kscans

Chapter 1 - I Was Expelled, but This Might Be a Good Opportunity

"Dareth! You bring no benefit to our guild, so I have fixed the decision to expel you! Follow this decision!"

"...What? Expelled?"

This was the Blacksmith Guild in Rieten, a regional city in the Grossa Kingdom. Just as I was about to head home at the end of the day, the Guild Master, Shion, suddenly shouted.

Unfortunately, the only word I really understood was "expelled," so all I could do was ask him to repeat himself.

"I said you’re expelled! I already have a consensus from the members!"

"W, well, can I at least ask why?"

"It’s the result of considering the guild's sustainability! And for the record, this wasn't just an idea!"

"R, right..."

The man bombarding me with foreign words was Shion, a fellow blacksmith who had joined the guild at the same time I did. He had only just been appointed Guild Master the other day. With his short blond hair neatly trimmed and his forehead exposed, he gave off a refreshing impression. But... why was he the only one wearing a jacket in a Blacksmith Guild?

"When you have someone with such a low level of awareness around, it creates nothing but issues. The advantage our guild has built over its long history will be lost. You understand, don't you?"

I see. I didn't understand at all.

"...Sorry, but could you say that a little more simply?"

"I’m taking the time to explain it to you, and you’re telling me you don't understand what I’m saying!?"

"That’s not what I mean..."

Shion had always been a man of high standards. No, having high standards is a wonderful thing. It means you’re full of ambition. But... this guy was really just all talk. His actual blacksmithing skill wasn't even half of a journeyman's, more like an eighth.

"See, my cute little kittens also agree with your expulsion."

"Shion-sama, let’s just leave this old man alone."

"Let’s go to the cafe already. You said you’d treat us, didn't you?"

The women our Guild Master was pulling into a smug embrace were the receptionists. Shion was more desperate to look young than he was to blacksmith, so he didn't look too out of place with them. That dedication was truly wonderful. I, on the other hand, just wore whatever. But still...

—...Shouldn't you try harder at blacksmithing first?

Even though he was a blacksmith, Shion rarely worked, saying things like "my clothes will get dirty." Still, he was great at sucking up to his superiors, so he neatly secured the position of Guild Master. I guess he was just a guy who promoted himself by going out for drinks.

"You have no creativity. Don't come crying to me when you feel jealousy over the difference in our specs. Now, hurry up and pack your things. Make a miserable escape."

"Yes, but..."

As I listened to Shion's foreign-word-laced speech, a flicker of unease crossed my mind. Was he... really sure he wanted to expel me? It wasn't that I had excessive confidence in myself. But this guy had made me do all of his work for him. We had both joined the guild when we were, I think, ten years old. I was forty now, so we had spent thirty years together... or we were supposed to have, but I had seriously never seen him swing a hammer.

—What has this man been doing for thirty years?

That had long been my burning question.

"Honestly, it seems I can never form an alliance with you."

"I, I see..."

"I told you, you’re expelled! I’m busy and have no buffer! You are such a poor cost performance human!"

"Alright, I’ll leave right away."

Talking any further would get us nowhere. The best move was probably to just leave. The moment I packed my things and left the guild, Shion declared with a triumphant look on his face.

"NR."

□□□

Leaving behind the mysterious letters NR, I departed from the guild. Now, what should I do? As I was aimlessly wandering the streets of Rieten, a young boy darted out from an alley. I quickly dodged to avoid a collision.

"Whoa, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!"

I was relieved I hadn't hurt him when a woman, presumably his mother, came out from behind.

"I am so sorry! Honestly, this child. Come on, apologize properly."

"No, really, it's fine."

"Bye bye, mister!"

"Hey, you! I’m sorry, please excuse us!"

Watching the mother chase after her son was both heartwarming and, at the same time, brought on a small feeling of loneliness. I happened to look down at my hands and saw they were rough, calloused, and dirty. It was an unpleasant reminder of the weight of thirty years.

"I’ve really become an old man..."

I had been so engrossed in my work that thirty years had passed before I knew it. Of course, I didn't have a wife. I wasn't a social person to begin with, so a life without female companionship was the norm. Well, it would be a lie to say I didn't long for a family. But it was also true that such a thing was now a pipe dream. As I wallowed in a bit of melancholy, I remembered a letter I had received.

〔Dear Dareth-sensei. It has been a long time. I am Militar. I apologize for the sudden contact. I am writing to you today because I have a request. To that end, I would be grateful if you could come to the Royal Capital...〕

How nostalgic. Was it ten years ago... no, maybe fifteen? There was a time when I used to make toys for the children who lived near the guild. I had received a letter from one of them. I remembered making swords and staves, and they would play adventurers. It was one of my few happy memories. I hadn’t seen them around for a while now, but I hoped they were doing well. ...Well, no use dwelling on the past.

"This is a good a time as any. I think I’ll go to the Royal Capital!"

Thinking back, I had never once left Rieten. Being expelled might actually be a good opportunity. I found a suitable third-class carriage heading for the Royal Capital and set off, rattling and bumping along the road.

A few weeks later, I arrived in the Royal Capital. It was several times more lively than Rieten. Before sightseeing... I wanted to get a bite to eat. A market was open, so I stopped by a stall selling grilled skewers.

"Hey, ma'am, what do you recommend?"

"Welcome! How about some Boar Cow loin?"

"Sounds good. I'll have that."

I paid and took the skewer. A Boar Cow is a monster that looks like a hybrid of a boar and a cow, and its lean meat is delicious. I took a bite and was thrilled by the simple, salty flavor.

"Hmph... delicious."

As I ate the meat, my own personal creed and fond memories of my days at the guild came to mind.

—"Never try harder than you have to."

That was my belief. Do my job well enough to earn my salary, and occasionally enjoy a slightly extravagant drink or meal by myself. That was enough for me. Eating while worrying about what the old guys thought didn't make the food taste any better. That being said, I was worked to the bone every day... But from now on, I was free. Thinking about it that way made me feel kind of happy.

"You're a new face around here. Where'd you come from?"

"Rieten. I was at the Blacksmith Guild, but embarrassingly enough, I got expelled. Figured it was a good chance to come see the Royal Capital."

"Oh my, that's a tough break. Here, have a heart skewer on the house. Eat this and cheer up!"

"Really!? Thanks a lot, ma'am!"

I love freebies. They make you feel like you've gotten a good deal. Just as I was savoring my meal, I heard something.

"Hey! The sword I bought here broke right away! Do you have any idea how much I paid for it!"

"Huh? Don't know what you're talkin' about. You probably just used it wrong, right? Don't go blamin' other people."

Angry voices of a man and a woman came from the edge of the market.