Chapter 44

The guild is bustling with unfamiliar faces, lively yet a bit tense.

When it's just the guild members, the atmosphere tends to be relaxed, but the presence of unknown individuals naturally puts everyone on guard.

Moreover, guild members can't afford to be underestimated. A good reputation is often necessary to secure lucrative jobs, and even a rumor of losing a fight can harm one's business.

"The Legor extermination mission doesn't pay well..."

"It's full of small fry. Feels like a backwater town."

"It's not the place for a big score. My skills might get rusty here."

A group of outsiders, wearing silver identification tags around their necks, are discussing among themselves. Their conversation seems to be along the lines of "The monsters around Legor are all weaklings; it's not even a good workout." While they probably don't mean any harm, the guild members who call Legor home can't help but feel disrespected.

This kind of tense atmosphere is typical this time of year.

It wouldn't be surprising if someone were to challenge a Legor guild member to a fight, just to see who's stronger.

The atmosphere is like a ramen shop on the verge of a fight—drinking milk in such a space is especially comforting...

"Hey, Mongrel. Drinking in the middle of the day, huh?"

As I was savoring the guild's Western-movie-like atmosphere, I was approached by an unusual person.

"Hey, Sally. It's been a while, hasn't it? About three years, right? Didn't you move your base to the capital? Or are you just passing through Legor on a bodyguard job?"

"Really been a while. I did come here on a bodyguard job, but I'm thinking of moving my base back here. Is this seat taken?"

"Sure. Oh, by the way, this is milk."

"Ah, really?"

She has a black bob cut and harmless-looking eyes. She's wearing a mage's robe, which is not common in Legor. She's about my age.

She's Sally, the leader of the once-active party "Young Sapling's Staff" in Legor. Her golden identification tag, hanging from her neck, is embedded with three stars.

They were a capable party that could have thrived in the capital, but why are they back in Legor now?

Even the group that was selecting missions earlier was complaining about the lack of good extermination jobs.

"There were plenty of rewarding jobs in the capital, but lately, Legor seems to be more vibrant. You know, Lord Chaos is from here, right? I thought I'd try to get a piece of the action and came back."

"Ah, I see. So you're here because of Lord Chaos?"

Legor, the birthplace of new products, offers many opportunities and a promising future.

There are talks of road improvements to the Baroa Forest in the noble district, which could lead to more jobs for guild members.

"From the capital's perspective, Legor's momentum is quite visible. There's also a flow of people and goods. The nobles are envious, and it's amusing to watch. We decided to take a bit of a gamble to keep up with the trend. I'm not too worried, though. If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to the capital. But I think Legor will continue to grow."

"Hmm, that's how it looks from the capital, huh."

The Kingdom of Halperia wants the capital to be at the forefront of everything, but my actions have thrown a wrench in their plans. The atmosphere of a place can't be fully understood without visiting, so it's helpful to hear this from someone.

"By the way, the Amalthea Federation's trade delegation is also planning to come to Legor."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. We came here as their bodyguards. Several large trading companies are setting up branches in Legor."

"That's... a sign of even better economic prospects."

So, the Federation is moving too.

They're friendly, so it's not impossible, but it shows they see the potential in Legor's new products.

Hiring a Gold-ranked party like "Young Sapling's Staff" as bodyguards indicates their seriousness.

...This is serious. The expansion of Legor's outer walls might start soon. The development of the Baroa Forest could also accelerate. The number of jobs for guild members might increase significantly.

What should I do?

I need to think about which inventions to release to take advantage of this opportunity. What should I prioritize... It's a tough decision.

"Still working solo, Mongrel? ...Ah, still Bronze. I'm impressed."

"Pushing the limits of a carefree guild member leads to people like me, Sally."

"I see. So you can't join our party, then."

"Looking for new members?"

"Sort of. I'm considering a few guild members who know the current Legor well. I'll take my time with it."

Sally and I have always had this kind of rapport since three years ago.

We get along well, but I'm careful not to get too close. She's sharp, and I don't want her to figure out my side as Lord Chaos. She's the one I'm most cautious about.

"It's good to bring in young members, but you should also visit your old friends. They'll be surprised to hear you're back."

"Right, I almost forgot. Did Mongrel react?"

"Somewhat."

"Somewhat, huh."

Sally left the guild without a goodbye or a wave, as usual. That's her typical move. Her way of starting and ending conversations is unique.

"Oh, by the way, Mongrel. I heard this in the capital."

Just as I thought, she came back through the entrance.

You're really free-spirited, aren't you?

"A branch of a magic shop from the capital is opening in Legor soon."

"Really? Is that true?"

"I heard it directly, so it's accurate. One of the apprentices was allowed to open a branch. Mongrel, you were interested in magic, right? You even bought a beginner's guide at the market."

"Ah, that lousy book. I was scammed."

A few years ago, I bought a beginner's magic guide at the Black Mist Market and tried it out, but it only led to a week of useless meditation. If Sally hadn't pointed out that it was nonsense, I might have continued for another week.

The meditation might have slightly improved my concentration (placebo effect), so it wasn't entirely wasted, but I tore the book apart and sold it to a leather shop after realizing I was scammed. It's a memorable incident.

"They'll probably sell beginner's tools too. If you're still interested, you should check it out. It's a bit expensive, but it's a good quality shop, so I recommend it."

"Thanks, that's useful information. Maybe I'll give water magic another try."

"I look forward to seeing you learn magic, Mongrel."

With that, Sally left the guild again, without any formal goodbye. She's an interesting woman.

"...The Federation's trade and a magic shop. It feels like a time of great change."

I finished my lukewarm milk and lost myself in thought.

How to further develop Legor behind the scenes. How to guide its transformation.

...As the city grows and gains more attention, it becomes harder to control everything as I wish. I might need to be more cautious moving forward. Still, I'll do what needs to be done.

Well, a vibrant atmosphere is good. Especially if trade becomes more active.

I wonder if cool weapons from the Federation will start flowing in.