The journey after leaving the “Pioneer City Agarvain” went smoothly.
I chuckled at the news of the “disappearance of the lord and the priest” that I heard just before our departure. After leaving the city, I idly chatted with my companions on the carriage, took naps, and casually shopped in a small village where we stopped for a break.
At one point, I skipped stones at a stream we came across, but I accidentally used my dragon power and threw one at supersonic speed. The stone flew towards a ragged red dragon in the distance, which was heading in the direction of the village (that guy was still alive), and hit it…
Enjoying the journey in moderation, I eventually returned to “Pioneer City Tristein.”
Afterward, as “Dark Lady Sara,” I had a conversation with Lord Iscar, and a few days later…
“So, are you listening, Jade? I, the one who created the undefeated brawler legend, was unfortunately… yes, unfortunately defeated by that woman, ‘Albedo the Ripper!’ But it was almost on purpose, you know. I don’t hit women. That’s why I had to hold back my strength.”
“Haha, that’s insane, Under-san.”
… I was being roped into a conversation by a drunk senior adventurer at the bar next to the guild.
While I usually respond more naturally to people my own age or weirdos, I tend to be polite when dealing with older people—probably a habit from my past life in Japan. Because of that, I’d sometimes end up keeping lonely old men company.
Well, it’s not so bad. If they hated me, they wouldn’t treat me like this.
“Well, that woman died at some point, but here I am, still alive in my forties. So in a way, I won, right?”
“Yeah, sure… (No, you totally lost.)”
I sipped my beer, letting his words flow past me. I planned to have him pay for this drink too. Yum.
“Anyway, the Albedo I knew was a scary woman with big breasts, but compared to her, the Albedo from the neighboring territory is apparently kind and delicate, right? Hey, Jade, you’ve talked to her, right? If you get the chance, introduce me, would you?”
“I’ll think about it (Not going to happen).”
“Yeah! I’m looking forward to it!”
I drank and ate while chatting with the drunken senior. Sometimes, it’s nice to spend time with people other than my usual companions.
“Listen, Jade. When you get to my age, finding a marriage partner is tough, so it’s a good idea to settle down with someone while you’re still young.”
“I don’t have anyone like that.”
“Sure you do! There’s those twin sisters you take care of, the female knight, Mistika-san, Lua, Shirokusa…”
“Wait, the last two are totally wrong.”
As I was having this silly conversation with Under-san, the guild’s door suddenly burst open with a bang.
What the…?
“Tch, just like I heard. Hunters everywhere.”
A young man with tanned skin, red hair, and scars all over his body walked in with a strange way of speaking.
“My name’s Van. I heard you can make money becoming an adventurer here. Am I right!?”
Van yelled in a threatening manner. The first to respond to him was Mistika-san.
“Welcome. I am Mistika, the receptionist of the ‘Adventurers’ Guild.’ Regarding your inquiry, you are correct.”
“Ha? You’re a stone-faced woman, aren’t you? I prefer a face full of fear. Hey, why don’t you show me that?”
“Changing expressions is not part of my duties. Request denied.”
“Ahhh!?”
Van took long strides towards the reception desk, his fist clenched, as if announcing he was about to punch her.
“I’m gonna kill you.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!?”
Is this guy crazy!?
There was another guy with glasses who once caused trouble with Mistika-san, but at least there was some conversation first! This guy’s going straight to violence!?
“Hey, stop right there!”
And that’s when I stepped in to intervene.
Just a split second earlier, Under-san, making an unnecessarily dramatic rolling move, stood in front of the man.
Wait, what the heck are you doing!?
“Hmph, hey, kid. Loosen that clenched fist.”
“Huh? Who the hell are you?”
“My name is Under! Once, I was hailed as the undefeated legend of brawling—”
“Die.”
In an instant, the man swung a merciless backhand. It landed square on Under-san’s face, sending him flying towards the wall, his face distorting like rubber from the impact!
“Ugh, Under got taken out!?”
“That bastard! He’s been acting cocky this whole time!”
“Who the hell do you think you are, huh!?”
The guild was suddenly filled with murderous intent.
Under, due to his unnecessarily long adventurer career, had a lot of acquaintances. Seeing a familiar face get beaten for no reason, the adventurers weren’t going to sit still.
“Let’s kill him!”
In a split second, they all charged at the man named Van.
But—
“You pathetic humans! You’re all so damn annoying! Ura-ura-ura-ura!”
A hundred strikes in a blink of an eye. Van threw punches in all directions at unbelievable speed, sending the adventurers flying!
“No way… could he be—?”
That overwhelming combat ability, that reckless ferocity, and, most of all, the phrase “you pathetic humans.”
There was no mistake.
“Well, the small fry are dealt with. Next is you, Mistika. You can either die right here, or grovel and beg for your life with that pathetic little female face of yours. Your choice, trash.”
“I refuse to do the latter, even if it costs me my life. There’s only one person I’ll ever show my female side to. Now leave, trash.”
“Die.”
The “non-human” threw a monstrous punch towards Mistika at supersonic speed.
—I caught it by the wrist.
“What!?”
“Hey, calm down, newbie. Let’s take this outside for a chat, shall we?”
“Huh!? A human’s trying to order me around!?”
“Just listen.”
I lightly squeezed his wrist. Yes, just a little, with the power of the “Evil Dragon.”
The man’s rage-filled face twisted in pain.
“Guh… this strength… could it be you too…?”
“That’s right. Now, let’s settle this with a nice, calm talk.”
I led the guy out of the guild.
Meanwhile, the guild was filled with adventurers lying unconscious, but somehow, no one had died. Maybe this Van guy had some minimum level of restraint, though he didn’t seem like the type.
“Well, sorry for all the trouble, Mistika-san. I’ll take care of this for a bit.”
I waved casually, trying to put her at ease.
“…Yes. Please take care.”
…Hey, hey, Mistika.
Don’t show that face to the other adventurers, okay?
