Chapter 53. < 24. Queen Kingdom Rhodia (3) >
Nothing but laughter came out.
The brother he now served was someone who, in his past life, had subjugated the Demon King alongside the Knight King Philip III. He had even single-handedly slain one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's army.
This meant he was someone who had achieved a feat that would be recorded in history.
No, honestly speaking, there wasn't even a need for his brother to step forward. Even he, having reached the realm of Sword Master, could trample most guys underfoot. And yet, some fellow who wasn't even Expert level wanted to show off his strength?
'Bluffing, and your side was the one who started it first...... No, never mind.'
Morgan took a deep breath.
As the alcohol-laced breath escaped through his lips, his mind settled somewhat.
If he got swept up in these braggarts' pace and ended up in a fistfight, that would be the end. Far from spending an enjoyable time with the women, they would all be dragged off to the security force for questioning.
It was inevitably an immensely troublesome matter.
'It was already troublesome, so I should clean this up at this opportunity.'
Rather, this was an opportunity.
As long as no bloody incident occurred, if he drove them out peacefully, no problems would arise.
Morgan nodded and asked the narrow-eyed man.
"Who is he, that guy?"
"What! Did you just speak informally to me?"
"You're the one who started speaking informally first. And when someone suddenly shouts and loses their temper, what else can I do?"
"You brat! If I must say, this brother here is the renowned Troll Slayer of Amarina, the A-rank mercenary, Temur!"
"A-rank mercenary?"
"He's an A-rank mercenary?"
The customers in the shop wore surprised expressions. The murmuring was loud enough to leak outside.
This was understandable, as to obtain an A-rank at any mercenary guild, one had to demonstrate ability equivalent to that of a knight.
"Ahem. Brother, why are you being so embarrassing."
"No, brother! This insolent brat is spouting nonsense in front of you, how could I stand for it!"
"It's possible with youthful spirit. I understand completely."
The bearded man feigned a magnanimous appearance.
But to Morgan's eyes, it looked like nothing more than obvious acting.
He, quick to read the mood, couldn't possibly miss the fellow's expression enjoying the surrounding attention and reactions.
'Bastard, if I asked to see his mercenary badge, he'd probably throw some forged one at me.'
Heh, Morgan let out a scoffing laugh.
Of course, there were plenty of ways to prove that.
But he didn't feel the need to go that far.
He first attended to the women who wore expressions like they'd bitten into shit.
"I'm sorry about this. Somehow things ended up like this. Did any sauce get on your clothes?"
"It's fine. And it's not your fault anyway, right?"
"Right. Anyone can crack jokes. Why are you dampening our cutie's spirit?"
Cutie naturally referred to Rumiann.
Amid the awkwardness, he struggled to hold back a smile.
Having a woman much younger than his past life age say such things gave him a strange sense of immorality.
But he liked it.
While Rumiann stood there foolishly, the situation continued to unfold.
"What! Are you saying this is our fault......"
"Oh my, let's stop. Now that things have come to this, is it important who was at fault? What's important is that the good atmosphere of our drinking party has been shattered."
"This fellow keeps......"
"Hey, let's not do 'this fellow, that fellow.' Besides, the store customers don't look pleased because we're causing a disturbance, do they? Oh my, the owner over there looks completely...... It's fine! We're not fighting! Please don't call the security force!"
"Really?"
"Of course! We'll resolve this peacefully! You gentlemen over there also aren't planning to do anything by force, right? Right?"
Having instantly eliminated the biggest source of anxiety, Morgan looked at the two men with a smiling face.
They flinched.
At this point, they would understand.
Whether they were A-rank mercenaries or not, it no longer mattered.
'Those guys became troublesome customers 1 and 2, and we became gentlemen who considered both the women and the shop's circumstances with good manners.'
Morgan glanced sideways at the female mercenaries.
The atmosphere was good. Especially the blonde he had his eye on seemed like she no longer needed to worry.
Of course, he had no intention of ending things here.
In hunting, the top priority is always oneself, but in a situation with this much leisure, it was only natural to look after his brother as well.
He looked at Rumiann with a grin, then spoke to the bearded man.
"Hey there, Mr. Troll Slayer."
"This kid, how dare you address my brother in such a way......"
"Stop. What is it?"
"Well, seeing as things have come to this, it seems awkward to keep drinking together...... How about we cleanly have a bet?"
"A bet?"
"Yes. Well, something grand like a duel is too heart-pounding for me. I'm someone whose hands and feet shake at the sight of blood......"
"Will you stop running your mouth?"
"Anyway, rather than drawing swords and causing a scene, how about peacefully settling this with an arm wrestling match?"
"Arm wrestling?"
"That's right, arm wrestling. The losing side quietly leaves the establishment."
"Hmm......."
The bearded man and the narrow-eyed man glanced at each other.
Honestly speaking, they weren't confident. To their eyes, Morgan looked quite strong.
They had expected him to be scared and run away at the mention of an A-rank mercenary, but the fact that he was standing his ground like this meant he was quite a capable person.
Their faces showed distress.
However, Morgan made an unexpected proposal.
"Of course, your side would have the renowned Troll Slayer come out...... and our side's representative will be our younger brother."
"What?"
"No, why are you surprised? Didn't you hear our brother earlier? Our brother is the one who pierces through troll skulls with an Aura Sword."
"Yes, that would be me."
"Pff!"
"Pffhahaha......."
The women burst into laughter again at Rumiann's nonchalant response. The customers watching them did the same.
It felt quite amusing to see a young fellow continuing to bluff without a hint of tension.
Of course, the bearded man didn't feel that way.
"You brats...... Fine! It does hurt my pride to deal with such a kid, but...... so you won't spout such nonsense anymore...... that is, for the purpose of discipline......"
Morgan didn't focus on the bearded man's words.
He was clearing the table, only winking at the women who looked at him and Rumiann with worried expressions.
"No need to worry. My brother is really strong."
"No, he's an A-rank mercenary! What if his arm breaks!"
"Ah, I said there's really no need to worry."
"He's right. I'm strong."
"This kid, even in this situation!"
The cat-eyed woman scolded Rumiann.
Her eyes filled with concern. Her appearance of stamping her feet anxiously.
It was good. As he stood up from his seat, the alcohol rushed to his head, but Rumiann didn't register it.
He just felt good that a stage for him to show off had opened up.
"What, it's fun for the first time in a while!"
"Shall we bet too?"
"Yeah. This has gotten interesting."
"I'm betting on that young master. I want to win big."
In an instant, the shop's atmosphere heated up. Some ordered more alcohol, and some started betting among themselves. The owner still watched Rumiann's table with a tense expression.
The bearded man pretended to be calm and placed his right hand on the table.
He felt burdened by suddenly receiving so much attention, but honestly, he wasn't worried.
'The age difference looks like more than double. If I press down with aura, I'll definitely win.'
Rather than swordsmanship, in this kind of head-on strength contest, age was a thug. There was bound to be a difference in aura reserves.
Gulp. He swallowed as he held the hand of the green-looking kid. Then he glanced at the cat-eyed woman.
He had made a bit of a mistake, but if he showed a cool appearance here......
"Now, is everyone ready? Then......"
And then, he would slowly win her over with his eloquent speech......
When the bearded man was thinking this far.
Morgan shouted vigorously.
"Start!"
Kwang!
And in just 0.1 seconds, the result was decided.
Rumiann, who had stood up dusting off his hand, spoke with an expressionless face.
"Easier than a troll."
"Oooooh, what is thiiis!"
"That kid is no joke!"
"He beat an A-rank mercenary?"
"Maybe that guy was just bluffing?"
At the unexpected result, all the shop's customers raised a commotion.
Those who won money were excited about winning, and those who lost money were excited because the situation was entertaining.
The female mercenaries were also simply pleased because they found the narrow-eyed man and the bearded man repulsive. Actually, if Rumiann had lost, they had planned to immediately get up and leave for somewhere else.
But that cutie won so magnificently!
The thoroughly excited black-haired cat-eyed mercenary hugged Rumiann from behind.
"What, you! You're really strong! Maybe those things you said earlier were true too?"
"Heok!"
Rumiann's eyes widened.
The soft pressure felt on his back!
It was certain. This was breasts!
Rumiann felt blood rushing to his head. At the same time, he felt blood rushing below as well.
Normally, he would have been flustered by this and his body and thoughts would have stopped simultaneously, but the drunk Rumiann was different.
Whipping his body around, he gazed steadily at the woman who had hugged him.
And instinctively used his aura imagery.
Wooooong-!
"Ah!"
The woman let out an exclamation.
It was an exclamation of unclear meaning.
Normally, he would have agonized over its meaning for quite a while.
But Rumiann now decided not to care.
He slowly brought his face closer to hers.
But at that moment, a sound that seemed to tear through eardrums rang out.
Jijijijik-!
"Kuek!"
"What's that sound...... heok!"
"Oh, an Aura Sword!"
"Fuck...... this tiny-dicked bastard!"
From the sword held by the bearded man who had lost the arm wrestling match to Rumiann, a blue energy was undulating.
Fully excited, he pointed at Rumiann and spoke.
"These dog-like bastards, dare to commit fraud?"
'What rotten luck. Of all things, to meet such trash.'
Morgan let out a deep sigh.
He felt no fear at all.
Even if it were a real Aura Sword, he wouldn't be worried, but that fellow was holding a fake Aura Sword. It was likely a magic sword that created a plausible imagery.
'The earnings are probably meager, but he bought a magic sword to pick up women.'
He almost wanted to applaud that passion.
Of course, only if it hadn't involved him.
He pressed his throbbing head with his fingers and worried about the aftermath.
It was fine. It was still fine. Since the other side had unilaterally picked the fight, even if the security force came, only they would be taken away.
The owner would testify to their innocence, so rather, this situation could be turned into a blessing in disguise.
'If I show a calm and bold appearance before an Aura Sword, and show concern that no sparks fly toward the women.......'
Of course, fighting back was out of the question.
Rhodia was originally famous for its strict security. With what seemed like an increase in outsiders, it would be even more severe lately.
Anyway, since they wouldn't actually swing a fake Aura Sword, as long as he didn't back down, it would be enough.
And his brother would know this too.
Since conflicts at drinking parties weren't uncommon, Morgan had given warnings about this the entire time they rode here on horseback.
'Alright, done. No problem.'
Whew, having caught his breath, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
It was his first hunting in a while, but there had been too many unexpected incidents.
But it was fine. All's well that ends well, and soon the time to harvest sweet fruits would come.
Jiiiiiiing-!
However, that was merely Morgan's wishful thinking.
A sound softly resonated through the shop.
Hearing this, people looked toward Rumiann.
And they shouted in surprise.
"Th, there's an Aura Sword here too!"
"Crazy, Expert at that age?"
"Does that make sense?"
"What is going on?"
"......Brother?"
"Step aside, Morgan."
Rumiann emitted a fearsome momentum.
Morgan unconsciously cleared a path for him. Though he had reached Sword Master, right now he had no choice but to step back.
Rumiann's momentum was that tremendous.
In truth, he was in an extremely heated state.
'How dare...... interrupt me?'
Something surged up from within Rumiann.
With each step he took, even hotter energy rose up. It was hard to endure.
'You...... you've probably done it a lot!'
It was certain. That bastard had definitely done it. He could swear to it.
The birds chirping affectionately, the scruffy dog wandering the streets, the innocent-looking young lady he encountered while passing by last night.
Everyone does sex.
He couldn't do it for 60 years because he didn't have the equipment, and now that he was finally about to somehow do it once.
'How dare you interrupt that?'
Rumiann stood face to face before the bearded man.
He was not in his right mind at the moment.
Therefore, he couldn't think rationally about handling things moderately, handing the troublemakers over to the security force, and continuing his pursuit.
Bad guys who torment me must be eliminated!
Only that thought filled his mind.
"Do you...... do you have to take everything...... to feel relieved?"
A hot voice flowed from Rumiann's lips.
Naturally, the bearded man couldn't understand these words.
He spoke haltingly.
"Wh, what, where did you pick up some strange magic sword......"
Pabat!
Chwachwachwachwachwang!
Chaechaeng, chaeng, chaeng!
"......."
Rumiann swung his sword at a fearsome speed.
Then the bearded man's magic sword instantly fell to the floor in six pieces.
Rumiann spoke again.
"I asked if you have to do that to feel relieved."
"He cut an Aura Sword with an Aura Sword!"
"No, wasn't that a magic sword?"
"Really? Then only the boy's side had an Aura Sword?"
"What? Is that a real Aura Sword?"
Everyone in the shop was surprised.
The bearded man was surprised, the narrow-eyed man was surprised, the two women were surprised, the customers were surprised.
But the most surprised right now was the female knight Sir Linnell, who had been savoring her long-awaited day off.
Jureureureuk
Fruit wine streamed from her gaping mouth.
She simply couldn't close her mouth.