Chapter 3: Hus
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 3: Hus
My name is simply Alto.
I was born a commoner, so there was no way I’d have a surname.
Bertrand was the name of the unit I served in.
After the war ended, there were so many people named Alto that they started tacking the unit name onto the end like a nickname to tell us apart. Unfortunately, it sounded like a full name, so that’s how I ended up being addressed in official settings.
Even though I was a survivor of the war, the higher-ups were of the opinion that they couldn’t grant me a noble title.
According to Count Dakuus, it was because they wanted to minimize any chance of war veterans gaining popularity with the public and finding a pretext to enter politics.
Not that any of the survivors had the slightest interest in that kind of politics.
That’s why I didn’t care what kind of surname they gave me.
“There’s no need to stand on ceremony, Branch Manager.”
“No, it is only right! To think I failed to recognize a National Merit Recipient…”
The Branch Manager, a veteran adventurer herself, wore an eyepatch that covered half her face due to a severe eye injury.
Because she was one-eyed, she had given up on romance and marriage, throwing herself entirely into her work. That dedication had led her to become the Branch Manager of the Adventurer Guild here in Lukart, a dungeon city located near the capital.
“I hid it on purpose. How could you have known?”
“Even so, we should have conducted a more thorough investigation…”
“Rather than that, I’d like to wrap up my withdrawal process quickly.”
In the past, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of interrupting a Branch Manager.
But I wanted to leave Lukart as soon as possible.
This place, where I had stayed for five years, held too many memories—and they were causing me just as much pain.
I could tell just by the feel of the air that it was past midnight.
I wanted to pack my bags and be out of the city by dawn at the latest.
Only then did I feel like I’d be able to breathe properly.
Right now, my chest felt so tight I was struggling for air.
“Lord Alto. If… if it isn’t too rude to ask, may I inquire as to the reason for your withdrawal from the party?”
“Personal reasons.”
“Yes, that is what was written on the documents. However… when a man withdraws from a party, we are obligated to ascertain the specific reasons and report them to the guild headquarters.”
“Is that a regulation of the Adventurer Guild itself? Or is it national policy?”
Normally, I would have hesitated and fumbled for an answer, but my nerves were frayed.
Having witnessed the infidelity and betrayal of my party members within the last day or two, my defense mechanisms were working overtime. I didn’t want to be treated like an easy mark anymore.
What?
You’re asking why I’m calling it infidelity and betrayal when the party members never liked me in the first place?
Taking out loans in my name to buy luxury gifts for another man, and planning to dip into my savings to buy him even more—if that isn’t a blatant betrayal, I don’t know what is.
Even if you set aside my one-sided crush, the situation is still this bad, so could you give me a break?
…Sorry.
I was being too aggressive.
Anyway, I’m only human; I’m not some cold-blooded machine that can be perfectly rational and separate public and private matters at all times.
If anything, I’m a person whose scales are tipped heavily toward being broken.
The Branch Manager flinched when I pointedly asked about the regulations.
“I apologize if I offended you. However, every guild is obligated to submit reports to the state at regular intervals regarding the whereabouts of the men registered with them and the reasons for their movements.”
“That obligation is becoming quite a nuisance for me.”
“At—at the very least, you must provide a rough outline of your plans, such as your means of livelihood or where you intend to reside after your withdrawal.”
Fortunately, the Branch Manager backed down a step before I could get more annoyed.
I felt a twinge of guilt for that.
Even if I lose my temper, I’m the one who ends up regretting it later.
Once the anger fades, I’m always left with the skeptical thought that it would have been better to just leave quietly without seeing them again.
“I don’t have any specific plans.”
“Then, perhaps you could stay in Lukart for the time being…”
“Ah, as soon as the withdrawal process is complete, I’m leaving Lukart immediately.”
“Pardon…?”
I heard the receptionist behind her gasp.
The Branch Manager wiped her sweaty palms against her trousers.
It’s strange, isn’t it?
Before, I would have found her intimidating, but now, the Branch Manager sitting in front of me seemed incredibly small.
I almost felt like I was the one bullying her.
“If you are leaving… where to?”
“I haven’t decided that either. But leaving this city is my first priority.”
“W-what is the reason?”
“On the contrary, is there any reason why I shouldn’t leave this city? I’ve properly completed my party withdrawal, and I’m not committing any crimes.”
“If you wish for a period of rest, I recommend Harbel, which is famous for its hot springs. If you desire, the Adventurer Guild is willing to provide accommodations and cover all associated expenses.”
Now? After all this?
She probably thought she was trying to keep me in the city, but it had the opposite effect.
It genuinely soured my mood.
“……”
“Lord Alto?”
Let’s try to be understanding.
As a man and a National Merit Recipient, my departure from Lukart would be a significant loss.
I couldn’t think of a role for myself, but from the perspective of a ruler or a businessman, my utility would be endless.
What would happen if word got out that I had left Lukart?
And what if the rumor was that the Adventurer Guild couldn’t even mediate a conflict with a discordant party and just let me go without a fight?
At the very least, the Branch Manager and the receptionist would lose their jobs immediately and be cursed by everyone in the city.
Yes, I should be understanding.
“……”
“I—I will take that as a yes and proceed with the processing quickly… Ah! And while you are away, I will prepare a list of candidates for a new party for you to join.”
Sigh. Should I really be understanding?
“Then, it is settled that you will continue to reside in Lukart…”
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Understanding, my foot.
“Pardon?”
“Branch Manager, the only reason you’re acting like this is because I’m Alto Bertrand.”
If I hadn’t revealed my service record, you wouldn’t have even brought me back here.
And no matter how hard I tried to stay calm, one scene kept flashing in my mind.
It was the sight of Krima and Diane kissing Gerend in the street while giving him a brand-new wallet bought with my money.
In the street.
Even though they knew I was part of Mirei’s Party, the three of them were acting like that openly in public.
A male supporter belonging to a party is officially recognized as the ‘property’ of the women in that party, yet they were there with another man.
That meant…
“You all knew, didn’t you?”
It meant this entire city was keeping it from me, laughing at me while I remained in the dark.
“When I was just Alto, you treated me like a pathetic loser. But now that ‘Bertrand’ is attached to my name, do I suddenly look different?”
“L-Lord Alto…”
“Branch Manager, the reason you keep asking for my reason for leaving isn’t because you’re actually curious. It’s because you want to confirm if the reason you’re thinking of is correct.”
I must have hit the mark.
The Branch Manager hung her head and remained silent.
It wasn’t good to scold a superior in front of a receptionist, but these people had done far worse to me.
“How long did you think I’d stay ignorant? It didn’t seem like anyone was even trying to hide it. If anything, I was the idiot for finding out so late. You all must have been pointing fingers at me behind my back, too, right?”
The scary thing about anger is that even if it starts out calm, the moment it leaves your mouth, it flows back in through your nose and fills your entire head.
“You had no problem mocking me for being ugly and ostracizing me, but now that I’m not just Alto but Bertrand, you want me to stay? Just how much of a pushover did you take me for?”
“It’s not like that…”
The hell it isn’t.
Ah, I can’t take it anymore.
“The whole city! Even my own party members laughed at me for being an ugly man!”
Bang!
Without realizing it, I slammed my hand down on the table.
Unfortunately, I crushed the teacup perfectly.
Shards of porcelain dug into my palm, and a large one tore a gash, causing blood to flow.
Then, the thick scent of blood rose.
It was the heavy, distinct smell of human blood, different from the scent of monsters, which were nothing more than beasts.
It’s okay.
I’ve worked for five years, and I’ve reached a level where I can control myself.
So, I was able to suppress my agitation and look at the Branch Manager calmly.
“Hieek…!”
Regrettably, it seemed my face had contorted fiercely in response to the scent of blood.
The Branch Manager was trembling, looking at me with an expression that was on the verge of tears.
I didn’t mean for this to happen…
At this point, I’m starting to think my face isn’t just ugly, but actually terrifying.
Actually, that might be better.
“I don’t care what you write down as the reason for my withdrawal. But I don’t want Mirei’s Party to be penalized for it, nor do I want you to suffer any consequences. I just want a quiet—a very quiet—withdrawal and to get out of here. As long as my goal is met, I’m willing to accommodate you as much as possible.”
I’ll emphasize this again: you shouldn’t mess with someone’s livelihood.
Unless, of course, they’re aiming for my throat.
Just like the Demons were destroyed after they aimed for the throats of humanity.
“I understand, I understand.”
The Branch Manager finally swallowed hard and made a suggestion while watching my reaction.
“If it isn’t too forward, may I recommend your next destination?”
“As long as I won’t be bothered there.”
“There is a place called Hus.”
Hus. It was a familiar name.
“It’s rural compared to the capital region, but it’s not entirely without infrastructure. It’s not extravagant, but it’s not lacking either, so the people are gentle and not at all exclusionary.”
“And why are you recommending Hus?”
“First, since you used this month’s national subsidy for party operating funds, you won’t have much travel money right now. It will also take some time for your war veteran compensation to be processed.”
“True.”
“Recently, a new policy was implemented regarding settlement subsidies for men moving to the provinces. If you move to Hus, you can receive the subsidy from the moment you depart.”
Settlement subsidy. With those words, the proposal became very enticing.
She was proving she hadn’t become a Branch Manager for nothing.
“And above all, the Lord of Hus is also a National Merit Recipient.”
“The Lord of Hus is?”
“Yes!”
“Who is it?”
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked, and the Branch Manager answered immediately.
“It is Count Dakuus.”
Aha.
If that’s true, then I like this proposal very much.