Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

Yan Xing walked with his head down towards the Lord's Mansion. He felt an oppressive sense that the city was like a volcano on the verge of a major eruption.

The influx of numerous mercenaries pushed the already strained city supply system to the brink of collapse.

Almost no shops on the streets were open for business. Even the few that were open had very little on their shelves.

The idleness of the mercenaries caused a sharp deterioration in the city's law and order.

The lower-ranking mercenaries were particularly affected. They didn't earn much and had little savings. Now trapped in Nuta City, they had no income yet faced prices far beyond the norm.

Their purses were quickly emptied, making their tempers volatile.

Yan Xing had already witnessed several brawls among mercenaries along the way, and the City Defense Force's response was extremely sluggish, bordering on complete indifference to the conflicts.

It was unclear whether Count Theodore knew what was happening in his city.

If these mercenary issues weren't handled well, they could become a ticking bomb.

"Hey, nice sword, let me have a look at it!"

Yan Xing, who had been walking discreetly close to the walls, was stopped by several burly mercenaries.

To them, someone skulking about was definitely no tough character.

These men eyed the Short Sword at Yan Xing's waist. It seemed to be a decent weapon. They then corralled him into a corner, intending to rob him of the apparently valuable Short Sword.

Yan Xing hadn't expected that, despite keeping such a low profile, he would still be targeted.

He gripped the hilt of his Short Sword, ready to draw the blade for battle at any moment, while simultaneously channeling his Magic Power to drive the airflow, creating wind pressure that pushed towards the mercenaries.

He said, "Back off. I don't want trouble, and I presume you don't want to lose your lives over a sword either."

The gust of wind pressure immediately pushed the mercenaries back.

They hadn't expected this unassuming mercenary to be a Hero.

And a seemingly powerful one, at that.

Indeed, a Short Sword wasn't worth these mercenaries risking their lives.

They began to slowly back away. Their leader, holding up an unarmed hand, tried to explain to Yan Xing, "Friend, I just had a bit too much to drink. I didn't mean any offense..."

Before he could finish, their leader bumped into someone.

When their leader turned and saw who it was, his face instantly paled. He quickly stepped back and bowed, stammering, "L-Leader... we really just had too much to drink and wanted to look at this brother's sword. We... we weren't thinking of anything else."

The man addressed as "Leader" had a mustache shaped like the number eight, a dignified bearing, and an air of utmost integrity.

He wore a suit of Knight's armor, painted orange with white decorative patterns. A Knight's shield was slung across his back, and a Knight's sword hung at his waist.

Several similarly dressed mercenaries followed him.

Although the mercenaries who had accosted Yan Xing weren't as splendidly equipped, they also wore orange leather or chainmail armor.

Clearly, they were part of the same group, or perhaps the same mercenary corps.

The man referred to as "Leader", who had a formidable presence, sternly regarded his subordinates. He then glanced at the gathering onlookers before turning back to scold his men, "We, the Farsight Mercenary Corps, have just established new regulations demanding that every member refrain from disturbing the order in Nuta City.

"'No bullying the weak! No coveting others' property!

"'I saw what you just did. Several other mercenary commanders saw it too.

"'Excuses are useless.

"'Go... find the Punishment Officer and confess your wrongdoings.

"'Accept your due punishment, and you'll still be my good brothers.'"

The group of mercenaries who had intended to commit robbery quickly dispersed, as if granted amnesty.

The Farsight Leader then addressed the surrounding mercenaries who had gathered to watch, his voice ringing out, "The war has spread throughout the entire Wildwind Highlands; few safe places remain in this land. Here in Nuta City, we are under its protection, so we must abide by its laws and order.

"'However, in these past days, we mercenaries have caused Nuta City significant trouble.

"'The Leaders of the large mercenary corps, myself included, were summoned to the Lord's Mansion and severely reprimanded by Count Theodore.

"'As Lord Earl himself said, 'Causing chaos in Nuta City benefits us in no way.'

"'We, the Farsight Mercenary Corps, have issued an edict to severely punish any member who violates the laws of Nuta City.

"'We also hope that all of you, our friends, will consider the interests of humankind and refrain from causing trouble for Count Theodore at this critical time.'"

No sooner had the Leader of the Farsight Mercenary Corps finished speaking than someone in the crowd clamored, "Not cause trouble for Count Theodore? Does the Earl even care if we live or die?

"'Everything in Nuta City is exorbitantly expensive!

"'Their blatant profiteering is uglier than the greed of any bandit!'"

Another shouted, "Nuta City exploits our labor and pays us as little as possible! Now, with this outrageously expensive food, they're fleecing us of our savings!

"'We're starving, yet Count Theodore feasts on cod air-freighted from the coast in his castle!'"

"'You large mercenary corps can still get missions from Count Theodore escorting supplies.

"'Meanwhile, we haven't had any income for ages!'"

As various voices rose in complaint and grievance, the mercenaries grew increasingly agitated.

The Nuta City Defense Forces finally responded to the large gathering of mercenaries. Flocks of Griffons circled overhead, and Gryphon Knights used Magic to amplify their voices, demanding the assembled mercenaries disperse immediately.

The mercenaries, though inflamed with anger, eventually dispersed in a fury, still wary of the Nuta City Defense Forces' might.

The Leader of the Farsight Mercenary Corps waved to the Gryphon Knights in the air, indicating his identity. After confirming there were no further violent incidents, he walked over to Yan Xing.

Yan Xing was currently giving orders to Chui Chui, "Have you noted down those who were shouting and instigating earlier?"

In Yan Xing's mental space, Chui Chui displayed several snapshots, highlighting the individuals who had been shouting. Chui Chui then responded, "I've noted them all, Master. Next time I see them, I guarantee I'll recognize every one."

Hearing that all these shouts targeted Count Theodore, Yan Xing sensed something was definitely amiss with those individuals.

He reconsidered their words. The reasoning was clear, the accusations sharp, and quite inflammatory. But their speech lacked the mercenaries' earthiness; instead, it smacked of nobility. If they'd mixed in some slang or curses, it would have sounded far more natural.

Alas...

The person who scripted those lines was too amateurish—clearly an upper-class individual with little contact with common folk.

If I were writing it, it'd be very different. At the very least, it would start and end with a string of curses. It would include cursing Count Theodore's ancestors for eighteen generations and wishing his sons be born without arseholes.

Only that could truly stir up the commoners' emotions and be harder to see through.

With my keen insight, I've already seen through their little game.