The Spring of Encounters and Farewells
The long-awaited spring had finally arrived.
For many, it was the season to resume activities, as well as the season for new beginnings.
First, as the snow melted and traffic on the streets became lively again, trade would restart with the coming and going of horse-drawn carriages.
For Legol, the birthplace of new products, this spring was truly long-awaited. The goods that had been painstakingly crafted throughout the winter were rapidly loaded up and shipped off to the capital and various other towns.
Next was the movement of people. This was the peak season for job changes and guild members changing headquarters. From now on, guild parties from other places would flock to Legol, while many parties from Legol would head out on expeditions.
While winter had provided many opportunities to deepen friendships with Legol’s familiars through conversation, the active season was now upon them. There would be new encounters, but also partings.
One such parting was about to take place at Legol’s western gate.
“…I never imagined Bridget is part of baron’s family. Although I was unaware, please forgive my many impudences until now.”
“Don’t worry about it, Sheena. Nastasha. It was my failing to hide my status and be unable to complete my duties… But the experience of a commoner’s work will serve as nourishment for me, I believe. I’m grateful.”
Three ornately decorated carriages, clearly for nobility, were stopped near the western gate’s carriage station.
Nobles were inside, of course. Among them was Bridget, the newly-minted swordswoman who had undergone harsh training in the Baroa Forest over the winter.
However, instead of her knightly attire, she now wore some kind of ceremonial garb. Dressed like that, she looked every bit the noble lady. Well, her noble lady aura had been undisguisable even before.
She was facing Sheena and Nastasha,
the two who had seemingly come to see her off.
So Bridget was departing for the capital this spring as a lady knight. Her true identity had been revealed… Though everyone had figured it out from the start, really.
“I will be living in the capital for a while, with limited opportunities to learn proper etiquette. That’s why I revealed my identity to you two. This was simply my selfishness… I’m glad I could meet you before departing.”
“Lady Bridget…”
“No need for ‘lady.’ In front of you, I wish to simply be Bridget before Bridget-la-Samselia… I hope to join you both on duties again someday.”
“Heh, in that case, I’d appreciate if you were better accustomed to marching by then.”
“How harsh.”
With a wry smile, Bridget elegantly boarded the carriage without taking her attendant’s hand.
“Farewell, then. We’ll meet again somewhere, someday.”
“Yes, certainly. Bridget.”
And so the carriages carrying Bridget departed towards the capital.
A touching farewell…or was it? To me, it just meant one less noble I’d seen around Legol, giving me a bit more peace of mind.
“…Mongrel. You could’ve at least called out to her.”
“Nah, I was on the job.”
“You really do dislike nobility, don’t you?”
“I like good nobles. It’s just that good nobles don’t carelessly mistreat those beneath them.”
I was currently working at the carriage station, loading and unloading trade goods.
It was a Bronze-ranked physical labor job that actually paid pretty well.
I had secretly watched Bridget’s farewell scene from behind the cargo,
where an anime background mob character might appear.
“More importantly, did you hear about the Artemis guild leader?”
“What?”
“Apparently she returned those new arrowheads she had procured. What happened there?”
“You have a good ear… The area near the base was too fragile. Not only were the arrowheads themselves brittle, but the shafts risked getting damaged too. We had no choice but to return them since we couldn’t adopt them.”
“Ah, I see. While I’m not an expert on bows, if that’s what a pro says, it must be true.”
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I’ve practiced archery many times, but details about the quality of equipment are still beyond me.
I was surprised that there were new types of arrowheads, but I guess even new things can get bad reviews. Still, it’s by field-testing them that manufacturers can get feedback to improve. You can’t just make things based on assumptions.
“Spring has lots of smaller prey, so durable equipment is easier to use. High performance is no good if it breaks immediately.”
“You’re right. Reliability in weapons is crucial.”
“…Your weapon doesn’t seem particularly well-made, though.”
“You got a problem with my bastard sword?”
“No, not at all.”
Simple mechanisms are less prone to breaking. In that sense, my no-frills, utility-focused bastard sword is a reliable partner.
Well, it’s also because I’ve reinforced it to be rock-solid with enhancements, but still.
“…Mongrel. Raina will reach the Silver rank by the end of this year.”
“Oh, she’s advancing that soon? That’s fast.”
Raina is currently Bronze 3. Her rapid advancement is likely due to being part of Artemis, but even so, it’s remarkably quick.
However, a rank change—a promotion—requires passing rather stringent screening. Even for a diligent guild member like Raina, reaching Silver would normally take a bit longer.
But look at it this way: To go from a newbie to Silver rank in just over two years as a guild member is impressive.
“Being outpaced by your junior. Doesn’t it sting?”
“It’s an elder’s role to celebrate the young’s growth.”
“You’re 30 years old, you know.”
“I’m still 29!”
“Same thing.”
Not the same at all! There’s a vast difference between 29 and 30, like Everest and the Mariana Trench.
Next time I ask your age, I’m aiming high, so be ready.
“Raina has been…and Ulrika too, lately…been concerned that your rank is still stuck at Bronze. If you want to be the reliable senior those girls can depend on, why don’t you brace yourself and make a move already?”
“Sorry, but that’s non-negotiable for me.”
“You don’t want to get drafted?”
Sharp as always, huh?
Well, avoiding the draft isn’t my only reason, but still.
“Half-bloods get used up on the frontlines.”
“…Depends on the commander. These days, it’s not rare for even a Sunglaire half-blood. You’re too wary of nobles.”
“Can’t be too wary. Everyone only has one life. Most only have one soul, too. It’s too late once you’re dead.”
Not that I’d actually die if thrown on the frontlines, but still.
What am I supposed to do, go beast mode against the Sunglaire military?
Become hailed as a battlefield hero and get promoted to centurion or something? Then go on to regimental commander after that? That’s an insane rise in status for a commoner.
An advancement I have zero interest in, by the way.
I’m not about to get tied down to a nation.
“Sheena, if you’re going to call yourself a party leader, make sure you don’t get your juniors killed. This season, you’ll get transfer members who know nothing about Artemis’ reputation. An all-female party will just make you a target for trouble.”
“I’m well aware, without you telling me. We’ll be sticking to group actions for a while.”
Transfer members – that’s what we call guild member parties from other towns coming to make Legol their home base.
Most towns’ job pools are maxed out in terms of how the work is divided, so transfers rarely do well. But during the busy spring to summer period, there’s plenty of room for them to slip in. If they can push out the existing parties in the meantime…well, that’s a common pattern of conflict.
“Hmm. But Mongrel, you’re a solo half-blood – wouldn’t that make you a prime target for other guild members and outsiders? You should worry about yourself before concerning yourself with us Artemis folk.”
“Fair point, I suppose.”
By the way, Nastasha had merely given a small wave during Bridget’s farewell scene earlier – an unsociable one, she is.
“But you don’t need to worry about me. Anyone who picks a fight out there is just gonna get their ass beat, nice and easy.”
“What an uncouth way of putting it.”
I just mean I’ll smash ’em, is all.
For some reason, unprovoked violence is considered a relatively minor crime in this world.
Wonder why that is, given people can still get injured.
“Hey, strong guy! Get back over here already! Nothing but heavy stuff left to move!”
“Coming! Welp, back to work. See ya around.”
“Yes, sorry for the interruption.”
Work calls, unloading cargo.
I’ll slip a few letters addressed from Lord Chaos in with the shipments too while I’m at it.
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