Two days had passed since the bandit raid. The Guild Master, Jan, had cut his schedule short by a day and returned to the Guild.
"I heard the story from Raid. I appreciate it, Shin," Jan announced, seated opposite me in his office. He lifted his gaze from the documents in his hand and looked directly at me.
After we'd apprehended all the bandits, I had entrusted Raid with a message the following morning. I told him about the bandit group's attack and confirmed that the issue was already resolved. Despite that, the Guild Master had rushed back to town.
"Still, that was a reckless thing to do, you know. You've only got that 'ability' and you can't use magic," he pointed out.
It was only the two of us in the room, which allowed for this kind of conversation. He was worried about me, yes, but he also clearly wanted to know the trick behind it all.
"Hmm... it wasn't much of a deal, honestly," I replied, keeping my tone deliberately vague.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
"It means that idiots who only respond to force exist in every world."
Jan glared at me with an expression that said, I understand what you mean, but I don't buy it. I hated sounding like I was bragging, but the look on his face told me he wouldn't let me leave without an explanation, so I reluctantly gave in.
"It would have been bad if they'd immediately attacked. But a group of people won't feel fear toward a single person who shows up unarmed. What's more, I introduced myself as a Bronze-Class right away, which, I'm guessing, changed their perception to 'we can kill this guy anytime.'"
"Didn't you think they'd be wary? What if they hadn't believed you?" he challenged.
"If I were someone stronger than them, I would have attacked them first, without bothering to talk. That's what they would have thought. So, the moment I didn't do that, their guard dropped, I'd wager."
Jan nodded slowly, mumbling, "Hrmm."
"Besides, that 'Blood Axe Granze' fellow, I believe? That kind of guy is an idiot, but he's not stupid. As a group leader, he has to constantly show off his authority—his strength, even—in front of his subordinates and his enemies. To get the maximum effect using me, he had to accept my challenge and then crush me completely. Well, it was literally a gamble, wasn't it? I never want to do that again."
After hearing all that, Jan let out a long, heavy breath.
"You seem awfully composed for someone who just said that. Were you some kind of general in your previous world, or something?"
"No, I was just a regular civilian, myself..." I admitted. Since Jan could use 'True/False Judgment,' lying was pointless. I offered a wry smile, accepting the truth.
"Speaking of which, what about that Granze guy? What's going to happen to the bandits now?"
"Oh, about that. There's something I need to talk to you about," Jan said, and his tone suddenly plummeted. It was low and heavy.
"A consultation? You need me, Jan?"
"That bandit group—they had the gall to show up when I was away from town. It happens every two months, y'know, for the Lord's private army training. And they moved as if they knew exactly when it would be too late for me to turn back. I'm not such a fool or a nice guy to think that's a coincidence."
Jan put a hand to his chin, his gaze dropping slightly.
"Do you have an idea why?"
"...The Lord said it to me on the way back. 'It looks like something terrible happened, didn't it?' with a nasty, sly smile on his face."
Ugh, was all I could think. Jan, noticing my expression, raised an eyebrow, calling me out.
"You shouldn't be surprised. They're obviously moving according to his schedule."
"Did you do something to make him hate you?" I wondered aloud.
He tapped his index finger sharply on the table.
"It's probably because I refused to become the captain of his private army. A Gold-Class is the level they hire in the Royal Capital, after all."
"Seriously? Just for that?" I questioned, genuinely confused.
"He only inherited his Count title from his parents, and his magic is just mediocre. So, he's desperate to gather powerful magic-users and is willing to pay any amount for them. I refused because I wouldn't be able to protect the town's peace, but..."
So they didn't prioritize 'abilities' here? Well, with a clear class system, maybe it wasn't a true meritocracy. But wait...
"Hold on, can a Gold-Class refuse an order like that?"
"It's not like we just obey without question, no. You need an emergency or a good enough reason to refuse."
That made sense. I pulled the stray thought back to the main topic.
"So, this whole incident was just... spite?"
"It's happened a few times before, but this is a step too far. Getting his own territory attacked by bandits? That's utterly crossing the line. Maybe the Lord didn't think it would come to this, but that doesn't matter. Since he went this far, he has to take responsibility."
That's what they mean by touching a raw nerve, I thought, but didn't say it aloud.
"Did Granze confess anything? If you had any proof of the Lord's complicity, maybe you could appeal this to a higher authority."
The Guild Master shook his head quietly.
"He's still in a state of shock, y'know. He won't answer a thing. His subordinates are too terrified to talk, either."
Was the shock that intense? I suppose it was like a self-proclaimed strongman losing a contest of pure strength, so I couldn't blame them.
"I-I'm sorry. I might have overdone it."
"No, you saved Millia and the others. I can't thank you enough. You're the savior of this town's womenfolk."
Huh? That sounded... odd. Sensing my confusion, he continued without waiting for me to ask.
"Those guys were apparently demanding the same thing in other towns and villages, too—kidnapping women. Did the ones you caught have any women with them?"
"Ah..." The realization hit me, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Exactly. After they were kidnapped, they were either killed or abandoned to keep them quiet or because they were a burden. Well, if they were lucky, they might have been sold into slavery."
The best-case scenario is slavery? I had expected a class system, but I hadn't thought the existence of slavery would be so casually mentioned.
"Right, about the bandits' disposal: they're all going to be executed. It'll work out well so that nobody learns about your 'ability,' too, huh?"
"Don't say that as if it's an easy fix!" I protested. Though, considering those men had committed countless murders, the punishment probably wasn't too harsh, even by the standards of my previous world.
"Those guys are fine, but the problem is the Lord. Now then, how should we get rid of him?"
"Getting rid of him right away?"
I stopped him from pursuing a course of action he clearly thought was obvious.
"I don't think we should take his life."
"Why not? He put the town in danger because of his pettiness!" he countered. That was undeniably true, but there was one massive pitfall.
"If you get rid of the Lord, won't another one just come or inherit the title?"
"Well, yeah."
"The question is whether that new Lord will be more docile than the current one. If someone more powerful in magic, and more cunning, takes over, we'll be in a hopeless situation, won't we?"
Jan crossed his arms and fell into deep thought.
"That makes sense. But..."
"I'm not saying we should do nothing. We just need to make the current Lord behave, right? In that case, let's think of a way to do that."
The Guild Master straightened up in his seat, ready to restart the planning session.
"You're right. Besides, that bastard wanted to meet you anyway. Maybe we can use that for something."
"Huh? Me? The Lord wants to see me?" I was slightly taken aback by the sudden, unexpected turn in the conversation.
"He said he wanted to meet the 'Giant Boar Slayer' and the weirdo who hunts fish and birds and builds toilets. And somehow, he thinks they're two different people."
"Wait, why would he think that?"
"Well, he'd never dream that someone strong enough to kill a Giant Boar would also be quietly catching fish and birds, and then selling them cheaply."
I put both my hands on the table and folded them.
"Hmm... But the reason he wants to meet me probably isn't going to be good."
"Probably not. If it's the 'Giant Boar Slayer,' he'll try to recruit you like he did me. If it's the fish, birds, and toilet guy, he'll demand all the supply and all the rights. Especially since he's the type of person who thinks he doesn't need to be polite to a Bronze-Class."
Based on all the information, that seemed highly likely.
"...Then how about this?"
I proposed a solution I'd just thought up on the spot, and together, Jan and I discussed and refined the plan. We finalized our strategy about fifteen minutes later.
"...So, how does that sound? I think you can write the letter with the contents we just decided on."
"Got it. And I'll have Raid guide you that day. You're excused. Sorry for taking up your time."
As I bowed and stood up, Jan also rose from his long chair.
"But you know, Shin. You're pretty ruthless yourself."
"Is that a problem?" I asked, smiling wickedly. He returned a similar smirk.
"—It's the best."
Like two old men planning a mischievous prank, the two of us curled our lips in a shared, conspiratorial grin.
* * *
Two weeks later.
Raid and I were waiting at the gate of the Lord's mansion. The three-story building was incomparably more luxurious and extravagant than the town's Guild facilities.
"Sorry, Raid. Thanks for carrying the luggage."
"Nah, it's no big deal, y'know. But this is rough luck for you, Shin-san. If anything happens, I'll be your witness, so don't hesitate to smash things up!" Raid insisted.
We had secured an appointment with the Lord, and I had brought some dried fish and a few live birds to present as offerings. Raid now saw me as the savior of Millia and the others, so he'd gone past being friendly and had become incredibly protective. To prevent a leak, the 'scheme' with the Guild Master was known only to Jan and me. The operation, 'The Higher the Fall, the Greater the Damage,' was about to begin.
"Permission granted. ...Be sure not to be disrespectful."
After a reception different from the town guards, I handed the fish and birds to a servant, and Raid and I passed through the gate. Inside, I met the gaze of a tall man in his fifties. Though he was only about the same height as me (170cm), his clothes and the sheer amount of accessories he wore loudly advertised his high status. With a strong-looking escort standing beside him, it was certainly the Lord.
He wasn't the stereotypical bald, heavy-set man, but he wore a monocle and had a handlebar-style mustache—his unpleasant personality seemed to ooze from his face.
"Oh, Raid-kun! You've come! It's been a while. Are you ready to become a Gold-Class and serve me? I can pay you 100 gold coins a month."
Raid forced a bitter smile, but then the Lord's eyes slid to me.
"—And who is this shabby trash next to you? He looks like he's utterly devoid of luck."
I could feel Raid's entire demeanor snap in an instant, but I held up a hand to stop him and answered myself.
"I am the Bronze-Class adventurer who received your invitation. The one who makes a living catching fish and birds, and building toilets—"
The Lord cut me off.
"Ah, that one. Get over here quickly. Even dealing with trash like you, I have to conclude a contract, or the Guild Master will make a fuss. Hey, you! Take Raid-kun to my study! Make sure you're respectful!"
Raid looked like he wanted to say something, but I managed to soothe him, and he parted ways with the escort. I followed the Lord and was led into a room.
"Here, sign this and get out of my sight. I assume you can at least write your name," the Lord sneered, throwing the document at me without waiting for me to sit down.
There was a guard for this room, and even he looked uncomfortable watching this display. I slowly sat down in the chair and began to read the document.
"Oh, you can read words, too?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, I can read and write, at least." That meant there were people who couldn't read or write in this world. The level of education was what I had expected. Once I finished reading the document, I quietly placed it back on the table.
"What? What's wrong?" he demanded.
"It's impossible," I replied simply.
Upon hearing this, he threw his feet up onto the table.
"Listen to me, you Bronze-Class—are you daring to defy me, Lord Doorn?"
"I'm just saying what's impossible is impossible. I can deliver the fish and birds, but it takes me a day and a half to walk here. Delivering them daily is physically impossible. Furthermore, the purchase price isn't even written here. And for the toilet rights, the transfer amount is blank, too, isn't it?"
I'd expected demands, but this was a collection of completely unreasonable requests. He hadn't thought this through at all, just writing down his pure desires.
"Possible, impossible? Can do, can't do? Who asked for that? Trash should just do what they're told! I have an important discussion with Raid-kun waiting for me. Now, sign it and be gone!"
"I can't. I can't promise what I can't deliver," I stated firmly.
He slammed his feet down from the table and immediately grabbed me by the lapels.
Then, a cold, wet liquid was splashed over my head. It smelled like alcohol. The empty cup was held in front of me, swaying back and forth like a trophy.
"...Tell the Guild Master he owes me one. Sending such a rebellious piece of garbage. I keep an eye on him because he's a Gold-Class, but he's always defying me. Looks like he still needs more discipline. He can look forward to the next private army training."
Perfect. This level of pure, unadulterated jerk was better than I could have hoped for. The effect would be glorious. He let go of me, then flicked his chin toward his guards. That was the signal for them to remove me, and the two men approached with slightly embarrassed expressions.
—Operation: Activation.
"Oh, speaking of the Guild Master—he said to tell the Lord that he had an urgent report about 'Blood Axe Granze' and that I should deliver this letter immediately. Sorry, I was just wondering when I should hand it over..."
I awkwardly reached into my inner pocket and offered the letter. The Lord snatched it from my hand. He couldn't possibly ignore a letter concerning Granze, especially one labeled urgent report.
"Spit it out! Hmph, honestly... I thought you were useless and idiotic just by looking at your face, but it seems your mind is trash, too. Besides, I told him to bring the 'Giant Boar Slayer' as well! And yet...!"
He grumbled, violently tearing open the envelope and starting to read the contents. The letter was not, in fact, about Granze or an emergency report—though it was technically related in the wording. It shouldn't have taken him more than thirty seconds to read it. He scanned the lines with his eyes.
"Eh? ...Eh?"
His face gradually turned pale, and his eyes lost focus. As the two guards put their hands on my shoulders, the Lord's mouth opened, trembling.
"You... n-no, you-you-you are...? The J-Giant Boar S-Slayer...?"
Instantly, the two guards recoiled from me as if they'd been shocked by electricity.
"Ah, I suppose that's what some people are calling me."
The hand holding the letter shook violently, a vibration that traveled through the floor and made the table rattle.
He had just read this very short message, written by Jan:
Count Balk Doorn,
I am sending the Guild member you requested, accompanied by Raid as a guide. Also, you seem to be under the mistaken impression that he is a separate person, but he—Shin—is the same individual.
While he is an eccentric who hunts birds and fish despite possessing the strength of a 'Giant Boar Slayer,' Shin is a very mild-mannered person.
However, as evidenced by his recent feat of subduing 'Blood Axe Granze' single-handedly and without taking a scratch, his combat ability is extremely high. If he were to be angered, even I would have difficulty stopping him.
Considering this, I offer you the humble advice to negotiate carefully.
Guild Master of the West District: Jandou
Without needing 'True/False Judgment,' the Guild Master had no reason to write such an elaborate lie that could be easily exposed later. The realization This is a fact was all that remained in his mind.
And along with that came the reality check: He had just insulted the 'Giant Boar Slayer.' He had demanded impossible terms that couldn't be called a contract. He had grabbed the hero's lapels and drenched his head in alcohol as a threat.
I lightly shook my head from side to side to clear the alcohol's dampness.
"Hic!" The Lord flinched, his expression clearly terrified.
"Excuse me, Lord Doorn—" I began.
"Y-Yes! Y-Yessir! Wh-What is it?" He stiffened, back ramrod straight, answering as if his life depended on it. The two guards behind me were also visibly shaking, judging by the sounds of shifting furniture.
"It seems I committed a great discourtesy just now..."
"N-No, no, no! I-I was mistaken! Don't worry about it! I'd appreciate it if you could forget the whole thing!" He was struggling to choose his words to avoid agitating me, but I ignored his efforts and pressed on.
"Is that so? However, that contract—I truly feel it was a bit unreasonable."
"Th-That was... a mistake! A mistake, yes?"
He desperately tried to choose his words to avoid provoking me, but I continued the conversation without giving him space.
"I see. I did think that demanding everything for free was a bit odd. Oh, and also..."
"Wh-What would that be, sir?"
"Earlier, you mentioned the Guild Master owing you a favor, but I'm just a simple country person, so I don't quite understand what that means. The Guild Master has been very kind to me, so I'd prefer nothing that would cause him trouble."
He nodded his head up and down so hard I thought it might snap off. From that point on, it was a one-sided game. The 'discussion' concluded after we finalized the key points.
The contract for the fish, birds, and toilet would be revisited, with the Lord sending a proposal with revised terms to the town later. The previous 'discourtesy' would be forgiven. And the Lord would send compensation to the town to make up for his 'mistake' and misunderstanding.
"—Thank you for your time. I apologize for taking up your schedule. Now, please proceed with your talk with Raid-kun... Though, since he was kind enough to guide me, I'd appreciate it if you could finish quickly. Is that acceptable?"
"I-I will call him immediately, sir!" the Lord stammered. He practically fled the room without even calling a guard or servant.
I looked around the room. The guards who had been ordered to remove me were nervously looking at me, clearly intimidated. Hmm, I didn't mean to scare them, too, I thought. I decided to take care of them.
"Excuse me..."
They both jumped at the sound of my voice.
"T-That was an order, sir!"
"I-I have a wife and a daughter!"
I never thought I'd hear those words directed at me. I quickly put a hand into my pocket and handed a small item to one of them to clear up the misunderstanding. A pouch full of fifty gold coins clinked in his palm.
"Eh?"
"W-What is this?"
They looked at me, utterly bewildered.
"That is an offering I brought for the servants here, in addition to the gift for the Lord."
The two exchanged a look, and their faces softened with relief.
"W-We understand. We'll make sure everyone gets some."
"You'll accept it? Then please take this, too..." I pressed five more gold coins into each of their hands as a bonus.
"I-Is this alright?"
"Yes. It must be tough, following orders. I appreciate all your hard work," I said, subtly signaling that I was on their side, that I understood their situation. Their faces instantly lit up, as if they'd gone from hell to heaven. Just then, Raid walked into the room.
"Shin-san, what happened? They said you were leaving already... wait, huh?" He saw the dampness on my upper body, and his words died in his throat.
"...What happened to you? Did the 'Giant Boar Slayer' do something to you, y'know?"
"No, it's fine. It's all over now. Just a misunderstanding," I reassured him, holding up both my palms. And just like that, Raid and I left the Lord's mansion.
Behind the scene:
The Guild Master, Jan, and Shin executed their tactical plan to neutralize the arrogant Count Balk Doorn. Jan's letter revealed Shin was both the humble fish vendor and the terrifying 'Giant Boar Slayer,' shattering the Lord's confidence. The Lord's attempt to intimidate the 'Bronze-Class trash' backfired spectacularly, resulting in him groveling and agreeing to new terms, all to avoid incurring the wrath of a known monster-slayer. Shin's final act of generosity to the Lord's private guards also ensured loyalty and good word-of-mouth against the Count.
Notes:
• Jan - The sturdy branch manager of the local Adventurer's Guild. He is short, has muscular build, and gray hair.
• Raid - A young, 'normie' adventurer who gets saddled with the job of escorting Shin. He is carefree and friendly but is instantly put on edge by Jandou's ominous warning. He has short black hair, sun-tanned skin, and wears casual adventure gear.
• Shin - An average, middle-aged Japanese salaryman who prides himself on his common sense and average abilities. He was forcibly sent to a fantasy world by a God and granted the 'ability' to prevent anything 'outside his common sense' from occurring in his presence.
• Balk Doorn - The Count and Lord of the town. He inherited his title and has only mediocre magic ability, making him desperate to hire powerful magic-users. He appears to have orchestrated the recent bandit attack to discredit the Guild Master. He has slim face, with an unpleases expression, wears monocle on one ye, has handlebar-style mustache, and wears adorned clothes.