Chapter 84

Gaston pushed through the crowd, advancing forward.

When force prevails, reason retreats. Everyone seemed to want to avoid catching Gaston's eye and quietly made way for him.

Gaston leaned on the reception desk with satisfaction, opened his mouth wide, and laughed.

"Hey, girl, can you hurry up and evaluate this! My achievements, you know!"

He thrust forward the bag containing the Baum birds.

The Gordon brothers, who had lagged behind Gaston, placed the Baum birds on the counter.

"Hey, open it!"

When Gaston gave the order, the Gordon brothers untied the bag.

"Y-You don't mean all of these are..."

"That's right! Baum birds! I caught them all by myself! They're all my achievements!"

Gaston answered loudly, making sure everyone in the facility could hear.

"To catch that many Baum birds alone!? That's impossible..."

One of the adventurers, who had been watching, muttered quietly.

"What! If you have a complaint, say it out loud! The one who just said something ridiculous, come out!"

Gaston, with a red face, threatened them.

A man who had tried to run away was caught by the collar by Gaston.

"Say it again!"

"N-No! It's not that! I didn't mean to nitpick... But it's impossible! No matter how you think about it, it's absolutely impossible! Especially since it's not even the mating season for Baum birds..."

"What nonsense. I just moved faster than the Baum birds! Do you have a problem with that? Huh!?"

"Faster than Baum birds!?"

The man repeated Gaston's words.

"And if I couldn't do it, how do you explain this mountain of Baum birds? Huh?"

"W-Well, that..."

I had mixed in with the crowd of adventurers, thinking how he could say such things so confidently.

"I hate people who can't do anything themselves but criticize others! Try saying that again!"

"S-Sorry! Sorry!"

Wasn't Gaston doing the same thing just a moment ago...?

Maybe you have to be this shameless to survive in this town.

I started to feel a bit nostalgic for the Maaren village.

"Hmph! Don't think it will happen again!"

Gaston let the man go and returned to the reception desk.

"Hey... Do you really think he caught them?"

"But it's a fact that they're here... So..."

"Maybe Gaston is really that strong?"

The crowd began to whisper and gossip quietly.

Thanks to Gaston's assertive attitude, the atmosphere around them was changing.

Gaston, as always, was impressive. I wouldn't have been able to do that.

Though it's bad for the threatened person, I should be grateful for his shamelessness.

"So, what about the... report?"

"Here! Take it!"

Gaston handed over a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket.

It was the report Meara had written.

It's still readable, at least...

"Meara, you worked so hard on it..."

I glanced at Meara, and I could see tears welling up in her eyes.

The receptionist carefully unfolded the report and frowned.

"What? Do you have a complaint?"

"W-Well, this part about swinging the tree..."

Gaston's expression froze for a moment when he heard this.

I couldn't help but cover my face with my hand.

I was tired, so I felt relieved when the arrow description was added and overlooked it.

"..., a, a, a..."

Even Gaston seemed at a loss for words, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I pulled it out and swung it! What's your problem with that!"

And he got away with it.

I hesitated for a moment, but he got away with it.

It's impossible. Try it if you can.

I thought it was hopeless, but maybe the earlier threat worked, or everyone's senses were already numb from the Baum birds, because no one complained.

"Let's move on. Evaluate it quickly!"

"W-Wait a moment! From a quick look, it should be at least 500,000 G..."

I heard the amount and mentally pumped my fist.

At this rate, I can pay off my debt to Meara quickly.

Gaston's eyes changed for a moment, but he spat when he saw Gordon's gaze.

"Money doesn't matter! What about my rank!?"

Gaston leaned forward, slamming his hand on the reception desk.

"Huh!? W-What!? S-Sorry, that will be decided after a thorough evaluation..."

He seemed to lose interest, remembering that he had to hand over the money.

...From the looks of it, he might hand over the money smoothly, but it seems he will be exposed soon. I wonder if he'll be okay.

"Wow, Mr. Gaston! When did you catch so many prey! You left us behind! Treat us to some drinks!"

"That's right, that's right!"

Gaston's usual followers approached him.

Gaston narrowed his eyes, looking annoyed.

"What? You guys, this money is..."

Gaston almost let it slip and was glared at by Gordon.

He quickly closed his mouth.

"...Tch, some other time."

"Yay!"

"Sure, Mr. Gaston!"

"500,000 G, 500,000 G! Let's book the Drunken Collapse Inn for tonight!"

The followers were making a fuss.

"H-Hey! You said some other time..."

Gaston called out to his followers with a slightly strained face.

"Of course, Mr. Gaston will do it someday!"

"I'll make the reservation!"

Gaston's followers ran out of the facility in a hurry.

Gaston watched them go with a serious face, then seemed to notice me and shifted his gaze to me. His face was serious when he looked at me.

...No, you have to pay that money back, right?