Chapter 75
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After a while, the rowdy commotion starts up again.
I ask Ashley about the large fire that was lit in front of her house and the smaller fires surrounding it, wondering what they were all about.
「Oh, that? It’s apparently been a tradition for Berserga since its founding.」
She tells me that it’s used for various purposes, like boosting morale before a battle or celebrating the completion of a mission. Basically, it’s a way to raise spirits or commemorate successes.
In this case, the celebration is to honor Berserga’s encounter with Ashley, a Holy Knight who could become a valuable warrior and partner.
「They light a big fire in the center, surrounded by smaller ones. They grill meat, drink alcohol, and when the mood is right, they start singing and dancing.」
Starting fires, grilling meat, drinking alcohol, and then singing and dancing when the vibe is right – Berserga’s customs sound exactly like what the popular crowd does.
It’s a scene I’ve often witnessed back in Japan.
Those considered 「popular」 would gather to drink and grill meat, regardless of time or place. They’d get drunk in random places like riverbeds, plazas, forests, or rivers, blasting upbeat music and dancing wildly.
I wonder if I can keep up with the pace of this world.
No, probably not.
As I’m composing some cool-sounding poem in my head that I’ve heard somewhere before, I hear:
「Big bro! The meat’s ready!」
Suddenly, a mysterious plate appears before me.
The voice calling me 「big bro」 is a beautiful boy soprano, not yet changed by puberty.
I look at the owner of the voice to see a beautiful boy(?) in his mid-teens.
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Next to this beautiful boy(?) stands Saga, the leader of Berserga.
He’s in high spirits, asking me, 「Yo, Low! How’s the drinking going?」
「Saga, sir. I’m afraid I’m not much of a drinker, but I’m enjoying it in small sips.」
Saga clearly frowns at my answer and lets out a sigh.
「Low, my man, a real man fights until he’s satisfied, drinks until he’s wasted, and beds beautiful women to his heart’s content. That’s how we can do our best work, satisfying both mercenaries and clients.」
Is he some big star from the Showa era or what?
Look, Ashley’s making a really disgusted face.
Just then, the beautiful boy calls out to Saga.
「Dad.」
Huh? Dad?
「Huh? What is it?」
Saga responds to his son(?) with an attitude that seems to say, 「What, you got a problem?」
「I’m gonna tell Mom on you.」
「Hmph, do whatever you want.」
Faced with this exchange, I stammer, 「Uh, um…」
The two of them look at me as if wondering what’s wrong.
「I just want to ask, what’s your relationship?」
「Father and son.」 they reply in unison.
「Ehhhhhhh?!」
It’s a mystery of DNA.
How did Saga’s genes end up like this?
His wife must be incredibly beautiful, and only her genes were expressed! There’s zero Saga in this kid!
It’s nothing, nothing, nothing, zero, zero, zero! Saga’s genes, do your job! No, wait, actually, stay as you are!! Hold on, does this mean this beautiful boy will turn out like Saga when he gets older?
「Time, stand still!」 I cry out desperately.
The confused expressions on their faces, as if saying, 「Did this guy suddenly go crazy?」, were indeed remarkably similar.
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「Big bro, here’s some chilled ale too!」
For some reason, this beautiful boy who calls me 「big bro」 keeps offering me perfectly grilled meat and cold drinks, taking care of me attentively.
He turns out to be the son of Saga, the leader of Berserga.
「This kid here seems to have taken a liking to you. Remember when I mentioned earlier about entrusting a capable person to you? Well, this brat volunteered for it.」
The boy’s slender build, visible even through his clothes, hardly seems fitting for a mercenary. His long hair tied in a ponytail adds to the illusion, making him look like a tall, slender woman at first glance.
「So, let me introduce myself properly. I’m Milo, Milo Assaultbody! I’ll be in your care from now on, so please treat me well!」
Milo Assaultbody.
He narrows his androgynous, beautiful eyes and extends his hand to me for a handshake.
「Yeah, likewise. Looking forward to working with you.」
I reply, shaking his hand.
As I grasp his hand, I can feel Milo’s true nature. His slenderness is like that of a black panther or cheetah – dangerous feline predators. There’s a definite suppleness and powerful spring in his grip. Beneath his clothes, his muscle fibers must be packed as densely as steel.
「Man, that was amazing earlier, big bro! The way you moved your arm – I couldn’t see what you did at all!」
「Low, you really were incredible! I couldn’t tell what you did either!」 Ashley chimes in.
They must be talking about when I made the wooden skewer disappear.
Milo and Ashley shower me with praise, their eyes shining.
「Oh, it’s not that big a deal,」 I say modestly.
Of course, I have a desire for recognition too.
But I try to hide it and act humble. However…
「Some fancy folks say modesty is a virtue, but too much of it becomes disrespectful. Even I couldn’t clearly see what you did. So stand tall and be proud of yourself.」
Saga reprimands me.
He leads a mercenary group that values strength above all else. He must be genuinely looking out for me.
In that case…
「You’re right, Saga. I’ll take back what I said.」
Then I activate my skill.
「My technique is invisible to everyone.」
I’m no longer where they’re looking.
I’m outside the circle they’ve formed around me.
From a distance, I call out to them.
「Well then! I’m heading out for a bit! I’ll be back soon! I’m leaving things to Saga and Ash until then!」
With that, I entrust the situation to them and dash off to where my Eagle Dragon is waiting.
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