Chapter 38

Just the other day, a burglar appeared. Not at my inn, though.

The thief targeted a grain storehouse on a snowy night with few passersby, a rather common crime.

However, either the thief was inexperienced or clumsy, and made a noise, leading to the crime being discovered. Trying to escape, the thief left clear footprints in the bright snow, which illuminated even in the night.

In the end, the thief couldn't escape until dawn and was cornered in a dead-end alley, becoming a topic of conversation among us guild members from the morning.

"Damn, so the guy's motive was that? He went to the red-light district too much, they say. What a fool to keep going even when he had no money!"

Today, the ratio of parties in the guild's tavern was a bit skewed.

Most members of the large parties "Shield of the Earth" and "Artemis" were absent, while nearly 15 members of "Sword of Harvest" had gathered.

When such a large group gathers, the central space of the tavern is dominated by them, and naturally, the center of the conversation becomes their chatter.

Usually, they don't have much discipline and don't act as a group, but when they do gather, it's quite impressive.

"Hey, but don't you go to those kinds of places often, Chuck?"

"Ah, I'm fine because I earn money! I can't understand guys who go to those places without earning anything!"

"That's true, I guess..."

"Once you have money, you can go to cheap places with old women or expensive places with beautiful girls. I just don't get why guys who don't have money spend so much there."

The center of the conversation was the light-hearted banter of that red-haired young man, Chuck.

He's a rough and tumble guild member who often spouts venom and is quick to fight. If you average the public's image of guild members, he's probably the result. In a way, he's a model guild member.

If a black-haired, black-clothed protagonist were to join the adventurer's guild, Chuck would be the first to confront him.

However, his sword skills are Silver 2, and he's quite strong. His rough tone can be misleading, but when you listen closely, he often speaks the truth, making him a model guild member in that sense too.

"Right. You're getting used to it now. I'll introduce you to a good place next time. It's a decent place at a reasonable price!"

"Hahaha..."

However, despite this gap, he's somehow not popular. It's probably because of his usual lightness.

"Those guys are talking about the red-light district again."

"All men are like that, Rina."

"Ah!?"

At our table, Rina and Ulrika were sitting. They weren't far from the others. It's not good to start lewd conversations at such a close distance, Chuck...

At least if you're targeting the guild receptionists, you shouldn't talk about such things in the guild tavern...

"Ah, Mongrel, check that. No, checkmate? I win, hehe."

"...Aren't you guys strong at board games?"

"No, I think Mongrel-senpai is just weak."

Moonboat, a board game that developed uniquely in this world.

From the looks of the board with black and white wooden pieces, it might be similar to backgammon from my previous life. But I don't know the rules of backgammon, so I can't tell if it's similar.

The only thing I know is that I've lost to Ulrika three times in a row, including this one.

Rina being strong is understandable, but how is Ulrika so strong too? We both just learned the rules a little while ago, right?

"Damn... Mongrel...!"

Why are you giving me a hateful look at this moment?

"What's up, Chuck? We're losing badly over here."

"What do you mean losing! Look, it's all guys over there! What's up with that table! We're winning!"

Well, we're just huddled together because you guys are in the middle...

I wanted to say that, but I felt similar hateful gazes from other men, so I kept quiet.

I can understand, though.

It's Rina and Ulrika, after all. They are pretty.

But Rina is still a child to me, and one of them is a guy...

...I know I shouldn't say that out loud. Men's jealousy can explode quickly...

"Damn... Mongrel has it good... Being solo, he can easily join other parties when needed... He's light on his feet... We have no women... And because we have a decent number of members, we can't easily socialize with others..."

"Chuck, our deputy leader..."

"That's not a woman! A woman should be more refined... and devoted to men, serving them..."

There it is again, saying things that needlessly make women enemies! You really are like that!

"---No, that's not it... Chuck..."

At that moment, a deep, rough male voice echoed, and the guild fell slightly silent.

The speaker was the large man who had been silent like a rock... the leader of "Sword of Harvest," Dick Bart, a Gold 2.

"---Women are never just beings who serve and devote themselves---"

"---Well, I can understand the leader's point... but---"

Standing over 2.1 meters tall, with a greatsword that looks small on his back, and exuding an overwhelming aura of strength, even the usually rowdy Chuck was intimidated.

"...Mongrel-senpai, Mongrel-senpai. That guy..."

"Yeah, he's the leader of 'Sword of Harvest.' Dick Bart... He's ridiculously strong."

"Wow... that guy..."

Dick Bart, the leader, rarely shows his face at the guild.

He leads members of equal strength to take on high-difficulty missions one after another. "Sword of Harvest" is the most active group in the guild, despite being relatively laid-back. It's no wonder Rina, a relatively new member, hasn't had the chance to meet him. This is a winter phenomenon.

"He's solid and very serious..."

"No... that's..."

"How about it?"

"Eh?"

Ulrika and I, who know the details, hesitate to speak.

Yes, he is serious, but...

"---Moreover, there are times when we men serve women... kneeling, moaning, and licking... or rather, being licked...---"

"---What are you talking about?---"

"Rina, it's fine. You don't need to worry about it yet. You're a good kid."

"Well, I kind of get it..."

"---But---"

Dick Bart, with a very serious face, crossed his arms and continued in a stern voice.

"---Our service and devotion as men can only be practiced in certain high-class establishments... The man caught last night might have been a pitiful servant who let his passion run wild in the wrong way---"

This extremely serious man, Dick Bart, who talks about lewd topics.

One reason he doesn't show his face at the guild is that he spends most of his time in brothels.

He takes on long expeditions and missions, staying in brothels in towns during the journey. He continues to visit brothels one after another. Even when he returns to the city, he spends most of his time in brothels, making him a terrifying erotic monster.

He earns a lot, but it's astonishing to think that all of his earnings go to the red-light district.

Honestly, I've never met anyone like him in my previous life. His dedication is admirable.

"Well... I kind of get it..."

"I don't really get it..."

"Yeah, as expected... Dick Bart..."

Maybe because they share similar reverence, the members of "Sword of Harvest" try to support him.

He is admired, but his thought process always leads to erotic topics, making him unique.

"He's a bit creepy..."

"Hey, Rina!"

Rina, you can't say that.

Even if Dick Bart is known for his "creepy" requests from all the prostitutes in Regal, it's still rude to say bad things about him within earshot.

"---Artemis' Rina, was it? I can't accept that comment---"

"Eh, ah... sorry..."

"---Your insults are not free to receive---... Don't cheapen your rewards too much?"

"...Mongrel-senpai, this guy is really creepy! I'm getting goosebumps! Goosebumps!"

"Okay, okay, it's okay, Rina. He's a bit creepy, but he's a good person. Try to get used to him gradually."

"Sorry... our leader is scary..."

Dick Bart is not a bad man.

He has protected his allies multiple times in battles against Harvest Mantises and approaches missions with the best attitude.

He's just honest about his desires and has a creepy way of speaking, making him a cool uncle.

"...Still creepy"

Ulrika, you shouldn't say that with that face.

But maybe it's okay because Dick Bart seems to enjoy being insulted... I can't understand his mindset.

"---That's also good---"

No, it seems to be fine. That's good.

...Winter is a season when you spend a lot of time with people who don't fit you... Rina, you need to get used to it...