Chapter 1

"Hey everyone! Are you watching? This is Asels, the guild master of the 'Great Serpent of the Flaming Sky'. Today's broadcast is titled 'I Fired a Crummy Old Man!'"

In a corner of the royal capital, Graham, lies the guild -- the 'Great Serpent of the Flaming Sky'.

In the guild master's office.

Asels, the guild master, had a lecherous smile on his face.

"Guild master! What do you mean by this!?"

"There's nothing to mean, just as I said. You're fired as of today."

Asels coldly stated, and standing before him was a man.

The man's name is Goushi Crossner.

A middle-aged guild member of the 'Great Serpent of the Flaming Sky'.

"Suddenly fired... What did I do!?"

"Hey, hey, don't get so worked up. It's rude to the viewers watching the broadcast, isn't it?"

Asels laughed and pointed to an empty space. Though no one was there, a semi-transparent image was displayed, with numerous comments streaming.

This was the technology of 'video streaming', which had become commonplace in this world.

Fifty years ago --.

Struggles between nations had long since ceased, and this world had become peaceful except for the occasional appearance of monsters. A groundbreaking discovery by a great sage would bring about a revolution in this world.

Originally, in this world, there was a form of communication magic called 'Telecommunication Magic', which was conducted through the micro-spirits that existed everywhere.

Micro-spirits were present everywhere, allowing for verbal communication even from distant places.

As 'Telecommunication Magic' became a part of daily life, the great sage noticed something.

"Since voices can be transmitted, can visual information also be transmitted?" he thought.

Once the sage established the theory and it was confirmed that anyone could handle it, it didn't take long for the technology to spread.

The technology of 'video streaming', which could transmit both voice and visual information to distant places, spread throughout the world, greatly impacting people's lives.

-- A certain singer's broadcast became a huge hit, making video streaming the center of entertainment.

-- An unsuccessful adventurer became famous overnight by streaming a video of finding a rare item, leading to an increase in adventurers streaming.

-- Dwarves began interacting with foreign swordsmen to create powerful weapons called katana.

-- The cuteness of beastmen spread as healing videos, leading to a trend of wearing cat ear headbands.

-- The ancient script analyzed by elves led to the creation of new slang among the youth.

Such things happened all over the world.

The sharing of information, language, and culture has always brought about significant changes, and video streaming technology proved this by transforming the world.

Now, a platform called 'FairyTube' has been established, where content creators can stream videos and viewers can comment, becoming a staple of entertainment worldwide.

What the guild master Asels is doing now is one such video stream.

"Just now, you asked what you did. I'll explain it to you now. Come in, you guys."

Asels snapped his fingers, and a male and female guild member entered the office where Goushi was.

Asels sent a glance to the guild members, and they nodded in agreement.

"First, I'll start... I saw it! I saw that person stealing the guild's money!"

"Eh...?"

Goushi involuntarily gasped as he was pointed out by the male guild member. It was something he had no recollection of.

The male guild member detailed the situation of Goushi stealing and launched a barrage of accusations.

-- As if he had a script from the start.

While Goushi was confused, the room was filled with numerous comments from FairyTube viewers.

[Oh, really?]

[Embezzlement, huh?]

[That old man is the worst.]

[This guy deserves to be fired.]

[↑ That's why Asels is firing him.]

[Got caught, huh? Serves you right!]

"Wait, wait a minute. I didn't do that --"

"I was touched inappropriately every day! Even when I said to stop, it continued. I was very scared..."

Goushi's words were interrupted by the female guild member. This was also something he had no recollection of.

[Wow, that's terrible.]

[Will this just end with a firing?]

[Old man, you're flustered, lol. w]

[This is the face of a criminal.]

[Report him.]

[Asels is cool for firing him!]

Goushi tried to protest, but his words were dismissed as those of a criminal, and no one listened.

"So, as the guild master, I hereby fire you --"

As Asels declared, the comments streaming around them became even more intense.

-- Harsh insults and condemnation for Goushi.

-- Praise and admiration for Asels.

-- Casual interest and curiosity.

The comment section was filled with such voices.

***

"Alright. The broadcast is over, so you two can go now."

Asels ended the broadcast by disconnecting the communication with the micro-spirits.

At his words, the guild members standing by the door rushed to Asels.

And then --

"Yay!!!"

Asels and the guild members exchanged high-fives with full smiles.

"..."

Seeing this, Goushi realized he had been used as 'bait' for Asels' broadcast.

FairyTube broadcasts not only generate advertising revenue based on the number of viewers but also make it easier to receive offers for collaborations with major merchant guilds if they build a reputation. Therefore, there are those like Asels who do whatever it takes to create impactful broadcasts.

"Good job, guild master!"

"How was it, how was it? Wasn't my crying act good?"

"Ah, both of you did a great job. Look, the peak concurrent viewers exceeded 8,000."

"Wow, really? It was a huge success, wasn't it?"

"Of course, the guild master's plans always work."

"Hmm, but the 10,000 concurrent viewers mark is tough. Well, let's be happy with this."

The three who exchanged high-fives spoke with genuine joy, their expressions free of any shadow.

There was not a trace of guilt for using a fellow member to satisfy his selfish desires. It was a conversation among scoundrels.

"Explain yourself, guild master! Did you do this to get attention for the broadcast!?"

"Shut up. Don't yell so loud. I gave you, a burden to the guild, one last chance."

Asels said dismissively, and the two guild members beside him followed suit.

"To be honest, Goushi wasn't very useful. In monster hunting broadcasts, he just stood in the back."

"Right, right. Goushi was always just in the corner of the broadcast. Thanks to the guild master, we were able to get more views. Did you think you were contributing?"

"No, I was just helping the others who were unaware of the other enemies..."

When Goushi protested, Asels and the guild members looked at each other and laughed.

It was a condescending, vulgar laugh.

"Ha ha ha! Helping the guild master and us? A nobody old man like Goushi? Haha, that's hilarious."

"Goushi, stop putting on a show."

"Lying isn't good, you know?"

If a decent person had been there, they might have said, "Who are you to talk?" But unfortunately, there was no such person.

"Anyway, I just added a bit of drama, but you're still a burden. You're fired as of today."

"Wait! I can help with monster hunting --"

"Shut up...!"

Annoyed by the protest, Asels kicked Goushi in the stomach.

"Ah, damn. I should have included that in the broadcast."

Asels said this with a relaxed expression.

Goushi, having taken a certain defensive stance, actually received little damage, but Asels and the guild members didn't notice.

It was an ancient martial art called 'Floating Body' that Goushi had secretly learned through a certain video stream.

Asels and the guild members thought Goushi had been blown away by the attack and laughed.

"You know, video streaming is a culture that the whole world is paying attention to. If you can gather people through streaming, you can get money, fame, and even women."

"..."

"But there are many people and guilds doing streaming. You can't rise to the top unless you outdo them. Keeping someone like you, who doesn't contribute much to views, is a liability to the guild."

Asels spoke matter-of-factly.

Regardless of the right or wrong of his values and arguments, there was one significant mistake.

Asels would realize this later.

"I thought there might be some people interested in an old man, but it didn't work out."

"..."

"Still, it's good, right? You got to contribute in the end. Getting close to 10,000 concurrent viewers with a broadcast focused on an old man like you, it won't happen again. You can say, 'I got a lot of people to watch my expulsion broadcast,' and it'll be a good story. Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Goushi tried to argue and persuade Asels to change his mind.

But Asels wouldn't listen.

"Come on, get out of here. Or do you want to be kicked again?"

With a feeling of resignation, Goushi started to leave the guild office.

"But --"

"Huh?"

Goushi's words as he left.

Asels frowned at the sound.

"But I... I believe video streaming can make people happy. Whether it's a beautiful ideal or not, someone taught me that."

These were the last words Goushi left in the 'Great Serpent of the Flaming Sky' guild.

***

"Finally got rid of that burden."

"You're too kind, guild master. You could have kicked him out sooner."

"No, no, these days if you fire someone unreasonably, the authorities might call it wrongful termination. It's just a precaution."

After Goushi left the guild.

Asels and the others chatted as if they had completed a task.

"But it's good. The broadcast was full of support for the guild master, and there were hardly any comments questioning our acting."

"Of course. I instructed our members."

"What did you instruct them to do?"

"To act like regular viewers and bash Goushi. It's important to control the atmosphere in a place where a crowd gathers."

"Wow! Guild master, you're a genius!?"

"Heh heh. It's all in here, here."

Asels pointed to his head.

After that, the members of the 'Great Serpent of the Flaming Sky' continued their unethical conversation.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the office door.

"Huh? Who is it?"

When Asels invited the person in, a beautiful blonde girl stood there.

The girl bowed slightly and spoke in a bell-like voice.

"Excuse me. My name is Mizuri Aronia."

"Hey, are you my fan? I have dinner plans with someone else today, but... you're really cute. If you really want to, I can make time?"

"No, definitely not."

Interrupted by her sharp words, Asels flinched.

Mizuri, who had a fairy-like appearance, had a mysterious aura in her blue eyes.

"I came to talk to Goushi Crossner. Is he here?"

"Goushi? He's already gone, but what does a girl like you want with an old man like him --"

"Ah... I'm too late..."

Mizuri collapsed at Asels' response.

Seeing her very disappointed expression, Asels was confused.

"What's going on?"

"Where did he go?"

"Huh?"

"Where did he go? Goushi's destination."

"Well, I don't know..."

"...Sigh."

Asels was even more confused by the sigh.

He didn't understand who this girl was or why she was so fixated on Goushi.

"Never mind, I'll leave. Thank you."

"Wait, wait. If you want, would you like to join my guild? With your looks, I'm sure you'd be a top earner."

"Working for someone like you is out of the question. I will never forgive you for what you did to Goushi."

"..."

"I'm sure you'll realize what kind of talent you lost eventually."

Mizuri left the office with these words.

Asels and the guild members looked at each other, confused.

"What was that all about...?"

Not knowing what to think, Asels could only mutter.

Thus, Asels and the 'Great Serpent of the Flaming Sky' discarded Goushi.

The price they paid was a video stream with 8,000 concurrent viewers.

At the time, Asels and the others had no idea how inadequate this was.

-- And six months later, the world would witness a legend.

◆ New work released!

I'm sure those who have read this work will enjoy it without a doubt!

Please enjoy it (*^^*)

▼ Title

Serial: The Old Man Traveler, Revealed as the True Hero Who Saved the World

~Trying to live a free and easy life, but his true identity is discovered wherever he goes~

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4235jk/

● To the readers

Thank you for reading.

This work is set in a fantasy world where streaming culture has taken root, a slightly unique setting.

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The first volume of this novel is now available.

It is a satisfying read for those who have enjoyed the web version, so please enjoy it!

On August 20, a manga adaptation will be released on Gangan ONLINE, so please look forward to it!