Chapter 94

"......Ah, good morning... Mongrel-senpai..."

"It's hot, I tell ya!"

"Eh, eh, kyaa-!"

The next morning, after waking up, I wrapped Ulrika, who was next to me, in a rug, and that's how the day began.

"Ah... but I get it, this is actually quite calming..."

"Ulrika-senpai, here you go. It's a pillow."

"Waa... Ah, this is nice."

Today is the day we pack up and return to Regal. Of course, since we have to take on a guard duty for Dryden on the way back, the timing might be a bit off. If everything goes well, we might be able to leave Dryden today.

"Both of you, get ready quickly!"

"Got it!"

"Okay."

"Seriously... Gorillana, can you please clean up the dishes Nastasha washed?"

"Y-Yes."

In the end, the only things we harvested from this lake were some waterfowl and salmon-like meat. Two days of camping with this result is pretty disappointing. We also gave a fair amount of the meat and fish to the management building. The lack of cash income is particularly problematic. Well, we'll probably make up for it with the guard duty pay between Dryden and Regal... For me, it's fine, but Artemis has to maintain the clan house, so she probably doesn't want to go on expeditions like this one that yield such poor results.

We said our goodbyes at the management building and headed back to Dryden. The old men there were chuckling, saying they hoped we'd come back to catch more waterfowl. Catching waterfowl is up to Artemis, so I can't really say anything about it. If Sheena is motivated, we might come back here again. I also enjoyed fishing quite a bit. If I feel like it, I might come back alone. At least it's closer than the sea.

"Fishing is really fun, you know. Even though they're so small, the pull is pretty strong and it's surprising."

"Yeah. I thought it was a big catch, but it was so small it was a letdown. I wonder what would happen if it was bigger..."

"The Hietail I caught is special, but if you go to the sea, there are fish of a decent size. You can enjoy a fight where the rod might bend and break."

"Is that how you enjoy it...?"

"That's how it is, fishing is like that."

The stronger the pull, the better. That's how it is, except for whales.

"Can I follow you next time, Mongrel-senpai?"

"Sure, if Artemis gives permission."

"Ah, that's great, I want to come too."

"Ulrika too? Just so you know, you have to ask Sheena, not me."

Eventually, a carriage loaded with dairy products arrived at the Dryden carriage station. It was time to head back to Regal. It was a rare expedition, but it was quite fun. Maybe having people you get along with really does make a difference in how relaxed you feel.

The return journey was even more peaceful than the trip there. No bandits, no goblin groups, and no powerful monsters that shouldn't be around here. The only real issue was the summer sun.

We stopped at villages along the way to resupply and then continued on. The journey was that simple. Occasionally, Lina would shoot birds from the trees, but the carriage never stopped.

We returned to the familiar Regal in a very smooth manner. Everything was fine until we got back to Regal. It was perfect until we arrived.

That incident happened the moment we reached the north gate of Regal.

"Excuse me, I'll go ahead."

A black wind blew past us.

"Whoa!"

"!"

It was a huge horse. The sound of its hooves, which we had heard so much, resonated strongly as it passed us by.

The rider, on a horse similar to a Friesian from my previous life, wore a dark blue robe like a magician, but had a large scythe on his shoulder. I knew the name of that scythe. An axe, a spear, and a large scythe attached to a long handle... a Great Halberd. He was riding a black warhorse of Halperia. Just by looking at him, even the most ignorant person would know who he was.

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry..."

The man in the yellow mask bowed slightly.

The elite mounted knight unit of Halperia, the "Reapers of the Moon." Anyone who thinks the name is too edgy is probably a noob. Those who have been playing in Halperia for about ten years know very well that the name is not just for show, and some have even seen them in action.

"......No, you're welcome. Good job on your mission."

Even Sheena, who is usually so confident, responded with a tense tone. Facing the elite of this country, who are both high in rank and skill, it's understandable to react with a bit of trembling.

The man on the black horse passed through the gate and entered the city while still mounted.

"......That was intense."

"Scary... the Reaper..."

Reaper. That's what people call their unit.

Not only can they wield the Great Halberd, which is allowed to mounted knights, but they also have to be able to cast magic while on horseback to be part of the "Reapers of the Moon." So the guy who just passed by is, in a sense, a combination of the strongest melee fighter and the strongest mage in this city. He might be even stronger in melee combat.

"......Did you both see that scythe?"

"Y-Yeah, I saw it. It's crazy that someone can wield something like that..."

"I can barely lift it, let alone swing it..."

"That scythe... it was a bit different from the Great Halberd I bought. Was it just my imagination?"

"Eh?"

Reaper. I was a bit surprised by his sudden visit, but more than that, I was captivated by the shape of the Great Halberd he carried.

...Something... about the angle or the way the scythe was attached... seemed off.

"......Could the Great Halberd I bought... be a fake...!?"

"......I don't know."

"Damn... I need to ask Alex and confirm later..."

"Why not ask the Reaper?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Ah..."

Mounted knights are almost like nobles. I don't want to deal with those kinds of people.

We reported the completion of our mission at the guild. It was a guard duty.

Honestly, I wanted to head back to the inn and get some hot water, but I couldn't stop thinking about the Great Halberd. After returning the large luggage to the inn, I went back to the guild.

"Alex! Hey, Alex!"

"Whoa, you're back again... What is it, Mongrel? It feels like we haven't seen each other in a while... But seriously, what's with that weapon wrapped in cloth?"

"Just look, it's a Great Halberd."

"Right... Why do you have one of those..."

"I bought it at the market, of course!"

"Nobody buys those normally..."

"Just look at this! If you were a squire, you must have handled a Great Halberd before!"

"I have, but..."

I handed the Great Halberd to Alex for appraisal. When I bought it, I was sure it was the real deal... but after seeing the Reaper at the north gate, my collector's soul was screaming.

It's fine if it's a complete fake. I can accept that. There's a certain charm to such things... But a low-quality B-grade imitation that tries to look real is a no-go. It's just... embarrassing!

"Hmm... It seems similar... Oh!"

"Did you notice something?"

"This Great Halberd, isn't the scythe part a bit too sharp? It's at a right angle to the handle, but the real one should be more inclined towards the spear side, making it easier to slash when swung..."

"Is it a fake, then...?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. The weapon itself feels familiar, so I think it's real, but the scythe part is concerning. Maybe that's why it was sold cheaply."

Seriously... I didn't know... about that...

"What's going on, you traitor Mongrel who was on a joint mission with Artemis?"

"Hey, Mongrel, what are you doing with Artemis' kids?"

"Look, this isn't about Artemis right now. Check out this Great Halberd of mine..."

"Whoa, you bought one of those too..."

The onlookers gathered around. Damn, these guys are just here to drink and talk about my collection...

"Ah, speaking of which, here. I made some Hietail jerky on the expedition. I'll share it with everyone."

"I'll pass."

"I'll pass too."

"I'll take the thought, though."

You're being too cautious...

"But Mongrel, why a Great Halberd right after returning from an expedition? ...Ah, this jerky is surprisingly good. The smoke is strong and it's delicious."

"If Alex says it's okay, I'll have some too."

"Me too, me too."

"These guys... No, it's not a big deal. When we were entering the north gate, a 'Reaper of the Moon' passed by us."

"Really, a 'Reaper of the Moon'!?"

"Yeah, and the Great Halberd he had was different in shape... So, that's why it was sold cheaply..."

Alex still seemed shocked by the appearance of the "Reaper of the Moon."

"Hey, is there any reason the 'Reaper of the Moon' is here? I haven't been in Regal recently, so I don't know if there's anything going on."

"No... I don't think so. The 'Reaper of the Moon' is a special organization that deals with national crises. They wouldn't tell me anything even if I asked..."

I see... This is only the second time I've seen them in Regal, so it was a surprise.

I don't usually see them in the city.

"The 'Reaper of the Moon' coming to Regal is unsettling... Do you have any idea why?"

"No, not really. I haven't heard any troubling news recently. I don't know what's happening in the noble district, though."

"It's not like there's a war going on...?"

"They wouldn't come through the north gate. If they were, it would be from the east or south. Or maybe a really dangerous monster appeared in Latreille..."

"Maybe we should stay on standby today. We might get an emergency mission."

War. I don't want that... But if they came from the north, the same direction we came from...

I remember those warhorses can cross mountains. So, they could pass through the mountains as scouts... It's possible, but would they really do that...?

"Alright, staying on standby is fine, but Mongrel... Who from Artemis are you targeting!?"

"No, I'm not targeting anyone... I just like fishing and stuff."

"Who did you do what with on the expedition, you guy?"

"We'll make you confess properly...!"

"Come on, have some fish jerky. Here."

"Delicious."

"Salty and tasty."

"The more you chew, the more flavor comes out."

"......Guys, can you stop gathering around my table...?"

Returning to Regal. And the arrival of the "Reaper of the Moon."

I had a feeling something was about to happen... but nothing did, even after waiting until night.