“You really caused a stir, didn’t you?”
“Oh, did you hear about it already?”
The day after my first walk.
Lowell approached me with a dry chuckle and started speaking. Had word already reached him?
Well, considering I dismissed the guards with the family crest, it wasn’t surprising that Lowell knew.
“How do you manage to cause trouble on the first day?”
“Haha, think about where I came from.”
Did anyone really expect a guy who was at the top of the rough Colosseum to go out and not cause even a little trouble?
“…The young lady is holding the leash better than I thought.”
“No one was seriously hurt.”
No deaths, no broken bones.
Besides, I wasn’t even the one who started the fight. In a way, it was self-defense.
Sure, I might’ve gone a bit overboard, but in this world, wouldn’t that be considered mild?
“Well… just don’t kill anyone.”
“Is that all?”
“…And try not to cripple anyone either.”
“Fine, fine. Got it.”
I wasn’t the best at holding back, but I’d manage somehow.
“Still, what were you doing at the Mercenary Guild?”
“I was curious about adventurers.”
“Adventurers? Are you interested in that sort of thing?”
“A little, yeah.”
I mean, we’re in a fantasy world.
Doesn’t the idea of adventuring, searching for the mysteries of this world, sound romantic?
Someday, when I have the time, I’d love to go on a proper adventure.
“Hmph, now that’s unexpected. I thought being the watchdog of the house suited you.”
“People can have more than one calling, can’t they?”
Not that I’d ditch my current life and run off, but it’d be nice to try it at least once before I die.
“So, did you get into a scuffle with the mercenaries?”
“That, and I wanted to test them out.”
“Test their skills?”
“Yeah, I was curious about what kind of strength people who live by the sword have.”
Mercenaries are considered one of the key forces of power in this world.
I’ve heard that smaller nobles often hire mercenaries for territorial skirmishes.
In fact, the outcome of such conflicts often hinges on which mercenary group they employ.
It’s even said that prominent mercenary captains are sometimes offered noble daughters in marriage to secure their allegiance.
“So, what did you think?”
“Hmm, hard to say.”
A fairly famous mercenary group went down in three minutes against me.
Of course, they were all drunk and hadn’t even drawn their weapons.
If they’d been sober and armed…
Hmm, if I used Aura, it’d still be a three-minute win.
The difference between an Aura user and a non-user is massive.
The captain did use a little bit of Aura, but in terms of skill, there was no comparison.
“Still, without using Aura, I think it’d be a tough fight.”
If neither side used Aura, it’d probably be a struggle.
Aura is practically cheating in this world.
Even old folks around here stay spry thanks to Aura.
Considering how skilled they are despite their age, I can’t even guess how old some of them really are.
“A silver rank is fairly high.”
“Yes, I plan to check again later.”
I’ve already arranged to meet the mercenary captain in a few days, so I’ll properly gauge his skills then.
“By the way, I heard you bought gifts for the maids.”
“Oh, yeah. Picked them up while I was out.”
On the way back yesterday, I stopped by a high-end jewelry shop and emptied my coin pouch.
I don’t seem to need much money here, so I figured I might as well spend it.
The maids were delighted when I handed out the jewelry I bought.
“Hmm, you do know how to show gratitude.”
“Huh? Oh, well, sure.”
Then, out of nowhere, Lowell gave me a sly look.
“What are you staring at? It’s creepy.”
“No gifts for your master?”
“Have you ever seen a trained dog give its owner a gift?”
One minute he calls it training, the next he wants to be called a mentor.
Lowell’s face twisted slightly at my retort.
“…I suppose I didn’t socialize you enough.”
“I’m a bit too wild for that.”
Did he really think he could tame a natural-born lion like me with a bit of training?
“Come on, let’s go. It’s been a while since we had a lesson.”
“…That sounds ominous.”
And just like that, the old man wouldn’t let it go.
Sighing inwardly, I stepped out of the proverbial doghouse.
“Let’s start with a check on Guard.”
“Oh, you’re just itching to hit me, aren’t you?”
“Take your position, sandbag.”
And so, I spent the day getting thoroughly beaten while training my guard.
*
After my first outing, I went out again the following days.
“Let us dress you up again today!”
For two days, I couldn’t win against the maids’ insistence. Ever since they received their gifts, they’d become even more enthusiastic.
“…I’ll go with casual clothes today.”
“Ehh— but you looked amazing yesterday.”
Given today’s destination, I declined and opted for the casual outfit I had worn before.
“I’ll ask for your help next time.”
“Understood!”
Well, it seems like a few refusals here and there won’t sour the maids’ goodwill anymore.
The gifts are proving to be quite effective.
It was worth spending a small fortune on those expensive items.
Though, ironically, the most expensive gift I bought—meant for the young lady—has yet to be delivered.
Anyway.
“Have a safe trip.”
“Yeah.”
I stepped outside the mansion, returning the gatekeeper’s greeting as usual.
“Phew.”
This scenery is starting to feel familiar after four days of seeing it.
The awe I initially felt has faded, and now it’s just a forest and a mansion.
…Guess I burn through my sense of wonder a bit quickly, but that’s just who I am.
With that thought, I picked up my pace and made my way through the streets.
I passed by the high-end commercial district where I had wandered the past two days, dressed up and all, and headed straight for the Mercenary Guild in the regular district.
Clatter.
Arriving at the Mercenary Guild earlier than I had the previous time, the scene inside was much the same.
The faint smell of metal mixed with the spicy aroma from the tavern.
The only difference was…
“….”
“…You’re here.”
The mercenaries who had been rowdy and shouting last time were now sitting in heavy silence.
They were all here. I had thought maybe just their captain would show up.
“You’re all right on time.”
And despite the beating I gave them, they seemed perfectly fine.
Guess being silver-ranked adventurers isn’t just for show.
…Could they all be here thinking about taking me down?
Well, considering they were drunk last time, it’s possible they think they’d have a chance if they were sober and fully prepared.
Keeping that in mind, I settled into a chair, ready to use Track at a moment’s notice.
But…
“So… what do you want us to do?”
Judging by the captain’s expression and tone, it didn’t seem like they were here to fight.
So the heavy atmosphere wasn’t them gearing up for a challenge—it was them walking on eggshells.
“Why so polite? You’d think you’d have a different attitude after sobering up.”
“…Not in front of a seasoned Aura user like yourself.”
“Ah.”
So they’ve figured it out?
Well, considering the captain himself uses Aura and still got beaten by me, it’s not surprising he’d assume I’m some hidden young master or knight in disguise.
“No wonder you’re all sitting so upright.”
“Yes….”
Mercenaries, some of whom looked twice my age, sitting politely—it was strangely familiar.
Back in my gladiator days, older gladiators with decades of experience used to bow their heads to me too.
Honestly, the mansion feels out of place.
For the youngest champion of the Colosseum to be reduced to a household watchdog?
The Boyd family’s influence is impressive, to say the least.
“Captain, your name is Jevan, right?”
“Yes….”
“Right, Jevan the Combo. Come here.”
“You don’t have to call me by that nickname….”
“Got a problem with it?”
“No, not at all….”
At my casual command, Jevan flinched but obediently approached.
“Take this.”
I handed Jevan a pouch of silver coins, borrowed in advance from Lowell yesterday.
“What is this…?”
“There’s something I need you to do, and I figure you’ll need funds.”
“What are you asking us to do that requires such a generous amount…?”
I called Jevan here for a specific reason.
I had a task for him.
“You know how to create fake identities, right?”
“Huh?”
“You must have connections in the underworld.”
Aside from Slave Rain, I plan to have you create another reserve identity.
“Why do you need a fake identity…?”
“Don’t ask questions. Just make one and register it as a junior member of your mercenary group.”
Having it ready could come in handy someday.
Plus, being pre-registered with a renowned mercenary group would make the fake identity even more credible.
“This is so sudden….”
“Can’t do it?”
“No, I can… but….”
Despite agreeing, Jevan looked visibly uncomfortable with the request.
Of course, having someone half his age boss him around just because I know how to use Aura a little must feel infuriating.
Especially when it involves something that could impact the mercenary group he’s worked so hard to build.
“I’m not saying you’ll do it for free.”
After all, you can’t expect someone harboring resentment to do a job well without some incentive.
A little carrot alongside the stick works wonders.
“You know you can’t properly use Fleet, right?”
“Yes….”
“Want me to teach you?”
“…What?”
And if the carrot feels like a reward for enduring the stick, all the better.
“Are you serious…?”
“Basic Fleet, at least.”
Jevan stared at me as though he couldn’t believe what I was saying.
Aura users are typically knights.
Fleet is a foundational technique that all knights learn, but since knights rarely associate with mercenaries, his skepticism was understandable.
“Don’t worry that I might not know how to use it.”
I held up a badge I’d grabbed earlier.
“Huh? Wait, what?”
A gleaming gold badge in the shape of a sword and shield.
Yes, it was none other than Jevan’s own Gold-Rank insignia.
“When did you…?”
“This is what Fleet really looks like.”
Even among Aura users, the difference between knowing the basics and not is vast.
Jevan didn’t even resist—or notice—when I swiped his badge.
“If you create the identity I need, I’ll teach you.”
“R-really?!”
Jevan’s mouth hung open, his eyes sparkling.
He looked like someone who’d just struck gold.
Seems like he’ll take this task seriously.
“Of course, if I find anything suspicious when I check your work….”
A little insurance was in order.
I ran the badge across my neck in a mock slitting gesture.
“You won’t get so much as a scrap.”
“…Understood.”
“See you around.”
With that, I stood up.
“Uh, but… what about my badge…?”
“I’ll give it back when you bring me the identity.”
From what I’ve heard, this badge serves as proof of a mercenary’s identity.
Apparently, losing it is a huge hassle because reissuing one is notoriously difficult.
“Wait, what?”
“What? Just make the identity, and you’ll get it back.”
No harm done. I won’t even need the badge while I’m in the capital.
If I urgently need proof of identity, I can just rely on the other members of his group.
Most of them are at least Silver rank, so Jevan’s credentials as their captain should suffice.
Sure, they all got thrashed by me when they were drunk, but seeing them now, sober and clear-headed, they seem more competent than I expected.
The fact that none of them even needed bandages after our fight speaks volumes about how resilient this group is.
And I do hit pretty hard.
“Well then, good luck. Let’s meet again in a week.”
With that, I left the Mercenary Guild, having set up our next meeting.
“Hmm.”
Once outside, I glanced at the golden badge in my hand.
It looks pretty nice.
Maybe I shouldn’t give it back?
I’ll see what kind of identity he comes up with next week.
As I’ve often thought, connections like this shouldn’t be let go so easily.
I’ll be sure to make good use of it in the future.
