"Yo, Ren-kun! I was hoping to talk to you about something. Are you free now?"

    It was one of those days when I had gone out to hunt in the prairie east of the Royal Capital with the members of ''Apple'', after a long time. I just arrived at the Eastern Branch to deliver some materials when the fatty from ''Gold Rat'' approached me.

    We first met around the time when I just registered for an explorer license, one thing led to another, and I ended up beating him to a pulp. After that, he would occasionally pester me for a fight only to have the tables turned on him again and again, and who knows what kind of wind suddenly blew in later on, but he started to act chummy with me. Truly a mannerless fatty, his name was... Benza, I think?

    "I don''t have time to waste with you. Also, stop talking to me as if we''re buddies. I was almost about to give you a panda eye."

    I was walking toward the warehouse when the fatty greeted me.

    "Come on, Ren-kun. This matter isn''t just about me; it concerns all the mutual aid societies in the capital. Also, it''ll totally affect your ''Apple'' too. At least listen to me first!"

    I sighed. It was plain as day that his news was anything but welcoming, but if it was gonna affect even ''Apple'', then...... Hmm, maybe it wouldn''t hurt to lend him an ear.

    No, wait. If I readily agreed, then this chap would take it as a sign of friendship and would become even more chummy with me. I wouldn''t be able to show my face to Roye-aniki anymore.

    ''Alright, I should just chase him away,'' I made up my mind when Roye-aniki suddenly circled his arm around the fatty''s shoulder, the same fatty that had floored him before over some idiotic argument.

    "Ren, Benza has truly toned down his mischief recently, even helping out the kids of ‘Apple’ whenever they''re in trouble or smoothing over the situation if others try to act bossy. I think it''s time to forget the past and move on, eh? It wouldn''t hurt to listen to him."

    What? Did all of that happen? Woah, I didn''t know this mannerless fatty had suddenly become a well-mannered fatty.

    "......I can''t say no if you''re the one pushing for it, Roye-aniki. Alright, I’ll at least listen to what he has to say..."

    Hearing my words, Benza said ''Thanks a bunch~'' with his usual cheap smile. Sure enough, a human doesn''t change his character so easily.

    I, Roye-aniki, and Benza went to the Eastern Branch''s dining place, leaving the rest of the materials to Po and the team of ''Apple'' to handle.

    ◆◆◆

    "Does Ren-kun... I mean, does Aniki know about the Rose Family?"

    ......Haa, I knew it would be nothing good. He just had to start with a bummer.Ne/w novel chapters are published on y mood immediately took a nosedive. But for now... I decked the idiot''s head.

    "Who''re you calling, Aniki? Idiot. Aren''t you around 18 already?!"

    "I''m serious. I was awestruck by Ren-aniki''s strength and chivalry! Age can go to hell! You''re already the Aniki of my heart!"

    Benza announced, his eyes filled with an inexplicable grief. What the heck was that Aniki of your heart supposed to mean?...... Did he think he''s J*yan? (T/N - Doraemon reference, Jiyan, the big bully.)

    "You''re not the one to decide that, it''s too gross! If you utter that word again, I’ll leave right at this moment! Anyway, stop dilly-dallying and continue with the topic. I don''t have free time like you."

    Benza seemed like he had more to say as I said my piece, but he reluctantly stopped himself and began explaining the situation.

    ◆◆◆

    I wasn''t sure if they''d already struck a deal or how they were managing things now, but the truth was that as long as they kept doing their rotten acts, it was only a matter of time before the knight order took them down.

    Master has already ordered that I should keep my distance from them, and I didn’t have any intention to get close to them either. Well, it wasn''t something Benza needed to know, so I basically pretended that I didn''t see the big idea.

    "What do you mean? I’ll do what I want. I don''t like what the Rose Family is doing, but I doubt they’ll be able to continue their act forever. Besides, it''s not for us to correct the situation.

    It''s subjective to an individual''s decision if they want to take the risk for some extra money. If you want to make any changes, first become strong. It''s not easy to live freely as you want."

    Hearing my words, Benza was astounded as if he was struck by thunder.

    "......Are you giving up here? What happened to the Ren-kun I knew who brought down the best of the other ruffians? Are you turning your back to the opponent just because they''re big and strong?!

    Why?! We just need to bring together the explorers whom you taught a lesson, and then we can at least correct the order of this area to some extent! The only one who can bring us together is you, Ren-kun!"

    ......Ah, so that was his true motive, huh?

    It was quite commendable that he was thinking that far for everyone, despite realizing his own lack of wit, but... relying on others never ends well.

    Our supposed opponent was someone who managed to push the professional patron of this area into a dysfunctional state. Opposing them was no different from willingly jumping into a lion''s den.

    "Listen, we have a lot of pipsqueaks in ''Apple'' and most of their tasks are within the capital''s premise. I don''t think we’ll be seeing any effect ourselves for now.

    We''re not some heroes; we should only focus on what we can do. What''s wrong in calling a strong opponent strong? If you don''t agree with me, feel free to take matters into your own hands."

    I paused there, then lowered my tone by an octave, and continued in my rough tone.

    "Of course...... It wouldn''t end pretty for them if the Rose Family dares to disturb me or even tries to push their agenda on ''Apple''. Not at all."

    Benza gave me a frustrated look. To be frank, I was vexed at how he suddenly started acting close to me, so I was hoping this would keep him away.

    I got up from my seat, urged the fidgety Roye-aniki to follow too, and was about to leave the place when a group of three people, who had been peeping at our group since a while ago, also stood up from their seats to chase after us. Man, they should''ve stopped there honestly.

    One of the dumbo goat-bearded people that I happened to encounter during a request I took to reach Ment Village, was in that group.

    Maybe they were wary of my detection magic, so they''d been trying to appear less suspicious all this while. It backfired, though, and I already noticed them the moment we entered the dining hall.

    "You''re finally here, huh, Mad Hound? Man, you sure kept us waiting for over two weeks. Anyway, I’ve heard of you guys. Look, isn''t that what I''d call a realistic person?...... You remember Red-san, the leader of our Rose Family, right? He’s been waiting for you. Come along with us."

    The bearded idiot spoke with a loud voice, enough for everyone to hear, and circled his arm around my shoulders as if we were long time buddies.

    The onlookers stirred as they heard his tone and attitude.

    Benza was looking at me with a ludicrous gaze, as if his close one had betrayed him. Eh, not that I cared though.

    I sighed. I truly didn''t care about what others thought. But—

    The chummy act of this goat-bearded person was getting on my nerves.