We stepped into the building, which I assumed to be the Bureau that the barkeeper mentioned previously. It was a decent-looking place, as the impression given looking at it from the outside. Guess the government had some money. I sort of expected it to be a bit shitty, like how some government stuff was usually. But this place was actually a bit neat, even more so compared to its surroundings.

Numerous gazes were instantly directed at us, and they were not any neutral or indifferent types of gazes. They were cautious, their eyes narrowed, but some seemed curious. And who were these stares from? Well, they were all from armed people. Yeah, the lobby was filled with armed personnel, sitting down by tables, and others standing at the corners. But they were not in uniform or anything, just people in their own sets of clothes. It reminded me of how I saw adventurers back home.

And here I was expecting some government goons filling the place.

To think run in the mill warriors were hanging around here.

I noticed a board with pinned papers. There were more sketches of faces there, I assumed they were other bounties. I walked towards the board to look more into it. But then, suddenly, a couple of guys came in my way. I looked at them in surprise.

“Hey, hey, what do we have here? You’re not from around here, are you?” one guy said, grinning from ear to ear.

Velar quickly stepped beside me. “Careful.” He warned the two men in a stern voice.

“Yeah? What’re you gonna do, huh? I’m talking to the lassy here!” He suddenly leaned in close to my face. His eyes widened upon beholding what laid within the cover of the shadow. “W-What?” He froze for a moment as though his mind needed time to process what he had seen. “Ain’t you a beauty!”

Velar moved and stepped in front of me. “Keep away. We don’t want any trouble.”

“Huh?! What’ya came here for then?”

Velar frowned. Was there even any point in talking to some nobody about our purpose here? Especially to this unreasonable stranger. I placed a hand on Velar’s arm.

I then addressed the annoying simpleton. “What’s in it for you?”

“Eee! What a cute voice.”

I resisted the urge to sigh. “... Leave us alone, and we’ll leave you alone. Is looking at the board prohibited?”

The man and his friend glanced at each other before the former turned back to me. “If you wanna look at it, you have to go through me first. So tell me, who are you, little girl?”

Now that was just some load of bullshit. He was in no way an official of this establishment — and I was far from a little girl, have I mentioned how tall I was?! I was expecting someone would have stopped this farce, but everyone was just watching. Even the formal-looking people that seemed to work here were doing nothing to stop this.

Could they be testing us or no one just cared?

Fuck this.

I continued forward, disregarding the annoying guy.

The annoying warrior scoffed. “What? A puss being a pussy, huh?”

I paused for a moment and glanced at the man from the corner of my eyes, taking in a deep breath. I’m not easy to anger, but I do get annoyed, and at the moment, I get so easily annoyed than before. But he was just a nobody, so I didn’t have to get so worked up. I disregarded him again and continued to the board.

I noticed a young woman pinning more papers on the board. With a friendly face, she turned towards me.

“This is a place of strength. And showing strength is the shortest way to get respect.”

Was that some sort of advice? Did she mean I should show strength? But I had no intention of making trouble. That would be a headache. Plus, it wasn’t clear what kind of trouble I’d be in if I did anything violent. We were tourists, after all.

“If you can, you should show a bit of might. Otherwise, you shouldn’t be here.”

After saying that, she walked away, carrying some papers she pulled off the board. I was about to call her for assistance, given that I couldn’t read shit! However, the annoying warrior from before suddenly got into my face.

“What got your interest here, little puss?”

Goddamn this bastard! I was not in a patient mood. Annoying a depressed and grieving individual — of course I’d get easily irritated by this shit. Velar was about to step in, but I held out my hand, stopping him. I thought of what the girl said.

To show strength. I also remembered what Taneva said — live in a savage land, you live savagely.

I glared at the annoying warrior. “I’m warning you. Leave me alone.”

“Ooooh, are ya mad?” He turned to his friend. “The little puss is mad. Hahahaha!” The two of them began laughing.

“You’re an annoying fly…”

“Hah?! What did you just say, little puss?”

Might makes it right.

It would seem I was expecting a more civilized place, like in my home city, or back in the old world. But this place was not that at all. Power and savagery was the way. Might was what gives you respect. Pacifism wouldn’t get me far here.

I had been studying the warrior. He didn’t seem strong. But still, he could be. However, people of true strength exude a different air about them, and deliver themselves differently. Still, if he was strong, there was always a good way to handle strong people.

That was to take them by surprise. This has worked many times since I was here in this world. It was tested and proven. Like how I defeated many imperial soldiers, or that imperial prince who was supposedly strong.

That said, killing was not an option here. Murdering someone in a public place would only bring absolute trouble.

“What? Got nothing to say?”

Shit, I was avoiding trouble as much as possible. And to think I would be the one to start it.

Guess I’d have a little fun.

I glanced at Velar, and he furrowed his brow ever so slightly. I moved myself a bit while glaring at the warrior in front of me.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“Turn back, now.”

He only grinned. “You’re actually so cute when you threaten me. Hey, what about we hangout, huh? It’d be fun. Come on.”

His hand came out to reach me. In an instant, I kicked him with the bottom of my foot. With that kick enhanced with little Physical Enhancement, I added a bit of wind just in case he could resist it. These people were actual warriors, I couldn’t afford to underestimate them.

Of course, my kick was sudden and swift, and the warrior failed to react and was sent flying through the air, and through the exit of the building. His friend was about to pull out his weapon. However, both Velar and Hartwin instantly moved in and pointed their blades at the man’s throat. The warrior froze, he couldn’t even pull his sword out.

A dangerous tension rose in the air. I lowered my foot and looked around. The other warriors only looked on with intrigue and surprise. Until one of them started laughing out loud.

“Hahahahaha! Did you see that kick?”

“That was beautiful! Haha!”

“Awesome job, missy!”

Some of them laughed intensely, while others were giving each other high fives. I didn’t quite expect they would react with glee.

“Wow, she’s strong!”

“One kick, holy shit.”

“Who’s that girl?”

“She’s not from ‘round here, that’s for sure.”

“Yeah, still a pretty awesome job!”

“Yup, never seen such a good kick in a while.”

They were really taking this well. So that guy must not be their friend. At any rate, it was a relief. At least they liked what I did. They complimented me too~...

Stooop, you’re flattering me.

I tried my best not to let the praising words get to my head and approached the warrior still at the center of my companions’ blades. I faced him with a neutral expression.

“Do you still intend to fight? Or do you want to help your friend?”

The warrior gritted his teeth, he was seething. “I’m not fighting you.”

“Good.” I cocked my head to gesture to my allies to let him go.

They lowered their swords but still remained cautious, he might launch a surprise attack. However, thankfully, he stepped back. While glaring at me, at that.

Once he was a bit away from us, he suddenly shouted, “Just wait till the rest of our party arrives! You’ll regret this!”

Of course he would say that. Predictable.

He then ran outside the building, presumably to check on his friend.

“Was that wise?” Velar asked as he put away his greatsword.

Hartwin sheathed back his rapier. “Hey, they were basically asking for it.”

I let out a sigh. “He wouldn’t have left us alone. This place is not like our continent…” I said to them. “They have their own ways of doing things. And this was a shortcut, I guess.”

Suddenly, someone began clapping as she approached us. I turned towards her and realized it was the staff girl from before. She clapped with a wide smile on her face.

“Impressive. That should keep them away for a while.”

“... Would there be consequences for doing that?” I asked while hinting that I was feeling a bit troubled.

“Well, they’ll be pretty angry. And he’s alive, so everything’s alright on our part.”

“I see.”

“Although, I didn’t expect you would send the first blow. Was expecting they will do so on your behalf.” She pointed at my allies.

“I thought it would be better if I did it.”

“You’re pretty strong, aren’t you?” She giggled. “Well, at least things went well. I’m Machi, a receptionist of this establishment.” She bowed.

Seemed like bowing was common courtesy here.

“I’m Estelia,” I slightly bowed my head.

She smiled. “So, for what purpose did you come here? It’s not common for tourists to come and enter.”

I walked over to the board and pointed at the specific paper I was interested in.

“Can you tell me about that? My apologies, but I cannot read your writing.”

“Ah yes, the bounty of the bandit leader Yachi Miyagawa. Dead or alive.”

“Is he a priority target?”

“Sure he is. He’s been a menace for months in the region. His bounty reward was elevated only recently, four gold coins. Are you interested?” Her smile widened in anticipation.

“I was only curious.”

“Oh?” She sounded disappointed.

“If he’s such a menace, and a high value bounty, why hasn’t anyone hunted him yet?”

Machi held her hands together. “There have been a few groups that have tried. But none of them returned from the hunt.”

“They’re dead?”

“We assumed so. Yachi Miyagawa is not the only person you have to worry about. He also has a small army of his own. They’re among the most dangerous bandit groups in the region. Their power and strength are not to be underestimated.”

Guess if you were living out there outside the city where monsters were common, you’d have to be pretty strong. And bandits seemed to be pretty strong themselves.

“And Yachi?”

“He’s among the strongest people we know. Among the most dangerous. A group of warriors would not do well attempting to kill him. They once robbed a caravan guarded by skilled soldiers, and they succeeded. The lone surviving soldier described Yachi as incredibly strong and ruthless.”

“So that’s why no one has succeeded yet.”

“Yes. And now, no one has been willing to take the mission.”

“Despite the increase in the reward?”

“Yes. So far, none had declared they would take the mission.”

Looks like even the barbaric warriors knew their limits. I mean, money would be pointless if you’d die in the end. But there was something I was curious about.

“If this Yachi is so dangerous, why hasn't your government sent soldiers to hunt him?”

“To find Yachi, you might need to find their base if he does not come out in the open. And to attack their base, to kill Yachi, you will need an army. The bandits could likely discover the army’s movement and they’ll be long gone before the army arrives.”

Yeah, if they would face a group of bandits, they’d need to have a group of soldiers as well. When they move out that many, there was a chance the bandits would realize they were mobilizing a force to eliminate them.

“Furthermore, it is still not clear where the bandit base is. We still need more information before considering mobilizing the soldiers. And those are not the only reason, independent warriors are just more flexible.”

That was a strange phrasing. “Flexible?”

She smiled. “It won’t cost the government anything if independent bounty hunters go or perish.”

Wow. Talk about being cheap.

I mean, yeah, that was good. The government wouldn’t have to put up with losing some of their men. In short, bounty hunters were disposable.

“Besides,” she continued. “It’s good to give jobs to the people.”

Yeah, jobs that could actually kill you.

“Isn’t it getting worse? The government still doesn't plan to do anything?”

“That’s the reason for the increase in reward. Incidentally, powerful soldiers are not easy to have and dispatch. Many powerful individuals that could match with the bandit leader are either not here or busy with their own jobs. If we don’t pick the soldiers carefully, we’ll end up with unnecessary losses.”

The number of soldiers doesn’t matter much in this world if one individual was overpowered. If all you sent were weaker men against a single powerful man, everything would have been pointless. Quality absolutely matters.

“Where are even these powerful individuals you’re talking about?”

“... Locally that is publicly known is the garrison commander at the fort nearby, and his aides. But they have other matters to be concerned about.”

“And they couldn’t spare a day to be done with the bandit?”

Machi shrugged. “I guess so. That said, in the next month, maybe they’ll start taking it more seriously and actually send someone strong to end it.”

Wow, your bureaucracy here sucks.

“I see. I understand. Any information where the enemy bandits and their leader could be located?”

“Their recent activities have been to the southwest of the city.” She pointed at the map on the wall, around the area of where the bandit activities were located. “Around here.”

I memorized the map, which also showed the city. As for the location of bandit activity, it was not very far, maybe a couple hours of walking…?

“Could it be that their base is near there?”

“Hard to tell. The nearby region is rough terrain, mountainous, and forests. Not to mention the monsters that could be crawling out there.”

Hm, if they were based out there, would there actually be a lot of monsters?

If it’s your base, wouldn’t you want to exterminate any threats nearby?

“Have there been a lot of sightings of monsters in that area?”

She looked upwards, as if trying to recall. “Hm, thinking about it, according to the reports it’s a lot lower compared to the nearby regions.”

“I see.”

“... Anyway, are you interested in taking the job? You can officially declare here you’re doing the bounty.”

“The job is just killing the bandit leader, right?”

“Aside from taking him alive, yes. Well, considering the difficulty, it’s better to just kill him in my opinion.”

“How do I prove I killed him? Bring his head?”

“That’s definite proof.”

“I see,” I nodded. “An interesting job.”

“You’re taking it?” She asked, all smiley.

I let out a sigh. “I’ll think about it.”

“Oh…” She sounded disappointed. “If you make up your mind, come here anytime. Or you could just go straight to hunting him down. As long as you bring proof, it’s okay.”

I nodded. “I understand. Thank you for the help.”

I turned around and slowly made my way to the door. I was honestly considering it. But I was hesitant. Why should I go about my way of doing that? And the biggest question of all, why was I even so interested?

When we got out of the building, I noticed that the one I kicked out was no longer here.

“Your Highness,” Velar called to me. “Are you planning on taking that bounty?”

“... Dunno.”

“You’re actually considering it? Why?”

I lowered my head. “... Now that’s the question…”

Why indeed…