Genki looked Haruto up and down, scrutinizing him, “How can so much power fit in such a small body?”

Fumiko slammed her hammer into the back of Genki’s head, knocking him unconscious. She stared deep into Haruto’s eyes. This was a chance to help him build new connections, a new family, “you must uphold your promise to him and return to town with us after getting your friend.”

The dazed Haruto was hit with a double whammy. He stuttered out, “I made no such promise. Everything is back in order, and with these guys here, I prolly should stay in the forest.” You want me to train a magical wolf? Dream on. Perhaps if I were the Druid class... No, no more importantly, why would I go to town when Sadistsama has set up a death trap when I can just stay here, safe and sound.

The wormlike Thomas butted in, “Young master if you wish to live in the town, I will take care of our lovely dogs.” I can use the excuse of training them to do more experiments. With him gone, no one would know. As long as no one notices.

Haruto’s fist smashed into the scheming Thomas’s face. Holding the downed Thomas, Haruto pointed his finger at him, “This is my uh friend. I doubt he would be welcomed into town.”

Kentaro seeing the hideous monster nodded his head in agreement, “he is right, Imōto. I doubt he would make it past the adventurer door without being attacked.”

Fumiko stared angrily at Kentaro and approached him with her warhammer.

Kentaro’s eyes went wide as he quickly retracted his statement, “But what would I know? Perhaps he is not so rare among these parts.”

Haruto was at a loss on how to shake this overbearing woman, so he eyed Thomas, hinting for him to make up a lie.

Oh, young master, this is your type. No wonder he was being so aggressive. As expected of one with such strength, only an equally strong woman would suffice. Fear not for sparing my life; I will repay you. Thomas winked at Haruto then spoke, “fear not, I have this” with a flick of his decayed finger Thomas transformed back into the dashing young man at the tavern.

Haruto’s jaw dropped as a killing intent leaked out. Motherfucker 

Thomas became pale in fear, but for the wrong reason. Stupid. Of course, the boy wants to go alone, so he may woo her and enter her bedding.  Thomas coughed, rectifying his position, “but of course, I would not be opposed to remaining here until everyone’s return.”

Fumiko smiled happily, hearing this. Disguise or not, it would be better not to have this undead following them. Just looking at it told her Thomas was a bad influence on Haruto. 

Haruto placed his hand firmly on Thomas’s shoulder and whispered into his ear, “I will skin you upon our return.” Then he looked towards Fumiko forcing a smile. “I guess it’s decided. We will all head to town together.” and I will be besieged by your op master. Sadistsama, I hope you choke on your own tongue.

Thomas was quivering, but Haruto's firm grip kept him from falling to the ground. Dragging Thomas along and ignoring the pouting Fumiko, the group made their way back to town. Kentaro carried the “sleeping” Genki on his shoulder the entire journey back. After traveling at a leisure pace, the group arrived back at the town around the morning time. 

Although the morning was in its infancy, the town was alive with work as the commoners moved about. Many men, some young as 11 and old as 50, tended to the land in the fields. Though they started early, many would be working for many hours to come. 

The women moved about carrying fresh water from the communal well to use throughout the day. Young children played around. Haruto couldn’t help but notice how plain and dirty their clothing was. Truly a feudalistic era world, the poor dress in rags, while the pigs dress in silk. The next thing he noticed was the giant stone castle that was an eyesore when seen near the villagers' wooden homes. 

Upon recognizing Haruto, many villagers shooed the children away back to the shanty lodges and looked fearfully towards him. 

Haruto couldn't help but feel awkward as the last time he was here, the scene he put on was unruly and destructive. The things we do when we are tired. Seeing so many people staring at him in fear, he shyly scratched his cheeks and tried not to make eye contact.

 Fumiko, on the other hand, began glaring at the commoners, causing them to become even more afraid. 

Thomas did his best to smile at the villagers charmingly. 

Fumiko, tired of glaring, moved beside Haruto and shot him a smile “shall I lead you to the adventurer’s guild to meet master Requis? After that, I could cook you something for breakfast.”

Haruto, avoiding the eyes of the fearful commoners, noticed the tavern from his first visit. It had a close sign and ragged pieces of wood covering the broken window. “Perhaps I should go by the tavern.”

Genki awaking from his “nap” some time ago, butted in, “ That's right brat, now is the perfect time for a drink. Hahaha”

Thomas quickly agreed like an obedient servant unfitting of his current look, “Yes, some ale, to lighten the mood perhaps. We could go there while the young lady and my young master head towards the guild.”

Fumiko blushed, hearing this suggestion. Stammering out, “If that is what everyone wants to do. I do not mind leading him.” 

Kentaro reading the mood, nodded his head in agreement, “I could use a drink after traveling for so long, so it would be nice if you two go ahead and report to master Requis.”

Haruto, hearing this, felt a headache approaching, “No, no. I just want to see if I can help the owner of the tavern in any way.” He quickly made his way towards the tavern. Why is everyone hell-bent on sending me to the mysterious master? We should all know what will happen. A big misunderstanding will occur. A fight will break out, and Sadistsama will laugh at my misfortune.

Fumiko pouted but quickly followed after Haruto. 

Outside the tavern, the five could hear loud yelling and the sound of items being thrown about and destroyed. 

Haruto kicked open the door to find some knights were ransacking the place, and leading them was an all too familiar face. 

Clarence held the poor old barkeep by the neck, “You didn’t think I would forget what you did to my armor? Did you, peasant? I will destroy everything here and build my summer home on the remains.”

The barkeep could only cough and scratch at the firm hand wrapped around his throat.

Clarence sneered at him in ridicule. “You just don’t learn your lesson. Now you scratch my new armor.” Hearing the door open behind him, he only yelled to the intruder, “Leave now, or you will find yourself in the dungeon.”

Upon seeing who the intruder was, all the knights backed away in fear. Those who were present for the incident instinctively dropped their weapons. 

Clarence was unaware of this and continued, “Are you deaf or just stupid? I said leave!!!” He turned around only to see the accursed snake devil. 

Haruto smiled cheekily at him. “Good good. It seems your balls have dropped since the last time we met.”

Clarence backed away instinctively, “You, you, you should not be here. This town is under the control of Boris, enforced by the laws of King Alfred himself.” Composing himself, Clarence hatefully stared down Haruto.

Fumiko forced her way into the tavern, looking down upon Clarence, “Master Requis invited him. So if you have a problem, take it up with him, but for some reason, I doubt you will.”

Clarence arrogantly sneered at her, then turned back to Haruto. “Brought your freak of nature girlfriend to fight your battles, you snake....”

Before Clarence could finish his words, a large warhammer smashed into his face sending him flying back across the tavern.  Fumiko smiled in satisfaction after hitting the fool, “Now what did you wish to do here, Haruto?”

The other guards quickly formed up and drew their weapons. Still, all were shaking in their boots as Haruto alone was more than enough trouble, but now this gigantic woman was here too. One of the older guards yelled, “Hold strong men. We are the lord’s knights. Show them your pride.”

 The knights began relaxing, and many stopped shaking altogether. That was until Genki and Kentaro entered the tavern. With that, all morale dissipated like a fart in the wind. Even the old guardsman couldn’t help but swallow and take a step back. 

The last to enter was the dashing Thomas, who elegantly bowed to the guards. “Apologies for my rowdy friends, but could you please allow us some time alone with the owner of this establishment.” 

The nervous old knight looked first at the unruly demihuman. Then to the three giant humans. Next to his fallen senior. Finally, his eyes fell upon the noble-looking Thomas, who he slowly approached. “Good sir, as a noble of this land, you must understand such actions against the knights of the kingdom amount to disrespecting the king himself.”

Inwardly Thomas rolled his eyes. What did he care about the whims of a petty mortal king, but outwardly he showed a face of empathy and camaraderie. “Rightly said, so if possible, I would wish to avoid any further conflict. I am a lover, not a fighter, but my friends here have no qualms against using force. This is something you must understand.”

The old guard sighed in defeat, “I understand. We will leave. I hope for your sake, sir, your friends behave themselves in the future.”

 With that, the old guard retreated from the bar with the knights, carrying the unconscious Clarence on their shoulders.  

One of the guards attempted to grab the gasping barkeep.

Haruto stared daggers at him. “Leave that man.”

The old guard did not even try to reason with Haruto but once again spoke to Thomas, “good noble, this man is accused of treason against our lord. Under the laws of this land, he must be taken into custody or pay his fine.”

Thomas continued with his facade, “What crime has he committed?” But one could see a certain lack of empathy in his eyes. Like all in front of him were merely fools.

The old guard swallowed, but his mouth was extremely dry. “You see, sir, he attacked Senior Knight Clarence with an unknown substance that greatly corroded his armor. Our gracious lord was willing to ignore this great offense. But, you must understand that reparations must be made. On the orders of our kind and caring lord, we had come here to receive such reparations. The criminal, perhaps truly unredeemable, has refused to compensate for the destroyed armor.” 

Thomas internally rolled his eyes. Get on with it, mortal. “And how much does he owe?”

The old guard licked his chapped lips, “Well, thankfully, our lord is quite charitable. Due to such generosity, he had set the price below what it truly should be. The magnanimity of our lord can not be underestimated as any other man would not lower the price by so much.”

Thomas began losing his patience, and dark energy began to seep off him. “Today!!!”

The old guard lost color in his face as he whispered, “800 gold pieces…”

Thomas was dumbfounded by this price “800 gold pieces? Are you sure it was not bronze or perhaps silver?”

The old guard’s eyes began to aimlessly dart around, “Well, you see, sir, the armor was magical in nature, thus increasing the price to fix it. Then he had attacked a knight of the kingdom, which is usually punished by death. You could say 800 gold pieces is a low price to pay.”

Thomas scoffed. “Nonsense. I could buy your mother for less. Hell, I could buy your mother and this entire village for less than 800 gold pieces.”

Haruto laughed at this diss. “Well said, Thomas. I’m no economist, but 800 gold sounds like a lot to pay. And for what? For this sack of shit who bullies the weak?” Haruto vanished before the guards’ very eyes, and when he reappeared, the pale-faced barkeep was safely in his arms.

The old guard stepped back but continued to negotiate, “Good sir, the price may sound outrageous, but that is the lord’s decree. It must be followed. Even if we leave now, others will come, and this man will be imprisoned.”

Genki became impatient, hearing all this talk, and grabbed hold of his war axe, “Who cares? Let’s just beat these guys up and be done with it.”

Fumiko nodded her head in agreement as she began swinging her warhammer like a baseball bat.

Thomas looked towards Haruto to see how he should act. 

Haruto quickly tried to think through on how he should act. I could easily destroy this whole town and that piggy with ease, but that won’t help the people. Besides, some heavy hitters would come and put me in my place, I’m sure.  I could also pay off the fine, but what stops them from arresting him after we leave. I can’t just ask if they are going to honor the agreement. Also, I don’t want to pay a single coin towards the asshat who called me a snake devil. Nor do I wish to pay for the lard’s feeding expenses. Think….. 

While Haruto was in deep thought, Kentaro cleared his throat. Everyone's attention was pulled towards him. With a gentle smile, Kentaro reasoned, “Say we paid the fine, would you people leave him alone? What stops you from waiting until we are gone to arrest him?” 

Even though he was obviously frightened, the old guard humphed upon hearing Kentaro’s hints of them going back on the agreement. “My lord is a man of his word. Unlike you..." Remembering these weren't some harmless demihumans. The old guard coughed before continuing, "Still, if you are unconvinced. We can have an official pardon written up and notarized. Ensuring his protection.” 

Kentaro nodded in agreement but added on another guarantee, “On top of that, if possible, I would like the writing of this pardon witnessed by Master Requis.” 

The old guard eyed Kentaro for a bit then continued, “I see no issue with that. Mr.Requis is a good man, and the adventurer’s guild reputation is more than enough collateral. The real question is whether you have the fine or not. We will not wait. If you do not have it now, then we will have him imprisoned.” With that, a shrewd smile became etched on the guard’s face. His task was to apprehend the barkeep. Though he won't risk death to complete it, the current impasse was better than conceding.

Kentaro laughed as he started pulling gold coins out of his pants quickly. Seeing this, both Genki and Fumiko followed suit. 

Everyone was baffled by this. The old guard couldn’t help but ask, “If you don’t mind, where did you come into possession of such abundant wealth?”

Genki triumphantly smiled, “Some idiot left it out in a cave. HAHAHAHA”

Thomas gawked at his stolen treasure but was able to restrain himself and continued with the ruse, “As you can see, gold is of no issue. We can only hope your word comes as easy.”

 

Gold should technically be ok, right? If the objective was to teach a lesson. Clarence's beating was more than enough. This small fortune is just the icing on the proverbial cake. The old guard openly grabbed the gold pieces throwing them into bags handing one to each of the guards. 

With a half-smile at Thomas, the old guard bid farewell, “not quite a pleasure, but you have my thanks nonetheless, sir noble.” The group quickly and with great disorder left the bar, not even waiting for a response.

Haruto set the barkeep down on the ground.