Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 182

 "Isn't that Lady Sera?"

As I casually joined in on Zighardt and the others' conversation while looking around, I noticed an older man approaching from the back.

"Was it Zack? It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Who is it? Zack, is this someone you know?"

"Yeah. When I was in the capital, one of our young ones mistook him for a monster in the dungeon and attacked him..."

A nearby older man asked, and Zack explained with a laugh, though it wasn't really a laughing matter.

There are a lot of old men here... Well, it makes sense since experienced veterans gather here to earn money.

Zack.

He's the leader of the clan "Fangs of Ragiora," which Seriana pulled out from the capital's guild. I heard they were doing defense work for a pioneering village around here...

"It's been a while. Everyone's doing well. We've been traveling around the southern pioneering villages of L'tur recently, but we wanted to get our equipment in order before winter. So, I led half the team back to town after the rainy season to rest and repair our gear. Is Alex not here?"

Since they're essentially Seriana's private soldiers, they get some priority for gear maintenance and supplies. They have a rotation system for taking breaks and waiting.

"He said he'd come here after reporting to the commercial guild."

"I see... I wanted to see Alex's face too, but I've got my companions waiting at the inn... Please send my regards to him and the lady."

With that, he greeted those around him and left the guild. His steps seemed lighter—maybe the pioneering village has fewer entertainments?

Still... So they're doing well. Given our reckless first encounter, I thought a few might not have made it. I only remembered him groveling after a misfire, but I need to update my perception.

"Alex has arrived."

"Hm? Oh?"

As Zighardt said, it was getting noisy outside. I could faintly hear Alex's name being mentioned. Even here, those with titles are popular.

"What's up?"

"Nothing."

Zighardt is famous, but he doesn't seem to be popular with the general public. He's strong, but maybe too strong, so people don't understand what he's doing. Alex, whose strength is more relatable, might be easier to look up to.

◇

It's been a few minutes since Alex entered the guild and went to the back with Zighardt. I was chatting with the older men who remained in the hall.

Round tables and chairs were scattered around, and people were drinking the liquor they brought. Once a dungeon is opened underground, they won't be able to do this anymore, but for now, it's pretty free.

"There was a red-haired kid who disappeared a few years ago..."

"Worked at the northern diner, right? An orphan?"

Some familiar faces from the tavern where I worked while still in the orphanage were there, and when I subtly listened, they seemed to know me but didn't connect me to the red-haired orphan. I looked a bit cleaner now, but I was undernourished and shabby back then...

"Did he disappear?"

"Yeah. Around the time a thief appeared, about two years ago? We talked about him being kidnapped for a few days..."

"I see."

So they thought I was kidnapped rather than escaped.

"He was capable for a kid. The owners regretted losing him."

"Poor-looking kid but had a good face. Might've ended up in a brothel eventually."

The old men laughed heartily, but the conversation was getting more adult-oriented...

"Sera."

As I was deciding whether to stay or leave, Alex showed up. Zighardt and an important person from here were with him, so their conversation must have ended.

It's a good time to leave.

"We're done here."

Alex approached and put a hand on my shoulder. The older men in the guild didn't mind, but the newbies huddled in the corner were glaring at us. More out of jealousy than hostility, I think.

"Right. I was talking with the old guys. There are more people, but the monsters aren't decreasing."

I was having a somewhat serious conversation too.

"Yeah... Most of the ones coming near the village are fleeing from deeper in. As we hunt and clear space, more will come."

"I see."

"Let's go home. Is that okay with you, Jig?"

"Yeah. I'm done for today. Let's leave the work talk for another time."

The important person looked like he bit into a bitter bug. Was he about to bring something up? Too bad, too bad.