Chapter 22: Annoying People

When I dispelled the dome by draining its mana, everyone was surprised—so I taught them how to do it.
After all, if an earth mage kept making shields during practice and left them lying around, rumors would spread later.

When they saw the shields crumble at the single phrase “release mana,” both she and her companions were astonished—but once they understood, they accepted it.
Apparently, the shields they made usually decayed over time but left traces for a long while.

Earth mages who worked in construction used magic meant to last, so it made sense that their creations were more solid and persistent.

As we walked, Lindy occasionally created shields, then smiled in satisfaction as they collapsed the moment she drained the mana.

I left her protection to the others and walked at the front, keeping a full 360-degree watch and searching for prey.
Yesterday, Jake and the others had followed me at the edge of scouting range, but I could clearly sense their position the whole time. My detection range was probably wider than theirs.
If theirs had been greater, they would’ve warned me when they spotted beasts ahead.
Even so, the scout from Earth’s Shield, Bulls, said nothing as I led the way—just watching me with a “let’s see what you can do” look.

I hunted the Red Chickens and Green Birds myself, while Jake’s team handled Horn Rabbits, Hedgehogs, and Elks in locations I pointed out.

Remembering the request for Chikki chikki Birds, I decided to focus our search around the forest’s edge.

If we went deeper, there’d be more of them—but Earth’s Shield wasn’t strong enough for that, and training magic took priority. No reason to push them.

Before we decided on a campsite, we managed to catch five Chikki chikki Birds, four Runner Birds, four Red Chickens, and three Green Birds.

At this rate, we’d gather enough in two or three days—and I could probably afford a rank-5 magic bag soon.

Once the camp was set up—including one for Jake’s group—I asked Lindy about her mana recovery.

“It’s not perfect, but I think it’s mostly restored.”

I had her make a shield. It formed faster than in the morning and had the right size and thickness I’d specified. I was impressed—clear, detailed instructions really sped up learning for someone who already knew magic.

So, I gave her a watch and told her to check the time whenever she ran out of mana and again when she woke, to measure her recovery period.

Jake and the others were busy dragging in heavy barricades they’d built—looking completely at ease now that they had a secure camp.

While watching them prepare dinner, an idea came to me.

“Lindy, do you have anyone in your group who can butcher birds?”

“Sure. Actually, all of us can handle birds and small animals. Why?”

“Then please butcher a Chikki chikki Bird and cook it. I haven’t had one in ages. One should be plenty for everyone.”

“We’ve got no objections, but isn’t that bird worth a lot?”

“I’ve been asked to bring in about twenty before the end of the month. At this pace, we’ll have them in four or five days. Besides, I want to learn butchering too.”

“Heh, wanting to eat a rare bird like that… you some noble’s kid or something?”

“Not at all. My mother works in a hotel kitchen. After becoming an adventurer, I’d sometimes bring in Runner Birds or Chikki chikki Birds to cook there—half went to the hotel, of course.”

I’d just assumed adventurers who carried frying pans could handle butchering.
I didn’t even own one—or any salt, for that matter.

Back when I could still live from home, I’d gotten spoiled by market food, but now I was sick of it. Might as well learn field cooking and butchering properly.

While they prepared the Chikki chikki Bird, I practiced on a Red Chicken.
Starting with cutting the neck and draining the blood—it was heavier work than I expected.
Plucking feathers, removing organs, cutting into portions… The knife I’d bought from the adventurer shop was terribly dull.

Next to me, their cleanly butchered Chikki chikki Bird made mine look pitiful.
Bulls and the others were grinning as they watched my mangled attempt.

Hey, that’s because my knife’s bad!
If I’d had a magic-steel blade like Olga’s team used… well, maybe it’d have gone better.

Anyway, I set my Red Chicken aside for lunch tomorrow and focused on enjoying the sizzling aroma from their frying pan.

“Never had Chikki chikki Bird before—damn, it’s this good?”
“No wonder the rich and nobles want it.”
“And this guy chops one up just ’cause he ‘felt like it.’”
“I want to get good enough to hunt Runner Birds someday.”
“We’ll shoot ’em for you with bows.”
“Sure, but Bulls wouldn’t notice a Runner Bird hiding in the grass. I’d spot it and blast it out with Stone Bullet!”
“Oh? Lindy’s learning scouting now?”
“You’ll find them, and I’ll do the blasting.”

They bantered beside me while I devoured my share—simple, rustic, and far tastier than the hotel version, seasoned with salt and some herb I couldn’t name.

A week later, Lindy could form shields and shelters fairly quickly, and even make a dome big enough for seven people.
Accuracy and speed with her Stone Lance were still issues—accuracy just needed endless practice, so I told her to keep training nightly.

Speed, though—that I couldn’t teach. We’d need Olga and the other power fighters for that.

By then, we were catching over three Chikki chikki Birds a day, so it was time to return to town.

We arrived early, so the dismantling hall at the Adventurers’ Guild was mostly empty.
When the dismantling clerk spotted me, he rushed over shouting, “Did you get the full count!?”—startling the few parties present.

“Yes, over twenty. I also brought Earth’s Shield’s share…”

“Good. Come with me.”

As we followed, the usual hecklers spoke up.

“Hey, old man, we were first!”

“You trying to cut in line? You know what happens, right?”

 “Getting cocky just ’cause people call you ‘the gentle breeze,’ huh? Sooner or later, you’ll get hurt.”

“Shut it! This guy’s handling a commission from the Marquis himself! If the numbers don’t add up, I’ll make sure the marquis’s agent knows it’s your fault!”

The butcher’s angry roar made the guys who’d been complaining instantly look away, pretending they had nothing to do with it.

“Come on. And if those idiots try anything, tell me — I’ll make sure their evaluations get the lowest rank possible.”

The old man said something terrifying in such a casual tone, then pointed to a corner of the dismantling hall. “Line them up over there.”

I started arranging the Chikki chikk i Birds first — twenty-six in total.

Chikki chikki Birds: 26
Runner Birds: 32
Red Chickens: 14
Green Birds: 17

Next to my lineup of birds, Jake’s team began setting out their own catches — I included mine among theirs.

Horn Rabbits: 18
Hedgehogs: 7
Small Horn Boar: 1
Medium Horn Boars: 2
Big Horn Boar: 1
Medium Elks: 2
Brown Sheep: 2
Prairie Sheep: 3
Fang Dogs: 8
Killer Dogs: 5

“That’s about it. Everything except the birds belongs to Earth’s Shield.”

“Got it. With this many Chikki chikki Birds, the Marquis’s remaining quota can be sold off to the rich folks for a nice profit. Keep up the good work.”

“Have you seen Olga and his crew from Strong Arm lately?”

“About a week ago. They’ll probably be back within two or three days.”

“If you see them, tell them I’m looking for them.”

“Fine — but in return, make sure you keep those birds coming.”

After handing over my and Jake’s guild cards, we headed to the dining hall. One of the guys who’d been shouting earlier glared at me on the way — oh, it’s someone I actually recognize.

They called themselves Black Whirlwind, and I’d seen them not too long ago — no wonder I remembered the face.

I ignored the idiot and enjoyed some ale with the group. But even though there were plenty of empty tables, he made a point of walking past ours, bumping into me and spilling ale all over me.

“Oops, sorry, brother. You wear ale well — makes you look dashing.”

“Ale’s for drinking, not for pouring on your head.”

“I said sorry, didn’t I? No need to glare.”

He gave a smirking laugh and took a seat diagonally across from us.

“Those guys are the ones you drove off before, Leon. If you won’t handle it, we can.”

“No need. This level of nonsense isn’t worth worrying about.”

They snorted at that, but as one of them raised his mug and took a long gulp, I whispered, “Whirlwind!” into his ale and immediately cut off the mana.

The tiny vortex inside the mug was more than enough to blast the entire drink straight into his face.

Bwoooosh!

He screamed as ale drenched him from head to toe.

“Ah, I see — when they say you drink like a fish, you really take it literally.” 

I said flatly.

“You bastard! You did that on purpose!”

“Whatever do you mean? You’re just a man who drinks boldly. If you’re trying to pick a fight, I’ll accept — but not a mock duel. Let’s step outside the city and do it for real.”

I’d heard that “killing intent” was something only those who’d survived real battles could project, so I tried it for fun — but since most of my fights relied on Whirlwind tricks, I hadn’t really been through true life-or-death struggles. So, no effect.

Verbal provocation would have to do. Once he took the bait, I’d give him a one-way flight courtesy of my wind magic.

“You must not know — using magic inside the Guild is forbidden. You’re getting expelled for this.”

He said it with a smug grin.

Too bad for him — he was about to be disappointed.