Chapter 83

"Mongrel, you're still doing urban cleaning, huh?"

"Oh? Ah, it's Momo, is it?"

As usual, while picking up trash on the street, I was called by a girl with sleepy eyes. She is Momo, the daughter of Sally, the leader of the "Young Sapling's Staff" guild.

Her black hair, inherited from her mother, has always been tied up on both sides, but her speech seems more snappy than I remember. She used to be a polite and well-behaved child... Has puberty finally caught up with Momo too?

"Urban cleaning is important, you know? By keeping things clean every day, the people living here start to develop a sense of cleanliness too. Did you know? A house with a broken wall is more likely to be targeted by criminals..."

"That's not what I mean! Why are you still a Bronze 3 after three years? Mongrel, you're not that weak of a guild member, are you?"

Don't get so angry. Giving someone a quick-tempered attribute when they're already serious just makes things difficult for everyone around them.

"I've been stuck at Bronze for three years, you know. It's nothing new."

"...Is there a reason? Still, to remain a Bronze..."

"Anyway, this isn't a conversation to have in the middle of the street. I'm working, you know? It's not nice to interfere with someone's work, even if it's a low-paying job."

"Ah, I'm sorry."

Well, I often get lost in thought or chat with people while cleaning too.

"So, do you have something you need from me? I can listen while I clean."

"...Yes. Mother told me that Mongrel is going on a bodyguard mission to Dryden, right?"

"Whoa, rumors spread fast."

"Mother heard it from Natasha. You're going with 'Artemis,' right?"

Ah, so Sally and Natasha are close, that's how it got around... They talk about such things too, huh?

"Well, the bodyguard part is more of an afterthought. I'm actually going for the lake there. I plan to do a bit of fishing."

"Right, the lake! Zahia Lake! It has clean water and few dangerous creatures! It's wonderful, isn't it?"

"Uh, yeah."

What's with her? Did she become a lake enthusiast while I wasn't looking?

"Actually, I've recently developed these boots!"

"...Ah."

I understood everything when Momo showed me the boots from her bag. I also got a sense of what she wanted to ask me.

"They're aquatic movement equipment inspired by merman fins! Mermaids swim freely in the water with these fin-like limbs, right? I thought that if humans equipped something similar, they could move quickly too... I developed these without Vandal's knowledge!"

Indeed, what Momo showed me were fins. Thin plates extending fan-like from the toes. I couldn't tell what they were made of, but they seemed somewhat flexible.

...However, the mechanism to attach them to the legs looked like sandals, which was a bit worrying. I would have preferred something more like a shoe. They looked like they might fall off, which was scary.

Also, the fins themselves seemed a bit short. They only looked about ten centimeters long. Would they really add much momentum?

Still, I was genuinely impressed that Momo had made these. She's only 15, right? When I was 15, my free research project was a collection of only four types of insects. Two were grasshoppers and two were cicadas. Compared to that, this is a Nobel Prize-worthy invention.

"You made these... They're really well done. Did you come up with the design yourself?"

"Yes! I got help with the shoe part, but I did the design myself! I didn't even get help from my mother!"

"Wow, you're a genius."

"R-Really? No, I'm still far from it. You just think so because Mongrel is not very smart."

"Hey? I just complimented you, didn't I?"

"More importantly! I want Mongrel to try out these fin boots and swim in the lake! Then, I want you to tell me your impressions! Here, this is a list of test items, so please go through them all!"

On the parchment was a list of the fin tests I was supposed to do.

However, the swimming techniques listed were just side and front strokes, not specific swimming styles. Swimming is usually taught as a skill in the military, so I guess that's about it.

"I don't mind trying it out since it sounds interesting... Momo, what if I can't swim?"

"Can't you swim? No, even if you can't, these fin boots will help you swim."

Do you think these fins will make someone an expert swimmer just by wearing them?

...Well, I'll try them out and see.

"Also, I don't expect you to do this for free. Guild members should be paid fairly for their work."

"Oh, you're giving me money? In that case, I'll do it seriously."

"Here, take this. It's a magic ring I used for practice."

"Not money...?"

However, it looked like a high-quality silver ring. It would probably fetch a decent price if I sold it.

"Miserina told me you started practicing magic? This ring is quite expensive. Use it for your practice. Here, I'll pay you in advance."

"More stuff to carry... I'll take it gratefully, though."

What should I do? Should I tell her I've already stopped practicing magic?

But if I get caught, I'll be seen as a quitter. I don't want to be thought of that way, even though I don't want to practice...!

Okay, I'll say that I've been practicing for a month and it hasn't been going well. I'll make a story about how I've been trying hard. That's the way to go.

"Since you've taken them, please try them out, Mongrel. And even though these fin boots are prototypes, they're not a gift, so please bring them back without damaging them."

"That's a lot of conditions... Is this invention that important to you?"

"Of course. This is the city of inventions, Regal. I intend to make a name for myself here as a magician and inventor. These fin boots will be my first step!"

"Regal is a city of inventions now, huh..."

"At least, that's what they say in the capital. There's a lot of jealousy, though."

I see, Momo has developed an interest in this field. An inventor girl, that's great. It's a much healthier interest than the weird diseases of puberty.

"Alright, I'll do it for you, Mongrel. If you find any rare materials, like agarwood moss stone, feel free to bring them back. But I'll charge you accordingly."

"...I don't have much money, so can you give me a discount?"

"You should earn your own money. Momo, you're a guild member, right? You're almost an adult, so you need to start standing on your own two feet."

"Ugh... Ugh... Yes..."

Momo nodded in agreement with my preachy words.

But she's a well-behaved girl. It's amazing that she turned out so normal from that weird, eccentric mother. It must be because "Young Sapling's Staff" supports child-rearing so well.

After that, I finished my report at the guild and started packing at home.

The bodyguard mission to Dryden is tomorrow, so I need to carefully choose what to bring to make my stay there comfortable.

First, the essentials for the mission.

"Greatsword, check! That's it!"

Next, the items for lake activities.

The fins I just received, three fishing rods... They take up space, but I'll bring them. A tackle box to organize the fishing gear.

Then, my usual camping set and its expansion set. I can't forget the cooking utensils, like a small pot and other items. And the Great Justice Seasoning Set. This one is a bit bulky but essential. Without it, things would be sad. I'll also bring some yatsude kelp.

Good, it's coming together... but it's turning into quite a load. The fishing rods are unavoidable, but the camping set has expanded a lot.

I thought about bringing a bow to shoot waterfowl, but that's not feasible. I'll have to give up on the bow. I made a quiver for nothing.

Ah, and I don't need the chakram. Why are you in there? Move! This space is for the fins!

"Hmm..."

The completed load made my custom backpack bulge to the point of bursting.

It's amazing that most of the contents are for fun and not the mission. The only thing really useful for the bodyguard job is the greatsword. But since I always use it anyway, it's not a problem.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow, huh."

When I poked the top of the backpack, it tumbled over.

Careful, careful, there are delicate items inside, so it can't be laid on its side.

I was ranked 1st in the daily category rankings.

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