My Glasses

Chapter 178 – Glasses boy moves forward at the start of the hunting festival

“Wait.” Zett said.

As we had just finished talking, I tried to quickly leave, but he stopped me.

“If you leave me alone like this, it’ll look like I have just been dumped, so stay with me for a while.” Zett told me.

Huh?

“I mean, I think you’ll look like you have been dumped no matter what, and I don’t want to be seen together with a guy that enjoys bullying younger girls.” I replied.

“I know you’re strong, you know…?

“But anyways, just… Stop saying that. Those words are the most painful and shocking thing I have ever heard.” Zett stated.

Wait, for real? It affected him this much?

Zett had completely withered away by now. He currently looked kinda small, and gave off a presence that was closer to what a young man of his age was supposed to feel like.

I guess he is still a teenager in the end… Even though the Zett I’ve gotten to know was a confident, belligerent and dangerous person that never hesitated to do anything… Right now he just looks like a person with flashy tattoos.

“Were those words that shocking?” I couldn’t help asking.

Zett sighed, “I grew up watching shitty adults who abused weak women and children. I have, since long ago, vowed to never let myself sink that low.”

Oh, so that’s how it is? As in, Chace’s insult got him down because he was being seen as the same as those shitty adults.

“You have kicked me once though.” I commented.

“But you’re not weak. And I won’t show mercy to anyone who opposes me.” Zett replied.

I wonder about that… I mean, I’m pretty sure I’m much weaker than Zett at the very least.

Mmmm… I never thought I’d have a chance to have a normal conversation with Zett, but now that we’re here… Maybe I should ask him some things that I’m curious about?

Though the announcement to gather the hunters has already been made, so the hunting competition will probably begin soon, so I think I don’t have much time.

Still, I guess I can try asking a thing or two, so, “Why did you decide to participate?” I asked.

“Because that fat guy asked me to.” He replied.

Oh? Beckenberg?

“It’s essentially a way to create buzz and liven up the festival.

“My comrades went a bit too far, so I’m putting up with that fat guy for a bit to compensate.” Zett continued.

Went too far?

… Ah, it must be about that, “You mean the robbery?” I asked.

I remember that while we were fighting in the restaurant that night, Zett’s comrades stole many valuable things from Beckenberg’s home.

And right after that, Florentine attacked Zett’s comrades, so Zett had to leave the restaurant once he heard about that.

Then, he was apparently beaten up by Florentine or something.

I don’t know all the details of that incident, but I can’t imagine anything else other than the robbery that he could be talking about.

“Yeah, that. They got a bit too carried away and stole way too much.” Zett nodded.

So it really was about that.

Considering the talk I overheard between Beckenberg and old man Tatsunami, Zett’s comrades must have really taken way too much. Especially because Zett himself is also saying that.

I also remembered Lisse talking about her job of recovering the stolen items, and from what she said, it really seemed like there was a lot of stuff that she had to run after.

This robbery might have even been big enough to endanger Beckenberg’s position.

“You have a strange relationship.” I commented.

“Huh?” Zett said.

“Yours and Beckenberg’s. You two fought just the other day, but you’re now here at your enemy’s request.” I clarified.

I mean, Beckenberg really was trying to kill Zett that night… And now Zett is here to liven Beckenberg’s festival up.

“Oh, that… I guess it is pretty strange, isn’t it?

“But well, if we could clearly distinguish between good and evil, or between friend and enemy, then it would be much easier to live in this world.

“I don’t quite get how it works either, to be honest. Sometimes you have to let your enemies live, and at others you have to cut off your allies. I really don’t understand how those things work at times.

“But well, people like me who can’t do anything other than fighting just have to do what we think is best.” Zett replied.

I see… “You actually do think a lot about things involving other people. I’m surprised.” I said.

“Huh? Look, I may be an idiot that can’t do anything other than fighting, but I’m not a crazy person who just stomps anything that gets in my way.” Zett told me.

You do look like a pretty crazy person though. That’s why I was surprised.

******

That was all that we were able to talk about.

As I expected, we really didn’t have much time, as the call to gather the hunters had already been made.

I wanted to ask him plenty of other things, but I guess that will be that.

“Quiet! Quiet!” A person exclaimed.

Now that Zett had calmed down, the other hunters, who were still emanating a bit of murderous intent, even if they were reasonably calm too, were able to stop talking easily once the voice called our attention.

The voice was a bit further away, so it was muffled by the festival’s music and its hustle and bustle to some extent.

Still, both me and Zett paid attention to the voice.

There seemed to be a podium on the other side of the crowd that gave off a pretty strong ‘Adventurer’s Guild’ feeling.

And on top of the podium, there was a middle-aged man with a very familiar round belly.

But as I’m not wearing my glasses right now, I could only vaguely see his silhouette.

“Brave hunters, thank you for participating in today’s hunting festival!” Beckenberg exclaimed.

Mmm… Brave? I was taught that it was better for hunters to be a bit cowardly, actually.

But well, I guess ‘brave’ is appropriate for Krozheit’s hunters, as the hunters here are basically adventurers.

“This festival is the largest in the history of Krozheit! With 15 participating teams and over 50 total participating hunters!

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who cooperated to make this event possible!” Beckenberg’s words and tone were dignified.

Well, he is a ruler of Krozheit, so I guess it’s natural for him to be good at this kind of thing. He probably has had to give speeches in a good number of formal occasions.

Also, Agitator is probably active right now. Even without my glasses, I can safely assume this much.

After all, this is the original purpose of his Gift. It’s a Gift that should be used to raise the morale of a group, or to stir their fighting spirit and the like. Basically, it’s meant to work as a motivational boost.

“I would rather not talk for long, so I will simply repeat the competition’s rules to make sure everyone is on the same page!” Beckenberg stated.

He then explained what we already knew. That the festival would last from right now until tomorrow’s noon, and that scoring was based on how fast we hunted, what Demon Beast we hunted, and on the number of participants in our team.

… I tried to not pay attention to the voice next to me saying things like, ‘Oh?’, ‘Huh?’, ‘What does that mean?’

“Hey, hey, I don’t get it. Just how is the winner determined?” Zett asked me.

Seriously… He decided to just ask me in this kind of direct manner?

Also… Did he really decide to participate without even knowing the rules?

… I guess he is very… Bold.

I’m honestly a bit envious of his confidence, as I usually just try my best to avoid all sorts of scary things.

Though well, being a bit cowardly is good. It’s better than being like my sister who has once tried to eat rotten meat.

Nonetheless, things might get annoying if I ignore him, so let’s give him a simplified explanation, “You just need to hunt strong or rare Demon Beasts as quickly as possible.”

Zett seems to be participating by himself, so his team size score is already perfect.

So well, it’s not too hard to explain the rest to him.

“Oh, that is easy to understand alright.” Zett nodded.

Good. I’d be in trouble if he didn’t understand at least this much.

Though now that I think about it, the scoring system is fairly simple. You just need to do the same kind of thing that hunters already do, but this time you need to be fast and need to go after trickier prey.

… Maybe the system is purposefully simple, so as to let people like Zett, who decided to participate without even knowing the rules, still have a fair chance in the competition.

“Pay attention now, because this is the most important point!

“Each team will be given a red smoke signal and a blue smoke signal!

“Once you finish hunting your prey, raise the blue smoke signal to tell us that you finished hunting! As soon as you do that, a recovery team will be on their way to you!

“As for the red smoke, it’s there in case you want to give up! Use it in case someone is injured or can no longer go on! We’ll also send you a recovery team as soon as we see that!

“The signals have been made in a special way that will make them easily visible even at night, so do not be afraid of using them as soon as needed!” Beckenberg told us.

Oh, I hadn’t heard about this before.

Though it makes sense now that I think about it.

I mean, as I have Anomalous Ogre registered from Florentine, I can carry decently-sized prey by myself, but usually, one would need to dismantle the prey on site and carry only the necessary parts home.

But that’s not necessary in the competition, as we can just raise the blue smoke signal once we’re done hunting. That’s pretty convenient alright.

“The winning team will receive not only a cash prize, but also an extra prize!” Beckenberg exclaimed.

The hunters got excited when hearing that.

Apparently, on top of receiving a large sum of money from Beckenberg, the winners will also be allowed to ask old man Tatsunami to make a weapon for them.

… I already had a knife made though.

Then… I guess it’s actually quite hard to get old man Tatsunami to make something for you?

Perhaps money is not enough to get him to work. He might be picky with what kind of jobs he accepts.

“And with this, I conclude my greetings! I wish you all good luck!” As Beckenberg said that, he left the podium.

******

As soon as his speech ended, loud drums started echoing throughout the plaza.

The festival was quite noisy up until now, like a forest being swayed by a storm… And yet, with each blow of the drums, the festival became quieter and quieter.

“Our brave hunters will now depart! Please watch over them in all their majesty!” A man, that was not Beckenberg, exclaimed.

Right after that, the chaotic crowd started cheering as they split themselves in two halves, paving a clear path for us.

So, the participants, me included, started walking down that path while being surrounded by their cheers.

… I’m really glad that I took off my glasses. There are way too many people watching me right now.

I’m already hearing people say stuff like, ‘Do your best, maid!’ even… Walking through this open path makes me way too noticeable after all.

… But well, let’s not mind that. Even if I don’t have a bow with me, this will be my first hunt in a while.

So let’s keep my spirits up and do my best today.

After all, I’m definitely going to win.

******

(Third person narration)

As the hunters left the city, the plaza was once again filled with its previous commotion.

And shortly after that, in a private room of a certain restaurant, Beckenberg, Adyll and Tatsunami were eating lunch while discussing the progress of the festival and their future plans.

Things like the current status of the bets, how much money was being moved, what problems they need to be wary of were all being considered.

Their assumption was that they’d get their first hunt completion by evening or night.

At the edge of a certain hall, all hunted Demon Beasts will be lined up to stir the audience. And in the process, the rulers will be making money by letting people bet, eat and drink.

However, this was their first time making this kind of festival, so they assumed that many unexpected problems might arise.

As such, even though those three have already talked quite a bit about this while preparing for the festival, they are doing it again right now.

After all, this is going to set up the standards for the future. No event of this magnitude has ever been held in Krozheit before.

But if it succeeds, they might start doing this kind of thing regularly… Or so Beckenberg thinks.

However, Adyll and Tatsunami have no plans of collaborating in making such a large-scale event again.

That said, if he is given enough time to prepare, Beckenberg could probably hold this event by himself.

And just as they were having this kind of discussion… Someone knocked on their door.

“Come in.” Beckenberg said.

All three of them instantly assumed that something had already gone wrong as they saw a large man, a former hunter who was currently in charge of the recovery team, come inside.

“A blue smoke signal was risen. Should I go collect it?” The man asked.

All three rulers went silent.

An unexpected problem had indeed arisen.

They had expected the first hunt to be finished in the evening or in the night.

And yet, even though the festival had just started, one team had already finished their hunt.