the honey candy, and enjoyed the winter treat with milk. Some guys from other parties joined us, but since it wasn’t a large amount, I let them have some. It’s a day to celebrate the new member, after all.