Just before I entered the city of Onen, I was told by Krom-san about the guards I originally hired.
''I usually send a request to the Adventurer's Guild to hire a high ranking adventurer. They say it's safe along the streets, but you never know what could happen.
In this world, there is the Adventurer's Guild, which is a standard feature in games.
The guild is responsible for arranging quests, such as escorting and gathering.
If you complete a quest, you will be paid a reward, and if you fail, you will be punished with a penalty.
However, this time there happened to be some high-ranking adventurers out. When I was wondering what was going on, the mercenary guild approached me.''
The Mercenary Guild is another organization that mediates quests.
Originally, it was only the Adventurer's Guild, but as a result of an internal conflict in the upper echelons, it seems to have split into the Adventurer's Guild and the Mercenary's Guild.
It seems that both of them have been fighting for market share for many years because they both have the same kind of business.
Chrome-san sent a request for an escort to the mercenary guild, and the ones who were dispatched to do so were three young, older mercenaries.
''I'm told that all of them are talented people with [Sword Art] skills, and I asked for an escort with the intention of investing in the young people, but no, it was a big mistake. ...... Perhaps this might be a sign from heaven. The heir son has grown up well, and it's time for me to think about retiring.
Do you have a son?
'I'll be twenty-nine this year. Probably about the same age as Ko-sama.
Well, it's about the same, or rather, it's ...... exactly the same.
There may be some discrepancies depending on the month you were born, but, well, I guess we're the same age.
'Oh, that's another oddity! I will eventually introduce you to him when you arrive in the city of Oonen, and I hope that you will be able to befriend him. I'm sure it would be a great help to you if you were to work as a craftsman.
"Ha, thank you.
While we were talking about this, me and Krom-san arrived at the city gates.
Apparently there was trouble going on, and a small crowd of people had gathered.
When I looked, I saw three, somewhat rowdy-looking young men talking frantically to the guards about something.
--Ah, ah, ah, Armored Bear! We got an armored bear!
--Ore, we fought desperately. But the merchant who was the target of our escort panicked .......
--Crap, if only they had listened to our instructions properly, they could have protected Krom-san .......
From the story, it's probably the mercenary who was originally hired by Krom-san.
The three of them were ranting a lot of things at the guards, but the summary of their arguments went something like this.
--They fought desperately against the Armored Bear, but Krom-san acted on his own and died, and they were forced to retreat to the city of Onen.
Ugh.
It's a big lie right here.
The three of them ran away as soon as Armored Bear came out, and most importantly, Krom-san is alive.
I'm not saying that all lies are bad, but faking the life and death of a client for the sake of self-defense is out.
''Ah, Krom-san!
The one who voiced that was the guard who had heard the three of them.
Apparently, they noticed our presence.
''What do you mean, Mr. Chrome was supposed to be killed by Armored Bear. ......
No, no, no, no. I am alive.
Chrome-san's tone was calm, but his eyes weren't smiling at all.
''Fortunately, Kou-sama over here saved me from a dangerous situation.
What? You're going to talk to me here?
Not only the guards, but also the onlookers look at me and I feel a little uncomfortable.
It's a very good idea to have a good time. I'm a woodworker.
I take out a wooden spear from the item box.
There's still an armored bear's raw head stuck in the tip.
It's a bit of a splat, but it's time to show proof of defeat.
You're right, it's Armored Bear: ......
The guard was surprised, and his voice was more than a little shaky.
'But a woodworker, ......?'
Ah, I knew that's where you'd fall for it.
The onlookers around you are whispering to each other, "There is no such thing as a woodworker," "It's a barbarian no matter how you look at it," and "I mean, who are they to beat up an armored bear, brother?
...... Well, it's a big world. Maybe there's a woodworker like that.
The guards coughed, cohon, and cleared their throats.
Then he turned to the three young men and said
'By the way, according to you guys, Mr. Crom is dead, what's this all about?
Yeah, that's ......
Um, .......
Ugh. ......
The three of them couldn't even get away with saying it, and they were muzzled.
There was an awkward silence in the air, and then Krom-san spoke up.
They ran away as soon as Armored Bear came out. They didn't even show any signs of fighting. I'm going to report this to the Mercenary Guild now.
I see.
The guard put his hand to his chin and pondered, then ordered the other guards to restrain the three of them.
''Chrome-san, let me lend you one of our soldiers. If they escape on the way to take them to the guild, it would affect the security of the entire city.
Oh, my God, I'm so sorry for your concern.
While Mr. Krom and the guards are talking, the other guards try to put a noose on the three of them.
But then--.
'Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
The most muscular young man of the three suddenly began to lash out.
He pushed the guards away and drew his sword from his waistband - and slashed at me!
"Because you saved the chrome. Die!
I don't want to hear that kind of nonsense!
The fact that I was able to respond on the spur of the moment is probably thanks to the [Mastery of Dexterity].
I take out the [Hikino's Chair] from the item box.
I lifted it up as if I were flipping it over and received a well-timed slash on the back side of the chair.
'Nah......!
The young man was taken aback.
I'm not going to miss that opportunity.
I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.
Ugh ......!
With just that, the young man fainted.
He falls to the ground without effort.
Hmph.
This chair has been granted "Strength Enhancement A+" and "Stunned Enhancement S+", but I didn't expect it to be useful here.
Hmm ......?
I calmly looked around and saw that everyone was looking at me.
No, well, I've done a rough job of it, so I deserve the attention, but what's this silence, it's a bit scary.
...... and so on, someone shouts out loud.
'You're doing it, bro! Wasn't that guy a B-ranked mercenary named Docks?
"A simple woodworker just beat up a B-grade!
''That doxx guy, he's always blusterin' because he's got the [swordsman] skill. ...... It's a nice creep!
From there, all hell broke loose.
The people of this world seemed to be in a good mood, and they even started throwing me up in the air.