Chapter 29

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“This got a bit out of hand, didn’t it, Yulg?”
“No one died, so it’s fine, right?”

As groans echoed from all around, I brushed the dirt from my bruised and battered body. Saran glanced over at the thirty or so thugs groaning and collapsed on the ground, then spoke up.

“To all members of the Zogachi Company, I apologize for the inconvenience while you’re injured, but we have supply wagons arriving this afternoon. Please vacate the premises promptly.”

I know I’m the one who knocked them all down, but still—are you heartless? Some of these guys have multiple fractures.

“President Zogachi? Did you hear me?”
“Th-this… this is absurd…”
“Picking a fight with the Skysunder wasn’t the smartest move on your part.”
“S-Skysunder…? That’s who he is…?”

Wait. These guys picked a fight without even knowing who I was? You’ve got to be kidding me. Do your intel first. This is exactly how you get yourselves wrecked.

“Let’s call this one a free lesson. You get to leave in one piece this time. Next time, don’t count on it.”
“H-hiiiee…!”

I took a step toward them, and Zogachi instinctively backed away, dragging his broken leg behind him. The others all stared at me with faces drained of color and spirit. Seriously… how did thugs this fragile act so high and mighty in the first place? I really don’t get it.

“Come on, move it. Before I change my mind.”
“H-Hey… we’re leaving. Get moving!”

Using his sword as a crutch, Zogachi wobbled to his feet and gave a feeble command. His men started moving sluggishly. Some were still unable to walk, but after a while, they managed to load the injured onto wagons. Without even a goodbye, the Zogachi Company began leaving Marhas. No manners, even at the end.

“Man… that was exhausting.”
“Yulg, are you all right!?”

Fimia ran over to me as I sat down, and immediately began casting healing magic. I still can’t get used to the weird feeling of split-open wounds knitting themselves shut.

“You overdid it, didn’t you?”
“Meh, thugs like that won’t get the message unless you go this far.”
“Watching you was nerve-wracking, you know.”

I’d offered to take on the fight with Zogachi’s crew by myself. Because I believed that was my role—and the best choice.

There were two reasons for that. First, to make them understand something very important: That the acting Guildmaster of Frontier City Marhas is a hot-headed brute they can’t defeat with their own fists.

Second, to keep the other Mercia members out of the fight. The village’s Scoundrel rampaging around is nothing new, but Rolo, Fimia, and Saran aren’t like that. Sure, they’ve seen battle against monsters—but when it’s people hurting people, it feels very different. For the future management of Marhas, I couldn’t let my allies be seen raising a hand against others.

And yeah, the villagers have been keeping their distance from me since. Maybe they were traumatized seeing me punch people with my bare hands… wouldn’t be surprising.

“The major injuries are all healed now.”
“Thanks, really.”
“But there won’t be a ‘next time.’”

Fimia spoke with a clarity that carried a sense of determination.

“Huh?”
“I don’t want to be a coward who lets you carry the burden alone.”
“…Me neither. Next time, I’m not going to just sit back and listen to you, Yulg.”

Rolo and Fimia knelt beside me and rested their foreheads on my shoulders. Something about that touched me deeply, and I found myself gently patting their heads. Seems my well-intentioned decision had ended up upsetting them a bit.

“Well then. Thank you for your hard work, Yulg.”

Saran walked up beside me and adjusted his glasses, peering down. This guy… He clearly understood my intention—and used it well. Then again, I suppose I should be grateful.

Because if actual battle had broken out, his magic would’ve been far more terrifying than anything else. That bunch of goons wouldn’t have stood a chance if Saran had decided to go all out. After all, Saran Zolark is one of the Kingdom’s most powerful mages.

That’s why he sent someone to fetch me and had me handle the situation. Call it self-preservation if you want, but the guy knows how to use people to achieve his goals. And in that sense, I actually find him trustworthy.

“Did everything turn out how you wanted?”
“Let’s call it a passing grade. Though I don’t think you needed to take on everyone.”
“Didn’t have much of a choice—they attacked. More importantly… what the hell do you mean by me being the acting Guildmaster?”

Rolo spoke up in response too.

“Yeah! I didn’t hear anything about being the acting mayor of the New District either, you know!?”
“Ah, did I forget to mention that? My apologies.”

This conniving four-eyes…!
You planned this all along, didn’t you!?

“Perhaps I simply forgot to inform you amidst all the chaos. How fortuitous.”
“It’s not fortuitous at all! I already refused, remember!?”
“It’s the official appointment that you refused, no? I don’t recall you saying not to recommend you or make you acting Guildmaster.”

There he goes again—always has an answer! This is exactly why Saran is so damn slippery! And here I thought he’d been acting unusually well-behaved lately!

“I didn’t agree to this either!”
“Rolo’s appointment was entirely my unilateral decision. My apologies.”
“You don’t look sorry at all!”
“Surely not. Haha.”

Saran gave a completely insincere laugh and continued.

“We’re short on the right people. It’d be a waste not to use someone with the epithet Versatile Mystic, wouldn’t it?”
“Still, that doesn’t mean…!”
“You’re Marhas-born, well-liked by the locals, part of the Mercia party who launched the frontier project, a titled adventurer, capable of both clerical and security duties, and good-looking to boot… Honestly, I can’t think of any reason not to appoint you.”

Saran’s logic left Rolo speechless. Even I had to admit—there probably wasn’t a better candidate.

I manage the adventurers, and Rolo handles the rest. That system was actually working pretty well for the New District.

“For the safety and prosperity of Marhas. Please accept your roles.”

Pushing up his glasses, the devious strategist gave us a smug, toothy grin.